Becoming a Clydesdale

The past few months have been just a whirlwind of activity and traveling.  Me and the burrower went to New York City as she had never been and wanted to see the Big Apple (Ill give anyone who knows the origin of that nickname 4 street cred points if they post the answer).  This started my downfall, or I guess it would be upfall of the scale.  We did get to see some cool stuff. 

We might need to rethink our vacation plans when walking behind guys in haz-mat suits

Theres just to many pictures to post, but it was an exciting fun trip and thanks to my aunt and uncle who let us stay with them to save a little bit of cash.  But this trip also produced way to many trips to the kielbasa and gyro carts which litter the city.  But they were sure good.


2 weeks later was a surprise party for my best friend and his son (who also happens to be my godson).  This meant traveling again up to Chicago.  Because it was a surprise I couldn't see him before the party which sucked, but luckily Chuck was there to kill a few hours and help me finish a pizza.

 Now this is a place that knows how to make a pizza

Yup, this was another fun filled bad decision making long weekend in which took its toll on me.  Espcially having my flight cancelled and being stuck in the airport for 5 hours and then about 4 hours of sleep in a crappy hotel to compensate for it. 

The Boys of 2016 Gaines

Bunny ears, its what grownups do when not taking shots

 Only dropped him once, not to shabby

Anyway, with all the traveling and lack of daylight after I get off work, the holiday pounds are starting to pile up, and espeically with all the holiday and work parties that I am obligated to attended.  Ok, not obligated, I just hear "Bar" and that is usually enough to get me to go.

I do have a makeshift paincave set up and ready to go.

But I usually just end up riding and watching Gilmore Girls.  At which point I go eat about a pound of chocolate afterwards.  Haven't quite figured out why yet though.   Anyway, just watch out, I'm coming for you Mutt in the short track series.

Happy Thanksgiving

I just want to say to everyone what I am thankful for. 

The Burrower for always being there for me, and to let me be me

Family, blood related and not

Friends who would do anything at the drop of a hat if asked.

Good health for myself and everyone listed above

A job in which lets me enjoy my lifestyle.

Having the freedom to pursue anything I was to do.

Happy Thanksgiving everybody.

Annual Trike Race

I dont really have that much to post about, not going to make anything up.  But here is the link for my companies annual tricycle race for charity.  We raised $1.5 million dollars this year.  Yup, thats right, full size adults riding kid size bikes.  Makes for an interesting video.  Enjoy.

Final Race(s) of the season

I wish I had some witty or funny remarks to make fun of some people on the whole interweb thingy, but not this time.  This time its a wrap up from my last race and a half of the season.  Not that coming in an hour after the leaders is much of a race report, but a finish is a finish.

The last race was the point to point race in Wilkesboro, Shriners Run. 

38 miles of fun.  I wont bore you with all the details, but I put forth a personal effort this time not to just be content to finish.  I actually had bouts of "racing" and not just cruising along. Could have I gone faster? Probably, I made the mistake of not checking my bike the night before as I did emergency repairs to tighten lose spokes last minute.  Also, a fast slow leak (yeah, you read that right) required the stopping every 45 minutes to put air in the tire that wouldn't hold air.  And I was to lazy to put the intertube in.  If you need to know one thing about Wilkesboro trails, its your tires need air because the berms require it, otherwise your wheels sounds like a dying beaver when you try to corner.

Like I said, not trying to bore you with details, but I put forth effort, happy with the time considering the circumstances, and learned a few more things. Enough said

And finally, my last half race (I did say race and a half at the beginning in case you werent paying attention) was the annual tricycle race at work.  This is a charity event in which my company over the course of a month raised about 1.2 million dollars between employees and company match.  Whats funnier than one adult size person riding a tricycles.  37 teams of 4.

I'm still working on the video, but we were the "Avengers".  If your going to ride a trike, might as well give the half assed effort for dressing up in a costume.

Photo cred: Sarah

I had to work it up for the crowd.  Thats Captain America behind me (originally from Ghana), but thats part of the fun.

Working on editing the video of the GoPro while on the trike, I can give you a hint of things to come, lot of crotch shots.

Maybe I should keep the wings on the helmet too...might make me faster, just a thought.

