What are you???

For the first time in my collegiate career I can proudly say I am a 4.0 student. That means all A's bitches. Now I know I may come off as an ignorant self righteous prick, but when it comes down to business I can get it done. Feel my wrath and feel my pain, as long as you feel me. Haha, maybe the blogging will get back to normal soon, but many things must be done before that can happen. Peace homies!

Ciolek

Gerald Ciolek may be the future of cycling. Lets face it Petacchi is getting up there in years, Zabel has had his time in the sun and McEwen has got to be on the down swing. At 20 this guy is the next super sprinter. It may take a few years. but I suppose he will supplant all those big names. I still have high regards for Jens Voigt, because he is a true MAN and no one can dispute this, but Ciolek is the up and coming star. On my own riding, I must say things are looking good, I did do a nice TT ride on Wednesday and Averaged over 24 MPH for 3 x 20 minute efforts, so for thsi time of the year I am pleased. Otherwise, I got a 4.0 GPA and I am totally psyched for more math. Anyways I may be intoxicated, but I will get up early to get a nice 5 hour ride in. Cheers!

J Dubya

Leelanau

Note the last event on the USA Pro Cycling Tour for 2007!!!

2007 USA Cycling Professional Tour

Feb. 18-25: AMGEN Tour of California – California (2.HC)
Apr. 7: U.S. Cycling Open – Richmond, Va. (1.1)
Apr. 16-22: Tour de Georgia – Georgia (2.HC)
June 3: Commerce Bank Lancaster Classic – Lancaster, Pa. (1.1)
June 7: Commerce Bank Reading Classic – Reading, Pa. (1.1)
June 10: Commerce Bank International Championship – Philadelphia, Pa. (1.HC)
June 17: Austin Men’s Invitational – Austin, Texas (1.1)
June 23: Saturn Rochester Twilight Criterium – Rochester, N.Y. (1.2)
June 30-July 7: Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah – Utah (2.2)
Aug. 19: USA Cycling Professional Criterium Championships – Downer’s Grove, Ill.
Sept. 1: The Cliffs USA Cycling Professional Time Trial Championships – Greenville, S.C.
Sept. 3: The Cliffs USA Cycling Professional Road Championships – Greenville, S.C.
Sept. 8: Univest Grand Prix – Souderton, Pa. (1.2)
Sept. 11-16: Tour of Missouri – Missouri (2.1)
Sept. 15: Tour de Leelanau – Traverse City, Mich. (1.2)

The Kill

Today, while at work I was looking for something entertaining to read. I shit you not I stumbled upon an article of the Dave Zabriske of music and acting. The lead singer of 30 Seconds to Mars, Jared Leto was featured in Blender this month. He has the personality of really not giving a shit about what people think. The guy is pretty fucking awesome, not to mention he plays a good Steve Prefontaine in Prefontaine(1997). His quote is one to live buy, "I kill myself for my craft, literally". Honestly why are there not more people like this in the world, rather than those people who want you to hear all the boring bullshit going on in there lives like I am doing right now. Over and Out!!! Check out 30 Seconds to Mars if you are so inclined.

Eat some Doody!!!

A picture os me Stine and Brad drinking Beer on New Years!!! Don't really remember this night!!

OLD SHIT!!!

This was on the front page of the newspaper the day after my big WIN in HS!!!! Thanks Rod Greenwood for the nice laminated photo!!!
Running for WMU in 2000!!!
Drunken and disorderly!!!
PRE-MAC Meet in 2000!!!
Hot girl at the bar asked to see my tanlines!!!!!

Heres some old pictures of endeavors!!!!!

Time for a break.....

A break from school that is. Ah, it is going to be refreshing, but I still have to work all week. I can not even go home over Thanksgiving due to the fact that my car is in the shop. I have the pleasure of having my transmission replaced. My car has been fuct for the past few months so it is needed badly. Nothing new in Good ole Kalamazoo other than some riding, and lots of that the past fews days, and also a bachelor party this Saturday. One of my old XC and track teammates from WMU is getting married soon and we are going to hit up the town this Saturday. This means many old friends and lots of tomfoolery. Its going to be a nasty night. Ciao!!!! I can't wait until all of my old boys are back in town. T-minus 4 days and counting.

Some more Favorites!!!

Thumbs up before the Fury!!!
Ex CAT 3 Superweek overall champion defeated by ME!!!!!!
Boom, the legs are putting in WORK!!!!!
Leading with 1K to go at WMU Road Race!!!!!!!
Bombing at the Lansing Crit, with Alex looking on!!!!

Wow she is Beautiful!!!

So I met this girl...... and her name is Taryn. And I am not even kidding this girl is absolutely beautiful. It was so bad that I did have to ask our 17 year old teammate to go grease the wheels for me. HMMMM, I am a damn sissy. Once she came over and we started talking I was just like hey can I get your number???? To my surprise she said yes. My roommate and best friend Matt said it is because I exude confidence. He thinks a lot of people mistake me for being cocky, and thats why he thinks women like me. "If you act like your special then some women may believe it, no matter what you look like." Awesome though. Other than that, school, work, yada, yada, got a 24 hour flu bug. But yeah Taryn is sexy, hahahaha. Over and out!!!! Thank Nicky for the comments on my paper, Love ya!!!

renew????

So it was pretty chilly out today, though not cold enough for the winter booties yet.... I did have enough of non rain to get 2 and a half hours in and I felt really good, so I hit up some longer climbs that Kalamazoo has to offer. Other than that I have just been trying to renew my sponsorship with Maxxis, because lets face it there Courchevel tires are amazing. I think I got damn near 40 races and training on one pair of tires this past season. I already receiver confirmation that I will have my Sidi sponsorship again. So thats a good sign.
Tomorrow the big boys that WMU cycling has to offer has a nice 3-4 hour ride to do, which I look forward to with eager anticipation. I also have bowling league tomorrow night and a dreaded paper to write for Tuesday nights class. I chose to write the paper on the importance of recess in Elementary School. I mean lets face it, kids are getting fatter each year. So that is my plan of action. If any of you are reading this come out and support WMU Cycling Wednesday at the flagpoles, we have our annual ride-a-thon to try to raise some extra cash. OK back to work !!! Later Dudes

Some favorites and back at it

Jer Bear Rollin at the WMU circuit race!!!
Mike Rabe Stage race after the bee sting on the hand!
AAVC Spring series race, going solo near the end to catch remnants of the break!
Trying to FLY at Ada!!!
Josh and myself at Purdue getting ready for the ITT!

