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Its become that time of year again where I have settled into a routine. I guess that is good in a way, I know what to expect. After the spring in which I had it is nice to get to get into a rhythm. At least there has been a lot of this.


And this.


I seem to have taken to the Pale Ales type beer lately. At least when I am going for quality and not quantity. Its nice sometimes to just have a good beer along with some steak, mushrooms, corn on the cob...mmmm Sunday night dinner all over again.

I did try to go ride this weekend, but my dinner just wasn't sitting well so I called it quits, and lucky I did because on my way home I get a call from the burrower saying a pipe burst. At least I was only 2 miles away. Goods news is that I come to find out that a pipe didn't burst, but just came out (somehow after 2 years). Crisis averted.

I did have some other issues with the culprit, obviously they were all operator error. I left my camelbak on the bike while I was at work and Gatorade ended up leaking all over the brake rotors.

Not the quickest or quietest way to stop with all the junk on it.

I did need to change the pads anyways.


I never knew how much heat was generated from brakes until I saw the burn marks on the back. Pretty cool.

I am not sure when the next time I am going to get to ride on the trails is again as we are currently down to one vehicle and going down to ATL to see my parents for the long weekend. I ended up trading both my car and the burrowers car in for one Kia Sportage.



Its in the cards for me to pick up a beater to get me around town, until then I am going out on my morning commute on my road bike. Not necessarily a bad thing, I have been lazy since getting back from the wedding, and this really makes me not have any choice. At least it means I am getting some exercise and can eat more to balance it out. Have a good 4th of July. Remember to celebrate the greatness of this country by blowing up a small piece of it!

Kidding, its time to celebrate our Independence and to remember what this country stands for!

Moving on but not moving up

At least not in terms of my standings in the races in which I enter. I have been trying to get out on the bike at least 3 times a week, and twice on the trail. So far the weather has been pretty good, its getting warmer, but that is to be expected this time of the year in the south.

Also the summer seems to have calmed down a bit, at least in relation to the spring in terms of weekend commitments (not to be confused with anybody being committed). With all of the riding I have run into a few issues with my articles of clothing. Mainly not having enough riding gear to get me through the week. On the plus side, the burrower has finally given up putting my clothes back in the drawers and just hanging them up where I can grab them quickly. Score.

(also a shameless plug for Queencity Bicycles)

If you look at my results from the past couple of summer series races, well, they suck worse than...I can't think of anything so here is a bunny to put it into perspective.


Up until last race at the USNWC, my legs felt horrible. They felt like most of you probably look. Yeah, that bad. But this last week they felt good. I mean real good. To bad by the time I finished the race everyone was already at the bar. I am trying to get out of survival mode for finishing races, and I am coming close, but taking a month off in the spring with an unlimited food and drink honeymoon is rough (but worth it) But I can handle that, my next challenge is the 50 mile race there. If I keep the legs in shape, that August race is going to be a piece of cake. I do have one nemisis that keeps holding me back though, and it has for years. Beer.


As you can tell, I obviously had to many trying to post this picture.

Weather looks good for this weekend, I have the newly official in-laws coming into town so hopefully I can get a few rides in while attempting to do other husbandly duties. I apologize for the 2 weeks off, but there just wasn't much to talk about. I wasn't about to put out stuff just for the sake of it (cough cough Mutt)

Burn 24 (wrap up)

Since I waiting 2 hours at the mechanics shop for them to put on my tires, and my car still didn't even get into a bay, I am just in the mood to keep this short and sweet.

(stole this one from the mutt)

I think I left off just finishing up lap 4 (or 6) I can't remember. But things started to get a little hazy at that point. As you might know (spoiler alert) I am not a fast rider by any means, and had been on the bike for around 6 hours. I was getting a little loopy. I was lucky enough to have Jason bring his bike and go out with me on lap 6. It was nice having someone to talk to on the trail that had no intention of passing my slow ass. I took in a burger (or 2, I can't remember) some cliff bars for the trail, filled up the camelbak with powerade and headed out for my first night lap. This also happened to be my first night lap ever.

Luckily Bart loaned me a Seca 1400. Man that thing was bright. As I went out for that nice casual lap I realized that I was getting a little loopy in my head, and sloopy on the trail. The roots were starting to dew over and get slick and I ended up walking some of the trail. I did manage to pass my local dirt diva Little Miss Sunshine. We actually finished the lap together.

Thank you Mutt for the tag.

I that was just the finish for lap number 7 (I think). After that details get a little blurry. I know that I was standing at my bike looking around the tent and all I could hear was the Burrower "what do you want/need?". I just looked around and finally got to asking for a refill of the camelbak. I went out for another lap.

I don't really remember much that last lap. I have learned that your body starts to shut down after long periods of time in extreme conditions (this one being heat). I didn't want to eat or drink or even use the bathroom. To date I had ridden only a 6 hour race. Here I was on hour 12 and I was delirious. I did manage to finish lap 8 sometime around midnight before calling it quits for the night. When I came in luckily the pit crew was still almost sober and helped me gather some food, take my bike, and point me in the direction of a hose for a quick rinse off before bed after me playing a game of charades and pointing and grunting at what I wanted to eat and drink.

I think it was a little after midnight when I finally passed out, dead to the world.

I awoke the next morning around 630. My alarm was set for 645 as I had ambitions, I had goals...and I also had a sore ass from riding 12 hours the day before. Erik made breakfast of eggs, bagels and oatmeal for me as I looked at my bike the entire time. It was a showdown. Me against the culprit. I put on my last dry set of riding clothes and finally hit the trail around 8:20. I only managed to do one lap before calling it quits. I was just too tired and to sore to continue. I ended up 15 out of 22 entries with 9 laps in the mens solo open.

At first I was disappointed in my results, I wanted 15 laps (or 100 miles) but looking back there were a lot of things that couldn't be avoided. The heat, the rain the night before, the lack of riding before hand due to other commitments, the beer, etc. I also spoke with a lot of other riders who had been riding since before I was born and they were just doing their first 24 hour race. I have been riding for 3 years now to put it into perspective. They had a really nice base to fall back on. I wanted a challenge, I got a challenge. I will continue to strive to do better next year as Erin already signed me up as she just likes to have an excuse to camp and peoplewatch. I'm already training for it....

Here are just some other pictures from the Burn in which the Burrower took or I stole off the F-book.

Glow bracelets, not just for raves anymore


The morning fog rolling out. I just thought this was a cool picture.


Looked at this one again. There is a guy wearing underwear and cape in it. Why would I not post it?

I am sure more will post up online somewhere, but until next week, enjoy.