Race Report

Uhm...why do I have my tongue out? This "wonderful" shot was taken by the dutiful people of skinnyski. Check out my funky knee...two knee surgeries does that to a guy. For a great race report go here. For mine read on.
I put my bike on the car at 10:00 am and took it off at about 8:00 pm, freakin rained the whole time, and the wind!
Luckily I received a phone call before I left and was told to bring my trainer to warm up on. Trainer? I make fun of people that warm up on trainers. No more, that worked out great. The race started out fine. One guy off the front but no worries. We pulled him in shortly and I thought we should put the hurt on a bit to seperate this 50 some field up. I hate crowds so I figured it was my job to spread it out. Around a corner, the guy in the lead took it wide...what? Next thing I know he's on my left side drafting me. Screw that. Williams told me once to ride the yellow line. Pulled hard up to the line and pegged it for awhile. Make all those riders work, right? Next I'm told we have a gap and the one rider with me agrees to work together. I am a little nervous as I am still new to road racing and this break is happening about half way into the first lap. We are to do two laps of 21 miles each.
As we near the corner to head with the wind I tell the guy with me we will really need to drop the hammer if we are to hold off the chase group. Hit the corner and I drop it hard. Maybe too hard as I drop my only help with a long way to go solo, with some windy sections coming up. I have started to pass the Master 35+ field and can't tell who is who behind me anymore. Pretty soon I passed the lead 35+ group and am all alone.
I was able to hold off any attacks, etc. and pulled out the win. It was a fun race but about 2 minutes after the race I began to freeze and shake nonstop. Changed and sat in a heated car...damn was I cold.
Another fun race with lots learned. Next week is the Lumber One Avon race. Hopefully I'll be there. A new child is expected soon...oh very soon.
Bed.
Now.

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

Figures. The only road race I have ever done was Kenwoods about 5-6 years ago. It was rainy, windy, and freezing. Pretty much sucked and pretty much like the weather we have today. I just finished overhauling my bike from all the bugs and road grim it aquired during the trip to Lincoln. Looks like it will get another run through after today's race.
Race report to follow.

Bad, Bad, Blogger

Yeah, I'll admit it...I have sucked at blog enteries for awhile. Work has been crazy busy and I have had "nada" to say. So I have been saving you the agony of reading crap, or at least worse crap than I already spew your way.
What a difference a day makes. Yesterday it was sunny and almost 80 degrees. This evening when I went for a ride it was 43 degrees and windy as hell. I only had a short ride but still froze my hands worse than I ever have riding in the winter. Lack of thought on my part. When my hands began to warm at home the pain increased so bad I was in the fetal position on my living room floor. Damn! I am still having trouble with my hands so typing is a bit of a chore.

Race Report: Yep, finally did my first road race this weekend in Lincoln, NE. Time to see if any of this training will pay off. It was a stage race. Saturday morning was the road race with a TT in the evening. Sunday was a circuit race. I was racing Cat. 4. In the road race we were mixed in with the juniors and the "open" women. Pretty uneventful race. Nobody wanted to work or attack. I wanted to but was told not to. If Kyia would've been there we could have split the field. But she wasn't so we remained a solid pack till the end. Everyone was constantly moving around for a better position. It was constant asses and elbows. This is where being a bigger guy pays off! At the last corner, before the sprint, the road was opened up, metal on asphalt heard, crash means go, some guy is off the front, screw it and I am digging deep. Catch the guy quick like and decide to keep going. The finish was a little further than I expected but held 'em off and came out with the win.
That evening we did the TT. Wasn't too excited but once the ride started I had fun. I think I like time trialing the best, my wife says I do so I have an excuse to by new wheels, etc. Maybe. I am pretty sure I won that stage too. I caught about 5 riders in front of me. Two of whom were #'s 2 & 3 in the road race.
The next morning was the 2 mile circuit race. If I wouldn't flat I would pretty much take 1st in the GC. About 5 minutes before the race I am looking at all the "gucci" wheels in the wheel pit. Uhhh, where are my wheels? A minute later Williams comes running up with a set for me...see Jen, I need to buy more wheels! I was nervous at the start but once it got started I loved it. Just stay towards the front and you will stay out of trouble...worked for me. There was a prime lap and I took that and created a gap in the process. Held it for about 45 seconds! I had to cover numerous attacks but enjoyed it and still felt pretty good. On the last lap a junior took off and everyone wanted to let him go. Whatever, and I was on his wheel as everyone else was on mine. At the climb before the finish the junior died and damnit I was in front. With a second to think I just went for it . I created a large gap but felt my legs slowing big time. I sat up and caught the wheel of the guy that passed me. I was never able to recover to have a kick at the end. I am not sure where I ended up...somewhere between 6-9.
I took the GC and was happy. Everyone tells me to upgrade, but I am going to wait a little more. I learned so much and gained confidence, but would like a little more of each. Besides, I will have another teammate making us 3, so we can rip it up together.
For more Grandstay/Out-N-About Gear race info go here.
Out.

Sloppy Joes & Chocolate Cake...way to go Dumb Ass

Brinna is almost three. You would think I would know by now not to give her two of the messiest foods around and not to expect one hell of a mess. Oh well, she ate well and was happy.

