Winshield Time

It was a busy weekend with good results. Yesterday we loaded the truck and headed to the worst Cross race of the series. It was the Whitewater cycling team race and they sure don't care that they put on crappy events. They not only don't put any thought into the course that they use for their races they charge more. I understand that they are using the events to raise money for their team but then get something to reward the people that do race. Hit up the sponsors for some thing to give back. Nate got a water bottle for his efforts just like his reward this summer for doing the omnium event for their road events. I will probably not do their events again. Like Bob S. said if they need to raise more money have a bake sale instead of raising the price to race. Nate won so it was worth the trip. After the race it was off to the WORS banquet. I will recap that tomorrow. It was nice to see my parents as they drove do to attend the event with us. That was cool. Then today was the cross race in Janesville and it was the coolest race so far. Nate and Mitch raced and they worked together the entire race. In the end it was Nate and then Mitch. It was fun to see them work together as they just rode away from everyone. So in the end I drove to Whitewater, then to Stevens Point then home (home @ 2am) and then to Janesville and then back home. Time to go to bed. Later..

Hunt'n Pumpkins

Freezing on the hay ride.
Kyle thinking he should have worn some long pants.
Jessie telling us a story.
Maddie just chill'n in the back.
Me laugh'n that my co workers are working and I'm having fun.

4 kids feeding the kids.
Nice nose.
This goat laughing at the kids paying to feed him.
This goat was checking out Kyles braces and wanting a set of his own.

Goats just chill'n out while we wait for the hay ride.

Haunted house as we went through this thing like 20 times.
Some thing kind of scary.
A little scary Not......
Today the punks and Cece had the day off. I did not so I took a half day off as to not feel left out. The punks slept in as I went to work and Cece did some cleaning in the morning. I got home and we then left to get Nate's friend Kyle and we stopped to get some new jeans and things for the punks. We then hit the pumpkin farm for some walking in the corn maze, the haunted spook house, and a hay ride. It was a tad cool and windy with a little drizzle but we still had fun. It sure beats a day of work. It was super muddy in the corn fields and on the hay ride route but we managed to leave most of the mud there and not have the kids too much on them. Next year I have a feeling that Nate may not want to go to the pumpkin farm with us so it was a good time today.

Tomorrow we are going to go to the cross race instead of the football game. Nate is enjoying the football and all but he wants to do the cross races. We talked to the head football coach and he understands that Nate wants to race as is fine that he goes to the races and has missed 3 games now. Nate still goes to all the practices and enjoys the practices but he just wants to race his bike. Nate will still have 1 more game next week and we will make that game as there is no race on Saturday. After the race we are heading up to the WORS awards to pick up some of the bling that was earned over the WORS series. Hopefully we will also score some of the raffle prizes this year as there is always some real good things given away. Last year I won a heart rate monitor and Nate won a set of wheels. So see you at the race or the awards. Later..

All normal here

Daddy taxi, that is what I have been for the last couple of days. Tuesday I had to take a few hours off from work to get Maddie from school and take her to get a physical. The Dr. said she is doing great and is normal ( I some times have to disagree ). It took 2.5 hours to get through that appt. and I was ready to walk out and leave but the nurse just walked in to give Maddie her shots. I then rushed home to get Nate and get to football practice in which we just made it. I Then got home and checked the phone as it was beeping that I had a message ( I forgot to grab it when I left the house ). I had forgot that I had a school board meeting that night also. On top of that Cece also had parent teacher conferences so she didn't get home until 8:45pm either. It was only the 2nd meeting in 8 years that I forgot about so it is not that bad and nobody is beating done the door so serve on the board so they won't kick me off either.

