Thoughts

So I have had a lot of time to think.... more time on the bike in the cold inspires that.

1.) In most action movies, the said attacker (such as neo, the punisher, etc) packs all of his guns and weapons into a duffle bag. Now, I am no pro on guns or other stuff of that nature, but... a DUFFLE BAG? REALLY? I mean these are like deadly things you are dealing with; bullets, grenades, etc., I have some knowledge of these things and a duffle bag is most certainly not the way to go about storing said devices. I would go with a plastic case or a aluminum case like a photographer. Not a piece of cloth that has been sewn together in some factory. I mean in most of my duffle bags, my stuff gets all jumbled and bangs together and stuff.... Not sweet! I mean usually when you buy a gun don't you get a free carrying case that is functional yet fashionable. It's like putting all of your fine china in a grocery sack, but these plates explode and stuff.

2.)Segways - Seemingly a new popular way to move about campus as of late. By that I mean there are two people who have them. The other night, I saw a student segging the way (if you will) in a full face motocross helmet. REALLY? Those things have a max speed of like 12.5 mph (I looked it up) I mean that is comparable to falling while running (or sprinting) and by all means said student was not carving the sidewalk on a two wheeled leaning wonder. SO was this helmet really all that necessary ... maybe she offroads with it? OR MAYBE, there is some underground circuit of pimped out segways... like hondas. But!!! There is hope... Ferrari makes a segway!



There's more to come.... I just need to study chem

change is like saddle position.....

Well as many of you know... well you might, I have made some drastic changes as of late.

First and Foremost, the biggest and most drastic! I am moving home - no longer attending Indiana University. Planning on attending Heartland - complete my associates and then transfer to ISU

"Oh Chris Why?!" (say it out loud!)

Well After a year and half here, I have come to the realization that I don't belong here... Sure I do well academically - I got all A's, excelled in all of my classes - Go every day, do all the homework, do all the reading... so it is definitely not an academia issue.

The thing that drove this the most is that socially I am failing. I have tried being everyone's friend, probably looked a little desperate on some occasions, but I really tried - calling, texting, facebooking, IM'ing, face to face. I guess people weren't interested. I don't really know, I mean I think I am pretty likable. Tried fitting in with the bike racing guys.... guess I missed that gravy train. Tried the frat thing... LAME!! Tried finding my own group... EPIC FAIL!! Tried being BFF's with the guys at the shop... they are all older, I get that. I guess the biggest limiter is my lack of desire to get hammered/high/etc. I guess that is a major aspect of college.... Not mine. Too much riding on school, training, my life in general. So after all that, I think it's time I go home, get back to my friends, my family, the girlfriend. So all in all its not like I didn't try, I just felt like a QB with a team full of receivers with no hands....Doesn't matter how hard I try, the team can't seem to get it.

I guess my biggest thing is that like when I did get a chance to be with certain people... all they did was text, call... etc. Yet they couldn't seem to figure out their phones when it came to me... maybe I am overeacting but just frusterating.

Sure the riding is great here and I will miss collegiate racing. But I got a lot of things to look forward to. Racing with Get a Grip, havin' a girlfriend within 15 minutes (going to be strange the first night I don't have to spend on the phone). Having time tested friends. Being close to family - This is kind of important right now. I feel like I have really shirked the grandparents out of opportunities to see me. I feel horrible, because they, like my parents have always been there with nothing to offer but unconditional love... What more can you ask for?

But how this relates to the title? Change is like saddle position... You know when it's wrong, you try changing it, and you will continue to do so until it's right... and only you know when it's right , no one else can tell you that.

ALRIGHT!!! I think you get the idea no more sappiness

Exciting times are coming.

Have to get a new fork for the addict. Something ate through the clear coat and put a hole in the carbon fiber.... REALLY SWEET! Oh well, I sold those wheels for a reason. But mark my words, this is the last Scott I own.... Been on the phone about ten times and still haven't gotten this problem resolved... You call specialized, etc you get about 5 people diving to answer your phone call... Like I totally respect the product, great stuff can't beat the stiffness but man waiting two days to find out if they have the fork I need... DAMN thats annoying... considering selling the addict once the fork is fixed and getting an SL2 or something like that. Maybe a GaG team bike (if they happened to get extras).

Been working with Jonathan "Chip" Gray to get sponsorship stuff together for Get a Grip. We are making some headway. Talk about a great guy, overall just really friendly and fun to chat up.

Thanksgiving is coming.. That means Jameson (Jamie) and I are going to Buffalo, NY... WOOT WOOT! going to meet her dad, and the rest of her family. Hopefully check out his muscle cars, go snowmobiling, and Four wheeling.... Too bad there is probably going to be a ton of snow down. Will be nice to get away from the bike for a little bit. If it's not there... I can't ride it.

I have no focus right now... I need an apartment

Hopefully Scott calls back tomorrow.......will be pissed if they don't

Need to type a paper.

Later on

More time to train.... more time to blog

Well it has been an exciting week... and it's only Tuesday.

Had a pretty good weekend:

Saturday - went out to Brown County - solo - and shredded the country side for 3.5 hours. It was pretty chilly, but once I got into the woods it warmed up and blocked the wind. Overall just a gray day due to cloud coverage. It is getting pretty cool out there, all the leaves have fallen so it is super easy to lose the trail and get off the trail. Oh well, makes for interesting rides. The leaves also make it pretty slick - loading the suspension into a corner and then coming out, the rear end has a tendency to kick out and not go where you need it to go. I felt kinda awesome - drifting stuff. Chicks dig it. Came home, studied a bit, slept a lot. Word. I will try to grab some pictures of the beautiful country side next time I go, but for now this will suffice.

Sunday - Got up, it was even colder than saturday... LAME. I had to take on the road. 4 hours of pavement pounding. Went out for a short noodle, where I was almost wrecked - couple of lady riders decided that randomly turning around in front of me was a good idea. They saw my coming, for some reason moved to the left - so I could pass right? Don't know what the logic was there, so I kinda went left - you know like I live in America, right? Well I get past the british bicyclist and am about to pass her compadre in front of her, when suddenly U-turn Yolanda made her debut. With my impecable (bahahah) handling skills, I did a little dodge dip duck dive and dodging, and kept the new rig upright. Came back from my ride to meet up with Chris and Kirk so finish off my four hours. Well Chris decided that 3 hours at tempo was not for him, instead we were going to do intervals.... EW! Fortunately nothing major, but definitely a good preview of what kind of power I have available. Looking positive, but it's way too early to make that kind of statement. I think the weight lifting has definitely helped. But we will see where all that goes. But we were fortunate enough to get rained, snowed and winded on... IT WAS wicked awesome. But came home, studied and slept.

For some reason - maybe the weather, maybe I am just tired - I have been sleeping a lot. Grab the comforter from the bed, turn on the discovery channel and hit the couch. It is epic. Usually just an hour or so but enough to feel quite refreshed.

But, the biggest news is....... (HOLD YOUR BREATH)













I got on to get a grip racing for the next year. WHAT WHAT!! I am so pumpt! Raced all last summer with/against them. Super cool guys that acutally race. What's that A racing team that RACES? CRAZY IDEA I KNOW! But I got the call monday night from chad saying he passed on my information to chip and like 15 minutes later, got a holler from Chip. DUDE I am soo excited! Lot of stress taken off of me - some of you knew I was trying to put together a team - nice to have everything taken off of me... JUST RACE my BICYCLE! Dude I can't wait. Should be a good racing season, get my early season racing done with IU, and the kentuckiana series to beef up and be a BAMF for these guys.

Plus I'll look cute in that kit... DUH


Alright well ladies and gentlemen, that's it, my latest updates. Riding the fixie today. You know the anti-shift party.

Take care

Time for a post

Happy Birthday Jamie (November 10) if you know her, give her a hug for me and wish her happy birfdays

Well life is starting to slow down, so I figured it is time for a post, to let all of those who read this know I am still alive.

Driscoll - Sorry I never got back to you. Just so much typing to do and so little time. But I really appreciate your interest and I will do my best to cover all my bases through the glob.

The last weeks of the regular person's cycling season, I attempted to rack up as many hours as possible at the job so as to keep my head above water for the next few months. See, I got laid off until January due to a lull in sales. But come January, I am hoping that I can get some hours and begin wrenching on little 5 bikes and do stuff like that. So, that has kept my free time pretty devoured.

Been flipping a lot of product recently, sold the time trial bike, traded the CR1 for some cosmic carbones, and plan to flip those pretty shortly to hopefully the same guy who bought the TT rig. Then hopefully I will get to build my own wheels ; dura-ace or ultegra hubs to a DT swiss RR 240 or a mavic open pro. We shall see. Use those as back up wheels, then flip the mountain bike and get some nasty race wheels. Can be stressful, at times, but more times than not, it's a lot of fun.