Revenge...well sort of, its on the internet so it doesn't really count

It seems to think that some people are ok to make fun of in blog form. (Read this to get the full, poorly written story)  Well, that said person, not going to name names, (Big Dave) wanted to take the teenage girl route and make fun of me on the internet for not being able to go on a camping/biking trip.  Little does he know that I am a dangerous foe as I have a lot of free time to sit around and think of ways to get back at him.

First off, Big Dave…..isn’t big.  There.  I said it, everyone was thinking it, and I had to get it out in the open.   In fact, he is actually hiding behind this guy right here.

2^nd.  He isn’t that bright.  With all the technology out there, he can’t figure out how to change gears on a bicycle and insist on that it’s the new “bees knees”.  Sorry Dave, that phrase hasn’t been used in about 3 years, so your late to that party as well. 

3^rd.  I asked him if he wanted to race this weekend at the Shriners Run in Wilksboro.  This race occurs on the Epic Trails list and encompasses 37 miles of the singletrack goodness tackling Dark Mountain, OVT, and Warrior Creek.  Each of them worthy of a race by themselves, but put together, an unstoppable force of fun and smiles and giggling like a hyena at a comedy club.   

Unfortunately, he has “plans” this weekend and can’t make it.  But all I heard was “I’m too scared of fun”

 

4^th and finally, he used “the Hoff”.  This is an illegal move in all accounts. Now granted it was Knight Rider Hoff and not Baywatch Hoff, so he does get partial credit, but it still is a shot below the belt. 

In other news, I just had my final 30^th birthday.  Angry mom and dad showed up on Friday.  On Saturday I took them to the White Water Center to show them some of the fun in which me and the burrower have had there.  I think they really enjoyed watching people fall off the rafts and get close to drowning.  I mean who wouldn’t?

That night all my friends came over and we shared in a nice keg, watching football,  bullshiting, and playing some washers in the  garage. 

And finally my demise, the burrower got me a Garmen GPS for my birthday.  This thing is going to be the death of me as I keep trying to ride faster and beat my previous times.  I know, heartbreaking right? Hopefully some good will come out of this new-fangled technology.  So almost done with the year and it looks just like one final race report is coming, you have been warned.

Only a few weeks late...

On a wrap up from my first actual road race.  Technically it was a duatholon, which fits in closer to the tri-athalon family with rules and regulations and such.  Any way since I didn't feel like running a total of 8k, I hooked up with one of my co-workers Moxley, aka, Sinful a week before to do the run portion while I decided to ride my bicycle. 



Although we are both in decent shape for our respective events, we didn't put a whole lot of thought into actually preparing for this type of event.  He was a track runner by trade, one lap around and I think he hopped over things occasionally too, but that does not prepare him to just get up and decide to run a 5k to start and 3k to finish. 

I am a mountain biker by trade, just started getting into the roadie stuff, only because I needed a way to consistently get 50 miles in to prepare for the Battle of the Carolina's race. 

 Getting ready for battle

 Moxley took off like a bat out of hell for the first run which was a 5k.  He turned in a respectable sub 30 minute lap time.  Not to shabby for an out of practice sprinter.

I then took off for my 25k bike ride. 

I passed a lot of people.  But to be fair, I didn't run a 5k before hopping on the bike either.  On the other hand, I didn't warm up at all and was hurting the first couple of miles as I also made the mistake of riding like heck right out of the gate.  It was actually a very challenging course, a lot of steep short hills.  I have learned that I do not like my road bike gearing as I tended to not have enough gears going downhill which would have lessened my time.  Also, towards the end, I ended up running into traffic, no not other riders traffic, I mean vehicle traffic.  The cars couldn't pass the slower riders, and I couldn't pass the cars.  It was a vicious cycle. 

I came in fast and handed off the timing chip to Moxley who then cruised the last 3k run real quick. 

Turns out that we were the only entrants in the duo-male catagory so we took 1st place.  Even if there were other people, we still would have taken 1st.  After looking at the split, I took 30th fastest bike time out of over 100 people.  I probably would have broken top 25 if I hadnt hit all the cars on the way back.  Not to shabby for a mountain bike guy.

Maybe next year I will do the race with the burrower in the duo-category again.  She will run, I will ride, and then we drink.  Sounds like a plan.  Anyone else want to give us a run for the money next year?

