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