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episodes 12, 13 & 14: RATS!!
Tuesday 07-01-2008 6:10am CT
i realize that i am here at the mercy and with the good graces of the powers that be, but here's the straight poop: because of i-cubs sunday night games, the kim west radio cycling shows for the next two weeks [july 6 and 13] will be just 45 minutes long.
episode 12 will feature a tour de france preview and perhaps coverage of the 80/35 festival.
episode 13 will feature a tour de france update and coverage of the clear lake races at which yours truly will serve as announcer for the saturday night twilight criterium and whipping post for the sunday road race.
episode 14 will air during the first "official" day of ragbrai, and will feature a pre-recorded interview with a special guest or two. more about THAT as the time draws near.
episode 11: crackheads, alcoholics, and bikies
Monday 06-30-2008 11:49am CT
there is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man.
it is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity.
it is the middle ground between light and shadow,
between science and superstition,
and it lies between the pit of man's fears
and the summit of his knowledge.
this is the dimension of imagination.
it is an area which call the twilight zone . . .
or dallas county. same thing.
. . . . .
who ARE these men who would dare to deny us--YOU--your right to ride your bicycle with whomever you wish whenever you want?
well, let's see... there's brad golightly, mark hanson, and bob ockerman. read all about these folks who don't want dallas county employees have to do their jobs: maintain county roads in a safe and rideable condition.
we--bike riders--are being vilified, whereas we should be declared heroes and praised for our dedicated watchdog efforts at keeping roads safe.
who's to blame? we've ALL been hassled by them: the fat, lazy, selfish, greedy, s.u.v-driving road-hogging cell-phone-talking, cigarette smoking out-of-shape slobs who think THEIR time--and lives--are more important than ours.
well, they can go to . . ., or, well, they can just kiss my . . . well, they can just sit down and TALK with me.
THAT'S what they can do. episode 10: the triathlon came and went
Sunday 06-29-2008 10:28pm CT
. . . and we were there, oddly enough. despite the many and concerted efforts of mother nature to scuttle the whole damned thing, the troops at hyvee pulled off a world-class event. i scolded non-attendees for failing to join in and help make this thing a big happenin' as des moines joins the ranks of very few other american cities as the host of a world cup event.
you folks oughta realize that as world-class competitions such as the hy vee triathlon succeed in des moines, OTHER big-time cycling events are likely to follow. and when THAT happens, interest grows. and as interest grows. and as interest grows, SPONSORSHIP DOLLARS grow.
and THAT makes all of us happy.
so NEXT year, join the devil and me on the grand avenue hill, and help us raise a little hell as we encourage tired riders up the hill.
around town sydney brown
Sunday 06-29-2008 10:31pm CT
she's number one!!!
that's right. despite an initial erroneous ruling by race officials, sydney brown has been declared the leader of the category 2 division of the 2008 nature valley grand prix. this is one of the most difficult stage races in the midwest [ask any of the many who have tried and been cut], and it's this week's NRC event. the kim west radio cycling show's very own gossip gatherer is sporting the leader's jersey. who knew? well, i did. listen to this week's show for a live full report from the road by our hopeful correspondent. good luck sydney!!
kim west, product tester and abuser
Sunday 06-29-2008 10:28pm CT
i am currently testing the hell out of a couple of very interesting and quite disparate products, thanks to some trusting, adventurous companies. today, i'm talking about the monster messenger bag, #01050, supplied to me by banjo brothers of the twin cities. let me begin by saying that i am a crusty old curmudgeon. once i decide to try something new, i get used to it, and i refuse to change. what else explains the 35 bikes i have downstairs, or the 10 old [circa 1957 through 1977] volkswagens i have out back? or my love for my 30+ year-old wool paneled winter cycling jacket? i am scrutinizing the hell out of this bag: it's been all over town and between cities on my honda scooter. i've stuffed video and photographic equipment, 20 radio t-shirts, cycling clothes and shoes, and a half-pound of freshly-ground kenya aa dark coffee in it, and not only did it all fit, i actually liked hauling it around. it's not garish, it doesn't shout: HEY, CHECK THIS SHIT OUT, DUUUUUDE. it's a damned good bag, with a place for my very cool kim west radio cycling show business cards right on the shoulder strap, and a nice little stabilizing strap. anyway, the jury is still out: upcoming race dates at clear lake where i act as criterium announcer and race the next day, and ragbrai is looming. oh, challenging days lie ahead for this thing. we shall see. and thanks for the vote of confidence, banjo brothers. preview of episode 9: a DRY triathlon, in THIS city?