Vengence - Rivers Edge

Ok, so the title is a little over dramatic, but at least it makes me feel good.  I know it doesn't sound like much, but I wanted to finish this race ever since I didn't finish it last year.  I guess I am just determined like that.  Or just really stoopid.

It all started...way to damn early in the morning.  Waking up at 530 to make sure that I got my food in me. Bagel, cheese, turkey, egg bagel, with banana and orange juice.  Not a bad breakfast before 6.  I had most the food and drinks loaded up in the car the night before, all I had to do was make sure I got the burrower food and ready to go out the door and then went to pick up Big Dave. 

He was outside his homestead unit with bike ready and waiting for the sufferfest.  We arrived around 8 am for the 9 am start, and found a nice pit place right on the trail, just past the start/finish line.  We proceeded to stake our claim the the shade tent, chairs, picnic table, coolers....I was a little tired just setting up the area.

8:45 was the role call and pre-racers meeting.  It was a cool morning and the trail was dry.  It was going to be a fast day (for everyone but me)

9:08 AM the race started up the fire road.  Not realizing that it was a slight uphill due to the excitement, I was in a wrong gear and struggled to get momentum.  .2 miles in a 55 mile race and I was already doing stupid stuff.  What else is new. 

The first lap went pretty well, it usually does in these sort of things.  Everyone is happy and joking.  The fast guys are already miles ahead and I was just strolling along.  The air was cool still, the trail fast, and I found my place where I belong in the pack. As I started the last 3 mile section of singletrack I caught a glimsp of the leaders making the first turn.  Yes, they were over 4 miles ahead of me on an 11 mile course.    Sort of discouraging, but in the end, I am only racing myself. 

Photo credit - the burrower

I came in to the pits, found some Honey Stinger waffles, fruit snacks, got 2 new water bottles and went out.  I ended up with the a group of guys and we ended up riding along for a few miles until they past me.  I was then out there all alone for lap 2.  I was feeling good still, no cramps, no stomach problems and just kept pedaling along.

After lap 2 I came in and got off the bike for a bit.  I had my temporary pit crew member help me adjust my tire pressure.  Thank you to Cat (one of my coworkers daughters)

She was also nice enough to make a sign for me.  It was immediately hung up. 

Its the little moments of encouragement sometimes that keep you going. 

By this time I still hadn't gotten past by my passenger for the ride up, Big Dave.  As I left the pits for lap 3, he was just coming in.  I waved and continued on my lonely way.  I would like to think that something exciting happened during this lap, but it didnt, expect I did get to see the leaders passing me.  Disappointment at its best, I was hoping to make it to lap 4 before the past me.  I was a about full lap and a half off. 

Aftering finishing lap 3, grabbing some food, fluids I went out and completed lap 4.  By this time I was almost ready to be done.  I came in and sat down for a few minutes to try and regain my composure and grab some more food.  I talked briefly with the pit next to me who was entered in the corporate challenge.  Basically an office team who decided to try their luck at one lap each.  I think this being their first mountain bike race they were really impressed with how friendly people were, even in competition.  At one point they even took over our entire tent taking all the chairs.  They did offer to move when I came in but I just wanted to sit on a hard chair so it would give me motivation to get up.  One of hte guys was also impressed with the amount of different food in which we had.  Granola bars, clif bars, fruit snacks, jel packs, bananas, nuts, gel shots, honey waffles.  I had to explain to him sometimes you just don't know what you want to eat at the beginning of a race, so you bring everything and hope it works out. 

Also, 44 miles in I really didn't want to go back out, but having come this far and wanting to finish since last year, I really didn't give myself a choice and went back out for lap 5.  To my surprise I still felt pretty decent and still never got into the granny gear.  That is a personal accomplishment considering the climbs in which Uwharrie has to offer.  Almost done, the trail cleared out and it seemed there was no one left on the trail.  At the last climb of the day I finally felt the cramps start in my legs, I willed them away and muscled up the final hill and let out a girlish scream full of glee.  (Yes, it probably did sound that high pitched).  Finishing was in my sight as I pushed myself to dig and finish the last 4 miles strong. 

The last section of singletrack the burrower was there waiting with the camera.