These are a few of my favorite pictures from the 2006 racing season. As I have gotten back to training I have had the pleasant surprise of great happiness lately. Not to mention the fact that I have A's in all my classes this semester thus far. I also got a 95% on my math exam today, so Giddy up. The weather is really depressing right now.....RAIN. Its calling for snow tomorrow, so I may be on the cross bike or in on the trainer, but I want to ride so will do what is needed. Other than that, I already got my Christmas present and I am typing away on my brand new laptop. Now it is a super computer, but it is much better than what I had. Thanks mom and dad, you guys are awesome. I really can't wait for some home cooking at Thanksgiving. I also have been put on Adderal for my severe ADHD. I knew something was wrong, but this has helped a lot to just focus on what I need to do. The only problem is that I took the medication too late one night and spent 42 hours without sleep.
Anyways, on to another subject, I can't believe Discovery signed Basso. I mean I am elated that he is on a PRO TOUR team, but are they taking a risk of him not riding Le Tour or Giro???? Time will tell. Let me know what you think about the Basso situation if you would like. I also want to thank Doug Gatto for his season long dedication to taking pictures of everyone while they race. I am thinking about getting a digital camera so I can get some action pictures of Doug to return the favor. I also would like to thank Kevin Vichinsky, Andrey Bucharov, and Zolton Cohen for the pictures above as well. We have to give props to those who help us relive our sporting lives through pictures and or video!!! Thanks to all who do this. I AM OUT!!!!

Busy Life

Ah, I feel like a new little boy. I actually slept in today, as I have been doing lately, and went to work for an hour, yes ONE hour, I realized it was too nice out to not ride my bike so I asked a favor of a co-worker and went for a 2 hour crusher. My fitness is still really good, but I did realize it is not as good as it was, so now the work starts. Today was the first day I wanted to ride and it felt great. I would like to thank Nicky, Jeff, Doug, MI scene man, and all of you who have encouraged me to keep plugging along. I actually took some medicine for my ADHD today and it helped tremendously. I sat down and did math for 5 hours straight. I have a quiz tomorrow so I want to get another 100%. I realized my cycling goals have also transfered over to school finally. I hate getting 90%, because that means there is room for improvement. I just can't wait for february and the first race of the year..... Schaboble Road Race. It should be a KILLER!!!! I hope to see you Nicky when you come to town this weekend, we can listen to some G-Unit, haha. Inside joke there. I am off to bed to sleep for 5 hours and go take that quiz!!! Peace and Love!!!

Want some Curry with that???

So I realized why this second degree is putting it to me..... an Indian teacher who can not teach and can not speak english coherently!!! I am not saying anything about foreigners, because I know and like a lot of them, I just wish WMU would put teachers in classes who know HOW to TEACH. This teacher teaches us one way to do equations, then I get my book open later at night and I realize they have a different way of explaining everything. So I am left to teach myself, I do have a 92% in the class as of right now, but I have done it all on my own. Fucking balls.
I have been back on the bike though and it gets a lot of anger out, even when my idiot roommate and his drunken friends are playing video games and drinking while I ride the trainer. If I didn't ride I would be about 3 days away from sticking a goddamn pair of scissors through my skull some days. Other than that, I am just looking to ride as much as possible this winter and still do the school thing. I have a lot of friends who have been telling me to keep my head up, and even one well respected State Champion who invited me to dinner, so thanks to everyone for giving me the support. Hopefullynthese posts will get more eventful very soon, cuz lets face it, my life is BORING right now. Also the Michigan scene blog author, whomever you may be, great job with the blog and thanks for the kind words. My friends are waiting for me, I am just to dumb to see it at times!!!! As Jim Rome would say I AM OUT!!!! Oh yeah Giddy up COLTS, my boys Peyton, Marvin and Reggie Wayne are tearing it up for my fantasy team!!! Gotta love that!

Seen Better Days!!!

So I know my updates have been few and far between, there are reasons for this and I am going to let my readers in on them. I have been really depressed lately and in all honesty I have taken more days off in the past 5 weeks then I have in the past 2 years combined. I just have been really down on how much debt I will be in after my second degree and really can't seem to get that off my mind. I know everything hapens for a reason and yada yada yada, but I can't help feeling lost. I have not had contact with many people lately and at this point I don't really know if I want to ride anymore! Time will tell I guess. I am OUT!!!

School, Weddings, Work and Bikes!!!

I have been away for a bit and it has been NICE!!! I have been busy with school and work, but still had time to get out a few days and put some training in. The highlight of my week was a wedding I attended, which was a childhood friend getting married, and as her parents and my parents are best friends it was only right that I attended. I went with my best girl friend Nicky Smith and she is awesome, even though we made fun of the gay 5 year old all day, HAHA!!! Thanks again Nicky, U RULE!!! It was also awesome to see mom and dad, as they have become my best friends and I can talk to them about anything and we just sit there and laugh our asses off. So Saturday was Great!
Then Sunday I woke up to say goodbye to Nicky and go for a ride. At the beginning of September we had roughly 20 people/ teammates joining us on our rides. As it has gotten a bit nippy out the numbers have taken a hit severely and today it was just our top guns out together. Myself, Josh, Dave and Alvin all went for a nice ride and I realized I get a bit giddy when I get with those guys, I kinda get the urge to HAMMER!!! It is going to be a great collegiate season and I am starting full preparations now. I enjoyed the time off and will continue to do so, but I want those guys and myself to do something special as it is our last season as teammates for WMU. We are also going to start doing the TT work on some Sundays together, because if we all put the work in together I think we could put together some decent Team Time Trial performances. Life is pretty good, so I am going to go to bed and enjoy "the warmth". OUT!!!

Reality Check

So I got a HUGE reality check today. I will not be done with my teaching degree until Spring 2010 (best case sceneario). That means I will be 28 when I get my 2nd degree, and I damn near quit today just thinking about that. Then a great person made me realize if I really want this then now is the time. I thought I should talk to my mom and dad and see what they thought, but Jeff really helped me make up my mind. Thanks Jeff. That is why I love cycling and every little aspect about it. These teammates and guys you race against are not just "guys on bikes", some of them just happen to be the best damn guys in the world.
I would also like to thank Louie for helping me get the cross bike in riding order. How was it you may ask??? I will just say I have gained so much respect for those who race cyclocross and mountain bikes. Needless to say I will not EVER talk shit to anyone who rides a bike again. Now I am positive the more I get on it and practice the dismounts the easier it will get, but its not as easy as it looks. Although I did "eyeball" my seat height and took an allen wrench with me on my ride, but I felt at home as soon as I was clipped in and I have never had that before with any bike. So thats a huge plus.
Last to mention work.....um well haven't been doing much of that lately. I have been focused on school 100% and getting advised and just making sure I am happy. Oh and napping has definitely been a priority lately. Now I have to go get ready for a math exam tomorrow and then out for a ride with the tough guys from Kzoo. PEACE!!!!

