Vegas Baby- The Pics

Here are the pics from my trip to Vegas last week:


My favorite burger joint In-N-Out Burger, Yum!


The lagoon at the pool... Ahh



The Hoover Dam



Havin' a good time at one of the resort bars



A view from atop Bootleg Canyon 3500+ feet



...another



The trail





Me feeling back home in the desert



Note: it was 105 degrees and climbing

I miss the Ritz, very nice

Question

What are cargo pants good for?

Time for an update

I'll back track a little to the State Crit last weekend.

I'm still learning. Rode pretty well stayed with the pack and ended up 14th on the day. What I learned. When someone is up the road and there are 2 laps to go... Don't try to reel him back in. Could have done a lot better if I would have just raced for second place. Oh well, live and learn.

---

Today tried a little racin' in the dirt. Man this stuff is hard. How easily we forget. I was about half way through the 2nd of 3 laps when I cased a sharp rock. Pfffsssssssssssss. Dead flat. I got the tube changed in record time and only gave up maybe 3 spots when I went for the co2. Could get the damn thing to work. And no I didn't let the air out. So I'm trying everything, even read the directions. Arghh! Then Adam rolls up complaining about drive train issues. After 10 or so people went by I decided to bag it. Guess it was finally my time to get a flat in a race. Can't bitch too much.

---

Going out to Vegas on this week and have a half day mtb ride planned. Should be a good time. I'll get some pics up later.

Leb TT

Why?

I'm mean why not wear tri briefs and leg warmers to complete the outfit.

Opus V

Where to start...

I was shocked to be racing to say the least.

It sure was nice to be back to racing after a month and a half off :(

I was too excited to really care how I ended on the night. I was talking to Tim Girod (cat 4 points leader) about my strategy for the night, I was thinking about going for the first sprint so I could have enough time to go for the last. Tim had a better idea of going for the 2nd since most would hit the 1st with their fresh legs. So I agreed and changed my plans. Well, I thought I had...

We roll up to the start and I find myself on the front line. What am I thinking here? I joked around that this would be the only time I would lead the race. Ha ha. Gun goes off and Tim and I lead everyone out around the course. Pace is quite leisurely. Third lap. I find myself in pretty good position and decide to go for the sprint. So I whined up with everyone and manage 5th. I kinda held back a little bit being concerned that I'd blow up. Looking back now I should have buried the needle. Oh well.

So now I'm thinking it won't be long till I shoot out the back and get lapped. My legs were feeling pretty tight and heavy at this point. I just kept telling myself to stay with the pack, do what ever it takes. Surprisingly my legs started to come back around. Around enough I guess.

I was able to hang with the group quite easily and even take the lead a couple times. I even lead out one of my Silver Cycling teammates Ben Schinke.

Just before the final lap I decided to make a break and take a flyer. So up and over the start/finish I went with no one on my wheel. Dropped down the hill through the S's and just before the back straight saw that Jason Wenk(All 9 Yards) was right there. I knew at that point that I didn't have it in my legs to contest.

In the end I was super stoked!

Here's why:

1. First time racing cat 4 at Opus
2. Usually get lapped my first time at Opus every year
3. And the kicker--I haven't trained that much lately

So the bug is back and I can't wait till next Tuesday!

Up 'n Up

Well, we finally got a new car so there goes that excuse. And Opus might be a go. I've got lots of ground to make up.

Didn't I say that last year?

This is getting old.

I need to get back to race in a bad way...

Embro Junkie

I'm baaaack!

My latest trial is the POWERbreathe distributed by Gaiam.

Here's some quick stats:

Studies have shown that time trial performance improves in elite rowers (Voliantis et al., 2001a) and cyclists (Romer et al., 2001a) by as much as 4.6%! That slashes almost 3 minutes off a 40km cycling time trial, and gives a winning margin of more than 60m in a 2000m rowing race!




