real post

So life is moving along steadily. Training is trying to get going. I have a tough wednesday and thursday with a night class each night, and a lot of homework due both days. This friday we are headed to Texas for some testing at Mellow Johnnys. It should be a good time, hopefully I'll surprise myself in a good way. It's really strange. I don't feel like I have the long miles in my legs as much as I did last year, but I still feel pretty fit. I think it's really the long cross season carrying over. I never felt out of shape during my 3ish weeks off. Keaton and I had a good ride with Robert on Sunday, it was nice to get out with someone new and Robert is always entertaining.

The race schedule is looking like this.

Froze Toes Feb 28th
Tuesday Nights Start March 16th (!(the best race of the year that happens every week)) I think this past year has given me a real appreciation for Tuesday Nights. They're the perfect training on a Tuesday, and, generally, fun.
Dogwood March 21st
Forest Park Criterium March 28th
Hillsboro April 10th
Tilles Crit April 11th
Hermann April 17th-18th
Tour of STL April 24th-25th
Tour of the Gila (Maybe) April 28th-May 2nd
Joe Martin Stage Race May 6th-9th
Ofallon Crit (Maybe) May 22
State RR May 21
Iowa May 28th-31st
Tulsa Tough June 4th-6th
Tour de Grove June 13th
With tuesday nights continuing throughout.
Then Nationals sometime after that. I think we might be missing Tour de Grove to go out to nats early. I'd really like to race it, but we'll see. I think Keaton and I want to go back up to Superweek, which is after nationals so that should be okay. We'll probably race Soulard, I think on the 18th of July, then drive up that evening, rest a day, then race 4 days ending with Downers. I think we've convinced Robert to come with us. Maybe Grman too. The races will be longer and faster up there this summer, so it will have us flying for the State Crit, ideally.

I've pretty much decided that Cross starts too early around here, and that I want to wait around a bit more before I start racing this year. I guess I'll do the night Hermann race, because it's a night race and there's not many of those. But I think I'll skip the day race the next day. I was definitely having the Cross blues this year around November. When the season feels long, and that early excitement is gone.

I'm really ready for some Crits. I've been watching a lot of footage and looking at a lot of pictures, and I'm just craving it. I really feel like I have a totally new attitude going into races this year. That I want to make the race happen for me. I don't want to sit in any race. I want to make the race happen for me.

I'm excited to be racing with the 1/2s this year, in the big show. I'm confident of my ability being there, and I've worked for 5 years to race at this level. It'll probably be a learning year, but that'll only make next year, and even this cross season better.




this should be a common sight this year. Grman and I riding together, except he'll have different colors on. It looks like I'm keeping the Cannondale to race. Not a total bummer, it's a fantastic bike for the crits. I'm a little worried about racing Hillsboro, and the 110 mile road races at Joe Martin on it, but I should survive. It'll put a little hair on my chest.

crazy

this looks strangely similar to bike racing, but more scary. pardon the bad music and skip in like a minute.

wow

this is insane. in a good way.

another good movie

I just saw this documentary last night, and it was really fantastic. It's called "How to Draw a Bunny" and it's about the life of Pop artist Ray Johnson. Apparently it's hard to find. Here's an excerpt.

watch this movie

This is a seriously good movie. One of the best soundtracks also, done by the RZA.

Dan

My cousin Dan has a lot going on in medically his life. Most of you know him, and you should really read what's going on on his blog. I am not medically inclined whatsoever other than watching house, so it's hard for me to understand let alone paraphrase on here. Please just keep him in your thoughts. Positive Vibrations.

Checking In

So. It's 2010, and time to start training. I took an extra week off, trying to get a bit more rest. I don't feel like I ever did that seriously last year, as I kept on with the long weekend rides. I think it's really important physically and mentally to take a break though. I finally feel rested. Problem is, it's been 20 and below for the last two ish weeks. It was fine for the week that I was off. But now it sucks. And it just dumped 4 inches of snow yesterday, which isn't going away anytime soon considering the temp is holding at 9 degrees right now. It warmed up to 25ish on Wednesday so Keaton and I headed out for a short spin. It felt good to be back on the bike, first time since team camp. I didn't feel slow at all, which is good. Keaton and I have been trying to get some exercise in the last week, and have been consistent. We've swam pretty much every day this week, minus the wednesday ride, and have hit the weights 3 times also. The swimming is nice, and it feels good to be doing something other than riding a bike and running. I think swimming is my new preferred form of cross training, no more running, running sucks.

