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.