Oars in the water. That's what I feel like. A boat sloshing around waiting to move. Promoting madness and lactic acid days are gone. It's the time off/recovery/ride your bike have fun phase. After a few days,I can't do it. I need the focus,the edge. It's a bit to early for next years regime. I haven't even set goals. Other than Kross will be at the top. One stroke,forward backward, starboard, port. I drift.
I bought a balance board to work on that. Maybe 50 year old men shouldn't go near these things. rip it up DUDE!
I put all the pads down around me.In five minutes I'm toast. A few of the exercises really mimic climbing on the SS. Work that core. I bought it. Now I have to become a slave to it.
Breaking up the routine tonight. Hitting the Black Bear Winery for a show. Not a fruit wine fan. But time to crawl out of the rut. Beer will be available at numerous points on the route home.
Shop party Saturday. Xmas parties are filling up fast. Book now!
The sun is out. Very nice.
Christmas lights up. I love them. I even like the over the top crazies that put a zillion lights up.
Hey, we dig cycling they dig Christmas lights. Everyone should have their own addiction.
Enjoy, walk the hood,see the lights.
Smile.
OGQ

The holiday, Black Friday or Buy Nothing Day and the vacation are over.
I have a lot to be thankful for.
First I have the bonus years. I'm alive and kicking. Second My friends. I have the best circle of friends. From the tight knit bunch of the Kingdom of Kross to far reaching Internet friends. I love them all. maybe someday we'll cross paths in real time. Thanksgiving is a crummy time for me and my friends made it special.Third,the one year anniversary of the broken femur looms. I'm riding etc. That's good. my Mom continues to travel. That rocks,good for her. I went to brunch in Syracuse yesterday. What a nice place. indoor pool and hot tub ,huge house, more pets than a pet store, and of course tons of food.
Thanks that people read this blog.
I rolled out the New Soul Cycles Dillinger this weekend. Really need a 410 seatpost. but I wanted to ride and ride I did. To avoid hunters. Venus, Bobber and I hit CVSP. Now this place is rocky ans I was running rigid. The 29'er soaked up most of it. Bottomed against the rim a few times. But what a ride.
For Thanksgiving Bobber lead a sweet ride on South Mountain. Sure if I had a longer post I could climb better seated. But It was 66 out and we were riding. Bobber has steadily improved and seems to enjoy riding the MTB more now. Then I went to the Mills clan for dinner. Afterwards we played cards. A great day.
Life is simple. Enjoy it everyday.
Later. OGQ

So after the DPM,. I still had mixed emotions about doing States. This was a hard year of racing. The comeback from injury is different than a comeback from absence. So I stewed over doing States. One side says go do it or you'll never know. The other says take a break,I have nothing to prove. But in end I followed my own advice. Silly me signs up for two classes.

Sunday broke cold and clear 23 degrees. That would bode well for this course as maybe it would all be ridable this year. The NY Cross crew(Not to be confused with NY Kross) made some nice changes to the course. The top stayed firm and lines formed all over the place. Warm up and the legs felt good. At this race they start all the masters together. No staging,so you have no idea of who your racing against. So I opted up to the first line. Were off,it's a road start and ballistic settle in,don't red line,keep an eye on Ad and Rich. Hang in there. Paul S slips by and the motor isn't warming up fast. Others sneak by. But I pass a group on the off camber downhill and am back on Paul. It stays this was then he opens a slight gap. Two to go. The plugs fire and I catch and pass Paul now to put a gap on him. Some pesky CCBC guy is all over me. I'm faster in the technical he pulls even in the run ups. Lots of bumping and pushing.Fun but annoying. Just pick a line and follow it. If you want to pass make, it stick. In the end I finish 9Th. Not bad. A bot of disappointment. I was shooting for top 5 or better.

Back in the pits I change kits and don the Henry's pink for the Single Speed class much bigger this year and they lump us in with Open Women Masters women and Jr's. A top five start then we hit the mud and rrrrr the motor dies. I guess I left it all on the course for the masters race. I finish my lap call it a day. Why dig a bigger hole. The sinus is on red alert and I would have been just riding around. The King has fallen,Long live the King.

