When Blogging Makes Yous Sweat...

It is NOT good when just sitting here blogging has me sweating like some sort of freak! This is going to be short so I can dive down to the AC.

No ride, rest day. Did some minor bike prepping for the weekend and made my hotel reservation. Was going to camp, but Maryland has some dumb ass seasonal rule about having to book two nights in State Parks, even if you only need one, so the price diff was minor. So I'll be rocking the Havre de Grace Super 8. Wonder if there's free porn? I'm kidding! Sorta.

Oh well. I think I just lost two pound sitting here.

Later.

Epic (Not me, but SOMEONE)

Wow, looks like Solo Nats turned epic! YIKES! Plug pulled at 5 am due to heavy storms. Jeff K. put in a very solid performance (though he say's he didn't have the legs) shit, I'd give my left nut for his "bad legs". HA!

Eatough put the wood to EVERYONE! Dude is one sick ass mofo. It baffles me. I mean I know I'M not fast, but when you see him up against the best freaks in the country and he's lapping them, you just have to sit back and say what the f*ck?? I don't know whether to hate him or worship him!!

Also looks like Nat "29er" Ross, Eddie-O, Hendershot and Ernesto all put in super rides too. Was Chambers there?

My good buddy Tom was out there doing support for one of the solo chicks, I hope they survived Ma Nature's pissyness. Hope you're having a great trip T. check in so I know you're alive!!

Hope the Twin-Six team did ok too. I'm sure they at least looked great!

'Nuff about the fast guys, lets talk about me. (you've stopped reading haven't you? YOU BASTARDS!!)

Woke up to heavy storms this morning, so I rolled over, farted and went back to sleep. On wake up redux it was sunny and hot as balls. So I downed some Starf*cks®, some PB&Honey toast and hit the road for a couple hours.

Ride was pretty darn ok. After I got done vurping up my breakfast I got a solid 2 hours and 33+ miles in. Didn't go balls out or anything due to the fact that I need to start tapering for hell month, which was easy since my legs pretty much forbid me to ride fast this morning. They kept mentioning the 5 beers and late night crime fighting from Saturday night. I said- "Shut up yous twos I'm riding here!!"

Stashed a 3rd bottle in my jersey pocket today. GREAT move! It let me be a little less conservative with the hydration and allowed me not to die on the side of the road.

Saw yet another black snake on the road today. I've seen more snakes on road rides this year than in the woods. This one MAY have been dead, and may or may not have had a head. I'd have to think no head= dead, but I'm no biologist. Live or dead, I keep my distance from those pricks.

Temps this weeks are going to be in the low to upper 90s. I may end up on the trainer so as not to blow up and dehydrate during a race taper week.

Later, time to cook up some food for Wifey and I.

Slick, Wet N' Pretty OK

No too much on tap today. Had some storms yesterday and my gut told me stay on the road, but my heart said hit the dirt. So dirt it was.

Day was misty, gray, and humid as an Amazon rain forest. The trails at Boyce were slick as shit from yesterday's rains. Hard pack dirt and clay, topped with roots and water does NOT make for an easy ride. Many root filled corners were taken with the view of my rear tire sliding hard left or right and into my periphial vision. Slicker than a perverts palm on a spanken new porn site.

Went down once on a slick, rutted, root filled decent, but the topper was going through a slight down hill field of 6 ft. tall weeds, flatting hard and having my tire and tube come off the rim and wind it's self in a knot around my fork. I WISH I would have my camera. Luckily I wasn't going too fast!

The weeds and thorns were rejuvinated with the heat and rain and the trail seemed to be alive. My arms are cut up and bloody and many corner were taken blind due to my eyes being shut to keep the weeds and thorns out.

I declared to Wifey today that I may be officialy done with 26" tires. The El Santo, while a great bike, just does NOT feel as good as my Dos Niner and the 29" wheels. Looks like as soon as the season is done I will be trying to sell the El Santo get another 29", hopoefully a HT from either Salsa, Van Dessel, Orbea, or Fisher. Would love a Ti 29er HT, but pretty sure that will NOT happen again in this life without some something special happening..

I only rode for about 1:45/14 miles today, but it felt like 3 hours due to the normaly fast as shit trails being slick as snot. I can't say it was all that fun, but at least it wasn't the road. I'll save that for tomorrow.

Pre ordered a my new Bikeman.com cap and winter caps today. Apparently Matty-D hooked us up with a new vendor for CX season for caps and skin suits. I won't be doing any hard core skin suited cross, but the caps look to be the balls. Thanks Matt!

Also got registration done for next week's 6 Hour race. Now I just have to decide- camp or hotel? Hmmmm.

Later

No Yinz D'int! Friday Night at PNC

Had a moment last night where I was feeling a bit depressed. Not in a "suicide watch, better up your meds type of way", but rather in a "the Wilderness 101 and Solo Nationals are tomorrow and I'm at neither of them" kind of way.

Then I realized that the coming weeks are gonna be a race every other week. Overall about 48+ hours racing. This is probably unhealthy, probably doing nothing for my chances of hitting the box, and may kill me. I say "f*ck it", you only get so many opportunities in life to push yourself to physical limits, with some good folks, and do it all from the seat of a bike, so I'm doing it.

What will you get out of this you ask? You my friends shall reep the sheer entertainment value of seeing me cry like a little girl when I crack up and write about it here. Wish I could offer you more, but that's about it.

So my bro hooked me, Wifey and B-Man with some tickets to the Pirate game last night. (Thanks!) The San Fran Giants were in town and Barry Bonds was making his first Pgh. appearance in over 2 years. So it was gonna be a pretty good show.

Truth be told I would have rather been sitting in my living room watching with a Victory Hop Devil rather than at PNC with a $6.75 Rolling Rock and sweaty 'Burghermeisters around me, but sometimes you have to take one for the team (the team being B-Man & Wifey). It was fireworks night so B-Man got to see his first fireworks show and he REALLY dug it.

The game was good and the seats were incredible, only about 6 or so rows from the left field line. Got see one dude almost get ejected for heckling Barry and one person get nailed with a line drive and carted out.

Kip Wells pitched great, and Barry went hitless. Bucs won 3-0. Good show. The crowed booed Bonds to no end. WIfey and I couldn't bring ourselves to do it. I think he's a jerk, I think he did 'roids, but unless something BIG happens, dude's going in the Hall of Fame. I had the chance 15 years ago to watch him pre-'roids, and now I had the chance to watch him with my son. I'll just keep that memory and let the others folks handle the bitterness.

