Buck again.

Mountain bike update! Owen and his friend Jon rode each other into the ground to get third and fourth. B. Moore and Jesse both beat them as expected. Looking at the times Owen was actually pretty close to catching Jesse. That would have been pretty crazy! It sounded like Freewheel Kevin tried to hang with them, but couldn't handle the brutal pace that their single cogs were rocking. I played in the sand for a second at the start and that was all it took to push me back to the middle of the pack. I ram jammed my way through a bunch of people and ended up sixth. It was a distant sixth with the group ahead going as fast as they were. Tim started fast. Then he started making throw up sorts of noises when I came around him. In team form he was prepping his stomach for the load of beer he was going to have to drink. Cole did the competitive two lapper for the first time. He was doing great until he got in a gnarly crash and took his bar end to his leg. It looked like he was frustrated and excited to get back out there next week. It shouldn't be very long before he's crushing people's dreams.

My mind is broken as usual.

Funny thing. I ended up running into the younger me tonight at about nine. He told me that I need to HTFU. He said that I knew the thunderheads to the south were going to stay clear of us. He told me that my legs have been this tired before and I've still moved forward. He told me that I shouldn't have bothered the love of my life who would rather be sleeping. I'm sorry I disappointed you me. I won't do that again. Thank you Amy.

9 something in lydia.

It's six o'clock. I've been up since a little before five eating breakfast and doing dog business. Last night I raced Opus crits and this morning I'm a little worn down. I'm getting ready for a long day. I have to ride in to work. After work ride to Eagan for a hard group ride. Then ride home, maybe in a thunderstorm. I just wonder what I would have thought about my current life when I was younger.

Flying on wings of wax.

Wednesday Night Worlds started tonight and went off in exciting fashion. Paul went down when the Sasquatch dropped some sand on a corner. Tim managed to dominate the final sprint that we won't count. On the first couple of rides we say we don't do sprints or KOMs, but I didn't see anyone not going for that last one. Way to go Timmy! If only I could get you to race on the road. All in all it was a fun night of riding followed by some beer and cookies. The meal of the gods.

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.