Final Event the team time trial. Mission Accomplished.
Our team was put together on Sunday at the riders meeting. But after the TT on Tuesday we knew we had a strong team as our individual times we all close to each other.So we had Chuck and Gerry from DC, Dave from Philly, Martin form the Netherlands,our Energizer Bunny! and myself. It was decided Chuck would lead out and I would bring up the rear. We bolted out of the start and Chuck was raging,people were yelling that we had to get a rhythm. Once over the first hill we started to communicate. Then it all fell together.It all went quiet. I love TTT's. The group had become one organism. Rotating smoothly. The stronger riders taking slightly longer pulls,the other doing their share. The humidity was high and it was like sucking water. We hot the turnaround and headed back on lap on. Then my left pedal started to feel like I wasn't clipped in. On my rotation I stood up. Still clipped in,odd. Then my ankle hit the chainstay a couple times. How can this ahppen my crank is falling off. I keep in the group till it does and then it's all over for me. I feel like I've let them down.
But they soldier on. Eventually Gerry falls off and three are left. They powered to the fastest time off the day. Dave gives us all our Lambda Cycling Foundation for our efforts. It's a really nice Giordana kit. The shorts are sweet. The only problem is I can't wear them again, as they have a big Gay.com right across the back. I told him I'd never make it out of my neighborhood alive with them on. Maybe in Chicago or Rehobeth I could wear them.So I came to Chi town with a gaol of a gold medal. After being robbed of it in the mountain bike race I got one. Mission accomplished. Blogger isn't letting up load pics to day. So will try again later. OGQ

The road race was Cat 1,2 and 3. It poured all day right up to our start. So the humidity went through the roof. Seems as though the Cat 1's decided to go from the gun and have a little race among themselves. So it was ballistic from the start. With attack after attack. Iwas hanging on in seventh or eighth trying to get the diesel warmed up as it was hitting redline. The first lap was over 26mph avg. I got tailed off on the finish climb when a dumped his chain in front of me. So it was TT mode for awhile in no mans land. Just near the finish three others caught me. So it was a sprint up the hill. Now my chain decides to jump to small ring. I slam it back up and start sprinting. Not my forte by any means. But I just kept hitting the trigger. Just like it was a hill interval and beat them.The 50+ guy said he was glad I wasn't in his group. I took a bronze in this race. Pesky 40+ kids.
Dinner tonight at the Rock Bottom Brewery. Excellent food and beer.
The Mahi tacos were great. This Brewery blows away Goose Island.

Chicago's Finest Rollin on Dubs?
We saw these police ATVS with really low profile tires.
It would have been cool to see them in action.

I rode the Lake Shore trail.
Needed to clean the legs out so I hit the Lake Shore. Eighteen miles of it total. The lake is a really nice blue green. Very inviting. The trail takes you by some beaches on the north and south and you go by all the museums on the south end along with Soldiers Stadium where ball sports take place. What? No velodrome? Odd. Traffic on the trail was ok. They even had crossing guards that work for you to keep the flow going. A nice ride.

Actually got to sightsee a bit.
Hit the Art Institute of Chicago and got to see a A Sunday on the Grande Jatte by George Seurat. It was amazing to see the real thing. He painted it square inch by square inch using equal numbers of complimentary colors in each square. Also saw some Miro's and Magrittes I'd never seen
A few Dali's too.There was a cool Van Gogh named the Drinkers. Of course you all know Edward Hoppers ,Night Hawks at the Diner.
You could take pictures but no flash.
I'm looking kind of chubby in that pic.HA!

The Race of Truth
The individual time trial was my next event. Conditions were aquatic between the heat and humidity. At the start the road was a mirage from the heat. When you started it felt like you parted the air/water and it closed in behind you. Breathing was like sucking in water. At the turn around was Michael the "Super Volunteer" of the events. He was cheering everyone and reminding you drink lots of fluids. He worked at helping everyone. Even if he didn't know the answer to your question,he'd try to find out.
Barb Reiber tooks tons of pics for the event. Here's a link to a pic of me in full TT mode. I took sliver in the TT.
http://barbrieberphotography.smugmug.com/gallery/1684895/31/83022671/Large
Her brother rode the sweet Predator TT rig and was a motor.

I'd hate to see this guys shoulders.
If the rule of thumb is run your bars as wide as your hands in a push up position. He is one stick figure.
These are some seriously skinny ass bars. I know they're for threading traffic. Saw lots of SS street rigs but many had freewheels on the not fixed. No brakes on this bad boy. This rig had some coin in the wheels even in its urban camo.

