Mud, Blood and Beers....

Can you feel it???? Its literally just around the corner..

Its that curious time of year again... That time of year that brings out the nutjobs. If your reading this, you have a high probability to be put in that category. If your not sure, here are some sure signs.

1. If you start noticing your buddy's putting in these curious looking workouts into Strava called runs.
2. The usage of any of the following words; Embro, skinsuit, disc breaks suck, disc breaks are awesome, JPow, hand ups, sandbagger, barriers, dismounts, remounts, tubulars, tights, knickers, stout, ale, bock and tons more I am sure...
3. While working and surfing the net for bike porn at Interbike, you love all the new gear that's coming out that us regular people can't get until the season is about over. (I'm still waiting for my Cannondale CAADX to come off back order from last October)
4. Would love to hear any other suggestions... Could get funny...

Owe yah, the Cyclocross sesaon is upon us!!!! Its so close I can feel the cross cough!!

Schedules are only partially out. Up to early November. Go to Local Cycling & KCA to find scheduled races. Owe and put KCCX bog on your radar..

Some random pics to get you excited. And if your not excited, your dead inside... Or racing BTE..

Tour of Lawrence, Circuit Race

Head on over to Twin Six to get a race report. 

Click on the logo

While your over there, pick out some gear and head down to the best bike store to get it!!

Ask for Justin, he will take good care of ya!!!

This race is hard and my favorite road course to date. Had a absolute blast! Yet to crack the top 25% of a large field, but its coming... Watch out! 

Thanks Roger H for the pics! Field was spread pretty thin after a lap or two.

Still hanging with Gregory, must have been early in the race. I think I got dropped shortly after.

Rogers Pics Here

Marks Pics Here

Go to Local Cycling to get Results, etc...

Tour of KC, Longview Crit

Wowww! That was way harder than I anticipated. This Tour of KC will go down as my first official road race! I have raced in Cat 5 and have done some other training type races (Perry Lake), but nothing like this. It was hard, it hurt a lot, I blew up, I got lapped.... It was flippen Awesome!!!!!!

All I kept hearing over and over is how dangerous or how scary crits are. Cornering at speed really is not that scary, other people though... They are very scary... I think in the Cat 4's we had 3 go down in the first lap or two. One of which was 3 feet away from me.

Darrel and I, 35 people deep (Thanks Mark Breeding for the pics)

I was only out on Saturday on their figure 8(ish) crit course, which seemed more like a circuit race to me, but what do I know. I enjoyed the course quite a bit actually. It was hard and I thought pretty technical. It had one punchy little climb, but I found the straight away to be the toughest part due to the constant headwind.
 
Our field was really deep, 50 ish and I got started way too far back. In my head I was not worried (because I don't know what I'm doing) just thought that I would work my way up to the front in a handful of laps.

Yah, not so much... Before I even hit the first corner the field was spread out 100 feet and had to about come to a stop before I got to it. It was 100% full gas from that point to try and make it to the front. I asked Keck to go up there and tell them to slow the crap down, but he apparently does not have the influence I thought.

 After about a couple laps I found myself about 4 guys back from what would become the break from the lead group. Once I realized the split was being made I jumped and tried my best to close the gap.
Unfortunately I found myself alone in no mans land chasing like a mad man. I was so close, like 6 seconds back but just couldn't close the gap. I tried to get on for 2-3 solid laps before I realized there was no chance. Especially when I have had my heart rate maxed for 4 to 5 laps and see there are 13 left.

Think this is about lap 2 as I can see my yellow
helmet like 200 yards back.

I hoped I could sit up and wait for some guys to help, but when they did they were about more gassed than I was. Found one guy with some legs to trade pulls with for a little but the rest of the race was about the same. Just hanging on for as long as I can.

From what I gather, if your racing all weekend, when you don't make the selection you bail and save your energy for the next day. Not me man, I drove over an hour and race one day. They are going to have to tackle me on my bike to get me to quit racing. So after plugging along, the second to last lap was the lap of shame... I got lapped. Bummer.... On a brighter note, its the best spot to see the race unfold. My cross rivals were out killing it, which was awesome to see. Gregory took 2nd on the day and John W. took 3rd. Sucked that I was not there, but I liked to see guys I like to race against do well.