Yesterday was another day that I had to take a few hours off this time I had to take Jessica to get her physical. I told the receptionist that now on make that both girls are at the same time if they could. She said Jessica is off the charts in all things for her age. The good thing was that this appt. only took 25 minutes and we were in and out like it should be. I had plenty of time to get Nate to practice and not feel rushed the entire time. Nate is going to miss this weekends game again as he has decided to do the cross race on Saturday. I let him decided and he said that the race is more important and he wants to race, so that is what we will do. The family is packing in to the truck for the race and then we are going to the WORS awards right from the race. Then on Sunday Nate and I heading to Janesville for the other cross race. It will be a busy weekend as usual. I made the reservations in Tulsa OK for the BMX Grands over the Thanksgiving weekend. Nate has a strong chance to do real well, like even making the top 3. Time to run. Later..

A Fool and his Wine

As you can see the Tool Shed can polish off a bottle of Boone's Farm in less then a minute. It was not all in one pull but still it only took 2 pulls and it was gone. You can see Jerry in the first picture in amazement that any one with any type of a stomach would not try this, not the Tool he said watch this and off to the race it was. He was not worried and at the end I think it damn near killed him as he had to tilt the head back and let the Boone fuzz clear. So here is to Russell for drinking a $1.99 bottle of malt beverage in less then a minute. I couldn't do it as I drank the great Hamm's light that Lenny provided for us. I'll stick to the good stuff that is made by the Great Sky Blue Water and a bear thank you...

Badger Cross

Today was the Badger Cross race and it was true cross weather. It was raining and muddy for Nate and Mitch's race. It was a good race as Nate, Mitch and Ian stayed together till the last set of barriers. The race was a muddy one and every time Nate tried to get away the course just made it impossible. He just pulled at a good tempo and opened a gap at the last barrier and held it to the finish. Mitch was on a single speed as was Ian. In the sprint to the finish Mitch pulled out of his pedal and Ian was able to hold onto 2nd. When I got home I had a muddy bike to clean and muddy clothes to take care of well I hosed the clothes off and Cece finished the rest by washing them. Now it is time for Nate to decide again if he wants to race or play football next weekend. I just leave it up to him and what makes him happy. Later..

Cam Roc

Today Nate did the Cam Roc cross race and he had another good race. He got the hole shot and for winning the hole shot he was awarded a nice Planet Bike floor pump. He then just rode tempo and rode away from the rest of the riders in the Jr 14 and under class for the win. He now has won the 3 races so far this year. We have a race tomorrow in Verona and he hopes to win that race also. We stayed around and watched Bob race and he rode to a 6th place and Maciej rode to the win. I have to run to get my hair cut. Later..

Half a pedal

Here is what was left of the left pedal at the race this weekend. I was going into the first turn after the hole shot on the 3rd lap and all of a sudden the pedal broke in half. I had to ride out the last lap with only my right leg clipped in and went from 3rd to 13th by the end of the race. Oh well the season was fun now it is some time off and then the real fun begins with some bmx racing.

Tomorrow Nate and I are heading to the cross race as he is skipping his football game as he wants to race his bike instead. He said that he really enjoys the football but loves to ride and race more then play football. I just let him decide and we go from there. See you at the race. Later..

Back Home

Back from sitting on my ass for the last 2 and a half days. I don't know how any one can sit in one spot longer then 10 minutes as that is as long as I could at the conference. I just got up and stood up in the back as my hip and ass just couldn't take it. I did get a ride in Tuesday night at Mirror Lake State trails so that was nice after sitting there for the day. The trails are just ski trails but it was nice for a change to see something different even if it was not technical. It was kind of sandy and soft but it was nice to be at some different trails. Last night I spent a few hours at the Great Wolf water park going on the water slides and in the wave pool. You have to go during the week as there was nobody there and we had the entire place to ourselves. Now it is time to get The Boy over to football. Later..

Weights and Measures

Here is part of what I do at work. I pump 5 gallons from each octane and then look at the little glass window on the front and if the gas measures out + or - 6 inches in either direction the meter passes. I pump out 5 gallons but then measure it out in inches as there are 231 cubic inches in a gallon and the meter gets 6 inches of variance per 5 gallon draw. If the meter passes I then give it my seal of approval and then dump it back into the storage tanks. I know it's not a glory job like twisting nipples or having my feet up on the desk in my cubicle sleeping but it does pay the bills.

