Ronde Von Evergreen

Yesterday had me headed to Evergreen park in Carbondale IL. I was stoked to ride this course. I remember it being fast and mostly grass. The course was the opposite direction of last year, with some added features. It was slightly more technical in the parts of the course that changed terrain conditions from tarmac to gravel. These were slick, and need some attention when passing through. The rest of the course was tight turns, a short steep ramp, and a gravel pile that was a momentum sucker. The corners were dragging on me toward the end, I think a smaller chainring will do the trick, something like a 44 o 46. The start of the race was fast and aggressive, with MJ, Russ and Christopher off in the front pack. I found my self separated from it, and chasing to catch the train. There were others in that group, Mark Shae and Casy. It took me two laps to get into a nice rhythm, I was feeling strong, and my HR had come back from the stratosphere. I made a quick stop at the pit for a rear wheel change. I lost many positions before this as I soft pedaled back to the pit. HUGE THANKS to Boz for loaning me a sweet pro mavic cosmic wheel. That was the difference between a DNF and a finish. I buried myself trying to catch back up to the pack, but could not get back in the groove. I was taxed pretty bad with one to go, and could only see Boz several turns infront of me. I had no gas to try and attack, so cruised in. Not sure where I ended up, 15th or so I am guessing. A finish is always better for the ego and confidence than a DNF. Mesa had a good showing for the day. Christopher and Matt took 3/4 respectively, I wish I could have been up front for the party. Ill have to wait two weeks for another chance.

This was a well promoted event. The A race was super fast, with some drama, and mechanicals. Scott P stepped up and did the first series race in the A's. I had a total blast cheering the A race on.

Herman Cross Race

Cross is Back!!!

First cross race of the season has come and gone. What a great time that was. The course was shortened, but packed a punch. There was some smoking fast grass sections with zig-zags, and switch backs. Most could be carved at high speed, or pedaled through. There was a bog section to give you the winter feel of cross, but with out the coldness, or sport balm smell. The stairs were also there in a shortened fashion. I had a bad start, losing me about 20 positions before we started down the pavement hill. I tied too hard, too soon to regain, sending me into the red. I focused on staying smooth. I really wanted to keep the strokes smooth, and constant. If you can do that in the big ring, the speed comes along. I was able to keep some consistency toward the end, and really turn up the heat. On the last lap, I heard the bell, and saw the group of 5 ahead of me that I needed to pass to get in the money. They were grouped tight, and moving. I believe Jason Watkins was pulling the train. I was able to pull up to them, but ran out of course to pass. The stairs came, and I was not able to move around, but managed a 10th place finish. I am stoked for that, since it is the first race of the year. I have alot of time to build on those results. Should be a sweet season.

The new bike ran flawlessly. No complaints what so ever with the bike. The gearing up front is dialed for some smooth operating, and the fit is perfect. I have finally dialed in the Sram shifters. They took a few rides to get used to, but now I have mastered them. I am not sure about the bottle cage I put on. I like to drink in the race, got 4 chances to do so in this one, but it gets in the way when soldering.

We got to rock the new black CX kits. When I put it on and looked in the window of the car, the song This is why Im hot from Lil wayne ran through my head. They are pro. It was nice to enjoy the party atmosphere of the race, and see some friends.

Now I need to clean up and get ready for carbondale. I hope the grass is dry, so I can run the Grifo sx tires. Those things are true speed. The Grifo performed well at Hermann. I did not have any issues with grip, braking or spinning in the mud. I was really impressed with the handeling in the corners as they sofend up. I did unseat the rear, which rubbed up against the brake, and wore down the bead, but that was probably piolot error. Overall I felt good with my form and my fitness. A few more races should hone in both to a higher level.

Tony "yanagi" Rocca

Spoke with my friend Tony today. He is in Skagway AK working as a raft guide. He has been up there since April, and is working on his first year as a guide. Tony has guts and that is what counts. These are a couple of pics of us on the Grand. His first trip out there and we rip off a single day ascent in a shade over 18...hours. That was including an hour nap I took while sitting/leaning up against a rock at 11k. On the way down we run into a griz coming up the trail, and torrential rain in the last mile. All this did was fire us up more for the icing on the cake. A pitcher of Moose Drool Brown Ale, and a pizza... EACH! Ohh, thats not your call, then lets have a Bitch Creek ESB. The second pic is us with my dad in Teton Canyon for some "Moderate" trad climbing. While we were ther we met Jimmy Chin http://www.jimmychinphotography.com/, I got my balls kicked by a super hard sport rout, climbed some moderate rock, got the rope tangled, discussed the finer points of henson clutches with the locals, and as depicted, threw down on some more local Micro.

A true friend, that knows how to live the good life, a pint at a time.

ToM Stage 7

We had kickass seats for this. I was in the grass area on Forest park Parkway in between Compton and Grand. We got to see them from both directions, and had awesome photo opportunity. Here are a few pics. The weather turned out great, the beer was good, and spirits were high. Afterward we went down to the south grand neighborhood and ate at Pho Grand. That place is sweet. A new favorite in my book, I am stoked to try the Afghanie place next door also.

Pictures from stage six are at home, so I will have to get those tomorrow.

Cross @ Queeny

Last night I went out to Queeny to practice my chops on my new bike. Boz had some sweet homemade barriers, and we layed out a badass course. It was a similar, shortened version of last years race. 6 people showed, and we had some fun.

Queeny has huge potential for cross racing and practice. There are a labyrinth of gravel and dirt roads, and paths/trails. There could be an epic race here on mowed paths which would remind you of the groundhog race. This will be a training ground for me now. There is a field where people jump their horses, with varying terrain. Some of the jumps are perfect heigth for barriers.

