What hurricane?

So checking this world wide web thing Friday night and all the news type websites were talking about the hurricane. Good news is that it headed north, the bad news is that it is causing a lot of damage higher up on the east coast. Hopefully people evacuated when they were told to.

But since it did head north, that left the central part of North Carolina free of rain (at least of any real measure) and on a dark and windy morning my journey to Uwharrie for the Battle of the Carolina's started. Driving my box on wheels with a bike on top in high wings is always an adventure, but eventually me and my trusty pit crew, the Burrower, made it in plenty of time for the start.

After checking in and putting on my number plate (Number 2, this is the lowest number I had ever gotten, almost made me feel like a ringer) I headed to the start line for the pre-race meeting. These were the events in chronological order. If you notice there was no warm up. Im supposed to ride 50 miles, I don't see the need to ride 2-3 to warm up. After talking with the MaddSS, DirtyBikeLoveDave, the Mutt, and a few other of the usual suspects it was time for the race to start. I took my place in the back of the group and then headed off.

Now this course is no typical Charlotte trail, this is like the mountains, real climbing, rocky and rooty descents, and I would soon find out that I just was not ready for it. The course was a 5 lap 10 mile loop. It had been a while since I had ridden there, but I figured by the 5th lap I would know the course pretty well.

The first lap was pretty uneventful, just the normal hustle and bustle of people changing up positions and figuring out their pace. The climbs were brutal, but I avoided the granny ring for the first lap and was able to power through at a pretty good pace. After the brutal climbs comes the bone shaking descents. My body was not ready for these either. My bike and my body (which luckily was attached to the bike) were getting shaken up real bad. But lap one finished without incident.

The second lap was pretty much the same, touch climbs, still feeling good, brutal downhills etc. Nothing much to report there. It is when I came through on my 3rd and just happened to be final lap. There was a mild climb right after the fire road and my body was done. Legs just stopped working. No cramps, no pain, just no power. I back-tracked to the pit area and saw the burrower ready with her camera, waiting for me to come through. We talked a little bit and then my fearless leader Bart convinced me it was all in head. I went out on another lap. This lap was painful. I walked up most the uphills, (which was a lot) and then rode the brakes on the downhills hoping to smooth out the ride. It didn't work. When I dismounted the bike to walk, my vision got blurry. As much as I wanted to finish this race, I don't believe it was in the cards for that day.

As the burrower often points out, "you are closer to 30 than 20 right now". Physically that is true. I can't expect to go ride for 50 miles, when the most I had done all summer at one time is 20. This type of thing happens when you grow up I am guessing, traveling, weddings, time with friends, and I just didn't put in the miles I needed to complete this goal. I hate to sound like a Chicago Cubs fan, but there is always next year. Sorry for being long winded without any picture, but here yo go, the burrower set up shop at the start/finish line and took a few, at least while I was doing the last few miles of trail.


Me cruising through the last 2 miles.


The Mutt on Patrol

Chase cruising on through.

Daniel on a SS rigid, he regretted this lack of a suspension.

Summer in Full Swing

With the 100 degree temp's in which we have been having for the past 2 months, these 80 degree days are a blessing. But during that heat wave there was still a lot going on, even at the risk of heat stroke.

After hearing of all the people completing the Booty Charity ride there was the Charlotte Criterium downtown. With one of the largest money prizes in the country there was a lot of action going on. First up was the women. I don't think I could keep up with these ladies, and when they crash, they crash hard.






One of the ladies was actually down and didn't move for about 10 minutes. They stopped the race for medical attention. She did get up and walk off her own power, but didn't continue.

Continuing on, my first top 10 finishes of the season for the Wednesday night race series occured. Granted the number of racers in my class was 11, 10, 7 respectively, but finishing does get you points. Now I am tied for 10th in the overall standings for my race class, not because of my stellar finishes, but because consistency pays off. I might get my race fees back in prizes this year. Score.

On the vacation front, I just got back from Boston for Cashley's wedding festivities extravaganza. Saw Fenway Park, the fishing town of Gluscester (I am sure I spelled that wrong but I don't care) then partied and got drunk at a lot of historical places.

See, Fenway Park


The double point, I am that cool.

