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.

Up swing

Two rides on the MTB this week. Great rides at C-wood and Chubb. Could not keep a smile off of my face. Its good to not feel like crap in the saddle. The Dogwood is in fast condition, and so is the CHubb for that matter. It looked like ther was some armoring done. I need to get out there more and hone the trail. I got owned in a few places that require buff skill.