Had a kick ass time today. Spent an hour setting up the course. Matt and Brian showed up. Matt was worn out from yesterday's epic gravel grinder (they forgot to call me, bastards) but we still went through the paces and got super muddy. I love guys who don't mind getting their super clean bikes totally covered in shit on a sunny day just for fun. The course is totally honed in, by-the-way, and if there were lights out there we'd do Wednesday night races.
Watched the SSWC video on YouTube. So pissed I missed it. I lived and rode in Durango for 5 years but I couldn't make it to the most epic SSWC ever. Grinding my teeth. Check out the video and tell me those trails don't look incredible. That's it, I'm moving back to CO ASAP.
Greek food with the family tonight then back to the couch for the Titans. They'll probably lose but that's nothing a few bloody mary's won't take care of. Planning a little greenway ride tomorrow around 11am over on the east side of town. If either of you who read this find yourselves available call me or shoot me an email. Bikes are fun.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Informal Cross Race Sunday, October 11
Couldn't go to Cincinnati this weekend, so I'm throwing a last minute, un-sanctioned "race" on my course at Charlotte Park ( http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=113650980836426734944.00045ccd8ac90f4696fd4&z=17 ). No other races around this weekend so I'm making it happen. I'm going to set it up around 12. 45 minute race at 1pm. I've got some short barriers and I'll be flagging and taping a couple sections. This course is not easy, not at all, ladies and germs, so come prepared to really get it on...
email me with any questions: travis.book@gmail.com
email me with any questions: travis.book@gmail.com
Friday, October 9, 2009
This Sucks or I'm bored...
This blog is boring. I know, I know... It's my fault. I don't have anything funny to say and the races I'm in are basically time trials against like two other dudes I don't know... I won't make excuses. I vow to do better. I promise to make these interesting, even if I have to make them up (not even my mother reads this thing, blogs are dead, why am I even writing this right now...)
Seriously, our races here in Middle Tennessee are great but tiny. I showed up last weekend and was stoked there were 10 of us in the 1/2 race. TEN DUDES!! Wow! I might actually race next to someone on the course. I just popped over to the Cross Crusade website and checked out their results. 120 people in the Single Speed race. 70 in the A race. We're lucky if we've got 50 people in EVERY RACE. Do you know how much it sucks to still be racing in deep grass after every other race has raced on the course? Do you know how freakin' sweet it would be if 50-100 riders rode the course continuosly all morning, then 80 of us lined up and ripped for an hour?
I'm already planning a move to CO, but I think I'm going to spend at least a month in Portland every fall. October 25-November 15 seems like a nice time to spend in OR. The snow's falling but not skiable in CO, the weather sucks in Nashville. Why not head to the Beaver State (are you kidding me?) for a few weeks of serious riding... Now if I can just hit the lottery or convince my wife...
Today the plan was to ride to some appointments but there's a severe weather warning the lines up perfectly with that time frame so I guess I'll be borrowing the car again. My tan rocket is in the shop staring down a massive bill for a new gas tank. Weather's good right now, but the weather channel promises massive storms in the near future. Guess I'll put on a leotard and do some yoga. God, I hate this, this sucks, I'm bored...
Seriously, our races here in Middle Tennessee are great but tiny. I showed up last weekend and was stoked there were 10 of us in the 1/2 race. TEN DUDES!! Wow! I might actually race next to someone on the course. I just popped over to the Cross Crusade website and checked out their results. 120 people in the Single Speed race. 70 in the A race. We're lucky if we've got 50 people in EVERY RACE. Do you know how much it sucks to still be racing in deep grass after every other race has raced on the course? Do you know how freakin' sweet it would be if 50-100 riders rode the course continuosly all morning, then 80 of us lined up and ripped for an hour?
I'm already planning a move to CO, but I think I'm going to spend at least a month in Portland every fall. October 25-November 15 seems like a nice time to spend in OR. The snow's falling but not skiable in CO, the weather sucks in Nashville. Why not head to the Beaver State (are you kidding me?) for a few weeks of serious riding... Now if I can just hit the lottery or convince my wife...
Today the plan was to ride to some appointments but there's a severe weather warning the lines up perfectly with that time frame so I guess I'll be borrowing the car again. My tan rocket is in the shop staring down a massive bill for a new gas tank. Weather's good right now, but the weather channel promises massive storms in the near future. Guess I'll put on a leotard and do some yoga. God, I hate this, this sucks, I'm bored...
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Cross the Way #2
Similar scene today down at Cross the Way. The course proved to be MUCH better in reverse. Faster, twistier and easier. Ripped off the start in the lead, through most of the first lap I rocked it in front with a little lead. Second half of the course was a lot tougher/slower. Drifted back to 5th, got into a back and forth with a rider from Alabama. He was stronger but the course had a bunch of corners that required mad skills so I'd pull him back in or ride away in those sections. With about 4 laps to go he came by me and said something about how I was handling the shit out of my bike. I passed him on the front half but he got me back at the top of the back half and rode away. That was it. Three laps out in space and the suffering was over. The course really was super in this direction. Yesterday all the corners were uphill and didn't really demand any skills, today was the opposite. I was happy about that.
I bailed on the second race. I won't apologize. The other Single Speed riders gave me shit but I was sick and tired. Best part, Melissa and Brian insisted on giving me my $5 back. I wanted it to be for the cause but they didn't want to take it so I spent it on Taco Bell which was far and away the worst decision I've ever made. I've been sick all afternoon and I tried to go to sleep and couldn't cause I was sick. I hate you Taco Bell. You're evil. I'm a fool for being lured in by your purple sign but you're evil.
