Rehabilitation

Solid weekend of bike racing; the first for a little while. I'm starting to get some of my snap back which is really encouraging. It almost feels like I belong in a pack again. It reminds me a little of what David Millar was going through after the Tour. He said something along the lines of how he was ashamed to call himself a bike racer because he couldn't pedal in anger at all, only little wimpy please don't hurt me pedal strokes. While I am not as British as he is, or nearly as cool, or nearly as much of an ex-doper (Im still doin it), or I just didn't get done with le Tour, I kind of get where he is coming from. It felt good to be able to put in an effort and know that it was good, strong, and respectable. It was something that made other people hurt, not just something that made me want to say uncle and stop.

The Iowa Crit Championships was a 50k rectangle with a bit of a hill on it. Enough to get out of the saddle, not enough to cause any suffering. Only 14 guys rocked the 1/2 race. While that is lame, it made the race a bit harder. There's no place to hide, especially when you are a recovering triathlete. I went with a few moves that I thought had some promise, ones without Sean Walker in them because I thought he might've been too marked, which might mean something else is more likely to go, but none of those managed to stick. The first one with him in it did stick, which was right after the last one I was in got caught. Sweeeeet. We got lapped by one dude (Lou Wagga-something) and he he hauled our asses back to the rest of the break who was lolligagging and playing grab ass. The sprint was for second, but I didn't really contest it. The powersticks were shot from all the accelerating. I was a bit honored, though, that Jim Cochran tried to give me a lead out. He was out of it because of a tactical mishap (good idea, he though if he dropped back to the break we would catch back up with them and be equal with us, and then launch back off the break...smart, really smart) It was all I could do to get on his wheel, and once I was on, we both kind of crapped out. Well, I guess I don't want to speak for him, too, regardless, I crapped out and said thanks anyway. It was kind of fun to get a lead out from one of the best riders in Iowa, though.

While I was all concerned about me, I nearly forgot how to include how my brother did. He kicked some ass, he did. He was all decked out in his Andalucia jersey and rode a smart race. He stayed tucked in nearly the entire race and only worked when he had to. The best part of the race was most definitely the final sprint. Nick, probably not the best sprinter in the world, managed to eek out his 5th place finish with a bike stab. Without it I am convinced he would've been regulated to 6th, but as is, the bike stab got him the extra couple of dollars. Yeah, we practice those, and it paid off. I got video of it, but I am too lazy to load it on to the pooter. Ill probably get to it soon. With races like that he'll surely be getting his upgrade and wins soon. He's got a brain to win, and legs that are getting as strong as his brain. Plus, hes got a MEAN bike stab...

The Rum Village/Indiana State crit was fast and I raced better. Unfortunately, as we were rolling back into South Bend Jenn pointed out that the Bissell team car was right behind us. I only saw one guy in it, so, I thought second place still isn't that bad. Too bad when I showed up they had 7 or so riders in a field of 45. Awesome. They managed to win all 5 $100 primes and take the top 4 spots while laying waste to the rest of us. Way to leave some for the rest of us, guys. I raced well, tried to win, and was happy with it, even though I got around 14th or 15th. I knew they were just going to keep sending guys off the front until someone stayed, so, I went with moves I thought were promising. It was somewhat of a crap shoot, and I didn't win. Apparently, no one but the Bissell dudes won. I stayed in the front a lot and drafted off their little train they had going on. I felt so pro. At the end of the race, after their break of 3 lapped us, all 7 of them lined up with 2 laps to go and put the hammer down lead out train style. It was pretty dope to see it. The pack strung out in an instant and the elastic snapped and the top 12 guys got on the good end of the spit. I was a little too far back and had to work my balls off to get back up there. I thought I was far enough up. Distance from the front I was probably fine, but, all the guys that were in the pack might have been what caused it? I dont know...dont know if I am going to worry so much about it.

So, good weekend. Didn't win any money, but feel like a bike racer again. Woo hoo! Got a lead out from someone that is likely better than me, and then tailgunned Bissells little train deal. Way cool.

Now that Im back here at school, I suppose I can throw little snipets from school in. I was in the dining hall by myself, mainly because Jenn decided to go get good food with her friend and her parents and because I am now that loser senior that stayed on campus, and I was walking in the dining area after getting my food and could not get through. There was a pack of girls between the regular ice cream and the soft serve "fat free fro yo machine" (which is apparently way healthier than ice cream, it doesnt have any fat!! OH MY GOD! SO HEALTHY!!) When will these little girls learn? They can't stay little hanging out by the fro yo machine - A: so, no fat...that means they make up for it in sugar..morons B: if you at least sat down afterwards youll have to get your fat ass up to refill your bowl, as opposed to just having to reach over C: If your ass is sitting down, then I can get through...which is the most important thing ever.