Cross race #1 (KC Cup / Swope Park)

Hey Gang,

There was a cross race today, it was fun.

Music

• Small Black 'Photojournalist'

The race was at Swope park, 2pm. i raced as a cat 3, up from the 4 that i was last season. We raced 50 minutes which seems like a long time for the 3's. As daunting as that seemed i just kept telling myself 'remember all the 3 hr mtn bike races you've done this year, 50 minutes ain't nothing.'

And really, it wasn't that bad. Sure my back hurts, my neck hurts, i have blisters from not wearing gloves (gloves are for smart people) but all in all i feel okay. Plus i finished mid pack, which i was happy with. Sure the pack was small and at least three people who would normally have beat me had mechanicals... but whose keeping track of all that.

The course was a lot of fun. Probably unlike any cross course i'll do this year. It was a mix of traditional cross terrain, dirt single-track (including a huge log we had to go over) and pavement. I'd say it really tested all aspects of a cyclist... and i'm all for that.

Next week is Manion's cross, be there!

Ciao

Cyclocross almost in the house

Hey Gang,

Are you racing your cross bike this year?

Music

• Weezer 'Memories'

I just did a practice cross race out at swope park, after 2 minutes i said to myself, 'i forgot how fun this was.' After 10 minutes i said to myself, 'this is harder than i remember.' And now, at home and several hours removed from the practice race... i can't wait for more.

Gonna be a great fall!

Ciao

The Huffy Hustle

Hey Gang,

We had a party yesterday. It was pretty awesome. The best things about this party was that it included bike racing.

Music

• Bob Marley 'Jamming'

What type of bike racing you ask? It was a prologue time trial, thru the back alley's of my neighborhood, on a tiny purple huffy. And i mean tiny, as in built for a 6 year old. But don't be fooled by this seemingly inferior, $5 dollar thrift store purchase, tiny purple girls bike... we put that baby thru the ringer big time last night and it held up to pretty much all of it. This bike is a true Champion. Plus it's fast too. Out of the saddle was the preferred method for most racers but leg speed was a must, given the extremely short cranks.

The course was no push over either. Gravel, pot holes, water, stairs, sketchy decent's, random concrete barriers, probably a plethora of rusty nails and broken glass, beer hand-up's, candy/dollar wall, all preceded by beer chugging... It was not an event for the faint of heart.

Once it was all said and done, after everyone had taken their run and after all the random bonus's had been calculated.... The overall winner of the first ever 'Huffy Hustle' was Robert Downey Jr.

Robert Downey, and several of our other top riders, received some top notch Colavita olive oil plus some Balsamic stuff as prizes for their outstanding rides. I'd say the entire event was a wild success and i'm already day-dreaming about the next Huffy Hustle.

Now let's go race some cross bikes!

Ciao

Big time racing

Hey Gang,

The biggest race of the year is coming up. Okay, that's an exaggeration. But it's still gonna be fun. Will you be there? If so then you better be good with a coaster break.

Music

• Skee lo, 'I Wish'

See you on Saturday!

Labor day Weekend

Hey Gang,

Hope you had a good long weekend. I sure did. The weather was pretty much perfect... maybe a little windy, but that's nit picking.

Music

• Flying Lotus 'Do the Astral Plane'

My advice on maximizing your long weekend... always have plenty of margeritas in your system, frisbee golf is an excellent was to spend some time (especially the down under at Rosedale where the the trees and hills block the wind) and stationary bike riding is fun, but's it's not a game.

That's it.

So as the sun set's slowly in the west i bid you a fond farewell.

adios

Planning a cross course 101

Hey Gang,

So this morning me and some friends headed out to Kansas City, KS to scout out the sight where our cycling team will be hosting a Cyclocross race.

Music

• Best Coast 'When I'm With You'

The Race will take place on Sunday, September 26th. Here's a map of the location. (That map is slightly misleading, the race will actually take place around the group of buildings located directly to the right of the 'A' that's designated on the map. Switch to 'satellite' view on the google map and you can easily see the big barn with the red'ish roof. That's home base.)

Here's the race flyer...

The location is awesome. It's on a dude's farm up on a hill and you can literally see for miles. That also means that the course will involve a big hill. Get ready for pain! Plus i think we're going to utilize the barn. In one side and out the other.

Sounds like there will also be free... beer, coffee, food. Wow, this is gonna be fun!

I'm very excited about this.

Ciao

Went alright, Dude's car got a little dinged up...

Hey Duder's

Nothing pressing to report at the moment. I did hurt myself in a bike fall, similar to el Duderino's car in the handoff scene of the Big Lebowski, but as the stranger would say, 'sometime you eat the bear, and sometimes, well, he eat's you.'

Music

• Cool Runnings 'I Am You'

Thing's in KC have been good, lately. I think were peaking. Or can it only get better from here? Stay tuned to find out, but in the meantime... enjoy the photos.

And stay away from my special - from my fucking lady friend, man!

Sianara