Newest Toy of the Day -

I GOT A SCOTT ADDICT R4.... OH LOWERED!!!!

you want to talk about a nasty frameset. SO LIGHT. SO reponsive... SO STIFF. Beats the crap out of you though. I'll deal with that to have the lightest frame mass produced frame on the market right now.

Say it, it is disgusting.


But at the same time. I need to hawk some stuff... shamelessly

I have in my hands and ready to ship

A set of sub 1000 mile cosmic carbone SL's perfectly true and ready to make you go faster

Also, I have a Kona Queen Anne Frame only, Velo Bella Team edition, blue and pink 56 cm.

Want something? Speak up.

Training is starting to ramp up. Kinda makes me excited. Gonna get my skinny trim on. Can't wait to be racing again. I need to be able to look forward to something every weekend, cause right now, homework just doesn't cut it.

Oh well, I need to get back to the books and the ebay, to sell some stuff.

Adios mi amigos,

more to come when the racing season kicks it up

Chris

Word up mountain bikes

Well things have gotten super exciting recently.

Took a bunch of time off the bike. Lifted a bit, swam a lot, ran a couple times and worked a bunch, just had fun.

But let's see, Coach Chris had me lifting... hated it. too many people there, fighting for machines, couldn't focus on my work. just not enjoyable. I want to be outside if I am being physical, not sweating and being eyed up by every guy in the gym.

So on top of the lifting, I swam a lot. About a mile a night. boring, but a super good total body work out. Only could keep my captivated for so long.

Ran a few times.. had the endurance, the strength. My body just hated the impact. IMPACT SUCKS

Kept up work at Rev. I am learning all sorts of things; wheel truing, derailler tuning and other aspects of the bike business. Gets a little crazy, but it is awesome to finally have a job I care about and don't mind doing; hanging with my friends, working on bikes, selling bikes. Just sharin the love.

But the latest training thing that I love the most, Mountain Biking. I got a Specialized StumpJumper FSR. super awesome stuff. going out to brown county every other night with brad and kyle. Upping the handling and riding skills. Brad is an insane rider. He hits lines that are just crazy nuts and most people would vomit at. It's a lot of fun; really puts the fun back in riding - it's such a huge challenge.

Had a nast spill last night hit a rock bridge, slid off went into a ravine.. Major slippage and the bike came tumbling after.

well it's time for bed. took the night off of riding and just studied and relaxed... Good times eh boys?

Overview

So since I have posted lasted, pretty much last eon, I have moved back to Bloomington, started work at Revolution and started up that damn school thing.

Let's cover the easy boring stuff

SCHOOL:

Chemistry - real basic class, nothing too special just reading and lab work

Psychological Behaviorial statistics - pretty easy data analysis

Sociology - eW

Environmental Science - kinda gnarly kinda deep, kinda cool to havea jamaican professor with a lisp

Latin Medical terms - kinda cool, cool professor, word up latin

Bloomington-
good old b-town, got an apartment on the East Side. Nice place, low theft, no parties, super cool.

Revolution -
never have i loved working until now. Just fun to actually care about thing, and being nice to customers cause I want to be..... CRAZY


Training:
Kinda given up on that whole let's ride with other people thing... Lots of drama happening that just take the fun out of cycling....

Sorry everything is boring, not much going on when I don't race, you know.

May be getting a mountain bike and go shred with B-Rad and Kyle in Brown Country. Little Specialized Stumpjumper FSR action

Might get a turbo for my car..... who knows

it's not the ride, it's the rider

well i think this might be my last race, or last crit race for the season. Might try to find some TT stuff and see how I fair there.

I just don't know what it is, I just can't open the cans that I used to be able to open back when I was a 3. I mean I am a 2 now, so I am at the bottom of the cycling pit when it comes to p/1/2 races. It sucks, a lot cause all the big cool races are here/coming and I have no bullets in the chamber.

yesterday, the crit, where I was racing for RGF, that I was all super pumpt for and ready to take names, at least not get my name taken. Well, not so much. It opened up extremely fast, and I got shelled pretty fast.... LAME . BUT as I was making my way back, I saw Jeremy Grimm with a broken chain. And seeing as he is a meal ticket, I came in and gave him my bike and shoes. Got major recognition from the announcer, but thats no win... SHAME!

Oh well, today climbs, hopefully I can make it tick

I need this deal with RGF, I don't know how much longer I can afford unsponsored cycling.

IOWA!! Flat, kinda fast and AWESOME

So this past weekend, I had the choice of Elk Grove or the Iowa State Road Race.

Well as much as I love being rail around corners and eating my weight in brake dust, I opted for the road race, plus I could share a ride up there and stuff. Savin' money, yuh heard.

Anyway, Jamie (the feeder) and I got up at 5 in the am and rolled over to Stan's house. From there we hit up West Branch, IA.

110 miles of road racing, with rollers and little wind. A race of Attrition for sure. I love it.

Anyway, Mercy was there reppin' along with Bikes to you and all 9 yards. those were the three main teams.

Clark Priebe and I tried a million times to get something going, but no avail; everything was being chased by teammates (really?)

Anyway, he got away and soloed for like 1.5 laps, my plan was to let someone else chase and I would just tail gun. But we got another split rollin' and we pulled Clark back in and were swallowed up shortly there after. CRAP

Anyway, long story short, wittled the race down got in every break. missed the last one, picked up 11th.

oh well, no team, that's a pretty solid result.

RGF weekend, super nervous

TT rig is done and a weekend off

Well I finally know what it's like to be a real person with a life and all that. It's a little foreign and I don't really know what to do with myself. I mean I ride, but it's not the three to six hour grind sessions.

WHAT?!

Yeah, I hit a wall physically and I need to take it easy so I can finish the rest of the season better than pack and DNF's (that's the hope anyway).

BUT in the midst of all this,

I did finish the Time trial rig. It is super sick. CHECK IT OUT
I mean not the sickest wheels in the world, but they are keeping it upright, you know.

Speaking of wheels - you are probably going to laugh but listen to this. I think that once my carbon wheels are done (Cane creek has to rebuild the hub) I think I might sell them on the bay and just get a solid set of aluminums. I don't know it just feels like these things are going to trouble. We'll see... if you are interested let me know. 808 rear and 404 front,,, essentially 606s

B-town Weekend

It was a good weekend.

Headed over and down to Bloomington, Indiana to hang and race.

Made my way over on Friday morning. Rolled up to the Revolution, hung with those guys and did little work on my rigs. After the doors locked, Kyle and I rolled out for a ride. SWEET. It's nice to be social.

Saturday, got up megs early and rolled up to the Indiana State Road Race. I got 12th, but read on if you are interested.

Talk about a super confusing race. Nuvo/Cultural trail filled the field with all their boys, rightfully so, but man it made it tough. Super tough, and you know me, stupid and some times strong, I chased EVERYTHING. I look back on it and feel stupid, but I didn't know who to watch, I knew Hamilton, Sasha and Dave, but they were 3 among 15(?) - bit of an unreal race situation but good training. But after banging my head against every wall I could find, in addition to dehydration, I got into the third split and won the sprint. Little bit of pride I suppose.

I mean, the aforementioned guys know my riding style and used it against me. Damn, I am so stupid some times

Then we rolled back to B-town - Chris and I hung out with John Palak for the rest of the Night. But called it quits fairly early... When did I turn 40?

Got up this morning and Chris and I pulled down the Nashville 90 - I felt like crap. But, Chris and I reworked my schedule and I get the next week off.

The coach and I have been talking goals and off-season stuff. So here's what we came to, Running, and swimming. No cross- I know, I know, great work out, but man that would make a super long season and I don't know hopping on and off bikes and mud and cold. That's all not me. I hate cold enough as it is. And wouldn't hurt to save a little cash.

But goals (I know you don't care but so I have a record somewhere else... and it's my blog dammit)

1. lose 10-15 pounds - need to shape up my eating, shed some weight, keep the power, and get my body used to being 5'9" not 5'11". make me more apt to climbing and increase my power to weight
   
2. Win a Collegiate race - will show huge fitness, good for the resume and just a morale booster
3. Run lift and Swim during the winter - Have a solid off season, build solid power in something besides cycling and hopefully assist in goal #1

There will be more, but run and fun you know?

time for bed

Sick... and not the cool kind

Maybe this will be me

Well this week has just sucked. I mean solid workouts and all that but man I just blew up in the nastiest of ways.

Saturday, I headed up to Blue Island to throw down at the "super rectangle". Four corners of suck.

I got up, felt like crap, went back to bed, woke up, felt like crap. Questioned racing, but had nothing else to do, and I really wanted to get up there and talk to RGF - Andy Moskal was going to be thee - putting names with faces, eh?