Now I'm not sure how well this little jem will work. But since I've been using it twice daily I find that when I finally get a chance to ride, I don't feel as lousy as I should. Guess I'll just have to see if it really works and report back later.

I do get some funny looks when I use it on my commute to and from work though.

Basso out, Nod goes to Levi

I feel bad about Basso, I think he is a great rider, but my boy Levi is back where he belongs. Back in the team leader position.

www.velonews.com
www.eurosport.com

Now meez likes Disco again!

No news

Waiting....

Update

Sorry for the long wait everyone. Haven't had much to report. Missed Oxbow, Opus and will more than likely miss Durand. Witler's back :(

Oh and I'll be missing Ken Woods as well, on account it's my son's B-day. Which is very cool 'cause I'm getting him his first bike. :)

But never fear, I'm still training, not as much as I'd like but still training none the less.

And I haven't had a chance to represent the new team yet (Silver Cycling-H-WooD Cycles). :(

On a positive note, I won't be able to bitch about being burnt-out this year. :)

Ride, Finally

Finally got out for a ride. It's been since the Iowa races. Put in 45 miles. Nothin' big but man did it feel good. I think the little break me did some good.

Still undecided about Oxbow.

Who's going?

Watch out Hatorade!

http://www.brandweek.com/bw/news/recent_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003568787

Ronde

Looking.... eh

Here's me being not fast down in Des Moines last weekend. I haven't ridden my bike since. It's good to have a couple races that make you wonder why you want to upgrade.

Need a laugh?...

Even if you've seen it before, it still makes me cry:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6021365693605761325&q=darth+vader&hl=en

What I miss

I would give up this season on the road if I could spend some time at my old stomping ground.

These pictures sum up why I love racing mtb's:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/mtbphotos.php?id=/photos/2007/mar07/NORBA_1_07/NORBA_1_071/JD_phxnorba07033

http://www.cyclingnews.com/mtbphotos.php?id=/photos/2007/mar07/NORBA_1_07/NORBA_1_071/JD_phxnorba07030

The desert is where it's at!

EPIC!!!

Ok maybe not EPIC. Just wanted to say EPIC since it was a little over used this weekend. Well maybe it wasn't...

I did manage to get away from the wife and kids for a weekend of racing. Got my rear handed to me in the process. That's kinda EPIC.

Satuday's RR in Altoona:

Made the 3 and a half hour drive from the Cities just in time to register throw the bike together and get in a warm up. The race started and I was felling really good, really strong. By the time we got into the second lap I was kinda bored actually. Except for the constant accelerations out of the turns. It seemed everyone liked taking the turns really fast and then honking on the brakes. Well 3/4's into lap two I was haning out with Tuffy who just got done telling me that this was it and to be carefull 'cause we were at the back. So I figured it was time to heads back up towards the front. Problem was that front started pedaling away from us. OH CRAP! I quickly realized that I had to gas it or my race was over. So I did. I had to put in a pretty hard effort, too hard, to get up there. And once I was there the group hit a small climb and drilled it again. Pop goes the Wiki! I was in trouble. Nothin left in the legs and I was dropped. GAME OVER. Should have been more attentive. Could of had a much different result on the day.

Still mad about this one >:(

Des Moines Crit

Uh where's the sun and warmer temps I was promised by the weatherman? Man it was cold! I toughed it out anyways, not sure why. It stared off fine but then on the second lap, kabooooooom, bye bye. Legs said eh eh no chance dude. That sucked!

I did want to thank everyone out there who cheered me on and forced me to stay out there; Andy, Mike, Rob, Some Grumpy's guys and Super Rookie--thanks for the push!


All in all great weekend! Got some good training in (get it). Made some new friends hung out with old ones. Not bad. Not bad at all.

Wer'z da Grizz?

It seems as if I'am losing readership these days. The only people hitin' the WiKi BLOG are Mike and Dan. Thanks guys.

We here at the Wiki BLOG value our readers and will be taking steps to better our product in the next few weeks.

