A Hell of A Ride

When I say I had a "hell of a ride", I usually follow up with tales of how damn good the ride was. Today when I say it, I should change the word order to "a ride of hell". I headed out to Scottdale and my dad's house in hopes of 30 to 40 miles on the road. I figured I'd start out with the 30 mile loop that is my "climbing route" and then If I felt spanky tack on part of my regular loop to up the mileage to 40+ miles.

After about 10 miles and the first series of hills, I knew I was in deep shit. My legs had power, but I was sucking wind like a fat kid chasing an ice cream truck full of free sundaes. Grrrrr! Something is not right. I ate well, got some decent, although painful sleep, and had a good breakfast this a.m.. Drat!
By mile 20 and even more steep grade hills of Western PA, I was toast. A mojoless, wind sucking shell of a man praying for the end of a ride. Was it mental? Am I sick? WTF?? I finished the ride getting 2 hours and 31 miles in, but the afternoon's mood was set. I would be a cranky bitch for the rest of the day. Sorry folks, that just the way I roll. Bad ride = moody bastard.

OK, now that I'm done whining like a school girl, I guess I can blog a bit "whine free". Check out these picts of the 08 La Cruz over on MG's Dirt Blog. The La Cruz would make a great companion to my orange Dos Niner. But I think THIS might be an even better companion for my Dos Niner the ultimate in spicy, smooth creamsicle, endurance racing love.
Maybe Santa will bring one, or both! Hey I'm kinda, sort of a good person!! I won't be getting my hopes up. Plus the way I've been feeling lately an oxygen tank and a box full of EPO might be a better gift.

Later.

Help The Aged. A Saturday Ride.

Well without going into too much boring detail, the rib pain is back. BUT NOW it's on the right side not the left side. I think I might me dieing or just getting old and out of shape. OR I just need to FINALLY go to a doc/chiropractor to make sure I'm OK.

This post is brought to you by Jarvis Cocker and his old band Pulp. Because for some reason I woke up with the following Pulp lyrics on my mind. Probably because I've been in enough pain during the night to make me feel like I'm 89 going on dead.

"Help the aged,
one time they were just like you,
drinking, smoking cigs and sniffing glue. Help the aged,
don't just put them in a home,
can't have much fun in there all on their own."

-Help The Aged, Pulp

Thankfully, after breakfast, the rib/shoulder/back started to ease up and a ride was planned. Dirt. Boyce Park and cheek time on the Mamasita. Oddly I have NO pain when riding. Just when I'm laying down and trying to sleep. So, what the f*ck, ride on!

"Hey you, you in the Jesus Sandals"
- Joyriders, Pulp

2 miles into the ride I'm a the come around a sharp corner ready to take a rutted, rooty, descent and there's a helmetless rider hoofing it UP the hill, and dude looked JUST like Jesus. My first thoughts aside from "Jesus, put a helmet on!" was of the new T6 Jesus T. So I threw down an "Our Father" and rolled on. Ha!

Legs felt damn good and I busted out 17 miles of twisty single track dirt in 2 hours. Odd, because last night all I could think about was the want of a morphine drip, and then I wake up, eat, coffee up, shit x3, kiss the fam, and roll 17 in the dirt. Not bad.

They say we're all the same and it's "nice one", "geezer"
But that's as far as the conversation went.
"Sorted For E's And Wiz", Pulp

So all in all not a bad Saturday in the saddle. Wifey is a in full on "geek up" for the start of her new job on Monday and I hover between feeling like a million bucks on the bike and the wanting the above mentioned morphine drip, so I think we're just gonna hang at home, have a couple of frothy bevies, cook up some white pizzas, maybe introduce B-Man to the music of Pulp and then If I'm lucky, tackle that pesky area crime wave with Wifey late tonight. Nudge-nudge-wink-wink. Know-what-I mean?

Hope to ride some pavement in the a.m.

Don't let your meat loaf.

Later.

Friday Night

Am I the only guy wearing a Mr. Rogers sweater and slippers, running down the front sidewalk beside his bike riding son screaming Venga! Venga! Venga! ? God I hope not.

Mexican food, a couple beers, and some bike time with B-Man. Sweet!

Later.

Onward And Sideways

The week continues to trudge along like poop sliding down the wall of life. No "real" ride tonight. The weather was "iffy" at best, with heavy rains hitting most of WPA. I opted for an hour on the trainer. NOT my first choice of things to do with my evening, BUT it burnt some calories, I got a sweat on, and blew out the meat sticks.

The ride was propelled by one of my news acquisitions- Daft Punk, Live at Coachella 2006. Damn it's good. Most of the show is heavy on the repetitive big beat electro-euro trash, blips, bleeps and synths stuff, with very little of the "soul diva shit" that seems to always creep into many of their cds and make them suck a hairy one.

Daft Punk's music could drive someone to kill a person. OR get their (my) legs moving to spend and hour spinning, sweating and going nowhere. If you want to ROCK! RO-BOT ROCK! Click here to go to the blog "A Brooklyn Life" and click and save. Big thanks to that site. ROCK! RO-BOT ROCK!

Speaking of mu-zak I must also recommend the new Black Francis, the new Broken Social Scene and a sweet fuzzy guitar cd from a band called The Comas. All of these have been putting some mojo in my mojoless body/mind.

Inter Bike trudges along as well. Not much really tickling my fancy right now. Reports are filtering in. What I'm seeing so far is sort of ho hum. 1000 gram 5" wide tires (no thanks), full suspension 29ers that look like motorcycles and probably weigh as much, and fake boobed booth babes are all I'm seeing right now.

I did see that Salsa is going to have a new selection of rims available in 2008.

Pict by MTBR.com message board poster "Chequamagon". Thanks!

This interests me since I might be leaning towards another lighter wheel build in 2008. I love my Hope Pro II/Bontrager set so much that it makes my Salsa Delgado/XT set feel like lead. Not good. So it would be nice to have two light ass sets. Who knows?

The reported weights on the new rims are as follows:
• Gordo/625g
• Semi/505g
• Race/455 (ssshwing!)
• Delgado Cross/515

Ok time for bed.

Later.

Yoga, B-Man, Tuna & a Beer

No ride tonight. Wifey went to Yoga class so it was me and B-Man hanging and playing in the back yard. Soon as B is done in his bath I'll be heading to the kitchen to cook up some Cheezy/Tuna/Spinach Bake and have a Storm King. Then I'm sure we'll just kick back and watch some Sponge Bob.

This is what transition time if for me. Few rides a week, with a few beers, and some extra B-Man time. All of that is damn good. But at the same time it's sort of stressful. This is not my routine. I like the structure of my training schedule and right now it doesn't make sense to be too hard core about anything. I am forming my plan for Iron Cross and it should happen.

