Winter goes easy on the snowblower

This winter the shovels, salt and snowblower were all ready for battle. Only to sit idle as the storms were a no show. We did get a good weekend of skiing in but the surprise was the opportunity to throw in a few mountain bike rides. March will be here soon and time to think about spring training for bike season. The road bike is rebuilt for a new season and ready to go.

Stairway to Heaven

The stairway to heaven can lead you to many places, it can also stop you from achieving your goals. Fortunately you do get to choose. First make it to the top then decide which way to turn.
CX season just closed for me and now I get to reflect on my performance both on and off the course. Eleven races, one series complete, one podium finish and two podiums if you count on the third place team podium for the ABRA series.
I put out my best effort trying to stay with the best riders in the area. I must measure my success not just how I finished but that I did in fact finish. While I am lucky enough to savor the victories with my teammates and adversaries I am reminded by the gaps in victories themselves. I may not be in the same league with these best riders I did in fact do the following;
Eleven appearances, Creek crossing, Fence leap, Sand pit, Barrier jump, Log hop, Mud bog, Huge run ups, Bathe in a creek in November, Master a beer hand up without loosing a position and not one indecent exposure charge.
My goal was simple, no serious injuries this season. North Park was by far the worst for mud and rain. Monster 1,2 Little Washington and Wendy were the best for fair weather. Mike's Double Cross, hey what can I say was up there with the most fun if not devilish.
I do have a life outside of CX and chose to take two weeks off to go to Alabama and Buffalo.

 This is why we do it!!!!

CX Season Woefull tales of mud

Sunday October 2nd Month Of Mud CX at North Park Masters Race
Mark Briercheck - 8th sport
Rich Allen - 5th Masters
Kirk Morrison - 6th Masters
Ray Sielski - 9th Masters
Welcome to October, rain for three days cold gray skies and a hundred fools wishing to test their mettle met at North Park.

The first races at 10 and 11 did nothing but encourage the mud up from the ground. Waiting for the Masters and Sport class was ankle deep mud and super saturated grass ready to suck those aero wheels three inches into the turf. The course was twisty with slight uphill sections, under a bridge through a stream (wheel wash) and a horseshoe pit thrown in for "just because".
Runners took over during the uphill and sharp turns. Running proved to be faster through about 25% of the course. The barrier crossings were placed very close together, then wide, then super close throwing off any rhythm in hurdling the section. Blocking out the rain the racers stayed bunched together through the twisty part getting a feel for the mud ride vs. the run through the turns and the mud pits.
Mark Briercheck and Rich Allen stayed in contact and finished on the lead lap, Kirk showed a tough sprint to the line and Ray rounded out the Ag3r field besting a group of mountain bikers in the sport class.

Noted sighting; Army Corps of Engineers meeting at the park dam engaging unsuspecting racers for next years race. CX through drained lake as a cost effective measure to remove and transfer silt from the lake bed to the high ground. Stay tuned.

Time Trial Season finale opens way to CX

Time trialing this season had it's up and downs. Nine races entered over three venues.
The season started with rain at the Colavita Ohio race and Washington Blvd track. Mid summer evenings were perfect in Pittsburgh, closing with a 10 of a morning in Presque Isle. I earned a first place finish in the 50 plus group completing a 25 mile tt. I focused on the the second 25 mile attempt to better my time. Never made it as we were wiped out by a flood that took three lives that afternoon. A very tragic day. All riders were safe.
2011

Presque Isle 12.5 mile PR
Washington Blvd 15 mile PR
Washington Blvd 5 mile PR
Washington Blvd 25 mile 1st place 50 plus
Colavita, Deerfield Ohio, 12.5 mile PR

Tour Latonka

Well if you don't know by now I must tell you I am a two time winner of the Lantern Rouge. Typically reserved for the runner up, the second award must mean I am the runners up runner up. Horse's Ass or something like that.
A well run intra team event in Mercer, PA. 65 miles with 17 stages showcased some very gritty performances for Sprints, KOM's, GC and yes last place. My goal is always to finish strong and turn in my best effort every stage. The Team TT's placed me on a team of winners who worked with me from start to finish. My thanks to them for the instruction and motivation which made the races a privilege to ride with these all stars.

Stay tuned for updates from the Lantern Rouge "Shrine".

Road Signs

As compiled in Boulder Colorado, Henry Dimmick

Gold Album release Party

Gold Album release party at Sportsman's was attended very well and the compilation of music was extremely well received. Full Sielski contingent was present and showed their support and enthusiasm by putting a big dent in the Labatt's and wing inventories.
Sportsmans was under construction showing some promise for a great music venue.
Good job all.

You can find more photos and get your album at the below links.

http://www.goldremembering.com/
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Gold/77628635349