Tigers/ Cards

Could this really happen??? At the beginning of the year I was joking with a few buddies. They ask who I have got this year, and jokingly I said well you can always count on the Tigers, and in the NL I really like the Cards. I am only 1 game away from being right. Saying this I know there are many of you shaking your heads, thinking to yourself "this no talent ass clown did not really say that." I jokingly said the Tigers, hoping that someday I would get to witness my favorite team from my first real passion in life do something great. Someone was listening because they are there and they really don't have stars on their team. Other than Pudge, it is a team of role players a la the Detroit Pistons. No one is "GREAT", but everyone does their part. Thats my schpeeel on the MLB playoffs.
Now on to even better things, I got advised today and realized the hardest part of my second degree is going to be the math classes. I just have to put in the time. My Education classes look to be pretty damn easy, but nothing is ever handed to you in life.
Finally I awaited my cross bike arrival all day long and at 5:20 I had to leave for class. So I made a call to my roommates girlfriend asking nicely if she would come to our place and sign for it if it came as my roommate was at work. Well there was a communication error and she ended up not coming over as she misunderstood me. Needless to say I got home from class only to realize that there is a missed delivery note on my door. Oh well, I guess I will just have to pick it up tomorrow myself. YES A NEW BIKE!!! OK enough of this newbies sad ass blog as one guest writer put it. The sad thing is I may be a newbie, but if you are reading this and take the time to comment it must be "worth it".

HUGE P.S. Kelly Wyckoff is 26 today and it damn near slipped my mind. Happy 26th Kelly and I hope to visit you soon.

Jackass 2

So I just got home from my second viewing of Jackass 2. Louie and Josh and I went to see it and it was not as good if you know whats coming. Ah well, it was good to get out and do something. On another note i have not riden a bike in the past 5 days and I have to say it fells amazing to actually rest. I need some time to just lay back and chill, so this was a much needed break. Tomorrow I begin my preparations for next year, and as things look now, we have a very solid team for the collegiate season. I know that Josh will always be ready, but now Dave, Alvin and myself have to step up and put some points on the board. I also recently was involved in an online scam which cost me $493.00. I was bidding on a cross bike on ebay and I lost the bid, then I receive a second chance offer from the "supposed" seller. He told me I could get the bike for $450.00 if I sent the money via Western Unoin. I didn't even think about it until the day after I had sent the money. I have had to contact the FBI and the state Police to try to sort out the matter, but they say my money is probably gone and never to be seen again. So what did I do..... I bought another cross bike the day after and it should be in my possession by Tuesday. Other than that things are tremendous. I haven't shaved my legs in about 2 weeks and any bike racer will tell you that it feels somewhat awkward. Nevertheless it is also nice. School is great as I have nothing worse than a BA right now in any class. OK, I don't really wanna blog due to the fact that I have let all my emotions on my sleeve in the past, but I am trying to keep some things in. Some people can't understand it, but I have had a g/f for the past few weeks, but I just choose to take it day by day and not get to excited by one person. But thing are good and I am not worried about someone else as I have been in the past. OUT!!!!

Little Bits of everything

You know how people tell you the worst qualities about you it makes you mad. Well today Josh and I went on a ride in the country. Usually I take offense to everything, but coming from him and what he told me about my riding and what I should do to improve my riding, I welcome it. He has told me so much this past year, but some times I was too hard headed to read into it. Today I heard everything for the first time. I look back and just wonder why the hell I didn't listen sooner. There are some things I need to do to improve and make some head way as a cyclist. Yeah its cool to be a local guy tearing up the MICHIGANSCENE as some terd is calling it nowadays, but there are bigger and better races to be at and compete in. I know I have things to work on and I am taking steps to do that.
Second, people who may tell you that you HAVE to take time off at the end of the season are crazy I think. If you love riding your bike or training, then hell train your brains out. True one can not train year round at the level needed to compete, but now my days are filled with class, ork and easy training rides, with a few races with cars mixed in. Today though was probably the best ride I have done in a VERY LONG time. There were litle bits of everything from closed off bridges to maneuver around, to chip and seal roads, to dirty roads, to perfectly brand new blacktop. Josh and I just headed southeast of Kalamazoo I believe and it was the first time since early February where I did not care where we were headed or how fast we were going. I really needed today to just clear my head and enjoy the great fall day that it was.
Lastly, I FINALLY received my last statement from my credit cards and the balance on ALL of them is NOW ZERO. It has been a hard year trying to juggle school, work and racing while the whole time worrying about being $12,000 in debt. It took 9 months to get out of it and a little help from mom and dad paying my rent for a few months, but hopefully I can pay them back in short order. I will just tell people this, if you have credit cards and expect they will never catch up with you, THEY WILL. I learned thsi lesson sooner rather than later and I am a better person for climbing and clawing my way out of debt. I have written enough for one day and you are all sick of me, so I am off to watch the TIGERS WIN against the Skankees, I mean Yankees. JETER WHO?????

What a team is made of!!!

Here is part of a race report from the Tour of Leelanau. This is what we do in race situations when the team leader gets a flat. This is an unspoken rule in cycling and for once I did something correct. Can't wait to do it all again next year. The race is now a UCI event, which means not just the best in the state anymore, but the best in the nation and even domestic pros from all around the world. Here is what Jeff had to say about the middle of the race.

The race was all and more that all of us thought it would be. Hard Hard, Hills,
Hills, Long, Long!

Personally I had more misfortune in one race then I have ever had, but I am
thankful that I had teammates who believed in me and supported me along the way. After I
flatted around mile mark 50, John Rigdon came on the radio to tell guys I had flatted.
Jason Brake, Jason Rafeild and Jeremy all dropped back to motor pace me back. Jeremy
went as far as to offer me his wheel. What team support!

If I had to do it again, I would easily do the same for any teammate that I thought would have a better chance to WIN a race. Thats what we are there for is to WIN period. If I can be any help to anyone who can WIN on my team, then I have done my job. Most outsiders look at cycling as man against man, but the truth is Lance Armstrong would not have won 7 straight Tours without the one team he was on. That is why this is not an individual sport. OVER and OUT!!!

