Scots band to play in Columbia MO

Swamp Rock anyone? This band is quickly becoming a favorite round here. Seen in St. Louis recently at the Pageant. Take the time to catch them in Columbia MO at the Roots and Blues Festival, on stage at 7:00 PM. Kathryn, cool your bad self down for this

“toe sucking geek rock – kinda weird, but it feels good when you're doing it.”

Go here for a total artist lineup.

To all Pfoodman/Lone Wolf Burnin Teams

Ok, we don't have a campground again. Didn't Struckman say that we should spoon with him? Is Skuck going solo in the 6 hour? Can we get some team communication here? What will Geezer look like in pink? Thrasher? I suppose I will drive the van down there again and sleep amongst the dropping acorns, not. I am certain I will find an opening in the canopy to get more than an hours sleep before the bombs come.

I want a friggin buckle. The last three years have been 4th place just out of the hardware. Can we please put together a payday?

Hermann Cross Under the Lights

These photo's by Jimmy "Sweatermeat" Davis pretty well sum's it up

"Oh my!" Said the farmers wife. "What are those young boys doing with dollar bills hanging out of their pants?"

I am sure she was reffering to the steps coming up from the field in the 1's and 2's at the City Park in Hermann, a small farm community just west of St. Louis along the Missouri River. It was quite the spectacle, the elite cyclocross riders reaching the top of a 30 step platform, a golden shower of Pabst Blue Ribbon tossed affectionately on the riders passing. Most often by wig wearing, poll dancing, mosh pitting, hecklers who, appropriately so, grunted it out in the races prior. It was loud and the energy was turned up to 10. The band was playing another song by Pat Benatar or something, and another, and another.

Down on the parking lot there was another grouping of Bigshark and Mesa folks doing hand ups to the occasional errant rider needing an immediate carbohydrate injection. There were most certainly takers towards the end of the race, as Josh and Nate of Bigshark pretty well tried their best to keep Shad Smith of Trade Wind and Joseph Schmalz of KCCX of their asses. In the end it was Smith who got the jump after sitting in most of the night on Buttheads wheel in the later laps. Schmalz stayed on his wheel on the pavement, leaving Butthead back in a third place finish. It was a very good tactical race for the most part and early in the season, I might add. Smith is the 2008 State Champion. It will be interesting seeing what plays out this season in the 1's and 2's.

The 3's has some very fast riders. It was good to see Justin Bowen, Ghissalo, (Dirt Crit B Race Winner) and Drew Black, Mesa, get top tens. Zack Brace and Matt James not far behind, look for them to get fit and stay up front as well. I was glad Russ Murphy did the 3's, he looked strong and my guess is that he will be, like the other masters racers, looking to do something big in the state championships. I hope to mix it up with him a bit this year, always a fierce comptetitor and one of the most experienced tactical racers around. Klages looks strong, lean and mean too. I was hoping to get some of that later as well. My first cyclocross race was with Jim Klages, Jim Sullivan, John Mcraven, Rich Pierce and a bunch of other at Queeny Park in 2001.

The 4's, well, Boz, (Craig Basler, um Mesa) got the hole shot and premier registration again leaving me and the Bigshark boys to fend for ourselves. We had around 40 racers in the field so it was a good crowd. I was lamenting to Boz last night that we had not even begun the steps when he was already on the bike and going down the hill. Ain't nothing like a bind up on the first turn. Craig's gone from the Pulpit to the Moshpit by leaving the ICCC and joining Mesa Cycles team this year. And I am sure he will uphold their standards for bad ass racing. I will say this again. The boy is down right powerful and has done his work, finishing top ten this week and a podium last week. Nice work Boz.

Struckman had it all worked out as to how we would keep things under control but that shiat got walked on when Buddy blew the whistle. Besides muscling to the front together, there was little I could do to control the front. Cross requires a tempering of your effort. If you go anarobic, you have to slow. So ambling at a high level is key. Once the pace slows a bit, you can attack and make progress, but you never want to go completely anarobic near the start.