As far as other things go, I came to the conclusion on my break that I was really happy cross season was over. This is the first year I can say that, but I think my cross and road seasons were both longer this year. I started cross with Bearcat Cross in early September, which was a mistake, and then raced pretty much at least once a weekend from then till nationals in early December. I think I also had some bad luck in the last few races before nationals, and wasn't super psyched. I also have to admit, that had I waited till mid cross season to Order tickets to bend, I don't think I would have gone. My registering for Nationals was spurred on by the early season excitement, that faded throughout the season. The cross season was preceded by a solid road season that was from March-August. I think I added up something like 60-70 racing days this year, including tuesday nights. That's a lot. I have a really hard time letting a race go that I could be at. I think for cross next year, I'll be starting later, maybe with the Hermann night race, and then wait till Bubba. I'm planning on doing the UCI races at Louisville and probably Jingle Cross, and then probably heading to Nationals in Bend again.

this should help for those UCI races, and having my Crosswind in the pits.


Exactly opposite to that, I am very excited about the road season. I have been keeping up with the Aussie scene, and It's making me crave crits. It looks like we're going to hit quite a few big races this year, with a focus on road Nationals in June. I think we might do GIla, Joe Martin and Tulsa as the handful of earlier big races. I'm really looking forward to our first race together. Still trying to get a bike squared away for the season, but I should have something new come racing time.

I'm also trying to think about studying abroad. An original plan was to go in the fall, to our campus in the Netherlands and try and race some cross. But this is my last U23 year for cross, so I think I want to stay here. Vienna is another option, more likely for the spring. Wherever I go I'm not sure how much racing or training I could get in, which is causing some hesitation. An option where I could race and train would be heading down under where there are races going on in our winter. I'll have to think about everything more. It's supposed to get above thirty on Monday, maybe I can go ride. Too bad it'll be a slushfest.

my anthem

yeain't fresh azimiz

slow

i'm sitting at shaw's coffee on the hill right now. this is my girlfriend mary 20 minutes deep into her latte.



i can't believe it either.

what i learned in 2009

this is a work in progress over the next few days.

-Superweek is dwindling but was still the most fun bike related thing I did all year.
-CX Nationals would have been more fun if the Hostage had been freed (Hostage take note for next year)
-I can finally feel the difference in tires; griffos are far inferior to fangos, but everyone else rides dugast.
-Single Speeds are an excuse, except of course in BMX where they are standard.
-Pit bikes are necessary at anything bigger than a bubba race.
-A wise man once told me that traveling was half the fun of bike racing, somewhat agreed, but more of racing out of town is half the fun of bike racing.
-Road or Cross is the best season all year; whenever it is that season. Mountain is still no fun.
-Everything is going to be bigger and faster this year.
-The Portland scene is a lot different than I had heard rumored. More stoopid less fast. More like this.
-Socks reminiscent of soccer socks for bike racing are stupid.

nats etc. etc. etc.

I guess I have put of writing about nationals for long enough. It's a daunting task to write about 5 days spent in Oregon.
Day 1. We leave STL at 6 am and fly into Portland with a breakfast stop in Dallas. It was the same flight but it just stopped in Dallas and we were allowed to get off and do whatever in the Dallas airport for an hour. This was the first time I realized my dad was trying to starve me. I hadn't eaten anything, as 4 am is too early for food in my book. He insisted we don't go get food, I won. We then flew to Portland with an awesome flight right over the rockies, over Colorado Springs, staying at like 20 thousand feet provided some cool views. Flying right past Mt. Hood coming in was awesome, it's like right out the window at the same height as the plane. We got to Portland and rented a Jeep Wrangler, most excellent for the snow that was there. This was the second time I realized my dad was trying to starve me. He insisted we would get food in Bend. Bend is 3-4 hours from Portland. It was 1 Portland time, 3 our time. I won again. We got into Bend, and checked in. Our hotel was super nice, right across the river from the course. Our balcony provided a great view of almost the entire course. We met up with the hostage and his captors (grman) at number pickup and had a nice dinner with them, then it was off to bed.
Day 2. We woke up early for the mens 10-29 B race. It was like -4 degrees when I woke up. I don't know what to wear for that cold of weather. I got dressed and rolled over to the course. The race was really weird. I don't really feel like I was focused or in a "racing mindset". The course was complete snow and ice for our race. I also rode the worst race of my life. I was riding so slow, not taking any risks, and still sliding in every corner. Not a fun race. I was thoroughly embarrassed with my result. We just hungout and watched some more races. This dude Paul Curley, apparently a racing legend, smoked the masters 55+ I think, riding a homemade disk wheel and a helmet mirror.

