I Set the Goal ...

... and accomplished it! Even though it was arbitrary, I thought it was reasonable. When I set it, based on the results from last year's results, I thought if I accomplished it I would land a podium spot. It didn't work out that way. But the goal was tough and I'm proud I got 'er done.

Comfortable, Funcional and On Sale!

We had to stop by Playmakers to pick-up some nutritional items for tomorrow's race. Luckily, they were having a "sidewalk" sale. I found the best flip-flops (yes, better than John Kerry's) evah.


The little circular brown thingy is a cap. Each flip-flops sole has a flask. Portable tequila, yep, that's how I roll.

Speaking of comfortable, functional and on sale (does Art Vans ever not have a sale?) the new furniture was delivered today. Electric recliner, yep, that's how I roll, err, relax.



The 6 hours of Chris' recliner sounds more fun than the 6 Hours of Ithaca. But we'll be there rain or shine.

Bad Blogger

I know it’s been awhile, so I’ll try and catch you up. The new training plan is going pretty well. I had a small hiccup over the 4^th of July weekend. It seemed more convenient to hang-out and drink beer than train. It’s OK, we had a good time. We got the kayaks out for the first time in along time. The weekend of the 4^th isn’t the most ideal time to paddle down the AuSable but it was nice getting out on the water.

I’ve had a few bike problems along the way. On a longer training ride I broke the release lever on the Rocky Mountain’s rear shifter. I was just riding along, I swear. With a broken release lever you can only shift into an easier gear, which was OK because it was suppose to be an easy ride. I figured I’d just single speed it for the rest of the training. Unfortunately, I kept fiddling with it and the gear became way too easy. So I started switching between the big and small ring up front. I ended up with such a bad chainline I got chainsuck so bad I had to break the chain to fix it. I gave-up and called it a day. While that was in the shop, I rode the Santa Cruz. Somewhere along the line something’s happened to the mechanics that bind the seat to the seatpost. No matter how hard I tighten it down, it still comes loose on while on the trail. It gets quite frustrating. One of these nights, when I have the energy, I plan on switching it with another post.

The Rocky is fixed, I had new shifter put on, I’ll warranty the others and have a spare set. It’s ready just in time for this weekend’s 6 Hours of Ithaca race. I have it as a C priority race. It’s more of a curiosity, than a priority. I set an arbitrary goal of 50 miles for the race. I’m not sure if it’s a reasonable goal because I haven’t ridden a bike for more than 6 hours in a long time, I’ve never raced a bike for that long and I haven’t been to Ithaca in years. Like I said it’s a curiosity. Being in Ithaca it’s a cheap way to see if I’d enjoy it. If I do, the 6 Hours of Drummond Island is on. It will also prove that training for next year’s Lumberjack 100 would be worthwhile.

Speaking of the Lumberjack, Andrea and I went up there this year to help out. I blogged it earlier. When we were up, we had the late shift at the aid station. So during the morning I got out and snapped some pictures. Michigan Sports and Fitness decided to use three of my shots for their July issue, one being the cover shot.

After this weekend’s race we have a TT coming-up the following weekend and then a trip Up North the weekend after that for some relaxation. Assuming I can arrange a relaxing weekend on the training plan.

Speaking of relaxing, we spent Friday afternoon shopping for furniture. That wasn’t relaxing but the electro-glide reclining couch and reclining chaise lounge will. It’s suppose to be delivered on Friday. I can’t wait, I’ve never had new furniture.

Well, I’m out. Hopefully it won’t take so long for the next update.

New Coach

I've hired USAC expert level coach David Grigsby to help me hold onto 2nd place in the CPS series. Should be fun to have a plan to focus on while out riding. Could be interesting with seven and a half hours of riding on the plan for the rest of the week and storms in the forecast every day.

I have on tap for tonight an hour and twenty minutes off-road with two simulated race starts and 5x3 minute hill climbs. Should be fun. Bring on the rain.

Going Forward

As much fun as it's all been, I'm glad it's finally over. The reception was a good time (check the pictures on Flickr), the food must have been pretty good because it went quick and the drinks we're, well, drinks so you know they were good. The wedding, reception, parties and everything were perfect, I wouldn't have missed them for the world, but it's time to get back to something that resembles normal.

So Sunday Andrea got to check out a new ride and we got to ride with Anne. It's been a long time since I'd ridden with her and it was big fun. Andrea and I spent the first half-hour or so cruising along in the rain (looking at the forecast that's going to become a normal thing I'm afraid). When Anne showed up the sky turned blue and we rode some slow, some easy, some technical and some fast. We closed out the evening with a stop at the club and a grocery marathon at Kroger.

It's Been A Really, Really Long Time

Sorry, I haven't been real motivated.

The Hanson Hills race, from what seems like a long time ago, was a bust. It was a race I should have finished high, I didn't. I wasn't feeling well and I couldn't eat or drink prior to the race. I did get the hole shot and stayed with the leaders for the first mile. I lost them mid way through the first hill. My heart spiked and I blew-up (better than threw-up which is what I wanted to do). The rest of the race was a struggle to keep turning the pedals over. I finished and that's the best I could do. Next year I'm targeting this race, I really like the trail.

We've had a couple nice rides out at Burchfield. Last week we had a trail day (evening) with a phenomenal turnout. It sure is a lot easier to maintain the trails when we have more help than work.

This past weekend Andrea and I went North for the Lumberjack 100. I spent the morning snapping pictures, then we helped out at an aid station. It was a great time, everyone was super nice. I hope I can race it next year, if I can't I'll be back to help.

Sunday we had a chapter picnic and poker run at Burchfield. It was a great event with another nice turnout. We raised some money and gave away some cool prizes.

We have the reception coming-up Friday. After that, it's back to training. Andrea needs to maintain her series lead and it would be nice if I could hold onto second in my division.

A Couple More Things

Click the Flickr link or box to the right for some more Key West photos, more still on the way. Click here and enter keywest for the password to see the professional wedding photos.

I was looking at the traffic sources for my blog and found a couple interesting Google searches that found their way here:

addison rose riding: could be fun, watch out for the prickers.
benefit of shoe trees: I guess they help dry wet shoes but I'm not really sure.