Yesterday I washed the bikes ,prepped them and they'll be put to bed till the new frames arrive. Looking forward to Soul's new KX rigs.

Now today I get to ride the Dillinger my new 29'er from Soul Cycles. Just ride and learn the new bike. FUN.

Yes, I said FUN. That's what it's supposed to be all about.

Have a good holiday. Be thankful for what you have.

Remember it's not Black Friday it's National buy Nothing Day. Go ride your bike.

Pic is props to those that make it happen.

Enjoy life. OGQ

Sunday I awoke to a true Kross morning. Cold with a heavy frost. This usually means hard fast ground early. Then turns to slop. Kross.

Now today was special. It was the second time for the Dave Panella Memorial. I tried to get my head into the "wayback machine". When last year I went pedal stroke for pedal stroke with Glenn Swan for the win in horrible conditions. My legs had given good signals after last weeks failure. As I drove up the hill to the course. I broke out of the fog to find a bright sunny sky. Henk already had the Ommegang banners flying and Mikey was flagging the course. I looked at that clear blue and smiled. It would all pull together. That blue sky was a big as Dave's smile.

Today I would ride well. Mike added a new moto x section to the course and the X. A spiral to keep all happy. I suited up for a couple easy laps. The armada of NY Kross Kontingent had things in order. Riders showed interest in the Dillinger up for grabs in the raffle. Hey, Who would't mind a free frame? Rob Coapman showed up to announce. The pieces continued to fall into place.

Time to race. We had a moment of respect for Dave. Then call ups. I heard Glenn say. "Let Karl lead,he'll be suicidal on the opening lap." I took the holeshot with Glenn and Ernie hot on my tail. I knew Glenn was watching lines. He attacked on the uphill but this pushed the others wide and tucked in underneath to regain the lead heading into my house. Pure moto. I let those michelins drift and turned up the gas. Careful not to redline. Almost lead the whole lap. Slowly the series leaders came by. I hung tough. Rich has been riding great. he got a bit of a gap. Then the diesel turned on. My head was in the game all day. gain in the technical. try to power away then. I drilled it hard in the mower section heading into the telephone pole turn. OOHHH Houston we have a problem. Down I went at speed on the leg. tumble into the grass bike still attached. Now like a turtle I'm downhill trying to get loose. Thinking about the leg. but thinking about the race. I get untangled and Dave hasn't closed. But Rich has a full straightaway on me.

I feel good an give chase two to go. I end up 6Th. One shy of the goal 5Th or better. I had a good ride. Again I look to take blue sky and smile at Dave. I'd done my best.

I grabbed some hot veggie chili and Middle Ages tenth anniversary Ale and went out and heckled the open men. The PA was buzzing as Rob kept us entertained. More chili,more beer.

After the open men. We had the raffle while series webmaster Steve update the points and scoring. Dawn and Bobber nailed the scoring with super fast results. First we gave out the beer. Then Ommegang apparel. Then DPM wear. it seemed the team and the Kross Kontingent were mopping up as were the Walkers. In the end Peter Ozolins went home with the frame.

Some people even picked up the flags and the course while all this was going on. Thanks.

Not sure of the final count donated to Kim. But people bought tickets right up to the end.

I was elated and tired. People asked to join the team. That's cool.

Bobber and Dawn came over for a beer and Mike D tasted some new brews with us.

What a weekend. I am the luckiest man alive.

The confidence is up for States. Legs were great on the road last night.

Can't wait to ride the Dillinger at Shindagin.