Mike Briner, Bigshark, got caught up in the tape and clipped my rear wheel on the second lap going down hard, only to weave through again for a top ten finish. The Hub guys dominated again, taking home Stone Hill bottles of wine given out as trophies. Boz had another strikingly good race getting edged out a bit by Matt Struckman, Bigshark. Matt's endurance fitness has paid huge dividends after a visit to Leadville this year and he is tough, looking to see him creep further in to the top ten and likely further. Karl King, Mesa, also showed up again, weaving his way through to 5th place and an exciting finish that left rumors flying that somebody got punched at the finish. Merely an arm check on the sprint, Karl looks to be in good form for the Bubba series.

I was quite comfortable this week, taking a 12th place and winning my sprint against Ryan Heine, Hub. Ryan, myself and Benji Bockting, CBC, set a decent pace chasing down the top ten and were making progress when Benji crashed on the twists on the second to last lap. Ryan was showing signs of slowing so on the pavement towards the finish, I jumped on and nailed it at the end. I was happy with the finish, but prefer a longer race to get through the others. I think this will be to my advantage in the B's this year, the longer races. I look to challenge Boz and the others as the fitness continues to come.

It was a great couple races. Thanks to Jeff Yielding for embracing the active living culture and promoting two very well run events in his hometown. It could not have been a better way to prepare for the Bubba Memorial Cyclocross Series. He ain't dead yet...

Trailnet Active Living Awards

First, I am so not turning my car on today. Not after last nights inspiring event put on by our towns local active living advocacy, Trailnet. It was the second annual Active Living Awards held at Alberici World Headquarters. You can't miss the place, it has a wind turban and the front yard needs a mowing.

I mentioned to Janie where we were going as she fidgeted with my phone, texting my kid why we were gone, and why she would have to seek out her own porridge for the evening. When she looked up she commented on how the grass and landscaping should be better taken care of, not impressed. She didn't realize the sustainable nature of the place until I yanked the electronic POS out of her hand and made her pay attention to that which is one of St. Louis's most interesting buildings. Take time to attend an event there if you can. It reminds me of the future (if one can one be reminded of the future). Like Westworld or something.

We entered the awards and were greeted by Dave Lauber. I am proud of Dave. It has been a tough year for all causes and Trailnet likely faced just as many challenges at a time when giving has been limited. Ann Mack, back from a bout with breast cancer, a story of perseverance in itself, seemed healthy and most concerned about re-attaining her fitness on the mountain bike, bravo to you Ann! Dave and Ann get my vote for overcoming the most adversity, and a shout out to them is in order. This without an ounce of negativity due to the recession. Trailnet is not a negative group, always looking down the road for what could enhance our communities active living presence.

I was there to clap Mike Weiss into his much deserved Tom Yarbrough award. And I was amazed at several things there while socializing and enjoying the catering of Pfoodman's Chris Lupo. Again, Chris, fabulous job. You always come through. By the way, it was Chris who handled all of the lunches for the Tour of Missouri as well, and the Pro Women's event at the Residence Inn. A big round of applause for a dude who I consider more of a brother than an employee. Thank you Chris, for helping Trailnet enhance their event. Pfoodman was mentioned several times during the evening. Chris, your efforts are equally inspiring.

Second, I had never seen Mike without a hat on, or Hammer, or Bill Martin, or John Richards, or most of the chicks there too for that matter. I hadn't seen anyone with a tie on, not in this setting. I was absolutely amazed at the room, bursting with over 200 people, all there in the spirit of active living and the advocacy that plays such an important role in defining what our city can become. Mike said it best when he received his award. "Why not do it here?". Mike, because of you and the others, we are on our way and never have we had the momentum like now. Hat's on to you dude!

Kinder is a hoot ain't he? Hey P, we don't care if you're an R-pub. Lets face it, there are a lot of business men bucking up to the causes out there and Pfoodman is one of them. Yep, we support anything in regard to active living, including the Tour of Missouri and a slew of others. Name it, we help. So lets be real here, without a little less gov. and a little less bureaucracy, we wont be able to give nuthin. So as far as I am concerned (being a proclaimed "just to the right of middle" outspoken b-man), you are the man and I am in support of your stuff.