Thanks again burrower for the pics

I emerged from the last section of singletrack and really tried to push it up the fireroad.  The burrower was there to welcome me and capute the momment.

 

Yes I posed for this, but dammit, I deserved it

 

6 Hours and 8 minutes for 55 miles.  Goal was 6 hours, but I guess I did 50 miles in under 6, so that has to count for something.  After looking at the results I was one of the open men and ended up in around 13 of 16, with 2 people that didn't finish.  There were some really good national and local pro's competing in this class.  I should have signed up for the novice class.  Considering I only ride about 2 times a week and those are for enjoyment I couldn't be condered a sandbagger.  I would have taken 2nd in that class.  Oh well, next year either train harder, or just sign up for the lesser class.  Ill make that decision when it comes.  

Id like to thank the burrower for coming and keeping me fed and watered and for finding some enjoyment of sitting in the middle of an open field for 6 hours.  We did stop at 3 vineyards on the way home, so I repaid some of my debts.  

Depending on my schedule in October I might be doing the BMCC trail ride, all 3 of them, Dark Mtn, Warrior creek, and the other one, which I can't remember.  So stay tuned.

Putting in the Miles

After re-reading the last post I realized that a lot of it didn't make much sense.  Which is fine by me, I ain't no english major.  I just have a hard time conveying in words such new and exiciting experiances.  Espcially once I get going on a thought I tend to put words down without thinking about them or re-reading them.  Happens most the time in my normal conversation too.  Gets me in trouble, but also gets a bunch of laughs.  Anyway review on the last post,  I am back to being addicted to biking after a few weeks off.  I guess that is the good thing about a hobby, you can pick it up and drop it at any time.

Since the last week I have logged a lot of miles.  Well, a lot for me anyway.  Road ride Wednesday, mountain bike Thursday and Friday, road ride Saturday, and my first roadie group ride on Sunday. 
It started Saturday on a normal trip to Wally-world for normal groceries and such when I see a team bike kit that looks familair and it was Big Dave.  (The burrower didn't understand why he is called Big Dave, all 105 lbs of him soaking wet).  Anyway, I have a new riding buddy that lives right down the street.

So ive been putting this off as I have been lazy, im about 2 week behind catching up on my thoughts.  I think the simpliest thing to do is to just put up a video.  It has crashes.  That should keep you entertained until I collect my thoughts once again.  Maybe do another Epic Ride.

I have my 50 miler up at Uwharrie in 2 weeks, that should be enough to write about for a few days, or probably not.  Lets just hope it goes better than last time where I DNF.

Recharged

Since the 8 hour Grind on the Greenway about 3 weeks ago my and the bikes have not been on speaking terms.  No, there wasn't a big fight or anything traumatic, we just decided to take a break, it was probably best for the both of us.

I was doing so much "training" ( I use that term loosely because if you look at my results you will wonder what I was doing with my time), but basically I was riding so much, just to ride that it took all of the fun out of it for me.  I had problems finding people to ride with, and you can only do so much by yourself without getting bored.

I have been riding my bikes for a little over 4 years now and have never been to the mountains until yesterday.  I got an offer from one of the wife's co-worker's husbands to meet up with a few of his friends and do what he was told  a "hike a bike" marathon.  He warned me that his friend means business and I could back out for another day of a little more single track friendly.  By now you should know that I don't have better judgement and wanted to go with.

I opted to take the Culprit with me, as it is my only full suspension bike, and I was warned that I needed one.  I do not regret that decision as I got everything I needed ready the night before and the alarm set for 5:45 am.

It was a little over 2 hour drive to the entrance of Pisgah National Forest.  Even stopping for breakfast, we were early and luckily took a wrong turn and found this little gem right off the road.

This was a sign of things to come with all of the rain the southeast has been having.  We turned around and headed down the gravel road in which we were supposed to meet at.  About 10 minutes later my new friends came, warned me one last time, loaded up all of our gear, water bottles, gel packs, and cambelbacks and started our journey.  I was warned that the climb to the top of the trail was a 6 mile fire road climb.  It started out social for about 2 miles of it, everyone talking, having fun, and then we took a turn to another fire road and the pain really started.  One of the guys broke off the front and turned back and asked "anybody coming?"  There were no takers so he went off the front.  I kept with the group for a few minutes but when everyone switched to their granny gear, I still stayed in my middle ring and "took off".  I finally ended up catching the guy who broke off the front somewhere up the road and we were together talking for a little bit until he looked at his watch/altimiter, about a mile left to go, and he took off.