Day 3. No racing today. I just layed in bed until noon and then went over and rode the course for an hour or so. It had started to warm up a bit and was getting a lot more rideable. It's really interesting. Out there, I think because its apparently in a desert, the temperature is cold but doesn't feel super bad. When it gets up to like 35 people are taking off jackets and gloves, girls are wearing skirts, its crazy. More race watching, and another dinner with the hostage and his captors followed.
Day 4. The race that counts was finally here. I layed around, and went over to the course like an hour and half before our race. People were muddy, and the course was thawing out. I rode quite a few laps and got a pit bike setup with Richard. Thanks to Richard for everything, he was a big help with everything. Looking over the start list the night before I realized it was pretty much only guys in the race that I knew by name. It seemed that only serious dudes made the trip out, unlike in KC. We lined up and I was slotted right next to Chance Noble, who I talked to in Richard's tent a bit. As soon as the officials stepped out of the way, people started pushing forward. The starting grid was no more. It was a big clump all trying to get to the front line. We started fast and there was a big pileup in the first corner. Grman just squeaked through and I got caught and dismounted . The race was really fast. I was going pretty much full gas the whole time, easily consistently harder than I ever have during a local race for the whole time. it's interesting how the different atmosphere of people you dont know, just trying o catch whoever is infront of you, and stay ahead of whoever is behind. It kind of sucked though, because It was so slick that there were spots you simply couldn't go hard. I still crashed 3 times, all pretty hard. There was this one off camber that you hit doing over 20, it had been frozen for a few days. I also crashed on the downhill that they added for the last two days. It was off camber on a downhill that was probably over 45%. It was insane. Turning off the course on my 2nd to go lap, I hear the announcer say something about Summerhill. I kept pushing but was looking back to make sure I wouldn't be in his way when he came by me. It took a lot longer than I thought. We were almost into the back half of the course before he caught me, then shortly after, Chance came by. From there on out I motored it in and didn't get passed by anyone else. I was a little bummed to get lapped, but only by 2 dudes, and so late in the race too. the race was super muddy. But wet slick mud, not the thick stuff.

I was more or less satisfied with my race. I know I rode hard. I think that something we just talked about in camp is what I need to work of for next year. I need to know that I belong in this race. That I'm there to compete and not just to participate. I think hitting a few bigger races and a UCI license should help next year. I ran into an old friend who basically got me started racing bikes, and happened to be living in Bend. Weird coincidence. Went to see the Cyclocross Meeting movie that night. It was pretty good, not enough interviews though. Wicks is a funny dude, wish there was more.
Day 5. WOke up and headed over to watch Logie in the Collegiate race. It was cold and frozen again. The race had an awesome sprint finish with Zach Mcdonald taking the win, after flatting out in the first lap or two of the U23 race the first day.
We waited around and watched the first race. This race had some of the best food I have ever had at a bike race. There was a pizza oven that had been towed there, and was puttin out good quality pies. My personal favorite was the frites stand that served frites in paper cones with a wooden fork and an assortment of different sauces. I got a large frites and headed to the treacherous downhill with the hostage to watch the pro race. Madd carnage. We saw a dude wreck, and his bike hit hs face. He got up and spit out some bloody teeth. Nasty. Carl Decker and this one Rock Lobster dude were the fastest down it. The RL dude was bunny hopping midway down the hill, insane. All in all the riding was impressive by the pros. The crowd was amazing. 5000 plus people. It was 5 deep for a lot of the course. I was a little bummed to see TJ win, was hopin Trebon would pull it out. We headed back to the hotel and promptly left for Portland. A 4 hour drive over Mt. Hood in the snow at night followed.
Day 6. We flew home. Via LA. I saw the Hollywood sign from the plane. We got in at like 830. I stayed up til 3 am writing a paper that was due at 8 am.

