Two Wheel Blogs

Confused? You wouldn't be if you had to ride around the parts I frequent. It's would be a toss up on what I'd rather do; go to a monster truck jam waving a black panthers flag, or ride some of the roads around honky tonk Sedalia. Well it may not be that bad, but today was quite interesting.

I'll skip the details of the ride but here are the highlights...

Great weather is awesome, but the bugs it brings out isn't. Cotton mouth and bugs don't mix, I got my fair share of protein from the little buggers tonight.

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I've found a new hobby. No expensive bikes, no fancy new parts to buy, and no more chamios butter! These guys give a whole new meaning to running free. Looks like I've got to practice my Tomb Raider roll skillz.

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OK that's it. I said I would do it and I did. I've submitted my upgrade request. If it's approved today's State Road Race will have been my last race as a Cat 5.

And it was a good race. There were over 40 pre-registered and I think just about every one of us turned out. I took a quick look over my shoulder at the start line and was impressed by the size of the crowd lined up to race there.

I set just two goals for myself for today's race:

1. Stay with the lead group
2. Finish well

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I enjoyed a great ride today. The weather/wind made for a really fun time. At one point I led a short pace line over about a mile stretch where we were tempeted to pass a few cars. I was spinning a 53x11 at what felt to be a very high cadence during a nice tail wind.

One thing about today’s ride that was really neat to me was the way my bike felt. That had a lot to do with my wheels (I was using a different set than usual). More about that later.

I took advantage of a nice day, and left work early for a MTB ride. The trails were a bit wet, but most surprising was all the fallen lumber on the trails.

I guess one of the many many rain storms that has rolled through here the past few weeks had enough force to uproot or break off a lot of trees. I must have seen 5 trees larger diameter than my wheels laying down that were not down only a few weeks ago. Most of them were near the trail, but this one was blocking the trail.

Trail report? Downright muddy in spots, but 95% of the trail was great riding, but rough from all the rain. Yes, the rain seems to have roughened the trail, by washing away soil and leaving more roots and stones exposed. Also, the trail is pitted in many spots from serious overland flow scours.

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I'm so happy it's finally Friday. Did this week seem really long to you too?

First and foremost, y'all saw the comment I made about Andy Coggan's wife's (Angie's) bike, right? Check below for a photo. Andy sent it to me today. Thanks Andy! Like I said, that's one sexy machine. And good as it looks, the photo doesn't do it justice.

This bike's already got me into trouble too.

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