Coldsprints. Pt. II

I figure I might as well write about it when the ache is still in my head and my throat. Tonight was really fun. They switched from blips to feet as a measuring system. Jake let me in on that secret after I was confused why I did so much better last time. I don't think I did. I qualified this time. 1306 ft. Bounced in the first round by a guy (Ben L. something) that went about 65 feet further than i did. I'm ok with that. I just wanted to qualify. Check. It was nice to see some people and get my head away from missing my wife while she's gone. (which sucks, by the way) Jake did well again, but not well enough. Still a fast guy, though. Homme won. Not by much. Beat some huge mass of a man by less than a second, if I remember correctly. It was fun. A good night. TC had to run early, which was a bummer, but it works out. I didn't even say goodbye to many people, so it's fair...

Spent most of the night onstage with Tim helping set seat height for the varying tallness of riders. It was fun. I broke a seatpost clamp (which I did in philly as well...I guess I have a history of doing such). But Tim broke one maybe two minutes after I did. Someone should give Bianchi a heads up about faulty clamps. Get that fixed. Lost my voice pretty quick. Took my shirt off after much (ok, a little) deliberation, but in my defense, I did it for Joel, not the ladies. (I held up the ring and told them I was married, but Joel said that wasn't an excuse...I bit). I still got beat by two seconds. Stayed up through the finals and the grudge matches, which were fun, but tiresome. A lot of girls yelling right in front of the stage for all of the riders to take their shirts off. Less people bit than I expected too, but some of the ladies actually threw in money to the charity pot to con riders out of their clothes. It was pretty fun, and also amusing. Before I left I rode against Pike (who beat me last time, and in qualifying again today) who beat me by .6 seconds over 200m. I guess there is a reason he qualifies better than me. He's faster. Let's go out to Boom Island or some road race and play out there, too. Which brings me to my next topic.

Racing disciplines are a funny thing. Little guy is two time (and defending) Stupor Bowl champ. Probably the best crosser on the team. Didn't even qualify. Jake and I went back and forth all cross season. He CRUSHES me at coldsprints. I beat most of the people around here in the few alleycats I've raced. I'm confident that I am faster than most of the people that beat me. But that said, I can't MTB for shit. Who knows...Just pick what you're good at and stick with it. Some people are just better at more things than others. It works out.

I'm tired, I have a book to read, I have a headache, and I miss my wife. I'm going to bed.

computrainer. Pt .III

Today I rode against my self on the 17 miler from a few days ago. I tell you what, after 8 straight miles at anywhere from 5-13% short 6%'s are a piece of cake. Beat my two days ago time by a minute and a half. averaged about 2mph more. picked up about 6 more watts average. I dunno. felt great. didn't kill myself. Pretty much exactly how I wanted it to go. I'll try to get the numbers up here later, if anyone is concerned with how I'm doing at this rather meaningless time of the year.

I really want to get a computrainer. I'll have to look into whether or not Racermate has an EP program. That'd be pretty neat. Doubt it'll happen, though.

Yeah, so after not riding hard for almost a month, I feel good again. Funny what three days can change. When does the season start? I'm ready for it. Let's do this.

Oh! and Margaret knit me a hat. Cause I don't have any warm things, and we live in a cold state.


see dog in hat.

Assault on Alp D'Huez

Nope. I'm not in France. I suppose the weather might be a little better over there, though. Maybe not, considering it was probably about 70 degrees and balmy in the basement where the Computrainer lives. I rode the Alp D'Huez course. About a 6 mile flat followed by 8 miles of a 8.something average uphill. Never drops below 5 percent. Goes into the 12percents on occasion. Man, does 6% feel good after 13%.Pretty much go flat for a little too long, and then go up for 8 miles. Finished the course in 1 hour 7 minutes and 50 seconds. My goal was an hour ten. Mission accomplished. Pretty hard. The last 3 miles of 7.9% gradient really started to hurt. I kept thinking it was going to level off at the end (the profile map looked as such), but it never did. I saw the finish line and was done before the grade would relent.

Made up a playlist of Sinatra, Cat Stevens and James Taylor. Good times. I really like Sinatra. Cat Stevens has been one of my favorite since I've been old enough to ride in a car with my dad. Long time. Longer than I've known what bicycles do. Oh well, I like bikes more. (then being in a car with dad, not than dad)

Average MPH of 12.something (my flat section was pretty fast). Seemed to hover around 6mph into the 13% and around 9-11 in the 8% and about 12 at 6%. It was really tough. Average watts 265. No HRM...probably 5 beats from internal combustion. Just sat there with a towel over my head and ground it out. All is well that ends well. Showered, shaved my legs for the first time in too long, and then made soft tacos. Life is good. I love being in Oshkosh.