All in all nats was fun. It was a great course and great atmosphere. I don't know if I'l go back next year. It's a lot of travel, time and money. We'll see come cross season.

This past weekend was team camp. It was a bit smaller than years past but fun none the less. This year, we're having more of a dedicated U23 team. Right now the roster is Matt Pence, Matt Brandt and myself. We rode, talked about next year, talked about other stuff and had a nice dinner together. Definitely motivating. It was also good to meet our new DS Jim Schneider. He has a ton of experience, and a lot of good stories. Definitely excited for next year. Big thanks to Adrienne, Jim and Chris Creed for a fun weekend and a great dinner, and Rene, Chris' Wife, for lunch on Sunday.

Now its time to rest some more. I'll take till after this weekend off. Then I think I'm good to go.

State

This past sunday took us out to Hermann MO again for ye old state championship race. It featured the usual sprawling course, with numerous dismounts, a "no fun sandpit" and those stairs. I usually like the courses that we have for the Hermann night race but not the ones for the state race. This one was a lot better than last year for sure. It was a bummer to have yet again another non rideable sandpit. I don't even like riding sand, but it's kinda fun when you're not in contention. Also, just because how cold my feet got the stairs actually weren't fun. Usually I can crush it up the stairs, but with clunky stone feet it's kinda hard. Anyways, I rolled up to this race feeling pretty optimistic, I felt real good last week at bellefontane, and I had felt good all week. Cousin Dan came up to me and and seemed to be bummed when he told me it was a "road riders course". Maybe yesterday is all I have to say. The ground thawed out, and somehow that park holds water for weeks, cause it was the single slickest race I have ever done. It was worse than the quad cities crit this year where guys were crashing at every corner. In the warmup lap, I couldn't believe it. It was like a joke or something. It was a bit of a bummer because I'm pretty sure that if the course had been dry I could have killed it. Anyways, I started 3rd row, and somehow got up to maybe top ten on the long pavement stretch. I was stuck behind a few fast starters who I knew weren't going to be able to hang up there, and that I needed to get around. As I tried to make my way through the pack fodder, I saw Dan, MJ, Alex Edwards and two guys I didn't know slowly pulling away. They held me at about 10-15 seconds for the first lap, then hitting the pavement again I put it in the 48x12 and hammered. After two laps of that had caught back up to the main group. I fell off a bit again, and then coming through starting, I think, our fourth lap, I caught MJ and one of the other dudes I didnt know (DIDK), and told Matt to hop on my wheel. I ripped it down the pavement and pulled back 10 or so seconds on dan, and we were a trio on the front. We stayed together until the hill where dan tried to ride it, and I was running behind him. He bobbled and I stopped, allowing him to keep going and trying not to screw Matt, who was also riding the hill. Dan got a little gap on us here, and then, through the next two corners which were the slickest two on the course, my bike kind of slid out, and I ended up kind of running past it or something weird. It took me a while to really get going agian. A few went by me, and I found myself in 5th. Behind Matt and Dan out front, and then Alex and a DIDK. They stayed about 20 seconds in front of me for the rest of the race. I got about 8 seconds off of Alex who had fallen off of DIDK on the last lap, but 4th and 5th isnt a huge difference. Neither is on the podium. It was a bit of a bummer of a race. I knew I had good legs, but the unusual slickness of the race put me out of comission I guess. It kinda sucks that state is in conditions we havent had all year, cold and muddy, but that's bike racing. Keaton and I hung around the 1/2 race for a bit, but it was truly depressing. 9 guys riding around in the cold is pretty boring. I guess I kind of feel like I did after snake alley this year. Where I went in with a lot of anticipation and got crashed out on the line, and I knew I should have been top 3. Here I went in with a lot of hopes and fell short just due to a few little things. Again, had the course been dry I'm pretty sure things would have been a lot different. I can only speculate though, and that doesn't really do anything. I was however really impressed by MJ. Before the race he told me he was going in to just have a good time and enjoy the race, I told him "with that attitude, you'll probably have a good race". I had a feeling he was going to ride well. It was a good Mesa day though, with a few jerseys and a handful of podiums. Probably the best team spread all day. Tomorrow at 6am(uggh) we leave for Portland, and then will drive to Bend from there. The weather out there right now is a joke. It is, as of 10:35am on Tuesday, 9 degrees and has been snowing all week. It's a little stoopid. Didn't they take Nats away from KC partially because the temps sucked so bad? oh well. I think our race is being broadcasted live here on saturday. I'm racing thursday in the B 10-29 race, which is a non national championship race that is kind of a course preview race, and a race for people who arent elites and arent in an age category. In that race I'd really like a top ten. Saturday is the U23 race, which is really really really fast. The top guys are serious hitters, who put in top 10's in the big elite fields. In that race a top 20 would make me really happy. I really don't want to get lapped, and I dont think that should be a huuuge problem. I got lapped the last two years, but the first year was my first year and I was in over my head, and last year I was sick. We'll see. I really have no clue what it will be like. I'm pretty nervous and excited.