I on the other hand am one crabby s.o.b. I was packing up lunch for tomorrow and knocked over a container of blueberries. I freaked out and kicked the dishwasher. Smooth, real smooth. I think I said some four letter words too. I took the dog for a long walk and I think I feel better. Damn, if it's not the stupid shit that sends me into orbit.

My excuse for being a shithead is my inside Trek rep. I think I have left several messages and e-mailed him several times and he never responds. Speedbuggy, go kick Dave in the nuts. I have pissed off customers. Where is the frame we sent in for repair three weeks ago? Six business days...my ass. That's what happens when you drink the Trek Kool Aid. Unlike Jamestown...I'm still around to feel the rath of the customer. Raise your hand if you love retail. Anybody?

I do have fresh legs! I am happy since Sundays ride killed me at the time. I am excited for tomorrow mornings ride. My house 5:20am, three hours, any takers!

Lastly, Luby I am game for Saturday. Let's hit the trails. The reports are they are good. I hear it may rain however. I will keep my eyes to the sky. Still want to grill? Reach out.

pissy pants out.

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

I am one tired mofo. So this will be short and shitty.
The Good: my bike rocks. It's a Trek 5.9sl, way more bike than I need or ever will need. But damn, was it good to me today. We'll see if ol George of the Discover team crashing hard today because his Trek fell apart will hurt Trek.
The Bad: I hurt and I hurt a lot. I knew I would not win, by any means, but I didn't want to get dropped. Nonetheless, I did indeed get dropped. Worked my way up once by myself and Lance, thanks. Again I worked myself up with the truck assist! I did well for awhile but the 'ol legs just got too tired.
The ugly: I ran my hand into Matt's ass. Clumsy. His ass is hard.
Moral: when you say in November you want to lose 10-15lbs before racing starts...do it.
Also, If I just had better wheels!

If you are confused to what the hell I am talking about...read the blog post below.
Over
n
out

Mock Race Today

It has been deemed a good idea to have a pseudo race today with team members. I agree...I'm just not ready to hurt like that. the race will be about 64 miles, including 6 times up the back side of the alp, (that's a local "big" hill). For a big guy (me) this will hurt. Luckily the rest of the course will be mostly flat. The southern wind shouldn't be too big a deal either. I saw it may rain now...so who knows what the weather will be like. Race report to follow later.

Yesterday I gave in and decided to pick up dog shit. 3 Cub food bags full! I was going to take a picture as proof...but three bags of shit on Sunday morning is not what many would like to see. Currently they are tucked in the garage...I'm sure filling the tiny space with smells and flies. I don't understand how any living thing can like shit...I guess if you did like shit you would be lucky, it's everywhere.

Alright, no more shit talk. Brinna wants me to read to here. I'm off, more on the race later.
Out.

I Hate Numbers

I've always hated numbers. I remember all the way back to grade school when my math teacher (also my mom) asked me to read a number. Well the number was so god damn big I studdered, stumbled, and shit myself trying to say it. Things are the same today. I can say the numbers but trying to write a check over $100 and I freak out.
Think about it: numbers really suck. Your pay check: too small of a number. Bills: too big of a number and too many, same with taxes. Our population: too big of a number. The price of gas: too many numbers...I think it should be more...damn Hummers.
Numbers apply to biking too, and this is where it drives me fucking nuts. The title of my blog alludes to that. What is your gear ratio? How much does this bike weigh or how much does that shiny part weigh? What's your heart rate, avg hr, speed, max speed, watz, threshold, blah, blah, blah. I had my lactate test done last night and a couple of wingate tests too. I don't want to be concerned with numbers but I get sucked in. I still weigh too much despite riding a shit load and eating rabbit food with no beer or booze...what gives? My wife tells me it's because I am getting older. I like to believe it's the gallon + of water and pot of coffee I drink everyday. Yep, it's just water weight...and you just wait till the down hills, I kick all your asses.
So everyone is asking me how far I got in the lactate test (5.5), what my watz, rpm's, avg decrease over time, change in watz, and much more. But they are all numbers I can't remember. Hell I have to write my cell phone number on the back of the phone so I can give it to people. It has sinced rubbed off, so hell if I know it.
Shut Up! Go Ride any over weight, cheap-ass, god damn Bike, and smile.

Aarrggg or Ughhh

Yet again the rain has me stuck inside. If I hadn't ridden in the rain 3.5 hrs on Friday I would be out in it now. I have somewhat cleaned the bike and really don't want to do it again. I tell my wife I have two road bikes (Surly Pacer and a Trek 5.9 sl) so I can ride in adverse conditions and not care about the bike. No matter what...I will always care about the bike. Maybe I need three road bikes.
So now I am struggling to ride the trainer or not to ride the trainer. I have pretty much have had the help of and entire pot of coffee to make this decision. The only decision made is to use the bathroom.
If I didn't have to wash dishes at a church breakfast for 3 hours and help my dad cut up a tree I would ride in the afternoon. Aren't sunday's suppose to be relaxing?
The good thing with this rain: will clean up the roads, hopefully make things green, and most importantly it may dissolve the hundreds of dog shit piles in my backyard that have accumulated from about October!
Lastly, Happy Birthday to the Lunatic Biker. Whom, I don't know except via his blog.