Say P, by the way and if you don't mind, can you ask Nixon for my 500 bucks back? You will likely see him before I. I sent him a check prior to the election after attending a picnic down in Columbia with a bunch of local Dem's. Yep, they got in my pocket. Since Nixon is giving us trouble, I will chalk it up to pro-active gander rally for not getting anything in return for my support during his campaign. In hindsight I suppose I wanted to make sure he knew who I was upon my disappointment--when I start my pontification process against his regime for the pulling of support for the Tour--(I knew this would be the case someday). Ain't nuthin like a poor return on investment to kick start the rhetoric. Game on. P, thanks a bunch for your efforts and please know that it does not go unnoticed.

Have you ever seen a fitter group of women? I thought I was taking a yoga class at first sight but spotted the bar in the corner and went to rub elbows with the beer drinkers. There I saw Joe Hill about as fit as he has ever been, another outstanding member of the active living community.

Yep, it was a very inspiring evening and we plan to do so much more with Trailnet. As I stood there in the dark, (because the lights were broken or something) I looked around the room and reflected on my own journey. Enhanced by a cross section of folks in the room whom I admire greatly. Mike Weiss is one of those guys that you get the feeling that you just have to go with, as are the rest of his cronies. He gets it, and so do I. So do Ann and David, the other donors in the room, the award winners, the friends and families of everyone there, the fans at the Tour of Missouri and the communities committed to changing the paradigm of our condition. These are the tribe members and we are growing in numbers. Becoming more powerful, more influential and more loyal to the cause. There is something building here and it is going to change the world. Ifyouknowhatimtalkinbout.

Why ride bikes?

I got my ass handed to me again. It always starts this way at the beginning of any season. I am sure that I am under coached, the real problem. I need a 40,000 dollar a year live in coach. What this means is that I have not realized or been made to realize the need to specifically train for the discipline that is in front of me. It means more road miles, more intervals, more pain. I eventually get through it. I will embark this morning on the pain train since last night was a wash with girls tennis.

So just before the race Struckman shouts out "tell me those are not the new friggin kits for the team?"--this when I was out warming up prior to the start of Bearcat Cross in Hermann.

It's the pink fade. Our new team got new team kits and the rust red fades to pink on the shirt. I am now taking some hits. Or course, I don't really care all that much but Struckman found it to be "mighty Struckman like" to call me out on it. In response he was dealt out a powerful blow of profane language on my part. Then he beat me like a step child directly out of the start. So he is now the captain of said team and can fetch the water bottles for all I care.

I bought some new wheels and tires, etc. The tires need to be glued on and "put" on, neither of which I am capable of doing on my own, because they are specialized in their own way and it is all one big pain in the ass. It just occurred to me that I need new brake pads for the carbon wheels, so there is another fortybucks. I will now need an earpiece to Bazler because he is now my lord of candy and knowledgeable of all things Cross. This is fine for now. I will soon be getting my hair cut like his, drive a car like his and... I will stop there. I ain't wearing no friggin madras...

So I bailed on Geezer yesterday after he waited for me to ride. By the way, he gave my good friends the Blau's the hookup on a stuck window repair. Go to Paul for all your electric car crap repairs. He is the best and never can he not find the issue. Paul will soon be equipping the worlds fastest truck for the goods to set a land speed record at the Bonneville salt flats soon. I am so putting a LWCC sticker on it.

Thrasher called me from the van on his way home from Colorado with Carlson, Keister, Campbell and Koetoritz, a week at CB with half the group injured. This was the original 10 year reunion group so they all rented a room in Crested Butte and stuffed themselves into it for old times sake. They are son gay. Craig was pleased with his performance and was looking forward to coming back and putting a hurt on whomever he came in contact with. He didn't say this exactly, but this is the normal process for those returning from elevation. Bring it smart guy. You are now in charge of water bottles.