That's it. It's a bright 75% gray day here today so I'm gonna go work on making my skin look pasty with El Santo in the woods. Want to ride the Dos, but with the MASS race next week I don't want to take the chance on jacking my main race bike up. (yep, the Dos has earned that title.)

Later

Oh F It!

UPDATE: FLOYDIS SPEAKS: Taken VeloNews.com once again without the slightest bit of permission.
Fingers crossed here that his all ends up ok. Same with Basso and Jan. Time will tell.

The real downside to all this is that I was REALLY looking forward to heckling Bonds at the Bucco game tomorrow, but now I would just feel stupid.

___________________________________________________________

WTF Floydis? Still nothing proven yet and I read over on Velonews.com that many of these get overturned, but it sucks for the sport. He's one in a long list of guys I want to believe (Tyler, Basso, Jan, and yes EVEN Lance) but will always have trouble. I may be done with following the roadies as a whole. It sucks because they're the only cyclists that get any coverage.

One roadie I AM with is Dave Zabriskie. He's my man and I'm sticking with him. Just check out his Podcast site for some great stuff. Dude is too cool to be a roadie though, should be racing mountain bikes :)
Of course he'd be living out of a van and eating dog food to survive.

Check out Missingsaddle.com too. Good site. All road though, so no linky ;)

Short little spin on the trainer tonight.

Time to make up some burgs, rice and a beer.

Later.

Cooked, Fried, Smoked, etc., etc., etc.,..

Damn, it was hot like the devil's taint tonight. Yikes! I hit the road for 33+ miles and nearly 2 hours. I really pushed my legs and lungs tonight too. On few hills I did some intervals, going ballz out and was in aneorobic hell, breathing so deep my ribs hurt, quads burning and spit flying all over me. In a word it rocked but I'm toast now. Might just spin easy tomorrow, take Friday off and then get some easy miles in over the weekend.

Put up a new post about road riding over on my Bikeman.com version of the Soiled Chamois. Here's an excerpt:

Motorists fall in to 4 categories...

THOSE WHO FEAR YOU:
These are usually older drivers or real young drivers. They're unsure if you know what you are doing and trail behind you at a snails pace and refuse to pass, even though you're hugging the white line and motioning for them to pass. This can be frustrating and I try to always give them an indication that it's all cool to pass or I just go ahead and slow to a near stand still to let them get by. They're usually nervous about you and think they're doing the right thing. It's frustrating, but at not as bad as...

THOSE WHO HATE YOU: (AKA- Ass Holes):
These folks are the ones who believe that you in NO way belong on the road, and no matter how much room you give them to get their 8 mile per gallon, Dubya stickered SUV to their McHousing Plan®, they still feel the need to blow their horn and scream something about getting off the hell off the road or something which questions your sexual preference because you're on a bike.

If they're REALLY pissed, you might even have them attempt to run you off the road (happened only once thankfully) throw a Big Gulp at you (happened to KoKo) or pull in front of you and gun it on the shoulder so as to shoot rocks back at you (ah, the love)

These folks used to REALLY get to me, they still do sometimes, but these people are NEVER going to change and since a 170 lb. shaved legged cyclist on a road bike has no real chance against a 5 ton SUV, I try to keep my mouth shut, smile, and wave.

More than anything I usually end up feeling sorry for these folks. What makes them so angry with cyclists? Is is that they see my riding as freedom they may not have the chance to enjoy? Do they see a level of fitness that they don't have and it makes them angry with themselves and in turn the take it out on me to make themselves feel better? Maybe they would feel better if I jsut wore a sign on my back that says "RELAX, YOU MAKE MORE MONEY THAN ME".

THE MULTI TASKERS:
These are folks that are drinking coffee, lighting a cigarette, changing a CD, and talking on their cell phone ALL at the same time. The "Multi Tasker" is the one you hope is NOT coming up behind you. At least you know the"Ass Holes" see you since they're shouting something at you and flipping you the bird.

THE GOOD FOLK:
Of course the are also a ton of great folks out there that will shout encouragement, give a wave, or at the very least just respect my right to ride my bike on the roads and give me a little room.

Kids are great too. Nothing like screaming down hill at 35 or 40 mph, looking over and seeing the jaw dropped face of a little kid in the back seat, or seeing them smiling and waving at you.

I try to keep to the farm roads and back roads as much as possible. Cruising an old farm road on a summer evening, with the day's stress behind you is a great way to unwind and get a little zen time in. Plus knowing that big miles on the road bike are going to help make those incredible days on the trail or race course that much better is good motivation to chamois up and hit the road.

I always try to give the cars the right of way. I look at myself as a visitor on the road and respect the fact the roads are built for cars, go fast and can cause a world of hurt, BUT since I'm allowed to ride on them if I follow the rules, they will have to deal with me. I only ask for them some respect in return. I hope someday motorists in the U.S. will respect and admire cyclist the way they do in many European countries, but until then you just gotta be careful out there.

That's it.

Later

My Hand Is In Bear Poop

Anyone see that documentary the other night about the dude that lived with the grizzly bears in Alaska? He and his chick ended up getting eaten by them. That's was some bad news. Anyway the dude was more that just a tad wacked in the head. What did he expect was gonna happen? I dig bears as much as the next dude, but I'm not gonna go try to live with them for God's sake!!

At one point he's going on and on about how cool it is that he just put his finger in bear shit. My fingers hit freaking baby shit every a.m. I don't going filming it.... Anymore. What does this have to do with bikes? Nothing, just needed to justify today's title.

Solo National's are coming fast. Good luck to Jeff, Goat, Holly, D. Musto, and all the other folks racing there this weekend. Can't wait to read all the reports. Part of me wishes I was doing it, the other part of me knows that my ass would be handed to me six different ways, so why travel to Wisconsin when I can do it right here in PA in about a month at Seven Springs?

Wilderness 101 coming too. I was looking forward to that race since last year, but money (and lack there of) and other races have taken priority. Next year I'd like to focus on the 100 series and the MASS endurance series. Good luck to those racing (I wonder if "Bugle" Billy, and Bob A. are racing it?) Good luck to Dicky.

Got word yesterday about what the deal with MASS Endurance points will be. They will be taking the 3 best finishes and the corresponding points from the 3 six hour races and the Seven Springs 24 Hour race (for Solos) and that will decide the overall MASS Endurance winner. I know I can't get the #1 spot, I'm sure Rob Lichtenwalner has a lock on that (would it be possible for that kat to lose just ONCE??), but I'd like to pull a top 5 overall if possible. Still about 30 hours or more of racing to go though so I'm not gonna do the whole the "cart before the mother f-ing horse thing".