Enjoy life. OGQ

Some pics from Greene DPM later

Man, I'm wiped out. race promotion takes it out of you. Lots of stress getting things ready for the race yesterday. all the details to pull together.
But in the end. NY Kross Kontingent pulled off the "I'm 18 and I like it" race. No real glitches,highest attendance ever. Sweet fast course lots of positive vibes.
My race was the worst of the year. I got the holeshot. Fellow "gangsta" Gregg passed me in the start of the twisties. I nascared him in a turn and retook the lead. He retook it on the little climb in the spiral. Sign one the legs weren't working. But the skills were good. One by one riders passed and then I was in my "5th". (Seems to be where I am ths year). faso just ahead. Then Rich comes storming by. Some guy in pale blue. I try to hang on. Just no gas in the power sections. Self doubt creeps in. I really had to talk to myself in this one. I reel the group back in in the fast sections. Opened the suitcase of courage on the climbs only to foul plugs and BRRRR went the motor. One to go I can see Dave and Mark. I make a huge effort on the road and pass them in the fast section. I tell myself hang on you can beat them. BRRRRR goes the motor again,they slip away. Glenn crushed it. After the race hr pretty much summed up my day.
"Sometimes you dig deep and come up with a handful of empty". That was my day. my mood was bolstered by all the props from the racers. The kids helped out. Bobber and Venus rocked results. Hope someone has a video of the spiral. Pics later.
Now to get it all in order for the DPM. I think it could be huge. People were stoked with the idea they could win a frame and there's a ton of prizes waiting. Pots of chili and cornbread are being readied. Ommegangs in the frig.
Can I go head to head this year like last year? We'll see. I'll do my best. this is the season final.
I'd like to go out on high note.
Even better news is Soul Cycles is going to sponsor a select group of us for Kross next year.
If you're thinking about a new SS or 29'er. Check them out. The new frames are sweet.
Enjoy life.
See you at the DPM sunday.
OGQ

This past weekend. We made the trip to Rochester. Stayed with an ex(he's the cute one on the right) from 27 years ago. It was a time warp. I also got to see Rick and Sharon. I think the weather kept Annie at bay. That ot the "Chilluns" either way we chatted. So the "old gang" Hit the hot spot "Mex" for dinner. Very good and way too much food. We headed over to the Old Toad for a drink. A cask conditioned Blue Point Stout was set in front of me. Tasty.

Bob and Duffy watched baseball as I nodded on the couch. Bedtime. Then I couldn't sleep. Technically this was a weekend to gain points. Ride hard move up. The course was "early jungle " cross. But It grooved in nicely and was fun. I got a good start,second. The diesel was working. A couple passed me in the woods but hung tough. I liked the hills so gained there. Fianlly got a gap in 5th, closing on fourth and Rich comes out of nowhere. I felt I could hold him off and attacked hard out of every last corner. But he came around me just near the end. I was tapped. 6th. Mikey had his best race for ninth.

Rode the moto to work today. 30 degrees. Bundled up and enjoyed the ride.

But I digress. My passion for Kross disguises a fearfulness. I'm pondering the shrinking of life,due to aging and injury. I fear the boredom of not taking chances. I worry about the dying that goes on inside you when you don't take chances.

I seek the joy of drifting two 700c wheels at speed. The continuity of hitting the line lap after lap. That feeling of all your faculties firing at full force. The challenges of mind,body,spirit all at once. My goal now is to keep racing Kross forever. Then sit down,contented that I've done my best. Knowing there's nothing left in the tank.

Lots of loose strings to tie up for the race this weekend. "Im 18 and I like it". Crazy 18 years I've been promoting.

The pic on the bottom right. Is the best pic of Kross this year. This was a Halloween Kroos. So my bikes had Bert and Ernie on them.

Ride fast,have fun. Smile

OGQ

I thought this year was it for racing. Done. Have fun. Ride my bike. Try new rides. Don't get caught up in racing. learn local trails. Just get back from the broken leg.
Then I rode my Kross bike. All bets were off,or on depending on who was betting. Then I raced.
The signs were good. Progress each week. Not enough to hit the big races of last year. But good.So now here I am second in the standings. Looking forward to this weekends race. A new venue. As is said by many. Just have fun. OK. Fun for me is riding my best. I want to do this.
The double hurt me. But I could feel the legs coming back. Two practices on the SS KX rig. Go easy ride work on technique spin. Stay away from the big gears I tend to use. Let the diesel idle.

Race promotion is coming together. The strings are being pulled in. The DPM could be huge.
That would be great. Our little band of CNY Krossers should go home happy.
Our weather has been amazing. That report will follow.

Enjoy life. I am.