THE ZONE!!!

Okay so today was one of those days you all read about. I went out riding and everything was effortless. I mean effortless to the point where I felt like I had no chain, soon enough that would ring true.
To start my day I had my first math test, and I scorched that mother. 95% and the one I got wrong was a error of not transfering a negative sign. So I was on top of the world and ready to go out for a ride, but ever since Leelanau I have not felt good at all. Just sluggish in everything, attacks, bridging gaps, and general acceleration issues. Well today was a whole other story. I figure I will hit out early and get in a nice 2 hour spin. Less than 25 minutes in and my body is all systems go. I mean everything from tunnel vision to not even feeling the effort to roll at 26 MPH( no wind to speak of). So I am getting this crushing ride in when all of a sudden I take a corner full speed and come out of it, stand up and put slight pressure on the pedals and BOOM. I immediately feel no resistance, so I figure I dropped my chain. I look down and my chain had just exploded and one link was shaped like a T. So I wait for an hour for a ride home and take a nap and after the nap I go to the bike shop. I had the chain for 15 days and it failed, so Josh called Shimano and they said they would warranty it. So I get home after buying a few goodies at the shop and decide to ride to class and leave my bike at work and hoof it the rest of the way. I get 1/4 of a mile and I feel the chain is not feeling normal so I shift to see if it is the gear I am in. All of a sudden it happens again, but this time I stopped in time to just mangle the chain, a few links being completely twisted. So now I am even more furious cuz I have to walk a mile and a half to class. Regardless there is something wrong with my derailleur or my cassette, or something in my drivetrain. So now I can't do the Wednesday night ride unless I use my TT bike. Maybe this is the lords way of telling me to take some time off after a long season. Just goes to show u a GREAT day can all go bad in the blink of and eye, or the shift of a gear. Hopefully this gets fixed before the ride tomorrow. Peace!!!

BTR Criterium and Birthday Recap

So the road season in Michigan has now ended, but the last race was much harder than I had anticipated. The day started with Graham Howard attacking and me being the only one wanting to go with his move. Graham is so strong and it took a lot to get up to him. The race actually had only 15 riders, but there were no slouches in the race. So attacks and counter attackes were continuous. Three Priority guys got away with Greg Christian and we were the ones obligated to chase, I damn near dropped myself by trying to get Jeff back to the breakaway, but we reeled it in. Soon enough Jeff was away and I was in the position of having to just sit on, but Greg was a MONSTER at this race. He damn near single handedly pulled back the break with Jeff, Tucker, Graham and Ben. All I can say to Greg is kudos for riding like a bull. Nevertheless, I talked with Vince and told him I was gonna attack and to counter it if I got brought back. My attack lasted 3/4 of a lap and then right on cue Vince tried his move. I have no problem sacrificing my results for guys like Jeff and Vince, thats what a team player is. Well the sprint came and it seemed like no one wanted t hit out, then all of a sudden Dave Boboltz made the smartest move I have ever seen him make and he jumped HARD. It didnt work, but great job Dave. As I am not a sprinter I ended up 10th and Vince got 8th. Jeff rode like the man we all expect from him and ended up 4th after having to counter every move in the break. Nice job guys, its a true pleasure to race with these two riders and friends.
After the race I left after chatting with everyone from the 1/2 field. The turn out was poor, but thanks to those who came and gave their all. I then went out to celebrate my 25th birthday with MOM. We went and got some goodies from Sam's club and my mom spoiled me rotten. I also got a new IPOD and it is AWESOME. Then we had some lunch and mom made her way home. I found out where I get all my best qualities...... from my loving parents. How did I get so lucky in life. The rest of the night was filled with drunken debauchery. It had been 9 months since I got crooked. All I have to say to those of u whom attended the festivities is thanks, I love you guys more than I can express. I did end up running nearly 6 miles home in Doc Martens, which was a task to say the least, but drunkeness and driving do not mix, so I made the right choice. My quads are killing me from my little run at 3 AM, but I was in bed by 4:20 AM and awoke to a beautiful Sunday morning and went out for a 3 hour ride. Thanks for everything and everyone who made my birthday the best I can recall hands down. To my Sunrise teammates, thanks for everything all season and I can't wait for next year. To my friends, thanks for always being there even when you really can't stand to look at me. Most importantly to mom and dad, thanks for ALWAYS being there regardless of the shit I get myself into, I love you two more than I could ever show. I am sappy and tired so I am gonna go curl up in the fetal position and suck my thumb now!!! Thanks for reading. OUT!

Got my car fixed its my Birthday.....

Ok, so in 3 hours is the BTR crit and I am just waiting to head over to the race. As it is in my backyard, almost literally, I am looking for a good result. My mom is coming over to watch the race today and I can not say enough about my mom, all I am going to say is most amazing woman EVER. I decided yesterday to buy Jay Rafelds Ridley Crossbow (cyclocross) frame, fork, headset, brakes, and a few other small pieces from him. I also oredered a 2006 Shimano 105 Groupset and some new pedals and shoes for a few cyclocross endeavors. It is not gauranteed that I am going to race cyclocross, but I am gong to get away from the road bike for a good month and just go out into the woods and be alone and hammer myself to exhaustion. Other than that, things are better than ever. I turn 25 today, but I still feel like I am 18, so we will just say I am 18 for the seventh year in a row. OK, I am gonna go shower and go out to the race, hopefully all goes well today! Take care everyone as I may take a hiatus from blogging for a few weeks! Later

Rain Rain dont go away!!!

OK, so I have been a really busy tike lately. I actually have been putting a lot of time into my math class as I really want to understand every aspect of my future. So this has taken away from cycling ( not really though, theres always time for a ride), blogging but more importantly my TV and sleep time. I think I have gotten 6 hrs combined in 2 nights this week. So I went and did the Wednesday night ride tonight, thinking my legs would be shit, but I had some quality legs. One gentleman came up to me during the ride and said, "can you stop trying to rip our legs off." It was actually pretty fun with myself, Jay Rafeld, Jeff Hamilton, Taylor Birmann, and Ben Renjema came down to say hey and cruise with us. At one point I jammmed on the gas and it immediately started pouring, and not that piddly shit that u see outside called sprinkles. This was full blown Major Taylor RR 2005 rain. Most of you can recall that, haha. But I better stop this ranting and raving, I am pumped for my last road race of the season, and my birthday on the same day. Now it is off to Ludwigs for some math nerding by the 2 of us. Oh yeah, I may be getting a cross bike, be afraid, be very afraid!!! Later!