I thought about dropping the next race in MD and just doing the 24 in Sept. but I'm itching to race, so why not drive 4.5 hours to and from to do so? Right on!

Hoping to get some road (head) action in tomorrow post work. Am I the ONLY one who thinks about riding ALL day. I mean sometimes I can't even concentrate on my work. I'm sure I'm sporting a little ADD, but it's getting to be re-god-damn-diculous.

Extreme Random Sponsor Notes.... ON!

Salsa El Mariachi available NOW!
I want one bad.
I won't be getting one.
Do I want the green or blue? Oh yeah, I'm not getting one, I forgot.
Green.

Panaracer Extreme Duro road tires are the bomb! The 25c's are wider than most 25s, go with 23s I didn't.

Twin-Six T-Shirts fit incredibly and make former hipsters (me) hip again (while wearing shirt), except that they're bike stuff, so only bike people think they're hip, which they are, but the rest of the world will think they're not, but they're wrong, and that is one of the many things that make them so hip... Shit, now I'm confused! Let's just got with they're sweet looking Ts that fit great.

I see Bikeman.com is now carrying Pearl Izumi gear. SSSSSwwwweeet.

Extreme Random Sponsor Notes.... OFF!

OK, I've wasted enough of your time. Oh by the way- Rick, my ass cheeks feel much better.

Later

Now THAT's A Monday!

I was so freaking tired this a.m., I think being out 'till 11 on Saturday caught up with me (how lame is that??) Nothing 3 cups of coffee, a diet Pepsi and a quadruple espresso cappuccino couldn't fix.

Work went pretty fast and my eyes were fried from working in Illustrator all afternoon on a freaking marketing zip code map. Yikes!

Hit the trails for 19 miles/2:05 tonight. The Dos was RAWWWWWKING. Sometimes it all come together and tonight was one of those rides. I had been playing with Reba's rebound and air to get the feel I wanted (got it), the psi in my Maxxis Ignitors (got it) and the Salsa Relish shock on the Dos Niner (got it). So the bike was feeling super good.

Legs felt good from the day off yesterday, combined with the fact that it was only in the low 80's today, unlike last week when the temps were about what they are on the Sun. Hit some trails I normally don't ride and mixed up my normal loops too, so it was cool.

In one root fill corner I've ridden a million times, I took a spill. I tried to increase my speed into the corner rather than finesse my way through like I do normally. Yeah, that really didn't work out and I ate some dirt. No big deal, "boo-boos happen" as I tell B-Man.

Got me ANOTHER case of chap ass. DAMN! It was that freaking ride in the rain Saturday. Feels like I backed my ass cheeks into a cheese grater. Guess it's time to get the mirror out so I can some cream on it with out rubbing it over my entire ass. Enjoy that visual. Now don't say I never gave you anything.

One more thing: Cool NORBA race video. There's some good footage from the pro race at Mt. Snow back in June. Includes a couple shots of Bikeman.com/Salsa Cycles pro Andrew Freye who incidentally was just named to the USA's World's Team. Congrats to him. Now the team is figuring out how to get him to New Zealand. Hard to believe USA Cycling can't foot the bill for the racers. If you ask me it's like someone giving a free car, but you have to pay for it. Bikeman.com has set up a section on the site so folks can make a dontation if the desire. Do you desire?


That's it.

Later.

Heavy Sunday Legs = Rest

Yesterday's 2+ hours riding in the rain did nothing for my legs and I have to say they felt like to hunks of raw, aching, bitch slapped meat today. Oh well I guess I needed a rest.

Wifey and I had a blast last night. Hooked up with Y-Nizzle and Miss M. for a some grub and beers at the new Mad Mex in Monroeville and then we headed downtown P-Burgh to the Market Square Ale House. Y. is friends with one of the owners so we got the royal treatment, including a free bottle of a tasty Belgian Farmhouse Ale with a hint of honey. It was beyond words. I also was able to have a fresh goblet of Corsedonk.

The selection of brew that the MSAH has is UN REAL! If you're ever downtown Pgh. check 'em out in Market Square. Look up, they're on the second story.

I also got hooked up with a freebottle of Stone Vertical Epic Ale 06.06.06. Looks to be a BIG beer that will need to busted out at just the right time. Thanks Y. and Tim!

Mad Mex is one of our fave places to eat. We used to the one in Oakland YEARS ago for the late night 1/2 price menue. Now neither one of us could stay up that late.

Got to see some of the final stage the Tour today. I kinda hate the last stage. The cicuit in Paris is so boring. Nice to see Floydis get the win.

That's all I got. Dos on the dirt tomorrow if all goes well.

Later.

Grey, Great and Good

Wow what a shitty looking day here- dark, grey, and rain. Real "warm bath and razor blade" weather, except for the fact that FLOYD WON THE F*CKING TOUR!!! Former mountain biker/Elton John shade wearing/bad gotee growing/cute wife having/crumbly hip throwing dude won the f*cking Tour in what will be one for the history books!!

Anyone else see Floyd get all jacked off and throw something or push someone when he got off his ride today? What was up with that? Hmmm.

Super happy that he won. Not because he's American, I'm not that jingoistic, but because it was a HELL of a comeback. I would have been rooting for him no matter WHAT country he was from. Now I just hope he's clean.

After watching the Tour and cleaning my rumpus room (office, but NO work has ever been done in it, so it's more of a rumpus room for me to blog, listen to music and look a porn) I was off to road ride, and of COURSE it started raining as soon as I filled my bottles.

F*ck it. I'm riding anyway. Put on the Salsa rain slicker, some Grey Hound Juice warming lotion on the legs and hit the road. Rode for 2:20/39.3 miles and got DDDDDDDDDDDDDDrenched. It stopped raining at about the 1:45 mark so I took the slicker off since I was baking inside that freaking thing.

At the end of the ride my hands were more pruned then the under carriage of an 80 year old man. I think rain soaked hunks of skin were just starting to fall off. My chamois was soaked and provided a colon clense everytime I moved forward on the saddle. Nice.

All in all not a bad day. Good end to the Tour, even though I've had more enjoyable rides, I still got a good one in, and tonight B-Man is off to Papa-O's so Wifey and I are hitting Mad Mex for beers and Mexican possible with Y-Nizzle and the lovely Miss M. There will be good beer, Mexican food, trash talk on the "Bushies" and bike talk. What more could a guy ask for?

Why does KoKo not comment anymore? Must be busy loading his iPod with "stuff".

Hope you all got some miles in and are having a good weekend.

Later.

