Cross Practice

Today we are going to go and practice some barrier running and remounts with Russell, Tosa Cx'r and Fast Girl Sammi (AKA National Champion Crosser). The Boy, Mad Dog and myself are going to meet them and run the barriers that Pat has built for us to practice with. The first race is in 10 days and Nate wants to do the series this year again and try to win his age class. He took 3rd to a couple of 14 year old kids last year and they moved up so Nate has a good chance. We are hoping that the barriers are a lot easier for Nate to get over this year as in the past they were as high as his knees. I'm not racing the series but I will practice today as it always helps for mtn bike races. Maddie just wants to give it a try so we are going to help her along also as it is her first time. We will let you all know how it goes. Later..

Russell's Supermate of the week

I think that Russell may have got his hernia moving this fine lady around.

Back from the Chequamegon

Well we did the long ride home today after the race over the weekend. It was another great weekend in the Northwoods. We left on Thursday for a day of riding the trails right behind the condos that we stayed at. They were some of the sweetest trails that we have ridden so far this year. After the ride we cleaned up and went for a great meal and a couple of beers at the place right down the road. We kind of drank to much and then paid the price the next morning. Danny, Len and myself then rode the race course on Friday to find where the bad sand and hills were and then relaxed for the race the next day.

The race went about as good as I could have planned I guess. Danny, Len and myself all had preferred starts so we got to roll up to the start and then get a good warm up and be ready for when the gun went off. The race started and I got into a good spot and spun the legs as fast as I could and hung on for the road lead out. I was sitting in a good spot and was in the top 30 for the entire race and never really felt as I was at the max. As we hit the first hills and sand I just kept it pinned and tried to see where it would take me and it never really hurt as much as I expected. I stayed with the other Single Speeders until I got stuck behind a guy that caused me to get off in a sand trap and I lost contact and then the chase was on and I could never close the gap. I just then made sure I could keep it going so not to give up my 3rd place spot. I was happy with the finish as the guys who did beat me were 19 and 21 years old hell I'm old enough to be there father. Good finish equals great tasting beer.

Props to Ron who finished 3rd in the 40 Single Speed class. John who finished 2nd in age in the 40 and to Murphy Kate who finished 1st in the Single Speed in the Short race. Len who finished 5th in age and Danny who finished 5th in the Single Speed in the short race. Also great job to everyone else as I don't feel like typing all those results. Time to rest and read the paper. Later..

Lock and loaded

Here is a picture of part of my support crew. Cece's mother, my mother and Cece at the start of my race. My parents came along with us and Cece's mother flew out to watch us race and stay with some of Cece's cousins. The start of my race was about 80 and over cast. The end of my race it was clear skies and about 95 degrees.

Well today I took the day off and went to a apple orchard with Jessica's class. It was a fun time but let me tell you there is nothing like 100 kids from 4 years to 8 years old running all over the place. It was a fun day and well worth the day off of work. Now the bike bag and bike or packed and loaded for the trip to the Chequamegon. We are getting on the road at 7am to get up there early to ride the single track right behind the condo. Then the rest of the gang should start trickling in over the next day and then it is race time. I'm racing the single speed in the short and fat and got a prefered start so hoping to have a good race. Update when we get home. Later..

Russell's Supermate of the Week

I think Russell pulled his pink cape out the other day on the bmx track to try to get a hook up with this mate. I think if Russell pulled a better colored cape out he may have a chance. I think if he keeps pulling the cape out he might have a chance. Keep your cape a flapping Russell.

Sun Burst

Here is a picture of Myself and Monte Milner at the NORBA Nationals. Monte used to live in Racine but his job now took him to living in Reno. We both enjoyed the race and he finished several places and a couple of minutes behind me.

Yesterday The Boy, Sammi, and John went and pre rode the course. As always nothing really changed except that they added a little more trail in the open bumpy field.

