Monday, October 26, 2009

Smithville Cross

Well, another grand time was had at the Smithville CX event. Chris had a smashing course with some absolutely horrid run ups that we ridden by many a bad goat once things sorted themselve out after the first lap.


Patterson proves his sneakyness by surging to the front of the group even after his highly contested "call down" by the Officials. We were also informed that we were not allowed to take our hands off the bars as we crossed the finish line.......I can understand banning dancing in the endzone, but come on?

The 3 billy goats Gruff

Patterson releases all the pent up hate in his heart

I had just eaten it at the lakeside run up so I took the conservative line.

Barriers on a downhill section.....

Aaron busted up on his first 3/4 race and made a great showing.

Laying it down

Patterson cuts a new line.

Aaron rolling the fine line

My domestique clears the way for our triumphant mid pack finish.
Afterwards we made time for some singletrack MTB'ing with the lovely NannyGoats, and then To Free State in Larryville for some Cheddar Ale Soup. It was a glorious day.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

The Ride 2 Paradise

Holy nuts! we left for the hill country of north central KS on Saturday after getting a text from Waller that went like this:
JW: hey you guys left yet?
Me: You blickety-blank, no account, so and so..........
JW: I will take that as a no, go sit on your thumb, I will grace you with my presence in an hour.

What I did not tell Waller was that 3 people and one dog were gonna drive 3 hours in the cab of my truck, which seats 2 uncomfortably.

He was not amused.

We met Tanner and Mina in Hays and went out for dinner at The Liquid Bread Company in Hays, America. The vittles were spectacular!

The next morning we went out loaded for bear, as the temps were not forecast to get out of the mid 30's all day.

After Tanner knocked off a liquor store he finally showed up.

He was rocking the pimpest shoe covers I have ever laid eyes on

Big Al was all smiles as we caffeinated prior to rolling out, Tanners outlook was not so positive.

He warmed up quickly once he was astride The (pseudo)recumbent gravel road machine from RANS (note that wheelsucking ner' do well loafing in the side mirror)

Never Doubt the gnar hucking potential of a pseudo-recumbent (especially when it has Juicy Carbon disc brakes and comes with a Sid fork)

Taking a break at a sag stop


Someone pointed out that it could effect my ability to operate a car or machinery......pppssshhhh. Al was like, "shut up and get on the bike!"

Al finally cracks the whip and we finally get the freight train of pain underway. High temp for the day was sweltering 36 degrees. It was a brutal ride with lots of climbs, that eventually saw us resorting to the granny gear on the tandem.

Making love to the camera with seductive looks during my Velonews interview at the lunch stop regarding our current domination of the "midwest endurance gravel road tandem racing scene". Mina quietly gagged behind the lens.

Things quickly turned ugly when someone pointed out there was no such "scene".

This is a common look I get from J. Dub regarding how I deal with fame. Disbelief, contempt, pity......whatever..... jealousy it a bitter pill.

Once again We have gotten caught "ridin dirty" at another great grass roots event in north-central KS. Many thanks to The Renard family, the gracious volunteers, and all the other folks that braved the weather to make this a great event and helped raise money for the NKDSVS
Also many thanks to Mina for taking picture, being the Hostess with the Mostess, and for keeping Tanner from dragging his knuckles.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Cyclocross is go!

Cyclocross season is well underway. Last week was filled with early season preparations. Tuesday I went to Manhattan to teach a cross clinic with Stamper. The turnout was good; there were about as many girls are guys!

Wednesday I rode north of Lawrence to meet with a local landowner who started cycling as a way to get in shape. He's in the process of turning a pasture into a 'cross course and wanted some input.
When I arrived up he already had barriers constructed and the course flagged. The course he designed rode really well — didn't need much help from me. The course is open to the public Wednesday afternoons for impromptu show and go racing. Contact me for details...

This weekend marked my second race of the season and Stamper and Waller's first. Waller joined me at Boss Cross #2 for 45 minutes of pain and suffering. Jeremy Haynes, Joe Fox and the Cycle City Crew always put together a challenging course and a great event.

Waller climbing
Me on a descent


Monday, October 5, 2009