Rest Day Friday

Not too much on tap today. Work and resting the legs. Got 6+ hours in through the week, 4+ on dirt and 2 on the road in 85-90 degree heat + vadge like humidity. The legs were pretty spent today.

I know that those kinds of hours aren't that big to many, but I'm pretty happy when I can get 7 to 10 hours a week in, since I'm up at 6:30 with the B-Man, work all day THEN get my ride in, come home shower, make dinner, eat anywhere between 8 and 9 and go to bed between 9 and 11. How do I get anything done around the house you ask? Simple- I don't. That's what winter is for!!

I'd like to look into a coach or something for next season, but I feel like they would look at my available training hours and just be "forget it dude, keep rocking the mid pack and have a beer". Hey, working so far!

I Hope to get 2 to 3 hours in tomorrow, most likely on the road since we look to be having some nut cracking storms tonight and tomorrow. If not it'll be the Dos at Boyce.

When to ride tomorrow is the question. Gots to see what Floydis does in the TT first. Then again maybe I'll just set the tape, ride and watch when I come home. Hmmmm,

Saw a"must have" T-Shirt today that I TOTALLY dig...

The Che Merckx T-Shirt from Livewrong.net.

On the subject of T-Shirts... Chick I work with today commented that she liked my Twin-Six Brew Pub T-Shirt. But of course she followed it up with the back handed compliment, "yeah, that's way hipper than anything you normally wear" Thanks. I guess.

Been seeing some cool ass 29er frames over on mtbr.com. The Salsa El Mariachi of course, plus Kona, Van Dessel, and Orbea or gonna have some kick ass 29ers in OH-Seven. Yummy!

Oh well that's it.

Later and GO FLOYD!!!!!!!!!!!

Unreal!!!!!!!

I rode today, blah, blah, 2 hours blah, blah, blah, hot, blah, blah, spent, but Floyd RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRODE today. One of the single greatest days in US Cycling....EVER!

Photo taken with no permission what-so-ever from VeloNews.com

EVER!!

Later

The Flow Is Back

Yikes! What happen to Floydis today? Damn, I feel bad for him. Sure would have helped to have had some teammates around. Oh well, he still got ALL of the King of The Dead Hip points today and should win that title overall in this year's Tour.

I did like seeing former mountain bike World Champ, former Crested Butte resident and possibly gauntest man in the peloton Michael "Chicken" Rasmussen take the stage and the KOM jersey today.

Oh well, 'nough road weenie stuff... Got another 2:05/18.9 miles of dirt in tonight. Good stuff. Felt MUCH better than on Monday. Heat wasn't as bad and I had my feel for the dirt back.

Realized I'm kind of a bike slut and my favorite bike is the one I'm riding at the moment. Aside from El Santo being a pound or two heavier than I would like, I felt like it was "the shit" tonight. Allowed me to sit and pedal right over root sections and easily sit and soft pedal up some loose rocks smoothly, with no bouncing around. Let's me be just a little more "lazy" with my choice of lines. Somthing not so important for a 2 hour training ride, but pretty damn important during a 12 or 24.

My only complaints: I find myself missing the clean shifting of the SRAM twists on the Dos Niner, and I hate when you go over a sizable log, full suspension and the shock compression that comes with it. I like the solid feel of a hard tail or soft tail coming off an obstacle and getting a nice solid pedal stroke in to get going again. The big wheels of the Dos help a LOT with that and coming off log drops doesn't feel as harsh in the front either due to 3 extra inches of wheel. Neither of those complaints are really El Santo's fault, more equiptment choice, personal pref and result of a 26" wheel FS bike.

Still not 100% sure I need a 4" FS bike for most of my riding, but as long as I have a sweet one like El Santo I mindswell use it when the course and/or my body calls for it. As I said- I'm a "bike slut", and the bike I ride tomorrow will be the best bike ever.

Later

p.s. Ever complete a 2 hour ride and realize that your front wheel's skewer is barely tightened? Yeah, me neither.

p.p.s. Porn name opinion-Male: "Dick Everwood" Female: "Connie L. Ingus"

Laid Back Tuesday.

Not much going on today. B-Man pick up so I had to scoot from work early then home for some quality time with The Man de La B. Once Wifey got home from slinging O.T. I was off to mow some grass and do some bike maintenance.

Plan on hitting dirt again tomorrow, except this time on El Santo. Been a while since I've been on El Santo so some shifting adjustments were needed. I run Shimano Rapid Rise on the El Santo and SRAM X.O/X9 on the Dos. I think I'm now finally swayed to SRAM. The shifts are SO much more precise and clean in the rear. It took me a while to get used to the SRAM front shifting but I dig it now. Shimano is just SO FREAKING finicky. If you even look at it the wrong way you'll get a mis-shift. Ok, done ranting about that.

Wow!, slim pickins on 100 mile finishers at the Breck 100. Yikes! Altitude is a junk kicker. I can't imagine racing at altitude. I've ridden at 6'000 to 11,000' dozens of times and it was a lot just to RIDE let alone race. Hope to find out next year :)

Oh well, off to watch some Floydis highlights.

Photo from VeloNews.com

Later.

When Not So Good Is STILL Great

Tonight's ride was not one of my best, BUT the fact that I was on a mountain bike, sweating like a fool, and getting dirty for 2 hours in 90 degree heat still makes it pretty damn great evening.

I was having trouble finding my "flow" on the dirt. Too much pavement recently, combined with a SERIOUS amount of overgrowth on the trails due to the constant rains and warm temps has made many of the sections a 10 mph bush wack and some sloppy riding by moi. I was regretting my descission to STILL not use glasses to ride with too. Smacked in the face 1 too many times. It's an accident waiting to happen.

The infamous "no see um" bugs have made their arrival in the woods. I have NO idea what the are, or what the look like, but DAMN to their bites hurt. Iike stabbing yourself with a pin. They leave huge red welts on my baby soft skin too. I even covered myself in bug spray! Those BASTARDS!

Lastly, I almost knocked my front teeth out. Yeah, I'm an idiot. I was ducking down with my face close to my stem so as to ride under some tree fall when I hit a bump, and the stem shoots up and knocks me in the teeth. I haven't felt that shock to the snags since the last time I let somebody beat me up.

Broke out the plastic and ordered up some supplies from Bikeman.com the other day. Now I'm stocked up with Gel, Perpetuem, and Heed for the next month or so.

I also got a new bladder for the CamelToe® since one of mine is all skanked up with some sort of ass squirt inducing sludge that won't come out. Went with a Naglene bladder. Read a good review of it and decided to take a chance on it. Just looking at it, it looks top notch but time will tell.

