Off to Spain & A New DZ Nuts Video
Wednesday, January 5th, 2011Within hours I head to the airport after a fantastic off-season. I’m off to Spain to meet up with the team and the start of our campaign. I’m looking forward to it but I have to admit it’s hard to leave where I’ve recently settled, especially since my family won’t meet me in Europe for another week or two.
It’s also hard to leave because I feel like I’ve been warmly welcomed into my new community here in LA. The neighbors are cool and don’t seem to mind me or my antics. The local cyclists are super friendly…and while I’ve been out on the road I’ve really appreciated all the ‘Hey Dave’ shout-outs, the waves, the thumbs-up gestures and the smile-head-nod combos that have been sent my way. Thanks for having me!
Also, finding a good bike mechanic shop at Win’s Wheels has been a real treat. Great guys, talented crew, funny, and they’ve been kind enough to lead me to believe that I have a legit shot at working there after my racing career.
It’s also hard to leave here because I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed the training in the Santa Monica Mountains. This mountain range extends 40 miles (64 km) east-west from the Hollywood Hills to Point Mugu. In between are enough canyon routes from the valleys to the ocean to completely delight even this cyclist who has ridden all over the world. The Santa Monica Mountains also have over 580 miles (933 km) of public trails. I mapped most of them on my mountain bike and have to say that I enjoyed every pedal stroke of it.
It’s also been fun for me to see some other pros, even some other pro teams, come to the area to train this winter. I guess among the pro cycling community this place is more of an open secret now. But I think that’s cool, and the local amateur riders I’ve spoken to seem to be getting a kick out of spotting riders from the peloton on their local routes. Now I just have to convince my team that this is the place to have a camp.
If you read my last post you know that I was recently out with the DZ Nuts Mobile doing some motorpacing. Trust me, that’ll be easy to miss. Well, we put together some of the photos and video clips from that day and created a short DZ Nuts commercial. Enjoy.
On the Road with DZ Nuts from Stephen Lubin on Vimeo.
Thanks for the support, your interest in my racing career and your well wishes for the 2011 season. I’m looking forward to kicking it off.
Best of luck! Great vid! Funny too!
DZ, you are truly a nut and we luv that you are in our area now! Hope to see the DZ Mobile out on Ventura roads sometime! Keep on keepin’ on, and wishing you a great season, lookin’ good so far!
I used to live in SoCal and it’s the best! Glad you enjoyed it and kick ass this year!
Saw the nut mobile a couple days ago on Agoura rd and Lindero…. Best of luck this season, and stoked to see you racing in the TOC, especially in our own backyard on stage 8! BTW I registerd for he clairmont/mt badly ride, looking forward to that!
Read your latest blog and really glad to hear you and your fam are digging living here, and how nice everyone is. I moved to Westlake in January 2009, and every day I drive by the lake I realize how lucky I am to live and raise kids here! I used to ride with Wins on Saturdays when Brett still lived here, and agree that Win, Michael, Rich and the rest of the guys are super cool and fun to ride or hang out with. I often go by the shop to chat it up, and never feel awkward opposed to some shops where they don’t really like loitering.
Wondering if you surf/have ever surfed or do any boarding (snow)? Anyway, safe travels and training/racing and good luck! Jeff (ScottCr1rider)
Thanks Jeff – I’m thinking about trying the SUP next off season. I’m back in Europe now and getting ready to kick things off here. I appreciate the support and the kind words.
What’s it like to be back on a Cervelo? Weren’t you on a Cervelo when you won the yellow jersey?
Jaynie – It’s quite nice to be back on the bike that I had some of my best results on. Yes I did get the yellow on a Cervelo.
DZ- wish you the best 2011 season! Your off-season training, diet and that DZ Nuts smart car will be the difference between you and the rest of the peloton. It’s great to see an athlete like yourself really enjoying what you do and thanks for sharing it with the rest of us.
Thanks Brian. I’m encouraged by the support I get, the interest riders have in my DZ Nuts products, and lately in my diet. I’m looking forward to the new season and I’m happy to share with you and the rest of the fans that are faithfully following me in the peloton.
Great Video DZ! Love it! The SM mountains are a very special place, happy you have been enjoying them. Looking forward to watching you kick some a$$ this season!
Thanks Jon. I’m here in Spain with my TRX and staying true to the program. I’m glad you liked the new video…but the tramp video will always be tough to beat.
I’m surprised DZ Nuts aren’t bigger in Australia! “Comfort Down Under” and all… There were a lot of spruikers for Aussie Butt Cream at the Worlds, I was keeping an eye out for DZ Nuts! No Nuts, Bliss or Lips!
Glad to hear you had a great offseason, hope the new diet’s settled in and working well. All the best for a fantastic 2011!
-By the way, hate to be a pedantic nerd, but in the video, 0:37 “why don’t you wear what the pro’s wear” – should it not just be the plural “pros” without the apostrophe denoting ownership? Sorry… I’m such an apostrophe pedant.
We’ll get DZ Nuts on the radar in Australia soon enough. It’s a great product and I’m sure it will do well there once it becomes more popular.
Dave,
Congrats for continuing to be one of the most down to earth and approachable members of the pro peloton. If you ever want to spend some time on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC, we could have tons of Fun!! Good Luck this Season- Be Like Jack (Lalane)- Rest when you are dead!
Dave, still miss you flying by me up Emmigration and Big Mountain. But hey off course those roads are still closed when you are training in the off season.