Hope to aquire some rollers while in town. Rather do that than be locked into a stationary trainer (although it is a lot harder to fall off of a trainer). Back to Minneapolis and work in a few days. Boo on that.

17 miles on the computrainer, and a windy snowstorm

First off, I just have to mention that I really don't dread indoor training the way some people do. I'd way rather grind it out hard in the basement and just be wasted and finish and just walk upstairs, than do intervals miles from my house and be cooked and still have to ride home. It's just better. Besides, not being able to coast or even really softpedal down hills has to be beneficial.

Yesterday I rode against my time from 1 year ago. The first time I visited what was to become my new family I rode some course (pretty sure it's called, simply, 17 miler). WOW! Interesting! I beat my last time by a mere 7 (SEVEN) seconds! A good number to win by. I think that part is pretty cool. I average one watt more (245). I don't know if that's good or bad. I do know that last time I was totally gone at the end. This time I made an effort to not overdo it the first half. At one point I was 1/4 mile down on my former self. I made it, and then some, so I suppose that part is cool. I haven't ridden hard since Jingle Cross 3 weeks ago. And I've been well into a diet of cookies and potato chips. (165ish this week. give or take a few depending on time of day. 161 after Alp D'Huez...more later)I suppose it could have been worse. I'll try again on the same course tomorrow maybe and see what happens.

Trying to eat better for a bit. Training is starting for the coming road season. Time to get in shape. Can do.

Next time I'll have to bring my bike and see what I can do with a bike that is set up for me and using a system I know how to shift! Dura Ace is confusing to me nowadays!

Magaret also rode the same course. Against her own time from a year and half or so ago. She absolutely killed her former self. Beat her old time by 2.96 miles. That's a long way. Looked great doing it. She really impresses me. A lot. She doesn't give up when things are hard. I really respect her a lot. She's pretty great. I really hope she'll give a road race a try this year. I just want to see what'll happen. I don't really know, but I think it would definitely be surprising. Pretty sure she'd do pretty well. Who knows. Here's to hoping I find out.

Monty (Margarets dad) also rode the trainer. He road stage 4 of the Horribly Hilly Hundred (which we all plan do again this year. A bit differently for me, though...I want to do the 100k this time and try to just leave all of me on the roads and get a good time rather than grind out the 200k. I also hope to not have any mechanicals this year!) He's got some good goals. He's a long distance grinder, that's for sure. I don't know how he does it. The goal for this year is 300k at the Dairyland Dare. That's going to be tough. We both have some work to do for that one.

And snow. And wind. Dogs hate life this time of the year. It's true. At least little ones with not a lot of fur. It's a little amusing.

Happy Holidays.

Damage Control.

That is going to be the name of the game this week. I'm on vacation. Visiting the new (inherited)family in Oshkosh. Gonna be fun. Try not to eat too much. Should be easy enough. It's Oshkosh. Not exactly a vegan paradise.

I'll probably get to ride Monty's Computrainer again. I rode it over last Christmas. Efforts and times recorded. Now we'll get to see what exactly has changed over a year. That is pretty exciting.

Have a happy holiday everyone. I'm not exactly the Christmas type, but I've got a pretty awesome new family to spend time with. I actually see them more than I see my birth parents. I almost feel adopted. I do get to see both of my parents within a few weeks. I'm excited for that. I haven't seen them in far too long.

But I hope that you all have a very special group of people that you get to spend Christmas with. Be it family or friends, I just hope that everyone feels as content as I do. I really did marry into an awesome family.

Have fun with your friends and family. It's Christmas...and it's going to be white.j

good news, great new, and interesting developments.