This is "Green Girl" aka Anne.
Anne rides for Nature Valley and was styling all week in her seriously green kit and matching bikes. Very pro. She dug my pink helmet at the mtb race. So at the time trial I began to lure her to the Darkside by giving her a pair of pink,purple and white with bunnies argyle socks. She proudly strolled up to me at the start and flashed her new socks before I started. Nice.
As she was leaving she hooked me up with a big box of Nature Valley bars. Thanks . Get yourself a single speed girl.

MTB pic and interview shot

This is the day I've been waiting for.
The mountain bike race.
So we're told we have to be there by 8 am. We are. we are the first,not a soul in sight. People trickle in. Turns out the course isn't even marked yet. More riders come in. More disorganization. But, I know what it takes to put on a race. So I roll with it. I'm approached to do an interview for Sirius radio......on the "Older athlete". Ok cool.
So the plan is race from the front like all year. we line up for the start and I ring my bell ala single speed. This gets a quick "You have a bell,a bell on your bike?" Ding Ding ,sure do and only one gear too. So I'm the only One gear queer here.
Off goes the gun I take the start a down hill start one guy passes me at the trailhead I tuck in behind we are flying. Now it gets weird. We hit an intersectio flat out and there's yellow tape on the right he turns I turn,still flat out we go down this trail only to realize this isn't right. We turn and race up the hill. I'm thinking. Damn it the whole field is way ahead, my day is shot. But then I remind myself I didn't come to lose. We start to catch a few stragglers. The the freight train starts of about 6 riders in front of us. I debate about stuffing them all in one turn but the trail opens up. We're now on one of the many road/double tracks. Legs and gear are spun out. We catch a few more riders in the next section of single track. I hear one say. "Holy Shit those guys are now second and third". I'm thinking no way. We break into the grove. Bob tells me I'm in third..Seems as though we had quite a lead before our blunder. Crazy. I end up third overall. Turns out second was in my age group. Damn. But the first medal. After the medals we get interviewed by Logo Tv. My next 15 minutes of fame.

A new day.
Sunday found us waiting to sit in the "Mandatory" cycling meeting from 2-5 pm. That sort of shot sightseeing for the day. bob couldn't get in because he wasn't a registered participant. When I asked about the Team Time Trial teams. I was told "You're on your own to form teams." Like most meetings it was useless. Nuff said about that. Though I did get on a team. tomorrow is the the crit, skipping that. The days have blurred in my head here as I write this.

Escape from the South Side
So I cruise through registration and a metro pass is part of it. With directions in hand we board the red line and head to the Biker Bash to support the Chicago Bicycle Federation. 300 people at a brewery ought to be a good time.
We depart the train for the Walk to 100 Fulton St. The first couple blocks are sketchy. Then it's just gets worse. Crumbling buildings. I keep reminding myself . "It's at the brewery,not the pub" as it said on the tickets. Well not industry in sight and just poverty. I approach a pair of local ladies. Who now appear to have all sorts of chemicals and alcohol coursing through their veins. One has a drink and a smoke. My magnet for the weird reeled them in faster thean I could let the line out. "Baby yuz need to take da bus to Washton to,blah ,blah." As she dances to the music in her head. Her friend is trying to get the cigarette. Ok,thanks. We head North. I go in a Barbeque take out place to ask directions and get the look of. You must be one crazy ass white boy to come in here. I step to the counter and ask about Fulton. Silence. I take my cue and bow out the door. So we make it back to the train and go a few blocks North ahh Fulton except 2800 not 1800. So back on the train the map says the 1600's are one stop back. Ok cool . BUT we get off and it's 300. I've had enough and get a cab. Four,Four blocks later we're there. How does that work? Any ways the Bash,seemed to be friends of the Mayor or something. No cyclists in sight just the PIBS People in black with their Prada and Gucci. So we had a few beers. Not that great, the food was interesting. Then split the pic is off our escape. As we met people from Chicago later in the week, they said you went there??? Meaning the South side. Yes we did and walked out alive.

Day two, On the Road again just can't wait to........
After dealing with a dome light that wouldn't shut off. We headed west again then North over the Skyway to Chicago. Here was the only glitch in the trip. We needed to take 90/94 into Chi Town. It was closed for construction. So I dive for the breakdown lane. Hmmm,this 55 to Lake Shore looks perfect and it was. Time for a shower then head out to the Biker Bash at Goose Island Brewery instead of opening ceremonies.

Well we loaded up the truck and headed to Ohio.
Three bikes,any parts I could imagine I'd need, tools and all the other gear needed for a ten day trip. Directions were simple go west old man on Interstate 86 across NY, which then connects to 90 for the roll across Ohio to our stop in Wauseon,Ohio. Dead straight,boring and not much to see. Although we did see a couple fields of gladiolas in bloom. Kind of hard to get a pic at 80 mph.
So we rolled into Wauseon to torrential rain. Now we just came from the flooding of Bingo and here are these pancake flat fields in standing water. A few roads had water across them. High water signs posted along certain roads. Our gracious host John doesn't have a lake in his front yard. But he did that day and the peacock and guniea hen enjoyed it. The peacock spent the night on the roof.
John treated us to a midwest buffet and a great breakfast at a local diner. Thanks, come to NY and the favor will be returned.

