The awesomeness of this cannot be overstated.

http://slonie.wordpress.com/2010/10/04/cx-comic/

Ugghh. 2 more weekends till my next race.

And I'm in a funk because of it. I rode yesterday but was too busy today with chores, etc. Don't feel like riding. Hopefully I'll get out of this and get to work when I have time over the weekend  and next week. I'm beginning to think that no matter how hard I train or how little I train, I'll still end up getting the same(ish) results, although, in general, I'm feeling better an I think I'm faster than last year. It's just tough making up ground when you're stuck in the back of the pack at the start. Oh well......

Ed Sander cross. Masters 3/4

 After chatting with c-lo (he parked right next to me), got warmed up on the trainer. Thor designed the course and told me it was the same, so I didn't pre-ride. Figured it would be fast, and it was. Lined up on the wrong side of mid-pack and just decided to peg it at the start to gain some places. I did just that and was in decent shape coming into the barriers, then headed into the ponds. No place to pass there so it was status-quo until the climb up to the back 9. It was there that I knew I had gone too hard at the start. Made it up and climbed the run-up where there was a cluster-f*ck of about 6 guys at the top. Ugghh. Finally remounted and took entirely the wrong line over to the steep run/ride-up; hit the tape and went down before it. More passed me. So much for my good start. Finally settled in and picked off a few; mostly on the descent and power sections.  I placed 68th out of 76 finishers, 97 startersand felt pretty good. Saw the carnage that c-lo stopped for; good on him and the others for helping him out. Thor kept giving me encouragement as I passed and it was good to see faces I hadn't seen since last yr. Beer and waffles on the back 9 made it a good day Photo by Joe Mallis.

Charm City Elite Masters

Due to family obligations, if i wanted to race at all, I would have to do the Elite Masters Race, cats 1-3. Not being delusional, I realized I would likely get my ass handed to me, but racing and getting thumped is better than not racing at all. What was nice that since the race started at 1:15, it gave me a chance to get a good night sleep, eat breakfast with my wife and youngest daughter, take her (my daughter) to work, then drive the hour drive to Bawlmer.
It was another gorgeous fall-like day, and since some of the larger races had cleared out, I had no trouble finding a good parking place and getting reg'ed up. I took  my time getting ready and warmed up, then headed over to pre-ride the course, as it was slightly different from the usual course. A guy who had just finished offered to show me the "good" lines. It helped.
Got a decent starting position considering I was in among some crazy fast guys, and we headed off at the gun. My legs didn't feel quite as good as Nittany, but this was a tougher course, so that may have impacted it, too. After hanging for a while, I settled towards the back and pushed as hard as I could. I kept hearing Dave Tambauux rooting for me at "the tree" which was nice. with a few laps to go I saw Jay Downs and another guy up ahead of me, and 2 guys were charging up on me (they had mechanicals), so I started pushing harder. It was not to be; with 2 laps to go and the leaders coming up on us, they pulled us. We decided that was "OK", as I and the other 2 guys were dying slow deaths.
All in all, I' finished 60th out of 63 finishers, so I'm pretty content with that. Next up is Sanders and I'm really hoping to do well there.

Well. That time has finally arrived!

Nittany Lion Cross in Trexlertown, PA. 1st UCI race of the year. I get there on a beautiful, coolish late summer morning. Registration goes quite easily (as compared to last year) and I get suited up in time to get a quick lap in. the course was pretty much the same as last year except they took away one trip through the roots and made a power section before it. I get a decent warm-up in and head off to the start. last freaking row. Ugghh. Dan managed to get a front row start; he must "know people" :-)
The light goes green (just like World's) and we head off. I tried to gain as much ground as I could but it was just too tight. I settled in and pretty much held my ground; I'd pass some guys and some would pass me. My Fangos were hooking up nice and were great over the root section. With about 2 laps or so to go I see Dan in front of me. I put the hammer down and keep gaining ground on him. With less than 1 lap to go I'm closing in when i hear "on your right" from one of the 55+ guys. Normally I let guys through but this was in the middle of some turns and I learned not to change my line in these cases. No matter, he passes and cuts in front of me, taking out my front wheel and sending me to the ground. I lose surprisingly little time but by then I was running out of real estate. I couldn't catch him.  wound up 65th out of 79; felt better than last year, finished better, and all in all had a better race. Maybe if i actually get a decent start I'll get decent results. I met Ian during my cool-down. he got 35th, I think. Decent results for HUP. Next up, Charm City.

I'm a dumbass and racing to "the Old Rugged cross"? WTF??

I'm getting my race wheels ready. Got 'em glued, look passable, get my 11-23 cassette to put on them. I'm down to the last cog and I notice that it says "11t, 9s". WTF?? So THAT'S why this never fits quite right! Out there is some person who purchased a Sram 9s cassette from me and has a 10s 11t cog on it. Oh well.....
Anyway, I head down to "Bird In Hand" (really-that's the name of the town. Next is "Intercourse". You can't make this shit up). Get there for the Smoketown airport crit. Beautiful day, well organized event with food and registration that is convenient and good. Organized by the International Christian Cycling Club. Good mix of music over the PA system when I hear "the Old Rugged Cross" hymn blaring. I guess I should've expected it. I remark to the guy parked next to met hat that was my dream. Anyway....
I saw Kevin B there. It's his 1st time ON THE BIKE THIS YR. (He does rowing as cross training.) Course is on the runway and not really flat. Windy as crap, esp up the finish straight. We do a rolling start; I am not  afan; I get stuck near the back and since there is a narrow "S" turn before the back downhillish straight, I'm doing all I can to catch up to the pack. Doesn't last long; I get pulled. Kevin gets pulled 1 lap later. Oh well; it's training for cross......
Give me a month and I should be in the thick of it. I hope.

1st race of the yr...

Turkey Hill Country Classic. Road race consisting of a 6ish mile long rolling lap. We (masters 50+/60+) did 4 laps. Hot day. I brought plenty of water/gatorade. Got there with plenty of time to warm up. Got a nice 30 minute warm up in and then headed down to the staging area. had my pre-race gel and Red Bull. Didn't bring any more gel as it was only 25 miles, so no worries, right? Well. We waited. And waited. About 30 minutes later we went off. I was able to stay near the front of the pack; felt pretty good for most of 2 laps. Then the lights went out. On the long climb going to the finish line I lost energy and couldn't keep up with the pack. I was screwed. Dying many deaths I finally finished. Those last 2 laps were painful, but good in a way. This really is training for me and you never push yourself as hard as you do in a race so that was good. Plus, these guys have been racing for several months and this was my 1st race this year, so I'm not too disappointed. I know I wasn't DFL (whew!) but the results still aren't up. Had to get out of there in a hurry. Finished and downed anything wet and or sweet I could get my hands on as I just about passed out at the finish. It wasn't puking, but that's got to count for something, right?