edit: this is what trebon says it looks like as of yesterday in bend.

this photo...

...is scary. wiggo looks a little emaciated.

Through watching these videos I have become a big fan of Heinrich Haussler. The video on San Remo is awesome. He was so close to winning. It was cool that Cav won, but seeing this video almost makes Hausslers second even more beautiful, yet painful at the same time. Once again those videos are really well done. Makes me want to race the classics.

Bubba Finale

This past weekend we had the last Bubba race, which took us back to Bellefontaine Park in noco. The weather was nice all day and then dropped down into more cyclocross like weather with temps holding in the 40's. The course was phenomenal. By far the best Bubba course I have ever raced. It had a good amount of elevation change, good obstacles, the tackyness of the course was perfect and the twists were just right. It was a blast to ride. After starting fast and having a pretty good race last week, I was aiming to do the same this week. I missed a pedal and was only able to slot in 2nd on the holeshot, to Dr. Mark. DB came by me and then Jay before we hit the turny section by the wheelpit. Nate jumped around me and a gap started to open with Mark, DB, Nate and Jay edging away. Jay fell and I closed the gap. Carnage ensued behind me and it was Mark pulling DB, Nate and myself around. On lap two DB went down and it was down to Mark, Nate and I. Nate left us in the dust, and I tried to follow. Schottler came by me in a bad place on the course, and I didn't follow. I rode with Mark for another lap, then Yielding caught us, we dropped mark and then rode together for a lap or two. Mark caught back up to us and we dropped Yielding. After seeing 3 to go Mark and I were together, then going into the downhill u-turn, I completely lost it. I flipped sideways hard and landed smack on the pavement. I layed there for about ten seconds, really hurting, with my bike on top of me. It was cold and I hit hard. I kind of woke up when I saw Yielding coming around the corner, and Jay soon after. I got up, bike was fine, and got back on. I pedaled but it really hurt. My hip was killing me, and I could see that I had road rash on my elbow and knee. It felt like a crash in a crit. I tried to get up the run/ride up but had to put a foot down. I knew I was done pretty soon after that. I couldn't even imagine getting off the bike and running over barriers. I stopped and went to put some warm clothes on. It was disappointing because I was racing really, really well. My legs felt fresh until I went down, and I was feeling confident. For the beginning of the race I felt like I had survived a battle as nearly everyone else behind me was taken out in some fashion, and I could hear them hitting the ground. At least I know I still have some good legs. Thats pretty exciting with State this coming weekend, and Nationals the weekend after. I was pretty sore yesterday, and when I woke up this morning. I saw the chiropractor yesterday and I'm back in line, but he suggested taking today and tomorrow off to heal some more. I'm thinking maybe swimming today and riding again tomorrow. I swam last week and really enjoyed it. I had already been in the pool, helping a friend with her lifeguard certification. I decided to stay and swim instead of riding. Does anyone have any advice for swimming for cycling? I'm thinking use a kickboard. Anyways, I'm racing the cat 3 race this weekend. I only had one top 5 finish in the Bubba series this year, and I'd much rather have a chance to win a jersey, than be fighting for a top ten with the KC guys in town. If cousin Dan decides to do the 3's as well, we could likely end up with an inter family duel for the jersey. Exciting stuff. The only problem is that I waited to register until 3 weeks before, and there were already like 3 rows of people. Where the hell are we? Who preregisters for cross in Missouri? It's cool though that so many people are psyched this year. It's just surprising that 3 weeks before is late. So I'll have to try and get by as many people as possible asap. we'll see.

