Blast from the Past!

My buddy & former coach Stathy sent this over the other day. It's from the Quad Cities Criterium, 2004.

Stathy was my VQ coach at the time, and I called him (behind his back of course) "frog legs". He had the biggest legs & power to weight ratio I have seen locally. Also probably leads to the fact that he was the Masters National Track Champion as well.

We worked together in races all year. At the Park Forrest Crit, we were off the front together in both the Cat 3's and the Masters 30+ races. I won the 30+ and he won the Cat 3 race, back to back on the same day.

At the Quad City Crit, he was off the front with 3 others, while I blocked the field. He won the Cat 3 race. Later in the afternoon, he worked for me in the 30+ race, as you see from the pic, and lead me out with a screaming final sprint to launch me to the line for victory. That was an awesome year for racing. I won 5 races, including a Pro, I, II race, 2nd in the State Criterium, took 13 top 3 finishes, and 15 podium spots. Stathy was with me all the way, especially the day before this picture was taken at the Muscatine Criterium. Stathy was off the front solo for 13 of 15 laps, in the pouring rain, 2 laps to go, we swallowed him up. I launched up the long steep hill, made the final right hand turn, kicked in the afterburners, and won the race.

Afterward I said great job, staying off the front and all, as it took a huge effort that didn't pan out. He replied that I should have won the race, because I didn't do a minuscule amount of work during the race! Thanks Coach!

Woops!

Forgot to put the picture of The Boyz taking over the wheel from Dr. Mike, on our way across the frozen tundra heading to Cyclo-Cross Nationals in Kansas City. Oscar & Grandpa Chumley did a fine job and got us there in less than two pieces! Way to go guys!

Weird? Yes. Care? No.

It's been frozen here. Have been kettle belling & riding the compu-trainer indoors. Anything to get through the winter, which has actually come WAY too soon!

Merry Christmas & Happy Hanukkah to all!

Cyclo-Cross Nationals 2008

Were back! Dr. Mike, myself and a couple of The Boyz ventured out to Kansas City for Cyclo-Cross Nationals, 2008. We left Wednesday am, just in time to scope out the course. Dr. Mike was competing the next day in the Masters 60-64 category, 2:00 pm. sharp. The course was LONG, with 1/2 going up hill through a series of switchbacks, stair runs, and down-hill runs, followed by some tricky descents, and a set of barricades, very European style. The course was almost all grass, which turned into all mud. The races were fast & powerful. I worked the pit for Dr. Mike, spare bike & spare wheels. The second lap in, I was noticing he was losing places! What the heck? Little slower. little slower. What the heck was going on here? He made his way into the pit, and switched bikes flawlessly, of course, to realize he had been riding over 1/2 lap with a rear flat tire! Jeez! That cost him some spots, Dang! Oh well, that's the way it goes I guess. It was fun. We spent about 2.5 days together, didn't kill each other, and The Boyz got to cheer him on as well (from the truck, as they said it was too cold out, and didn't bring their rubber boots, and were listening to cool jazz on the XM radio)


Dr. Mike crossing the finish. Way to gut it out!
Mike right after the race, pretty cold & exhausted!


On the way home, we stopped for gas at some po-dunk gas station in Missouri, Rick's Service & Tire. The kind where about 15 of the locals show up every morning to swill coffee & smoke cigarettes. The Boyz immediately noticed one of their relatives, so we HAD to stop & say hi!



Here's The Boyz posing with one of their close relatives, it really made their day!

Podium Shots!

This is where I will be at the end of the week. Cyclo-Cross Nationals in Kansas City. I am going in support of my friend & teammate, Dr. Mike. He has an excellent shot at the national title. Wish us luck!

Full report & pics when I get back.