Vuelta; ToM

Frier beats out Boonen in stage 11 of the Vuelta today.. stay tuned for video. Cant wait to see the extream Wattage.

Tour of Mo TT is today, Cav is holding yellow going into it. I cannot wait until this weekend to see some smoking fast dudes. I had a sweet sign last year that got several thumbs up, it will be used again. You can barley read it in the photo, but I think the point is delivered.

I plan on sitting out on 94 in Agusta to catch the Peleton, and sitting somwhere in FOPO to catch the pack going by on the parkway. That seems to be best value for money.

NORBA at Greensfelder

Some of the action...

This was my first race last year, so I figured I should cat up. The start was super fast, I was lucky to settle into good position. For the first lap I was behind TA and Furman. I made a pass on the start of the second lap, and was feeling strong. I dropped my chain on the short ramp, and lost a position as TA climbed by. I was trying hard to get back in the game, but wasn't able to swing it. Jim Krewet, and Fletcher were next to pass, and I knew the pace was slowing, steering was sloppy. I tried to hang on at the gravel road, as I caught the last glimpse of them up the hill. I was able to hold a good pace for about half the race. I turned in 4 good laps. The last 3 wore me down quick, and left me contemplating a DNF. I was reminded of the movie Heat. There was a scene where Robert De Niro told John Sizemore "If you cant handle the heat, then maybe you should walk away from the action." John replied "Nah...No you see for me..the heat is the action." That is where its at for me. Walking up to the face of uncertenty, adversity, and attrition, and hammering through. Never quitting.

I probably got going too fast, and had nothing left for the last 1.5 laps. I crashed going uphill, and jacked up my wrist good and right. This morning it is getting back to the normal feeling, but I was getting nervous about it. Finishing my first expert race felt like a real accomplishment. I am stoked to do more, and if 21 people keep showing up for the expert Norba races, Ill get what I want. Some real racing.

This was a good venue for a race. The loop was a little short, but it packs a punch. The creek crossing before steep climb is something you just have to launch. I mean how lucky can you get to have someone snap a pic of you jumping a creek? By the sixth lap, I could feel the climbing zapping my legs. My favorite part of this loop is the cornering. There are two wall rides, and several corners that you can carve at speed. I took some advice, and really tried to brake going into the corners, and then let the speed carry me through. That was working very well. Great race, great people, and the trail...the trail is FIRE. There is still some time left in the year to get some MTB racing in, and I am all for it!!

The return of...Lance??

http://www.velonews.com/article/82892/sources-lance-armstrong-coming-back

Could it be?? Lance in an Astana Jersey.

Pro cycling is always brimming with drama. The greatest sport there is. I have not made up my mind yet on weather or not he is a doper. If so, he did a good job of hiding it. But, so many others got caught. I wonder why he is coming back, and what made him change his mind. I would like to catch him at the Paris-Nice race. That would be sick. Even better would be the return of...

VINO

Those Radars are friggen sweet.

That would be some true drama.

CROSS!!

Made it over to Forest Park last night. Despite the best efforts of traffic. Ralph pulled up next to me while I was gearing up. These pictures are courtesy of him. I have not had a chance to ride the new bike, with the exception of fitting, and around the parking lot/ driveway. First impressions very, very positive. The Grifos are soooo smooth. I was running 40 PSI in the back, and about 35 in the front. Not sure if this is in range or not, but it felt great. Super cush ride, fared well in the DEEP mud. I did unseat the rear wheel at one point, not sure how that happened. The rest of the ride was awesome. Check out that sweet bike fit. I felt very comfortable on the rig, very good positioning for some sick bike handling skills. Thanks to Breslin for that. I was expecting a pretty easy ride, but RP had a brutal course set up, with some steep climbs, and steady up hills in boggy mud. I was using the 25 alot. Got a chance to work on the mounts/dismounts, and shouldering. I am sore today from carrying the bike over the shoulder. A quick clean up, and I was off to the Taproom for some APA and some good times with friends.

Long weekend

Friday was my birthday, and what better present than...a new cross bike. Let the season begin!! Friday had me at the gateway cup watching the 1,2 race, and shutting down square one brewery with friends.

Saturday Breslin and I did a night lap at C-bluff. Great conditions down there for the weekend. Not too much heat, or dust. We got some laps in on Sunday and one on Monday. I felt pretty good in the saddle up until the 2.5 hour mark, then fatige set in pretty quick. The lake loop is in tremendous shape. The traction is great on the corners and the short little ramps. The downhills were super fast, to the point where I dont recall riding them that fast before. Zach came down Sat and ripped off 4 laps before he surcame to the beer in his cooler. I have to admit that the Mexican Food in Hillsboro is pretty damn good.

Success!!!

Saturday morning I was at C-Bluff, and made my way up to the top of the campground to get patchy cell service. Got a call through to my dad, and received great news that he had summited the Eiger. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eiger This is in Interleukin. He took a guide (Freddy) as this was his first time on the mountain. They took a train up to the beginning of the route, and then hiked over snow to the high hut. The second pic from the top is him on the summit, with the ridge they climbed in the back ground. The profile of the mountain is of the Mittellegi Ridge on the NE side of the mountain. It looks like moderate climbing most of the way with healthy doses of exposer to keep you honest. My dad explained it as that with some sketch loose rock most of the way. He told me the exposer was up to 8000' of air at some points, with 3000' of air while walking across knife edge ridges. Two summits in a month, that is sick. Of course, what would climbing be without a pint afterwards. The last pic is the guide on the left, and on the right another guide from a party behind them during the climb.

Pulling down hard, luke warm lager...The good life son.