Mt. Not So Pleasant

The Bubba race this weekend was at Mt. Pleasant winery in Augusta MO. It was ridiculous. The whole course was on the side of a hill with probably a %20+ gradient in some parts. The whole race was either up, down or off camber. The course also featured a brief flat section, interrupted by a ramp that took you through a building that housed a bar, and back out the other side. As much as I didn't like the course, which was by no means a cyclocross course and more of a novelty circus event, it did suit me decently well. I am hesitant to admit that I can climb well, yet when it comes down to a race, I can usually pull something out. I chose to ride my Eastons for the fact that the glue job is one year newer, a point which the ever questioning grbeans should have taken into account, and for the fact that after numerous days of Griffo testing these past few weeks, the Fangos are the superior tire in all circumstances. It gripped amazingly well on the off camber sections. The 27psi I had in the tires allowed them to perfectly conform to the 18 percent grades. I started on the front row and easily took the holeshot. I think I had about 50 feet by the first u-turn. It was kind of a dumb idea, as I hadnt really warmed up at all, but I was up there, and I wanted to give a little test run for nationals, where the start is INSANE. I held first until the very steep run/ride up where I had to run and cousin dan and grman rode past. I had a 39x25 as my smallest gear, which was no deal against this beast. I stayed in 3rd or 4th for a lap or two and then grman dropped off. Over the course of the race a few more dudes went past me and I was in 6th or 7th riding with devin with 2 to go. I tried to shift my right shifter and it was pushing really far in, and not doing anything. I tried a few more times, and the same deal. I reached over with my left hand, and without any struggle, simply pulled the shifter paddle out of my shifter. The whole internal attachment had broken clean off in like 5 different places. So i had a 39x12 for the rest of the race. I had to run a lot. I got passed by 2 or 3 more guys and ended up 9th. Kind of a disappointment but I know I rode well, and my legs finally felt decent. I think the fast start was actually a help. I felt really good up the climbs though, I was making up time on anyone that I was with. I also made $5 in various $1 handups throughout the race. Those dollars make it fun. I can buy lunch this week now.
Today I had one of those totally beautiful St. Louis moments. I was downtown to shoot some photos for a project, I had just turned on Broadway and I was getting some hunger pangs, I had been for a few hours. I saw a Jimmy Johns to my right, debated for a few seconds then cut over a few deserted lanes and turned down whatever street it was on and parked. I walked inside and was greeted by none other than Rob Bell behind the counter. It was great to see him and catch up a bit. It's one of those insane coincidence/small world moments that make STL STL.

buy some stuff...

buy my things please.

St. Vincent Bubba

I woke up this Sunday a bit early, around 8 and watched all of the videos on here to try and get motivated. They motivated me, but more so for the 2010 road season. Really sweet videos though, none the less. I was checking the weather repeatedly, and was hoping for the rain to come around 2 as was said to be a possibility. Like I said before, I don't really think I race well in the rain. It's just a blast. I got to the course and was greeted with numerous "dude, best course evar!", "have you ridden it? sweeeet!". After registering and getting ready, I prerode the course before the b's took off. I was impressed, but a bit let down after all the hype. It was really nice to have a course that wasn't just weaving back and forth through a field. It had some twisty stuff through the trees, a "double" sandpit, some pavement, a strange barrier, some stairs you didnt have to run, some mud, and a few good hills. Thinking back on the course it was pretty fun, but I don't know what I actually liked about it. I had read on the forum that there was a stair runup, which I was psyched about. I really wish they had taped the side of the stairs so we had been forced to run them, or try and ride. I think my favorite section of the whole course was the little S turn right before the downhill on the pavement, and then the following drop back off of the pavement onto the dirt again.
For some reason I didnt think it was going to be a big deal to line up on the front. It was perhaps the most important starting spot Bubba we have had this whole time. Sure Josh can work his way up from the back. He's an exception though. The rest of the top 5 dudes all started front row. There were also a few front row guys who I normally smoke during these races that it took me 2 or 3 laps to catch. Basically, the gaps got big, quick. I was riding alright through the first few laps. I was maybe 3rd to last on the first lap through the upper section of the course, then was able to move up to tenth over the next few laps. Maybe 3 or 4 laps in I was riding with mj trading places back and forth. Looking back on things we probably could have actually ridden together and worked together and had a better race. Instead, I think I panicked as I had been beating him pretty consistently this year, and was seeing that he was going quicker than I was. I threw down a few little surges, and he did as well. We really yo-yo'd back and forth, and hardly ever actually rode together. Although I mentioned how I would have liked the stairs, I think the climb next to them was probably my strongest place on the course. Quite a few laps, I came into that section maybe 10-15 seconds down on someone ahead of me and was easily able to close the gaps midway up the hill. The muddy section was a total pain in the ass. It was so deep and so rutted. What I noticed throughout the race is that as the mud was getting churned around there were large rocks that were coming up to the top of the mud. I felt like my wheels were dying. I ran the mud section all but maybe two times. I just didn't feel like I had the speed to get through it without working my ass off, and I figured it'd also keep my bike from gunking up. I didn't feel like I raced well at all. My mind wasn't in it. I wasn't thinking about the race. Also, I noticed during my race that my legs didnt feel warm. They felt cool the whole time, I could never really get them going. I think a better warmup is needed. The rain finally came yesterday so I'll head to blackburn today and enjoy it in its best state. Hopefully I can get some more hours on the bike this week.