Quick Games update. I did(we) did it.
Our team took the gold medal in the Team Time Trial.
That's Martin from the Netherlands holding up his bike. Check the orange shoes. Very cool.
So the week was productive. I took a bronze in the road race, a sliver in the Timetrial and a silver in the mountain bike race, then the gold in the Team time trial. I'll give a full report soon. I just want to celebrate another day of living!

So I had a comment about Ted.
Ted may send me a letter for having a blog.
So I'll throw this pic into the ring.
Now this picture says it all.
We've all given someone the finger.
But have you ever done it with this intensity? Look at that face. He's not just flipping them off casually.
He means it! So next time you flash the finger do it with conviction.

Objects in mirror are closer than they appear.
Driving the Lotus you may not want that. But as I go on an adventure to Chicago, I hope it appears sooner. This will be a test of my patience driving out there. But that demon can be slayed.
Starting the weekend off with the Biker Bash at the Goose Island Brewery. 300 people vs 10's of thousands at opening ceremonies works for me. Closing ceremonies will be cool. Then maybe some blues,brews and barbque.
Really looking forward to four days of racing. The mountain bike event is first and thats the one I've keyed on all year. The TT is next,I'm tt'ing sso so this year so... The roadrace is thursday and that I'm also looking forward too. I'll finish up with the team time trial. I meet my team mates on Sunday. TTT's are always fun. We'll see if I have any legs by then.
This whole event should be quite a spectacle. Hope I get to see some of the city.
Off to the Windy City.
I just want to celebrate.

Ted was right(sort of),but Charlie was wrong.

So with the games a few days away. I need to get a phone card for travel. Lacking a cell (thanks Ted). I go for the card. But all I find are ones I can text,get sports, etc. etc. I just want to use the phone. It says if you use a pay phone it will be a 35 minute charge. HUH? What kind of phone are you likely use for travel? Excuse me could I use your home phone? So a friend in phone card sales hooked me up with the basics. Nice.
Sorry about the double Ted,still learning.

Mid life crisis. You can have a mistress or a car and you'd better pick a car.

These are the words told to Mat Bitch aka MB ( a speedskating term) by his wife.
So MB comes out to the race in this piece of exotica. A Lotus Elise. It weighs under a ton and corners like a slot car. The funny part is the owners manual. Which on every page says. "There is no safe seating for a child under five in this car." You basically sit in it's aluminum tub frame.
Lots of things to bang your little five year old noggin on. Trust me it was hard enough to fold my six foot frame up to sit in it. Very cool ,enjoy the crisis.

Bad Blood? Where's second and third?
I did my first NORBA race in years

The Dark Horse Gallop in Stewart.

Fast,fast,fast bermed single track with drop offs,short climbs a bit of road. FAST.

At the line the others were already congratulating the guy who was leading the Series. He looked fit and eyed me warily. The asked a few ?'s. Where are you from? Race much ? Hmmm a single speed.what gear?

So the bell goes off I lead the start he sort of stuffs me in the first turn,but I figure,Hey local knowledge of the trail. I sit 6 feet behind. He keeps looking back,his first mistake. I show him a wheel now and then. Then we come out to a long dirt road section, I get on his wheel, draft,it starts to ease uphill I have my gear back, attack him. Just catch the remnants of the 40-49 group. Try to get mixed in and through them as fast as possible. Then I'm by myself. Now it's race the course. Lots of passing. Lap two all alone no one has passed me. I ride through the blown riders (do some of these people even train?). Thr Carver 96'er is flowing. I love this bike telepathic. Maybe I'll name it Yoda.

Find Bob, Janet and Bill at the finish. Wait,for second to come in. People are congratulating him on another win. He says he didn't win and points to me and says that guy on the single speed did. He is not a happy man.

So I go to USA cycling and check the second place guys results. He hasn't lost a race this year.

So I got a medal for my efforts. No swag,nothing. Somebody made a bundle 400 riders 25/30 bucks a head.




Bad Blood?

Support local music.