I bailed on the second race. I won't apologize. The other Single Speed riders gave me shit but I was sick and tired. Best part, Melissa and Brian insisted on giving me my $5 back. I wanted it to be for the cause but they didn't want to take it so I spent it on Taco Bell which was far and away the worst decision I've ever made. I've been sick all afternoon and I tried to go to sleep and couldn't cause I was sick. I hate you Taco Bell. You're evil. I'm a fool for being lured in by your purple sign but you're evil.
Cross the Way #1
The season is definitely here. I know because it's Sunday, the alarm woke me up and my legs hurt. Yesterday was a big day. Excuse the halting writing style, I'm tired and haven't had my coffee.
Left the house and 15 minutes down the road my car overheated. I think the thermostat is shot. I milked it home, threw my stuff in the wife's car and headed back in the direction I started. Arrived with 25 minutes to register, dress and warm up. Plenty of time, really. 10 riders in the Pro 1/2 race. Second place going into the grass, ended up leading after the first set of barriers, rode in the lead for most of the first lap, even had a gap coming across the line. Felt good but not that good so when they started reeling me in I let it happen. A group of 6 formed, Tanner took a spill, then Dustin Greer (local hotshot) came around. I slowly worked my way back to about 6th, but with 4 laps to go Tanner dropped Brent and I knew he was coming back to me with spent legs. I pulled around Brent and was content with a podium spot but with a little less than 2 remaining I realized Dustin was running with a flat. He made the change but didn't catch me so I ended up 4th in my first race of the season.
Satisfying result for me. All the guys I raced against looked to be in top shape and I know most of them have been racing the road all season. Brent was the CX3 State Crit Champ. These guys weren't slouches so to for a slouch like me to hit the podium, within striking distance of 3rd on my first day back is a really good feeling.
Lined up 10 minutes later for the SS race. There were 4 of us. I rode 2 laps and bailed. I just didn't have any energy. I think I needed some food between races and I didn't have a thing. I was also thinking about the two shows I had to play later that night and my desire to come back on Sunday and do it all again. That was my first withdraw from a cross race and I'm not proud of it, but I had to do it.
The shows went really well too, Station Inn was full of people. Loaded out and headed home by 1, hung out and bullshitted with our band manager who's staying with me and finally crawled in bed around 3am. I'm going to be ready to sleep again when today's over.
Left the house and 15 minutes down the road my car overheated. I think the thermostat is shot. I milked it home, threw my stuff in the wife's car and headed back in the direction I started. Arrived with 25 minutes to register, dress and warm up. Plenty of time, really. 10 riders in the Pro 1/2 race. Second place going into the grass, ended up leading after the first set of barriers, rode in the lead for most of the first lap, even had a gap coming across the line. Felt good but not that good so when they started reeling me in I let it happen. A group of 6 formed, Tanner took a spill, then Dustin Greer (local hotshot) came around. I slowly worked my way back to about 6th, but with 4 laps to go Tanner dropped Brent and I knew he was coming back to me with spent legs. I pulled around Brent and was content with a podium spot but with a little less than 2 remaining I realized Dustin was running with a flat. He made the change but didn't catch me so I ended up 4th in my first race of the season.
Satisfying result for me. All the guys I raced against looked to be in top shape and I know most of them have been racing the road all season. Brent was the CX3 State Crit Champ. These guys weren't slouches so to for a slouch like me to hit the podium, within striking distance of 3rd on my first day back is a really good feeling.
Lined up 10 minutes later for the SS race. There were 4 of us. I rode 2 laps and bailed. I just didn't have any energy. I think I needed some food between races and I didn't have a thing. I was also thinking about the two shows I had to play later that night and my desire to come back on Sunday and do it all again. That was my first withdraw from a cross race and I'm not proud of it, but I had to do it.
The shows went really well too, Station Inn was full of people. Loaded out and headed home by 1, hung out and bullshitted with our band manager who's staying with me and finally crawled in bed around 3am. I'm going to be ready to sleep again when today's over.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Season Starts Today
Can't believe it's been since January. Blue skies and early fall temps today for the first race of my season, I won't be needing my tights. Today's Schedule is pretty hectic:
10:45 leave house
11:35 arrive @ Race
12:45 CX1/2 Race
2pm SS Race
3pm Depart for Fanfest (bluegrass festival downtown)
4pm arrive @ fanfest
4:30 Fan fest (30 minute set)
5:30 Soundcheck @ Station Inn
7pm Shower/food/rest
9pm Station Inn (gig)
1am go to bed (hopefully)
then it all starts again tomorrow (the back to back days is the best part of cross). I'll finish tomorrow off with a nap, a few beers and football. I love fall
10:45 leave house
11:35 arrive @ Race
12:45 CX1/2 Race
2pm SS Race
3pm Depart for Fanfest (bluegrass festival downtown)
4pm arrive @ fanfest
4:30 Fan fest (30 minute set)
5:30 Soundcheck @ Station Inn
7pm Shower/food/rest
9pm Station Inn (gig)
1am go to bed (hopefully)
then it all starts again tomorrow (the back to back days is the best part of cross). I'll finish tomorrow off with a nap, a few beers and football. I love fall
Thursday, October 1, 2009
More Fun
The Freak sent me a link to the photo album from Sundays race. I've never seen so many people looking so happy in what looks like miserable conditions. If you're still on the fence about racing cross, check these photos out.
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