We went down to Hermann Saturday afternoon, me and Janie, in order to spend the night and wake up and do the race on Sunday. We couldn't find a room for nuthin. So we rolled in to Trappers on Main Street (I think it was). There we were greeted by the server and owner of the restaurant who brought out a phone book to help us. Soon we were introduced to another couple sitting on the patio (yes we were allowed to have our dog out there) who recommended others to try (they were B&B owners too). Next Jeff Yielding, the local bike race promoter roles up to get a carryout order, he makes a call, talks to a guy at the bar, he makes a call, others on cell phones got on board. The next thing you know we were embraced by the entire local community trying to find us a room. I was just there for a bike race with my dog and my chick.

What a cool way to welcome some outsiders by getting everyone to embrace our condition. We met all sorts of people there, and had a really nice dinner with some very nice folks. We ended up heading back to the lew, but our experience there was that which you least expect sometimes, warm and friendly. Thanks to Jeff for providing us a great experience in his town.

I ride bikes because of the people and the experiences that come with meeting and knowing each one of them. Quirky, belligerent, old, ruffled, skinny, squirreled, cheap, drunk, injured, smart, tall-tailed, detailed, anal, super anal, fat, guzzled, rancid helmet smelling, chode huffing, zoots. The community is made up of them. I recommend everyone take a look at how this tribe of idiots truly impact the world, or your world. For me it is worth it.

Entrepreneurial Hot Dog Guy

I was introduced to a young woman yesterday named Kellee who truly impressed me. I have a "coach" that I use to...well...center certain things relating to my entrepreneurial world, and occasionally this process presents the opportunity to help others. This was the case with Kellee and she, like many (but not all) young professionals had set out to network and make things happen.

I like this in young folks. The "go-get-um" attitude, the "I don't know everything but you do" approach to rubbing elbows with those who might have something to give. Ego, that is what I am talking about. Successful people have egos so when we get asked to share our stories, game on. And giving is in our culture. Pfoodman has a long history of helping others achieve, dolling out information, advise, money, resources for a slew of categories. When ego comes in to play, that is where some of the best stuff comes spewing out from me and the others involved in Pfoodman.

I am thankful that I was asked by Kellee, what she should do to "get to know the business community". It just so happens that I needed to carve out a presentation for some students at Lindenwood and this would be good fodder. So I started pontificating. The result is this post, by the way....

She's from Texas and finishing her certifications for counseling in these next few years. She has an undergrad from Vanderbilt and worked in the business sector in Nashville for quite a while. This kid is pretty high caliber and very sharp. But moving to St. Louis presents a challenge for her. She feels an outsider versus the insider that she had become comfortable with in Nashville. Her question was: "How do I find out who is who and what is what?" and "What companies are those most likely needing my unique combination of Organizational Development and Counseling degrees?

...somebody must have told her about our less than perfect OD....I would bet that most people in my position think this of their own operations...I hope so anyway...

So I had to explain my "hot dog" guy concept--that I am basically just a hot dog guy and (for strategic purposes) what I have to say is likely a little over the top and unconventional in regard to the traditionalist's of the St. Louis market place. Because I reside in the hot dog guy suit and live in the hot dog guy world, I have to think outside the box in relationship to my surroundings, because doing so has lifted me a little higher than my personal label, over time, and with consistency. Strip me of the titles, pageantry and pedestal, I am still just a hot dog guy with a little bit of creative process in getting the word out.

I don't like the conventional, the traditional, the day to day paradigm of fitting in under somebody understanding of the way things should be. I hate what my competition does and rarely make time to study it, unless it fits the Blue Ocean model for success and, if that is the case, I am on it.

I mentioned to Kellee that I thought St. Louis to be a "conservative entrepreneurial economy" which translates into friggin boring for my regular blog readers. I shudder to think that Kellee reads this blog someday, without first understanding the raw nature of its content and the "tell it like it is" perspective that I feel is so important to those trying to break in to the world of business and entrepreneurship. I try and speak the truth and put it out there in a way that most folks can understand. So there is integrity in my rawness, the hot dog guy is wired that way and it goes without saying that an entrepreneurial approach to getting anything in life is key.

What she was really asking is: "What do I need to do to get noticed?"

And I am not at all slamming old Bald Guy for his comments. Just providing some contrast. But Kevin chimes in, my partner, "go and get the St. Louis Business Journals Book of Lists and begin the process of dividing the companies into what might best be suitable for employment opportunities. Then carve out your resume and talent transcript to the unique qualities of those companies, or something like that. I almost fell asleep before he finished and started fiddling for my ipod. Not at all what I was thinking from HDG perspective.