A few of us wandered out on a perfect afternoon to see Dirtfarm at the Pitbox a local watering hole. They didn't disappoint. Either did the crowd,bubbas bikers and serious drinkers all.The classic was the girl who never got off her cell the whole time. What's hotter than barefoot girls dancing holding their cigarettes? More than I could take.
Tish knew the trivia and won a cd
Listen to them here http://myspace.com/dirtfarmband

I then went to see another band Stolen Pony at the Hitchin' Post. I wasn't sure the gene pool could dip any lower. But it did. But that's ok.
Where else but a bar can you see a mother teaching her five year old to play pool? As the rest of the brood looks on in approval. You've seen the ads Crack KILLS, well no one told these people. Duluth Trading makes shirts with extra long tails to solve this problem. I didn't take any pics. The flash may have ignited the crowd. So we got a beer and took our part in the bad movie unfolding before us.

As Hunter Thompson says "When to going gets weird,the weird turn pro." I've been pro for along time.

I just want to celebrate another day.

What rednecks do in their spare time.
Or there's a new school in the area.

This is my "real" tattoo. Read more about it below. I'll get this blog thing yet.

Do they bleed? Sure you're getting hundreds of little holes poked in you.
It's more like a brush burn. Pain level is personal.
Almost all colored. Over five hours of work. That's tough for a poster boy for A.D.D. like me to sit through. You can see the final in the other post.

Have you thought about getting a tattoo.
This is a three part post. Fort James started it.

Here's the outline. Three and a half hours.

Getting Inked, Slave to the needle?

So I'm reading Fort James blog, he's thinking of getting a tattoo. He's going through all the phases. What about at work? What will they think? What will my parents and friends think?
We all tattoos are for white trash, convicts, bikers and other non desirables.
But as Neil Young said "You don't meet interesting people in the middle of the road, you meet them in the ditch". So I headed for the ditch. I tested the waters with a tiger and a bit of tribal on my ankle. Before it was done I was thinking of how to finish the ankle. about a year later I met a man who I thought was my life partner and got a scared heart and the same design as our bands around the rest of the ankle. He's gone it's there. Thats OK. Next it was new pattern around the left ankle, maybe It represents chains to our thinking about society,maybe not. That was followed with fire and water. It's been commented on that I had flames on my ankle I'd better be fast on the bike. Then I stayed away from the needle. I drew others flash for them. I kicked around the elements design a long time. Then I did it,bigger than I thought,but it fits the arm nice. Said I'd never do my arm. Sure and never the chest. Maybe not the back. If I can't see it I can't relate. Then one of the best people I've known was taken by cancer from us. How can do the chest now?
So for Dave, I have the date and a DNA strand coming into water and a koi. Dave always wanted me to draw him a samurai slicing though the cancer cells for his next tattoo.
He was never able to get it. But when I ride, Dave rides with me and many other feel the same way. He's there He's cheering us to dig a little deeper. He showed us all how far someone could go to beat something. It was always about you with Dave. Never him.
So go ahead get the tattoo. When it's healed and you've had it awhile, you'll forget about. You'll talk to others about theirs.Maybe ask who did it? Or that's cool. Or God why would you get that? My advice get someone to draw out your ideas. Don't just go get number 112 cause it's cool. Make it yours.
Soon enough you'll be going back. Advice part two. No TAZ or black panthers crawling up your arm.
Oh and James, shave those legs.
Oh and does it hurt? That's a personal thing. My sternum killed but I read a book during the rest of it.
Do they bleed? I do. See first post. I'll try to show the progress.
I just want to celebrate.

More things I'm not. A Twinkie is one of them. With the Gay Games nine days away. There will be Twinks there. I'm working on the final days of my training. Since I'll probably be the only one gear queer in the mountain bike race. Who knows maybe someone else will be on a single speed. I'll have to be tuned to perfection. I'm now on the program that worked for cross' last year. I've been doing lots of hill repeats and tt tempo work. So I'm going to race in a NY Mtb race for the first time in years. Still the same travel time as going to the Mid Atlantic races. But we'll see,doesn't look like single speeds are popular here. Just one entrant. Maybe day of reg will fill up. I need a race now,getting edgy. we haven't had out club races due to storms,flooding and holidays. Circuit race tomorrow. Need to bury my self there. That will be three hard days in a row. Still in love with the Carver. Buy one. Be happy.
Dreams are like green tomatoes a vegetable they are not.
Just fruit on a windowsill waiting,if not used they'll surely spoil. Time for more hills!

So Did I look good in Pink?
It's a single speed thing. But the road kit carries it even further.
Now I can get yelled at even more on the road. Although lately many people have benn taking their happy pills. I've had people wave and give the friendly toot. That's odd for around here. But I smile and it makes my day that maybe some can share the road. Maybe it's the Tour is on TV.

Der Kaiser I am Not

So I have a Belgian net friend,who has connections with the T-Mobile team. He sent me a kit. It's sweet the Adidas shorts are superb. Kessler wins a stage. Jan will probably retire and go back to partying.