Hi, my name is stupid!!!

I am sitting her after just getting out of math class and I just realized I muffed the quiz today. What a dumbass I am. We had to factor this polynomial. x squared - 15x +14. Me being the jackass I am and always being in a hurry, I think I got it wrong just because I lacked my thinking skills at the moment. It is really and easy equation though (x-1)(x-14). Damn me, I am so stupid. But now, it is time for work all weekend. I am so pissed that I fuct my math skills up today. Other than that I hate the cold, but riding must be done. Later terds.

Leelanau ROCKED!!!

In one word, HOLY SHIT, ok so two words, haha. Well I haven't been on lately because I was sick and was unsure of how my form really was, but it came around in time. Friday night Dave and I headed up to his great aunts cottage and previewed a bit of the course with a narly descent. It was narly due to the fact that it was all tree covered and it was 8 pm so you really could not see going into the corners, not to mention the damn bird that flew at me on the way down, so needless to say I was worried about the race and what was going to happen.
Race day was full on, we suited up, hooked up our radios and got to the line really early and we were ready to go. I got lined up next to last years winner Nick Reistad and had a few Jokes with him. Thats the funny thing about cycling, everyone can chat and get along pretty well.
The race rolled out of town and up the climb out of Leeland, which was much easier than last year. Really the race did not get hard till the first KOM and I easily made it over there. Then I see a hand up, which means someone had a flat, and to my dismay it was Jeff our team captain. Me being the teammate and caring person I am I pulled over and told him to take my wheel, but the wheel truck was right there, so myself, Jeff and Jason Brake had to chase back on to the group which was rather easy. I was super pissed that the guys on our team watched Jeff roll back with the flat and no one offered a wheel to him, thats not team riding.
Anyways the race went over KOM number 2 and I was still feeling well, but at the third KOM, which was Tower Road ( named so for good reason) I found myself grinding up it in my easiest gear only to find I was the last guy over with the main group. Next thing I know a West Michigan Coast guy just sits up right in front of me. DAMN IT!!! I chased hard at 36 MPH (slightly downhill) for a good 8 minutes only to explode after not catching back on.
On the way up Tower Road I saw the LION OF FLANDERS flag and all I could think of was this was exactly like a European hard mans climb. For the rest of the race Jay myself and Rob Iser sat in and made a little tempo, but at one point "papa Tony" started yelling at everyone to work, but all the major players were up the road and we had no chance of catching them so I said, " Sorry God I am below you and I don't want to work anymore" as a joke. He got uber pissed at me and started berating me and at the 4th KOM he took off from the bottom. I bided my time and nearing the top I just shot by him like he wasn't moving. His reply to that was, "oh now you are gonna start working". All I told him was, "I know who is up the road and where all the Horsepower is and its not in this group." He commented something about him being a man and not a pussy. Needless to say, I didnt seem him after that. So we came to 80 miles and I started to look at my computer a lot on my bike. The last 25 miles were dragging ass, so I told Jay with 2 miles to go I was going to jump and make an effort. Finally that chance came and I went for it immediately getting a gap and blowing by Ben Renkema(National Champ and State Champ) after he got spit out of the main group. Well with about 1 kilometer left I got caught, but stayed right near the front. The sprint was more like a slow motion grind and I came in right behind Jay, around 35th place out of 158 starters. I was so tired, but I still managed a victory salute for the crowd just for fun. Thanks for the great commentary today Joe. This was the BEST and HARDEST thing I have ever done in my life. I can not wait for another go at it next year.
So my season is all but over now, there is still a criterium in KZOO on my birthday and I am going to do it for fun and enjoy the last dig for the season. I have learned so much from many people this year and proven to myself that I do belong in the field I am racing in. The only problem is that I want to train harder than ever and be a REAL factor next season. Thanks Sunrise boys for a great second half of the season. I would not trade it for anything. Also thanks to Ada Alltel boys for making me love this sport and still being friends when we see each other. Now I am off to sleep and work for a few hours before a three hour recovery ride tomorrow. Hopefully I will have some pics in short order. Also a huge thanks to the Sunrise support team for the great Feed Zone work today, other than the one dropped bottle I had it was PERFECT. Adieu!

911

Five years after the terrorist attacks and I have changed a lot. Deep down I am the same guy I was 5 years ago, but I have different things to care about now. In 2001 I was contempalting not running anymore for WMU and trying to get healthy. I had so many injuries while I was running in college. I think I got to compete healthy maybe 5 times total. Since then I have found cycling and have had a job for the past 3 years. If you would have told me 5 years ago I would be acing a bike 105 miles this weekend I would have told you thats fucking NUTS!!! It is nuts, but it is really what makes me tick. The weather has sucked here the past couple days, which means full winter gear like arm warmers, leg warmers and jackets. Its too early for it to get shitty out.... or is it. Oh well, the riding has to be done. Other than that everything is extremely well. Although I hate little girls, aka girls who think they are women and are still little fucking girls in their head. Oh well, I have no time to worry about that as I work 35 hours a week and am taking classes and have to fit riding in somewhere. It is hard, but it can only make me a stronger person. OK, enough BS I have to wake up at 7 am for class and work all day and then riding on the trainer at night. Woo fuckin HOO!!! I have a potty mouth today, haha. God Bless America!!!

Ponder this!!!

Cornering off of Maple Hill at Rockford!!! This is a new favorite of mine. Look at the cut in my claves!!!
The HOOTERS guy is showing the hurt face while I am just hanging out!!!
Josh, Ben and myself are in this pic, I am hanging out near the back!
Moving on up, this is another awesome pic, the calves are explodong again!
Digging to hold on, look at the head wobble I have going!

I have had a difficult last few days, actually the last week has been hard. I really wanted to race, but when it came down to it I realized how tired and worn down my body is. I can not even fight off a little cold right now. I took Monday and Tuesday and did not even look at my bike. Just a time of year that it is hard to get into a mode of normalcy for me. I am going back to school, which I found that I actually care about now. My first degree I got by sleeping through classes and just being a smart ass the whole time. Honestly I did not deserve that degree, so this one I want to work for and mean something. I really let my teammates down by not attending this weekend and that hurts me more than letting myself down. I just hope they understand if I had it my way I would race everday. The only positive that came out of last weekend was that I got to hear the live audio feed from the USA Road Championships. I was really pulling for one of the continental pros to win it, but the UCI guys had an arrangement and when is Hincapie going to lose in his home town??? Other than that I got out for a good 4 hour ride today and I was not to pumped to be riding but I just put myself through the pain to get ready for Leelanau. I am actually going to ride the trainer for 2 hours tonight also to get some more time in. I realized I race much better and feel much better when I train A LOT. What is A LOT you may ask, well for me about 20-25 hours a week. So heres to all my teammates, I hope I can repay my debts to you guys at Leelanau!!! OVER AND OUT!!!