Tomorrow I do have to go to a Weights and Measures conference at The Great Wolf water park in the Dells. I do have to sit in the meetings for most of the day but after the meetings I'm going to try to get a ride in on some of the trails just outside of the Dells if it is not raining. Then I will hit the water park for the rest of the night. I do wish that it was not during the fall and I could take the kids but I will try to have fun any how. Time to pack for the water park. Later..

All Done

Today was the last WORS race of the year and the body is ready to be done. I really haven't had the time to get out on the bike since Rhinelander and the crash there. I have been able to ride the races but not do as good in them as I wished. That was OK as the first half of the race season I did OK and the results carried me through the year and I was able to hold onto 2nd even after the results failed me. Today I was sitting in 3rd and on the final lap I hit a root in a turn right after the hole shot area and my left pedal snapped in half. I had to ride with only the right leg clipped in and that being my damaged leg I went from 3rd to 12th by the end of the race. That was OK as I was getting tired and that just let me ride it in. Maddie had a good race and finished 3rd and that is good since she hasn't ridden her bike in over 4 weeks. She had 2nd place locked up but wanted her free socks and the only way to get them was to race. Nate had a good start and then ran into the back of another racer and hit his ribs on his stem and fell to 4th but rode back to end up 3rd at the end. He also had 2nd locked up so the race was just to ride today also. Cece didn't race today as she had to much school work and stayed home and got it all done as we raced. She also had 2nd locked up so she didn't race but I caught a pair of socks for her. Good season and glad it is over and we need the rest as cross and bmx are going on now. I will post pictures later as I had a guest taking pictures today. The battery is charging and I need to get back to the packer game. Later..

Another on on the chin

Today was another lose for Nate and his football team 25-6. It was a better game again but just a few mental break downs. The defensive ends are getting caught inside and the plays are going for long gains. And missed tackles are just letting the other team just get yards that should be minus yards instead are positive. They did score this game so now at least it was not another shut out. They still have 4 games so maybe they can pull off a win yet this season. Just have to wait and see.

Got all the bikes, gear and other things ready for the race this after noon in stead of riding when it was 87 out. Once it cooled down I got a quick spin in and now we just have to load the bikes and off the the race we are. I sure am glad that the weather looks good as I was not going to race in the rain or mud. Plus I have done enough mud for a year. Also I'm glad that the temps will be warm as we always have to wait around at the end for the raffle anad it got cold as hell alot of the times. It is alot better now as the old race director would wait to freaking long thinking he was some kind of king of the race world. I think it was a Napoleon complex as I think if he was all of 5 foot tall the making everyone wait made him think he was 5 foot 5 maybe. Just glad it doesn't take all night any more. See you at the race. Later..

Friday 10/5

Nate and I just went out for a easy single speed ride today at the seminary trails by the lake. It is a old wooded area on the church grounds with a few trails that are OK to just spin on but no real challenging areas or hills or any thing to test you, well maybe Randy would need help but not others. We only had an hour and a half to ride as Nate had to get home to go to the school dance to hit on the girls. I think all the boys sit in 1 corner and all the girls run around screaming and act like fools. Tomorrow is a football game and then Nate and I are going for a easy ride here as I don't think we would get to the course until like 4 or later and then get home at around 7 or 8. So we are skipping a pre ride and just have to wing it on the changes this time around. See at the race. Later..

Just 1 more

Just one more day of work and then the final WORS race of the year. I'm glad that the season is over and the running from race to race will be over. I'm thinking that next year I will take the year of racing off and do more WEMS races and just take Nate to the WORS as the girls don't want to race no more and I'm kinda burned out on the WORS thing. I'll do a few of the races but maybe not get a series number. I will go and ride the pre ride and ride a few extra laps and then give support to Nate at all the races and watch him race as now I don't get to see him race. I have been having a blast watching him race road, track, cross and bmx and now I want to see him race mtn bike more also.