More later. OGQ

Sunday was the SyraKuse Gran Prix. This when I do double. The morning dawned cool and wet.
Our first real Kross weather? But off to the west a blue hole appeared. The weather got batter as we got closer. But I still needed an undershirt and armwarmers.
The course had a few changes and their killer sand run-up. Some mud and gravel.
Call ups keep me on the front row. I line up next to Glenn. My teammate Gregg rips a killer holeshot with me in tow. The diesel isn't ready,but the mind is willing. I cling to the top 5. This is some serious horsepower. Chris Tirone has returned with a serious carbon Ridley Kross rig.
Back and forth as riders slip forward and backward. Suddenly I'm fighting for 8th through 12th. Come on legs. So I tuck in and try to rest a bit and see where who's stronger and or where I'm weaker. Two laps aof shuffling covering attacks. But I figure out when to go and move into positon just before the corkscrew hill turn. Power up it and hit the road ,I have a gap. Slowly it grows. I begin to gain on Gregg. Then he heads for the pit. With a crank arm dangling from his foot. Bummer for him. This opens the gap more. I can do this. 5th place. Turns out this moves me into 2nd in the series. Consistency pays off here. Chris even laid the hurt on Glenn. OUCH.
Race two. I try to suck down the recovery drink and a gel before the start. I'm on row two.
So so start. But in this group alot of guys go aout way to fast for themselves,then blow and fall back. I'm in this race for training. Long story short with 3 to go I un out of gas and begin tearing out the lining of the suitcase of courage. A lowly 37th out of 56. But the doulble always makes me stronger!
Now for the food part. Empire Brewing has re-opened. Hurray. Good beer and good food returns. I had fish tacos a hefeweizen and then a Black Magic Stout. MMMM beer.
The Ithaca Kross Mafia was there too. They want to know how to join the Ommegang team.
If they jump ship we'll have the dominant Kross team.
So this will be a rest week for training.
Enjoy life. OGQ

Blogger is being grumpy about pics,sorry.

This was the team weekend. Mills and I headed to Ommegang to help set up the course. I was in charge of the front section and Jeff helped. It had my "signature" on it. We made a road start that followed the curve of the brewery. Then tied into the course. Out back we decided to have the riders u-turn in the big tent for that Belgian flair and help the scorers. In the end the course was technical in the front and big power loop in the back.

Sunday dawned misty and warm for the drive up. A few touches to the course,straighten up some loose ends and calm Gregg's nerves. Bobber rescued the day with his mastery of scoring. As I suited up it started rain lightly. Hmmm.

The bikes had the muds on and slightly higher pressures to offset the possibility of pinch flats on the bumpy course. Rain stpped. Time to race.

The masters,Jrs and women went off first. Some Jr took the holeshot sprinting out of saddle for three turns then augered himself into the ground. Then the SS guy and I took off. Chuck vame by on the climb,then some Kelly guy. But the game was on. I was better in the front. But it just stayed the same. Felt good in the end. Hemmed and hawed about doing two races. Then did. I told Tami I wanted beer on the second lap. My plan was to just go ride the second race. No bury myself in the red. There she was on lap two. I took the handup. The announcer Rob picked up on it with the "King is taking on the sponsors product". So it went a beer, a lap. Then they handed my a full Witte. Rob was announcing each flavor on hand up. I couldn't waste it so I rode around in circles,then took off. The odd thing of all this was I was still in the top half of the race.

The line of the day was when we had three Ommegansters in a train and Rob says "Here come the Three Philosophers" . (After the Ommegang of that name). That was pretty funny.

Phil crashed in front of me and I said "Gangsta down!" that cracked him up. I'd had it at 3 to go. Probably could have finished. But I wanted to get some cheering in too.

Larry really kicked down the prizes for the races. People were buying product left and right.

We had live music. People settled in and had picnics. What a day! Sunshine a tough race and great beer.

Here's what to do with your Ommegang corks.

Enjoy life. OGQ

Some more pics at http://www.centralnycycling.com/ some videos too of the beer handups.