Still waiting for serious bling from the Inter Bike floor to emerge. I though Niner was gonna do it with the introduction of a Ti 29er, but it according to the details it's just to "gauge customer interesting". Lame. No word on my big faves yet either other than some rim stuff.

Time to dry the B-Man. "I got water in my eeeeeyyyyyyes!!!" ;)

Later.

Dull Hack Saw Makes Good

Stopped over Tom's post work today so he could get the Mamasita shifting good again. It was pretty f*cked but he got it going. One big player might be a well worn middle ring, but for now some adjustments fixed it. T also cut down the Reba's steering tube a little bit so as to rid me of the big giant nubbin that was on top of my stem. Mamasita is now shifting and looking better than ever. Thanks Tom!

Not sure what tomorrow will hold. Maybe a quick trainer spin before Wifey hits her Yoga class.

Edit: ever write some stuff and it just didn't "fit"" with the vibe of your blog/web site? I did earlier, so I ditched it. The delete button is a fine tool sometimes.

Later.

File It In The Spank Bank

The spank bank is now open and ready for a deposit. No, not for the onslaught of tarted up Inter Bike booth babes will soon grace MTBR.com in the coming days, not images from the 2008 Cycle Passion calendar, but with thoughts of tonight's ride. It was freaking boss and has just been placed in the S.B for a mid winter withdraw.

Perfect warm temps, sun streaming though the the trees, dry trails, and spanky legs. It had it all. Not to mention the Dos Niner was rolling soooo smooth tonight. I said it before (I'm saying it again) The Dos Niner is the best. I love my Mamasita, but the Dos just feels so damn good! Why do I get all gushy over a freaking bike frame? Issues I guess. Some sort of unhealthy attachment to inanimate objects that will probably one day cost me an extra therapy session or three.

I've now had 3 great rides in a row. Tonight was a Boyce again and a 13.5 mile/1:35 loop. No ride tomorrow. Heading over to Tom's with the Mamasita so she can get some love. FINALLY getting the Reba's steering tube cut down a bit and I need some serious front derailleur adjustments. I seem to be stuck in the middle ring. I attempted to fix it . Made it worse. Time to call in the big guns.

Later.

Psychologically Shave Me

Got some sweet sleep last night and this a.m. B-Man and I headed out to Scottdale to hang at my Dad's. B-Man would play with my Dad and my nephews and I would have a chance to get some road miles in.

I was so happy that after 3 weeks of recovery (from the Seven Springs Solo 24 effort), illness, and a rib "issue" I have FINALLY been feeling good on the bike again. I got a sweet 40 mile road loop in today and the legs felt nice and spanky. I'm still not 100% "on" but getting damn close.

My breathing seems to be a tad "off". I go into a climb and find myself all out of sorts in the breathing department. But once I focus, do a BIG exhale, relax, and get a rhythm then I'm good. This is usually just 2nd nature and I'm sure this is all just a result of dealing with trying to breath with rib pain the past 2 weeks.

I was pretty depressed this week, feeling like a slug and jacked off because I was not recovered enough to do the W.V.M.B.A. Big Bear Ultra on Saturday, but then once I looked at my hours and saw that it WAS only 3 weeks ago that I did a Solo at the 24 Hour Champion Challenge, I realized that just maybe asking my body to do a 60/70 mile mountain bike race this weekend may have been asking too much of my 36 year old, marginally talented body.

You are repressed
but you're remarkably dressed
is it Real?

Now I'm feeling more "myself" than I have in weeks I have some renewed focus, got some killer riding in this weekend. On the dirt with a good friend Saturday and on the road today in some kick ass fall weather. I hope I can stay focussed enough to do Iron Cross V on October 14th before I start forming my off season plan.

Time to polish off a Storm King and make some food.

Later.

Great Googly Moogly...

Perfect day for riding or racing. Sadly I was not racing down in WV but it didn't stop me from having a kick ass day in the woods of Boyce Park with the Mamasita, my buddy Yancy and his shiny brand spanking new '08 Cannondale F-29.

Late a.m. start and we hit the trails. PRIMO trail conditions. We kept a nice pace with only a few stops for Yancy to make some saddle and Ergon grip adjustments. Y kept getting a cracking sound coming from the F-29. We both feared the worst, but here it was just that the seat clamp needed tightened.

At the top of one hill we ran into two other riders. Both on Cannondale 29ers. I was outnumbered 3 to 1!!! All I could say was "I think I'm starting to feel uncomfortable". But I secretly felt swank-a-rif-ic on my Mamasita.

All in all a great day in the saddle. 15.5 miles and about 2 hours of ride time. Finished off the day with some of Yancy's Double F'ing I.P.A. home brew. Gotz to carbo load right?

I do need my front d. adjusted on the Mamasita. It's all f*cked up. Luckily I ride all of Boyce in my middle ring. I also made some adjustments to the Reba. Backed off on the rebound a bit and took some air out of the Negative air chamber. It is SSSSSSSSUPER plush now. Like a freaking sofa. Yancy's Lefty felt like a ridgid fork compared to mine. I figure if I'm gonna haul around a 4 lb. fork it should at least make things comfy.

Hope to road ride tomorrow.

Later

Return Of The King

Wow, for a day off from work I sure worked hard! Cleaning, laundry, new sneakers for the Soob, grocery shopping, mowed the lawn, and cleaned the Dos Niner.It STILL beat going to work!

Feeling much better mentally and physically, but I'm still not gonna push the bod to race tomorrow the Big Bear Ultra. I wish I was racing, but I think it's best just to get some casual riding in and maybe end the season with Iron Cross in October. Who knows?

Tomorrow's plan is to hit Boyce with Yancy and his new '08 Cannondale F-29. Should be fun.

I also picked some sweet bevy today too.....
Victory Brewing Storm Kiing Imperial Stout is a HUGE beer. This beer will hand you your balls in a sling if you don't respect it, so BEWARE!!! At 9.1% this is no Bud. This is sipping beer to say "welcome fall" and leave you cocky enough to give an advanced double middle finger to the coming winter. Just keep it to 2 or so or you'll make an ass of yourself and not enjoy a fine beer.

Speaking of beer and nothing bike related what-so-ever. Fond farewell to Michael Jackson (NO not the no talent ass munch Michael Jackson) THEEEEE Michale Jackson... "The Beer Hunter". I own at least two books by the man and have read countless articles by him. He died on August 30th. Lift a pint to a man who dropped a TON of beer knowledge on the world and helped millions, myself included, to respect beer and to realize that after college there really is NO NEED to drink bad beer. Someone offers you a Coors Light or a glass of water. Go with the water. It will taste the same, be better for you and leave you with an ounce of self respect in the morning.

That's about it. Made up some Spinach/Turkey Meat Balls and Pasta for dinner tonight. Time to go enjoy that and hand with my unit (Wifey & B-Man)

Later.