Bellefontane Bubba

Bubba last week was okay. The race was in Bellefontane park up north, it was a pretty big and nice park. The course was really fun during the warmup but I don't know how much I liked It during the race. It was a bit of an energy sucker. Also, it was 80+ degrees and I was dehydrated. Not a really good combo. Anyways, I started pretty well, differently from most of the recent races. I was sitting 3rd for the whole first lap, and watched Bridal and Yielding ride away. After having two races that were 14+ laps long, it seemed a bit early, and I didnt want to blow jumping up to them, or pushing it too early. They stuck it out and Josh was the only one to catch them. I ended up 8th I think. A bit disappointing as I was thinking this might be an easy weekend to score a podium spot. Oh well, I didnt ride a whole lot the week before. I rode my griffos the last two days at blackburn trying to get tire pressure right, assuming this dry spell would continue. But it's supposed to rain tomorrow. I like racing in the rain, but I'm not sure it's a strength of mine. We'll see.

Bubba Cross Weekend 3 (2 for me)

Halloween cross was this saturday. I was undecided on whether or not I was going until 8:45pm when I was at a party and decided to leave and head to the race. I had packed my car incase I made that decision. I got to the race at like 9:40, registered, forgot my number, had to change brake pads and air up 2 sets of wheels. By the time I was dressed, finished with all that stuff and embrocated it was 10:30. Go time. They did call ups based on registration, and I was last, with costumed riders getting first row. I was playing catchup to the group I thought I should be in all night. At one point I was closing in on Josh for 4th place, but could never quite get to his wheel. Then DB came by me and I started fading from there. I felt good for about 3 laps then the adrenaline wore off and the no warm up wore in. I wasnt going good for another ten laps or so then had a bit of a resurgence towards the end. I think we did somewhere in the region of 16-20 laps, or a shit ton. Coming through and seeing 12 on the counter is a lot different than seeing 4 after doing a few. Demoralizing. There was also a lot of mud. I ran one section that was super slow almost every time. I have come to the conclusion that I might be too light for the mud, or maybe I just suck in it. I like the wet stuff, but the peanut butter sucks. Anyways I got caught by some dudes and caught some dudes and finished 8th. It was cool cause my girlfriend came, who was dressed as Margot Tenenbaum (I was Richie, pre suicide attempt, but was out of costume pretty quick). It did suck racing at 10:30, which meant getting home at like 12:30 and getting the bikes washed by like 1am, after being harassed by a Public Safety officer. Eating soup and hummus at 1:15am post race is pretty weird.