So you're thinking what do kards have to do with Kross? Bobber graciously taught the rag tag bunch of us how to play Texas Hold'em saturday night. The game started out just like my first Kross race. I couldn't get a break. Nothing. I get face cards,2 and 3's would turn up. Then near the end it happened I was running out of money. Bang a pair of Aces. I played it hard. Just like the last two laps of a kross race. I won big,then won again. Played smart and it was down to two of us. I had the option of all in. I took it. Read'em and weep. No two to you or toodle -loo. Venus and I threw down.I pulled a straight and it was winner take all. Perhaps beginners luck? A win is a win. A number of fine ales gave their lives for this event.

Sunday came sunny and clear for the Swandrome. Usually it's subfreezing at this race. The course was groomed and fast. It demanded you stay off the brakes and on the gas. We had top ten call ups. I'm on the front row and holeshot the first turn. Some guy on a MTB sneaks by. Jeff augers trying to pass. No Ernie or Glenn yet. I can do this. I've been here before. They get past in the uphill. I think OK hang on,they've been racing all summer. I catch and pass Jeff, we go back and forth. Then I have my "bad lap" he gets a gap. Paul is closing. He's had a great summer.

Third in the Mid Atlantic 50+ Expert. I'm not going to give this up. The leaders of Open men come through. I'm determined to hang with them. I get half a lap. Riding the ragged edge. Gives me the gap I need. With Ernies mechanical I get fourth. Mission accomplished. I did better than the week before. Much better. I'm starting to feel like me. The double at Cuse" is in two weeks.

The other Kingdom Krossers rode well.

Ommegang race this weekend. Course sorcery on saturday. I'll be a busy man.

We then took a boat ride in the "Kids" boat. Blue skies, the leaves turning, sun on my face. Lunch at O'Malleys a fine panini and nice wheat beer.

I am the luckiest man alive. Enjoy life. OGQ

As the Godfather of Kross here in NY state. I was amazed to see over 100 riders sunday at the season opener. Years ago when I tired of driving to NE for Kross Istarted holding races. 10-12 people would show up. My first frame I built was for Kross. Maybe the only the Kross bike out there at the time. We used to wonder if people would race in crummy weather. Then it started to grow. I still credt Kross with getting me off the plateau in cycling and raising my game.

They should have had two starts. But, They do the best they can. So 100+ riders slammed into the first chicanes and barriers. Dead stop. Wait.Wait. Wait. Go,rub wheels,hit legs and try to progress forward. There's Ernie. Thats a good thing. Man is he fit. ZOOM up the road he goes. I bring him back in the technical. Back and forth we go. He gets away I have a bad lap. Then the diesel turns on. Getting more and more dialed. Passing people,outside and inside. Run ups were good. Not quite confident enough to bunny hop them yet. They had a whoop section of bark chips. I hit hard in the big plate and cleared the first three,wheelie over the fourth and was on the gas through the next chicane. Really had that section dialed.I roll in for 9th in the masters. That will improve as the season goes. We had a perfect for fall day. Not a Kross day by any means. But the sunshine was a treat. We've had a run of great weather. Not sure how the other Krossers from the Kingdom faired. Mike K was 18th in Open men. Bike problems.

Looking forward to more.

We hit the Ale House downtown for pizza crab cakes and beers. Yes food. I love food and good beer. Smutty Nose Pumpkin Ale will not be a favorite. But you don't know unless you try.

Now how come Ithaca everything is open Sundays and Bobber went all over the crippled cities and barely could get a bite to eat?

Word from the man. Brew at the Zoo was OK.