What The Mountain Bikers Use...

Another busy day at work today. Fine by me. Makes the day go fast. I just hate when I get in the zone, cranking out ads, and some putz asks me to do some task like convert a photo to a TIFF or scan in some doc. Grrr. I'M WORKING HERE PEOPLE!! Just kidding. What the f*ck do I care. What else what be doing, Writing my manifesto?

I've been searching for new gloves, since I'm not finding the fit of my current ones all that great. Today I stopped in local shop that I tend to shy away from (for reasons you'll read), but I've been in and out of for years. Lets just say it wasn't Pgh. Pro, Gatto's, or Dirty Harry's. Dude shows me where the gloves are (it was the big display on the wall) and then tells me that "most mountain bikers like to wear BMX gloves". I ignored him, and went with the light weight and minimal Pearl Izumi Gel Lite.

Not a lot of padding in them, but the Ergon grips are good enough I don't need much. There's no padding at all on the top of the glove, which is fine too. Not sure when I last held the grips with the TOP of my hand. When I was checking out I was gonna tell the dude that I only do some light rail trail riding and that the P.I.s would be fine. But I figured no one likes a dick head. Well maybe some folks do, but I meant this in the figurative sense. I am hoping that things work out that I can try out THESE come '08.

After work it was over to Boyce and trail time with the Mamasita. Legs had much more spunk in 'em today than Tuesday. Did the same loop as Monday minus 1 trail since the P.O.R.C. group ride was just heading down the trail so I figured I'd just go the other way rather than join the caravan. Looked like they were having fun. I know I was.

The Dos Niner is down. My rear brake is jacked a bit. Need to replace the pad spring and see if I can get it lined up right. Not sure what happened, but It'll be fine. Maybe not after I work on it, but after SOMEONE works on it I'm sure it will be ok. HA! UPDATE: Issue solved. Replaced the pad spring. It was all catywompiss. Good to go.

Well I'm sure everyone knows now that Floyd got his sentence. 2 year ban. He seems like a good dude, just a shame he appears to be a good dude that cheated to win the biggest race in the world. Maybe now that he seems to have returned to the dirt, he can let some good single track mojo exercise a want to stick some testosterone patch on his balls, or whatever the hell he did to win.

Taking the day off tomorrow. Why? 'Cause I can! 8.5 days left to take by January one. Job is uncreative, low pay, etc., but a big perk of working the same gig for 15+ years is 23 vac/personal days off a year! What's that smell? That's the smell of slack my lady! Drink- It- In.

"I'm working
But I'm not working for you!
No!
Slack Motherf*cker!"
-Supechunk, "Slack Motherf*cker"

Wow, I forgot how much Superchunk kicks ass. One of the best live bands ever to boot. One of the best shows I ever saw was them with Neutral Milk Hotel opening up at Graffiti. Memories....

Later.

Run Down Wednesday

Wow, feeling run down tonight. Work was uber busy, came home and hung with B-Man. Riding bikes, fighting monsters, and tossing a ball around. Damn I wish I had his energy. Wifey is out at what must be her Endurance Yoga class. 3 hours and counting. That's a lot of freaking "Downward Facing Dog".

Given my current state of perpetual slack ass and annoying lingering cough, I'm official ditching the race on Saturday. Frig!! I think it's for the best. My body feels nothing like it did a month ago and I do NOT need to carry this sort of slack energy into the fall months as I prep for another off season of training.

Today I heard a woman at work complaining that there was "too much fiber in a Fiber One Bar". I laughed with the smugness that I had about triple that amount of fiber for breakfast, and then flexed my colon a few times. She was unimpressed and I think she thought I just had gas.

Plan to return to Boyce for futzing on the Mamasita tomorrow.

Later.

Sweet Relief

Oh yeah, back in the saddle and pain free! Damn if felt good. 13.5 miles of twist-me-in-a-knot dirt on the Dos Niner. I was a little apprehensive with my upper body on some obstacles, and it cost me a dab here and there, but hey after like a week of painful and or shitty riding, I'll take my 1:45 of futzing around tonight.

I was getting a LITTLE more fatigued than I would have liked for a 13.5 mile ride, so Saturday's race is still doubtful. I think there's only about a 40% chance I'll race. Sorta sucks. But I'll get over it.

My XT crank/BB has been making the most annoying clicking noise too. I HATE external bottom brackets! CURSE THEM! I want my old Race Face Turbine LP square taper crank & BB. Too bad it's at the bottom of some land fill. I guarantee it's another batch of shot cups. F*ck 'em! I'm riding it till it blows apart. OK, I know I'm not gonna do that, but damn it feels good to say it.

Speaking of the Dos Niner I've had TWO different folks e mail me this week about the Dos Niner. One kat is making the Salsa plunge and wanted feedback between the Dos and the Mamasita. Another just some feedback on the Dos Niner for shorter riders. I had to refer him to the big wigs at Salsa HQ or the MTBR.com message boards on that one. I'm 6'1", so I find 29ers jjjjjust right for my size. Best for him to get some feed back from the folks who make the frame or one's that share is vertical issue. Good luck to both of those guys.

Don't forget to check out the Twin-Six site tomorrow (Wednesday or sooner) to see some of the 2008 gear. Then on Oct. 1st they look to start moving it out.

Oh well, I'm tired and ready for bed.

Later.

Bizarre-O Monday

Usually Monday is reserved for rain, bad moods, crankiness and the start of another work week. But THIS Monday was damn fine! It was Bizarre-O Monday!

First I woke to sunshine, little/no pain in my rib (knock on wood) and it held up through the day. My coughing spells seem to have stopped too and I avoided a trip to the Docs. I still may hit the chiro later in the week, just to get all back in line after a season of putting lower back through the ringer.

But THIS was the BEST...

Just before I left for lunch today I got the call that my #1 Bottle Giver, my Ace Pit Chief, My #1 Crime Fighter, My Numero Uno- Wifey got the job that she interviewed for a a week or so ago. WHOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO! She (and I) couldn't be happier! Wifey is super stoked to be back slinging law in the form that she'll be slinging. I'm super proud of her. Plus now I can be guilt free in my slack art job and not feel like I'm letting my family down.

So tonight we partied BIG time. OK, not really. I stopped and got Wifey a (750ml) bottle of La Fin Du Monde (champagne is for saps!) and while it chilled, she talked to her friends and family I had B-man out on his bike. Then after B-Man's bath things really got crazy! I made up some Boca, Bean & Veggie Burritos, poured up two La Fin's for me and Wifey, and a tall glass of juice for B-Man, we turned on Tak & The Power of JuJu and got crazy. Now I'm bloggin' and sippin' green tea. Good times! And one of the best Mondays (days) we've had in a long time.