I actually think it was good advice. The first thing you need to discover when coming to a new town, boring economy or not, is who the employers are. It is a great way to gain perspective and the local business journal is key to getting the skinny. I would, however, be careful fitting in to the old method of gaining employment by sifting through human resource departments in the traditional fashion and within the standard and conventional dolling out of information. You have to take control! It starts with a personal brand.

Back in 1994 I started the concept Pfoodman. It was a nickname my father came up with. I had been in the restaurant business and so had he. Back in the day we would always make a play on the letters, putting a "P" in front of any "F" in daily language. It was stupid Pfamily Pfun, get it? And back in his day, when he ran for President of the the Missouri Young Democrats, and won based on some unique signage/branding that read: " Pfremmer Pfor Pfresident". It was just stupid enough to gain attention and it was successful in getting him where he wanted to go.

...damn, this small vignette from my past created that which holds the most significance in everything we do from a marketing perspective...

This was the idea behind the start of my brand in 1994 and since the web was starting to kick in, my email address subsequently became Pfoodman. I was in the restaurant business--what I think today as being over glamorized and lacking in reality based concepts. I prefer to be the hot dog guy and thank Russ Hunt for enlightening me to its true meaning, which is a paradox in itself as it relates to who is the most important people in this world. Regardless, I didn't know how to break out into something more significant until I started listening to my inner voice. I relied on my intuition and started with the email address Pfoodman, on an AOL account.

Little did I know that it would be the catalyst to the beginning of something great. And I can't take full responsibility either. This with the help, loyalty and optimism of many people much smarter and much more patient than I.

...being naked on stage--what I would look like stripped of the support, loyalty and devotion of those choosing me as a leader...

My next "connecting of the dots" was to take advantage of the early blog and/or website templates that were available for free. I created Pfoodman.com, an online culinary solutions page where I could "do stuff with". The objective was to provide a glimpse into the mind of a young food professional and establish a presence on the web using my brand. I started writing and commenting on stuff, started getting hits, more writing, more hits, pictures of stuff, more hits etc. This is now called the Ralph Account and it has certainly gotten the attention and has become a part of our marketing program, receiving 400-500 hits per week during my peak writing months, usually September thru March.

I did this as a hobby, without much of a connection to business. I was employed with another company that I would soon compete with. Pfoodman had the right of first usage by the presence on the web, by the way. So when I went to trademark the brand, it would have been pretty tough for somebody to take it. Regardless of its obscurity. Pfoodman also became a guerrilla marketing technique, a cause marketing brand that I used to help some local bike races with charities behind them. I donated some food to the MS Society for a couple events using the Pfoodman logo for lack of a better brand. Soon I began to get phone calls for catering.

Later, when our company had grown and we faced the need to create a unique image, it was Pfoodman that had the story telling behind it. Pfoodman projects revenues to be in the area of 20 million near the end of 2012.

And the story telling doesn't stop there...Wapiti, Lone Wolf, Brown Dog Blues Band, HDG!

...if it is all I am ever good at, connecting dots and telling stories, then my life is pretty damn good...

There is a unique blend of conventional and unconventional process needed in order to become noticed in any economy. There are tangible things and intangible things that on must do in order to rise to the top. I strongly recommend the latter. As intangible as the process was for Pfoodman, it provided results in our ability to get noticed over the long term. From there it was on to the basics of performance: over delivery of quality and emphasis on value added benefit to our clients. Emergence happens, but it is rarely driven by somebody else's rules. Start by creating your own brand with your own rules and seek to provide value to those organizations you qualify as within your culture. Simply connect the dots from there...

...I suppose I am pretty darned happy with this one...

R

The Tour of Missouri

Above is Lt. Gov. Kinder starting the Tour of Missouri captured from my cell phone.

Well heck folks. I really don't know how to say to the naysayers of Missouri that this years Tour of Missouri is off to a helluva start. If there is one reason to keep the tour here it is for all the families and friends who lined the streets of downtown St. Louis in the celebration of a sport that everyone can do and do well. It is active living at its best and we must keep the spirit alive.

