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..

Pictures from the race today

Here are a few of the pictures from the races today. Nate won both the uphill time trial and the trail time trial. For his efforts he picked a nice base layer shirt. We then took off before the final results were posted. Jeremey did take a 2nd in the uphill time trial and I think he was also 2nd in the trail time trial so he may have taken 2nd in the 1,2,3's. Jeff Melcher I think won the 40 overall also. Tomorrow is the cross race and I think Nate should be ready for that also and has a good chance of winning the race and the omnium overall. There is also a shot of Andy and 1 of Steve from Ben's cycle mixed in the pictures finishing the trail time trial. Tonight we have a night football game to play and it is the team that beat them in the first week so it would tell us if the team has improved since that. Just have to wait and see. Time to get to the game. Later..

Finally Friday

Finally got to the end of the week after getting to work early to get some things done and all the running that goes on during the week. Today was a day of work that I couldn't wait to end. Got done with work and got a ride in with Nate on the single speeds to get his legs loosened up for the weekend of racing, I also got the car washed and the grass cut. Then I got Nate's cross things ready so I know nothing will be forgotten for the races. I have been running at work for the last 3 to 4 weeks and with the traveling to the races and all I'm happy to see the WORS season come to a end. Still have the Cross season now for Nate and the indoor bmx'n will fire up real soon again to. And we still have to throw the football on the pile for another 7 weeks. Now it is time to finish the bottle of wine and get the punk to bed soon as we have a busy weekend coming up. Later..

Tri fecta

This weekend is going to be a busy one for us. Nate is going to do the 2 cross races on Saturday and then the one on Sunday. The races on Saturday are a uphill time trial with a few runs ups of to the side of the race course and 1 lap on the mtn bike trail of Lapham Peak. It should be a interesting format and Nate is looking forward to it. After the races on Saturday we will have to come home and get the football stuff and then get to his football game. It should be a fun game as they are playing at night instead of the normal Saturday morning games. Nate says that the racing and then the game and then the race again is no problem. Man to be young again and be able to do that. We have been busy with the football practices and school so again the riding has been put on the back burner but Nate still manages to get on the bike about 4 times a week so he should be ready. I'll bring my bike and ride around a bit as he races as I don't do the cross races because it is to hard to try to run with the bum leg and all. But maybe I will try a race or 2 this year again just to have some fun. Time to get The Boy ready for practice. Later..

Great reading

Here was a story about Jesse LaLonde in the Milwaukee journal the other day. It is about his winning the Fat Tire 40 on the single speed. Enjoy..

Russell's Superwife of the week

I seen this fine lady running from Russell's van while I went by during my race. I thought maybe it was his new wife so I thought nothing of it. I kinda thought it was a fine catch for Russell and all so I said nothing. To only find out later that Russell's bike had a break down so I think Russell must not have put out the night before the race so she loosened up a few chain ring bolts on the bike and a few wheel lug nuts on the van. This means your chain ring will fold in half on your bike during the race and your wheel lug nuts and bolts will shear fall off the van on the way home. Russell you have to recognize the new wife as the boss or you will be paying for ever. Don't be a FOOL and she won't mess with the bike or van. BE NICE TO YOUR NEW WIFE. .

11 down

Man I am so happy that there is only 1 more WORS race. The season has been a long one and after the crash and with Nate playing football the training and racing are suffering. Today Nate and I went up with Danny for the race in Iola part 2. When we got there I was feeling the effects of the cold that I got from hanging around Donny last week at the Cheq. Well after the call up and Don yelling Gooooooo the race was full speed ahead. I went into the bowl in a nice comfortable 2nd on Todd's wheel. Marcus came around us just before the first single track and was flowing just a little too hot in spots and just nailed a tree and we asked if he was OK and he said yea just keep going, so off we went. We did never see him again but I did hear that he went over the bars in the bowl later in the race also so he was having a though race. After the last part of the single track I took the lead and Todd followed and I eventually dropped him. Riding along I could see Dave getting closer and after the last up hill he caught me and I was feeling the full effects of the cold and lost his wheel and rolled in 2nd. The finish today seals up a 2nd overall for the year and that now means that all 4 of us will finish 2nd overall for the cross country series. In the marathon series Maddie has 1st, Nate and Cece have 2nd and I took a 3rd. So this year is another year of fun racing and good results. One more race and then it is time for the bmx and cross season.

Nate had a football game yesterday and the team looked a lot better then the other games. The team was moving the ball and stopping the other team nicely for the entire game. But the last quarter our quarterback tossed a interception and the team lost 6-0. We are getting closer and the win will come soon. Nate was in some good tackles and played tight end well for the game. Tie to watch the Bears lose to the Cowboys I hope. Later..

Poor Mikey

Len came home after racing the Fat Tire 40 and told Mikey that he had to go and play with Russell next time he come over for a ride and Mikey just lost it. Now that was mean of Len if ya ask me.