Why do I still blog

Crappy day all around. Had to stock a lot of beer and beverages for the drunken idiots in kalamazoo!!! what is a lot.... try about 600 cases of liquids, mostly 30 packs of brew. We did the math and it came to more than 10,000 lbs of lifting shit. So needless to say I had some shitty legs today!!! Oh well, still have some racing to do this weekend. Sorry I hate being on this right now and I have to wake at 6 am to work, so I am out!!! Peace Creeps...

Super Pissed

OK, Now Jer Bear is not so pleased. First off, a shitty day at work. Then I come home to surf the web and realize the results are up for Rockford. I click the link in anticipation and to my dismay i find that I was placed 47th. What the FUCK??? Yeah i said it. I worked my ass off all year to get some decent results thus far and Rockford was a super hard race and I raced well. Only for some idiots to place me behind guys who were sitting on the side of the road watching the race. Nothing against anyone who raced, because I have a lot of respect for almost everyone in the 1-2 field, minus a few. I did not work all year for some "volunteer" to fuck up and screw me in the rear. Basically all i am saying is have people who are in the sport do the results, and for that matter people who have an education and can spell. Everyone on the sunrise team knows how I rode so i should not be dissappointed, but shit, if you are going to have a race do it right and if guys are off the back immediately, yank their asses. I can not believe this happens at races with such a huge following. I know how I did, and results now are meaningless to me. Why??? Because on any given day some pedestrian who is at a race to help out can dictate your fate regardless of how you did. Way to drop the ball, that is to whomever was in charge of the results at Rockford. I would like to give them a Karl Menzies double bird salute......
To top it off, today i started the Wednesday night ride and Jeff attacked straight away. I chased and then Jay and the cop bridged up to me. We caught up to Jeff and shortly there after I felt my bike getting a lil squirrely, and it took me a minute to realize my Maxxis Courchevel is coming apart...literally. I have raced and trained on them since February, so I can't be mad, just happy it didn't happen in a race. Luckily a gentleman was there to pump my tire back up and I made it 1 mile and it was flat again. So I called Louie and he came and got me. So the rest of my night consisted of me training on my Zipps. FUCKING A....what a day!!!

Its a new day!!!

I was celebrating here because I heard a Michigan guy had won the race. Too bad it was Ben and not Jeff, but 2nd wasn't too shabby either, but they are both my pals nonetheless. After thinking about it and how the fella to my left is looking at me it was probably not the best idea to be looking away at this point of the finish!!!
Mark and I coming out of corner #8. I am on the far left of the pic.
Mark and John finishing at Downers grove.

Why is Jeremy so happy??? Because I don't have a care in the world. Everything happens for a reason and I am just pumped to get through work this week and race for 3 straight days. You would think I would be sick of racing at this point in the season, but Rockford made me realize I am coming into great form again. Today I had to slave away on the trainer for 2 hours because of the monsson that hit KZOO today. Oh well, its all gravy on this side of the state. Peace kids!!! Thanks to Katherine for the pics, aka Sunrise Sports Cycling Team #1 supporter!!!

Its Picture Time Kids!!!

The 4 Amigos, oh u did not hear they added uno amigo!!!! After the national championship race!!!
Me at Rockford doing about 30-35 MPH, this is in the last 10 minutes or so and I look to be at ease!!! HAHA, little do you know it was a scorcher!

Here are a few pics from Downers Grove Illinois and the Rockford Criterium!!! Thanks to Mr. Boboltz for the Rockford pic and thanks to Mark Caswell and his wife for the Doners Grove pic. Thanks to Jeremy for looking so damn awesome, oh wait is it wrong to thank myself, NOPE didn't think so!!!!

THE ROCK!!!

OK, so Rockford was awesome!!! Priority brought almost there whole pro team, minus Brent. Kirk O'Bee from Health Net made an appearance, and the best Michigan racers were there as well. The field was about 70 strong for 10 minutes or so. The first 15 minutes are so fast in Criteriums and this was no different. So plan A was to survive the first part, which i did rather easily. Last year the climb was excrutiatingly hard, this year I was big ringing it every time up. A group of the Priority pros got away and everyone was content with letting them show there pro team off, or actually not dumb enough to go with them haha. Halfway through I was feeling good, but it was HUMID OUT!!! So I put in a little attack up the climb and as I went by Jeff he asked who was left from our team and all i could say was, "you and me baby". The attack didnt go anywhere as I am not all that powerful. So I decided to sit in and wait till the end. The pace heated up real fast with about 10 minutes to go. I got popped off the group with 5 minutes to go or soand just cruised from there. I guess there were only about 25 finishers and I was somewhere around 20th. Not too bad for a kid with no talent in his second year of racing. Then i got to drive straight back to Kalamazoo and work from 6pm to 2 am and then get up and do it again from 9 am to 4 pm. I was not satisfied with my ride yesterday so i ent out for a nice 4 hour ride and did some hill work. Sad thing is it was more like a 4 hr tempo ride as I got in 83 miles. I also got to visit the ambulance after the race as I had heat stroke again. I have found something that a lot of athletes can't find.... The way to completely annihilate myself and go back and keep trying to find that zone that is just too uncomfortable for pleasure. I guess that has to be my best assett, so if I can get down to 135 lbs. and train consistantly the sky is the limit. I mean I have been racing for 2 years and have beat many guys who have been doing this for 10 + years, so should I be dissappointed in myself??? I guess thats what makes me an athlete, always looking for something more and never resting on what I have done or talking about what i think I can do. Let the legs do the talking, and hopefully they will speak loud enough for people to hear it. Over and out good buddy!!!

Its upon us

ROCKFORD CRIT..... PAIN is all I remember from this race last year.. I believe I took 12th, but this year will be totally different as I am in the service of my teammates. Everything for them and if I finish then thats a plus. I felt really good today on the bike, maybe because I finally put my comp on after I saw how Graham did his up. It didn't fit on my K-wing bars so I had to mount it on my stem. I also redid my bar tape and I have to say white looks amazing. OK, I better get some sleep and get back to work. I hate working till 2 AM!!! BOOOOOOOO!!!! Over and out good buddy! Thanks for lending me ur car for the race Adam, as my car is not trustworthy!!!

