A Bit of Spring in January

Over 60 degrees. That was the temperature here in North Carolina last weekend.  Even better plus.  3 day weekend.

Sometimes its a tough spot to be in, having nice weather and wanting to go out to play with my friends and my bikes, and also trying to make sure that the wife and kids get to play too.  I like to think that I find a balance between the two, and with an understanding wife, she lets me go out to play as well.

Plans were finally finalized Thursday night about making a trip to the mini-mountains of Uwharrie.  Being only an hour away makes it convenient to get out of town, but still close enough that I can come back to handle husband/daddy duties. 

 I talked my roadie-esk friend Benji into leaving his kid and pregnant wife for a morning of mini-mountain goodness.  With plan almost derailed at Friday night at bed time due to a possible bent brake rotor (not my bike), it all got straightened out (the rotor and the situation).  Even though it was going to be up near 60 degrees near lunch time and that would be the perfect time to ride, we both felt guilty leaving the wives at home with the kids, and decided to get up there for an 8 am wheels down time.  Temperature, it was probably 32 degrees.

The trails were actually in great shape with a few wet spots, and just leaves covering the trail and there was no one else out there.  We stopped a few times to just look at the mountains hrough the downed leaves and just take in the views.  Makes me want to get up there more often.

After completing a modest 18 miles or so, it was time to go home.  A lot of  the other Charlotte crew thought that Uwharrie was a good idea too, as we were leaving, they were just getting there ready to ride.  Great minds think alike.  Except waking up too early and riding when its freezing out.  Good news is that we were home by noon to spend time with the families.  

That night was spent putting on new toys on Seabiscut.  She got a new cassette, chain, cranks, and chainrings to convert to the 2x10 drivetrain.  With the weather looking good for the rest of the weekend, I couldn't wait to try her out.

Sunday was just putting the finishing touches on the bike, as well as family duties of grocery shopping and probably some other family activities.  Details are sketchy.

Monday was a bonus day with the weather and the day off.  There were more family activities in the morning, but in the afternoon after the kids nap, it was play time again.  This time it was local at the Whitewater center.   The burrower has taken up running and used the path around the rapids to jog with the kids, so I finally got to try out my new toys. There are a few adjustments in which I need to make, but there is a difference, and hopefully it will make me a stronger/faster rider.  

New gear, new year and looking forward to entering in a few races again after a year off.  Upcoming this weekend is the Winter Short Track race.  The weather doesn't look great.  I said that if the weather was bad i wouldn't do it.  I tend not to listen to myself, especially when I am talking about being reasonable, so there is a good chance I am going to race anyway. 

Back after a brief (one year) hiatus

Well, it started with this.

And then went to this.

And now this.

And over a year and a half later finally this.


Twins.  The burrower brought two human beings into this world and somehow I am now responsible for making sure they make it through.

Some people ask, "Isn't it hard with twins".  The answer.  Yes.  But I don't know any better.  We didn't have one before we had two so hard is normal.  Normal is routine, and routine is easy.  Follow me?


Honestly, for me the first year was tough.  Routines, schedules, crying, changing of diapers, bottles.  Lots and lots of bottles.  8 pieces per bottle, 6 bottles a day, two kids.  That's a lot of time standing in front of the sink with a scrubber in my hand and a lot of counting of pieces in which I choose to forget.

They are now over 17 months (I can't wait to stop aging them by months) and pretty self sufficient and fun.  They interact with each other and others around them.  They now know more words and commands than the dogs. 

I wouldn't call what i have now "free time" as the only time that we have to breathe during the day is the nap time, and that can be gone in an instant.  But now  don't feel guilty leaving the wife at home while I do my thing, and in turn, she feels the same when she needs to get out the house.

With a new position at the same company, I finally have a mental health break from the constant grind.  It now involves personal and professional development as well as a lot more chances for advancement.   It also involves more responsibility, but with it the flexibility to have a little more daylight for me to make my own schedule. 

I'm not going to call what I want to do in the coming year a   resolution, because statistically they never work out.  I am calling them life changes.  It has been to long since I have push myself mentally and physically using the kids as an excuse for laziness.  There is time in the day, I just need to use it to my advantage.  Figure out what I want to do, and then remove the barriers and allow me to do it.  Thats my goal for the next year.

Warrior Creek Wrap up (with pictures)

Me and Siggy at the Start

Photo Cred: Erica

Well after the disatourous start. Fine we will call it what is is, operator error for not tightening the darn go-pro screw tight enough to make me drop 45 places right into a traffic jam.  (see you tube video for a recap of that)


The race continued on for me.  I would like to say that lap 2 was easy, but I can't.  I am trying this new thing called "racing" in which means putting forth a little bit more effort to go fast instead of just trying to see how long I can stay on the bike, I am trying to go faster for the same amount of time.  Apparently that is what the winners usually do, pedal faster than me.  Who knew.   I did take my time in the pits area getting everything ready for the second lap. Probably lost more than a few minutes eating food, letting my heart rate down, making sure my pregnant wife wasn't going into labor, you know, the usual things people do on a 6 hour race.

I pushed it and felt pretty good, I kept on passing people who I should have been in front of minus the go-pro incident  with almost no one passing me back.  I kept the pace high (for me) and kept a smile on my face and both wheels on the ground.