Stay tuned...

Thanks

I was going to do a ride report but don't feel like writing much right now. I did however want to take a second to put out a huge Thanx to my buddy Lalla for waiting up for me on the GP ride. I was I little late hitching onto the ride coming from Woodbury and Mike being the great guy that he is pulled off at Delaware and waited at least 5 minutes. Very cool, Thanx Mike!

We TT'd it and took a little shortcut and caught back on, NICE!

Mike I think you'll do pretty well this year, riding very strong.

You da man!

My favorite time of year

Death to all snow I say!

It's time to ride once more (outside).

I don't know about you but I love the first of the spring training rides. Obviously the warm temps are nice but being able to smell things again is nice too.

Wrap it all up into one smell--the earth, mud, grass, flowers. Wait, did I say flowers? Sure, I'm man enough to say that right? Okay maybe I should say plants. That's better.

Alright, this post is going south quick! Time to talk about something more manly.

Got it!

My Jedi Bike Training is almost complete. I'm feeling stronger than ever before. Time to throw down!

You ready?

Flash back

Hit this link:
http://web.archive.org/web/20031124230903/http://sickboy.dyndns.org/

New colors to fly...

I've decided to venture away from a focus on racing mountain bikes and go full-time with the road racing thing (or at least my version of full-time).



With this change in focus comes a change in kits... more of an addition really.

Not that it's any real big news (meaning- I'm not a Pro) but I've decided to ride for Silver Cycling/H-WooD Cycles for the upcoming road season. I'm really excited and looking forward to gettin' to know the new squad.

Does this mean I'm leaving BCR, heck no!. When I hit the dirt this year I'll be sportin' the orange of BCR as usual.


Looking forward to a great '07.


First order of business, the Altoona RR and Des Moines Crit.

Captain America Is Dead?

http://www.abqtrib.com/news/2007/mar/08/captain-america-assassinated-now/

Embro Junkie

Well, we finally got a product review from Embro Junkie



This weeks (like there will be one next week) product review,

Elite Ozone Depil Mouse.

After several months of not shaving the old legs they can look like that of a gorilla. Boooo. So with a gift card from perfromancebike.com I decide to give this stuff a try.

To use, simply spray on holding can 10-15 cm away from your legs. Leave it on for a good 6 to 9 minutes. Application time varies depending on hair structure. Then wipe off. Make sure that by 12 minutes you've rinsed it off. Harmful side affects may occur if you don't. So says the can.

As one can see the initial results weren't that great. I'll admit, the error was made by the user not the product. Seems as though you need to apply enough so that the foam covers the hair completely. After waiting 48 hours for the second application, this is so you don't melt away any skin, it worked smashingly!

Over all Id say the stuff works quite well. Might not use it again for the first mowing but definitely maintenance throughout the season.

Must be tough...

Straight from a reader of Velo News

I got a kick out of this:

What's with those Discovery jerseys?

Editor:Is there a reason that "Discovery" is written upside down on the back right side of the team's jersey? You would think they would have caught that one.

Udo ReisingerChapel Hill, North Carolina

Perhaps it's an attempt to get the attention of the mainstream media (MSM), which is said to view everything from the left. - Editor

First win of the season for BCR!

Yup it's in the record books folks. Yours truly scored a 1st place at this years Eelpout Peel Out.

No it wasn't a bike race, we're talkin 5k run. I've got a ribbon to prove it too.

I was up in Walker, MN for the Eelpout Ice Fishing tournament. And no, we didn't catch any fish. Had a couple beers (obviously in no shape to run) and lost a nice amount playing poker. Good times!

I should mention that I won my age group 30-34 that had 4 people in it. But I still won the blue ribbon so ha!

Nice job Levi!

Dogwood Update

New race flyer:

http://www.ozarkcyclingclub.org/4th_annual_dogwood_classic_road_.htm

Training?...