I think I was the only person who slept well that night, that I heard of. I had unclogged my rear der, and was ready to roll at 2 today. I registered early and was banking on the call ups again when I decided to go preride a little. No deal. I showed up to 3 or 4 rows of racers already. Boo. Boo to "rule" changes from day to day. How about we get staged in overall Bubba placing? That'd be nice. And official. Anyways I was chasing from the back again. I believe I got up to 6th passing the slow and steady Mark Nagy, only to be passed back. Cousin Dan passed me again on the last lap after I bonked bigtime in the final three laps. I was feelin all kindsa jelly allover. I rolled in in 7th. I think I'm 8th overall right now in Bubba and Bubba Cup standings. I think I shoulda been 4th or 5th both days so a bit of a disappointment. I hate to blame a bad race on a bad start, especially at a bubba race, but I really think had I been on Grbeans from the start I'd be fine hanging with him again.

In other news, sKeaton and I made some beet/apple/ginger juice last night. Shit is toxic. I cut the hell out of my thumb, and the bandaid I just took off smells like hole right now. The beets have questionable benefits and harms, from vocal chord freezing, to aphrodesiac to "cleaning out" your digestive system. We're hoping to reap all of the benefits, and avoid the possible death from beet. We were inspired by Robert and his beet eating. We're going to have him over to learn us some cooking techniques.

USGP Louisville

This past weekend Grman and I headed out to Louisville for the USGP race. We both opted to do the 2/3's race as opposed to the U23 race, instead of buying a UCI license and shelling out $45 per race to maybe finish. The course was awesome with a lot of muddy sections. A pit bike would have been real nice. I'm scratching any thoughts of a time trial bike for next year, and instead going to get a pit bike. We have a pretty interesting story from the Saturday race. First, we were staying with the SEMO guys who got in at about 12:30am. Grman and I were asleep and got woken up, and stayed up while they shuffled around for another half hour or so, and went back to bed at like 1:15. They got up at 6, and were really loud. And turned on all the lights. And yelled. And left the door open when they left. So it was a pretty bad pre-race night. We got to the race at like 9:30, rode over and got our chips, came back and started to get ready. These two masters came over and started talking to us, and the conversation eventually turned to us thinking we started at 11, and them thinking they started at 11:15. We both knew our races couldnt start that close together, so one of them rode over to check. He came back and told us our race was called to stageing and they were lining up. I was changing brake pads and Grman was pinning his number. Shit. I dropped my pants and changed in the middle of the parking lot and the two masters helped us pin our numbers and pump our tires while we embrocated and grabbed anything we needed. We sprinted to the start line right as our numbers were getting called. Mistake #1. Mistake #2 was registering a week ago. I was starting 104th spot, ten rows back. I didnt see the leaders. The race was pretty raw for the first lap. Throwing elbows, dismounting and running past dudes. I raced pretty ok, but didnt feel great on laps 2-4 I think due to lack of warmup. Grman, who started in 87th I think, ended up 10th, and I ended up 24th passing a solid 80 guys.
We ran into Richard at his Specialized booth and he invited us to crash with him that night. I worked the pit for Logan and it was pretty sweet, then we headed out and had a nice dinner and had a lot of fun hanging with Richard. Sunday we came to the race with Richard at 7am. Prepared and on time. The course appeared to have dried out so I declined to set up a pit bike with Richard. Mistake. The course was still wet and muddy. On the first lap, I dismounted a minute in and ran for about 200m, it was easier to just run past the people that were trying to ride. Then, later in the first lap, on a downhill/uphill U-Turn that had a section of pavement right at the bottom, I washed out my rear tire, and ate it hard on my right side. The little pin that holds the shift and brake lever to the shifter body popped out but not all the way. I couldnt really use my rear brake and my shifting was unreliable, but after I finished and actually got a good look at what happened, it was an easy fix. I started 99th and got all the way up to 27th. Grman I think started in 83rd and finished a very respectable 6th. All in all it was a really good weekend. We had a lot of fun, raced pretty well considering our start spots, and got to ride some real courses. The courses out there were legit. There were 3 mandatory dismounts the first day(stairs, barriers, green monster), and 4 the second day(stairs, stairs, barriers, green monster)(one stair set was possibly rideable both days). Thats a lot more than the one dismount in STL. There were also 2 or 3 sandpits, that got really packed down so they were easily rideable, but had they not been that would be a few more. Also the mud made for a lot more dismounts, especially on the first lap. People around here need to HTFU and quit whining about cross being hard, or cross courses being hard. The only bad thing around here is that the courses arent hard enough, or they just plain suck like the Ronde Course. No pics from the weekend found yet, but there must have been 20 photographers snapping during our race.