Lap 3 was much of the same, minus the passing of people. I kept my motivation up, legs turning and kept attempting the smile but after about hours of tight, fast, twisty singletrack, it wears on your body, and even wears on your mind.  It can be mentally draining to figure out when to pedal, when to change gears, stand, sit, which line to take, use the brakes or hope and pray you didn't take a corner to fast, etc etc.  I also think this is the lap in which I was getting passed by a few select leaders in which I gladly and slowly moved out the way to let them continue going for the win.    I came into the pits with plenty of time to do a 3rd lap, but not enough time to do a 4th.  BMCC keeps on making the trail longer and better so you need to up your game every year to complete the same number of laps, but more miles each time.

Lap four was uneventfull to say teh least.  I kept moving along and seeing people on the side of the trail. Luckily they were all either cramping or bonking (having no energy left).  With very little I could do besides offer up some warm Gatorade or jelly beans, I continue on my way.  I was lucky, I didn't have any cramping issues (at that time) or any food (or lack there of) issues this time.  I think I have finally learned after4 years, what my body can and can't do.  Of course after I say this it will all change.  But next up on the race list is tomorrow, the Rivers Edge Marathon.

This race differs opposed to a timed race as there is a set number of miles to complete as opposed to being able to do one lap and then be finished.  I just got back from a vactation type trip to the midwest for a baby shower and was able to get in some miles, but finding a place to climb was pretty rough...

Warrior creek recap lap one

(please excuse the lack of punctuation as i am writing on a tablet.)

Its been almost two weeks since the rave of all races in the southeast.  I awoke early (ok so the wife had to go to the bathroom and decided that i had enough sleep) so we loaded up the bike and set off for my six hour race.

The goal of this race for me was four laps, or roughly around 55 miles.My gameplan changed from last year.Go out fast and pay for it later. I figured might as well try something new.

I  up towards the back of the pack as i knew I just cant hang with some of the big boys who train multiple days of the week. Cheaters.

I had the go-pro on the handlebars wanting to record first lap pretty the request of some of my co-workers. Little did i know that would be my downfall. I was cruising along the nuetral start and every thing was going good. About two miles of pavement later we hit the first section that leads into the singletrack.  It turned out that I did not tighten the camera enoughon the bars so it turned over on me. In the process of fixing it I lost about sixty places when people v were passing me whilewhile tightening the nut. Dumb move on my part. It meant that I was further bwck than ivwanted to be. It also meant I was  to behind less skilled or slower riders.It makes for a rough twelve miles waiting for others in front of you. I ended up having to wait a few times for others to get back on their bike after attempting to cross some technical parts or wait them quit riding their brakes riding the berms.

So the first lap ended with no incidents and about an hour and fourty minutes ride time. I pull into the pits to see the burrower waiting for me. Ill get to the next laps later and add pictures once i get to a computer.

Its Been too Long....

Since I have done a post.  About 2 months worth.  Ideally I always wanted to do at least one a week, more for my own record of what I am doing to look back at years later and be like "what the %&*$ was I thinking, that was so awesome!"  Also I guess some people actually read this thing hoping for some kind of insight into my ever so exciting life.  Or you meant to type someone else's name into google and mine came up.

Any of those may or my not apply, but at this time I actually do have a lot going on.  Check it out.

Get it?  Do I need to spell it out for you?  Two buns in the oven.  If it took you that long to figure it out, I feel sorry for you as you probably get outsmarted by a 5th grader more often than not.

Thank you Jeff Foxworthy for letting me know that my remedial math and geography skills are just that.  Remedial. 

Most of my time is spent getting ready for those two buns to finish baking.  Should be done sometime in July by all of the doctors predictions.  Until then the burrower has been having the normal pregnancy sickness that hasn't ceased since I placed said buns in said oven.  Meanwhile, my Halo skills have improved remarkably due to her early bedtime and my free time increasing after dark.

This year at the short track races was also an improvement for me personally.  Although I was still at the back of the pack, I was actually at the back of the pack fighting for positions, and not just hanging out waiting for the bootleg beer to show up.  Looking back at it, my lap times improved every week and I felt stronger.  Its the simple things in life for me sometimes

 Photo Cred: The burrower

Photo Cred: Michael Quinn

The way I figure it, I have half a riding season before I have to worry about getting a set of sidecars for the bike.  That may be dangerous on the trail.  So I am making the best of it, especially this week with daylight savings time. I am able to get out and ride after work.  I also have decided to be just a trend behind in the moutain bike world by trying this new 2x10 system.  

What does that mean?  It means only 20 gears instead of 30.  Why do you ask?  I honestly don't know anymore.  They made it so now you only have 11 gears.  I can't keep up with the cool kids.

With 6 Hours of Warrior Creek coming up in less than a month, I figure I better start riding.  What better time to get ready for 6 hours of sitting on a bike than 3 weeks before.  I figure the last minute preparation worked for me in college, might as well try it now.  And just because I bought the picture last year of me at Warrior Creek, I am putting it up again.  Its a picture of me, how can that be bad?

Photo cred: Ryan Sigsbey

Plus this picture is about the only thing that keeps me sane at work, just thinking about falling out of a rock garden on my bike.  Sometimes its the little things that get us through the day.

Hopefully I will be back again before Warrior Creek, but I make no promises. 

short track lap 1 published

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.