Yup, not much of it going on here lately. Had a nasty chest cold for nearly 2 weeks now so I've had to take it easy. Oh well, I still have plenty of time for what I need to accomplish.

Soon to come:

Product review from Embro Junkie. Should be good.

Train on trainer

Is anyone clean???

Le Monde: Pereiro positive for salbutamol
JANUARY 18 - Spaniard Oscar Pereiro (Caisse d’Epargne), who finished second to Floyd Landis in the 2006 Tour de France, twice tested positive for the banned substance salbutamol during the race, French newspaper Le Monde alleged Thursday on its website. . . .

Or check www.velonews.com

Basso signs deal with Nike

Too lazy to write, follow link:

http://www.eurosport.com/cycling/pro-tour/2006-2007/sport_sto1050451.shtml

2007 Dogwood Classic

Hey everyone 2007 is amongst us now so racing is not too far away. Hope you've all been training. :)

Last year I ventured down to Branson, MO and took part in a road race just up the street in Bradlyville (about a half hour or so south of Springfield, MO). I've told several of you about the race and it seems that it's stirring up some interest. I hope to make it myself but either way I plan on posting the information for the race here on my blog.

Currently it sounds as if the race will take place Sunday March 25th. Last year they held the race on Saturday which was nice for getting back to MN for work on Monday. Might be a little tough this year. They don't have any race info up for this years event but you can take a look at last years info here: http://www.ozarkcyclingclub.org/Flyers/Dogwoodflyer.pdf

This was a great course with a few tough climbs and really no flat spots. 53 miles for cats 4/5 and 106 for 1/2/3's. This race is a great way to get in some warmer weather spring race miles.

I will update this post as more information be comes available.

Good News!

We actually have an American team that we can cheer for this year at Paris Roubaix and Criterium International and a host of other european races.

Check it out:
http://www.velonews.com/pr/prn/articles/11405.0.html

Transformers

Thanks to my buddy Griz:


http://uk.promotions.yahoo.com/transformers/

Uh um, this will not suck.

It's worse than PINK

Is that salmon?

And now here's something we hope you'll really like

I know what tyres I'm gettin in the spring!

I'm Fergalicious

I've been training really hard lately for next year. I can't wait to start racing! Only a couple months now.

I put in about 15 hrs this week. I'm trying to add an hour each week and then I'll taper down after the first race in March.

Wish me luck.

My stance

Ok so everyone hates Disco for signing Basso. I can understand everyone's feelings on that. But don't you all think we need to wait for all the facts before writing him off. Think about this. How many times have you heard about a celebrity having someone say they're the father of their child. Very rarely turns out to be the case. Even if it does that's not the point. Pro cyclists have earned a sort of celebrity status never seen before in our sport. I think this kinda makes them easier targets for scandal. We all know public opinion can have a substantial effect in certain situations. Maybe certain organizations in our sport are as dirty as the riders. Did you ever think about that? I sure as hell don't watch cycling for the organizations, where's your loyalty? So when it come to Mr. Basso, sure I have my suspicions, but they're mine. And until all the facts are in, I say he's innocent. If your just going to write him off like that because you believe the media then you'll probably believe me when I tell you he hates Muslims. Think about it. He first raced for Fassa Bortolo and Italian team. Then CSC a Danish team. Now an American team... The Pope's speech, the Danish cartoon, our war in Iraq. Pretty freakin' ridiculous isn't it. Well, yeah it is. Just wait for the facts. For the record the above little tale was for illustrational purposes so don't post any political or anti-muslin banter on my blog. Just wait for the facts. And NO Basso doesn't hate Muslims. In fact I've never spoken to him so I wouldn't know.

Here it comes... BUUUUUTTTT... If he, just like any other rider, turns out to be a cheat, then I'll forget he ever existed as a professional rider.

Austin Camp 2006

Hey buddy

The All Blacks Haka

I think we should do this before every race:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4415484536180232877&q=the+all+blacks&pr=goog-sl&hl=en

This is for all you haters

http://www.eurosport.com/cycling/pro-tour/2006-2007/sport_sto1010989.shtml

Nys Der.