Tomorrow I plan to get out and futz around on the Dos Niner. Any decision on this Saturday's race will be made later in the week. I'll just be happy to get some riding in. Worry about the racing later.

Later.

Random

Rib still hurts a bit, but lessening.
Still have a cough.
Woke up soaked in sweat in the middle of the night.
Calling Doc. in the a.m.
Calling Chiropractor in the p.m.

No ride today (obvious reasons)
May need to join Weight Watchers.
May need to take anti depressants.
May need to buy an Iron Lung.

Still rocking a HAY-NOOSE beard.
The new Black Francis CD rocks.
No Month O' Mud for me today. Doubtful for next week too.
If I'm well enough to race I'm doing the WVBA Ultra.

New Twin-Six duds to debut this week- Wednesday the 19th in fact.

Interbike coming. Should make work time Net cruising more fun as all the new lust worthy gear comes out in force. I hope the amount of shit is kept to a minimum. What do I mean by "shit"? Wooden bikes, helmets make of cheese, glow in the dark chain lube etc. etc.,

I'll also be anxious to see what MFGs still refuse to get into the 29er market. I assume that Giant still has no desire to produce a 29er? Rocky Mountain?

I'm gonna go make some Green Tea and watch Flushed Away with B-Man and WIfey. OR just on the floor of my rumpus room listening to Daft Punk. Either way I win.

Later.

I Did NOT Need That!

HOLY CRAP! You know when the body is giving me warning signs like a sore rib, off/on chills, etc., maybe, JUST maybe I should just NOT ride??? It's my fear of not burning calories and becoming a fat bastard (again) that gets me out there when I should be laying on the couch (except that hurts) and getting some sleep. In the process I just may have ridden myself right out of any sense of race shape. I'm an idiot!

The temps were in the mid fifties. A tad cold after riding in the high 80s last week. So I put on some arm warmer and hit the legs up with some Greyhound Juice Warming goo. The arm warmers worked, not sure if the warming goo did anything until I was done with my ride. It also one of the first "snot rides" of the fall season too. Copious amounts of exercise/temperature induced snot rockets. Great.

Started from Boston and headed UP. Yeah, that hurt like a mother and I IMMEDIATELY felt like some kitted up goof who had never been on a road bike. This climb is ALWAYS hard, but today it made me want to climb off and lay my bike in the middle of the road for the next monster truck to squash it.

The ride did get better for a little bit, but I was mentally a wreck. Why am I out here? WHAT MADE ME DO THIS?? I'm supposed to do a 70 mile mountain bike race next weekend and I just DO not see that happening. I might get enough mojo back to finish, but I'm not gonna go down to WV and make a bigger ass of myself than I usually do. I think it might be best to chuck it and focus on maybe doing Iron Cross in October.

OR maybe just say adios to a great season, and just get all my race ducks in a row for next year. I did some figurin' and I raced roughly 550 miles this season and that's only SIX races. I know this pales in comparison with many racer folk, but when you add in the training rides and time on the trainer. For a shlep like me with a full time job, 3 year old, Wife etc., etc., I might have just say "thank you very much!"

I hope this is just me talking out my ass and that I line up for at least one more race this year, but right now I just need to simmer down, rest and get healthy.

Ending on a positive note- I think my poor, gangly and desperate form over 2 hours/31.5 miles somehow nudged my rib/nerve/spine (whatever) back where it needs to be. Right now it feels the best it has all week. Hope so.

Oh well, off to make some Fajita Stew/Soup.

Later.

I Wish I Could Tell You

I wish I could tell you how my rib pain is 100% gone, I have no illness and I just did 50 miles of single track... but I CAN'T! And to put it mildly- IT BLOWS! While the rib pain is MUCH better, it lingers on. And the full body aches I had on Monday are back. It's not ALL doom in gloom though, since the pain IS almost gone and while it sucks ass being sick with aches (and God know what else lurks) other folks in my office are apparently experiencing some similar symptoms, so I don't feel that I have some 3rd World disease or something.

In other news- still now word on Wifey's job interview. We may not find out 'till the end of the month. I made the dumb ass move of saying I would not shave until she found out one way or another as a misery solidarity move...

But damn, I'm all itchy and scratchy! And I just look sort of dirty and unkept. Can they please hire her soon? Her happiness and the money would be nice, but SHAVING would be better!!

________________________________________________________

Ok, enough about me. Between reading Adam and Jeff's accounts of the Vapor Trail 125 (dear God one f*cking incredible ride!) and seeing some photos from the 600 KM Iron Bike 2007 that happened in Europe this past summer I've come to realize what an adventure this stuff we do really is.

To me it make no difference if it's a Hundie, Solo 24, stage race, an unsupported race in the Rockies or just a big ass "epic"to the middle of nowhere for you and your friends to pound some Blue Ribbons after some big miles. When you're doing this Endurance stuff you find yourself in places doing things you would never have dreamed of. EVER!

THAT my friends is the biggest freaking part of this stuff. Push yourself further, go places you've never been (literally, physically and mentally) I mean who among us hasn't sat in our cubical the Monday morning after an epic ride or race with a look of smug self satisfaction as our flabby assed , smoke two-packs-a-day boss tells us to do some meaningless task to keep the cogs of big business spinning? That alone is worth it! Telling your kids of the wild life you saw, the mountain you were on, how many laps you did and miles you rode. THAT is good stuff. And NO one can take away from you.

Are you gonna tell me that this kat above never ONCE looked around and nearly wet himself in awe of what he was doing?? I mean I don't know whether this guy finished 1st or last, but what I do know is GOD DAMN! I wish I was him right now!

Go ride your bike! Ride it far, and cheers to Monday morning smugness.

Later.

The Good But Not Great

Well, I still had some rib/shoulder issues today, but not the bight down on a piece of rubber, almost grunt out a turd spasms that I was getting last night. So I rolled the Mamasita at Boyce for a short, sorta painful, but not too bad. post work ride. 12 Miles/1:25.

Deep breathing was not the best and my shoulder was hurting a bit, but the tacky trails, sun, and perfect fall temps made up for any pain. The twisty trails massaged away the pain and the over a barrel mind fornication that I've had the past few days from not riding.

Even if it might be temporary, I'll take it. I would have loved to have kept 'er going 'till dark, but by mile 10 the shoulder/rib had me eyeing the computer. I can live with 12 miles of single track on a work night whilst experiencing a little pain. Just don't tell my coach. Er, wait, I don't have one so I guess I'm gold!

Although fall is a time when I like to ride JUST to ride, I'm gonna chalk this ride up to training. Many a Solo is raced trying to keep the pain out of my mind. A road ride would have been easier for me, but with the shorter days and not being able to start my road ride until about 5:35 I opted for the 1 minute drive from work to Boyce. I don't regret it a bit. Winter will be here before you know it and I want no regrets.

