The capture of the allusive unicorn

I have been traveling to Farmington for the past three years to hit up the ride to Taum Sauk Mountain. For some reason or another, we have never made the ride...hangovers, sleet, and lack of will to make the 70 mile round trip. This past weekend, I finally captured my unicorn.

I was visiting Brian on terms which I had hoped would be much later in life; his father past away last Thursday morning. Al was an excellent individual, with wit and humor matched by no other. Al supported all of us, with racing and life, and will live on in our hearts. Please keep the Dziewa family in your prayers.

My visit with the family was a good one, we celebrated, and grieved, rode bikes, and ate a bunch of really really tasty treats. The Dziewa's were excellent hosts as usual, even considering the desperate situation.

The first ride we did was around the famous State RR course (the one that is better than the new one)...my first 50 miles in quite some time. The ride up Taum Sauk was a great one. It rained the entire time, making the already challenging ride much more difficult. Throw a bit of wind (actually, 30 mph gusts), and we had ourselves quite a day. So, it is 29 miles to the base of the park, then 6 miles up to the top of the climb. I would consider the climb, more like a rolling terrain that gains 2 steps of elevation, then kicks down 1 step...repeat that several times, and by the top, you are toast! At about 4 miles in, we climbed through the fog and suddenly the view was clear. Quite a pretty ride.

Quick Catch Up

Sorry to get you excited TJ, but that says "Catch Up", not "Ketchup". Speaking of the Teeje, we went out for his inaugural cross ride yesterday @ Rockbridge...Little feller held his own. I was really excited to see how well he managed the trail. Watch out next season, TJ is going to tear some legs off, and be able to jump a curb!

So, that has been the name of the game. Sunday, K and I went out to Cosmo for a cross ride. She has always had this insinct on a bike. Some of the stuff she rides is as hard as it gets. Then, she will walk an easier section, because it looks to hairy. It won't take long, and she will get the hang of everything...then, once we get her a stronger set of lungs, well, I better just keep riding in front of her, so she won't drop me.

The day before, I went running with Krista for the first time in about a year. During the run, I was just chilling out, grinning with K's grimace; that came back to haunt me the next day, when my hip flexors and ant. tibialis muscles were exploded. Don't worry, I got my banter back from her, as her legs felt just fine. Again, one of these days, we will cross our fitness at a closer axis.

So, I am really excited to head down to Arkansas with Java. I love road trips with that guy.

I can't believe I haven't mentioned it yet...K and I adopted a dog from the humane society. We haven't found a name yet, but it will come. So, the pic above is his second bath actually; Krista and I went to the shelter and bathed him on Sunday before our ride. Expect more pics of him and Paola to come.

Riding inside

I can't say that I have ever really ridden my bike inside at this time of year...that changed today. First, I went down to J and A's house to steal his rollers (because Tyrone has my trainer from the trip to Gateway). Then, I popped in a movie and began riding. You see, one can not train inside without music or tv, that is, unless you are TJ.

I rode for a bit, stretched, and now I am getting ready for work. I know you are all so excited about this most important post, so you are welcome for this facinating story I just told.

Seriously, I should have something of more interest soon.

Gosh, who runs this thing anyway?

Well, it has been over ten days, but here I am again in front of the idiot box (yeah, I have renamed the computer the idiot box, since TV's were so yesterday).

Gateway was the usual painfully fast experience of a bike race season culmination. Friday I fought cramps, Saturday I fought that damn hill, Sunday I avoided crashes, and Sunday I fought my mind. It is hard for so many reasons;
1- it is the end of the year, why should you be riding hard?
2- it is the end of the year, people are trying to impress others
3- there are so many parties to choose from during Gateway, do alcohol and bike racing really mix?
4- 4 ninety minute crits in 4 days. What are we trying to accomplish? Superweek?

That is enough, I mean, if you need more excuses, feel free to email me, I have plenty. But, all in all, the weekend was ok. I did not achieve any of my goals for the race series, but I did overcome a lot of mental anguish that has been plaguing my last several weeks of riding.

Well, it is official. I am going to be racing with Mercy for next season. I have had a lot of fun racing with Dogfish over the past 2.5 years and I wish the guys the best. I am really excited about next year, and I will be heading down to do a few races in Arkansas in a couple of weeks with the team. Apparently, there are races after Gateway...who'd a thought?

We co-hosted a baby shower for the Prozenhozers over the weekend: good times. Dillon is a champ, and things are starting to settle down at their household. They were kind enough to have us over for dinner on Sunday eve, thanks guys. Jason-son, heal up soon so you can come ride with me and the Teege.

I rode my CX bike today out at Rockbridge; good times, until I ate it right before the end of my ride. Slow speed crashes are usually ok in my book, but not over a garden of baby heads.

Tomorrow I will go spin at tempo, and some speed work on Thur.

Getting Ready

I am really excited that the end is near. I love bike racing just as much as the next guy that portrays a sickly, defeated man's upper body, with the lower body of a muscle-beach body builder, but all good things must come to an end once a year.

I am still up in the air regarding any races after this weekend, but I am still considering going down to Ar-Kansas and hitting up the Mercy Celeb Classic; it all depends on a few factors, such as oil prices.

I received word from the not-so starving, starving bike racer last evening: unfortunately, he will not be able to attend this years edition of the Gateway Cup. Gas prices have elicited a lack of motivation to make a 20 hr round trip. Bummer Micah, we were all looking forward to seeing you. Soon...

I have gotten re-accustomed to my Airborne (I think) again, so hopefully racing this weekend will be comfortable. Yesterday I rode at tempo for about an hour .5 on a 2 hr ride; the day before was a ride to work and back. Not really any other rides of note.

So, TJ and I will be taking off soon to STL...Expect an update after the weekend