I got there - too early. So I napped in the car - more like sweat napped. I sweat just laying there. So then I decided "hey let's get up, walk around, etc." So I did.

Then it became time to open up the legs, hit the rollers, then noodled around with Caesar from Get a Grip.

Still feeling like crap, snot running out of my nose, stomach just super heavy and wrenching. GROSS. I knew this was going to be a DNF or a tail gun. EW.

But it was no joke of a race, Kelly Benefits, Rock Racing, The

So I lasted maybe 10 laps, Blew up and pulled off.

But I did meet up with Andy - Super nice guy, things sound positive there. I don't want to say that I have it completely locked down, but it is definitely positive looking. The team has definite future and solid riders. Somewhere I definitely want to be, but I am sure that little DNF was no help. Hopefully I can pick up the end of this season with IN State Road Race, IA state road race, Pancake stage Race, etc.

But they are going to ghost ride me at Marion. I am going ot be so cat 5, a large jersey and black shorts... awesome. Whatever, I am in an invite only event, I'll be pack meat saturday, but Sunday, there is a Hill and You know me and hills.

Well I had to B-town tomorrow, I am pumpt, three days off of work and with homies. GRAVY

BERT and Ernie get down

http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1822929

Add Siiiick, Mix NASTY

Well the last shipment of bike stuff came in today and DEAR LORD, we have some sickness to wield on TTs, get reay world.

But, I got out in the garage and started Wrenching a bit, deraileurs, Bottom Bracket, Cranks, brakes, and I assembled the Aero Bars, but I didn't get a pic of this. Trust me you'd vomit out of your eyes cause it is soo hardcore.

But I am going to run into Vitesse Tomorrow, Have them press in the headset, talk about the internal cabling (it's cool but what does it look like a esophogial cancer patient, with all those tubes hanging out.

But, should be able to cable it up, and MAYBE get it out for a ride tomorrow (not holding my breath but, you never know.

Well, work wasn't soo bad today, can't complain - getting paid.

Debating how much super week I want to do next week, Mike Sherer says 10 races... I say - My trust fund has just ran out.

But I really want to do well in the Indiana State Road Race, I love that kind of stuff, road racing more so than a crit.

The tour is super sweet - it's nice not having a clear winner.

Heard back from RGF Cycling today - super exciting.
http://www.rgfsolutionssportsmarketing.com/index.asp
I hope I can get on that team or one like that. Something with strong devolopment, good support, you know the dream set up.

Heard from Mike, that AB is staying together, wouldn't mind that either.

Who knows, it's early, but I would like to know where I am going, and know that I am not on Hand Center next season. Don't get me wrong, super nice guys, and I know in their prime they were beastly, but they have all gotten kids and family. Gave up the Bike racing dream, I suppose - different strokes for different folks. And after that little discussion after the stage race, I really question their thoughts on me. Lord knows I race far more than them and post up results more consistently, except for Prater, he's a baller. But he is leaving

Oh well it's time to sleep

4th of JULY

What a sweet weekend.

Must admit I feel a little bit off not racing. As I was rolling down Towanda Barnes this afternoon I was like "THIS IS WEIRD"! Then I got over it, realized I saved a solid c-note by not going any where. In addition to my solid workout and the baller long Ride I had on Friday, I am satisfied.

But Friday, Got up early and did a 6.5 hour ride with the tri-geeks. Beautiful day, rode 120 something miles. at a pretty solid tempo effort. I can honestly say that last year, a ride like this would have grilled me. But I got up today, and did a hardcore workout.

But You know, typical fourth of July Festivities.

Tour De France started today, IT's GOnna be SICK

Time for bed

TDF

it's so exciting

How much are the eggs? - 3 for 5 dollar. 3 eggs for 5 dollars?

Well Driscoll called me out tonight and told me to update my blog, so I feel some kind of obligated to all my readers.... all 2???


Any way the updates:

I am cat 2, Got the upgrade right before my faux belgium trip. So I am racing 2s and I have to say it's way sweet. Super safer and after a race I am wiped... AWESOME.

But the first race I did, I got worked and baked by mack.... dirty old men. still in the money and the second race, I got fifth... Thank gawd for hills.

I enjoy the twos much more, very relaxing to know you are with skilled individuals.

But now I am on the hunt for teams. So far I have tried
Texas Road house
Get a Grip
Turin
IS Corp
Trek-Vitamin Water

I hope I get some feed back, I just need a team with support in the 1/2's and some schwag would be dope.

The Cycling Center trip fell through... The cash was STUPENDOUS

My new TT Rig is on the way, holy crap I am excited, Full Ultegra/ Dura-ace mix. This thing is going to be like the sweat pants kid in 2nd grade....NASTY



Will post as the sickness is built. so much carbon, so much fast

Proctor State championship was last weekend. I was super proud of myself, held in the race, did work, rode smart, all in all, I was happy, just wish I had a team

In other news, Jamie and I broke up, Mom and Dad are angry at me. but as Ryan's Jenny said, "Chris you are 19...you can date who ever and how ever many you want." Kinda lonely, but ...I go home soon enough.

Yeah I am 19

Other news, I have lost weight, not a substantial amount, but trimming up a bit. Probably a combination of 30 hours of laborious work on top of my training.

But I am BURNT. So I am going to bed.

URPDATES....Long time no blog

Well I am still at home... kind of regret it- miss riding in Bloomington and stuff. But that stuff aside.

Went up to Memorial Day for all the races around the Quad Cities and stuff.

Saturday was Snake Alley... I loved this race. No one can climb here, so I was holdin it down on the climbs. It is probably the one race I have said "wow that was a fun race". Pulled 17th there, hopefully do better next year but as Mike Sherer has said that's a "man's race".

Sunday was Melon City. I hated this race. Climb saved my @$$. But I guess I have discovered the motto of bike racing in the midwest --> It would be a great race except for one CRAZY DETAIL. This was a circuit race with a good long climb before a switch back to a finish. But we descended into a speed bump- hitting it at 40 mph. I can take a hop but it scares the crap out of me not knowing if the rest of the pack can. That on top of being caught behind a wreck... SWEET DAY.

Monday was the Quad Cities. Flat and Fast... I'd kill any road race.. but crits.... EW

Last weekend, Ryan and I headed to O'Fallon for some road racing fun. 66 miles in HAWT weather. It was baller minus the dehydration. Picked up 2nd... See, road races.

Well in other news, got into Belgium for Johan Bruyneel's cycling center. Long story short, doesn't look like I am going to make it this year. Hopefully next year. It kills me to turn this down, but the timing was ridiculous. I had two weeks to get my life ordered up and go over and then come back and go right back to IU.

TUBAS AND HI FIVES

West Lafayette

Took this weekend to hit up a little racing in Indiana. I swear I should have probably been born there.

Regardless, had a pretty good weekend, broke even on race entry fees - can't complain considering it was like a hundred something bucks.

Met Coach in Crawfordsville and then him and I trucked up to West Lafayette. Got there with 3 hours to spare. Initially, the crit was a figure 8 with a pretty sweet climb that totally had my name on it. But wouldn't you know, the crit was changed due to the surrounding neighborhood not moving parked cars, leaving us with a square with a sweet climb and a descent into a nasty corner....COOL! It wasn't unbareably fast, but sprint points and KOM points definitely made it painful - surging, etc. I ended up pack meat, ending the day with a pack time. Bottomline, no organization and difficult to get away. 18th overall....GARBAGE. I don't know, kinda felt like my head was not in the game...

That night, Ryan Kiel, Chris and I crashed at the Fairfield and went to bed at like 9:30. I know I know, we sound like old men, whatever. I had a fire lit under me and was going to need a lot of energy for the road race/TT.

Got up the next morning at 6 and rolled to the road race. I was kind of at an advantage in racing this course before at the Purdue RR... knowing when and where to attack, how to handle wind...etc. Ended up getting 7th in the race, and the KOM for the entire event....WHAT WHAT. I climb like a squirrel

Then the TT came. I used to think I could TT pretty well but an hour and a half after a race that I pulled pretty hard core in....I don't know. So tack that on with no aero gear, I got hit pretty hard by the wind and lost quite a bit of time. I'd like to think I could have ended top 5 with some aero supplies... especially considering that the guys who were up there were throwin' down the cervelos with 1080s...NICE

All in all, 8th overall, and KOM>>>RESPECT!

I am more excited about this weekend... THE SNAKE and MELON CITY. Melon city was the first crit I ever did and it ruined me.... I am going back to prove something to myself. And the Snake.... Well hopefully I can handle it and I can do some damage.

Oh well, need a shower, and go to work.

Ok I was going to hold my tongue, but I read a blog

Trek Vitamin Wate/Burnham Racing/X-Clif Bar Midwest needs to take their racing back to the Cat 5's and keep it there!!!