Anyway, hoping more heat on it tonight will have me good to go for some back to back weekend mileage.

Later.

This Can Stop Now!

The nagging pain in my left side that crosses my back, shoulder and rib cage can stop now. Please? It could be worse, I mean it only hurts when I breath hard, lay on my left side or bend over. As long as I don't do that, I'm gold!

The vexing question is HOW did I do it? You just KNOW it was from something stupid. I keep trying to back track and the ONLY thing I can come up with dates back to Saturday's ride at Boyce. With a few miles to go I took a corner too tight and got hung up on a vine. The vine swung me off the trail a bit and I went through some mild gymnastics to keep the Mamasita up and out of the poison/thorns/trees. I guess I could I have strained a muscle, nerve, or fagoogally gland during said gymnastics? Who knows? What I DO know is that after a week of ride time c*ck blocks I will not be stopped on Thursday evening.

I also can not express how much I am waiting for the weekend. Work has been chaos, free time has been chaos, my body feels like I got hit by a freaking truck, I can't sleep and I feel about as much like an athlete as the 300 lb., SUV driving, Big Mac eating, far right voting, cigarette smoking masses that pass me on the road, wielding chubby middle fingers and shouting expletive strewn remarks that question my sexual preference because I'm on a bike!

To sum it up. I feel like shit. BUT I won't tomorrow night, 'cause I'll be basking in the warmth of post ride glow. Even if it's only for a few miles, my ass WILL be in the saddle tomorrow. Sweet!

Later.

Sorry for the rant above. I need sleep.

Curses, Cold Showers and Fries With Mayo!

Rain drenched WPA hard this a.m.. Hard enough that I chose not to take a bike for my post work ride. Of course by 3 p.m. the sun was out in full effect and I sat in the office pissed that I would be driving 30 minutes home, just to spin in the Stankment® for an hour. Curses!!!

I think I may wrong about being sick. The chills/ache thing was thankfully a bit of a 24 hour thing and I felt good most of the day. This evening I got a tad achy, so maybe it was for the best that I didn't ride. I've also been rocking some sort of muscle strain/pinched nerve pain that runs from my shoulder and down through my rib cage. Not bad when I'm up and about, but sleeping sucks big time. I can only sleep on one side, and that is not all that fun. Damn, I'm getting old. Curses!!!

All that leads me to my next subject- Flexibility and my lack there of. I mean I'm not inflexible, but I'm not exactly Gumby! I've talked about trying Yoga for a couple years now, but have yet to REALLY try it. I've read through a couple of Wifey's books and most recently attempted to watch Namaste Yoga on FitTV to get some idea of what to do. Mistake!

Why a mistake? The women are too hot. The last thing on my mind was Yoga! I needed to take a cold freaking shower and start the "wooing of Wifey" just to make it through the rest of the day. I need some skinny ass bald dude, wearing Yogie "Hammer Pants"doing Downward Facing Dog, then I could probably ACTUALLY watch the moves instead of staring at the TV wondering if I was gonna score a shot of lycra slippage. I know this is a sad statement about myself, but I doubt many folks could think less than they already do. Sorry.

Ok, back to cycling, sort of.

Cross season is coming up, and while I don't race Cross, I do enjoy watching it, and the whole "culture" of Cross. So I did some digging and came up with this for you to cook up for your next post CX Race fest or if you're looking to be the most poplar person in your CX race's beer tent...

A Recipe for Frites! (Belgian Fries dummy!). Fry 'em up, grab some mayo, and crack a Duvel!

I really can't imagine making these, but I wouldn't mind throwing some down, whilst sipping a fine Belgian brew on a chilly day, screaming at lycra clad race folks as they turn the puke-ometer up to E-LEV-EN.

This guy kicked Ronald McDonald's ass last year at Worlds! Look out!

Ok, that's all I gotz. I need to go to sleep and get some rest. No ride tomorrow, got ourselves another apt. with Dr. Marvin Monroe. Curses! ;)

Later.

Maybe. Maybe Not

I may be sick. Not happy. Not sure if full body aches and fatigue qualifies, so I guess I need to wait this out a bit longer and wait 'till the a.m. before I get all ahead of myself. What would be recovery from a Solo effort be without aches and chills?

Still thinking what event may be next. Part of me wants to think I've done enough on the year and part of me says "F*ck no! There's way more to do!" If I do anything it will be the Big Bear Lake Ultra on the 22nd. I figure I can sleep at home and leave mega early that a.m. and get there with enough time to register and cut some weight. Still not 100% sure though.

I thought about some of the Month Of Mud, but since I'd pretty much be making an ass of myself trying to race full blown XC, I figure I MIGHT just pass. Then there's Iron Cross. Thinking if I roll the Mamasita with some nice, fast rolling, skinny tires that might be the ticket for a good mood pack placing. We'll see.

Found some more picts from Seven Springs today. Thanks to Singlespeeder for the shots. Between John B. and Singlespeeder there were some killer pho-togs out on the course that day. Big thanks to both of them for sharing their talents with we riding folk. I won't bore you with more shots of my flabby ass, but I do like this one, so I'm posting it...

I read over on the Salsa site that in the coming weeks they will be updating the Amigos Blog to allow for readers to leave comments. So now you can say "P-Man I love you!" or if your ass is chapped about something they've done, I guess you could say "Butcher, what the F???". I doubt you would though. Right? ;) I'd expect to see it live as Interbike draws near.

Speaking of Seven Springs and Salsa, check out THIS photo. It's the Female Solo winner. What's that she's riding? Looks like and old school Salsa Moto Rapido to me. I could be wrong though. She looks so damn familiar too. I swear I've done some group rides with her in the past. Contrats to her on freaking 12 laps! That's one fast chicky for that course!

World Cup Zen?

Time for some whole wheat pasta with chicken and peas and more Advil and Airborne. If my cooties are gone in the a.m. I plan to hit the dirt post work tomorrow. Hope so at least.

Later.

Sunday's Popping

Saturday night's dinner at our friend's house was a good time. Good food and a bunch of kids, running around, yelling just 'cause hey, it's fun to run around and yell. I did feel a huge relief that I was not at the same dinner party that my buddy Yancy was at, where the night's main feature was a televised Justin Timberlake concert. I mean really, that's just more than I could bare. Word on the street is that Y. did perform his own version of "Sexy Back" for the lay-deez after he got all hopped up on a growler of his home brew Double I.P.A.!

This a.m. I was off to Pappy-M's with the B-Man. I planned to get my normal 40 mile road loop in. It was apparent at about mile 25 that the legs were just NOT recovered in the way I wanted, and did not want to risk running myself down. So I pulled the plug and planned to do a 32 mile loop. At about mile 29 I started thinking "Maybe I should just do the 40? My legs are coming around!" Then....