Never have I been as proud to be a St. Louis-en and a resident in the state of Missouri. I promise each of you that I will make it my mission to lobby for the return of this important event. Thanks Mike Weiss, Lt. Governor Peter Kinder, Mayor Slay, Kitty Ratcliff, all the other sponsors of the Tour for making this years event a notch above the rest. I proud to be a part.

Mike Weiss from Bigshark Bicycles and main guy in charge for the St. Louis stage pulled out all the cards for the Pfoodman Pfriends and Pfamily, by the way. Not only was I one of the official starters for the Tour but he had me interviewed fresh out of a can of 180 on stage prior the call ups, then he hooked me up with a ride during the race with Tour of Missouri Race Director Jim Birrell. Lone Wolf Coffee Company catered the lunches for the racers and volunteers for one of St. Louis's largest bicycle stage races in the history of the city.

Bravo Mike and your Tour of Missouri efforts.

Tall Oak

I love when school starts and I can finally fall in to place with fitness. As I hide it from Boz, my goal this year was to peak specifically for the cross season and specifically to stay in front of him. Now, I know and have been told about his nutrition and his oxygen tents and Electra blood dilatation stuff. But I am still optimistic.

Case in point, the Tall Oak Challenge. First, I was there, others were not. Barring the fact that this is one of the best managed and best venue races in the state, I happen to always do pretty well here. I will take joy in the fact that the only two teams that beat the Geezer and I (understanding that I did indeed have a good teammate) were Team Chris Ploch and Tom Albert, and Team Cameron Chambers and the other dude. Some pretty stiff competition, likely the best in the state. I truly am not worthy but will take this one and put it on the wall.

The name of the game in team races like this is consistency and that is what Jimmyleg brought to the table. No, I wasn't dropping 34 minute laps, but the 36 and change seemed to do the trick with the Geezer ramping it down on the last lap to overcome our race for third.

The first lap a kid almost died before getting kicked into the ditch. By the way, kids, if you are in a Le Mans start, and you try and get the hole shot and you bog down because you are inexperienced, and you decide to block, or freak and can't move and there are a bunch of fast big dudes behind you and you are being yelled at and you still don't move and then some big and nasty old fart kicks you in to the Brier, well, you should take note for the next race. It is a 6 hour race, not won at the start.

I happened to have enjoyed this race, good company, our tent village was cool as were the folks who joined us. I can't say thanks enough to the Cow Town guys who made it a good race for Paul and I, we barely squeaked out the 3rd place finish. Great times.


Thanks to Chris's gal Laura for the pics.

Jimmyleg

It ain't ever day that you get to stand on a stage and wale on a harmonica in the presence of such talent. Peter, Chef Mike, Kevin, Steve, Baby Drew joined us too. In fact, I am lucky that these guys gave me a shot at this stuff since I am not near the guitar player they are. The vocals piece came from over the winter, when our not-so-blues singer decided to bail for more of a rock thing. I stepped up because, well, because Peter said so. From there I realized that I had a hard time singing and playing the guitar, especially lead, so rhythm would have to be the ticket and only on songs when I could come in and out without butchering. Enter the harmonica and Jimmyleg was born.

Suddenly its back (the ability to play the harp) and I used to play a lot. The Gin Mill days in Houston with Joey Long and the Texas Brothers. Miss Molly and the Passions....The harp just takes over when you are on. You find the notes and it just plays itself through the scale, once you "get it". Not until these guys let me stumble around the past several practices was I able to hone it in. Now I play the harp and do vocals and limit myself to an acoustic accompaniment on guitar. Hey, so be it.

We played last night at the Blackhawk room at Lone Wolf Coffee Company in Ballwin. A practice, home field thing in what is really my corporate headquarters that looks and operates as a restaurant. We just got a liquor license too, so we look to have some fun performing as Jimmyleg, or whatever we formally decide to call ourselves. We like Chicago Blues, some country blues rock stuff, rockabilly. We put a twist on the traditional with some very significant guitar and soloing done by everyone.