I let him go as I knew it was going to be a long day and ended up about 5 minutes after he did at the peak.
About 10 minutes later the other 3 guys showed up.  Everyone grabbed some food and drink, and then hit the trail.  The one we hit was called "Laural Gap".

I cant put into words the trail as it was rocky, slick (it had been raining for the past week), rooty and dangerous drops, I have have never had more fun on a bike.  I had the helmet cam on for the first trail we hit but it doesn't do the trail justice as how steep and technical the descents were, plus when I fell off the side of the trail it somehow ended up pointing to the sky.   Although the Culprit is a full suspension bike, it was not designed to handle these drops, even when I had my ass touching the back wheel and the trail was that steep, it still rattled my body.

An hour gravel grind uphill and an hour and a half downill/hike a bike through 6 feet drops, washed out trail, multiple creek crossings in which almost swept you off your feet and we finished the first loop.  I can't put into words the experiance as I needed the change of pace from normal riding.  I will have the go-pro video up in a few days I am guessing after I review the footage and see what is good and what the camera was pointed at the trees for. 

The bikes weren't happy with all the mud bogs, a few of them went went over half way of the wheel into them, good thing the creeks washed everything off.

Tree Shaker wrap up

(Ive actually had most of this written for a while now I've just been lazy uploading pictures)

Last Saturday was the Tree Shaker 4 and 8 hour race. Me and Seabiscut were ready as we could ever be.  Usually this race happens in the fall for 6 or 12 hours, but when it was moved up to the summer, the time was shortened to accomidate for the heat, and it was needed.  90 plus degrees by 9 am, it was going to be a hot race.

I woke up early to meet my teammate Kyle and Steve of South Main Cycles, we decided to all pit together as we didn't have any support from our significant others.  They were rocking out the 4 hour single speed class while I decided to do the 8 hour solo class.  Before the race the pit area was a pretty chill place, everyone hanging out, swapping stories, getting food and water bottles ready, trying on bikini's....Yeah the MaddSS looks about a solid "B" cup.

The start time was coming near and Neil went through the pre-race annoncements, love your neighbor type stuff, thank all the sponsers (always thank them for their support) and no sticking stuff in other peoples wheels, no matter how much you want to.  All the racers went down to the bottom of the hill for a all inclusive start.  I lined up somewhere near the back as I knew I had a long day ahead of me, espcially with the heat.

Neal said "go" and the field was off, I held my spot for most the climb up the hill but made a pass every now and again as we roared through the start/finish line.  Having only raced part of the course one time I didn't know exactly where the passing areas of the course were and I found a wheel and held on.  Luckily i picked the right wheel and ended up making a few cruial passes on some flat and downhill wide open sections.  After about 15 minutes of riding there was no one behind me, looked like I got ahead of the person who got off to a fast start but was struggling on the hills. 

The first lap was uneventfull as I just pedaled a slow and steady pace, kept up with the people in front of me and pulled into the pit area in about 56 minutes.  A respectable time considering all of the traffic on the course.  I didn't bother taking any food or water as it was still almost cool by summer standards and I still had one bottle of fluid left. 

Lap two I kept the pace fairly high for me, made a few passes, got passed by a few more and just enjoyed the trail.  I think second lap was somewhere around 52 minutes.

Lap 3 took a few minutes in the pit area, grabbed some food, some drink, and had Daniel fix my grips as they were slipping due to the humidity.  A little bit of lock tite on them and problem solved.  Lap 3 ended and I completed lap for with no major problems and no incidents.

By the time I finished lap 4 the 4 hour race was wrapping up, I came in just short of 4 hours.  I took a few minutes, ate a sandwhich, banana, had something to drink and sat around for about 15 minutes just watching the other races come by and finish or get food and head out to do another lap if they were doing the 8 hour race. 

I saddled up the bike again, grabbed a new pair of gloves (highly recommended for long races) and went out.  By the time I got about about 55 minutes later Kyle told me him and Steve took 1st and 2nd in the solo single speed 4 hour race.  Since Steve had to go back to work real quick and run his bike shop it was just Kyle there enjoying a beer. 


