Tulsa time

You know I've been through it.

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Keeping the focus

David, myself, Giannini, Vince, and Evan. 

Friends enjoying a beautiful day of crit racing... makes it easy to remember why we do it.

Gratuitous use of footnotes

Last week the family and I traveled St. Louis to race the MoPro Tour de Grove & Dutchtown Classic. They were to be my first A priority races of the season.* I finished 11th and 10th in each respective race. Initially, or at least on Saturday, I was disappointed with the results, even though the races were fun, and overall I raced pretty well I was left wanting more. But after some words of wisdom from coach K I choose to take a different perspective.** I choose to put more emphasis on savoring the moment. To feel all of whats transpiring within the race. The dynamics of the riders. How the road feels, through the turns and on the straits. The potholes, cracks, and the smooth asphalt. How the bike reacts to energy put into it, driving hard on the inside drops, leaning into the turns. Or how my legs feel spinning the pedals as fast as I can, and then immediately jumping up, shifting gears, and putting everything you have into it, mashing so hard on the pedals and pulling on the bars with the vigor of a pit bull. In this moment it is purely focused energy, a 45 minute moment that I am lucky to experience, many times over. With this type of enlightened view how could I feel bad about any day I'm out racing my bike.***

* I choose this race to be an A race because I thought I would have a decent chance at a top 5 or even a podium finish.
** Kent Woermann, my coach for the last 9 months, told my to disregard all the emails and texts about winning and just live in the moment.
*** Of course we race to win, and it doesn't have anything to do with feeling good, but everything to do with suffering. But that's another story.

Chinese carbon 29er update

after the fall

Today was only my second day on the new frame. Just an easy recovery spin at swope, but a significant ride in terms of showing me it's strength and reliability.
It was such a beautiful morning and my legs were tired from two days of tough racing in St. Louis, easy spinning at swope seemed like a no brainer. As I was loading up I was pretty excited and somehow forgot to strap down my bike on the rack (excitement really). As I crossed The Paseo on Cleaver 2 my bike was launched off my rack unbenounced to me. I did realized this not too far down the road. I shit a brick, pulled a u turn, and flew back the opposite direction.  Half a mile down the road was a noble citizen who had pulled off to the side and was holding my bike. I was so thankful!!!
I couldn't see any immediate issues so I continued on to swope. Upon further inspection the only mark I could find was a scuffed up grip. From there it was just another beautiful day at swope and all that that entails.
This experience has definitely tipped the scales of judgement in the direction of - this thing is for real!

skate & destroy

On the slab

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hang on to the dream

Crit racing in Manhattan Ks.

Races were fun, course was fun, a little rough in spots. I raced pretty good, two races back to back. Won my entry fee back plus a few dollars and a tube. The family got to cheer on dad... and then there was The Cozy Inn.

Hell Yeah!

recovery

all burgers come with onions, no exceptions!