Okmoar

No, that is not the name of a Chineese entre, that is where I was over the weekend. Another weekend down, several hundred miles traversed, and a handfull of hours racing.

Flint Ridge, Kansas OK
This was a hard race. I set the pace early so that Brian Jenson wouldn't just roll off the front and away from the field. I got rolling in several early moves, that were all brought back fairly quickly. Finally, the field split, and I as in the second group...no worries, we had Fiddler up the road. Well, we thought we could bridge to the front group, and better our odds in the top 5. A few more times up the climb, and we realized they were gone. I worked with 4 BMC guys, and Chucker. For the most part, I kept it rolling, saving a bit in the tank for the finish. We managed to drop all but me and two guys from BMC and we dropped one of them on the decent. Scott Barnes attacked me at the bottom of the hill, and I waited for him to get gassed, then nailed it. I had the field sprint in the bag, but began cramping about 30 meters from the finish. I saw Scott steaming up behind me, and he got the wheel throw just in time for 7th.

NWA Spring Classic, Praire Grove AR
What a race of attrition. Strong winds and high temps with Jenson driving the pace definitly took it's toll. Our team decided to play a more conservative roll today, so we wouldn't all burn our matches early. We also decided that we were racing for 2nd, as Jenson is a complete animal. We coverd a few moves from Jensen, and MMM, but everything stayed together in the first lap. Jenson strung the field out just after the feed, only to roll solo off the front...this was good for us, because with him out of the equation, we could focus on our goal. MMM on the other hand had a different idea. They were under the impression that we could bring Jenson back, and they organized the chase. Now, I am not sure if everyone bought into the fact we could catch him, or if they were just doing the same thing we were; we had four riders in the field, and if we refused to chase (because we knew he was way gone)then we would seem like the bad guys. Well, to make a long story short, we had an organized chase for a little over an entire lap. Of course, in the end, it was all worthless. However, it may have worn on MMM, and the BMC boys, becasue we did end up accomplishing our 2nd place finish. I popped mid-third lap. I am not really sure why, I just couldn't hold the effort any longer. I dangled behind the field for several miles trying to catch back on, and soon, they slowly began pulling away. My legs were aching, something that doesn't happen too often while on the bike. Anyway, I finished up the race, and took 12th.

BoCoMO, Middle of everywhere
I am trying to not get sick this week. I have a lot on my plate: plenty of riding, finishing up my work at PSCR, and the Super Sale at http://www.waltsbikeshop.com. So, yesterday was a 12 hour workday, with a bit of recovery ride on the side, and yes, a core workout. I am going to take my TT bike out for the first time today and tinker around with it. I am not punching it today, but I want to get my position dialed in on it before I have to take it down to Arkansas for the Bob Herbert SR.

K and I are heading out to Les Bergois this evening for dinner and vino'. It will be our fist official date in quite some time. These "dates" will become much more frequent after I have to quit waking up at the butt-crack of dawn.