Madison Gold Standard

I was just reading this morning that my fair city is only 1 of 2 cities in the country given gold status by the American Bicycle League, the other Tuscon. Only one city, Portland, has been given the Platinum status for its commitment to build 1 mile of bike lane for every mile of road. The article didn't give a lot of specifics, but it came as no surprise to me that this city is consistently named as one of the best in the country. I have seen bike traffic jams at intersections in the morning and evening, during peoples commutes home, no joke, so many bikes at the 4 ways that people have to wait for each other. Anyway, I sound off a lot about how much I love Madison and I should I waited to find a job here so I could be here. If you love your town talk about it and if you hate your town but love bikes GET HERE we want you and need you. Our bike industry produces around $500,000,000 in manufacturing each year so you can probably find a job in the field if your looking for it. Have a great weekend, maybe see you here soon!

Racing?

Anyone remember what it was like when we raced a 12 hour every other weekend? I think that I might just stick to racing canoes this year because those events are not canceled do to rain. I'm not saying the mtb races should be run with the rain we've had I'm just thinking it might be a better option this year. The good thing with the late season is that it has given me a chance to heal and build up for what I'm calling the second season. The bad thing is all those 12 hour races are going to fall during cross.

Fast Class

Our hard work and determination payed off Saturday, Aaron and I paddled and ran ourselves on to the podium for a 3rd place overall finish, we felt really crappy about our performance as I had the boat all over the place yet were making good time through our competitors. I paddled stern, the back, and Aaron bow. He was just to strong for me, so I spent a lot of time correcting us. At the gun we got into a little bit of a may lay so that put us back about 5th, the first 2 boats missed the turn and by that time we had moved into the lead chase group, so after the turn we were 1st. We kept our lead to the beach and back into the lake on the other side of the capitol, but couldn't manage to hold off the 2 boats that had missed the turn. In all fairness it made for an even match, our boat is a 18ft Minnesota 2 that weighs in at 44lbs and their boats are Carbon Fiber Krosier that weigh in at 35 lbs and are designed for the sole purpose of racing, so the extra 200 meters they paddled actually made for them and us a more fair and exciting fight. We are back out on the water this Thursday as it has made our upper bodies strong like bulls, something you don't get from biking. Just in case you were curious the total event was a 4.5 mile paddle and a 1.5 mile run, our finish time was 58min

Just Riding and Paddling

Nothing exciting to report, just 4 days of 3 hour rides totaling a little over 2o0 miles. I spent the first 2 days pounding myself into the ground then the next 2 days as recovery. I am looking to find a second peak for what is shaping up to be a second season of racing. It feels great to be back riding again. God help me if I couldn't ride, I should rephrase that, god help everyone around me if I couldn't ride. Sorry I won't be at the 12 hour of Crystal this weekend. I will be racing once again in the Paddle and Portage event here in Madison. This is a canoe race that my buddy Aaron and I have been doing for a number of years, we continue to place on the podium, but the prize of winning still alludes us. We are bringing out a pair of carbon paddles this year in hopes of getting a little bit of an edge or at least keeping up with everyone else on the podium using carbon paddles.
More to come on this event.

Second Chance

Blue Mounds has been rained out as most of you already know. I had just gotten back from Walgreen's with all the tape and wrap I would need to hold my leg in place for the race when I decided to check the site, oh well I'm sure I will need the supplies in the future. For once I'm thank full for the rain, I want to race not just show up to get some points so now I am gearing up for what will become a 3 month assault on the WEMS SS Championship. I have to miss 1 of the events and will be in Croatia for a couple weeks before another so it's going to be a tight one, but hey that's what makes it interesting.

Lump?

So I was really happy to report that I was about 80% better, ha, that was stupid and premature. Ever since I thought things had gotten better they have remained the same or are slightly worse. I have a lump in my leg, and not the kind in my head, but something hard and painful. I think I better get this checked out. My reluctance is that the last time I saw a doctor it was for shooting chest pains that intermittently radiated from my heart Their answer to my little problem was to try some heart burn meds, yeah great advice. Needless to say I didn't fill that scrip because I knew it wasn't the problem, so I am reluctant to get the same advice I could probably give my self, give it some time and see if it gets better or worse. I am still going to try to hit the 12 of Blue Mounds this weekend, but we shall see.

The Gastroc Lives

Thanks everyone for the emails and phone calls, in a crazy twisted way it was a great birthday present to hear from all of you. I'm about 80% and will be back on my bike this weekend for a couple easy rides around Chicago. This little incident has really made me appreciate a couple things, the people I ride with and the ability to get around. It is easy to take both of these things for granted so once in awhile it's good to get a little reminder of how important they both are, although I could have done with a little more gentle reminder than this, it's still good none the less.