Good news. I've finally started to feel really good on my bike again. About a week ago I started feeling better again. I've pretty much felt like ass since the after Jingle Cross day 1. Even for day 2 I felt a bit gone. I pretty much had spend since then just riding around in my easiest two gears and feeling drained. Not so much anymore. I can actually put power down again. I think that maybe my body has finally recovered from the racing, and I think that commuting 20 miles less every day is being good to my body. I thank it. I love this new commute. 20 minutes is WAY better than 40. There is this "hill" on the way home from my work. About 4 blocks away. Hardly enough time to be warmed up. Not even really a hill, really, but definitely an incline. One that gets noticed. You're never going to make the mistake that you're on a flat. Anyways, There is one of those car speed limit signs that tell you your speed on said stretch of road. I noticed right away that I never was clocked at less than 20mph. (on cross bike turned commuter w/50 psi). Well, one day I got clocked at 18, and didn't feel good. The next I got passed by a car, so it read the cars speed and not mine. Thankfully. Today I was at 24. Not out of the saddle. Not strained. Just pedaling. I thought I'd give it a bit and just put more pressure down, no gear changes, just pedaling faster. I didn't get hit again, as there were more cars on the road, and they get clocked when they're around, so I never got to see where that got me, but I don't really care. What matters is that I can ride a bike again. I can't wait to see what happens when I get back on skinny tires with 125 psi. Oh man, I can't wait.

Interesting Developments:
As a few of you know, I've been looking into starting my own frame company. Importing frames from Taiwan w/ my name and graphics on them. Will have LLC forms submitted by February 1st. Then all I need is a business loan and a place to put things. More importantly than all of that is a name. I don't have one. I'm at a loss for them. If anyone has any ideas, let them rip. It'd be great. Also, if you know a thing or two about bikes, get at me so we can discuss. I've got a few ideas, I'd like more. I think this is actually about to go somewhere. Get excited.

Great news:
I love my wife. A lot. Life is good.

Iron Maiden cheers me up.

Hallowed be thy Name.

"I take a look through the bars at the last sights
Of a world that has gone very wrong for me"

Bruce may mean prison bars, but it's all relative. I think people drink more in colder climates. I don't really blame them. Gotta hang out somewhere. Bars are warm. All I wanted to say in my last post was that I don't think that a decision is necessarily the right decision forever. For me, Straightedge is, and probably will continue to be, the right choice. I don't like the taste of alcohol. It will never be just a beverage to me. If I am going to drink, there will be a reason for it. I just wanted to say that the thought of that is terrifying to me. What in life can be bad enough to be driven to drink? But life hasn't ever, nor will it, beat me. I'm better than life. Stronger and faster than life. I'm not invisible. Life can hurt me. It won't break me.

I just got down. I'm better. I needed to rant. I did. Winter sucks. Days get short, homes get small. Distances get longer. It's just miserable. It's silly. Why would anyone habitate here? Schools, apparently.

sometimes life is hard.

About once every two years I really start to think a lot about Straightedge and the decision that I've made. Is this a healthy choice? To obsess about nothing, rather than something. At what point is it too much? Is all of life so void of gray area?

Backstory, of sorts. I've been claiming Straightedge since a little before I turned 18. That makes is about 5 and a half years at this point. I guess I'm still a baby compared to some of the kids I know. I drank a bit. Never got drunk, just got a headache. Decided pretty quickly that drinking was not for me. Was quite a little stoner in High School. Even smoked (cigarettes) for a short while. Those things suck really bad. Some good times were had. Some bad times were had. Such is life, I guess. I am very glad to have that experience as I feel that it validates my 'edge' more thoroughly than if I'd never done anything, for some reason. Decided that it was all far from necessary. Didn't look back. Ok, I guess that is a lie. I just said that I look back every two years or so.

The reason I have doubts occasionally is slightly a mystery to me. Not entirely. I think that life gets to me. It happens to everyone, life. You can't really escape it. I often wonder if that was this (straightedge) is supposed to be, an escape. It is kind of like a small island, maybe. It does work. Straightedge works. It got me through a lot of years that are very important. But how long can a small island sustain life? There are no self sufficient small islands, All islands rely on a fairly complex network of trades (imports/exports) to other islands. Societies that try to do it alone fail. I think that maybe straightedge is destined for the same fate. There is no denying that we can't isolate ourselves completely. For the better, for sure. If only that seeing people totally wasted should at least strengthen resolve. But you can't interact with a different culture without adopting some of their norms. It's impossible. Look at any culture from any period of history. You'll find tools or language or architectural similarities far too close to be considered coincidence. What happens when Straightedge interacts with the outside world? One of two things. Either they don't take kindly and wage war (and subsequently die due to a lack of resources), or they co-habitate and adopt cultural norms. That means as least a tolerance for, or even personally, drinking. Best case scenario, you don't drink, you stay strong and hold true. But as you interact with that other culture, you meet people. You end up really liking these people, but these people aren't the same culture. They don't view things the same way you do. Someone has to give (knowingly or not) or they will both break. I think that here is where people get in trouble. It seems that you either live in a bubble, or are faced with self induced difficulty. That's enough of that tangent.