It has been fun doing the football and seeing him get better each week. He has made some great improvements and has been making some great plays the last few games and practices. I have to say that Nate is a good kid as when we are around some of these other kids they are either fooling around, making mistakes and plane old just not listening. Nate has gotten smart and just moves away and makes sure he is learning his plays and not getting yelled at. I can tell that some of these kids come from a broken home or one that has no discipline or any thing. I just hope these kids get their shit together and don't end up in jail down the road as it appears from their attitude that is where they are heading. That aside I hope things go better this week and that we win a game for once. Just have to wait and see. Time to get some kids in bed. Later..

Living the dream

Does it get any better then going to work and taking the kids to there sporting events. That is what is happening in our house. Nate asked Cece "didn't you buy some new blinds to hang in the kitchen after you painted it?" Cece replies "yes I did and all have done for the last 3 months is work, clean the house, wash all your football, and cycling clothes". I have not had time to hang them yet. Looking at me I tell him we have had races every weekend and football practice 3 times a week and a game every weekend. So between all the things we do for the kids we don't have much time other then work and take care of a their needs. Boy I tell you this is just living the dream. I really wouldn't change it for anything though as I have become used to the total chaos that it brings into our house. I love it. Later..

Russell's Supermate of the week

It was a full moon last week and I think Russell's supermate (new wife?) had to show hers at the race to. Here she is as Russell was coming by and that just got Russell going and he took a solid 2nd in his race. Maybe Russell should have her come to more races.

Football and racing

Nate getting ready to remount
Nate clearing a barrier

Nate clearing the 2nd barrier

Diane getting ready to remount
Ben pushing to the win after lap 1 mishap and falling to about 25th
Carlos riding to a 2nd place finish
Maciej riding to a 3rd place
Here Maciej is getting ready to remount

Steve from Ben's clearing the barrier
Steve again looking like he knows what he is doing
Gus suffering after a WEMS the day before
Nate riding to his 1st place
Nate clearing the barriers with no problem

Marcus clearing the barriers
Aris closing in on his 2nd place finish
Theo riding strong after a WEMS race
Marcus again looking strong
Mitch riding strong clearing the barriers

Aris making a move on a shark
Russell riding to a strong 2nd place in the 40+
Marcus again
Aris riding a single speed to 2nd place
Theo riding a single speed built the night before

Nate during pregame warmups # 60 Tight End
Pregame huddle
Nate getting announced during pregame
Nate getting ready for the snap


Well the weekend is over and I get to go to work tomorrow to relax. Any day at work is way easier then a weekend at our house. Nate's football game was a blow out. The other team just killed us. The guys on the other team make Russell look small. Nate played well on defense the entire game and didn't let them score on his side, but the other outside linebacker couldn't stop anything. Nate also played well on offense but the other team just out played our team. We are still hoping to win a few games and we should be able to if the kids will just work harder in practice.

Today Nate and I loaded his bike and went to the cross race at Lapham Peak. It was the 3rd race of the omnium and Nate did win the 2 races yesterday so it was his to loose. He took of right from the start and never looked back. He was smooth over the barriers and made no mistakes and rode a way from the feild to a victory by at least 1/2 a lap on 2nd place. He was able to win the omnium and looked strong and ready for the cross season to go full speed ahead. We seen a few others racing today and Russ looked strong and placed 2nd in the 40+, Aris riding to a 2nd place in the 15+plus jr's, Gus riding strong as well as Steve and Marcus for their first cross races. The best was Ben as he was leading into turn 1 and the 2nd place guy tangled up with Ben and his rear wheel ws knocked out. Ben was cussing up a storm and dropped to like 25th before remounting his bike. He chased the entire race and passed everyone and on the last lap took the lead for the win. Carlos took the 2nd and Maciej took the 3rd behind Ben. It was the best race I have seen in a long time, way to go Ben. We took off before the rest of the races so I could get a ride in also so I hope everyone else had a good race. Later..