creepyfriendly

The SCHEDULE keeps changing. Letting the Mohican go was an easy decision. Thats not to say we couldn't have contended but I don't think either one of us we're ready to jeopardize the rest of the mtb season or CROSS. File this one under finally: Marko and I will be heading East a week from now to hit the Windham race and then the Mt. Snow race. We're definitely in the market for generous individuals who would be willing to trail guide, or put us up in between the two races. While I'm anticipating the pace, the course, the competition it's the descending I fear. At least the RANKINGS are in my favor, maybe a third row call up? No turning back now.

For three years running Wisconsin has held a single speed state championship. Both MARKO and I have went one two in all three. While the first race was questionable to who would've won, should've won I left no question during the last two. Enter the 2008 SSSC at Levis mound. I'd like to believe that I had a lot to do with the location of the race seeing as how the past winner is granted points in a voting system. Regardless of where I'll be next year there is a good possibility that I'd choose the very same location. Hands down the best riding in Wisconsin if not the Midwest (IMO). The race was typical of any SS event I've entered. A lemans style start followed by bottle rockets and black cats. Ron "WHOLESHOT" Stawicki did his thing as Marko and I rolled into the top five. The main group spun out on the lead-out ski trail before I surged to the front and into the next five miles of single track. Marko followed closely with TJ in third. The beauty of racing a bunch of single speeders is it doesn't matter what gear I choose since the field is leveled. My 36:20 would have been traded in for a 18 if I went bar to bar with the gear heads. I kept it smooth until TJ dropped then went beyond the pace. By mid lap Marko was gapped a bit. I was hitting every corner on point as I cleared every off camber climb. I came through the first 12 mile lap in just under an hour as I grabbed a water and went after it. I was having more fun than I should have as my rim bottomed out and I lost some psi on a fast descent. Starting my rear tyre at 17 may have been a mistake until I crossed the line at 12ish. I may have won the overall but MARKO definitely won best kit. Chafe chafe.

Another win, why not celebrate. Celebrate in fine 4th of july action a week early. We headed down to play some faux bocce ball at a local park which also gave us a view of Madison's Rhythm and Booms fire works exhibition. The night was fun as we wound it down at Taco Bell, the dinner of champions. T-da was more than impressed at Amanda's ability to eat more grade C than both of us combined and the fact that we did it with our helmets gained the employees attention.

After our late night and TB bingeing it was time to get back on track. The BREAKFAST bunch met and headed towards the training grounds before ticking off six hot laps of dry hard-pack before retreating to the shop. A (employee) car free parking lot topped off the day as a group of us commuted home with shop dog Jack in tow. I never had to think about it as gas savings until the recent increases. I wonder how much I've saved in the past five years?

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Hump day.

Over the river and through the woods exploring I go. Just when you think you've squeezed every ounce of trail out of the city limits you come across more. This gem comes at just the right time completing a two mile stretch on the way to the practice grounds. The body didn't want to work today but the bike did. With 18 fat tyre gears under me I road with vindication as I ripped a hand full of hot laps before returning to the pave for two hours of painless pedaling.

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Panorama.

Wisconsin, land of milk and cheese, plenty of breweries, and WORS. The largest one day racing series in the US not only attracts some of the midwest's fiercest competition but also some great photographers. Whether it's hobby or sport the shutter bugs return week in and out for two wheeled dirt bike action.

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I told you I had Danzig in my head all day. Notice the guy on my shoulder? Maybe he's late for a wheel sucking conference? Good times, fast times. Blah.

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"Has anybody seen my cape? Somebody? Anybody?"

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"Seriously? seriously, you only had three laps?"

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"I need a hot dog."

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one 29er, two 29er, three 29er, four. C'mon TJ get a clue. Blah, ha!

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Spin to win baby. Spin to win!

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WORS is a community, a family. It's the scene I look forward to every other week. Thanks to everyone who helps us re-live our racing experiences.

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The day after.

It's all about the essentials. "Pro" water hand ups, fuel, metal, sweet hair. What's next fluorescent fanny packs? By the way, I found my legs.

Goooooooooo.... "I can feel it move me... feel it shove me... as I break the law...said yeah." I couldn't get Danzig out of my head all day. As DON released us we hammered out of the bog and into the long long stretch down hammer fest alley.

It was a battle but MARKO and I emerged 1-2 for the seventh consecutive time this year. The trains a rolling!

>>>VICTORY<<<

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The day before.

Has anyone seen my legs? Anybody? Somebody?

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Re-co.

Recovery was in order as Mr. Mock showed me how it's done. Shreadin' braaaaa...

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Deprivation.

The feeling of my fading pulse contributes to the zzz'z. I can feel my body shuting down as soon as I enter the bedroom. It lasts approximately an hour before twitching out of rest. Lately I've been thinking a lot about racing my bike. Whether I'm practicing, wrenching, or sleeping it creeps in. I needed to rest earlier in the week but the truth is I went harder and chiseled further into the depths of the pain cave. I know what the remainder of the season holds and it's still a far cry from rest.

With TJ in town we had the oppourtunity to stack some midweek miles. Hopefully we did our capital city back roads justice by taking him out for a 80 mile jaunt. A rather mellow ride in terms of entertainment. A slight stretch of fresh gravel at mile 30 was a kind souvenier for us mtb folk. The fresh smell of farm manure was as nostalgic as it was essential for any Wisconsin road ride. Our pit stop in Mazo showed T-da proving that little Debbie holds a piece of his heart as coach TJ agreed that it was all about calories per dollar. Mmmm cream pies.

Overwhelmed by flood waters and re-routing to last weekends race I dropped the ball on the final day of "love your sponsor week." So much in fact that without THIS sponsor I wouldn't be able to start a race. It goes much deeper than the surface. These are relationships, friendships that are established for life. There is no greater feeling than believing in a product that helps you win. As my friend and BKB rider RYAN pointed out in an EARLIER post that I have my years confused. He's right. I neglected the thyroid year or 2006. Interestingly enough, Ryan is racing my rig from the same year. 04 was the last time I road "little guy" wheels and it appears that it'll stay that way for quite some time. Thanks to all who believed in my dream.

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