But straightedge works. Somehow. At least until through the most easily influences years of a persons life. Late teens/early twenties are a VERY important time in a persons life. A lot of lifestyle (usually bad) lifestyle choices are made in those years. I could have ended up like so many bar hopping alcoholic twenty somethings with no ambition and making bad art. Instead I ride bikes. That's about it. I ride/race bikes and I love my wife. Not in that order. That's pretty much my life. I focus on pretty much those two things. Not complaining.

I just don't want life to get the best of me. It's hard. I'll be the first to admit that it's hard. Straightedge isn't for everyone. A lot of people lose sight of why they claimed in the first place. Sometimes I do. I can honestly say that if I didn't have straightedge tattoo's I'd have sold out by now. Why? Are my convictions not strong? Perhaps. But maybe, just maybe, that little bit (or lot) of fancy skin art is only strengthening them and my resolve. It certainly makes it a lot harder to give up on something when it stares you in the face all day.

I'm starting to lose track of my thoughts. This is on my mind for a reason. It's hard to be in the minority. Sure, maybe a lot of people don't drink, but how many people are actually against it? I don't think that too many are. Which I think is quite ironic, considering how many lives are touched by alcohol and alcoholism. I'm sure I'd run out of fingers and toes before I ran out of names. I invite you to try the same. You'd think that people would see these things. Maybe think a little more? Not sure. But it isn't exactly a puzzle. What's the deal? Do people really think that they are invincible? That an accident while drinking and driving somehow impossible for them? That failing livers aren't a big deal? Maybe even that a cloudy head won't somehow affect a decision for the worse? Sometimes I wonder if people think at all. I'm starting to think not. I think that if you think you get labeled as "uptight". HA! Whatever. Life is funny.

Fuck. I did it again. Oh well. I think that I hit on everything I wanted to. If you were actually able to read and understand what was just said, please leave a comment with your thoughts. I'm not trying to scrounge up comments, I just would really like to know if maybe I actually am crazy.

Thanks.

theory.

So, I've found over the years that riding a bike in the winter is substantially more difficult than when it is of moderate temperature outside. Is it a purely psychological ordeal? Is there something more to it than that? I'm not a scientist, trust me, but I would venture to claim that colder air is actually more difficult to ride through on a molecular level. Don't molecules get closer together as they get colder? Wouldn't molecules being closer together be more dense? Aren't things that are more dense harder to work your way through? Isn't that why running in water is so damn much harder? I don't know. You tell me. Go get scientific and tell me I'm right. I dare you.

stupid USAC

I got denied. I tried to send in my results on the year and get them to let me start at Cat 4 rather than 5 on the road. It didn't work. Granted, I didn't fulfill the requirements, but a 10th place at the State Champs in a 4/5 field and then a pretty successful cross season (which got me the upgrade to Cat 3) should have told them I don't quite belong in Cat 5. Oh well. While that is unfortunate and it does dissappoint me, I'm ok with it. My goals are staying the same. Only now I am going to show those fuckers and win (minimum a first and a second) in my first two races. I'll only accept a second if Jake decides he wants to either work with me or challenge me. I'll split a 1/2 with him. Nothing less. What'dya say Jake? Can we do it. Or better yet, do you want to do it?

I just have to wonder whether or not the regional USAC rep in charge of upgrades used to be my manager at QBP. I wonder if I've been blacklisted.

Fuck 'em. Let them try to stop me.

Coldsprints and white power.

Well. Coldsprints was fun. I didn't qualify, But at one point I was tied for the lead. Jake won. That's awesome. He looked really tough doing it. I might actually end up being the slowest guy on the team next year. That is a scary thought. Time to cut out the shit food (trust me) and do some work. I was hoping to take a bit longer break. Oh well. Can't hurt. Yeah. Come out next month. Ginger ale and massive plates of french fries (carbo-loading! and I'm sure that there is some sort of electrolyte in the salt). Good times for sure! I'll actually qualify next time.

And...white power. Not racism type, but the power and majesty that is the first real snowfall. It's pretty awesome. It's fun for now. Give it a few months. It'll get old. Fast. I love waking up to a coat of white-ness on the ground. (And if you doubt the power of snow, talk to Spencer. Ask him about his trip to MKE for the WI state champs.)

