Presque Isle Spring 2010

7 am arrival and the camp AG3r was set up and awaiting by HD and crew. Rain was causing puddles and pooling on the course. Fortunately decision was a go for racing. In the rain, 49 degrees and some wind made for less than ideal conditions. Not to mention that Skip and team, Brian and the two Steve's showed up. They sure clog up the podium.

At the start it seemed to immediately begin to rain harder. Had a hard time getting my speed up despite I thought I had warmed up appropriately. Mid course I got the speeds where I wanted, felt good and fast but failed to compensate for the poor start. I was warm enough and blocked out the bad conditions. The legs were stiff from the cold and the back was tight.

But I had my new wheels, they will carry me across the finish line. Not so, you can spend the money on technology but you better man up with the training. The official results for my bib number were lost so it is my word as to the finish.

Looking forward to next time.

Spring Break 2010 Park City Utah

Spring Break this year took us back to Park City Utah. Diane and I were joined by sisters Martha and Lucy, cousins John and Sharon. Returning to Park City from 2008 we rented a 3 bedroom pad with hot tub views of Park City and a shorter drive to Deer Valley. John insisted we try again the Turkey Chili at Deer Valley, yes just as good. Sharon skiied like she never left the slopes and filled out the harmonies with the girls singing in the back of the Ford Flex. Off day we ventured to Sundance for a meal and a soak in the Crater hot springs. No injuries but the healing waters felt great.

Ski conditions were perfect with increasing variations of perfect all week. After a hearty lunch were were strongly advised to "take those girls to McConkeys" so off we went to the top to pay umbrage to Shane.

Start the new year off the right way

Did you stay up late on New Years Eve, party like an animal, embarrass yourself and forget about all of those resolutions before the 1st day of the year? Not me, off to bed early, rise early and get on that bike. First ride of the year in a snow storm and sub teen temperatures was the only way to get the year started. 2009 I went to France, beat my personal tt records, entered the most events, swam 74 miles biked 4,000 miles and yes Diane and I are married 31 years. How can 2010 be any better. I tell you how, if I am even able to have half as much fun and stay healthy still be a good husband and father everything else will fall into place. 2010 promises to be full of adventure.

Fear the Yellow Tape

What does yellow tape mean to you?

Crime scene, danger area, off limits, bump ahead or possible serious injury could be present? I can't think of anything positive can come out of flirting with yellow tape. So how do we spend our weekends? Crossing, jumping over and who knows what else that is involved with miles of the plastic off limits barriers of oppression. I say shred it, rip it up and put it all in the wake behind you as you ride on to a beautiful day in the saddle of your Cyclocross bike.

This weekend may have finished up the Cyclocross season for me. Beautiful days at Kent State and Cleveland, Rain at Raccoon and Murraysville. Grove City had the best fall colors and single track section. Raccoon had the tandem rouges bearing down on you as you were trapped in the mud pit. Murraysville had the rain and mud and the new jump the shark feature. What do I have, new friends, no broken bones and plenty of yellow tape where I don't want it.

Torque Maximus

Torque; a force that produces rotation. Saturday mountain bike outing showed a rare display of maximum torque put down by none other than yours truly. Demonstrating my unique skill and dexterity in trail mastery as witnessed by non other than young Yoda HD I manage a nice endo. Mid log crossing in a power stroke grind in the upswing , the chain jumped into the frame and chain stay. Lurch right up and over the handle bars I went ripping the chain in pieces as my massive power stroke repayed the uncooperative chain with a meltdown. HD to the rescue after picking me up he produced the tools to get us back on the trail. A brilliant day in the woods we rode trails, one flat, one lost lefty, one bent derailler, one spent chain. Perfect.

CX Season brings in Fall Colors

Well CX season also brings in the rain, wind and cold with a few bumps and scrapes along the way. Racing the last two weekends, Racoon Park in Beaver and Grove City hosted the last two races, Murraysville will be next. Fall conditions start to prevail leaving the courses wet and soggy. However with a Month of Mud attitude it's like being a kid playing in the sandbox or stomping in a puddle of mud. We have plenty of teammates to cheer you along, laugh at the miscues and share a story afterword. CX is riding on variable track conditions with obstacles in the way challenging rode and mountain bike skills. Run ups, dismounts and single track put to test your late season conditioning and uses a different set of muscles and coordination. The latter of which is rumored to have passed me by. However you the rider will find yourself amongst a whole new group of competitors from all classes. Translate all that into a new life lesson for the day.

Presque Isle Time Trial

Sunday September 20, Presque Isle in Erie PA, 12.5 mile Individual Time Trial.
The day starts at sunny 48 degrees, no wind and improves from there. A beautiful day to race around the bay. Six riders from Ag3r competed. This ITT culminates the season as the final ITT. This year in April started at Presque Isle with a personal best on the course, July posted another best and Sunday I completed the 12.5 miles in 31:45 with an average speed of 23.84mph. Ten ITT's for the year and posted personal best's on all of them.
I thank all those that offered support and advice, Skip, Henry and Steve. Oscar and his group at Washington Blvd. Most importantly my teammates from Ag3r of which 3 took home medals.
Next the bike gets a rest as we turn our attention to cyclocross.