To start today Maddie raced and looked good and finished 2nd again in the race. If she raced the entire series she could have won it or at least finished a solid 2nd. She may finish 3rd if she races well but it is looking like a 4th at the end. Nate had a bad day as he finished 6th today. 4 older day taggers raced today and Nate wasn't feeling all that good at the start and I could tell that he was going to have a off day at the races. He did well and is still in 1st and with another good finish he should be able to win the overall. Cece had a good race and finished 2nd in hers. She was having a rough start and had to walk her bike for a bit and then had to play catch up and pass others to get back to 2nd place. Again If she raced more of the races this year and didn't crack her elbow in the first race she could have been in the top 2 or 3. But oh well not bad for a weekend racer that doesn't train.

I had a good race I guess. I was with the lead 2 guys in the SS and then got caught in a mess in the single track and got crashed by another racer and lost contact and never closed it and had to settle for 3rd place today. I felt good but the last time up the hill I was glad that I didn't have to do it 5 or 6 times. If I have another good race and a solid one at one I may be able to hold on to a top 3 finish. Just have to wait and see I guess. Big props to John L as he looked strong and should be able to hold on to the Comp Overall. Great job John. More props to the other racers as some looked like they were hating it and others were just flying around the course. Next up is the Cheq this weekend. See you there or the nexr race. Later..

Never under estimate a kid

Here is a picture of the family at a winery. It was a real nice set up and we were able to eat lunch there also. Oh yea we bought a bunch of wine also.

The Boy did the Beat Down with us last night. The little shit held is own and only needed a push up a few hills and when the pace was hovering around 29mph his little legs had a little trouble hanging on. In all he rode great and thanks to Russell and Danny for the help on ensuring he stayed on. At the end we did about 34 miles and ended up with a average of 22.6. great job Nate. I think he would have dropped a few others that I won't mention but I know Russell will later. Time to eat, Later..

BMX'n and 1 more Beat Down

Here is a fine picture looking at one of the salt flats just outside of Salt Lake City. They were just like looking at snow for awhile but is was 95 degrees outside. The salt flats were long and seemed to go on forever and I wish I had the time to take the Excursion out and run it wide open to see what the beast could do.

Today was the lat time trial at CR. But I didn't ride it I spent the night on the bmx track again. It was fun to see the gang there again I can't wait until the indoor so we can all get together and blast each other out of the gates again this year. There will be one more bmx practice next week as the sun is going down so soon that it isn't possible to ride that late anymore so just one more. Maybe you can talk John into a Sat or 2 but with having to activate the insurance I think that may be out as he would need about 25 or more to make it worth it. Also it is teh last beat down ride so come out and ride it with us as we are plannig to get something to eat after the ride to end another fine year of Thursday night rides. Time to get to bed as I have another day testing De-icers at the airport. Later..

Rain Ride.

Here is a picture of the Boy and Mad Dog holding a couple of star fish by the Ocean in Oregon. Jessie also had one but didn't get in the picture. We brought the star fish home and they are drying out and looking good.

Yesterday The Boy and I rode with the team Extreme racers. They ride started at the Alpha trails and the rain moved us to the Tosa trails. We got going and the rain started there also but it was light enough to let us ride for about an hour and a half. After the ride we had some good food at John's house. Thanks for the ride and the food. Tomorrow is the last time trial at CR so see you all there. I'm riding the bmx track again and I think the Boy and Mad Dog are also only riding the bmx bikes. See you there. Time to get the kids in bed. Later..

Russell's supermate of the week

Being that it is Labor day and this fine lady is all business in the front and party in the back here is to you Russell for getting paid to partyt today.

Just rolling along

Here is a picture of one of the vineyards that we were at and the flowers were just beautiful. Also the wine was good and we bought a few bottles for home.