The legs popped like a the above German balloon. I limped the last mile or so home and at least was able to take comfort in the fact that I made the right call.

After spending the afternoon with B-Man, Pappy-M, my sister and nephew (which is sort of like doing a 24 hour solo) it was home to put down a napping B-Man and investigate a recent crime ring with Wifey.

Then it was more recovery in the form of homemade guacamole!!

First I had to raise the avocado to The God of Over Priced Produce (who is actually some guy name Lenny who is the assistant produce manager at the local Giant Eagle) to thank him for ACTUALLY having a REAL avocado in stock rather than that Slimcado shit they've been pimping.

5 minutes later I was shoving my handy work down my Mexican food loving pie hole!

Oh yeah baby!! or Del Oh bebé sí!!!

Now I'm completing the Quad-fecta of hedonistic pleasures (ride/crime/guac/beer) with a pint of one of the best beers on the east coast...

Dog Fish Head Indian Brown Ale. Just when I thought that Troeg's Dead Reckoning was the best beer I had in this late summer, DFH pulls ahead with a malty taste, big hop finish and a ABV of 7.2%. Yum-F*cking-Ohhhhhhhhh!

Hope you all had a good weekend. Time for some fajita lasagna and a beer.

Later.

Dry Wetness

There were a bunch of thunderstorms in the Pittsburgh area today, but as luck would have it they all seemed to go just north of the city and would leave Boyce nice and dry. Sort of.

I love rides like today. I'm not sure whether it's the fact that folks would rather sit on their asses and watch football all day or have other pre-fall feecus to do, but I had the park pretty much to myself. I saw not one other rider and only ONE other person on the trails. It was like my personal single track playground.

I was oozing love for whoever (most likely Bob B.) took the saw to all the downed trees. Of course I was oozing big time Catholic guilt for not helping. If it's any consolation to you, for penance I knelt on an old chain and recited Bobke's 10 Commandments:

X Thou shalt not take the name of Eddie Merckx in vain

IX Thou shalt be screamed at by one Grewal or another

VIII Thou shalt be screwed by one cycling federation or another

VII Thou shalt have your bike destroyed and luggage lost by airlines

VI Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's bike swag

V Thou shalt pee in cup eventually

IV Thou shalt be thrashed, trashed, crashed and smashed by someone younger and stronger than you

III Thou shalt wear your helmet on every ride

II Thou shalt not touch thy front brake while negotiating off-camber switchback turns

I Thou shalt crash and look like a fool sooner or later

Those commandments were completely stolen from Bobke's web site. I hope he forgives.

But back to the ride... It was damn good. Maybe it was the week off the bike, maybe it was the 7 to 10 pounds of pasta I ingested in the past 6 days or maybe I was just so friggin' geeked to be in the saddle. Whatever it was it felt sweet!

I rolled the Mamasita today. She is THEEEEE perfect bike for the sphincter tight trails of Boyce. Now that I've got the rear brakes pads replaced with Hope brand pads, there is NOT doubt in my mind that Kool Stop pads (at least the Hope Mono Mini ones) are the worst pads ever. I still have them on the front and they just plain suck at the teet of suck. Bad feel, grippy (in a bad way), noisy. They suck a suck that has not been sucked before. Cheap. But suck.

It was moist as Buck today, but the trails were mostly dry. I was rolling my XT/Delgado wheels today so the ride was absent of my Hope Pro II's free hub (which I normally like to have around to keep me company) and the park was pretty empty, so the ride was blissfully quiet and allowed for some Zen like meditation in the woods. It got even better when it started to drizzle rain. The trees kept the trails dry, and the rain drops pelting the leaves upped the cool, ride in the woods feel. Some trails did get a little moist by the end, but nothing too bad, mostly just the small stream areas were muddy.

I also used the Panaracer Rampage/IRD Fire Pro combo again today. Damn that is a sweet set up. I wish I would have used it more this season.

I spent more saddle time with my new Salsa Los Motos gloves too. Jury is still sort of out. Right now I'm thinking I should have went with mediums rather than the large. I have a little extra room in the thumb area, so they just don't feel "right". They're also a tad warm. Not freakishly so, but warmer than my old Six-Six-Ones. They should be good to wear in the winter with a thin glove liner though. Right now I gotta give 'em a 3 out of 5. They look super cool though.

Ended with a little over 16 miles/1:55 of nice single track. Felt great to be back out on the bike. Hope to get out on the road bike tomorrow.

WIfey, B-Man and I are off to some friend's tonight for dinner and what not. Should be nice.

Later.

Simmer Down Now!

Sloth week is at an end. Back in the saddle tomorrow. Thank GOD!!

Not too much else going on. Wifey's interview went well, just need to hope all turns out. If not, what the f*ck, it will all be good.

Can't wait for rubber to meet pavement/dirt tomorrow. Whooo hooo!

Later.

Help. I'm Sorta Lost.

A blog about bike racing when the racer is not racing or even riding is not really a blog at all. I mean I am so friggin' ready to get back on the bike! Would have gone out tonight for a spin on the road, but I wanted to get all the borrowed camp gear back to Tom. Mucho thanks T.!

Picked up the B-Man's bike today at Pgh. Pro. Holy crap! They had to spend hours trying to get that thing going. At least I know now that it wasn't just my mechanical ineptitude. It was sweet tonight though when I got home from Tom's and he IMMEDIATELY wanted to ride. Up and down the front walk and around the neighbor's drive way for a long time.

The best was when when I asked him if he was glad to have his bike back and he said "YEAH! And I want to take it to one of your races and ride in the dirt and on rocks and over logs!!" I just smiled, kissed him on the cheek, patted him on the helmet and said "Sounds good to me buddy!" But inside I was doing the freaking happy dance!!! The ballz out super freaky happy dance too, not that shit people do 'cause it's Friday at quitting time or they got an extra McNugget with lunch!

Big giant radiating waves of good luck to be sent Wifey's way. She has a job interview in the a.m. for a sweet gig that would mean a lot to her and to our little 3 person unit. I'm not much help with helping her prep or anything. I usually end up saying something stupid like "just make sure they can see your breasts" and the conversation sort of stops. Sorry Wifey. But good luck anyway! I'll still dig you either way.

I'm finding myself getting sort of excited for Interbike '07. I love seeing all the new lust worthy gear coming out. Of course I'm anxious to see what my two big faves Salsa and Twin-Six will be showing off, but I'm also anxious to see more race worthy tires, LED lights, shocks, etc.,

Speaking of Salsa, I stole this pick from a post over on MTBR.com that has a bunch of photos from Eurobike. It shows off the El Mariachi's new Ruby Rojo (that's ruby red for you gringos) color a bit more...

Oh well I guess it's true the devil does find work for idle hands..
In the form of bike porn!