That's about it. No riding tomorrow. Need to clean some bikes up and adjust my Reba 29er. It needs to soak up some smaller bumps so I need to play with the settings.

Later.

Pretty OK Day...

Got a nice 40 mile road ride in today out in Scottdale (where Pappy-M lives). Avg speed was a hair under 18 mph. Heat was intense but really didn't bother me. I iced up some bottles and they stayed pretty cold for a little more than half the ride, then they got piss warm.

Temps are gonna be hot enough to boil a monkey's bum this week, so I hope to get on the Dos and in to the shade of the woods. Miss the dirt so my goals this weeks is 3 mountain bike rides and 1 to 2 road.

Got some good B-Day booty today including a new White Grass cookbook, an iTunes gift card (Which I've already used to buy the latest Built To Spill), and some jing. Sweet!

That's all I got, it's hot as an ape's balls in our upstairs, so I need to dive to the 1st floor to breath.
I leave you with this recent work place conversation...

WOMAN I WORK WITH: "What are you eating?"
ME: "Peanut butter and honey on whole wheat bread"
WOMAN I WORK WITH: "THAT'S DISGUSTING!!"

Disgusting? I was feeling guilty, thinking it was too decadent. Oh well, somebody has to eat those nasty ass vending machine donuts, mindswell be her.

Later.

Expert Vets, Here I Come!

So, I turned 35 today. Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeet.

Stayed home from work today against my will to be with an under the weather B-Man. There was some stress I would have rather not have had on my birthday, but whatayagonnado?

I had planned on taking today off from riding, but when Wifey reminded me that I supposed to help my bro/sis in-law move tomorrow I had to improvise, get my time in, and hit the road in some serious sweaty ball heat tonight.

This made 3 road rides in a row, and I was freaking spent! If this was the Tour I would have been raising my hand, asking for the team car and climbing off. BUT it's not, so I plugged through 1:45/30 miles, came home and got into the newly purchased Victory Hop Devil cooked up some Mexican chow.

Tried to tell myself that being 35 isn't so bad. Didn't REALLY start to think that 'till I hit beer #4.

Thanks to all the folks who gave shouts out of support for Wifey. She really apprecieated it.

Well that's it fo now. Here's a couple photos from today's ride...


Big D coming my way.

And going...


When you're riding tomorrow, think of me busting a nut lifting some sleeper/sofa.

Later.

Good News, Good Ride and Some Cool Stuff...

1st the good news: Wifey and I had some good news today at the Docs. Long story short- Wifey had a lump, picts were taken, etc., today was the meeting with the head honcho Doc. and he says the Wifey lump is in NO way cancer and is so small that she shouldn't worry about it. Whoo Hoo! If you've sensed that I've been a bit of a dick head lately, that's why. Should be a LITTLE more normal now. I can breathe easy and Wifey can rock some cancer free 38's.

Got a good road ride in tonight. Hit some new sections of road and got about 36 miles and 2:20 of saddle time. Weather was pretty warm. It was a 3 bottle ride and I had 2. Is there anything that f*cks with your mind more than a false flat? Man it looks like you should be putting the 53 tooth hammer down, you look down and you're maxed in 39! DOH!

Twin-Six hooked me up today with a cool-as shit limited "Tour" edition version of their Big Ring Brew Pub t-shirt...



In case you can't make out the photo it's the norm Big Ring T and down the side it says" OPERACION PUERTO DOPERS DIE PUB CRAWL 06- A CROOKED RIDE AGAINST CROOKED RIDERS". The shirts are available in Large & XL. Check out Twin-Six.com for ordering information or availability.

Also, due any day now from the fine folks at Salsa...

Jason from Salsa posted this over on mtbr.com. This frame is so bitchin' looking! The El Mariachi steel 29er in Tomatillia Green. The frame is a bit portly for racing (IMHO) but this would make a great companion for The Dos Niner. Train on El Mariachi and get the weight down a little more on the Dos and use it for racin'. Hmmmm. Too many bikes, too little money.

Also in 29er news: JHK rolled a 29er to a 2nd place short track finish last week...


Finally for Jeff, check out this link for some looks/scoop on '07 C'Dales. Including picts of a carbon RUSH!

The Tour FINALLY rocked today. Mountains rule. Good stuff.

Later.

Mushroom Chamois

Rain once again is taking up residence in the WPA area. The mushrooms have returned to my back yard and I think there might be some growing in my chamois as well after tonight's soaking out on the road.

Wasn't sure I was gonna get any time in tonight since storms were all around. Given the weather I drove to an alternate start for the ride, thus avoiding some of the higher traffic roads. I barely trust cars when it's dry out, let alone when it's dark and rainy.

Only rode for about 1:20, but it beat sitting on the trainer for the same time. Since the ride was short I tried to really push the tempo in and TTed it in 3 different 2 mile+ areas. It was a deeeep burrrrn. Got soaked by a steady rain for about 30 minutes and then got to enjoy a nice "rooster tail" enema for the rest of the ride.
Actually the rain really wasn't that bad since it was dog pee warm.

9 years ago today Wifey and I got hitched. How'd we celebrate? In the past we've gone out to eat, had some wine or beers, hiked in Crested Butte and fought crime. Tonight I rode in the rain, she worked some overtime and then hung out with B-Man who was a bit under the weather. Then when I got home we watched some of the Tour, ate some pasta, and worried about a doctors appointment she has tomorrow. Can't say it was one of our best anniversaries but it's all part of the marriage train and I'm happy she's put up with me thus far.

Later.

I've Had Better...

Not much going on today. Off day from the bike and work sucked a long hairy one. One of those days that by the end of the day I'm on Monster.com looking for jobs. Sad part is I want out of the art field ALL together but I'm not sure what other jobs I'm qualified for with 14 years experience in graphic art. I've even started looking in to being a mail man. From the looks of it you have to wait for someone to die to get in there.

Not to sound to Office Space, but damn I hate when co workers say the following...1. "Smile!" 2. "Having fun yet?" 3. "Is it Friday yet?" My reply to all is pretty much silence or a "f*ck you" under my breath. Oh well 'nough real life, lets talk bikes....

Think I'm going to train for the next few weeks and then pound out some racing come August with a 6, 18 and a 24. The MASS 6 will be an (A) race. The 18 is a (C) just to get some night riding and training in with some friends out of state and finish up at 7 Springs on Labor Day. That race is just too close to home not to do and is alway packed with the Who's Who of the local race scene and I'll consider it a (B).

