Happy Halloween

Cyclo

Went to the Washington park cyclocross race this Sunday morning. Used up a roll of film and took this video and some digital pictures; the infamous Russel in drag for his Halloween costume. Yes, it is not far from my house but I didn't ride my bike because I didn't want to be late for church. Did go for a ride later that afternoon.
Wish I had the money to compete but we canceled the card that had any cushion to it and have to pinch some pennies. I'll have to get those aluminum cans together I've been saving all year and go in and get some money to race. Three more races in the Milwaukee area this year.

So my wife and I were driving down to Kenosha the other night and took note of the full moon.
"China is going to build a base on the moon." I said.
"What? ... " She said.
"They sent up a satellite to study where to build a base."
"Why?"
"To take over the world." I said. By destroying all satellites and wreaking havok down upon their enemies from space I was thinking.
My wife replied.
"Oh.... Controlling the world by controlling peoples mood.... from the moon."
...?!

A...

Ca...

Wha......

Speechless. For everything else there's ... Wait. No there isn't.

WORS

Simply based on the clarity and efficiency of the web site or the publishing of their yearly 'Racer Handbook' one can sense that the Wisconsin Off Road Series (WORS) is a first class operation and they would be right. But more than superior communications and marketing understandable to the most timid first time racer superb organization make each event a pleasure not to mention a value with the countless perks series director Don Edberg rustles up for all racers.
Always even keeled there is no obstacle insurmountable. No hesitation to invest in equipment for the organization when unimagined numbers were reached at the turn of the century has kept WORS far and above the greatest in the world. Don Edberg has shown great talent and could make millions as a CEO of any corporation but works endlessly to share his great enthusiasm for a sport he loves with the public.
This Saturday is the WORS annual Awards Banquet. I wish I could be there and of course it will include great perks and raffle prizes; not that I would be winning any raffles.
Congratulations to all series and overall winners and WORS' Don.
And that's all I have to say about that.

I Got No Money

'What did you say?'
I was intending to try my first cyclocross race Saturday out near Madison when I realized I had no money. For gas for the race fee or just about anything else. So I went and joined a group working on new MTB trail. Sunday I became ill and still feel quite terrible today but that didn't keep me from enjoying the Packer's win. Obviously I'm being punished by God for not racing.

My wife said, "You only wash your bike clothes."
"Huh?" I said.
"You know there are other clothes you could wash."
"I do the dishes.... sometimes." I said.

My wife says I need pictures so my blog wont be boring so I took this picture of my closet.
Yes hunting season is here. Time to bust open my chest of hunting gear but 'I got no money.' First year I have the perfect prep and hunting spot but 'I got no money.' But I can always dream and scheme on how to make more money so I can finance my new sport. My wife actually washes my hunting clothes but I don't want them washed. Have to douse them with scent blocker afterward.

Donations welcome.

Mountain Sport

I've created a new sport if only in my mind. The summer biathlon combining mountain biking and sporting clays. A self driven sport since the competitors would have to start at timed (60 seconds?) intervals the faster going first.
The shooting stations would have to be roughly in a line or semi circle most likely pointing northerly. Immediately behind would be the penalty loops (one lap for each missed target) and leading out beyond that would be 1-2 mile stretches of mountain bike course to complete before the next station. The stations themselves could be close together and some even sharing the same penalty loop. The trail sections could be predominantly single track with the staggered starts with wider areas perhaps serving double duty. The twisting and turning of trail can produce the required lengths in small areas.
Each shooting station would require a finish gate and the first rider through, if the field tightens up, shoots first with the clays automatically flying after 20 seconds if the competitor does not call for an earlier release. If a faster racer must wait consider it a penalty for letting a slower competitor pass him.
Possible intense multiple finishes at each station, penalty loops and shooting stations in a more confined area to facilitate spectators... can you feel the excitement? And what could be better than riding your mountain bike with a shotgun strapped over your shoulder in a fancy safety sling.
My original concept was mountain biking and archery but images of what could happen in a crash I found disturbing.

Wigwam Ultimax

The final WORS race of the year. Did more than usual on the pre-ride. Rode the second half of the course twice. What I didn't know, but began to suspect, was that I was riding parts of the trail exclusive to the Elite-Comp race. Got a bit roughed up on the Pucker Factor. I can't sleep well the night before a race and it was even worse for this one.
Kept my nemesis in sight through the forest and when we hit the flats along the river left him behind. It was a large field (18) and finished 9th in my class. Less than eight minutes behind the leader and about sixteen minutes behind the top overall Citizen finisher. First real water crossing and those roots nearly shook me off me bike on the second lap. Had my tire psi low but perhaps they heated up in the unusual weather.
My nemesis said he had some crashes. Well he let me try his 29"er after the race and... wow! His clips were so tight I'm not surprised he crashed. Could barely get my feet off the pedals myself.
Took some picture of the Elite-Comp race and stayed to the end.

Pucker Factor

At least I think that's what they called it. Part of the Elite-Comp course complete with its own EMS staff waiting at the bottom. Lucky they were there to keep the local kids from ducking in between the groups flying down this slope to go for a ride in the middle of the race. Hey, he was 8 and its their trail.
Just turn your monitor on its side.

The Equalizer

The only momentum into this hill is what you create yourself.
Though known for causing the best riders to dismount 100 five dollar bills were grabbed by those who made it to the top without dropping a foot before half the Elite-Comp race at the Wigwam Ultimax Mountain Bike Challenge was completed. The event in Sheboygan was the last of the WORS for 2007 and included the highest payouts of the year to Elite winners.
Just place your monitor on its side. Sorry I couldn't get blogger to take a video image in portrait format. I tried and tried and tried.

Ahhhhh Cucumbers!

My wife likes to catch the cucumbers before they get too big. Here is one that got away. Those Martha Stewart seeds were great. Misao is sad that Martha went with Macy's. She says everything will be too expensive now.
Stopped by the official opening of the Hoyt Park Trail for the bicycle chain cutting (that would be for a multi-purpose trail). Free food
and a nice group ride though I skipped out of the night ride; no lights.
If only I had gone to the Firecracker I would be almost certain for a 5th place series finish and a medal for the event. As it looks a single speeder will pass me on his 7th and the seasons final race by showing up. (best 7 of 12 races for series scoring)
Cyclocross looks so tempting. The season started this last weekend. I'll have to try a race or two.
Want to get back to 225+lbs on the bench this winter.
The final race coming up in Sheboygan and chance of rain good. Think I'll get my pre-ride in during the week