It was fun. The dogs don't like snow. At least the little one doesn't. HILARIOUS! My wife stole my idea to make him some booties. Straight up swiped! Oh well, it turned out well enough (better than if I had done it) and not only that, but the dog actually didn't mind them! They kept his little feet warm long enough for him to actually pee on something. He doesn't deal well with cold. He is good for being cute, though. Animal Planet straight to your face!

Season OVER!

Well. I did it. Next spring I will no longer be a rookie. At least not on the cross bike, that is. I still only have one road race under my belt. That will Change soon. So many changes. This year I raced in the Black and Pink of Team Pegasus. A good time for sure. Ironic how I never really raced in those colors when I was anywhere near any other members. (Count alleycats? I don't. not usually. No respectable results there even, anyhow). I am quite satisfied with my first real season on a bike. I've been riding bikes for 3 years now. Including one as a courier out in Philly. Definitely fun. But I'm much faster now. I should have started racing sooner. Oh well. Only alleycats for the first two years (with some pretty decent results).

The main change that you will notice is that I will no longer be in black and pink. As of the new year, I am done with Team Pegasus and will be riding both for and with the Grumpys/LittleGuyRacing team out of Minneapolis. I am VERY excited about this switch. I know that having a group of people locally available to ride and race with with improve my performance greatly. Two of those riders did OVER 50 races this year. That is dedication. I think that I'll be up at the track with those guys a bit, too. Thinking about buying a Masi frameset. I really don't like having bikes that I can't just go ride. I already fucked up my knees on track bikes once. I don't need to do that again.

I love all of the Pegasus kids and I wish them great luck (not that I won't ever talk to them again. I just hope we can be at at least ONE race together next year. That'd be more than this year, at least). I'll be down for SuperWeek for sure, so that'll be done.

Well. I just wanted to mention that I know that I need to work on some things. On the road, I just need to work on being faster and knowing what's going on. I never did figure out where that damn finish line was out in Avon. That may or may not have helped. I know that I need to work on off camber stuff, decents, and 180's on the cross bike. I also (rather obviously) want to increase my power output all around. Not too bad, I think. Just some work. Taking a bit off the bike right now. Probably start back up middle of January for serious. Work will be slower and I'll have just gotten back from vacation. Going to have to do something to avoid showing up in April looking like our favorite Jan Ulrich. (Don't doubt me!).

Hell. That's enough. Results.

Road
8/25/07 MN State Road Race Championships. Avon, MN. Cat 4/5. 10 out of 63.

Cross
9/23/07 Porkchop Challenge. St. Cloud, MN. C class. 4 out of 67
9/29/07 Riverfront CX. Hudson, WI. C class. 3 out of 53
9/30/07 MCT CX. Orono, MN. C class. 1 out of 33
10/7/07 Lake Rebecca CX. Rockford, MN. C class. 2 out of 66 finishers.
10/7/07 Lake Rebecca CX. Rockford, MN. B class. 29 out of 65 finishers.
10/21/07 Mill City CX. Minneapolis, MN. B class. DNF
10/27/07 Red Barn CX. Taylors Falls, MN. B class. 7 out of 56
10/28/07 Back2School CX. Northfield, MN. A class. 14 out of 28 overall. 4th out of 8 Cat 3
11/17/07 CX State Champs. Crystal, MN. B2 (Cat 3/35 plus masters) 13 out of 61 (finishers) overall 9th out of 26 (finishers) cat 3
11/24/07 Jingle Cross Day 1. Iowa City, IO. 3/4. 14th out of 81 (finishers) First Minnesotan
11/25/07 Jingle Cross Day 2. Iowa City, IO 3/4. 23rd out of 78 (finishers)

That's it. Year one complete. By my calculation I should be 5 points deep in my Cat 3 cross-ness. Correct me if I'm wrong. I'm hoping that I can email Matt (anderson) and make him let me race cat 4 next year on the road. I've only done the one race, but I've raced a few...and hell. I beat all of the other cat 5's at States. We'll see.

Goals:

Get to Cat 2 in Cross. Can do, I reckon. Get more consistent. Make people know me. and not for my silly kit. Hang in the A races. Beat Matt Allen. More than once. (twice is ok). Hoping to be able to mark people like Dewey and Aric (Hareland). That is the stretch goal.
Get to Cat 3 and have 10 upgrade points for Cat 2 on the road. Again. Make people know me.

Thats all. May have to revise later. We'll see.