Enjoy life. OGQ

Our local Kross has started. The cool part is more people are getting on Kross bikes, forsaking the "I'll do it on my mountain bike." We have three "New Bike Mikes" now.There's nothing like sliding skinny tires in drop bars to sharpen your handling skills. After a tuesday practice in fine Belgian conditions,we've had a string of perfect weather. Odd less showed up for the fine weather than the bad weather. No matter Kross rules. Our series opener is this weekend and I'm stoked for it.
Other news Venus, Bobber and I headed to Vermont to ride the Kingdom Trails. It was a recon mission for a later trip. Bobber found a great deal on lodging. We drove up Friday. Stopped at a Thai place outside of Rutland. Yummy. Now this little burg rolls up at dusk. We had to go to the gas staion to buy a six pack just to get a beer. Nothing open.
Saturday we awoke to a hard rain and knew the trails would be closed. We checked in and were told if the sidewalk dries off,you'll be able to ride. So we did some site seeing. Came back and the trails were open. Let me tell you these trails rocked. They were as good as Fairhill or Shindagin. Great flow. I ran a 34/18 on the Carver and made every climb. Tough on a couple,but do able. I'd brought a 20 just in case. Bobber rocked every hill too. Venus was on her game and was whooping at the way. Old Webbs was probably the favorite. That trail would be a killer loop to work out on. Saturday night we hit Trout River brewery for pizza and beers. Excellent. Saw people from the trails and sort of had a big party there. Then we came back and Bobber taught us Texas holdem. Fun times.
Sunday was bright and clear. We hit the trails early after getting a new seat for me. Mine broke late in the ride. The shop was open at 9am. Sweet. We rode till tired. Hit the motel showered and we on our way home. Stopping at Long Trail Brewery for lunch. Another Score. We'll be back to ride the rest this summer.
Kross practice tonight can the eldest horsemen card a win tonight?
Stay tuned. Enjoy life. OGQ

Kross openedThursday. I went up to flag the course only to find the ground windswept and burned of any mositure. No wonder Henk struggles with that place. So no flags. We used land marks and did a half hour race. Two fo the four horsemen appeared and new interloper. Thes three quickly separated themselves form the pack and attacked each other till the end.
Then we did a 50 yard off camber short track event,followed by another in the opposite direction. Some found the limits of traction. All agreed it was good practice. With my leg I needed to do some hill drills. As I was doing them a few others joined in. All it has done is RAIN now, so tuesdays course should be better.
Saturday found us heading to Shindagin for what well be the final ride there before hunting season. We rode new trails. I'd switched to a 34X18 and it was perfect. I could still climb yet wasn't spun out to often. We made it out of the woods just before the big storm broke. Perfect.
Saturday night it rained like the Ark was coming thunder and lightning. At 4 am one lightning strike was like a bomb going off here. My clock radio came on,weird, and the answering machine changed dates and time. Nothing else. Poltergeist?
Today we decided to chance the road and the rain. We won, windy but a nice two hour plus ride.
Sorry no pics. Maybe at Kross on tuesday.
Enjoy life. OGQ

Here we were all set to hit the Ale House for a birthday party. Jake hit the Molson at the Mardi Gras party and was well lubed. We both got beads, but thats another story.So I rolled the Miata into the CLOSED Ale House to find the crew. I'd called and got a message. It should say "Tim is a dick and dosen't care about his business". So we went to Uno's.( Chains are always open and Bingo loves chains) We did get outside seating. Our young waiter wasn't quite sure how to handle the tie dyed group of us. Especially when I asked him " If he had any weed man?" I know Fatmarc thinks hippies smell. But we didn't stink up the joint.

The music was Dark side of the moon. How appropriate. So we drank and ate and heckled one another. Venus made my favorite cake. Which I shared with our neighbors,who were enjoying our party. I got some great gifts. Wool is always good with Kross on the way.

Picked up some fine Belgian beers.

Frank in Utah is cancer free. Always good to hear.

It was back to the mines today. But you have to work to play.

Great weather all weekend. Blue sky baby,nothing better. Love what you have.

Enjoy life. OGQ

Thanks to all for great birthday. It started with a great homemade breakfast. I love breakfast.

A bright sunny day. Sun is good,very good. A light lunch. Then a road ride and a cross workout.

The leg is still being grumpy on the dismounts and remounts,but the technique is there.

A fine dinner at Moxie. I had Ahi tuna, I asked for mine swimming. I love raw tuna.

A Hoegarden, a Chimay and few Ommegangs were enjoyed. No dessert. Amazing.

Now Venus rolled a winner and got me the pink dopers suck socks. These will compiment the pink kit and clash with the Ommegang kit. Thanks honey.