B-o-o H-o-o

Source: www.velo.news and leave Basso alone!

No cross for me this year I guess. Well it's to be expected. After Cooper was born someone had to watch over my 2 year old. Since I'm the father I guess that would be me. Of course I'm joking and would rather play with my son more than anything, but...

I'd like my cake and eat too.

Oh well. 2K6 is in the bag and I think I did alright. Ended up 5th in my age for Comp on the dirt. Got my Cat 4 up grade on the road. Raced Chequamegon from the way back of the pack for a 301st place finish. Hey, at least I made the 1st page of results. The only thing that I didn't accomplish was racing any of the aforementioned cyclocross. :(

Not that I was ready for it but I did get my Cat 3 upgrade for cross so I could try a couple A2 races. Had better things to do--maybe next year.

Speaking of next year. This tread-head is going to give it a go at a road focused calendar for 2K7 . The goal is a Cat 3 upgrade, everything else is gravy. Oh yeah, maybe get in some cross too.

So goodbye 2006. Now it's time to relax, watch the tube and get fat. Then sometime around the end of March I'll start training.
bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb

Yo Dogg!

Yo yo yo. Guess what dropped dis week?

Ah yeah. The highly anticipated debut release "Playin with Fire".

Bet y'all didn't know I was a huge K-Fed fan huh.

Family Tree

Here’s a question for everyone. Is there an international bicycle racing hall-of-fame? Or, does anyone know how to trace the lineage of the current teams back through their list of title sponsors? For example: team Disco was USPS, and something before that. It would be neat to see some kinda family tree of cycling teams. Thanks!

What do Mapei and Bobby Gordon have in common?

NASCAR

Yup, it's true. There was some bantering going on the mfc forum, I think, about car racing and which was the best Indy, F1, Rally, Nascar etc. Well, the #7 car of Bobby Gordon will be flying the Mapei brand name across the hood (bonnet) at Lowes Speedway this weekend.

I found this humorous do to the fact that most cyclist, I believe we're talkin road cyclists, thought that NASCAR was too much of a redneck sport.

My neck must be a little red then.

Here's another little fun fact. The group that managed the Posties US Postal Service Cycling Team also managed the Nestle car.

Who's the redneck now?

Cat 3!

Yup, I'm a cat 3 now. Hard to believe that I'm a 3 so quickly after becoming a cat 4.

Just wish I could say that I was a cat 3 on the road. Looks like I can choose between A2's or B1's when ever I get around to racing cross this season.

Cross training?

Yeah it's cross season again.

I'll be lucky if I hit a race this year. Which is fine cause I got a good reason. By the time I feel like really training again the cross season will have come and gone.

So here's my question for an audience of 5.

What are some good ideas for cross training in the off season?...

End of the trail

Well that wraps up another season of racing.

Ended up 5th in Comp for my age group for MNSCS

Got my cat 4 upgrade on the road.

Not too bad.

But I want more!

See ya all next year...

Get your party ON!

Could have used these at Cheq:

http://adage.com/article?article_id=111941

From way way back to 303rd

What a blast. Chequamegon was this weekend and I was able to get into the race after 15 years. Lot has changed. Ton more people and more talent.

I learned right away how hard it was going to be. Think I got to the line at about 9:15 only to see that everyone had reserved their spots with bikes. That was not a sight to see. So I took the walk of shame all the way to the back. I think it goes without saying that I was kicking myself. I mean what was I thinking. 1800 racers and I'd show up and hop right in. Really Marc:(

So during the roll out I kinda made my way but not too aggressively. Once we got on 77 I was movin through the crowd. Jumpin on wheels and snaking my way. Then when we got on Rosie's field I was haulin'. And that was pretty much my race. I just kept chasing down group after group.

It wasn't until mile 30 when I started to slow a bit. I think I could hear my legs asking me why we were still going.