Jingle Cross. Part 2. Jingle Crossed

Well. Now it's been quite a few days. My side doesn't hurt any less. I don't remember much. Got to the race. Yelled myself hoarse with Ben, Dan, and Mike. Was joined a bit by Spencer (drawn to us by the Mortal Treason, I figure) with Little Guy, Tuffy, Leslie, and Sarah just standing across the course laughing. The ladies got into the act a bit later though. Damn them. Almost gave myself a headache from yelling at people. Very good times. Best part of Day 2, for sure.

Well, the race. Lined up next to Mike again. Heard the start this time. Didn't have a good start again. I guess my strategy for the races that I really don't care about that much is just to go at my own pace and pick people off throughout the course. Works for decent finishes. Not so much for great ones. Felt ok. Not great. Far from bad. (So far). Went out the starting straight. 180. Over the barriers. Back on bike. Left turn. Avoid a half dozen fallen riders. Yep. Someone decided it would be fun to pile up some riders right in the middle of the course. GENIUS! I will say that it makes for a nice obstacle. Didn't have to stop. Slowed, worked between a couple of them, and kept going. I guess that made up for my above-par start. From there a few more turns and straights. Up a fairly steep off camber 180 then across more off camber (picked off people here throughout the race) followed by a fast left veering downhill. A very short easy section to a sharp 90 degree turn into some logs (meant to create a run up. Damn Todd Wells and hit ridiculous power output and skill level!) Followed by a pretty long run up. I managed to get back on my bike a good spot consistently. (Although not very cleanly, nor very quickly some laps) A lot of people ran much further than I did and that made is fairly easy (as easy as riding/running up a big hill can be) to pick off more people. This is also where the ladies mentioned above brought out the superfan for me. SO LOUD! It was pretty nuts. Thanks! I definitely know why people are always smiling when I'm yelling at them now.

Yeah. Top of the hill. Wind a bit down the other side (the long ride up from yesterday) went down at an ok clip. not super fast, cause I'm a wuss. Caught the rider in front of me right at the bottom (normally a good thing, right?). Went to take the inside line. Got a little bit too far up inside his wheel. He went inside as well. (We all know how that works out, right?) Yeah. You guessed it. At this point I'm already looking for a soft spot to land (witnessed by Tuffy). Too bad it was a gravel "road" and there are nothing even resembling soft on this part of the course. Oh well. By the time I had the above thoughts out, I was on my way down. Hit the gravel. Slid for about 10 feet (a distant Tuffy described as "surprisingly short, considering") Managed to voice "That hurt." and started to get up. Didn't get hit while I was down, which I was more surprised about then actually falling. Yeah, Oh well. Enough of that. Got back on bike. Got rolling. Everything works. Nothing broken. Keep going. Hurt really bad. Knee and hip mostly. Keep going. Yeah. So I did. Didn't really have the heart to try for a good position, So I just kept riding. Every time we turned into the wind it pressed my jersey against my skin (where there was no more skin) and it really hurt. Going up that hill hurt a lot, too. oh well. I lived. My goal at this point was just to finish. Crashing on the first lap kind of sucks.

On one of the next few laps, I managed to work back up to Fil (who got the wholeshot both days) just before the sandpit. Through the sandpit some other dude yells something about "don't be an asshole". I don't know if it was to Fil or me, but we both took it a little personally (Sure, I passed him on the outside through a narrow doorway, but that's racing, right? You can only go as fast as the person in front of you, and he was going too slow.) He and Fil had a few words. I threw some of my own in there (but mine where things like, "that's racing" and "A cross race is a bad time for a fight". Not fanning flames). Oh well. I have no real idea how that ended, as I kinda pulled away, but I heard nothing else about it, so I assume all is well.

On the second to last lap I was riding a bit behind Super Rookie. The official was counting out spots. I was sitting at 31st. FUCK. You know what that means? No? It means I get a new goal. I wanted to hit 25th. Passed Tim a bit later and tried to up the pace. Some things happened. I passed some people. Paul (Schoening?) was in front of me with about 1/2 a lap to go. As I passed Dan he yelled for me to catch him. I told him "Not yet". What is that!?!!? I was thinking I could catch him on one of the straights after the multiple 180's. NOPE. He managed to put quite some time into me through that section. Coming out of the 180's I knew that he'd beaten me. That's O.K. If I couldn't finish well, I at least wanted to finish strong. As soon as I hit the last straight, I just gunned it. Shifted up to my biggest gear (which was only 42-12) and gave it all I had for the last bit. Crossed the line. My season was over!