These guys roll up to the race with 6 home boys (most heavily represented there) all on doped up treks with the works. So I am thinking "Oh watch these guys, if one leaps cover it and their team will cover."(common sense-get a guy in the break, make sure he can get away). I mean that is usually how most teams race - or so you would think.

So the race takes off, and one of their boys launches up the road. I cover it like a blanket of snow. Nothing was getting away. Then, what's this? I look back and said Vita-crap is leading the chase to our little break away... WHAT?! So let me get this straight, we are away and you are reeling us back? THANK YOU.

Said dip stick catches us, I look over at him and say "Why don't you work with your team?"

He responds in a disgusted manner "what do you mean?" (almost whiney)

I say "Nothin', later" and took off to get on the front and be prepared for some one legitimate to take off.

The race pretty much was they over and over and over again. I remember why I hate racing in Illinois, strategy is non-existent and everything is CLUSTER F---!

I would have kept my mouth shut, but I looked up their website and one of their guys blogged and was trying to make it sound like they ran the show and everyone else there was soooooo rookie ("along with about 10 other "meh" racers resigned to keeping things together for a bunch sprint" -direct quote from one of their guy's blog). and they were clearly waiting on the UCI to clear their licenses so they can go to Europe. DOUCHES.

I haven't been this mad about a race and stuff in a long time.

I guess what upsets me the most is not only the blog, but Uhm it's mostly that they have this massive sponsorship from all these big dogs and they suck this much. I miss Indiana racing already, where there is climbing and tactics and super strong guys.

Bottomline, is if you suck, don't blog like you're the shit

So here Trek Vitamin-water/Burnham racing/Old Clif Bar Midwest, I got you somethingAt first, the ideas and concepts might seem CARAZY but give them a chance... they might just work, and get you away from those "meh" racers, with other non -"meh" racers

Don't get me wrong, not trying so sound like I am a top dog, I know what I need to do to get there but just reading this guy's blog made me really irritated

What's flat, fast and not your Junior High Girlfriend?

The answer to the above question is Illinois Criteriums!

That's right I am back in Illinois and crit racing is the only option when it comes to making bikes go fast.

I moved back Friday; Jame and Dad came over to pick me up, we loaded and got out of there like NO BODY's Business. I was so Ready!

Anyway, kinda wanted to ride the bike, but the 30 mph wind was very dissuading....So I didn't.

Saturday, suited up, met the boys at the shop and went for a spin! Wel as much as I wanted it to be a spin, we averaged 211 Watts. Wind hadn't died down, so we fought off 26 mph winds. In Ill-ville, we may not have climbing, but we have more wind that we know what to do with. Then came home and chilled. It's nice to just be at home, and not confined to the dorm.

Sunday, got up, messed around then packed up the rig and rode with Ryan to Vernon Hills for a little Crit action.

Well long story short, I was pack meat, but I did my fair share of work and and reeled in pretty much every break. Getting me tons of street cred. I quote "that Indiana kid was a monster, did you see him chase that break in?" - Random ABD guy. Ha! Bottomline, no one would work together, cause I certainly had it strung out from the start. And those that would work, were being chased by their teams...? WHAT?!

Well it sucked being pack fotter but what can you do? I made my presence known...WHAT WHAT!!

Rap mathematics

Well now that School is out, I certainly don't want my acquired knowledge to go to waste, nor do I want to forget my mathematical skills. So in order to prepare for next year's stats class I have studied these

Brown County and K201

At least this didn't happen saturday, but it coulda... Has happened before

Felt like I needed this much feed on Saturday......

Well this weekend was the Brown County Road Race. SUCKED.

This was the home of the 1987 PanAm Games. And I can see why.

This course was mega killer.

Jenna Johnson and I rolled outta here at about 10 am and got there at 10:30. We were kinda upset that we had to pay park entrance fees - MEGA GAY! First of all, Jenna is a chick, and second we were racing. We shoulda been able cop that entry fee and just go straight to race parking. But whatever. The DNR guy had a DNR hat on and he definitely looked like he was fitted for a DNR order at the hospital. (Do not resuscitate). He looked deathly

Any way, rolled up and registered. $40 Bucks to get in this race. Really 40 bucks? that's ridiculous, for a non superweek-style race. Anyway, kinda chilled out, hung with all the guys - it was cool practically knowing everyone in the race. It's totally different than from in Illinois - where you may see a few guys you train with at the races, but you see tons of other guys that you don't know from other teams but will eventually get to know by the end of the season.

But anyway, suited up and hit the tarmac for some warming up. Did a lap, all five miles of it and about died on just one lap. I would say of the 5 miles, 1.5 were straight up climbing or ascending. And the other 3.5 were either flat or mad descent.

Anyway, the race opened up, small field, little under 30. But whatever, it was a tough race. On the first lap, the field strung out on the first climb. and the second lap, I had gotten into a 6 man break, being drilled by Jake Rutletewski(?). He made it mega hard, practically sprinting up the climbs (why was this man not at Athens, or Saint Louis. He is on Rite Aid. But why not go to Brown County and kill some 1/2/3's and take their money... It's a living)

Anyway, I got pinched in hair pin ascent and didn't have the power to jump back up to the break, so I fell back and chased with Mike Sherer and some other guy who was just drilling. Well by lap 8, my legs had had enough and wanted no more climbing, but I had committed to finishing this race. So I did.

Bottomline, a 7th place finish, earned some money to cover entry fee. And maybe upgrade points?

Then JJ and I hustled back to get me to my final. Hit town at 5:25 and I was in the Student Building by 5:30. A miracle truly.

Anyway got up today, semi-studied, and went for a ride. Louise and Kirsten Ripped my legs off for 4 hours. Tomorrow's rest is going to be glorious.

Then after some studying, I headed out to give Jason the key to the garage back. We talked for a solid 2 and half hours.

I am tired, wanna sleep and have work in 7 hours

PS

I just wanna add, that our girls are badasses!
Not to mention total babes


This whole collegiate racing thing is pretty dope. I gotta say, I thought I would hate it and it would scare the crap out of me, but it has definitely made me a better racer, stronger and more tactically smart when it comes to team stuff.

Now let's open the real season. Up to CAT 2 is the goal!

One Muscle relaxer later and I am still tender...SWEET

So I just woke up, from a muscle relaxer induced nap and I feel a bit groggy, and greasy. Should make for a great night of sleep.

So this weekend... WAS AWESOME

We loaded up the crew and rolled 4 deep up to Sheboygan Wisconsin. Ok to clarify, there were 4 cars, all lugging 3 or more bikes with 4 or more people... It was pretty gravy.

We loaded up and got away at 9:45, with all the Little 5 riders grimacing at the fact that they should have skipped the banquet. But I don't care.

We got up to Wisconsin at about 2 am, their time. And we all just crashed.

Got up the next morning for a ride to the race course for 80 miles of pure road racing. I have never done a race this long, but I didn't let that stop me. Ren-Jay got into an early break with marian, North Western, and Wisconsin at 10 miles into the course. So Indiana, North Western and Wisconsin all saddled up to the front to take our turns holding the pack back and keeping things in check - Mission Accomplished. The group at one point had 4 minutes, nothing major but enough to insure that they were off. Ren-Jay finished up with 4th, securing our place at nationals. I think I pulled out a twenty something(?) I passed a lot of people on the climbing finish (once again, how do I climb? I am like a cat on drapery). Isaac picked up 12th in the sprint. Can't complain, I finished a long race, kept hydrated and well-fed, and just hung tight. Messed up a couple groups trying to rotate of the front...OOOO they were pissed. HA! I would have like to have launched another group and gotten with it, but Michigan got on the front and just drove, and kept everyone in check. OH WELL!

But it was a tough course. You were either climbing, geting ready to climb or descending

That night, we all headed to the new hotel in Madison, got cleaned up and got some dinner. PS me and Fajitas = rough combo. But then we came back and called it an early night. The boys got up the next morning and won the Team TT, and the girls picked up a strong second.

Then we headed to the Crit. DEAR GAWD it was awful I swear when people design crits they are like, hey let's find super shitty roads and just make it as fast as possible. Needless to say, I was pack meat. Just couldn't make a move. Too fast. By the time I would get ready it was time to turn. It was a cool course though, 4 corners around the Capitol building, with a little climb on the back side (once again, my saving grace). I wasn't last.

This course might as well been called the wheel eater. I saw a aluminum wheel snap in half, several purdue guys just get slung over their bars, etc. you get the point. Isaac killed his reynold's edges, and those things are cross-ready wheels... YEAH

All the same, put in a strong 6 hours and hit home at around 2 am.

I think I pulled something wrong, cause my back is strugglin. It feels like I just pulled up way too much and just popped it the wrong way. Oh well, Took a Muscle relaxer and I am ready to kick it.

All in all, good weekend, built strong relationships and got my mind off of school. Which at this point doesn't take much.