Oh well, time to get back on Monster.com. How hard can it be to find a job making between 25K and 30K that allows me to still work hard at being the best mediocre bike racer I can be. Hmmmm. This might be tough.

Later.

Monday Night Ass Rub

UPDATE: Forgot to include this link that my man in the UK sent. http://www.srmdataserver.de/Telemetry/ Real time HR/Power/Speed etc., from 7 different tour riders whilst the stage is going on. Word is they me be adding a blood dope monitor to the site.

UPDATE #2: Another Tour link from my Swiss hook up that's a cool live Google Maps tracker of the Tour.

Phase III of my season started today with a trip to the gym to remind myself to enjoy every ride from now 'till winter 'cause the gym sucks and lifting weights is kinda lame. So ride and smile with the leather of your saddle betweenst your thighs.

As I go to put weight on the leg press, I pause to let a grizzled gym veteran on the machine next to me put the weight on his bar, he motions for me to go first and says- "That's the problem with this area, you can't bend over without rubbing asses with the guy next to you! Of course there are a few here that would probably like that!, ha, ha." I had no responses except to give a courtesy chuckle and hope he wouldn't mistake my shaved legs for being a switch hitter. I mean what was my response supposed to be?? "I'll tell your right now, I ain't one of dem male ass rubbers, I like vaginas man!"

Anyway got a quick 1 hour work out in with some secret hush-hush leg work outs in (kidding) and cardio on the stairmaster.

Looks like Floydis will not be throwing any hip post tour.

Time for some Not So White Trash Cheezy Spinach Tuna Bake.

Later

Sweet Sunday

What a day. Up early, watched some Tour with the B-Man. He heard the Phil say "Tom Boonen" and then he started saying TOM! TOM! (I think he thought they were talking about "Tom" my master mechanic and good friend. So I told him that's Euro road dog super star Tom BOONEN. So then when Wifey got home from her run he points to the TV and says "Tom Boonen mommy". She about shit.

Then I got the Dos Niner ready and hit the trails at Boyce Park for a couple hours. The trails were in fine shape and it felt great to be back on dirt. First time I had been at Boyce in about a month or so. It's amazing what a lot of racing and road riding will do for your climbing. 34/34 felt super good, bust some nice pedal circles and get to the top nicely.

Today was another one of those rides that affirmed how just how much I love my Dos Niner, or at least the 29er format. When they first came out I was the first to say "WHY???" but now I know. I feel just as efficient, if not more so on the Dos Niner than I do on my full suspension El Santo through rough terrain.

BOTH are great bikes that I've used all year, but the Dos just feels so RIGHT. It's lighter and rolls faster. I'm really starting to think that next year I will most likely have no need for a 26" wheeled bike. If I use two mountain bikes I will add a 29" HT.

To get the El Santo to a wheight that I want would be sacrificing durability in components. Don't find the cush on the tush worth the extra weight right now (but ask me next week, I'll probably have a different opinion). This isn't a slag against the El Santo, it's more of a praise toward the Dos Niner. What's up with a 29" FS? No that seems just TOOOOO over the top. WHY??

Anyway today's ride was the tits. Got two hours of mountain biking in and nearly 18 miles of tight single track. Then I came home made up some 92% lean beef burgers mixed up with spinach, spices and whole wheat bread crumbs. Then I baked up some beans and enjoyed 1 to 4 Gin and Tonics to finish off my week of splurge before getting back into training.

Oddly this was supposed to be an recovery week and I still got nearly 9 hours of riding in. Of course I only went ballz out for a little bit on each.

I'm aborting the Wilderness 101. I hate to do it, but it's too close to the next MASS 6 Hour Race and I'd like to see where I can finish up in the oveall points for that. I think Lichtinwalner has a lock on the #1, but the rest seems pretty open.

Took the digi with me today, plus I got some more picts from Marysville from velophotos.net

First the race photos from last week....


Cruising past the pond on the Dos.


Giving it gas in grass.


Looking like I got me a "chew" in.

Now some picts from today's ride...


Sometimes Ma Nature throws some shit in the form of some downed trees. The trail gods turned this one into a neat up and over (to the left). The pict is looking back after completing. Coolness.


Multiple logs to spice things up.


More wonderful singletrack.


A little Salsa, Twin-Six, Rock Shox, goodness. Thanks to them, riding and racing goes better and looks cooler. Thanks guys!!

Later.

Saturday Road Head

Had the debate today- Road or Mountain? Road won. Didn't feel like taking the chance on driving the whole way to the trails and have them be slop. So I kitted up, put a double helping of chamois cream on my butt and hit the road by ten. Since this is "technically" still a recovery week, I just wanted to get some miles in out in the sun (finally!!) for a couple hours. No real plan.

Started with the Nut Bust HIll and then down to Rt. 48. The Trek was flying and I was having a "moment" it was all good. Then at about mile 15, a jack-ass in a big black SUV nearly runs me off the road, I mean the front bumper was only about 3" from my leg. I went f*cking nuts!!! WTF??? My HR was off the charts, and even though I try to be cool out on the road with the cars this was too much and I let go with a series of hand gestures and obscenities that would make a hooker blush.

No doubt it was either some GOP asshole trying to light a cigar, talk on the phone and tune in the Rush Limbaugh radio show or some blue blooded soccer mom taking her spoiled brats to some "pay to play" joint so she could go get her nails done. F*ck 'em.

Well I survived and the rest of the ride was the balls. Got about 2:20 in and about 38 miles or so. Sweet!

Got home binged on cereal and GNC Protein 95 (vanilla) and played with the B-Man for a while. Then we all went over to Y&M's house for some meat on the grill and some hoppy goodness.

Took the camera with me today to slow me down, so LET'S PHOTO BLOG...


Ah, the views I get to enjoy. That's industrial spawl complete with smoke stacks and river f*cking chemical sludge.

More great views...




Found Frankie Caprie's RV!!! F.Y.I.- F. Caprie is/was a cheesy lounge singer that played at a hip for a few minutes club on the South Side called the Lava Lounge for a few years. I've seen him. Think fat Elvis, playing an organ. Yes it was as bad as it sounds.


As you can imagine I will NOT be taking part in this fun next week. Yikes!!!


FINALLY made it out in to the sticks. The blur by the sign on the left is a flying turkey.

Later.

Raging Monkey Butt (Please go away)

Did a lower key road ride tonight. Explored some new roads that were flatter and allowed for some more recovery. Only did about 1:30 but since I did some harder stuff yesterday and this is a recovery week I was happy with it.