Which leads me to scoring. I don't know if they do this at all the races since I am new to to the road scene, but I guess they don't score folks that get lapped which really sucks. I don't agree with it at all. I tough it out for an hour in in 20 mph headwind in 95 degrees to look at the results and see guys who threw in the towel after 20 min placed higher than me. I understand that in the grand scheme of things it really does not matter a DNP (Did not place) is a DNP. But it is still a competition right??? Anyway...

Get all the results etc... Local Cycling .com

Good write up over at .. Prologue Cycling Magazine

See you in Lawrence!!

Robidoux Roundup!

Was waiting until I got some pics to post, but still haven't seen any. I know I saw somebody taking a bunch of them.

Anyway, the fellas put on yet another great race. I don't think folks are going to see trails that manicured for a race the rest of the year.

Krug does not offer a lot of rocks for you freaks that actually enjoy riding technical sections. But more than makes up for it in flowing dirt and some good climbing. The course was FAST! GWiz put in a hard to believe 32 min lap.

Lined up down on the first turn on the road up to the top of Krug and I was surprised to see a bunch of Cat 1's out to play. I hung in with the best of them at the start on up the hill and on into the singletrack. Had a moment or two when I thought I was going to be able to keep pace for a little while. That lasted about as long as 1/4 of a mile in the race where it became painfully obvious that perhaps I should have rode my MTB more than a handful of times in the past 6-8 months. My focus switching to the road has left my handling skills absolutely horrible.

Kinda funny looking back on it. I would catch a guy or two through some of the climbing sections and then they would drop me on the downhills. And whats rather ironic is that this is my home course and I should know every rock and root out there.

Kept within myself for most of the race. I have figured out when I am red-lining and need to cut it back a bit. Its better to choke your motor a little bit than going way past it and blowing up, which have been done on many occasions.

After the first lap I needed to fuel up, I had accidentally dropped my water bottle halfway through the first lap. At that time Craig had already caught up to me and passed me. I guess I can't make too much fun of his camleback after that.

Last two laps were pretty uneventful, just out doing my laps in my usual place. All by myself in no mans land, slower than the faster guys and faster than the slower ones.  Makes me miss cross where you can see how far folks are ahead or behind you. Was able to get all three laps in under 40 min, under 2 hours altogether, which I was happy with. I did have higher aspirations of placing a bit better, but that's racing man.. We had some stupid fast guys out there that day, just on another level altogether.

RESULTS

It was a great day for racing and I am super impressed with Horizon Cycling. These guys are getting fast! Don't really know how or when it happened, but they got my attention now. Amazing how getting your arse handed to you on the MTB will do that to you. I'm back on the road bike, so I will see you Travis and Blake come cross season & hopefully not just the back of your jersey's.

Krug Park Race is THIS Sunday!!

Come on up!!!!

Course is awesome yet again!! Unless you like technical rock sections, then stay home....

Its fast and flowy with some good ole climbing... I can feel my legs seizing up as I type this...

BoneBender 2013!!

Sunday was the 5th annual running of BoneBender MTB race Enduro style.. 3hour and 6hour options. After years of doing duo's I decided to throw my hat in the 3 hour solo ring... Along with (what I counted) 87 others not counting SS or Clydesdale's.

Its ironic that I skip many MTB races because I hate riding rocks, yet I race this course every year and it has a decent amount of miles with enough rock to make me bring my sons baby wipes to work today in case I need to use the rest room. 

Some folks love the stuff, not me, I still hate them... I like to go fast on my bike. I don't have that much skills on them, so when your HR is maxed and your going 8 mph your basically just giving yourself a beat-down. Some dudes have skills though, I see them all smooth and fast though the tough sections... I should,  I had a great view from the side because I fumbled on some sections and I had to let everyone by...

Grass hill at the start.. In front of Rafal from NE in his sweet T6 Kit

Anyway, the race... Started pretty well actually.. I am pretty fit right now from my usual standards come beginning of April. Plan was start at the front and hit the single-track just behind the fast duo team members who are going to bury themselves for the entire lap. Myself, I was going to settle in for the long haul, or so I thought. Plan went off perfect other than forgetting to turn my Garmin on.

The race was started on pavement then went into a grassy hill, through some part of the race track and up a gravel hill to separate everyone. 

Fist lap in I unfortunately found the true key to having a good first lap and its simple. Just don't bobble, crash or anything. I did not do that... 5 miles in I made a stupid mistake on a easier section of trail and had to dismount and get to the side to let folks though. I had no idea I was going to be sitting there for a while when a train of 10-15 dudes came trucking by.. Then later I finally started getting into a groove and clipped a handlebar on a tree and down I go. Same story, to the side while another 10-15 dudes came screaming by. Let me tell you that is pretty frustrating. 