Prolly need to suit up for some work.

Wednesday World's

NEW WATTAGE HIGH TODAY.

I am embarassed to say it cause err one will be like "WEAK" But it's a record for me so I am happy.

Tonight was Wednesday World's, the 446 loop.

I hate this loop, there is sand and gravel and just not a really fun loop, as cliche as it sounds, it is organized chaos. You can't really get a break going, cause if you drop people, they can pick up on the next lap, it's aggravating, cause then they fall in and they gap you cause they aren't runnin' at the front.

Whatever, it was hard, it hurt, I didn't feel to hot but you know.

This weekend is Regionals, Double Points, 80 miles of road racing on Saturday and then a crit on Sunday.

Hopefully I can get up there, one way or another.

HAHAHA CHECK THIS OUT, Look at Boonen's face, this might be the biggest Oh Shit of the season - Boonen celebrated a tidge too early - BURN. He'll never celebrate until he has crosses the white again.

In count down and catching up

I don't think I have been smoking, but this cough tends to say otherwise. It has been almost a week and a half and I still hacking like I have been hitting the Marlboros with a passion. HMM!

Changed my major again yesterday. Well not officially, but in my mind, I am set. For those of you who have stayed current on my whole major flip-flops, I have gone from sports marketing to marketing to Pollution management and not to Dietetics. But I think I am going to stay with the Dietetics; it is definitely something that holds my interest and has value and meaning in my life. Let's see how long this lasts. I mean I think it must have some value because apparently when I was in the hospital all nurses and people who were trying to feed me were impressed by my knowledge of food... even on drugs, so that must mean it is awfully ingrained. HM!

Well the school year is starting to wind down and we all know what that means, hard core summer training hours, working and a class here but not so much there. But with that in mind, it is becoming incredibly difficult to focus or even validate studying and really trying. Don't get me wrong, I am still doing all the work and getting everything done, it is just a bit of a challenge when the sun is up and the sky is clear. Not to mention work really seems POINTLESS!!! Oh well, it's a pay check.

Mike Sherer is selling his TT bike, and I really wanna pick it up, so I can start tearin' it up on the TT circuits and do some stage races and not look like a punk with strap on aero bars. He is cutting a pretty solid deal considering it comes fully set up with aero gear etc. I just don't know how well it will fit. We will see.

Yesterday was a really good day.

Got up, went to class, came home did a little homework, and then jumped in the saddle for some interval action. Hurt like hell and it made me want to weep uncontrollably. Oh well, that's training. The one thing that I have learned this season is the importance of resting and easy days. For example, Monday, I absolutely crawled, I don't think I could have done anything above 200 watts, so I didn't.

Anyway, got home, didn't shower. Don't really see the point when I am not getting too cuddly with anyone.

Then I got on the horn and called Grandpa Webb. After talking to him, I feel HORRIBLE. He is really lonely. But I think he is keeping busy with woodworking and all that. It's good to hear he is back in the shop, but I suppose that means that the house will be soon filling with solid oak structures; sail boats, steam engines, oil pumps, China Hutches.

Then I kinda studied/had dinner.

Got on the phone yet again, called Chad and Ryan. It was good to talk to the guys again, throw around a little trash.. YOU KNOW!

Tonight is Wednesday Worlds. I am excited and nervous. I can never tell how I hurt until it is go time and some one is attacking......GNARLY, right!

Oh well. The school day is almost over and then some homework and napping.

Haven't been sleeping well, waking up in the middle of night; I don't know.

This weekend

So this weekend was delightful and restful.

Friday, I had the option to end classes at a little after ten, so I jumped at the chance. Then I kinda dicked around the crib. Then Gaz and I headed out for a really easy ride, and a giant face loop.

In case you're wondering it was little 500 weekend, so for Friday and Saturday, wearing spandex and riding a bicycle is dope as hell.

But so we face looped and scoped da honeys. And got mad props.

But then I kinda hung around the crib for the night, I have found with all my time on the bike, I need sleeping as much as possible. So I hit grocery store and crashed.

Saturday, I got up early to ride at like 7 am ( I haven't done this since my wheeler days). So I got out for four hours so I could be back to hang with Jame and Joe. They came over, we hit up wal-mart, jumped the car and headed to Nashville for some shopping and hiking.

Then we came back and had dinner at the Moroccan restaurant on 4th.

Then we all took part in a nap. In our perspective corners. Then headed to Borders to chillax and then they headed home. And I came back and fell asleep.

This morning I got up, and studied, and played some video games until the radar said i was in the clear. SO I opened a can of 6 hours of 12 minute intervals. IT SUCKS. I feel like garbage but you know it's all necessary. Next weekend I race; Milwaukee or Ceraland.

CRRRRACk

That is what my work out would have sounded like today if there was audio.

Chris had me on a bearish workout today. I guess it wasn't too terribly bad, but in combination with being sick and recovering from the cooker that I was put through this weekend, I was pretty burnt out by the end of the work out. Had barely enough to crawl back home.

I ran out of calories to burn and liquid to partake in half way through my last set. So I broke pretty hard.

Seriously, I crawled, and it hurt... BAD. I think this is what it meant to Bonk.

So I got back and just did everything I could do to get nutrition to my body, which was actually a challenge.

So then came back and dicked around, did a little homework.

Oh well, time to relax and Z

Purdue

OH CHECK THAT TAN.... YOUS SO JEALOUS.

Several things, I forgot to mention, more will probably come later as I get bored working on this paper. So we rolled around Purdue University yesterday... WHEW TALK ABOUT GRIMY. It's like Decatur, IL got it on with Champaign and this atrocity is what happened. The whole area was just really dirty and left you just saying... WHAT?! Traffic that went this way but not that way, parking lots that parked to nothing, construction sites that were working on... concrete? But we did eat a MacAllister's where I am pretty sure it seemed like we all had downs, cause we were all like "UHM SANGWICH with CHOCOLATE SAUCE, (drool)" we were pretty tired. But the girl at the counter was all about me and my smile. We decided it would be cooler if every time I slid my Discover card it would growl (it has a tiger on it). That would definitely encourage spending by the American population. People would buy just to hear what noise their card makes. Just think, the harley cards would like rev and stuff. WHAT A GREAT IDEA!

But back to where I was going, it smells like soybeans/or ethanol, Isaac and I debated that issue and if a place smells bad, Chris Kelley does not live there.

Overall, thank goodness for B-TOWN, home of the best School this side of the Mississippi

I GOT BURRRNED

Thought I would share that with the world, you know. Really makes you wonder....

So this weekend.... simply put SUCKED.

Friday, just did the noodling around thing with Isaac, and Mike. Did a couple pre-race sprints, nothing major. Somehow hit a new high wattage; would've been nice on Thursday, BUT NOOOOOO.

Then Went out to rotate the tires on the Old 6 and the battery is dead.... AWESOME

Saturday, slept in late, packed and headed to Marion with Brett, Mike and Isaac. HOLY CRAP what a technical crit. People weren't lying. Ridiculously fast and corner Railing. I got pulled which sucked, but my legs felt like garbage. So we packed it up and I came back for a little noodle and watched team pursuits.

Sunday, got up early and headed to Purdue with the Kiels. Little bit of road racing. I felt like CRAP! My lymph nodes were huge, my sinuses were just outrageous. But IU did some business. I chased a few attacks, brought em back, but always felt like my matches were not there. My saving grace was the hill. Even though I am horribly overweight, I can still climb like a squirrel. But all the same, we secured out place at nationals. I got a mega burn on my arms; I am pink like pork.

Something has got to give on this weight issue. I am eating very little, and training ridiculously hard, and no avail. What Gives?

Sunday night, came home and crashed hard core at like 9 at night. Then everyone had the urge to call me between 9 and 10. usually, I can't get a phone call if my life depends on it. but whatever, nice to know they care.

Jamie and Dad are coming over this Saturday. After my 5 hour ride, we are going hiking. WHEW!!

Now to make up a paper

Powertap....more like powercrap

Okay, maybe that title is a bit fierce, but I am seriously aggravated with Powertaps, but not to the point that I will drop the 3 g's and get a SRM (that would take my rear hub exploding, destroying my frame, not being covered under warranty, and a koala bear mauling me). But the deal is this, I finally got a powertap head. AWESOME, I was Pumpt to see my overly advanced calculator back in the dock. BUT WAIT what's this? I drop the head into the cradle, and the thing reads speed, heart rate, etc. BUT NO TORQUE. AWESOME, so I just tried every problem solving idea in the manual. NOTHING.

So I go down to revolution and I am like "KYLE FIX THIS!" Well after the technician at Saris went through the run down of questions, we decided the Torque Tube is toast, and I have to send in the PT. (at this point, I would like to add that the people at Saris are awesome, marvelous intelligent people. Seriously I have not ran into a better customer service department).