Oh well 'nuff bike porn. If you will, picture two "plump when you cook 'em hot dogs with, hair stubble and scabs and THAT is what my legs look and still sort of feel like. One more day of off the bike sloth then I'm hoping to get the Mamasita to Boyce for some fun in the dirt on Saturday.

Later.

p.s. WIFEY! WIFEY! WIFEY! WIFEY! WIFEY!

Dumby It Down For Me, Please

UPDATE: My buddy J.B.'s killer photos from 7 Springs are up HERE!

Wow, long time since a real post. Not much going on. Once again recovery is sort of a maddening process. I spend a day or so laying around sleeping eating like a lazy glutton, a day regretting eating like a glutton, and a day admiring my swollen legs. I feel like slug. A big fat non riding slug. Just call me "Landfill"!

But it needs to be done or illness and shitty riding will ensue! I did luck out and come home from work Tuesday to find a box of Nutrisoda in my living room. You see I know some people who know some people that rob some people and they hooked me up!
Actually, some of my good Minnesotian friends know some folks at Nutrisoda HQ who hooked me up. Check out the web site. Looks like cool stuff. Many are like lightly carbonated sodas packed with vitamins, herbs, and various amino acid. A few others are like a healthier, better tasting version of Red Bull. So far I've only pounded a few Immunes to ward off any potential post race flu bugs, but the others look nifty too. They also included some cocktail recipes too if you like yours with little more kick. I'll let you know how the other flavors taste.

I also find that after a big race I just don't want to think and just have a laugh. Thus me being drawn to the movie Beerfest and finding it freaking hilarious!

Don't get me wrong it's big, dumb, sophomoric, guy humor about drinking beer. In other words it makes me giggle like a little girl. Think is, while I LOVE good beer I've NEVER played any sort drinking games or stuff like that. Not my bag. But I STILL find this movie funny as hell. Then again, each race kills a few more brain cells, so who knows what I'll think is funny next year??

Had to drop off B-Man's Trek at Pittsburgh Pro today on my lunch hour. He blew a tire some time ago and I've tried everything to get that tiny little tire patched and inflated and had no luck due to my dumbness, too big fingers and too big air pump. They took care of it though and I can pick it up tomorrow. Good thing too, he's been wanting to ride big time and it's killed me to tell him the he couldn't. He's been scootering, but let's face it a scooter just doesn't impress the ladies like the Grommet!

Oh well time to go be dumb. Annoy Wifey and make the B-Man laugh. Did I mention that I've watched 3 episodes of Pee-Wee's Play House in the last 24 hours???

Later.

'07 24 Hour Champion Challenge Race Report

2007 Subaru 24 Hour Champion Challenge
Seven Springs Ski Resort, Champion, PA
September 1 & 2, 2007
9 Laps/5th Place

This race was not on my schedule for 2007. I had no plans of doing a 24 this year at all. The longest race I planned to do was the 18 Hours On The Farm in August, but when it got canceled it was down to a 24 Solo and the SM100. I would have preferred the SM100, but with 24HCC being so close to home, I figured It was probably the most cost effective.

Wifey will ask me every so often what motivates me to do the Solo and Endurance races. Let's face it, I'm a pretty good mountain biker, but I'm not a great one by any means. Hell I feel half ashamed to register for a race in the Expert category. I'm not one to show up for a race looking to take home a podium spot. If it happens- great, but I would have quit long ago if it was just about winning or placing. It's about 1 more lap than last year, a better finishing time, clearing a technical section every time, making a climb, surviving, seeing friends, and having an adventure.

Here's a race recap of how it went down. Just don't expect any podium shots! ;)

Drove up to Seven Springs on Friday afternoon, set up my gear, picked up my race packet etc., The weather was freaking incredible. High 70s, bright sunshine and a light breeze. 100% opposite of the 2006 version. After I was set up, and got my number plates on the Salsa x2 I headed down to my Dad's house and met up with B-Man and Wifey. Spent the night stuffing my face with pasta and mixing up about twelve bottles of Gatorade/Carbo Pro. Then it was off to sleep.

There's nothing like sleeping in your old twin bed, in your old room, in the house you grew up in to give a you a good night's sleep. A good night's sleep and a big case of the heebie-jeebies. Waking up in the middle of the night in a panic wondering if it's possible that the last 15 years was just a dream. If I could only have found my old porn stash....

Anyway, I was glad to sleep in a real bed and wake up race day to spend the a.m. eating breakfast and watching cartoons with B-Man. Then Wifey and I kissed the B-Man goodbye and headed up to the venue to finish setting up and meet up with J.B. who would be roaming the course taking pictures and giving audio updates to Ride424.com.

Talked for a while with camp neighbor Speedgoat Bill who was going Solo too. He was gonna roll a Mamasita. I would be rolling the Dos Niner and have the Mamasita as my back up. Pretty sweet to be surrounded my all that spicy goodness. I was disappointed to hear that Bill crashed during lap one and was forced to bail. Hope he's ok and it was nothing too serious.

Wifey quick with the camera after I cut some pre race weight.

I was unsure about who all the other Soloists were. I knew Mike Schultz would be there, and that "The Vegan-ator", Rob Lichtenwalner was there too. I think the total was 14 Male Soloists, but I'm not 100% on that. I really didn't care who was there. I've never once raced against anyone other than myself at a 24, and wasn't going to start now.

Pushing back the paparazzi, flashing a gang sign, or showing off broken fingers?

The run was the run. I was slow, and happy when it was over. There were folks slower than me. Hard to believe, but true. I think they were all Clydesdale's and Masters. Didn't stop me from turning around before the bike rack and yelling "YEAH! IN YOUR FACE!!!". I'm just kidding of course. I was panting like a dog and happy to be on my bike.

Running and willing myself not to puke or stop during the run.

On the bike things felt right as rain. As I said I was using the Dos Niner, with a Reba (set to 100 mm). Tire wise I was using the Panaracer Rampage 2.35 on the front and the Panaracer/IRD Fire Pro on the rear This was the first time I used this tire set up and it rocked! The fat Rampages roll faster than you would think and are the shit going through rock gardens. Wide, big volume and just the ticket. The Fire Pro rear was great for traction too.

After a fast fire road it was right into some sweet twisty single track (that was a blast to ride at night). Then it was a llllong fast descent strewn with chunky loose rocks. The descent got broken up with some sweet single track diversions. It was on one of the descents that I saw Speed Goat Bill on the side of the trail with some blood running down his legs. I yelled to see if he was ok. He said yes, but I would later learn from another SpeedGoatian racer than he had to bail. Bummer.

I was feeling good spinning up the big climb to mile marker 8 and my pit area. On the way up Wifey was there and handed me a bottle as I passed. A little further up the climb Loretta Torres was there screaming "GO BIKEMAN!" I told her "Jesus Christ Loretta you scream more for me than Wifey!". Thanks!