Now onward. Enjoy life and ride your bike. OGQ

I turn 51 tomorrow. If i wake up I'll have beaten the curse for another year. That's six bonus years. I plan on many more. The reminders are all around. Two former students were in motor vehicle accidents recently. So young and so badly hurt. They're both strong willed kids and will bounce back fast. They have goals and dreams. I wish them all the best.

So back to the title. With all the Ale House birthdays. We thought it would be fun to have "Camp" shirts. Tie dye was decided upon. Tish and I picked up kits. It's way different now than when I was a kid. So I prepped everything and ordered the pizza. Other foods were in enroute.

To start the night off rightwe had a lime TILT. Now you may have seen these in the beer cooler at the mini mart. There is also SPARKS and Sparks plus. Basically it's malt liquor with taurine, caffeine,ginseng etc, and some sort of flavoring. 8% alcohol. Trailer park mimosas!!!

Fueled by caffeiene and booze. We somewhat carefully made our designs. The directions had some very cool patterns that any Dead Head would have been proud of. Then they had to soak for twenty minutes. Kind of like not swimming after eating. They were removed and the dye was applied. It then had to sit for 24 hours,be rinsed and washed. I'm afraid they'll come out looking like the kindergarten made them. But there's fun in that too. So we'll all debut them this saturday night. I do like the pic of the wine glass with Ommegang in it.. Nothing like a latex glove for beer drinking. Tish and Mills win the Photo op award for this night.

Kross looms and I practice. I'm even playing tennis trying to get the leg to work. So for a guy who couldn't walk eight months ago. I'm doing pretty good. Like I said Kross is about suffering.

Enjoy life. OGQ

I know I need to post more about the trip and haven't been updating with any regularity.

But as all posts it's a swirling dervish of info for you.

So now Kross has krept into my brain. I did my first Kross workout last saturday. I have a long ways to go with the running part. The leg hurts after about five steps. Technique is good. But the leg lags a bit. Like a slow firing cylinder.

Kross practice starts in September. Will the Four Horsemen dominate like last year?

From what I'm hearing a number of people have bought bikes to join the armada. They will either learn to love or hate Kross. There seems to be no middle ground. Kross is not for the weak of mind.

It teaches you to suffer like no other discipline of cycling. Survive and become a better cyclist.

Thrive on Belgian days. Eat the weak.

I went to the Brewery Ommegang yesterday to check out the lay of the land for the Kross race there. Will have to ride there to really get the lay of the land.

Also they will be sponsoroing the Dave Panella race this year. Very sweet.

I got an advance tasting of the new brew. Ommegedon. Very tasty. The brewer said give it six months of aging and it will be even better. Like I can wait.

Now the young Jedi made a photo album on Shutterfly and presented it to Yoda aka Tom(my MC partner) Even with the force he didn't see it coming. After reading it. He said "That's a book filled with memories, you'll enjoy it foe a long time. " I said " You didn't take any pictures". He tapped his head. I said " Me too, but they mat fade. This book is for you." His mouth fell open.

Catching the master off guard is rare. He didn't know what to say other than thank you. That wa enough.

I've dreamed of a trip like that for years. It happened. Now a reality.

The next epic dream. Get fit enough to repeat as Kross Champion at States for a three peat.

Best get that leg moving.

Busted out the pinstriping brushes and did the helmet. Now how about that hot rod inspired Adirondak chair?

Write it down. Make your dreams real.

Enjoy life. OGQ

Short version of the trip and a few pics.

The trip started two days before the 35th anniversary of my Dad's death.

Ironic, that I'd be starting a journey my Dad nvere would have taken with me.

So here's the highlights. No order of significance.

I got to spend two weeks with my hero. How may people can say that?

The Dragon's Tail is everything they say it is. 318 Turns in 11 miles. Total Focus.

The Wheels through Time Museum is too. Dale fired up some old scoot for a few burnouts.

The roads and scenery of Maggie Valley were amazing. Sensory overload.

All our hosts were amazing. None turned out to be serial killers. Sorry Mom. Well maybe Tim. See photo at the post office. Just kidding.

The Beer Sellar in Nashville is a beer lovers paradise. Friendly too.

The Parthenon replica took longer to construct than the original. How does that work with modern machines?

