Bigger Than Ever

Whew. Lots of stuff happening. Last Friday was the Big Brother Big Sisters Annual Dinner & Fundraiser. This is also the time that they recognize the Big Brother & Big Sister of the year. I was Big Brother of the year for 2009. My Little, Ike & I had a ball. Ike's Mom Nicole, G, My parents who came down for the evening from Chicago, and my great friends, Jeff & Heidi joined us as well.

G, Me, Ike & his Mom after the awards ceremony

Ike, Me & Jeff, hanging out after the ceremony

Ike, me & my parents, having a good time!

It was a good time, for a good cause. Ike & I had a blast, as well as everyone else who attended. My parents stayed the evening, and we had a wonderful breakfast & get together the next day. Thanks to Ike, Nicole, G, my parents and Jeff who many years ago gave me the confidence and guidance to be a Big!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to this guy! My cycling buddy, dear friend, expert remodeler and just part of our extended family. He turned 45 yesterday, and still whoops competitors butts half his age, on & off the bike! Happy Birthday Robert!

One Down, 39 to Go

I admit. I am not that smart. Actually, I have done a lot of dumb things in my life. Last Saturday, I did the BN ride from the "New Shop" in town. You know, the shop that CKelly is working at, and has been there for 361 years.

They put on some good rides, and I will do my best to patronize them, and encourage others to do the same. I always try to do as much business I can with the local shop, and no, I don't care if I "pay more" because in the long run, you ALWAYS pay less!

So Saturday am, the boys finagle me into racing the following day in St. Louis. I have about 365 road miles in for the year, and that really works well?! I should have at least 1000 miles in to race, so I said, what the heck? What's the worst thing that happens, I get dropped? Lapped? Pummeled? Wont be the first time. Did a great 48 miles ride with the group, and prepared for the following day.

I called up my Little Bro, The Ikester, and we headed down there. Registered for the Cat 3 race, and hit the line. WOW! 85 starters, and the majority of them looked really fit. Like fast & fit. My goal was to make it for the first 15 minutes, then finish the race, then if all that goes OK, to finish in the top 1/3 rd. of the field. This was going to be a long crit, especially for so early in the season: 60 minutes plus 5 laps! Geez!


The race went fine. Did some power moves, but mainly hung in there, rode wheels and wanted to get my "sea legs" back. I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to move around, didn't get too winded, could sprint to the best of my abilities etc. It was a lot of fun, and I felt great afterward as well. I finished in the pack for 27th place, not too bad, as I was not really aggressive in the final 3 laps or so. Wanted to stay up right, and go to work the next day in less than two pieces.

The Ikester rooted me on, as well as Uncle Gary and my Team Mack Teammates. It was a beautiful 70 degree day, perfect!

Me & The Ikester hanging right after the race.

There isn't a camera out there that Uncle Gary doesn't love!

The Rainbow Bridge............

Just this side of heaven is a place called The Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to The Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross The Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Sam Driscoll 1992-2009

Darby Driscoll 1994-2009

We made Sam & Darby several promises when they were puppies: We would be the best Dog Parents in the whole world. When the end was near, they would walk into the Vet with dignity, on their own four paws. We would never let them suffer or be in pain.

We kept those promises, and they enriched our lives for the past 15 & 16 years. We love you both, and look forward to seeing you at The Rainbow Bridge when the time comes.

Yes, Even I Have Rules

I have rules for my blob: No off-colored words, at least two photos, try not to use people's real names to protect the guilty. That's pretty much it.

I am breaking one today, but just this once, as I am crunched on time, and wanted to get this out to my million(s) of fans, less nine-hundred ninety-nine thousand, nine hundred & ninety three, give or take some here and there.

Dateline, Bloomington, IL: Scheduled VQ workout with The Ratz. Lotte, The Badger, Coach Stan-O, The Man with Two First Names & The Turtle, aka me. were in full effect. We decided, due to the 67 degree temps, to go up to the "new" bike shop in town, which has been there for 356 years, and I never knew about it, although I lived in Bloomington for 8 years. I met the owner, Scott I believe, and toured the place. Nice, very friendly, low overhead, and probably the cleanest bathroom of ANY bike shop in the USA. To me, my opinion is that when you keep the pooper closet looking sparkling, I feel confident that you will go the extra mile when working on my many, many-thousands of dollars bikes.

Had about 15 of us, windy & nice. I played rabbit for some VO2 efforts, we rolled etc. CKelly, RodKnee, some strong dude from Proctor that I just met & myself went off the front through the hills into Danvers, IL. This was mostly due to CKelly following his coach's plan to a "T" and enjoying the rest day he was supposed to have, by pulling at the front at 700+ watts, until EVERYONE'S legs were ripped off.

One mile to go for the sprint, then there was three, CKelly, RodKnee & The Turtle. CKelly & RodKnee were trading jabs like two old french fencers, although with accuracy. I was looking for the nearest Iron Lung, as well as a spare set of quads. CKelly got "the grin" on his face, and launched with RodKnee & myself in tow. I looked down, and was in the draft of CKelly at 600+ watts. Crap!

Half mile to go, The Turtle was turtle soup. He had given his all, and could not keep up with the whipper-snapper, as I only have 285 road miles in for the year..........off the back of the trio, and collected a podium place of third. Man, those boys are in good shape!

We carried on for the remainder, I did some moves, everyone had fun. Would up with 3:07 hours, 55 miles, and tired. Did some really nice work, and getting jazzed back up for the season. It was AWESOME to get outdoors, hammering, sweating and being really tired at the end of the ride. Great time to be had by all, and I am glad I re-connected with the B-Town Thugs, as I call them.

Bike got a bathe tonight, then put to bed, ready to ride again tomorrow.