Nothing memorable to write in the two weeks except it has been unseasonably cold and rainy here n St. Louis - and with that comes a huge degree of illness. My Wife - sick as a dog - my kids became sick - and somehow I have survived, barely - never sick, though never 100 percent.
Over the two weeks, I have commuted every Monday and Wednesday to work - I really like this - even in the cold and rain.
I missed riding after work on Tuesday and Thursday - we had some night duties and when we got the chance, it was pouring.
The one memorable event was riding the Maplewood Night ride. I rode with Judy, Stephanie and Cory. Judy and I left about 5 min early to make sure we got up Southwest and then waited fro the group. We missed a turn, but caught the group on Broadway. These people on the ride were dicks! The four of us were the only sane people there. These guys blew through stop lights and were pricks to us. When Judy and I arrived, no one said hi and they were looking me up and down - fuckwads. To top it all off, Around Kingshighway, Judy had a flat. Nobody waited! Yes, in the middle of the city in the middle of the night one a supposedly no drop ride, nobody waited. Three guys even had to balls to ask - do you guys have everything - to which I replied - yes and then they rode off! As the passed Steph and Cory - they said - don't worry, they have everything, to which Cory replied - and they have friends who wait! What a douche bag group of riders. I changed the flat and we rode back. I have heard Maplewood is canceling the ride.
OK - the biggy - for me Cross racing has begun. Admittedly I suck at this. For some reason (my fat over-weight ass) I can never push as hard as others. I really have fun doing it - I do wish I could do better - so I'll let that be.
BUBBA #1 Night Cross - Faust Park.
*The weather - cold, it even sprinkled during the day.
*The ground, like soup (I stoped once at the run-up because I thought I must have a flat).
*The course - If there was a flat section - I must have been delirious and missed it. The best part was this super steep run-up with a 180, down to a 90 degree into a steep hill around a corner and into another hill.
*The degree of pain - for me this was the hardest cross race hands down. For me finishing it was a victory. There were more than a few drop-outs including a few guys stopping to puke in the woods. SOme didn't even do that. I came up the run-up and saw Yo-Yo standing at the top puking-up telling me to go by.
*The performance by me - not good. I honestly thought I would do better. I know I'm not good at this, but come-on. Robert asked me before the race why I wasn't doing the C race - good fucking question. I really just wanted to race with people I know and at night. The C race was during the day. Also, I thought I would do better than I did. My lungs felt horrible and so did my body. In cross, as hard as I push - I just don't seem to go fast. I don't get it. Oh well. I d enjoy the atmosphere and racing with people I like. I do not know if I will continue on the B race or drop to the C's. It really depends on who is racing. Cross for me is all about the spirit of fun.
*The aftermath - I didn't know they ended the damn race and I did one more lap than I needed to - WTF - the whole race I never could find the lap cards or anything. I was not alone in this. When I got back to car, my lungs were so full of snot I thought I was going to vomit. I kept saying I feel sick and Bill and Heine finally told to shut-up or I was going to make them sick! We got back to the start and had good chili, a brat and beer while we rooted on Devin and Alex. German is an animal. He stayed with Josh Johnson the entire race and finished second. It was awesome to watch. It should be a great year for him. Watching him race, he could go pro he was that good.
*The goals - well, I couldn't race today - family and I had the back stairs to finish (which turned out nice) - so my goals are to push forward. I hope to show up at the Thursday practice at Forest Park - man, I need it!
Chris, the important thing is that you look good on that kona, especially that crouch position, you are PRO! I looked at the results and you did finish in front of me. I think the race was over when I passed you! Next race . . . C race. Have you seen the Bubba pics? Some guy has deep dish Eastons in the C race. Give me a friggin break! The C race is no joke. It is a tough race. The top guys in the C usually place top 10 in the B's when they move up. I'm racing C's until I podium, which could be all season the form I'm in. Bill H. ps--I could use a ride next Sun if you are racing JB, that's a good course, none of this switchback twisty crap, just long hard cx grassy goodness. pps--tell Robert he can go to hell! "why aren't you racing C's", hah, thanks for the encouragement Robert. :)
ReplyDeleteBill - I am in for JB and I am your ride.
ReplyDeleteChris
will you gents be starting the fixed gear ride anytime soon?
ReplyDelete