Got to see ANOTHER junk yard tonight. Western PA must be the junk yard capital of the world. I mean I think EVERY road ride I do I get to see a bunch of f*cked up cars stacked high. Do people make money at this? I guess so. Enter one Fred G. Sanford.

Have you ever changed into your cycling clothes at work and then as you drive away you can't remember if you put your underwear in your bag or not? Yeah, me neither.

Everyday my monkey butt from Saturday gets better, and every night it's gets bad again. F!! God's of Cycling soothe my cheeks and in return I shall sacrifice a Beginner wearing underwear under lycra. Thank you

Later.

Back On The Bike...

Did a two hour road ride tonight. Felt REAL good and probably pushed too hard for a recovery week. My cycle computer started going on the fritz and was driving me crazy. Nothing like looking down and seeing you're going 21 mph, then 4 mph, then 21 again, all in the span of about 10 seconds. It was probably for the best 'cause I found myself trying to beat my personal avg. speed record, but then when the comp. failed I backed off and spun the legs like I was supposed to be doing. Enter one shit-disturbing cycling god. My legs say thanks.

Might just hit the flats tomorrow and do a series of intervals or spin on the trainer. Need to mix things up.

Ever pass some baking road kill, hold your breath 'till you pass and then thinking it's ok take a big gulp of air and get a throat full of stank, dead ground hog? Yeah, me neither.

Shameless sponsor plug made super easy 'cause they're so f*cking cool...

TWIN-SIX JERSEY DEAL: The Standard

Now through the end of July Twin-Six Alternative Cycling Apparel is having a sweet deal on The Standard jersey.

Only $35 plus S/H (Regularly $70!). If you're interested drop me a comment with your e-mail I'll send you the offical order form in PDF form. Sizing tends to run a bit small. If you don't want a "race" fit go with one size up. That's just m 2¢.

In other Twin-Six news The Cabby jersey was selected Jersey Of The Month by Bicycling Magazine. Sweet!


Oh well that be it for now.

Later.

In the words of the 500....

I wrote a poem on a dog biscuit
And your dog refused to look at it
So I got drunk and looked at the Empire State Building
It was no bigger than a nickel

And if it don't improve
Then I have to move
I never thought that I would end up here
Maybe I should just change my style
But I feel alright when you smile

I stayed at home on the Fourth of July
And I pulled the shades so I didn't have to see the sky
And I decided to have a Bed In
But I forgot to invite anybody

And when I fell asleep
The neighbors had a peep
I never thought that I would end up here
Maybe I should just change my style
But I feel alright when you smile

-Fouth of July, by Galaxie 500

The stomach is better. Think I got some butt stank from my bladders. Note to self- new bladders.

For the record it's Gin and TONIC for a reason. Gin and Seltzer- SUCKS! and Gin and Club Soda SUCKS HARDER! All I wanted was a Gin and Tonic to dull the pain of realizing that our Foreathers's created a great nation that over time has evolved into a place that turns my stomach for one reason or another on a semi hourly basis. Me, Wifey and the B-Man kickin' it like Teddie K. (sans letter bombs and anti-technology diatribes) in a cabin in the Rockies. THAT would be the shit. But alas no. Excelling in mediocrity will NOT get me that. Hey at least I'm kinda, sorta, having a little bit of fun now and then. HA.

*Editors Note: Wow, the gin must still be good even without proper mixes!

Later. I'm attempting to make Solo Lasagna (A Lasagna Built For One) since Wife and B are getting their 4th of July jig on at Papa O's.

Later on I'm gonna attempt to light a fart in the back yard to celebrate the 4th of July.

j

Coming Up Eights...

Mid Atlantic Super Series, 6 Hour Enduro #2
Part of the VisitPA.com Mountain Bike Stage Race Festival
Marysville, PA, July 1, 2006

I chose to stay home Friday night and sleep in my own bed rather than camp Friday night, so I got up before dawn and hauled my ass out to Marysville, PA Saturday a.m.

Arrived at the venue with plenty of time to spare, so I got all my pit supplies down to the course and then got the bikes ready. I would be using the Dos Niner for this one with the El Santo in the pits if needed in an emergency.

9:50 a.m.- Brief riders meeting followed by class leg marking. They had their biggest Enduro field ever with over 40 racers! There were only 23 at French Creek back in April. There was some real talent in the field too including certain race favorite Rob Lichtenwalner from Bear Naked/Cannondale as well as fellow blogger- friend Fat Marc doing his first solo endurance race.


On the line looking at God-knows-what. (Photo: www.dennisbike.com)

10:00 a.m.- WE'RE OFF! Some folks took off like a bat-outta-hell. Not this cat, not my style. I didn't pre ride the course and figured I'd get to know the course before I started trying to do too much.

The course was about 7.5 miles long and pretty fun. It had a lot of tight single track, a TON of logs, and some tricky climbs. There were a couple grassy sections that kinda sucked since they were still a bit bogged down from the previous week's down pours but doable.

The first lap was pretty slow, with me getting to know the course, and trying to get 40+ Enduros plus the Beginners Class (that started behind us) into single track. I was diggin' the course though and just kept a nice pace.


Some of the course goodness: Photo by: Ed McDaniel

LAPS 2 & 3 - I picked up my pace now and seemed to be riding alone a lot except for leap frogging riding with Spot Paul-from Fat Marc's Spot Posse. (we would do this a lot during the race and it was nice to have someone cool to ride with. Although I think Paul was trying to catch a draft off of me. (HA! You had to be there).

I was starting to get a bit more relaxed and a flow for the course. Once I started to let my 29er wheels just "do their thing", getting over obstacles and some of the sketchy climbs, the ride got much better and I started having fun with the course. Except for one pile of rocks on a short down hill that I NEVER rode. Choosing not to risk the slightest chance of injury to bike/self for one stinking pile of rocks.

LAP 4- Still feeling pretty good, but feeling the heat a bit now. No worries, just keep pushing on. The rear wheel felt a bit wobbly on one of the final climbs, like I might be loosing some air, but I put it out of my mind till I found a secluded place to throw a wiz. After I wizzed and tucked properly I felt my tire. DOH! I was right, loosing air! Damn! Must be a slow leak though since there is plenty of air in it, just SOFT, so I rode it into the pit.

As soon as I enter the pit area, I flip the Dos and get a tube. Another racer (either an Expert waiting for his start or another Enduro on a break comes over overs me his floor pump and says "go take it easy, I'll take care of it" (legal in pit) I didn't feel right letting him do it all, but his assistance and use of the pump was the bomb! He put my wheel on and that gave me a chance to get a fresh bladder of HEED and towel off with a rag I had soaking in ice water. I wish I would have got the name of the kat that helped me and thanked him proper, of course I did see him on course later and gave another shout of thanks, he just said "no worries, glad to help".