Hit a number of microbreweries.

Ate way too much the first week. All they eat in the south was MEAT,potatoes and grits. Vegetables and fruit were nonexistent.

We had an epic ride in the rain through the Smoky mountains.

America needs fewer cars and trucks. Way fewer.

All the locals I chatted up were friendly. Except two.

The line of the trip was the On the Go 20 something clerk. "If you could go out to eat tonight. Where would you go?" Her reply " I'm poor. I don't get to go out to eat." Well judging by her size she must have been stealing alot from here employer. Thanks for the tip.

Thanks Tom. A trip of a lifetime.

So this is kind of a three part update.

We've been eating and drinking with great regularity. Dawn shows us in one pic. "How big it really was." Oh maybe she meant the bottle on display. Actually it was about a frog. Or was that Prince Charming?

The sign shows how clever some kids can be in the dark of night.

Now for the trip. The V-Strom is packed and ready to ride. Following the Star Wars theme that makes me a Strom Trooper. I get two week of riding with the Jedi master Tom. Who like Yoda in stature needs his KISS army boots to touch the ground on his bike. We won't be swapping rides as he'd never touch on the Strom. My long legs barely make it with the seat chamois.

Tom will come packed like Walmart and Home Depot. I'll be a dirtbag. I've been paring the load. Have some "throwaway ou fits". Scored some poly pro shirts and underwear. Easy care.

Going to try the smartwool under the armor. God knows a T'shirt or two will be purchased may be a hat.

I wonder if Nashville has a good Salvation Army? Could probably score some sweet cowboy shirts there.

This trip will take us to Maggie Valley NC. Where we'll be going to the Wheels Through Time museum. A number of day trips. Then head to Deals gap to ride the Dragons Tail, 11 miles 317 turns. Then off to Nashville just because, (and meeting fellow netizens) From there we head to Evansville IN. To meet a fellow netizen/bike racer/chef. More Food!!!From there we're headed to Columbus OH. From there we're not sure of the ride home. We may even stop at my sisters.

This trip will be something I never could have done with my Dad. Since he was convinced I'd grow up to be a Hell's Angel. But I'll be stopping at his grave tomorrow, to bid my respects.

Part three is the Willie Nelson song. I had a friend Chris in college that sang in bars. He was good As the night wore on and the bar became drunker/rowdier he'd sing On the Road again. But with his lyrics.

On the road again,

just can't wait to shoot my load again,

down her throat again,

like a band of gypsies we go up the Hershey highway.

It was funny to watch the crowd going. "Did he just say that?"

Then Chris would wind it all up with a sing along of American Pie.

The sad part of the story is Chris killed himself over a his girlfriend at the age of 24. Put the hose on the exhaust of the car ran it in the window. Case of beer on the seat. Good night.

What a waste of talent and a future. I'm not judging him. I just don't understand getting to that point. So to avoid ending on a low note to the beginning of a new journey for me.

I'll be thinking about he and Dad when I get on the road again. How things could have been.

It's a big ol' dirty world get out and play in it.

Ride safe, Enjoy life, pet your dog, say hello to strangers, eat new foods, remind someone why they are your friend, Watch the sunset,

Marvel at the world we live in.

Enjoy life. OGQ

Now Laurie (in pink) is a perceptive reader. She pointed out that more went on than I wrote about. True. But what happens in Vegas,stays in Vegas.

Today we headed to Shindagin for some tasty single track. Bob took day off for it. A nice cool morning found us on pristine singletrack. We poached the on trail since it was mid week. Tire tracks told us others had been there too. Right or wrong we did it. The Chair trail was blast my skills are still a bit tenative. But I did most of the logs. Not the ramps. Our return ride had us descending on "Jerrys" trail. we tried this in the fall and it was bushwhacking and mayhem. Now it's a whooped out technical ride. FUN.

Apres ride, I made fresh cinammon rolls with frosting. BOOM food coma for me. But yummy.

I leave on my motorcycle trip in one week. That will be a blast. Loaded up the bike and did a test run with the gear and baggage. It's a go.

Thats a little update for all. Summer is going great. Trust yours is too. OGQ