Cleaning up nicely. Oh yeah, the burrower doing her thang as well.

The newly happy couple


A drunk historical spot, sponsored by Allison.


Big Buck Hunter, I won a lot of beer playing that


They wouldn't let me play with the guns. Apparently I'm on some kind of list.


That water was 61 degree. That is damn cold.

If you want to see the rest, become my Face-friends and in the subject line put "nude pictures" (I just want to see if you will do it)

Surrender the BOOTY!!!!!

Todays post is a collection of short stories. My life isn't interesting enough to keep a full weeks worth, so I save it up and try to remember the past 2 weeks.

Starting yesterday night was the something's annual Booty Ride.


Once again this year I didn't pull the trigger and sign up, but luckily everybody in Charlotte is there supporting the riders for cancer research. I myself donated as my mom is a cancer survivor. And I need her around to be my designated driver when I go to the brewery tours.

Thanks mom for supporting my drinking habit!

Since I didn't sign up but some of my friends did, please go ahead and support them.

We have Little Miss Sunshine



And my save the world co-worker Lindsay


Or even any of my Queencity Teammates

As of yesterday over 1 million dollars has been donated for cancer reseach, so please use this as a tax deduction.

In terms of my lackluster career as a bike racer, it continues to be lackluster. The past 2 races I have gotten my first top 10 finishes, the first race there were only 9 people, but the 2nd one there was 11. Progress? Probably not. But survival is a tactic in bike racing when the weather is up over 100 degrees.

I also signed up for my arch nemesis of a bike race, the Rivers Edge 50 mile Marathon. Goal this year is to complete it in under 5 hours. If the weather continues to be close to boiling point it will be close. Looking back I have come far in terms of riding. My first year's time was 6 hours 30 minutes. Last years was 5 hours 45 minutes. I think that it is a reasonable goal to shoot for. Especially since I have a 6 hour and 24 hour bike race under my belt this year.

Try to stay hydrated and cool, its damn hot out there, and please donate!

Same old, same old

Its been a whole lot of nothing going on here. I made the executive decision about 3 weeks ago to trade in both my little hatchback and the burrowers little sedan, to get......a small SUV for her.

She has always wanted one, and well, I think I got a good deal on it. So what is good for her is good for me. Except that left me without a vehicle. Now, normally that isn't so bad as I can ride my bike to work, and we have locker rooms there to shower and change in. Yeah for tax breaks to build those facilities. On the other hand I haven't had a chance to get to the trails to ride as most are a little too out of the way to ride a mountain bike to. My trail time was limited.

On the other hand I got some of my car insurance premium back, as well as lost a couple pounds with the 3 weeks of commuting to and from work. Only got caught in the rain one time. All that changed yesterday when I finally was able to pick up a vehicle for cheap. Requirment....that it runs and I can put my bike on it. I will be hitting up the trails more reguarly now, again.

But looking back over the past few weeks there were some other minor note worth events that happened. Went down to the original dirty south, ATL to see the rents. Even got to stop and go to the Sweetwater Brewery. Not much of a "tour", but one heck of a social gathering.

Me and the Burrower.


Dad having a brew.


Me and the designated driver...I mean my mom.


I actually don't know these people, but they wanted their picture taken (he did anyway)

Me and the burrower also went to the Georgia Aquarium. We watched dolphins, and made funny faces at the fish.



And finally, most importantly. I got my limited edition St. Ambrose University Bicycling jersey. I ordered this back in February, and finally it came. Lets just say it looks sexy on me.


And most importantly the fighting bee.


The weather finally didn't completely suck today, so hopefully trails tomorrow. I have a vehicle, the bike is ready to go, should be fun. Until then.

No new updates

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.

Burn 24 hour Race (1 of at least 2)

Lets just start off saying that I survived my first 24 hour mountain bike race. I was (dumb, stupid, stubborn, unprepared, determined) pick one.



But I finished it. There were a lot of things that were going against me for my goal of 100 miles. The weather. It was hot. Damn hot. It was close to the mountains and not even June yet, but the temperature was still up around 90 degrees. Also, it rained the day before. Judging by the mud puddles it was a good amount. Also with mud there is the extra effort in which you need to put in. The wheels just kept on spinning on the first laps but the bike wasn't going anywhere. I guess I just put out to much power on the climbs that the bike couldn't keep up... Well, as long as I am lying to myself, I might as well make it a good one.


