Are here.

I'll take what they give me.

Did I call it or what?

As we all know, Todd Wells won the 2005 national championships just seconds ahead of Ryan Trebon and clear of a bunch of favorites. I'm glad Todd was not rocking the cradle across the line. Good for him! He was clearly way stronger than the rest of the riders in the last few races I started with him. Bummer for Trebon. Bridesmaid part deux. He was so, so damn close to Todd. He will have plenty of time to redeem his honor beating up on people in Europe.

Here was my race view:

130 starters? The standard call up with me shoved near the last row per usual. There was a HUGE pile up right after the start. It was pretty bad. I actually stopped and picked Carl Decker up off the ground before sprinting off, wheels were rolling around, a couple people were not getting up. It probably cut the field in two. I made it out ok and benefitted from the mix up. I rode the first 2 laps really strong, passing riders and kinda flinging myself out of control to move up. Then, I fell apart. I must have crashed 4 times in a row. My ribs really started hurting after all the crashes and it got hard to pick the bike up. Lots of barriers on the course. I think there were 5 sections that forced you to dismount and run. The course was changing every lap, lines you had early were now rutted or icey, just different every lap. I realised that I probably did get the cold that everyone else around me had last week. I just had no power and I started making mistakes left and right.

So, I backed off and caught my breath for a few pedal strokes. Then started getting some steam up again and with 2 laps to go the officials waved me down to pull me. I was not really sure what they were doing, the lead riders were still minutes behind. I guess they were pulling riders early to keep the course clear. I rode over to the pits and it was over.

Shannen was in the top 15 as far as I know. I think I was hovering around the 30's. That is about what I was expecting even with a solid race! It was a bit anticlimactic. Truly an epic race. A national caliber course. I was not up to the task today.

It is cool though! I'm done! And really, really glad to be done racing for a while. I am going to skip the race tommorow, the "Liberty Cup" unless I feel better in the morning. Got the sore throat and I am bruised and cut up from all the crashing.

I learned some good lessons this season. I'll keep you updated if I do end up racing tomorrow.

Ouch! Damn it! I just fell on the slippery floor in my socks and really hurt my ribs and wrist. Well, the way thing have gone today, I should have expected something really stupid like that to happen...

My ladyfriend took me to PDX this morning and I hopped on the flight to Newark, NJ bound for Providence. The second I get in I find out the flight to Providence from Newark has been cancelled due to weather and the next flight is really late that evening. It is, of course, booked and, I am put on standby. The flight to Newark went ok though we got stuck in the plane for 30 minutes waiting to deboard. Sacha called while I was sitting there and asked if I heard that Shannen won the masters 30 race! So rad. He finally got to stick it to his arch nemesis Richard Feldman.

Well, I had to rent a car and drive from Newark 4 hours up to Providence. It sucked. I'm tired and really, really broke. That USAcycling discount we are supposed to get with Hertz? Was actually going to be MORE than just renting with out it.
Hott Dan Action took me out to dinner and we had to drive the rental to the RI airport and then back into town. I am hanging out at Emily's house again, they are off at a Tiny Hawks show.

The weather here is ice and snow. Damn cold too.

Ouch. Ok my ribs really hurt. I'm going to go to bed. Don't be mad if I don't start the race tomorrow.

Just kidding.

Kinda. The Veloshop duties have taken much more priority this week. Been running around like mad, getting last years taxes together and stuff. It has been bitter and windy and cold here. I've been reading young adult fantasy novels and staying indoors. Not done one single training ride. I'm leaving Friday mid-day. Kinda cannot believe I am flying back so soon. Can't wait to NOT be travelling. Planning on a week or so off over the holidays and then right into base mileage and gym work!

Anyone want to go up to Vancouver, BC for some winter track racing? January?

Gotta run and pay the bills.

My picks for nationals? Todd Wells is the dark horse. You will see Trebon and Page on the podium. Let's hope for snow and ice and we may get to witness Tonkin on the top step.

Had a great race weekend in Rhode Island!

I flew out on a "redeye" flight Friday night after eating dinner with Cary Miller. The flight was OK till the 3 hour layouver in Newark, NJ and then the 33 minute small jet ride over to Providence. I got plane sick. I've never thought I was going to barf on a flight before. I even had the little barf bag out...

Dan Action picked me up at the airport at 9:30am and we just drove straight to the race. Both of my bikes were cleaned and prepped it was so great! I got there and just had to register and start warming up! I could not really shake the barfy feeling all morning.

The W.E. Steidman cross course was fast and dry. I had a mediocre start, tossed some elbows and was attacking a strong little group of riders in the top 20/teens. I dabbed on this run up that I was riding and never latched back on with the Richard Sachs and US Armed Forces rider I was with.

18th place! Felt great to get a top twenty and I was totally motivated for the next race!

I passed out on Emily's couch after watching Project Grizzly and eating cookies. Woke up to snow! Inches of it! And it just kept coming! We drove Emily's car out to the venue and I pre-rode the course a bunch and tried to keep warm.


Shannen got 8th and Tonkin 3rd! F'ing brilliant! Afterwards, Dan and I went to his bike shop and setup my bikes with new cranks and dialed them in for nationals next week. Thing is, they DuraAce cranks were not quite going to work so they are both sitting in pieces at Providence bicycle...

Ok, I'm gonna run, we are watching Escape from New York. I'll be at the shop working tomorrow, see you then.