A quick weekend update of the things that went down. Nate, Russell, Megan, Jeff, John and myself did a nice 43 plus a few ticks mile ride. The Boy held his ground great and Megan also did a great job. Thanks to Jeff, Russ and John for just doing a nice steady ride and teaching the kids the right way to ride a pace line and to also ride a revolving pace line. Maybe we need to put a clinic on for the Menace as the kids rode better then he ever does. Then it was get home and wash and wax the car, truck and my motorcycle. It is the final one before the winter unless I get a few warmer days later I will wax them once more. Today was a nice mtn bike ride with Russ, Nate, Pat, Megan, Bubba and myself along the river. The trails are in great shape but they are in need of some trimming and a few trees that are down need to be cut. Hopefully we can get to that one of these days or someone will now that it will be night riding time. Now just sitting and waiting for Jerry, Barb, Mackenzie and Russ to come over for a little cookout. May try to get to the ride at Alpha tomorrow if it isn't raining and ride with the gang and eat some brats and have a few cocktails. Later..

The Menace appears

Work has been the same old crap that I didn't miss while the fingers were healing. So nothing new there except that I have to try to catch up from missing 10 weeks. The Beat Down was a fun ride again last night. I knew the pace would be amped up as when I pulled in the lot Jack Hammers truck was there. Jack played nice for a while until we turned off Janesvile road and he took a flyer off the front and only Jeff went with him. The rest of us stayed mostly together working a revolving paceline at a steady pace. But as always Mike the Menace sitting in the back and then pulling through manages to mess it up. This old kind of fast rider can't ride a straight line or a steady pace to save his life. Well we let up hoping to shake him but he goes to the front and Dan sits his wheel to let him get nice and tired and then try to drop him, it works for now. We turned off a different way as the day light is less and he goes with the few that did a little longer loop. We are now cruising at a good pace and the Jack and Jeff come up from behind and we get the pace amped up a little higher again. About 7 miles to go Jim gets a flat and we wait and the group with the Menace rolls up, great. We ride in and in the last sub division Russell, Jeff, Todd and myself go flying up for the lead out sprint. While doing that the Menace is all up in Dan's face for about a mile plus. It didn't stop until the parking lot and that is where I got all up in his face. You all know me and I would never get in anyones face. Well I told the piece of work not to come on the ride any more and if he was wondering why he has been tossed from all the local bike shops and no ride wants him on them just to ponder that for awhile. For a guy that can ride strong but always rides like shit and can't keep his mouth shut I'm wondering why he still has his teeth. Other then having to watch out for the Menace the ride was a good one and it appears that there will only be 1 more and then the night rides will start so get the lights ready. Later..

More to come later...

Here is a picture of the big truck trying to look small next to the Red woods. The size of the trees are just unreal and if you ever get a chance to see them it is a must stop.

The Beat down was fun and some good action after the ride. More to come tomorrow as I need sleep. Later..

Track wrap up

We went to the track last night for some fixie racing. It was the last night for the year so we loaded the truck with Russ, Erich, Jamie, The Boy, Mad Dog and myself and hit it for the last night of racing. I didn't race as after the summer off with the fingers and all I don't have thge leg speed so I gave each of the kids a split of the money I saved from the entry fee. The Boy raced well but again but he looked real tired from the weekend of racing WORS as he was nipped out at the line twice. Maddie raced well and it is to bad the season is over because she is looking better on the track each week. Russell didn't race as he is pretty beat up from this weekend of crashes and E man looked good as he won the Masters snowball. Well another year of track racing is over and now Nate is looking forward to the rest of the Mtn bike races and doing the cross races again this year. Hell Maddie even asked if she could do some cross races so maybe she will become a all around racer yet. See you all at the time trial or if not at the bmx track as that should be open no matter if the trails are closed. Later..

Russell's Supermate of the Week

I think these 2 women were taking up Russell's time as he couldn't fit in both races this last weekend. Russ still was able to pull off a win on Sunday but I think if he gave up a few minutes with the women he could have won the WORS Cup again. Enjoy your ladies Russ.