Look how naive I look, all ready to go.

I managed to get 2 laps in before coming into the pit area where my dedicated (and at this point still sober) pit crew awaited. (A big thank you to all of you for showing up and helping me out, it would have been rough without you). There was the always faithful and helpful Burrower, the traveling man Erik, Sunscreen Erin, Skipping Jason, and Potty mouth Amy who decided to show up for the weekend. The first exchange was a little rough as they didn't know how long I was going to be out on the trail, how many laps I was doing at one point. Logistics in which should have been thought of before the race but looking back, a few minutes didn't hurt resting off the bike.

The trail was still a little slick when I went out for laps 3 and 4. I could feel the pace of the group getting a little slower, and mostly my pace getting slower as well. I still had about 20 hours to go at this point, so I really wasn't in much of a hurry. The rest of the pack also started to thin out just a bit as well, I wasn't getting passed as much or doing as much passing. I think the heat and course took its tool on people earlier than expected. I managed to come in after the 4 lap unscathed and just fatigued. My neck had been bothering me for a week and I couldn't turn my head back to the right, but that didn't matter as long as I could look forward. At this point I took in a few cliff bars, some fruit snacks, filled up the camelback and kept going for lap 5. The rest is to be continued.

Last Minute Changes

Everyone always says doing last minute changes to your bike usually results in failure. Thats why I went ahead and did them last minute before the Wednesday night summer series race. That way they wouldn't be last minute before the Burn 24 hour mountain bike race.

I went over to the Mutt's secret headquarters. I have been running the same tubeless tires for 2 years now and needed to replace them. It also gave me a chance to get rid of the front tire in which I didn't like, but still rode for 2 years. The Continental King 2.4. I just don't think it was right for the Charlotte conditions of sand and clay, although when I went to Colorado last year for nationals it held its own.

Instead I opted for the tried and true Kenda small block 8 on the rear and Nevegal on the front. I took some pictures but the card doesn't work with my 5 year old laptop. I will have to post some later.

In other news Queencity Bicycles Bart has loaned me a Seca 1400 for the Burn. Thank you Bart for that and I will definalty use it to its fullest and try to blind some squirells for you. Thats all for right now, sorry no pictures, but I am going to the bar and then off for a family dinner. What a way to train for the weekend right? Till then.

The Honeymoon

And no there won't be any of the "good pictures" on the blog. I took video of it....and put it on youtube. So there.

After getting Married on May 7th, the burrower and I went back to her home town of Galesburg to do a quick opening of gifts and re-pack the car. After arranging everything to our liking in the vehicle we took off around 3 central. Then felt disheartened as we changed the clock to 4 right away and seems we had lost an hour. We ended up driving just past Indianapolis before stopping for the night. We completed the journey back to Charlotte and got home at 7 on Monday. Our flight for the Bahamas left at 7 am on Tuesday. Talk about a quick turn around.

When we got to the Bahamas at Sandals, our resort for the week, we were greeted by a glass of champange for both of us. Way to take the edge off, right before noon. While they were getting our room ready we were taken to a buffet and started eating...and it didn't stop the entire time we were there. I will just take the easy way out and say that all we did we drink, eat, drink, sun, volleyball, drink, eat.


The burrower choosing her drink of choice for the night.



I disconnected the call, they were charging me like 4.99 a minute to call.

The closest I got to a bike was the water bicycle.



Turns out, they can get flats just like land bicycles.



We had to be towed back to shore


Which basically brings us back to the present time. Or within 2 weeks. I might not have time to discuss my previous 2 Summer Series races, but due to all the eating and drinking and not riding I have been doing, theres really not much to say. On the other hand this weekend is Memorial day and you should know what that means. The Burn24. My first 24 hour mountain bike race, and I am choosing to do it solo. I will probably spend the next 2 days getting everything together. Food, camping supplies, ammunition, possibly bike and biking clothes, but not sure if going to have enough time.