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.

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.

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

The Dirty Apple Alley Cat is back!

Click here for the Facebook event page. You have been warned.

Big Al got to pick the music. Hit play and continue reading.

Cruise the Blues

Had a great event again this year with lots of exciting racing action on the Palen farm. Hands down the fastet CtB course I have ever ridden.
Alison "Big Al" Stamper was back in the hunt this year after missing out on the W in the womens Glory solo last year by about 4 minutes. Well, she had some stout competition from the Likes of Sara Kay Carrell (SCK), Manhattan strong woman Paulette Arnold and and last years winner, Kathy Reidy. Big Al raced a smart tactical race, pacing herself in the first blistering lap, then bridged the 2 minute gap up to SCK in the 2nd. The two proceeded to distance themselves from the rest of the group. In the 4th lap her Al-ness tried twisting the throttle of her 32-18 gearing and jumped on the lead during a climb. However, SKC would stand for none of that, and big ringed it on a descent to accumulate a 10 second lead that she would maintain for the last 3 miles. KAthy Reidy and Paulette rounded out the top 4 in the Ladies Glory Solo category.




Big Al gets paid!

The fruits of last years CtB race....a new SS framset.....could gears be in store for next year?
Stay tuned till next time when we will hear her Al-ness yell, "hey, cabana boy, who am I gonna have to punch to get some Perpetuam around here?"

About the extent of the lesser stampers racing. two laps and done. very weak sauce.

The Pain Freight Train (missing Apel) that blew the pack apart in the first lap. Tanner, Aaron and Zach were just killing it for the first 3 laps of the race, before Tanner fell off the pace with cramping issues.

Tanner being number 1 (not really sure how, but hey its his world we are just living in it)
Edit: Upon clarification it appears the tanner was asking for a Stoli Martini handup, just one olive

Al taking some feed

The pain train taking on some fuel

Zach D, could be the fastest way for you to get a sandwich in Manhattan. His training consists of delivering Jimmy Johns on a cross bike. Freaky Fast! rode his way into 3rd place!

Several other Manhatians were killing it too. Kyle Arnold and Gerald both had great showing finishing 5th and 2nd respectively.

Melanie Apel rode her way into 1st place in the Womens Solo Joy race
You can see pics of Mel and everyone else at Paula Stouts Flicker Page
Despite the absence of several bad goats we had a great showing for BGR. If you have not made it out to CtB you are missing a great time. Many thanks to the Palen family, Bud the race director, and all the volunteers and sponsors that make this event so awesome!
Also wanted to say thanks to the lovely Mina and Hilary for keeping everybody fed.
Whats up next?
SSWC in Durango, thats whats up!

We are living in strange times indeed.......

Podium Sweep -- 2009 Sunflower State Games

In years past this race has been hit or miss.

Despite USAC's presence, this year's race was definitely a hit. Race Commissioner Chad Lamer did a great job of stringing together the best sections MacLennan Park's singletrack to create a five-mile race course filled with twisty descents, steep climbs and hairpin switchbacks. This is probably the most underrated trail in the state of Kansas. The tough climbs and tight switchbacks give it a decidedly east-coast feel.

The Bad Goats descended upon the Sunflower State Games mountain bike race in force. Aaron Apel, Josh Patterson, Joshua Stamper, and John Waller lined up for the Men's Expert race. Andrew Slater lined up for the Men's Sport race.

Waller secured the hole shot, leading the expert men's paintrain for four laps en route to defending his Sunflower State Games champion title. Stamper followed suit, grinding it out in 34:18 to take second. Patterson rounded out the podium in third. Following a disappointing flat while descending through a rock garden on his first lap, Apel was forced to call it a day. Last but not least, it was with sandbag like authority that Mr. Slater held down the sport class.

Complete Results

Next Stop: Mark your calendars for Heartland Racing's Rapture in Misery, August 15 at Crowder State Park.