So after a lot of shuffling and confusion, we got the thing sent off, and apparently they got it today and probably worked on it. COME ON RETURN ON TUESDAY!!!

Got one of my new front wheels today. A zipp 404. HOLY CRAP it's pretty gorgeous. But it is not as deep as my front, so we are gonna hock that on ebay and pick up a matching front 404. Kinda pumpt to have a super schway bike. I finally have the bike people drool over.

Rode with Isaac and Sherer today. Hit a season record for power output. I was pretty excited. They were chattin' me up about racing and stuff and upgrades. Man if I could land on that team next year. What a gravy thing that would be. I mean I am hammering just as hard as them, if not harder, so I have to be looking pretty good.

Not to mention my intention to go to Cali for U23 nationals, has to look BONUS.

I think I changed my major today. At least I hope I did. I really want to switch into radiology. Yeah I know, whoa Business?! BUT, after a lot of thought and stuff, I really want to interact with people and have an established relationship with them and not just because I am trying to sell them something. They have two programs here, a two year and a four year. I kinda want the two year, I'd get out (by this time next semester) and pull around 40 k a year at a hospital. If I did the 4 year, I'd be in school for the same amount of time, but have to be at Indy hospital for 22.5 months. I don't know what to do there, but I guess there is my back up when I can't make pro.

Tomorrow is Marian and Sunday is Purdue. I am super scared, people say that Marian is the most technical crit but We will see.
That's what the old girl looks like, I mean not too bad but definitely technical. We are bein' point whores, so I imagine we are gonna be cocked and ready to rock. So I do that for 60 minutes and then 15 minutes later, if I can handle it, I do it again in a 123. YEAH!

Sunday is Purdue, Road Race baby. IU is gonna sit on top, we are all in good shape.

I'll update tomorrow and Sunday.

HAHAHA NO WAY

I'd rather be cummin than stroken

That title, was inspired by the quotation some man in a large Dodge Diesel truck had pasted in his rear window. You know, I have seen a lot of stupid quotes and things that are like "HELL YEAH MY TRUCK EATS DIESEL!" But this one is the best!! BY FAR

But, that's not the point of this blog.

What an exciting day today. Dan Gaz and I decided we would suit up and throw down at a Kentuckyana race today.

So we left at at ass crack of dawn. More like 6 am, I remember when that was like a natural thing.

We loaded up the BUICK and rolled to Lexington, KY.

3 hours later, we arrive. Stare down the competition and get dressed. Being as resourceful as we are, we found an embassy hotel and changed and did personal exchanges there...IF you know what I mean.

Got out on the course for a 10 am 3/4 race. There was a lot of team representation, which made me so under the radar. But I as bein' a BAMF. I was hangin to every attack until a solid one stuck.. And stick it did. Four of us gapped the field by 2 minutes and I took it in the final sprint.

Went and got some food

1/2/3 race at 2:30. I was nervous, once again lots of team representation; Bolla, road house, an some others in there. Well, used the same tactic and stuck to a group break of 6. Put a minute and a half on the field and took third place in the final sprint.

Needless to say, I am beat.

A naked experience

Well it's been a while since I have written anything, but you know, life goes on.

UPDATES:

I race this weekend, Dan Gaz and I are heading to KY on Saturday and then OH on Sunday. Maybe Squeeze 3 to 4 races out of this weekend. Not lettin' this no license keep me down. In hindsight, it is probably to my benefit so that I am not blowing my life savings on gas going to obscene places

Easter weekend- Saturday, I ripped off a 5 and a half hour ride. Did the Nashville Ninety. Then Jamie and Dad came and picked me up to take me down to southern Illinois. We saw mom and Grandpa and Erin, then headed headed to Olney to stay the night

Got up and went to Catholic church with Grandpa

Then did easter shin-digs.

Then I was going to try and ride 4 hours and meet Jame and Dad in Hutsonville. Then it snowed. HARD CORE. So I called them to come pick me up.

Monday- did the Nashville 60 and homework

Tuesday - Did 2.5 hours and did a high cadence work out. WHEW, it was a work out. Supposed to be a rest week, but it's nice to have some sort of an interval to let me know I am doing something.

I wish I had my powertap back. Apparently, they have sent two and I have yet to get one. The other one should be here soon.... I hope!

I come home May 2, I am so excited. I have applied to every place of Business on Oakland, hopefully I get a job.

Rain makes people friendly

Well today went fast, can't say I really focused on much, just kinda did the basic routine of class and stuff. K201 was a breeze I really appreciate that, I just have to know what equations to use. Finally having two parents who are excel nerds are paying off.

Dance is starting to get fun. Just snazzin' up the basic moves, but it's fun. My anti-coordination is shining but I am doin my very best.

Then sports management. Doc got on his altar and preached to the choir. I SHOULD HAVE NEVER taken this class. Oh well, get it done, right?

Anyway, it was pouring today, so I came back to the dorm and let lunch settle.

Then I went outside and rode my brains out.

Don't have the power tap, so I just road hard... Stupid, I know but why not? I did the Nashville ride, stayed on the main roads, so something like 50 miles in for the day. Can't complain. Made me hurt a little bit. But I got soaking wet. But you would be surprised how many people are supportive of cycling when it's pouring. I got more waves and thumbs up, and offers for rides back to B-town than I know what to do with. I was like really? cause it is wet? I mean I shower in stuff like this. Well not exactly but you know.

Then I headed to the shop and hung around. Kyle had to straighten my Derailer hanger, but you know whatever it got fixed. Zipp is going to cover my wheel and get me a new rim for like 250!!! heck yeah.

Then came back here, mopped the floor with K201, and now I am just blogging contemplating what to do for the rest of the night.

I hope mom calls, but we'll see.

I don't wanna be here any more, I wanna go home and stay there. last week was too good. I am tired of putting my head down and just taking it from all sides and just smiling like I LOVE IT.

TODD WASH YOUR CLOTHES

It's monday

Well yesterday was the wake and today is the funeral and the drive home to Bloomington, IN.

"I used that Viagra one time, it got caught in my throat and I got a stiff Neck" - Uncle Bill.

Today is my day off the bike, so I am trying to fill my time with stuff that won't make me fat. But you know how that goes.

Yesterday was alright. I headed to church with the fam... what an experience. It seemed like the minister just wanted to get up there and TAAAAlk taaaalk talk. He started out by saying he had six points, then three points then two points. But besides all these points, it was a bit dull (ba dum shh...Get it? Points... dull, any one?).

Then I headed out for a ride. What I calculated, I got around 70 miles in....Headed over to dietrich, then south to sailor springs, then over into Olney. First things first, roads in this part of the state SUCK. Roads that were said to exist....didn't. Roads that were there were large chunks of gravel. Which really made it a bit frustrating and complicated. But you know, south and west, I got it figured out. Stopped in and had lunch with Grandma and Grandpa Kelley. Then I headed back to Newton. Dad picked me up just south of Newton, apparently I was late.

So I got all cleaned up and headed to the funeral home... Tough stuff there.

It's hard seeing the toughest guy I know (Grandfather) wimper and cry. Real tough. That's what really struck a chord with me was seeing this extremely strong man, who has experienced some of the worst physical pain of all life, really hurting.

Then after all the meet and greet and all that, we came home and had dinner.

We were all pretty beat at this point, so just kinda laid around and then grabbed some sleep.

This morning, we are all just lounging around...Waiting. Waiting sucks.

Hopefully I get my powertap back soon, it is really a blow to get used to numbers and now having completely nothing (I knew taking my speedo off would bite me in the ass).

Breaking stuff

Well Here I am in Newton.... PARTY ON.

lemme give you a heads up on this town. There's not much that really would bring one to newton, except maybe the low real estate prices, but the next closest town (that really matters) is Effingham and there isn't really much that would draw me there either... except maybe a hospital.

But spent remainder of the week training and being with Jamie, can't ask for much more. It was a hard good bye, I don't want to go back to Indiana. Every thing is at home for me... Gawd, I never thought I would say that but I guess I was all about being a hardass about going to Indiana and never looking back and now that's where I wanna be. With my mom, the GF, Dad... etc etc.. And it's like I am on complete lock down in Indiana; no car, so far away no one wants to come visit.

For training, I am in the right place, but you know when my entire life devolves into training, work and studying... It sucks.

I don't even know the direction I want to me heading any more; I have been thinking law enforcement, or something that doesn't shove me behind a desk the rest of my life. Who knows, maybe I can get a job in marketing that I can seriously care about; cycling related... who knows.

All the same,

Had to send in the Power tap head unit; the torque wasn't staying zeroed. so I would be soft pedaling at 250 watts; I was like man maybe I am a BAMF but, nope. Really aggravated by the fact that I have to send in my PT again. But whatever, it's free and I get a new computer. I can't complain, but regardless I am naked with absolutely no computer.

