When it rains it pours

I have recently noticed how complacent you become when your equipment works. However, as of late, I have been repeatedly reminded of how frustrating, disheartening, and expensive this bike racing thing can be. It all started when the night before the Tour of Ohio, when I discovered that my carbon steerer tube was cracked. I hate carbon steerer tubes, in my opionion they are not worth the weight savings. I could deal with this. However, a week ago tomorrow, I destroyed my rear wheel and was officially out of rear wheels, but thanks to my gracious boss and friend I am still rolling on some Ksyrium SL's. Once again...crisis averted with not too much out of pocket costs. Then while adjusting stem and headset because of some wierd flex...I noticed that the bolt in the stem had sheared off, we removed the bolt but the threads were trashed. Now I am running a 130 Thomson instead of my usual 120, but I can deal until I replace it. Then today the icing on the cake, I don't know what caused it, a bad shift, carelessness on my part, or something else, but my big chain ring is drastically bent and needs replaced. This was my breaking point....I lost it and didn't even want to ride, however, now that I have had time to relax and take a couple deep breaths I am slightly less upset. I will fix this tomorrow and then pray that nothing else goes wrong and I get through this NRC event in Louisville. I am in desperate need of a new bike, I have been racing this one hard for almost 2 years. However,the funds will not be available until mid to late August so I will just have to cope and hope for the best. But like the title of this awesome blog says...."Keep on Keepin' On!" Plus like I always say, "It's not what you ride,it's how you ride it."
Keep training all, I will see you on the roads, hopefully with everything in working order.

I'm Back! (and very bored)

First off, all of you faithful readers I know it has been a very long time. This affects some of you personally I know, especially Mr. Gaz. Now that there is a new title to this blog it obviously means that your PS3 alias is no longer valid, sorry.

Since the last post, I had knee surgery, won little 5, and switched from the MOB to Nuvo. I have been racing a decent amount and have got a taste of what it is like to race with bigger dogs than the ones who show up to races in Indiana. Haven't gotten a "W" yet but have a couple decent results with big hopes for the rest of the summer. I just hope that my 4th of July festivities did not damage my fitness too much. I should be fine as long as I keep the mullet, granted it is not as Euro as Mr. Knapps but I am working on it. I am heading to Louisville this weekend for a couple of crits, one of which is an NRC event. It just sucks that I don't get to compete with the big boys since it is only a Pro/1 event. I am still a lowly "2" and need just a few more results to get that to the one. Whatever, why my friends are out suffering against the likes of Toyota United I will be on the sidelines as an interested spectator. Also, since my race is 2/3 event it is a great chance for a good result, maybe even that coveted "W", and some decent bank.

Finals suck!

Just got done with final #3 and need to shut the brain down for a while. 2 more on Thursday and then off to Florida for some warmer weather and sweet training. The weather has been absolutely miserable here in B-town for going on a week now, 30 something and raining daily. Makes it tough to stay motivated, but #9 is not going to come without sacrifice and brutal days in the saddle. What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger right? Florida should be the shit, with temps in the 60's and 70's
should be able to get some pretty epic rides in and finally suffer a little bit.

...on a side note: Some shitty old man in a gas guzzling, global warm contributing piece of shit diesel decided to run me off the road on the way home from my last final which was just what I needed. I am not sure why motorists have to be such impatient, ignorant low lifes but it just goes to prove a point of how miserable people can be with their lives.Seriously, get pissed at something that is at least worthwhile. If you really cannot wait for a couple of seconds to go around or just give a cyclist some room then you really are worthless. I hope at some point I can be as angry and miserable as some of these ford-pickup driving rednecks that call Bloomington home. I love how they can be tough SOB's from within their massive truck...maybe one day they won't be so ball-less and they will stop and get out so that I can give them a clothesline at 25 mph. We live in a beautiful world and I love it.

....well that was my rant, I hope you enjoyed and if not thats good too. Keep training and stay warm!

Chi-Town Cross Ride (2)

Thanksgiving Break was pretty sweet. Spent the week in Chi-Town and watched entirely too much football. My friend showed me this sweet cross trail that runs all the way up to the border of Wisconsin. Did a sweet ride with a pretty big group on Turkey Day. About a quarter of the way out it started snowing pretty hard which just up'd the sweetest level. It was pretty fuckin sweet to get off the road and onto a sweet trail. Nice way to get the hours in without poundin the road.
Decided to go out again on Saturday. By this time it had warmed up considerably which means the snow melted and the trail was uber sloppy and thus uber sweet. Decided to do a longer ride and up the pace a little bit. This probably wasn't the best idea since the intensity level is still pretty low in my program right now but whatever. When the conditions are as sweet as they were the trail was begging for me to get into it. The bike and myself got pretty dirty...although not as dirty as this guy...
....sorry for the obligatory picture. That is Lars Boom btw, hes a badass mothafucka.
I am thinking about trying my hand at some Cross racing here pretty soon. Would be a good test of fitness and would be fun. Updates on that decision coming soon.

Chi-Town Cross Ride

Well, your drivetrain looks like you could eat off of it!"

-more details later

LOST

LOST


Getting lost is great, especially when it is with friends and teammates on a bike. It was supposed to be a chill 2 hr. ride. Well when you act like you know where you are to save face when you actually have no fucking clue then 9 times out of 10 you will get lost. We headed west and ended up looping and running into the same roads. The ride ended up being 3 hrs. Normally, I would be angry but it was a great time. The whole team was laughing and enjoying it the whole time. It was beyond dark and we were still 30 minutes from home and totally invisible to oncoming cars, which in retrospect was probably pretty dangerous.

The moral of the story is that anything can be fun when you are surrounded by friends. It was one of the best rides I have ever been on. We are some adventurous mothafuckas which is a far cry from my previous team. I am totally enjoying the ride more than I ever thought I would and I know that this journey will culminate in success.

P.S. If only THE beefcake was here!

November Night Ride

Decided to go for a ride as the sun was going down. Just an easy 2 hrs. The sunset was incredible and I only saw 2-3 cars the entire time. At the end it began to rain and it is incredible that I was able to ride in the rain on November 12th and not be absolutely miserable. Who woulda thought?

I think it took a ride like this evening's to remind me why exactly I do it. Obviously the main reason is because I am a competitive son of a bitch who likes to make myself, but more importantly others suffer. However, I liked the reminder of how peaceful a solo ride could be. I love being able to ride away from everything and just chill with nothing but my bike and the open road. I have come to the conclusion that there is absolutely nothing better. Tomorrow, the training continues............always with the ultimate goal in mind!

Here is the brand new machine that carried me........