Alterra Coffee Bean Classic

My dad got a copy of the New York Times, book form, from the day he was born some eighty years ago. Coffee was 89 cents for five pounds. Coffee is a bit more today, especially that quality Alterra Coffee. But servings were free at the Alterra Coffee Bean Classic at Crystal Ridge Ski Lodge in Franklin Wisconsin some ten days past. And while they had no schwag, free gifts for the participants, some fine quality race T-shirts were extremely cheap to purchase. Was it two for $5, if I remember correctly? Times are hard all around.

My first race of the 2011 season. A hectic morning left me with no breakfast and I lost my water bottle, filled with a mix of iced tea, Gatorade and water, early in the first lap. Spent a good minute at the single water station after the first lap. A fine gentleman offered me drink in the second lap. Still, I had few spurts of power after the first lap and was completely drained for the last two miles. I should have been twenty minutes faster if everything had fallen into place to my advantage. But it was hot and thick and I couldn't make the craters of the moon climb without dismounting. One of the several places I lost time. WORS is promoting a new video cam this year.

I have contact lenses as they were cheaper than buying a new pair of eye glasses. And do they make a difference! I hit a rock garden that goes around a corner and floated right through; first time ever. It was truly immensely advantageous to ride with contacts rather than glasses. I had a dark pair of wrap around sunglasses that Misao had bought on one of her dollar store shopping, it makes me feel better, excursions. They worked great. I think a lighter bronze tinted sunglass would work better and make detail snap more.

Many a kind word came from competitors and spectators as I raced. Better than a good drink from the water bottle, at least in the short run. Then some malcontent had to sneer I was about to be lapped by a girl. No one lapped me. I finished before the elite start. That is how I got the pictures. Demeaning others only demeans oneself, but such malcontents don't feel good about themselves in the first place. They just need a hug ...before they make headaches for everyone. And the first black athlete to compete in the Tour de' France died at a ripe old age of ...no! ...wait! ...just competed this year.

The race tempo kick started my body into gear. My recovery ride the next day was a bit of a shock, but all my recent rides have been strong. Trips to the lake seem much shorter when pushing hard in the big ring. And my weight dropped a bit. They say iced tea is good for weight loss; iced tea with lean proteins and bright colorful vegetables.

No money for this weekend's race. Home repairs are scheduled as soon as the money is available so we are still tight financially. I got to three races to take pictures last year so will set a minimal goal of racing three races this year. I want to be around 10 mph. Was still just above 7 mph at the coffee bean classic.

The yard needs some work too. Moved the Buddha. Put up the bird feeder. Am starting to focus on writing again; working on three books at the same time and have several blog posts I want to get out. Still need to complete a good edit of my second book. Thanks to Alois for his post.