Dad and i drove down here this morning. He dropped me off at Charleston, and I rode down here. I was thinking maybe 45 to 50 miles. Low power, high cadence; considering that tail wind, that is quite alright.

The weather is starting to get gorgeous; knee warmer and underarmor weather baby. I LOVE IT; no more jackets and leg warmers and booties.... LAME!

well I am thinking a little bit of a ride tomorrow, and maybe monday off. I think I need a day here shortly due to the fact I blew up two and half times this week. I don't know where I got half, but I am pretty sure if I had had to push a head wind yesterday, that would have been it.

NAP TIME

Wednesday.....WILD

Well Tuesday sucked. I got destroyed on my ride. I was already pretty week, but I needed to get a ride in because I couldn't ride on Wednesday. So I was already two pedals strokes away from utter destruction. So the wind started out from the west: pretty fierce. So I headed out to evergreen and around Lake Bloomington. Too bad that wind rotated South and forced me to crawl home at 13 miles an hour into a 24 M.p.h. head wind.... AWESOME. Due to a garbage ride, I was in a kind of terrible mood and just didn't want to do much but sleep and and lay around. Gave me a lot of time to think; I don't know what I am doing in college, I don't feel like I am learning anything that is valuable or an asset to what I want to do. I just want to be around cycling in some form or another for the rest of my life; preferably riding or owning a bike shop. Not sitting behind a desk, getting fat, doing something that bores me. Well that goes over about as well as cold butter on soft bread.

Anyway, Wednesday, Jamie and I went to Chicago for the day. LONGEST TRAIN RIDE EVER. Financially smart but incredibly long and unpredictable but we got there. Did the typical tourist things; mag mile, museum of Science and Industry, Navy Pier etc.. Have to say I was extremely let down with the museum. It used to be so cool and now it is just so weak. Maybe it has to due with the fact that the last time I was there, I was 9. But everything was shut down and soooooooooo out of date. Oh well. Had an amazing dinner and Fox and Oble; SOOOO amazing. We got back at around 10:30 and came to the crib to chizill for a bit. I think we both passed out the minute we hit the couch.

Woke up this morning at 3 am, mom was crying. Grandma had passed. It's not real yet, but it will be soon.

We'll see I Guess

Puttin' the Ill back in Illinois

Well Spring Broke and as a result, I am back in Illinois. It was this or cuddle up with the kids whose parents didn't love them and forced them to stay and sleep in the commons area of the dorm (OOOO Harsh).

So far nothing overly eventful has occurred, just a lot of riding and loungin around. Mom says I am lazy, I say am.

But Saturday, woke up and really hated the thought of rollers and riding in the garage so I moped around the house until a little after 12, then suited up and got out for a ride. It wasn't all that cold, even though it was 29, but I loved every minute of it. Headed out to spin lake and just went sub threshold the entire time. I had to look tough... felt tough. these hills are jokes now. I can remember I dreaded these things now I thrive on em...ohhh youth. Then came back and napped and lounged around. Met Jamie at dinner with the fam at the O.G. (Olive Garden). It was STRIZZY - the family functioned so well and we all had a good time. a good thing to see. Then we did the hang thang.

Sunday, met up with the proctor boys for a little jaunt on the bike. Al and Jim showed up, which was awesome, was hoping A. Smith and Stan would have made an appearance but you know beggars can't be choosers. We headed out to Funks Grove then I broke off and headed to Heyworth. HAHA the memories. Al is a beast this year. He did the spinervals all winter (I did those, they suck, but the performance is undeniable) and he was hangin like a drifter in the old west (any one get that? Hopefully). But I couldn't shake him, and I was tempoin' at around 250. But on the way home from the town that is worth a HEY I blew up around crestwick. Power generation was like SEE YUH - thanks legs. Got close to 4 hours. Jamie then came over, we did our hangin thing.

Monday - I blew up my power meter today.... haha, no I didn't ( I hear you gasp) but I did do my LT test. and lord was I pleased. But I got out around 11:30, figured I was going to take it easy, nothing over the top just a spin session. On my way out of town, some amazing driver in a corolla forced me into a nice little pavement divot which shattered a spoke and forced me to to Vitesse for a new spoke and a wheel truing. You would think with a car that small, you would be more aware of your place on the road and others. Well, got that fixed and then headed out to the Lake. The sun decided to hide its face and it made it pretty cold especially with that beastly wind out of the north northwest. So I got out on the open road and debated whether I wanted to test or not - that wind and the previous day's blow up session made it a little unappetizing. But eventually I said forget it and turned on this diesel engine and hammered - who knew, maybe today's wind could have been hurricane level, and hail. You never know, it is Illinois (and a good choice judging by the current conditions). So after a 30 minute grind session which somehow landed me just a hair south of El Paso, I packed it in and spun around the lake and then headed back. CHECK IT 323 watt average. That's right, stronger than last summer even after all that drama - You got nothin' on my broken bones and near death accident... NOTHIN'! Stopped by Jamie's to talk about plans for the evening then went home. In the midst of all this, I have mastered the Time Trial position on my bike. I must look tough. It feels great; my back is all stretched out, I am faster than all day and I generate plenty of power. I kind of want to buy Bryan Rossi's TT bike but there's other needs for my money at the moment. Then Jame came over and we did out chill thing, I made dinner for the fam; taco skillet dish. Pretty solid. Then we went to the grocery to get stuff for tonight's dinner - Salmon, asparagus, etc... Gonna be bangin'. Went to slizeep.

Woke up this morning, the sun was shining, there was no snow, but a fierce south wind.... Awesome, looks like we are headin to the MACK today. But until the temp gets up, I am watchin food network and analyzing power data. Apparently there is a mail man who delivers cookies for people... odd combination, aren't postal service people supposed to be just all out angry ... they probably have tacks in them. And now Sara's secrets are on, I wonder if there is as much pride in having a mid day cooking show (no one watches) as there is in having a late evening show (very few people watch). Does Giada have to be nice to these people? Is Bobby Flay forced to hang with these people? Does Paula Dean have to give them tips and invite them over for dinner? Maybe it's in their contract. Here's how the discussion goes;

Exec: You have to hang with Sara from Sara's secrets
Paula: DO I have to (obvious twang)
Exec: Yes
Paula: why?
Exec: it was in your contract, do you honestly think we can keep you around simply due to your cooking? You kill half our viewers every week with all that crisco and butter you are using
Paula: That's how I cook, down home style
Exec: Paula, this has nothing to do with your cooking, just hang with sarah
Paula: But she sucks
Exec: Listen, we know, she couldn't host a show any better than a stoned monkey but it's what we have as filler between the good shows
Paula: FINE, but if she even tries to share a "secret" with me I am trading.
Exec: Listen just let her talk, she thinks she is on to something, but she blew all her secrets on her first show. (haha , I could put a reference there, but I won't)
Paula: and this is my fault?
Exec: well no, but until her contract is up, we are stuck with her and due to our Food Network family program, you are contactually binded to hang/ help the crap chefs.
Paula: Fine
Exec: just be happy you didn't get that lady from barefoot contessa, she's a wreck. Not only is she drunk all the time, but her food sucks, and her husband is rather Flamboiyant
Paula: Who got her?
Exec: We stuck her with Giada (who is mega fine, she has a great appetite and not to mention a mega babe)
Paula: O lord

My future wife

Day off the bike and CHICAGO TOMORROW, I AM PUMPT!!

Might nap now.

On another note, have been thinkin' about dropping out of school and heading to cooking school. Dad doesn't seem too into that. I don't even know why I am going to college, I don't want to be a marketer, I want to be a bike shop owner or something like that. Something I actually care about. Not something I am forced to care about.

My quest for facial hair is coming along nicely.

Need to go to the pawn shop today.

Go do something productive

Song lyric quote of the day: "I hope you go to heaven, Tupac gonna kick yo ass" - DJ Unk
MAGNIFICENT

this is what life is supposed to be like.....bout time

Well I just want to open up this entry by saying: life is good right now.

Had a fairly easy day of classes; nothing major just straight go to class. Can't complain there.

Then I got out and went for a three hour ride. Logged 2 and half hours of straight tempo. Surprisingly enough, I feel pretty good, little tired but it's a good tired.

THEN

came back and wound down, got some eating in and then headed to the union where...

I met my new coach. Yes ladies and gentlemen, I "bit the bullet" (I guess) and got a coach. It feels as if a burden has been lifted from my shoulders. Finally someone to tell me exactly what to do, how to do it, how long to do it, and everything like that. No more guessing at training and adopting other people's programs. Such a sense of security. Chris Beck is his name, and he is a really nice guy; quite and confident. But, that should prove beneficial. and at 60/month, I am not complaining. Mom and Dad are supportive of it and everything, so I feel really confident in my decision.

