Showed up at the race venue on time.

Made my donation to the Titletown Flyers and the Reforstration Camp.

Road the course set up for racing.

Felt good.

Beat some that had been beating me.

Didn't place as high as I thought.

Was bottle biotch for the Curtes bros and Maciej.

Went home.

It's Friday. Been a poor weather and ride week. Beech was canx due to rain. Bro-in-law ride was canx due to late schedules. Worked until 6 last night - no ride.

But, tonight, the plan is to ride 16.70 miles broken down into two 8.35 mile legs. How's that for a goal? Heading to doubleBs to sample the first-ever batch of Blaster Octoberfest. We need to make sure that it will be worthy to serve at the Beechwood Blaster before he makes a large batch.

Happy Friday all y'all.

Doing a lot of data entry and deciphering today. Zune is on shuffle. Last five artists: Squirrel Nut Zippers, Rob Zombie, Blink 182, Anthrax, Clifton Chenier. What the heck will be next? Wait for it, wait for it... London Symphony Orchestra playing Russian and Ludmilla.

Waiting for lunch, but moreso waiting for a hopefully early release to head to the Beech and maybe do some cow chasing.

Happy Tuesday all y'all.

It's Monday.

My turkey sandwich wasn't satifying.

My blueberry yogurt was spoiled.

I'm eating a banana.

Hope I can keep from raiding the fridge when I get home.

It's Friday.

Cows and Lights

Tried to get out of work at three o'clock... four-thirty was the real time, but, I was out and headed north to the private course. Last night's Beech went much better than last week's. Brought the gears again. Been really enjoying the cush and being able to climb everything out there - well, except for the "CX Run" part of False Summit. I choose to dismount and run the hill. Yeah, Joe may be trying to talk me into attempting some cross racing this season, but this big ol' body may be telling me otherwise.

Finished lap one w/ only a small amount - compared to Sam anyway - of cow dung in my treads. Seems some of the neighbor's cows got loose yesterday. The lap was strange for me. Started out pretty normal and once I was warm I felt good... quite good actually. More like I normally would on lap two. There were parts of the course where I felt like I was not in contact with the ground. More of a floating feeling. I'm not sure if this is good or bad. Felt in control, but always preferred to be on the ground with bikes, motos, snowmobiles, atvs, whatever. Didn't get to be unnerving, it just felt very different.

Quick mount of the light as an "in case" measure and I headed out for number two. Felt good again. Didn't really need the light until the Penalty Box section. Must have made a difference as I didn't tag either tree that I did earlier in that short ST piece. Finished in the dark. First night lap out there for me. Very different course without daylight. Glad that I've done one-hundred eighty miles out there this year. Got out of the wet kit, pounded some water and took a seat by the fire. Very pleasant evening.

Out after work with the bro-in-law for some pave.

Word is that Thursday night CX nights will be starting. Have not yet broken the news to Julie that I'd like to ride Tuesday, Wednesday and now Thursday evenings. Wonder how she will take it.

Happy Wednesday all y'all.

One for CB's D-bag Report

White tank-topped, teased blonde hair complete with bangs lady driving a Ford Exploder, elbows on the bottom of the steering wheel, right hand with cell phone up to ear, left hand with cig to mouth taking one last puff before flinging the butt out the open window toward the car in the next lane while trying to maintain a straight line on the expressway.

Ladies Night

Thursday night typically means it's Julie's turn to go out with friends. I get Beechwood Tuesdays and Bro-in-law Wednesdays, so I have no beef whatsoever with this set up. But, thanks to glorious weather, this Ladies Night means a ride for Sam and me. Well, Sam will ride, I'll pedal.

Happy Thursday all y'all.

Last night's ride didn't go so well. A huge thanks to all of those who helped me out. Nearly all symptoms are now gone. I'll be addressing the issue soon so I can figure out what the heck is going on with me.

-Big Steve

It's no longer Monday. Sweet! Tuesdays during riding season always mean something good. Goal today is to better keep the rubber side down.

Happy Tuesday, all y'all.

Wet

Woke up this morning a little bit later than a normal. Julie got ready for her every other Saturday trek to the office for a 1/2 day. Sam and I were going to do a charity ride for cancer sponsored by the local hospital. We didn't pre-reg and the plan was to show and make a double donation for the cause. Unfortunately, the weather is being less than cooperative. The picture here was taken before 9a this morning, and, yes, that is a street light glowing. Didn't get a pic of the harder rain. But, we've certainly had some downpours where it's been difficult to see the neighbors' houses. The lawn needs this as do the water tables.

Happy Saturday, all y'all.

CB chillaxin' during his extended weekend after the 24/9 win.

Julie and Sam along for the ride.

Ouch

Beechwood got me tonight. Yup, it hurt. Monster bruise on the knee should arrive by tomorrow morning.

24/9

I went to the 24 Hours of Nine Mile this year, but as support instead of racing it. Was a completely different experience and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Got about 3 hours of sleep in a 40 hour period. The drive to Door County for a few days of chillaxin' after the race seemed to take forever. At least CB was able to get 1 song on the playlist before he crashed hard in the passenger seat of the toy. I'll throw up some pics from the weekend soon. As far as race write-ups, CB said it best here.

Mt. Trashmore aka Crystal Ridge

I had no front brake for ~1/2 the race in tight twisty singletrack, big ring singletrack and a rough ski hill downward double traverse. Lots of skidding. Slower pace than normal. Skidding changed my lines in the ST resulting in numerous and various sized branches to the arms, shoulders and head. Was seeing stars for a bit and couldn't always remember where in the course I was. I finished, not quite DFL. But, it was Sam's 1st race venue ever. He did great. He truly just loves being outside where the action is.