I sat around with him a while talking and we realized we were hungry.  We ate some great barbeque from Lolas Southern cafe (highly recommend if your ever downtown for food) and I grabbed a beer from Old Mecklenburg Brewery.  I sat around for probably around 30 to 40 minutes just hanging out talking, eating, drinking beer and watching everyone else suffer. 

We finished our meal and Kyle had to head out.  I congraguated him on his win and took off for my final lap.  I felt darn good after having a BBQ sandwhich and a nice microbrew in my stomach.  The trail was quiet and calm and empty.  I was just riding along and towards the end of the trail I saw a doe with a young fawn.  The trail split between the two of them as I neared and both of them took off.  The fawn ran as it though I was chasing it and then when it knew it couldnt get away it stopped and "hid" in the brush.  Those are the kind of momments that make all of the suffering worth while, watching nature and being a part of it.  I waved goodbye to the doe and let her know that I wasn't going to hurt her baby and finished up my lap.

I did have time to go and do another lap but found out when I looked at the standings that it really wouldn't do anything besides increase my possibility of cramping up, plus I had a cookout and pool to go to.  I did as best as I could and ended up 12 out of 13 place.  It sounds slow, but in reality this is a lot more than most people could do, the Charlotte area is full of fast mountain bikers who train a lot more than I do.  On the other side, I am pretty sure I could beat all of them in flippy cup or beer pong.  I just race for the enjoyment, the competition, and the beer at the end.

I want to do this event again, like all of Neil's races, it was well run, well marked course, plenty of food and more importantly plenty of good people, this will definitely be added to my yearly rotation for races.

My ass hurts....

Yup, you read that correctly, the past two weekends I have spent over 10 hours on a bike minimum.  I know that doesn't sound like a lot if you compare it to the amount of hours that most roadies spend on a bike, but this is mountain biking, a totally different sport.  Stand, sit, recover, stand, turn, root, climb, root, sit, stand, you get the picture, its not easy on the rear end. 

Last weekend I went up to Lake Norman State Park.  After racing Anne Springs a few weeks ago, I figured that Lake Norman has about the same elevation climb as Ann Springs, minus the roots, plus the mileage.  Win-Win.  I awoke early Saturday and headed out there for some big miles, at least for me.  I ended up doing the entire 3 loops  and Mombo before I finally was able to ride with a friend of a little bit.  In case you're not my face-friend, here is the go-pro.  Be warned, it's not very exciting as there are not any crashes, but it does show the great and flowy trail.

Total mileage for the day, probably somewhere between 55-60 miles. Total time: 5 hours.

Yesterday I met up with my former Queen City Cycles teammate Russ for some early morning fun at the WWC.  We have always passed each other either getting on or off that trail at ridiculously early hours so I knew the 7:15 start time would be no problem for him. 

I really wasn't feeling it the first  2 laps (they were not full laps, we did skip weigh station and gas line in case he reads this) but at over 10 miles a lap, regardless of options, it was a rough time for me.  I didn't eat very well the night before and it came back to haunt me.  We took an abbreviated 2nd lap to get back to the parking lot as he had a honey-do list for his new home, and I was picking up a new riding partner, Josh, at 9:30.

Josh and I hit up the new East Main section first, then went on to ride the entire WWC (minus the weigh station because I hate it).  It took some time but my stomach finally started feeling better around the 3 hour mark and I was beginning to find some flow and lucky for me Josh was having a hard time finding his lungs, but after a while we started to get some pace under our belts.  We had a good ride talking about nothing and everything in particular, stopping when we wanted to, going as fast or as slow as the conversation dictated.  Total ride time for the day...4 hours.


You might be wondering why I am putting so many hours in  on the bike.  Even if you're not I'm going to tell you anyway, the Tree Shaker 8 hour mountain bike race.  I could have just signed up for the 4 hour version, but I am not that smart.  This event will also tell me if I can do the 24 Hours of GA in the end of October without too much suffering.

Finally, there is always room for a new equipment review.  Guess what it is yet?

Still confused?