Friday 06-13-2008 6:28pm CT
i have lined up several of the top coaches in the country to discuss that odd amalgam of disciplines, swim, bike, and run. but ma nature pulled a fast one. see how quickly i land on my feet. the show MUST go on!! i can't swim, anyway. but to change the course? what will the devil say about THAT? you can try to fool mother nature, but if you mess with the devil, well, don't say i didn't warn you. episode 8: race like a woman [ally brandt, cheerwine pro]
Friday 06-13-2008 6:21pm CT
in which i have a chat with ally brandt, an iowa native and a relative newcomer to professional cycling, who came to the sport from triathlon, and whose first professional race was the giro d'italia. that's right, the tour of italy. listen as this amazing woman tells how she finished one of the most challenging editions of possibly the most difficult women's race in the world--riding for an italian team! but more than this, she's employed full-time by texas a & m university helping to establish a hospital/medical facility in austin, texas, maintains a strong and healthy marriage, and still has the energy to be the locomotive of the lead-out train for team cheerwine, one of the best teams in the world. but before the interview with ally, i speak with dan kruzic, in-coming president of the largest bicycle club in the capitol city, des moines cycle club. listen as dan and i discuss how and why this thirty-three year old club is seeking to get even larger--and some of the unique ways they intend to do just that.
plus, i read listener feed-back from last week's controversial episode [episode 7], in which disgraced former professional cyclist joe papp bailed on me just moments before air time rather than discuss his experience as a doper in the pro peloton. listeners were not as kind as i was. this and more--squeezed in to just one hour or radio. amazing, isn't it?
2008 quad cities criterium results-aggressive riders
Tuesday 05-27-2008 2:59pm CT
i had the pleasure over the weekend to observe the running of both the snake alley criterium and the quad cities criterium, all events both days. because of pressing matters in capitol city [my radio show] i was unable to attend any of the melon city events, which saddened me no small amount.
que sera, however.
at the snake, i personally witnessed the morning races, while my alter ego, el diablo, oversaw the afternoon's festivities. more about that day's crazy events can be learned here.
the sunday's show, episode 6, about frame building, was a blast. i really do love talking about REAL frame building, and my two guests know a thing or two about it: they have a combined 50 years or so experience.
but monday, donnie miller and crew in rock island had the stage set by sunrise for a day FILLED with top-notch racing, beginning with the baby juniors [10-14] and ending with two very thrilling pro races, the women's 33-lap race, and the men's 50-lap blood-fest which culminated in one of the most exciting and nearly-perfectly executed multi-train leadouts ever seen in iowa, complete with some first-class rail riding by a now two-time champion eric marcotte.
and as host of the kim west radio cycling show, i had a front row seat for the action: right on the announcer's stand, where i got to sit by former postal pro kenny labbe who kept the crowd lining the 1.2 kilometer circuit on their kollective toes throughout the day.
you see, i renewed the practice of awarding "the kim west radio cycling show most aggressive rider award"--the highly-coveted kim west radio cycling show t-shirt, and a hardy handshake from yours truly. i gave them out to riders in the following races:
juniors, 15-18: weston luzadder [iscorp/nova] carmel, ind;
women cat 2/3: sydney brown [team revolution] lincoln, neb;
masters 30+ 40+ cat 4/5: greg aronsen [team dice] bettendorf, ia;
cat 3: chris wallace [mesa cycles] shawnee, kans;
masters 30+ 40+ cat 1/2/3: chris "rat" hayes [haymarket cycles] warrenton, va;
women pro, 1/2/3: sherri stedje [hub racing] lutz, fla; and
pro, 1/2: bryce mead [jelly belly pro team] sterling, ill.
as i ponder this list of winners, and add to it the very first winner of the kim west radio cycling show most aggressive rider award, doctor matt pavlovich, who wom in the cat 3 race at old capitol earlier this season, i realize that the award recognizes some pretty darned classy--and terribly talented and successful--cyclists, both well-established AND up-and-coming.
so congratulations to the winners of this coveted award, and please, continued success to you and continued aggressive riding to you all! thanks for making and keeping bicycle racing so damned exciting and difficult.
you'll hear more about these riders and these awards on the june 1st show. before and after that show, you can learn more, and see exciting race action and awards presentations here.
episode 7: how to go faster--drugs invade the peloton
Thursday 05-22-2008 3:06pm CT
in which currently suspended cyclist joe papp discusses the road that took him from an enthusiastic american neophyte cyclist with european aspirations to an outsider looking in, after getting caught living on the illegal side of cycling. certain to be a controversial episode, catch it june 1st.
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has been riding bikes for over 50 years, which, he claims, makes him an expert on just about everything. kim has a diverse professional career that includes jobs in road construction, welding and childcare. 
dr. kelby bethards, a colorado-based physician who can be found every july somewhere in iowa with kim. despite this, he really DOES know his stuff, and you likely have read his stuff. but have you ever HEARD his stuff? 
every good show needs a detective--a snoop, someone who can look inside team vehicles, get in behind closed doors, and get people to talk...and then tell all about it. we've got the best in the business: around town sydney brown has ways of making you talk; 
people who know kim's friends know they're always told to travel first with a lawyer, and then with a spare tube. you won't need no stinking spare tubes as long as you have bob mionske on retainer. see why we give him 
if you've ever seen the devil on snake alley, you'll recognize his long-time personal advisor, and exercise physiologist, dr. brendon hale. he's the devil's right-hand man, and he can be yours, too. are you dumb enough to doubt him? 
© 2008