Vuelta a Espana is a delicious third dish!!!

I believe those are wings, cuz the man can FLY!!! Hopefully we see this A LOT!!!!
Can someone please give me a shot of Jack, or rub some ointment on my stomach?? PLEASE!!!
I wonder if Saiz or Fuentes can inject me on the fly??? Too little time to find out!!

So the Vuelta starts this Saturday and there will be guys slugging it out for the third Grand Tour of the season. Menchov, Sastre, and Valverde are my top 3, that is if Valverde can make it to Madrid in one piece. I would love to see Sastre win a Grand Tour finally, he deserves it!!! Anyways these guys up top will not be there, other than Petacchi, and I hope Ale-Jet turns on the turbo boosters, because watching him sprint is a ture work of art!!! I am OUT!!!

Quickie

Thats me at the National Championships, but I don't look too happy to be racing!!!

Here is a quickie, because I think I got that pic from Downers Grove!!! Still waiting on a few from Jeff and John! Where the hell are the other pics fellas, hehe!!! Over and OUT!!!

Rockford is coming up!!

Meet Karl Menzies, though he may not look like it this guy is a bad ass on a bike. More results than I can think of! He will be at Rockford and he will most likely be giving these to the field as he rides away!!! Photo courtesy of Garrett Peltonen! Hope you don't mind G!!!

So the Rockford Crit is this Saturday and I hear Karl "ten" Menzies will be there. This race is really one of the harder crits I have ever done in my breif cycling career, but it has a nice kicker in the middle of it to sort things out. At this level though everyone can pretty much grind up it and stay in the group as the second half is all downhill. Last year Ben Renkema blew the race to pieces in the first 4 laps. Hopefully this year I can play a hand, or maybe I will be working for the team. Who knows, but whatever it is I will have to be ready.
School is also about to start back up and Jacob and I have been talking about being co-presidents for WMU's cycling team this year. I just hope everything runs smooth like it did last year and we can raise some decent money for vans and hotels while on the road. OK, now I have some sponsorship proposals to work on for myself and the WMU team for next year so I am out!!! Me being a teacher is going to be scary for ur kids, don't ya think?

PHEW!!!!

Ah so another day and an extraordinarily hard ride for a Tuesday! I met up with Jeff Hamilton ( cat 2 runner-up at Downers Grove this past weekend) and we did some good work on the bike. We did some hill repeats with accelerations after the crest of the hills. Hit 6th street up twice and he lost me 3/4 of the way up the last time. He can not only sprint but he can climb too. SCARY!!! Seriously though he put the hurt on me in a big way, but it is always good to ride with someone as accomplished as him. We had a good talk about what he expects of me next year and how much I can improve. I also let him in on the notion that it is easy to race aggressively like I do when I know my teammates can back me up if needed. I really enjoyed todays ride other than the smackdown I was given. It was just nice to get out and get efforts in with a true hard worker like Jeff. I just hope some day I can aspire to his level in the sport, but we will see. I am a little pissed about some things, but I got myself into it so I have to dig my way out! Other than that I am looking forward to Rockford and getting the hurt layed upon us by Manzies and O'Bee. Should be a bloodbath, but I am ready to suffer like a stuffed pig! OK, I have a lot to do and the day off tomorrow so I will be saying so long. Hopefully this pic from Downers shows up on here, if not I apologize for the inconvenience!!! OUT!!!

Downers was kind of a downer!!!

Bensenville Criterium @ Superweek 2005
Bensenville again, cornering!
Same corner same place!!!
Downers Grove National Championships 2005!!!

So I have returned from Downers Grove in one piece, but the race was good, kinda!!! We got to the line early but I missed my clip not once, but 4 times. I never unclip my left shoe at the start and that may have been the problem. Regardless I had really good legs, but it was just hard to move up on the course. I spent 40 minutes coming from the back of the pack to almost the front, but not close enough. We averaged 27.5 MPH for the race, which isn't too fast, but I am just pissed I couldn't help Jeff out. Finishing races of this caliber are hard enough, but I have worked to hard to just be pack fill. Michigan boys went 1-2 in our race. Ben Renkema won and Jeff (my teammate) was 2nd, so it was good to have our jersey get onto the podium. I looked at the results after a cooldown and realized I was not in them, so I protested and received a fine for having my number "placed incorrectly" . Fucking beauraucratic dipshits. I got 21st, but the finishing camera did not show my number so who knows where they placed me. I sat up cuz I heard a Michigan rider won it and I thought it was Jeff, but got pissed cuz it wasn't. Congrats to Ben and Jeff, you guys make Michigan look really good in the sport. We got some sweet pics from a professional photographer and I hope he emails me them. Until then here are a few from Superweek and the National Championships last year. I was about 15 pounds heavier last season and you can tell. Oh yeah, I was so pissed at how I rode at Downers Grove I put in a 2 hour ride when I got home. So yeah I am not content. OUT!!!

Lots going on

So I have had so much good news lately I have no reason to be depressed.... and I am super busy to boot! First off I want to say thank you to everyone who has believed in me and looked out for me in cycling, not just Josh, Louie, Dave, Jeff, Jay and my really close cycling friends, but also people like John Rigdon, Joe Lekovish, and I have to mention Doug Gatto for his seriously sweet pictures that he provides for all Michigan racers. Without all of you the world would be a much dimmer place. OK, I have found out some news about next year, but can't divuldge anything. All I will say is I love the team I am on and the guys I race with. We have confidence in eachother and thats all I can ask for. I also was asked to go do an interview for the Tour of Leelanau race with the promoter Steve Brown and John Rigdon in Lansing on Wednesday. I don't know if I can make it to the meeting though.
I also found out the 4 man 50 Kilometer TTT is a go!!! WOO HOO. Finally down to the big one.....DOWNERS GROVE. This is the National Championships of Criterium cycling in the U.S. I am heading out tomorrow with Josh Tarrant and doing the Elite 2 Race on Sunday. I have had great legs all year really and can not let this chance pass me by to have great legs again. I will admit that I have a problem accepting the fact on how much I have improved. I know there are still guys who are stronger then me, but it doesn't scare me or deter me from making the steps necessary to get to that level. Honestly with how everything has been going lately the only concern I really have is how much time I will put in to better myself when October 1st hits. I am not taking any time off after the season. Maybe a day here or there, but I WANT to get better and prove I can do some exciting things on a bike. There is just so much to look forward to, and beliving in something is the hardest thing to do. If you believe in something, I mean truly believe, then it is a miracle. AND I believe in myself!!! OUT!!!