LAP 5- Felt good to have the flat taken care of, one bladder empty and one bladder full as I headed out for lap 5. Stomach was feeling aces even though I had yet to take on "real food". I was using a special secret blend of of Perpetuem and Hammer Gel to fuel with and it was working great. I find that doing Perpetuem/Gel mix in a bottle rocks! It's the whole "two birds/one stone" crap. One squirt of a bottle a couple times a lap and I get proper calories in the belly with out carrying 3 different bottles and bladders to try to suck down.

LAP 6- The Dos Niner was working great! Rolling fast and once again reaffirming my belief in the 29er. I can't believe I scoffed at them at first (I'm so ashamed). The chain was a bit dry at this point and could have used some lube but I hated to waste time in the pits.

Rolling out for #6 I spied Josh West (fellow Bikeman.com racer) chatting to someone near the start/finish line, so I gave him a tap on the back as I rode off and we shouted hellos. Still yet to actually talk to Josh. I did see him out on course later. At least this race when I saw him I was riding my bike. At French Creek everytime I saw him I was walking a hill.

Things were getting a bit slower for me now, but not too bad (I've been worse see Hardore 24 race report). The Experts were on course now so I pulled over many times to let them fly by. All were greatful for letting them on through and many recognizing me as an Endurance racer and gave "props" and encouragement. As many racers can't imagine racing for 6+ hours I'm often amazed at how the Experts/Semis/Pros just keep it pegged for TWO hours.

Things were getting hazy now. Was I on lap #5 or #6? Did I do that section near the creek yet? Yeah, I did. Oh no wait, no I didn't, here it comes! I also found myself cursing my brother for telling my about a bumper sticker he saw recently that said: "Bea Arthur. Be Naked" (eeewww). ANYway, everyime I saw a Bear Naked / Cannondale racer THAT would pop into my head. I want NO PART of a naked Bea Arthur.

I got to the pit and asked for a time check and see what lap I was on. They said it was like 5 hours, ?? minutes and I just finished #6 and was heading out for #7. They added that if I hurry I could get in eight laps. Hmmm. GAME ON!

I had no idea where I was in the standings. Trutfully I didn't want to know. My goal after the Hardcore 24's DNF was to 1. Finish and 2. Ride MY race and do the best that I could poissible do.

LAP 7- If was on! I was hammering whenever and wherever I could. I was making the muddy climbs, sprinting on foot through the low lying grassy mud bogs and doing my best.


Feeling good, Putting the hammer down. Photo by: unknown.

At one point I hooked up with Spot Paul again. He asked if I was going out for an 8th lap (we were both on #7) I tell him "if I make it, hell yeah!".

Getting out for an 8th lap wasn't about beating Paul or anyone else. It was about ME, doing what I needed to do to know that at the end of the race I did EVERYTHING I could do.

As I entered the finishing area underneath the blessed Red Bull arch I sprinted to the line. Asked how much time????? "You're at 5:59, you got 1 minute!!" YIKES!!! One minute. I was out of Heed, Gels, Pepetuem etc., I had more in my pit bag but the scorers were adiment that I neeeded to be OUT of the pit or the lap wouldn't count. So I said "fuck it", got on the Dos and off I went....

LAP 8 - As I exited the pit and started up the grassy hill, the realization that I had nothing left but a few sips of warm Heed in my pack hit me hard with the late afternoon sun beating down on me. I spied a woman with a cooler by the trail and asked if she had any exta water. She glady offered me a fresh bottle of water, stuffed it in my jersey pocket as I left and wished me luck. (Thanks Extra Water Lady!!!)

Out on course I knew I was spent, but I din't care a bit. I wanted that eighth lap an I got it!! I puttzed arround the course happy in knowing I pushed that 7th lap hard and got what I wanted.


Spent, hopping over a double log pile b*tch. Photo by: Ed McDaniel

I just kept plugging along and then as I got to the top of one of the final climbs a dude passes me (Expert finishing up) shouts out "HEY, SOILED CHAMOIS!!" As he passes he says he checks out the blog and I shout out a thanks. That was pretty cool.

As I made my way back towards the finish I was picking up the pace now and feeling good about pulling eight laps.

I crossed the line, sat down and chugged a Gatorade down. Life is good.

I finished in 8th place out of about 35 Male Enduros. The top two pulled 9 laps (Rob Lichtenwalner of course won) and 6 racers pulled 8 laps with me being one of them. Sweet!

I think I'm more thrilled with this performance than anytime I got on the box (and those are VERY few). Everything went well. The Dos Niner ran great, my stomach held up, my brain held up (sort of), and I pushed myself hard at the end, not for placing, but just to know I did EVERYTHING I could. Dudes are fast. Endurance racing is hard. THAT is what makes it great. I'll gladly take 8th place knowing it was a big field of fast racers and I gave it my all.

This was a well run race with some great folks. Shouts out of thanks to Bikeman.com and Salsa for the kick ass Dos Niner, I couldn't have asked for a better frame to tackle a 6 hour race. Lazer for a lid that felt freaking great on my noggin for over 6 hours, Six-Six-One for some fine gloves and socks (funny thing about the socks- I've worn Smartwool Socks for EVERY race I've done in like the past 4 years 'cause I thought they were good luck- NO MORE! Socks-shmocks, just ride in what feels good)

Also thanks to Fat Marc and his crew for letting me hang with them post race. Made being at a race sans B-Man and Wifey real easy and a LOT of fun. Speaking of Marc congratulations are in order for his 5th place podium finish! Good job dude!

Time for a few weeks off of racing and let the body recover and train for the next one.

It was all about the Eights. I was number 288, did 8 laps and finished 8th.

Later.

J

Short Post (A.M.)

Thought I would be sleeping at 7:03 a.m. Sunday, but B-Man had some other ideas. So I'm up and before I go grab some java I figured I'd toss a short post off.

The MASS Enduro rocked! Ther were about 40+ total racers and about 30+ in the Men's. I felt good the whole race and grabbed 8th place against some fast racers, completed 8 laps of a fun course. I made it out for an 8th lap at the 5:59 mark. I went out for the 8th lap just to prove to myself I could do it, not even to "beat" anyone. Not sure it even made a difference in the scoring, and don't care. I'll have a full report later, but I MUST have some coffee (and some more cream on my ass, NOT coffee cream-although that might feel good).

VERY happy with my result. I'll talk more about it in my full report.

Later.