Now That Was Pfun!

Last night was the kickoff for the Short Track Training Series hosted by our local food and hospitality guru, Ralph Pfremmer, and his VeloForce teammates. They had laid out a very nice combination of technical sections and uber-fast dirt flats. The result was one narrow, but ultra quick loop that took riders roughly 5 minutes to complete and a honking large BBQ and beer party following the races.

Registering for the race, I had all the plans to jump into the B race but since Ralph has been bugging me to go head to head with him in a race, I elected for the A race at the last minute. I actually paid and registered for both races with the idea that if I got shelled in the A race, I could drop out and then race the B race. As it turns out, no shelling occured. My goal was simply don't get lapped by the pro-level racers. (I held off Chris Ploch until the final creek crossing and then he got me.)

Several of us didn't really contest the start and let the really fast dudes take full advantage of the open field to narrow singletrack flow of the race. As a result, we found ourselves near the back of the pack very early in the race. However, we quickly formed our freight train and begin to hammer through quite nicely. I passed several riders over the next few laps and then settled into a good rhythm with teammate, Kent Jones, and DRJ rider, Mark Bauer (Lil' Buddy.) Those two were running 29er s/s with 44/20 and 44/21 gearing respectively. I was running the big ring on most of the course and then the middle ring for the creek crossing section. We yo-yo'd back and forth until Kent took a corner too hot and then it became a race with me and Mark.

At the end, Mark's teammate, Chris Ploch, popped out of the creek behind us and immediately passed us and Mark jumped onto his wheel and got a pretty good gap on me at the same time. I fought really hard to get back onto Mark's wheel and by the time we entered the grass field for the last time, I had bridged up to Mark (and felt like he didn't know it.) I thought this was my only chance, but it would require me to outsprint him in the field. As we cleared into the field, his cadence went into hyperdrive on that s/s just as my right leg cramped (again) blowing me up in the process. My gears offered no advantage and the race was done.

I was spent, but smiling like it was Christmas morning and I was 5 again. What a cool race format. Reminded me of cyclocross and mountain biking. No elitist attitudes, nothing but slaps on the back and smiles galore. (Okay, maybe my teammate Mark Hasler wasn't smiling when he double flatted leading the B race, but that's a different story.) I'm going to miss the next two weeks while the family and I are in Germany and Austria, but you'll know where to find me on Thursday evenings.

Thanks again to Mark & Cody and the gang at Ballwin Cycles. They got the Gunnar Rockhound dialed in and it rocked last night. That bike floated underneath me and was ripping fast.

Time to Get Dirty

If you're like me, watching that video gets your blood pumping for some racing in the dirt. Tonight is the first installment of Pfoodman's Velo Force dirt crits and I'm bringing back the Gunnar h/t. Mark and Cody at Ballwin Cycles helped yesterday with the finishing touches and she's smoking hot! Crossmax 29'er wheels, white cables, and carbon galore. I've never raced a dirt crit, but I settle that score tonight. No plans, no goals, just riding to have fun!

On another dirt related note, I opted for a Kona Explosif s/s frame. Thanks to one Matt Grothoff (Casey Ryback for the insiders) I was given a deal I couldn't refuse. I figured the sooner I took the deal, the sooner I'd be on the trail learning to snap some wrists with Team Seagal! Hopefully, this is the path to enlightment. If not, it's certainly the path to a "superior attitude and a superior state of mind."

Finally, on the subject of snapped wrists. "Heal well" wishes go out to Mike Gibson for his broken wrists (yes, as in both) and for a damaged hip. Mike suffered 3 breaks in one wrist and 8 breaks in the other. Tough stuff for sure, but if you know Gibson, I'm sure he'll be training while he's recovering. Mike come on out to the dirt crits, I'm sure you can yell from the sidelines and have a beverage or two to kill the pain.

Possible New Pony

Vassago Jabberwocky

Been having problems with the bolts on the Niner One9's BB and am looking for a possible s/s replacement. I discovered this frame by talking with a buddy from my company. He has one and says several of his buddies are riding them and loving the heck out of them. Price is good and seems worthy of checking out. I think I'll get one on order and have it built up when I return from Europe in mid-may.

If You Can't Laugh at Yourself....

Happy Father's Day

I lost my own father back in 1991. He died at an early age (50) and lived a tough life. Unfortunately, he made his life much tougher with an addiction to prescription painkillers. I recall the day he died like it was yesterday. The phone rang at 5:00 in the morning and the first words out of my mouth were, "when did it happen?" No "hello," no "who is this?"

By the above description, my father wouldn't seem to be the role model for fatherhood or parenting. However, he was in many ways. He and my mother divorced when I was in the 6th grade. I remember crying at my parents' announcement to us and wondering where I was going to live. My father made it very clear we were to live with him and there was nothing to worry about. When I was sick (and as a child I suffered badly from asthma) my father was the person sitting on the edge of my bed rubbing my chest until I fell asleep.