P.S. Danielle I hope everything goes to plan for you and I have my fingers crossed, and bring ur bike with you for a little spin before you start running again!

A breath of fresh air!!!!

So I feel a lot better these past two days. Got in some solid time on the bike Tuesday, and tonight Taylor and I battled out the first sprint of the Wednesday night ride with me claiming the victory. Honestly I do not think he ever came out of my draft. Regardless, I did not want to over-do it with just getting out of the hospital, so I cut off after the sprint and headed in and did a little tempo. Its weird how I have went from feeling like death to feeling normal in a few days. I guess I just take feeling normal or even good forgranted. I will not soon forget though how good it feels to ride my bike and be free. I realized how much I missed it when I couldn't move for 4 days. Anyway, the big show is this weekend. The National Championships in Downers Grove, Illinois. We are going to have a decent set of guys there for Sunrise and I have high ambitions, not because I am cocky, but because I am confident in myself and my teammates. Finally, teammates that I have complete confidence in, and I have to tell you it feels phenomenal. OK, I gotta roll to work at 7 AM. I may do a long post tomorrow. By the way, Happy Birthday Adam, and the dinner at the Bee's was awesome. Too bad my big mouth always gets us into trouble. Skeet Skeet!!! HAHA, later!

Doping and Diarreha

So things are OK I guess with me. I have been to the hospital to sort the affair with my stomach out and have only ridden once since Friday. It makes me so mad because i want to finish the season well, but things happen for a reason and I have had a great season thus far..... better than I could have asked for I guess. We will see what happens.
Second, I will finally come out on my stance on the professional cycling doping scene. I am so depressed that the sport I love is scrutinized by everyone and they think we are all on something. While I was in the hospital the nurse gave me something into one of my IV's and it was second nature to ask her exactly what it was and what purpose it served. I guess it is very true that anyone can put something into an IV and you assume they are doing it to help, but people are shady these days and you really can only trust those you know very well. I just can not wait to feel better and try to get back to racing and competing. Its all up in the air right now. Later! Congrats to my good friend Josh who placed 3rd in the ITT at Hines Park and then him and Rob D. set a new course record in the TTT, nice job Josh. Sorry if I seem a bit down, its just really hard to not feel normal. Oeace!

Heres the low down

UGH!!! Thats all I can really say about yesterday and today. I was fine while I was at work and then got home and showered and WHAMMY, I was incapable of moving. So why is this so??? Well I was working with insulation all day and got poisoned from it. I guess taking a warm shower after working with insulation is not good as the warm water opens up the pores. So needless to say I did not ride yesterday, but I did manage an amazing 45 minute death march today on my TT bike. I just feel completely annihilated and hope to feel better for the races this weekend. We will see where the lord takes me? Off to work Commies!!!

Wednesday night thrills and chills

Blazing down the home stretch in an attack!!!
One of my favorites, check the backround (that tells you I am going FASTTTTT!)
Another one of my favorites, with the pack strung out!

So another Wednesday night rider in Kalamazoo has come and gone. I really did not intend on going to do it as I left work early today because I was sick. But I made some promises and I kept them. So I rolled out of bed after a long nap and still felt like shit, but gave it a whirl anyways. We did a 54 mile loop and it went by really fast until the last 7 miles when I started to cramp up and didnt feel to great. But I sucked it up and got on with it. What does a rider do when he is in pain and miserable..... never say die. So I got home and still felt like shit, probably because I can not eat regularly because of the intestinal virus I have. I will not use that as an excuse for my performances though. It does not affect my mind and thats more powerful than anything I have. Onto more Important things, I drank some champagne last night and may have made out and messed around with a girl who has a boyfriend. OOPS, but to make it perfectly clear she was the one who initiated things. I constantly wonder how I get myself into these situations (there is so much more to the story that cant be told due to its content and rating), but I cant regret it if the guy gets pissed at me. SHIT happens. On a final note I received my student financial aid award letter and I will not have to pay for school this year, as I received enough to cover my tuition and a little extra. OK overall summary is I am really happy, I just wish I didnt have that waterlike diarreha 4 times after the ride tonight. Now that I have made you vomit I bid you adieu!!!

Dont ask me

Hanging near the back after an attack off the front!!!
Moving back up to the front!!!
Chill inspector!!
Moving fast down the home straight!
Honestly Graham and myself look rather bored at this moment!!!

Do not ask me what I think of Floyd Landis and the testosterone situation. All i care about is my image and that I am clean, but cycling may take it in the ass for this one!!! Here are some pics to lighten the mood!!! OUT!!!

This is not a test!!!!

So Matt and myself are sitting around watching some MTV. More like reality TV that plays music here and there now, but thats a whole other story in itself. I hear a knock and I immediately think its Adam who has come over to leech our internet for free, so I begin hamming it up for him. I look through the view finder and it is Matt's lady friend. She comes in crying and all she has to say is, "Matt our kitchen burnt down today." Matt has to claw himself away from his CPU due to the fact that he is in the midst of a vicious game of World of Warcraft (NERD ALERT). Needless to say I began laughing and the culprit was Kearstons roommate who was making some fried chicken and decided to walk away for a minute. Note to all, when frying food do not walk away, also if you are a complete moron DO NOT walk away. BOO YA!!!

Strengths

Early on and I am up front as usual!
MMMM Sweat is tasty!
Still up front!!!
Hanging out on the front!!!
Same as the last one!

So I have been away for a while because I have had no internet as I moved, but I am back online now. Updates will be more regular now I promise. So what have I been up to? Work and racing and thats about it other than helping lou and lindz move lately. I have some pics of Ada crit to post so they are here too. Thanks to Doug Gatto as he took about 12 pics of me during the race. I raced like a champ at Fenton and kept Jeff reasonably fresh for the finish. I covered 7 attacks that I could count and I rode tremendously well for the team. So Ada was coming up and I took a lot of advice from people and kept it cool at the beginning. Needless to say the race was hard, as we averaged around 29 MPH for and hour and a half. I tried to keep Jeff and Jay fresh by covering what I could, but I an was the big man of the day. I got caught behind a crash with 2 and a half laps to go and was the only one behind it to regain the field. I guess West Michigan coast had about 9 guys leading out Ben, so they truely deserved the win. I am just dissappointed I was in the wrong place at the wrong time and I could not help Jeff and Jay more at the finish. I will give more news later. Sorry if the pics are a little blurry as we were really cruising in this race. Out to ride now!!!