Friday, September 2, 2011

8 Mile

Mile per hour that is. Yes, I went to the final Wednesday Night time trial of the season put on by Metro Mountain Bikers, and busted the 8mph mark. One climb was eliminated but that was followed by a very fast fairly level mile plus section, also eliminated. I felt strong and fast over most of the trail. Just ecstatic over riding the green forest trails, hitting the obstacles hard.

They had a grill and drinks for a final party but I only stayed long enough to get my lap time. It was bring your own meat. I looked for a donation can they had last time in the past hoping to get a soda and support the cause but didn’t see one. I had brought my camera to get some pictures of the grilled meats but left before they started that heavenly culinary exercise in goodness and all things manly. And I know why California is the second largest state on my visitors record, being vastly surpassed by Wisconsin only after I began posting about Ray’s Milwaukee opening October 1st. All those vegans and vegetarians come to view my collection of grilled meat photos. They think no one knows what they’re up to.

Those Californians are almost as hideous as that conspiracy at the BBC. All their broadcasters pronounce ever letter of each word in their news reports. Listen and you’ll hear every consonant in words such as Wednesday, all in some perverse effort to give British students an unfair advantage in International Spelling Bees.

Yes, after riding mostly on the road this past month it was a real rush hitting the trails. I could feel accomplished as my long rides have paid off. Getting in better shape and losing some weight. Craters of the moon has been a difficult feature for me, but I not only felt good in the climb was going faster than I have ever. Just came inches short of making that final steep bump at the top.

Yet I am questioning whether I can make any more races. The cost is still prohibitive as we have to invest much into our home before Winter, I would like to be riding at something closer to 10mph for ‘sport’ class, my weight is higher than I would like or have expected, and working weekends I arrive tired with little time to warm up for a race, even finding it hard to get a good breakfast. Certainly I will make Sheboygan, if only to take pictures. I am at 267lbs and if I get significantly under 260lbs before Sheboygan I really should race. Was near 280 over the Winter.

Sheboygab 2010

We couldn’t make it to the State Fair either this year. Here is a video from last year’s Wig Wam Ultimax in Sheboygan.

I will have to count this last event as one of the three races I wanted to make this year though I only did one lap. The other could be the next Odd Tuesday Ride this September 6th. Wheel and Sprocket will be providing food and have bikes to demo. Be there at the Hoyt Park swimming pool! A one hour ride followed by food, what else could be finer as the days grow shorter, a night ride later for those with lights.

Copper Harbor is becoming a mountain bike destination. It was mentioned at the last Metro Mountain Bikers meeting and I heard it again highly spoken of Wednesday night. Some really enjoy the ‘Ore to Shore’ race (already past) giving the upper peninsular a growing reputation for mountain biking. Also heard Wednesday that the cult favorite, The Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival has been sold. Some wonder how that will effect the unprecedented attendance the event has been known for.

My wife will be back soon and we will be going to the hospital. My mother is having open heart surgery already an hour in now. We hope to be there when she wakes up if the surgery goes well and doesn’t take too long. Your hopes and prayers are welcome along with ours.

DSCN0992

Ok you meatless Californians, I pulled out an old photo. Enjoy! I think that’s real meat, but with bicyclists you can never tell.

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