 Sexy looking

 I ordered a set of Xpedo SPD pedals.  I sent an email thanking them for sponsoring a Charlotte riding for the winter short track, and they sent me a coupon code to try their product.  

I ended up ording their lowest level of pedals, but to my surprise they still weighed less than the Shimano XT pedals.  Winning again.

I left them on their easiest setting for the first time and had no problems getting into them.  I do need to adjust the tension to make it a little harder to get out but that isn't the pedals fault, that is just me making sure I don't use them to strap myself to the bike and can't get out. They adjust ability of the pedal is very easy as well.  Just one hex wrench and I am good to go.  After 4 hours on the trail, I think they are a solid investment and will serve me well.  I think that's it for the day, I might have some better stories for next week, I mean, I will be on the bike for 8 hours, something funny or painful has to happen to me - right?

Travelin' Man

12 days, 2500 miles, 7 states, 1 baptism, 1 graduation, all nieces and nephews and former roommates.  It was one heck of a trip.  We got a rental car and luckily I was able to convince the burrower to take a few of my friends on the trip...Seabiscut and the road bike.  I used the old roof rack from the Kia and made it fit the rental, it was close enough for me.

We drove 12 straight hours on Friday to stay at my buddy Chucks place as it cut the drive short and got us into the central time zone.  Kope showed up to stay the night and help us make some bad decisions and Marty and Leah made an appearance at dinner to get the party started before heading home.  It was just like old times, beer, ping pong, video games and watching youtube videos.  (We really never had that much of a life so that was a normal weekend for us).

We then woke up early to make the drive into Chi-town to see my Grandma, on the way out of town to go meet my godson for the first time. We went out to dinner with both sets of his grandparents and called it a night early (he had a big day the next day).  He also called me to color coordinate for the dinner.

This picture was taken before he peed on me.  Kid has good taste.

Sunday was then taken up by the baptism.  He was stoked, I could tell. I gave him his one gift (that he has to grow into, but never too early to get them riding) and how could he not be happy?  Also the cake was as big as he was, how could you not be happy with a cake like that?

Monday, I took off and headed back down to my old high school stomping grounds to drop off the burrower with her parents as they headed to western Illinois and I stayed around the area at my buddy Marty's place.  We stayed up way to late on a school night, playing music, and I figured out why I never picked up an instrument....I have no rythem.  But there is a video somewhere on facebook of a bad attempt of us playing Journey, while intoxicated. 

I woke up early as usual, and took the road bike down to the I&M Canal to punish myself for the drinking.  It hurt.

It would be great for a cyclocross bike though, hard packed gravel that travels from Chicago all the way to central Illinois.  A lot of history there if you want to learn about it, otherwise just a beautiful excuse to ride and not have to worry about traffic.

Wednesday I headed back up to northern Illinois to meet up one last time with Web (sans baby) and Dan came down from Wisconsin to play 9 holes of golf.  I scored a respectable 63 or so.  We grabbed lunch at local bar and then I made the last minute executive decision to drive up to Wisconsin to see Dans son, and of course his wife, the bear.

Yup, he is going to be a soccer player.  I am showing these youngsters the right sports to play as they get older.  I am glad I made the trip up there as I don't always know when the next time will be to see them.  I stayed for a few hours, ate dinner and then continued on my journey down to meet up with the burrower and see my new nephew, Payton.

Being only 2 months old, he didn't do a whole lot of tricks yet, but I am sure he will get taught some pretty good ones. 

We basically hung around that part of the state until her sisters graduation.  We did take our other neice up to our old college stomping grounds of St. Ambrose and meet up with my last former roommate and our nephew who just turned 1 that day.  We went to Chuck E. Cheese to celebrate.

That was actually very tough to crawl into, I almost didnt get out.

Those are about the highlights of the vacation.  I did manage to get a short mountain bike ride in up in Davenport.  I was very impressed with the trail i rode up there, managed by the IMBA chapter FORC (friends of off road cycling). It was
Sunderbruck Park.  It was well maintained, decent elevation changes as it was right on the river, and reminded my of the trails back here in Charlotte, but just shorter. 
I did manage to enter one of the Wednesday night short track races down in Rock Hill when I got back, but I did that just to get a feel for the trails there as I think my next event is going to be the 8 hour Tree Shaker, but more on that another time.