Turns out I finished in 23rd. Mission accomplished.

Sat around. Changed. Watched the Elite race. Todd Wells is a monster. JESUS! Tristan rode a hell of a race. That was cool to see. I don't know him, but he's from WI as well. I feel a kinship. Marko killed it, too. Bergemann bettered the previous day by a position. Bjorn lost a spot (to Tristan). Ben finished 20th for the second day in a row. It was a fun day.

Said my goodbyes, loaded into Jake's car. Went to Wal-Mart for a plunger (Menards was closed). stopped at the co-op for some food and we left town. A very fun weekend. I can't wait until next year. This is gonna be great.

Dewey and Dan pulled in another 1/2 today. Reversed, though. Linda came in 4th in her race. Dewey finished 10th in the Elite race AFTER racing the 35 plus earlier in the day. phew! that's all.

Jingle Cross. Part 1: Hugs and High fives.

Yeah. What to say? All sorts of fun times over the weekend. Worked a 1/2 day, hung out with Margaret until Jake (Helmbrech. MN CRY C class champion and all around good guy) showed up and we loaded my things into/onto the car and headed to pick up Julia. Good times. two bikes and a wheel on top (more on that later) and a bunch of stuff inside. Did you know that there are still gas stations that don't use pay-at-the-pump? I didn't. until we got into the heart of nothingness that Iowa seems to be. Somewhere in Iowa Jake's front wheel fell off the car as well. Just driving down the freeway. THUNK! we didn't have to walk back very far to find it, and it was still perfectly true and all, but the on the freeway wearing black isn't really the place you want to be at night. Probably especially in Iowa. Oh well. It was a 5 hour car ride and we left St. Paul at around 4:30. That means that we missed packet pickup by a solid 30 minutes. That sucked. Both Jake and I would have liked to have picked up our rider packets the night before. Far from necessary, though.

Well, we got in and before I get a step into the door I get a hug from Ben Popper. That was something that I was looking forward too. I haven't seen him (or Dan, for that matter) since my wedding. Far too long. It was super nice to see them and we all hung out in their room (with new friends Mike and Tim) until it was asleep time.

I was staying in a room with a couple of LGR (little guy racing) members (4 of them) so space was a bit tight, but I got a good nights sleep and woke up early. Ate a bagel and drank a bunch of water, then rode out to the course with Dan while Ben and Mike drove there. Found it easy. regrouped. Got there early enough to ride a lap before the beginner race started. I was happy about that. It's nice to know what you're in for before hand. I've neglected to do a lap at a couple races this season, and while I don't think it's a HUGE drawback, it is nice to be somewhat familiar with where the hills and turns are.

And turns there were. Not a lot of hills, but the ones that were on the course definitely counted. It was a fun course. Definite powerfest (the way I like 'em). Start down a fairly long straight, 180. straight. double barriers. Turn left while remounting. some windy stretch. turn. past some barns (and through one that held a sand pit, and probably animal poo pit). The entire front half of the course seemed either long-ish and straight-ish or a whole bunch of 180's. I'm good at the former, and pretty bad at the latter. go out a pretty long straight and hit a giant banked 180. that part was a blast. then head over to some rutted out 180's through mud and over logs. Then over to a really big uphill. One of my favorite parts of the course. (I have three. The banked 180, the uphill, and the finish stretch) Up the winding hill. Wind a bit at the top, and then come down the other side. Pretty much screaming down the other side (something else I'm not very good at. I lack confidence) Not as long as the uphill, but a lot steeper. I honestly can't remember the course between this part and the finish. I have a hard time remembering details of races. I know that the finish straight was really long and gravel, and definitely a good part to haul ass. The laps were fairly long. We did 5 in 45 minutes. I had a good first day. Finished 14th and beat all other riders from Minnesota (a point of pride for me, but only because Matt Allen was having a ton of chain troubles.