He was also one of the funniest guys I knew. I loved to make people laugh and could make any tense situation loose, almost hilarious, with something as simple as a facial expression. He was a darn good baseball and softball player, too. I followed in his footsteps to become a catcher and have him to thank for my bad knees and back, but wouldn't have it any other way. To a fault, he would give someone the shirt off his back if it meant helping them out.

All in all, he was a great guy and I miss him a lot.

Happy Father's Day, Pop.

Let's Roll

I'm back to riding and having fun. Two nights in the saddle this week and the next few days will include some spinning goodness. Tuesday night I rolled through the 'wood with Mikey Teiber and found time to hammer a few miles and laugh many more. Even found some time to 'yard sale' while jumping a log on the rollercoaster. While I didn't think much of it at the time, the wreck cost me the upper swingarm bolt on my Intense Spider 29 and real pain deep in my shoulder. While nothing seems to be broken, the simple task of lifting my arm causes significant pain. I'm holding off going to the doctor, but will proceed cautiously.

The pain wasn't too bad to pull the road bike out for 90 minutes of spinning in the flats last night. I rode 3 Kaspar loops and then went out with a buddy from work who's just getting into road biking. It's nice to see another person joining our ranks and asking more questions than a 3-year-old.

I've also talked with Gibbs and we seem to have a good training plan for the second half of the season. I look forward to getting more miles in the legs and smiling a lot more while doing it. For the rest of the year, I'll be focusing more on the mtb and then the 'cross season in the fall. Til then, let's roll.

All Decked Out

I haven't touched a bike in over a week now. I may ride tomorrow, I may not. I've spent the better part of this week finishing the new deck at my house. It's complete and I'll feature some photos as soon as I find my camera. I spent Friday and Saturday putting in 9+ hours each day and another 4+ hours today getting it completed. I did it all by my lonesome and it's ready to be broken in as soon as we solve one major problem...furniture.

We looked around today for patio furniture but couldn't decide whether or not we wanted an outdoor living room set or a traditional 6 chairs and rectangular table. I'm sort of leaning towards the sofa and chairs with ottomans for the deck. I like the idea of hanging out on the deck in the mornings drinking coffee. Also, we don't eat outside a lot, so this just may make more sense.

As a result of my efforts on the deck in the scorching heat yesterday, I opted to skip the KC Cup MTB race. I really would have loved to go with Pfoodman but it was just too much to ask my tired body. Besides, I have the finishing touches to get done today. There's plenty of summer left and I'll get back on the bike soon enough. That is if I don't find some outdoor furniture that's too comfortable.

What Time is It?

Time to get this on the trails here.

In Case You're Wondering

I'm in the middle of a week off the bike. Maybe it will last longer, maybe it won't. I'm in a good frame of mind for the rest of the year and by no means am I quitting or going back to being a casual rider. Thanks for all the positive comments I've received from friends and teammates. I greatly appreciate the support. However, I am going to make some changes in my approach to racing (what and when) and my life in general. Spend more time living and less time focused on results. I was getting too consumed with the outcomes and less concerned with the journey. (Johan, you were right. I should have listened, but I thought I was immune.)

In the meantime, I'll be perfectly content building the deck at home, dropping another 5+ pounds, and ignoring my bikes like broccoli at dinner. It's been a very good year and I'm going to make it even better.

Suddenly Your Heart is Pounding, Wishing Secretly You Were a Star

The race went as planned. I was on my first peak of the year and I DNF'd. Excuse? I'm fighting an injury right now and while I hoped it wouldn't bother me in the race, it did. I made it through 1 1/4 laps of the race, but in the end I was fooling myself. Hated the idea of quitting, but everything happens for a reason.

I'm taking a break from the bike. Not because I'm discourage, upset, or changing my approach on my training. I'm going to spend a little more time with my family, get some things done around the house, do some work travel, and get my body recovered and healed up. Don't think I'm coming to terms with a defeatist mentality, here. Rather, I'm understanding where and how God is leading me to bring glory to Him. The bible verse on my bike held true this weekend. Psalm 7:1, "O Lord my God, in you I have taken refuge; Save me from all those who pursue me, and deliver me." God did save me and delivered me from all who pursue me. In the end of my race, no one was pursuing me and I was at peace with His will.

My teammates were a great group today. First of all, we met and traveled together in Todd's RV to the race. I can't tell you how enjoyable it was to ride together and have good fun and fellowship before and after the race. Everybody rode the race in a strong fashion and most importantly had fun doing it. They are an amazing group of men and I am humbled by their physical and spiritual gifts.

On a final note, the race was a great race. Very well organized and the route, while challenging, was a good route. I certainly think it has the potential to be one of the better races in the metro St. Louis area. Thanks to the good folks at Metro East Cycling for putting the race together and giving of their time.