At some point around there was when I saw Da Kruse chasing frogs in the ditch.

He said he flatted but I saw the jar in his hand. He looked really happy though.

Finally I approached the finish area and gave it every last drop. I think it took me some where around 5 minutes or so before I snapped out of my daze. I was dead tired.





Now for his five seconds of fame on a blog that no one reads...
Chatted with Eric Dahl at the finish. It's always cool when the fast guys talk to you. He finished in the top 30 but I know he could have beat JHK. Maybe next year.










Here are some pic's that I grabbed from www.skinnyski.com:

No More Sandbagging

I'm a Cat 4 now:)

Try # 2

Just submitted my second attempt at upgrading to cat 4. :)

The verdict

Yeah it may only have 105 and no name brakes but this budget racer's got it where it counts. Took it out on it's maiden voyage on the GP ride this morning. Freakin' awesome. Cuts through the wind, has the right gearing, light, and the geometry makes all the difference. Good example would be one of the hill sprints, that I won, I kept poppin' wheelies since the rear wheel is tucked in right behind the bottom bracket.

Only con, I can't be one of the cool guys sporting DA. I can live with that.

New wheels for real!

Yup. It's true. I finally have a road rig!

Too bad it's at the end of the season and there's no more races.

GOOD NEWS: No more sick blogger

Note to blog master at: http://sickboy.dyndns.org/blog/

Stop being a wuss and fix your blog.

Or at least post your racer blog links so I have something to read at work.

Cross or mtb?

Which should I ride for my return to Chequamegon this year?

My cross bike or my mountain bike?

A piece of humble pie

It all started some 3 or 4 years ago at the Powder Monkey when I got my first taste of DNF. The course was much the same as it was thie past weekend with the little exception of a slight drizzle. It was just enough to make all the roots and rocks super slippery. I had raced here a few times over what's now 16 years of racing. But that day 3 or 4 years ago was to be my toughest race. Guess I couldn't hack it with all the real mountain biking conditions; rocks, roots tight twisty single track, and long climbs.

So the only monkey this weekend was the one on my back. To date this has been my best season but I knew that all the races leading up to this point were, for the most part, easy. And knowing that this was the race that started a series of DNF's for me, I'll admit it, I was concerned at the start. I thought I felt pretty good. Enough to think that I could actually do well, maybe top 5 overall. Au contraire.

From the gun up the first climb I was gasping for air. Not good. Lost contact with the main group before reaching the summit. This was bad 'cause I knew that the single track would string things out quickly. Halfway through the 1st of two laps I knew I was in trouble. Then Cory Gross came up on me and I told him that I wasn't going to let him get away. Well, I let him get away alright. I felt like that basketball movie were the pro's got their skills taken away from them. It was like racing as a beginner. No offense to beginner riders. I just felt like I was racing two levels below normal. Shortly after that the Grizz came up and blew right past. He's like the Randy Moss of single track. He was up until he picked the wrong line and went ass over tea kettle. I came down a rocky decent and he's just getting to his feet and putting his shades back on his face. This was really too bad 'cause he was smokin'. So we rode together for the rest of the race .

8/30/06
So I started this entry weeks ago and am now getting back to finish it. When I started this entry I was kinda thinkin' that my mtb season was over... Well I've decided to try and hit the St. Cloud race after Chequamegon. I figure that course might better suit me and that I might be able to make up some lost points, not to mention get the Monkey off my back, again! Besides, after the St. Cloud mtb race I'll be bidding farewell to mtb for a year and focusing in on road racing.

Oh yes, the transformation has begun!