I lined up right beside Mike Hemme (killjoy) and we were chatting away. Through the start. We all stood there after we lined up for about 3 minutes. Pretty quiet. People talking. Jake was stretching his hamstring with his ankle on the handlebars. I asked Mike when they were going to start the race, and then everyone in front of us takes off. I had both of my feet on the ground. Totally unexpected for anyone after the third row. But hell, that's life. We went off. I didn't have a great start, but that's what happens when you start 60 riders back. Nothing really noteable here. Just making up ground. Going slower than I wanted due to rider traffic. Everything was pretty congested until after the sandpit. That spread people out. I wanted to ride it, and I did after the first lap, but there way too many people in the way the first time through. Settled into a rhythm and started playing catch up. Got a lot of people on the run up. Got a lot of people on the uphill. lost some spots on the downhill. Made them up at the finish stretch. I pretty much sat in and/or recovered unless it was one of those stretches. finished the first lap. Lap counter said 4 more. Thought "Easy!" We did 9 laps at the State Champs, and the last race before that I did was an A race. 5 more laps seemed very little. Oh well.

I was settling into a rhythm. My goals going into the race was top 20. Didn't think much past that. I saw Jake a bit up the course and I got him. He slowed for me a bit, I think. Regardless. We rode the last 1/2 a lap together. I knew that if he got to the top of the hill before me he'd beat me to the line. I also knew that if I got the hill first I had him. I almost asked him if he wanted to ride to the finish straight together and then just sprint it out (repeat of Lake Rebecca. He beat me there). I couldn't get the words out. No bother. I hung behind him until the base of the hill and took off. I got past him on the first stretch and didn't look back until we were down it. I had it. It was just him and I riding near us. (I knew we were sitting somewhere in the field. not sure where though...After the race but before results Mike and I assumed a bit better than 20th). I just gassed it to the line and rode a bit to cool down. (sorry. that's vague. Remember what I said about not remembering details? I remember passing Matt on the second lap while he was messing with his chain. I remember passing Spencer on the uphill. That's about it. Never saw Mike. That's about all I remember)

Turns out that I ended up in 14th, Jake in 15th and Mike in 10th. That sucker beat me. I'm ok with it. He's proven to be a worthy adversary. As is Jake, but I have a history with him. That's about it for my race. It was fast. It was fun. I settled in and didn't drive as much as I should have. But I could say that about pretty much any of my race.

Enough about me. Minnesota came out in force! The dude that got 3rd in the C class CRY (Joe Schlechter) won the beginner race both days(but I hear he finished the C class CRY pretty well last year too. That means that he is NOT a beginner and shouldn't be racing as one. Upgrade when you earn it, guys!) Linda Sone finished 3rd in the UCI Elite womens race. Dewey Dickey and Dan Casper finished 1 and 2 in the 35+ race (Ahead of Kevin - Killjoy- in 3rd). Bjorne Selander took 3rd in the Mens Elite UCI race. Adam Bergemann Finished 7th in UCI Elite. Ben Popper (killjoy-chicago) rode a great race and finished in 20th. Well deserved and well done, Ben!

We went back the hotel and Ben, Mike and I got payed out and sat around for a bit. Showered (separately) and changed. I went out for indian food with the Little Guy team and then went and hung out at 3rd base. Got a pitcher of Shirley Temple and shot animated sheep. and turkeys. Had some fun. Got real tired. went back the the hotel. Long day. Fun day. Was looking forward to day 2.

well then...

It's late. (in the season. It's barely after ten at night...) I'm kinda tired. I leave for Iowa City for Jingle Cross tomorrow. I'm very excited for it. I should be lining up around 60th both days. That kinda sucks, but it's my own fault. Shoulda registered earlier. I don't care. More people to work through. It makes me feel faster, and better, for that matter, than riding all alone between groups of people.

Oh well. I wish I'd have started my very own blog much earlier. You know, to keep track of my races and how I felt (physically and emotionally) both after and during them. I have not, but if I had been, you'd have read about how I think that I need to work on my cornering (see Back2School and the State Champs) and on odd "natural" barriers (see log at bottom of downhill 180 in Hudson and the stupid not bolted down logs at Powderhorn). I do well enough at the rest of it. I really owe some thanks to Spencer for helping me out with dismount at the deer pen. and Ben Popper for the motivation and inspiration. I obviously owe thanks to my wife. She's pretty rad. She helps me more than she knows in all of this. Thanks babe, I love you.

That's out of the way. First, a warning. This may not make sense. My sense of sentence structure is kinda flawed and I like to use comma's, periods, and ellipses at random. Deal with it. (but do it in a loving quirky kind of a way.)

I plan to keep entries going every few days with my riding and physical differences. It'll help me to document it, and knowing (or at least thinking) that people may be reading this might help keep me honest and doing some work.

Thanks about it for now. I'm sure you'll see a big post about the weekend by tuesday. Or maybe more background. Who knows...we'll see.