I applied at upland brewery today; PM line cook. I would really like a job that I can be proud of and you know actually have to fear being fired from. We'll see wehre that goes.

Time to work

3rd and 2 to go

Kinda decided to make this a rest week. But tomorrow, I am planning 4 hours of tempo, so that means nashville baby. Maybe if I am lucky I can almost kill someone's sister like last time. THRILLING

Other news, Talked to Dan Gaz today - looks like I found my ride to races baby. He is pretty down to going places and splitting costs and all that. GRIZAVY

Two days until I am home. HOORAY.

Andrew Smith and I are planning to do some hard core riding while I am home, which will be good. Maybe I can get a real LT

Talked with Brett a lot on the ride today, he is easily the coolest guy I know.

Put my name in the hat to be an officer of IUCC - that'd be pretty cool right?

Looking into getting a coach, there are a few guys around here, and I think it would be really beneficial. You know, taking the guess work out of training. Instead of my, catch glimpses of other people's work outs and then up them. But there is a coach on Hand Center so maybe I can land a deal there.

Well they want me to come in and work at revolution tomorrow, they are BOOKED. so you know might as well learn about something I care about.

Got new cleats today... I think I hate them, I got the Keo reds with that massive float, but that is all they had and after I had shattered my 0 float, I needed them. Maybe I will get used to them

In the mean time, I am down five pounds? Guess when you put new batteries in a scale, you lose weight... Shoot, I will change those batteries daily.

regardless, the fixie boys invited me to come hang with them tomorrow, so I might just skip work and do that. I wish I had a job I cared about, one where I couldn't do whatever I want and still stay employed. OH WelL It's a pay check..

Bed time kids

I guess it isn't enough

Well I don't know ho I did it, but I did and it sucks.

Apparently I have gained 5 pounds, I am now 170 pounds.

How is this possible? I am out burning down at least 1600 (max of 2000) calories every day, via riding, and some work in the gym.

I don't understand it.

I am eating really properly, granted its a lot but I mean I get roughly 4000 calories daily just to stay at weight, right?

Apparently not.

Regardless the next endeavor is to lose that 5 pounds. It is gonna suck, but I have been through worse.

and you know when you feel fat, its just like nothing fits right and you can barely look at yourself in the mirror. Well, yeah kinda what's happenin.

I don't understand, it pisses me off and I wish something would really just start to go my way.

Or maybe, I will get all the shittiness of life out this year and the next years I can just be smooth sailing in the coming years.

So how do we resolve this?

Smaller meals, and no eating after 8. I mean I can't really think of anything else. Like I don't know where this came from. Oh well, give me 2 weeks to a month and I will be back on it... I hope.

Sunday was a bit of a scare, my back kinda gave me a strong ache... instant thought "oh shit" but I stretched it out, and all was fine.

I am scared, that due to this car license bull crap, my racing schedule is going to take a heavy beating. Not something I was really expecting, you know? And it's so hard to see all the guys around here; Mike, Isaac, Knapp, etc all talk about their races and stuff and I am just like... I shoulda been there. Once again life will get better; gotta keep that chin up. Just going to have to extend the racing season as much as I can.

I am just ready for school to stop, especially with spring break just around the corner. Our math teacher was pretty cool and was like o yeah, how do you like 25 problems that take 5 to 10 minutes each? Sound good? COOL...My focus is on the same level as a ADD chimpanzee.

Jamie and I are going to Chicago, on Wednesday next week, should be fun. nice little break. Hoping I can get a hold of Chad and Lisa and see if they would be up for dinner or something like that. I miss them. Word has it that Chad has a team bike for Get a grip, how sick... I am jealous... Next year, I am only a freshman. I have time. But at the same time I don't.... You know?

OH BOY team camp March 28-30 for Hand Center. Full expenses for Log Cabins in Nashville, HELL YES I AM GOING!

Well racing plans are up in the air.. it is supposed to be 30 on Saturday, that is not racing weather. that is training weather but I have no desire to have my heart Jump out of my chest for a whole 60 miles.

Lotsa uproar in the blogs about the DQ on Saturday, whatever.

I miss you guys.

Time to work

This is what shelled is

Well today was not as awesome as yesterday, but regardless... the story

Easily the fastest crit I have ever done... period, EVER!

But anyway, the day went by.

We headed out at like 10:30 and got there in a little over an hour.

Well we did our suit-up and warm-up thing. Then just waited til our race started

Well and start it did. From the gun, my heart rate based at 180, I don't think it went much lower.

Sherer and I got shelled, which was fine after yesterday's work but all the same sucks.

Don't feel like talking about it much.

The first race

First race of the season was today.

It was pretty awesome. I raced A's which is like all 1/2's sooo, I was pretty pumped.

It was in Heritage Lake, IN, which is just North East of Greencastle.

Well I will tell it from the very beginning so you can truly appreciate this day

I didn't sleep incredibly well last night, but woke up at 9:30 and hopped in the shower. Got the bike all set up with the ksyriums and packed all my other stuff.

Then I headed down to revolution and dicked around with the guys until everyone showed up.

We then got our stuff all loaded and got under way.

we got there at like 1:30... I think.

Anyway, we all got suited up and ready to rock.

We went out and did a little warm up spin. and then lined up to rock.

And ROCK WE DID!

From the gun, the race was wicked fast and wicked hard. But that was all IU's FAULT AH AH AH! (the count from sesame street's laugh)

Anyway, it was a forty mile race on an 8-mile really rolling course that had no turns and as in a residential/lake area, kind of like a BIG I guess heritage lake out west of Bloomington-Normal.

But we took off and rocked so hard. Easily one of the hardest races I have done... EVER!

We tried a few surges and attacks, but nothing really stuck until John Myers, Brett and a couple of guys from varying schools launched off the front. At that point, IU and Wisconsin and Milwaukee just held up the pack to let the break get some time on the pack. Intermittently, small packs would try to formulate and bridge up, but we shut those down and reeled them in with ease. But then people started to fall back, Brett being one of them which meant we had no one in the break.

IU put the hammer down and became a force.

We put all 10 of us on the front of the pack and just hammered. no way around it. People wouldn't come to the front because they couldn't hang with us. It was pretty impressive. I quote Mike Sherer "I felt like Astana" minus the dope.

Anyway, we sat on the front and became a screaming red express for the 4 remaining laps.

I worked so well with everyone, including Isaac, we got along really well today - in fact, i was talking to val tonight and he was like "Isaac was so proud of you, he said you were extremely powerful and very team oriented and responsible, we got along great today". That is such a compliment and such a step in teh right direction... 'Bout time. This is awesome, may lead to racing for alderfer bergen next year and easier to get to races.... CHYEAH! I did mess up and attacked when I shouldn't have but I came back and apologized. I know, I know, but gotta play the games.. I am learning that.

Any way the train was drilling, we had shrunk John Myer's attack from two minutes to him being in sight. (By this time John Myers was solo). So our rotation was flawless, we were within one mile of the finish and totally set to get 1-5. Then Wisconsin had to go and mess it up. They got into rotation and totally messed it up and then it just blew up literally.

I pulled off the front and two wisconsin guys come up and box me in and I am shut down to next to no speed in comparison what we were doing. Then hell broke loose, I hear the grind of componentry hitting pavement and I felt a knock on my rear wheel but didn't look back and just tried to push through the box. Then, no less than 5 seconds later, I see Pat Ahlberg's rear wheel at about eye height and I immediately grabbed for brakes and luckily I did, his rear end came my direction and I went off road into the gravel and mud, but I got it put back together and back on pavement with out a loss of stability.

In the mean time, Kentucky (?) launched an attack and went in for the top placings.

At this time, IU's gravy train had been destroyed and we just rolled in.

Isaac was mega pissed. Rightfully so, I mean we were the strongest contenders there, but that was totally out of our control.

He raged out at me and was like "you should have raced B's" I just nodded, and let it roll off, I don't belong in the b's I belong in the A's where I was, I was a powerhouse and I did my fair share of work, I just don't have the experience he has, an I need to learn. Fortunately I have a couple of strong guides....Isaac, Mike, both the Knapp boys.

So the carnage that resulted.
Graham got pretty busted up, road rash.

Pat busted up his knees and was on a rampage to kick somebody's ass

Brett, cracked his frame, shredded his 808's and got suspended from collegiate racing... This is the last guys that deserved that. He is the nicest guy in the world.. such a shame

But get this, all said and done, the race was completely negated because of 20 violations (center line, is unrealistic in a race with more than 10 people), the official just canceled it. So, IU ended up really well cause our women's A's were Bomb, etc.

But then we headed back and I came here and just lounged around and ate... DAMN I as hungry.

Oh well, crit tomorrow, no center line to screw us.

Time to go get my laundry, watch a movie, and sleep. OLE