Wiken Wimps @ Welch

Well what can I say. No WWW this year. I knew I wasn't ready with the lack of training but I thought I'd do better then 7th. Oh but I'll take it. It was nice to make it back to Welch after 3 years of missing it for various reasons. And the rain/downpour was something I haven't experienced for at leat 10 years. I'm just glad I had the Wall behind me before it really came down. Poor Grizz. He got the pleasure of dragging his mud caked bike for the last lap. Sorry man. Once that rain came down it completely changed that race. I was pretty pleased with how well I rode under those conditions. I was able to push myself without loosing control thus putting more distance on those behind me. Speaking of behind, Dan started kinda late do to his lack of shoes that he realized after picking up his bib#. He went all the way to bloomington and back starting some 20 minutes in arrears to the group. Nice job anyway Dan!

Next up Powder Monkey...

H WooD Dakota Tech Race

Source: www.rally-live.com
Had an awesome time tonight. That's a fun course-- my first time. Maybe I didn't race the smartest race, but I wasn't there to doing anything big. Just check the legs for this weekends mtb race at Welch. Looking back I'm kinda kicking myself. It would have been fun to see what I could have done if I would have stayed in the pack or gone off the front. Either way I was happy with my perfomance. So happy that I think I'll trade-in the knobbies next year and just focus on racing road. Since the Grizz didn't show I don't have any pics, but here's one that shows how I felt.

White Knuckles Baby

Source: www.velonews.com

Say it ain't so Floyd!

Floyd might just be a fake!

Check out www.velonews.com and www.eurosport.com.

Looks like Floyd was named as the rider in question for the positive "A" sample.I'd really like to think that this is all a misunderstanding, but we know how these things turn out. So I gotta ask, WHY THE TEMPTATION seriously!

By now they should know that they're going to get caught. I'm not so sure that our sport should get a rep for being the dirtiest sport, it should get a rep for the stupidest.

I'm glad I'm an ameteur racer.

I think Miami Vice II will have Tubbs and Crocket rollin' on 700's. They could get more collars chasing the peleton than busting down crack houses.

Don't Hassel the Hoff!

I know I shouldn't kick a man when he's down but look at the similarities here. In this picture of Jan enjoying un bier, you got to admit, he looks like David Hasselhoff.

Don't believe me. Check out the Hoff's latest video:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3382491587979249836&q=david+hasselhoff

FLOYD, FLOYD, FLOYD !

*If you're waiting to watch tonight DON'T READ THIS! *

(source: Eurosport.com)

Slap me six ways 'til Sunday! I can't believe how our boy Floyd straight-up destroyed an 11 man break to win stage 17 and pull within 30 sec.'s of Pereiro!

Do not miss the TT on Saturday.

Muddy River

Well... Tough day in the saddle for this guy. From the gun I was in 5th position and feeling relatively good. Just into the 3rd of 4 laps I hit a little jump and caught what would be too much air. For the record I wasn't trying for mad air. Experience has taught me a XC race is not the place. Anyway, I get a some, and while airborne I get off line heading straight for a 12 inch diameter tree. I had just enough time, once I hit the ground, to realize there was nothing I could do. We're talking fractions of a nano second. So I nail the tree with my thigh, arm, shoulder, and I think my head, hearing all kinds of things snapping and metal klinking. Is that a word? The funny thing was I didn't even hit the ground. The damn thing stopped me dead in my tracks. I probably went from say 14-16 miles per hour to zero in the fore mentioned nano second. Of course my chain popped off but when I tried to flick it back on my arm wouldn't respond. I thought for a second that I broke my collar bone. After a couple more seconds I was able to get it moving and flick the chain on. Boy was it slow going after that. Wasn't sure if I was going to finish but I knew from my "Spring Cup" experience that you have to give yourself a chance to ride back into the race. And I did just that. I lost quite a few positions and some great momentum, but was able to pull off 11th overall and 6th in age. I rode a little when I get home to loosen up my thigh and it felt pretty good. I'm happy that I have a month now to recuperate.

Next up Welch...

Bluff Riders Charge

Mankato was sweet today. Felt really good. Got 6th overall and 4th in age. Just missed the podium. >:( Oh well. Muddy river is coming up quick, hope I can keep the form.