Fish Cup.

Sunday was the Final Catfish Cup. So far all three of these have been fun events. Good people and a laid back attitude are both good things for an event this time of the year. I however haven’t done the best at them. The first one went well. There was some snow so I said to myself, “Self. Yes? What would Jaglo do?” The answer that came back was lower my pressure until I thought it was too low, then let out another few pounds. That worked well and I got second. The next week ice was the theme. Not really knowing what to do without my studly friends I went with the ehh…lets leave the air out philosophy. There was a wave of people that flooded by me. Maybe not the best strategy, maybe I’m just bad on ice, probably both. The third came and we were on the lake, through sand, and up a steep hill. Ben couldn’t have written out a better course for my lack of finesse. By the time I made it through the short icy section of single-track Jeff was already about to yell ramp and ride over me. Then the lake came and I was able to pull a gap back. I think the drool that was shooting out of my mouth propelled me ahead like a jet boat. I’ll have to try that one again in the future. Anyway that’s two race wins in a row. I’m ready to retire.

Monday Reece had off school and Owen was busy so Reece and I did a bit of a hike up to my favorite bike shop. We met up with Grant half way. Really fun stuff until Reece started flatting every couple of minutes. I had to leave him for sasquatch so I could get home through the wind to the old lady. Word is he was able to fend off the hairy beast and make it home.

The usual junk. At least it's illustrated!

It’s taken a few days to sink in, but I think I’m ready to talk about the  major happening in my life. You may have already heard as it is pretty big news. Yes yes…I am the new indoor grass criterium world champion. Wow, it feels weird just to say it. I know the big money and fame will be rolling in, but I promise that I’ll try to keep my head on straight.


In other news I suck at racing my Mukluk on the ice. The silver lining is that I learned sooner than I normally would have that I’m good at eating fire roasted hotdogs. This day of learning was provided by Rich’s Elk River race series. It is always a good time, even when you aren’t having a good time. I don’t know how that works, but it does, so go.

Last week was a tough one for commuting. I think I’m starting to be ready for summer. Recovery week was the theme that ran through my tiny melon every morning that I saw single digits. Thankfully this week we are seeing a bit more warmth so I can pretend to be hard core again.

Tim, Grant and I did find time to rework an old form of biking to suit the weather during my bike drought. Touring. It rocks in the winter. We may have used different rules than the touring that you'd think of, but this is what the touring gods had in mind. Here are some pictures.

Win or loose, bikes are fun. Go ride them.

Probably spending too much time in the dark.

Last week I ran into a catalyst that precipitated a lot of thoughts that had been swirling around in my little mind. The catalyst was a driver who was stopped on the side of the gravel road waiting for me. As I approached I wondered what I had in store. Having just watched some Dexter with Amy I knew that only good could come out of this meeting. I rolled up and stopped. My friend Paul says that you always have to stop. They may need spare tubes, a granola bar, some gels, the usual things that a stranded motorist would be craving. It was a woman that was waiting for me to see where it is that I’m riding off to every morning. I told her that I work in Burnsville and that is where I am going. The woman congratulated me on my accomplishment and drove off. It was a pretty benign meeting where I was given acclaim for something that to me seemed really unimportant. Then things started to roll around in my head. I noticed that most of the cars that passed me now gave me room on the road. Less people were honking and yelling encouraging things with fun hand signals. Maybe the dumb thing that I do does make a little bit of a difference. Visions of other weirdos riding around on bikes started making me really happy. All this rattling shot out one conclusion that I couldn’t ignore. If we use the roads they will open up to us. Then some guy in a crappy truck honked at me and gave me the finger. I guess there are still some strides to be taken.