WORS cup

The family had a good weekend of racing at the WORS cup. Nate and I won the Down hill TT on Saturday racing on the greasy wet trails. Then on Sunday Maddie took 3rd in her race and is getting better each race. Cece won her race and took 4th overall of the female class. Nate won his race and took 8th overall of all the cit men. I took second in SS and 11th overall in the sport class. In the end Nate took first in the omnium and I was able to also win the omnium. So everall it was a great weekend and we all had a lot of fun. Time to get the kids in bed as they start school tomorrow. Later..

Big Heads

Here is a picture of the family at Mount Rushmore on the way home during our trip out west. It was a great place to visit and if you get a chance to get there I recommend that you stop there. It was a beautiful clear day when we were there and when we were on our way to our hotel it rained about 30 minutes and about 4 inches of rain fell. We lucked out. Today with the rain I didn't go to the Beat Down I rode the spin bike instead. Easy ride tomorrow and then Dan is picking us up and off to the WORS cup. Later..

Low Down

Here is a picture of Nate finishing his race at the NORBA nationals. The race was the last ones of the day at 5pm and 105 plus degrees. He was in the lead for the first 7 miles and the last mile plus climb got to him and the others passed him. He pushed it and made up one spot and got his third place. The awards was what took so long as they waited until the last one finished and that was over an hour and a half after they finished so that was a long wait.

My brother Wade and some friends came in to town for the weekend and we crammed 10 pounds of crap into a few days. On Saturday morning we hit the BMX track for a few laps as Wade wanted to see Nate and Maddie ride it. Ezra and Emma also came to the track and got to see the kids ride. Ezra did a bunch of laps on Maddie's bike and loved it. He wished that they had a track close to their home in Woodville. After that we went to the Brewers game and got there early enough to watch batting practice. We had a table on the Fridays deck and I caught 4 baseballs and Nate caught one so every kid got to bring one home with the free lunch box that they also got that night. On Sunday we went to the Milwaukee Market and then on a boat ride on Lake Michigan. When we got home we grilled and sat around and talked and enjoyed the weather. On Monday we went on a Miller Brewery tour and they left and went home in the early afternoon. I got my chores done and got a ride in.

On Tuesday we went to the track and I warmed up but did not race as I just don't have the leg speed to waste the 20 dollars. I split the 20 and give each kid 10 instead. Nate took 2 4th places and that was pretty good as he is on antibiotics for strep thoat. Maddie took a couple of 2nd places in the girls. The story of the night was Russell pulling down some good results and looking real good on the track. He is getting some real good leg speed and racing real good. The rest of the team looked good all night as well.

Tonight was a night of riding at the bmx track. The gang was there. Ron, Russell, Dan, Bubba's kids, Skyler, Josh ( Kenny's little rocket boy) and many others. The track is looking better each week and I can't wait until they get a gate. There will be few more practice times this year and I think we are going to hit the bmx and take a break from the time trials for a while. Tomorrow is the beat down and then get ready for the WORS cup races this weekend. Later..

Russell's Supermate of the week

Russell's has his hands full with these 2 girls. They are competing to get his attention by showing off their underwear. I think Russell was so happy at seeing the undies he ripped the white ones with his teeth before she could tuck them back in. Enjoy your 2 girls Russ..

New Baby in the house

We have a new baby hanging in the basement now. I bought the frame last spring and got the fork this summer and started to put the bike together over the last few weeks. Nate wanted a carbon handle bar also so I made a deal that if he paid for half of it I would also. I got the great wheel set Tuesday from the Master wheel builders of Russell and Ron. The wheels are great and really cool. Nate took it for a spin outside today and the bike is nice and solid and really light. He should be able to rip it up at the bmx track. I may have to build a 20 inch up for myself and race age and cruiser. Tomorrow he is going to ride it at the track so that should be the real test. See you at the bmx track maybe. Have to go my brother just pulled in. Later..