About the end of the lap the field was pretty much well scattered out, I have no idea of my time, but it was a really long lap as I remembered. Fueled up and off to for the second lap. 

Second lap started pretty well, I was not feeling overly fatigued and riding pretty well. Game plan going in was that the second lap was going to be steady at a good pace, but not too high so I can recover from the first lap and have a solid 3rd lap. I did get to cramping a little bit but some for fluids and calories fixed that. However, I got to noticing my time was running a little short and the trail seemed to be never ending. Once it finally hit me I bout went into panic mode, 'S***, if I don't get my A** in gear I am not going to get a third lap!!!!!' So off I went, I am in a literal race against the clock, if I don't get to the finish in under 3 hours, there not going to let me get out for a 3rd lap. 

I burned about every match I had trying to get to that finish line and it literally seemed to never get any closer.. I kept looking at my Garmin and it was ticking away, keep in mind I forgot to start till after we started, so I don't know exactly when 3 hours is;  2:20 (when the initial panic set in), 2:36 (crap), 2:45 (you have got to be kidding me) 2:55 (Owe Crap x10) and getting closer to the finish. 

FINALLY hit the gravel uphill towards the finish, absolutely buried myself up that climb and the last several miles to get in under 3 hours. To the finish line, 3:03..... Game over.... Bummer man... Finished up 17th out of 87 or 11th out of 34 in the 30-39.

Such a stupid mistake, I can think of countless number of times I could shave off 3 min... Owe, well..

Feelin the burn, climbing out to try and get under 3 hours. 

I felt pretty well most of the race and its the first time since I can remember that I actually wanted to do an extra lap. Today however, my body feels like I got in a fight.. Man I sometimes which Chris did not put on such great events, I might be tempted to skip those brutal rocks man...

RESULTS

PICTURES (Bart Cox)

PICTURES (Roger Harrison)

Owe and I cant forget the sweet shot I got of SC post race. Nothing better for post race recovery than beer, doughnuts and tacos!!!

Perry RR #3

Okay, I am about a week late on this one, but that's life.

Headed back to Perry # 3 for some redemption on my first Cat 4 RR... Ended up mid pack after the climb started kicking my butt. However, I did learn a ton that race. Being somewhat of a MTB convert (G-Wiz please forgive me!) I have virtually everything to learn about road racing.

Add All pics are Rogers. Thanks!! Very rare moment when I am sitting down on a climb.

The combination of being on Saint Patrick's day added with 30+ degrees and raining thinned out the field considerably. I still recognized some folks that I knew had decent legs already.

As soon as we headed out for the first lap of seven, it started raining. This did not really play much of a factor other than being cold and folks taking the corners pretty gingerly.

I thought this race started quite a bit faster than the last and my HR started to creep up pretty high from the start. I learned to attempt to keep out of the wind and conserve as much energy as possible. Which meant to be on the left side of the group on top of the bridge and the right coming back.

This is on the climb, lap 5ish.
Notice I can't climb in my saddle.  I simply hate climbing that way, although most guys are;
I think its from riding my MTB single speed for a long time. 

Come KOM time I wanted nothing to do with it and just kept a steady tempo to the top. I just don't have the legs yet to put too many digs in and still have legs left for the last lap.

Its been too long for me to remember all the details of the race other than come last lap people were pretty motivated. The corners I think helped me out, I wasn't as timid going though them and was able to keep on the group without too much effort.

I do remember however I felt great for the last 1/3rd of the race. In fact, I felt way better than the first 2/3rd of it. Good enough to remember it anyway...

Onto the last climb to the finish, after 6 laps and a previous race, you have gotten pretty familiar with it. Out of the saddle to start and then sit back down when it levels off and back out to finish it off when it pitches back up. Hit the last 100 yards with the remainder of the leaders (about 4-8 of us) and started to pass folks who where blowing up. Last 25 yards and I am sitting third, legs about numb from the effort. I thought I had 3rd in the bag when John Williams came by me and took it from me by less than a wheels length. Another lesson learned for sure!!

It took me literally an hour after the race to quit shivering from being so cold! I love it, what a blast this is!!

RESULTS

ROGERS PICTURES