Photo By Love2Ride

Then it was on through a long grassy/double track to more sweet rocky trails. This year was my best year ever making it though the rock gardens (formerly known as Philip Seymour Hoffman Memorial Trail) now known as the "Dos Niner's Bitch". Of course on lap 9 as I tip toed through I think I heard the rocks laughing and saying "who's the bitch now biker boy???" I was hearing a lot of things on that lap, including my own voice screaming "WHAT MADE YOU DO THIS???"

The last mile was a WWWWWWWIDE dusty road through McCondo Land®, up to the lake and to then to the Start/Finish. All in all one of the finest 24 hour courses you can race. It's all rideable when you're fresh, but technical enough to make for a real mountain bike course.

I was feeling super good the first four laps. Having fun and feeling like my goal of 12 laps would be very possible. Around 5:40 p.m. I pitted during my lap to get a light on. I wouldn't need a light for some time, but the rules say that you need to have a light mounted to enter the course after 6. So mounting them at this point saved me the trouble of clocking out to get them on. With the setting sun I decided to get into some new clothes. A new base, jersey and freshly lubed chamois is damn refreshing.

The Dos Niner all mounted up with the NiteRider MOAB.

Big thanks to J.B. on the lights. He mounted up his NiteRider Moab on my frame. I think it's the lightest HID I've ever seen. There seems to be a slight design flaw in getting the battery to not slide on the frame and pulling the cord out though. A well placed zip tie next pit fixed that though.

Dos Niner rolling the pre dusk lap. Good shot of the Merckx Chops.

Photo from CU On The Mountain.

I was getting real tired on lap 7 and not riding nearly as well. On the first half of the big climb to my pit I started to get that familiar rush of saliva that says- VOMIT! Well, when you've eaten nothing but liquids and gel all you really do is make a loud gut wrenching noise. It was sort of funny though when I was hoofing it up the climb and a guy pulls up along side me and asks if I had a multi tool he could borrow. I said- "ah, excuse me, WHO-WHAAAAAAAA-GGGGGURRRRL-BLAT!!!! No I don't, sorry man." He really didn't seemed phased by my attempts to vomit and if nothing else just miffed that I had no multi tool. Sorry dude.

Once to the pit, Wifey was ready with more bottles, a bladder refill and some Pepsi. I sat for a few minutes trying to get my stomach to settle. After about 20 minutes in the "camp chair of shame" I went out and finished my lap. About a mile from the line knew it was time to take a brake. I was cold, sick in the stomach, and my eyes could barely stay open. So I checked in and clocked out.

I sat for an hour and shivered in the tent under some blankets. Then I shivered for another hour or so in the Soob. Then I figured what the f*ck, I was warmer riding, so about 4:15 I mounted up, checked in at the tent and went out for another lap.

I felt refreshed and felt like I was making good time. Then I got behind a slower rider in some single track. Once we got to the double track I put the hammer down, got past him and then POOF! The wad was blown. Before you knew it that slower rider passed me like I was standing still. The rest of the lap felt like a my junk got kicked by an irate sexually harassed secretary wearing high heeled shoes. Somehow I got #8 in and then headed out for #9.

I got passed by the Vegan Leg Breaker so many times that it was starting to be a game of how many times Rob L. could pass me. I lost count.

At the 8 mile mark of my 9th lap I told Wifey that the plan was to get the ninth in and then go right out for 10. This was easier said than done. I was walking at least 50% of the course and lap times were sick. This was no longer mountain biking and just survival. I love pushing myself, but when it took me roughly 40 minutes to do roughly 4.5 miles I said "f*ck it". Stopped short of the line, laid the Dos Niner down in the shade, kissed it tenderly on the top tube, said thanks, and waited for the noon check in.

Photo By Love2Ride

My feet hurt like hell, and I had no energy. So I walked over to my pit, sat my ass down in the sun and talk to Wifey. One would think I would be all disappointed etc., etc., Quite the opposite actually. I knew how hard I pushed. I knew how I performed and I had no regrets. Even though it was the fewest laps (baring last year's hurricane debacle) I've ever done at Seven Springs I felt proud of my nine laps. I hadn't even planned on doing a 24 in 2007 so to do 9 laps on a great course with some great riders was really cool.

Wifey walked to I'm not sure where at the venue and got me a kick ass breakfast burrito and coffee. I slammed that down and then went and sat with my Dos Niner to keep her company until noon.

It was another great race at Seven Springs and I'll most likely be back next year. The support I got from fellow racers was incredible. Since most riders are on a team they don't care if you've done 4 or 16 laps. Most of them are doing about 3 and pushing for that. Big "thank yous" to every racer that passed me with encouraging words.

Big extra special thanks to the two riders that passed me, asked me if I was "The Soiled Chamois" and told me they read the blog. Even though I still get pretty embarrassed to know that folks actually read this digital fish wrap, it meant a lot. Also met a reader/racer named George (who I think I may have met before). Thanks for the kind words man. Appreciated. There was someone else, not sure who, that yelled on more than one occasion "GO MAHOKEY!" Again, that was the tits and a real motivator.

I saw a ton of folks. I passed and then later got passed by Maurice from Dirt Rag, as well as DR editor Karen, a bunch of the fine Speed Goat peeps, and many of the other super fast racers from Western PA.
I also got passed by and shouted Hi ya's with East Coast quick chick "F.F.Amy" who was being, you guessed it F*cking Fast!! I think I saw Fitzy from a distance around noon, but wasn't sure if it was him or not, so I didn't say anything. If that was you dude. HI!

I love this race and look forward to next year. I just wish racing it didn't mean that we're about to put and end to another season. Not sure what 2008 will hold for me. We shall see.

I hope to have some picts from J.B. later in the week. Dude brought some serious digital camera equipment to the race and I'm sure got some killer shots of not just my flabby 9 lap ass, but all the racers. Speaking of, congrats to all the Solo racers (and team racers) that finished. And to those who didn't, you'll get 'em next time! It's just a bike race. Making it to the start line is more than most folks do.

I still have at least one race left in me for 2008, and a bunch of riding. But the Solo efforts are done. Thanks to Wifey for support and encouragement and to Tom for lending me camping gear and a wrenching hand. Time to tip a few or 12 back and eat some bad food on my way to recovery.

Part of me always likes to think that I'll never sign myself up for this sort of punishment again. But as you all know I'm just NOT. THAT. BRIGHT! For me this is what it's all about. This is what keeps me away from the Christmas cookies, pies, whole hams and deep fried turkeys during the winter months. It's what makes me spend 7 hours a week during the winter on the stationary trainer in a cold Stankment®. It's what keeps me going when the job sucks, when the bills mount and I feel like it's time for the old head in the oven trick. Cheers to racing!

Photo by Love2Ride

Later.