2009 in Pictures: Part 3

I'm still not finished with my 2009 picture story. I plan on seeing this venture through to the end!

Next stop was Down Under, where I got to cheer on some friends at mountain bike world championships. How rad it would be to race worlds..........

And amidst all the travels, it was still important to reflect on the past and remember the sacrifices made.......

Where's Panda?

Hey baby, how YOU doin?

My final journey to the past was of a personal nature, searching for the names of my ancestors who made the journey to America through Ellis Island......

And upon exiting the past, I found myself once again in Philthadelphia.......

I was so excited at this point I just had to dump ice on SOMEbody........

Dude, where's my car?

It's at the Belmont for the Philthy Cross Clinics!

I had so much fun with 'cross this year, I even decided to ride on 700c (29") wheels off-road as well!

Next stop: Race Pics from '09, my personal favorites from the bunch.......

Congratulations Sven!

50 career Superprestige wins and counting. Baaaaaaaad Aaaaaaass!

2009 in Pictures: Part 2

And so the journey continues..........

And by journey I mean couch time at my friend's houses watching blockbuster Will Smith movies, yeah!

At times, things got a little weird...........

And other times the road got a little rocky...........

But always remember that when in doubt, dog drives..........

And often times the path paved leads to beautiful places.........

Though sometimes it leads to torrential downpours in the middle of hikes with the lack of raingear.........

Catching the ever elusive beer-bottle-bubble on camera: Priceless............

A scene from one of my side-journeys to the wilderness..........

A time that reminds me how fragile our civilization is and what forces are really in charge....

As I emerge from the wilderness, I find myself in the 1950's, where the couches were hip.......

Where to next?

2009 in Pictures: Part 1

The year started with my return to Pennsyltucky, many boxes were used........

In order to acclimate properly, I got a few rides in with some old friends..........

Many rides and lunchbreaks later, I felt at home again and was ready to start the season........

I quickly got about with a comfortable set-up for the races, gotta at least look good, ya know....

I even threw down at a few road races in the Spring (notice how thrilled I look)........

I took the occasional weekend off to goof off in the wilderness..........

I spent some time re-acquainting with my lovely Philthadelphia................

I even spent some time at the farm on the tractor, plowing fields......at night........

And it wouldn't be a season without a lot of car time......make that a TON.........

And in between everything, I even raced my bike!

Got a call from the neighbors tonight.........

THE METAL

Hibernation

Photo courtesy of In The Crosshairs

Hibernation: a word which has defined my race fitness over the past few weekends. Ever since DCCX, I just haven't felt the spark. The mental is high, but the physical isn't meeting me halfway. Season ended a little embarrassingly as well, with me on my head in the sandpit at the Rockburn Cross. I was actually feeling half-decent on the day, and had gone through my normal 2nd/3rd lap lull when I started to pick up the pace again. I got caught behind a rider (who had the twinkle of happy children and snowflakes in his eye) who was riding the sandpit rather slowly, and in my efforts to stay upright, I failed miserably and ended up taking myself down onto my shoulder/head. (Editor's note: Evil has been deleted, please move along, nothing to see here, just another angry jew.....I kid, I kid.....)

So my shoulder and neck are a bit sore now, but that will heal in a few days. I'm going to miss some good races the last 2 weekends, which is a real bummer. I'd go spectate, but that will just make me want to race, when I know I really need to take a load off and get ready for off-season training.

I'll throw up some pics and whatnots in the next few days, since they have been absent from this site for quite a few posts now. Maybe a group of my favorites from the season?

Double the 'Cross, Double the Fun!

Howard County Double Cross is my destination this weekend. A few weeks ago, I was pretty much done with the season. A few bad results started me thinking it was time for shut-down, but instead I took a weekend off, hit some long rides, and now here I am. Whilst the Whitmore Super Cross Cup in NY is the bigger race, I think the Double Cross will be a set of courses that suit me more. Plus, they are at two totally different venues, which is great for variety. Doing Saturday's course backwards on Sunday is never as good as two different courses!

Bikes clean, now just have to eat breakfast, get out on my ride, then pack and roll. See you in Maryland!

Downloading Movie #5

That's right, movie number 5. That means I've watched 4 movies so far today. Why? Well, I woke up sick that's why. Still bummed about it. Seems to have passed somewhat, but hopefully I can get on the bike tomorrow. I was supposed to get a long day in today. I know I'd feel a whole lot better if I was able to ride (obviously).

Is it just me, or does being sedentary make me feel worse than when I'm killing myself on the bike. Heck, I feel WAY better after a good workout then when i've rested for a day. Guess it's that brain chemistry doing it's work. OK, 79%, 21% to go. Never saw that last Superman movie, so I thought I'd give it a whirl. Then, maybe The Wrestler tomorrow, AFTER I ride.

So far today, I've warped through Star Trek, sliced through Wolverine, snickered my way through Angels & Demons, and enjoyed the last Bond flick, Quantum of Solace. Not a bad day so far for movies if I do say so myself, and I just did......out loud....with nobody else around. Guess I should feel lucky, or sane, that nobody answered me then.

In bike related news, I bought more tubes for the 29er. I need to be more conscious of my tire pressure out there. Too easy to flat. Will be going tubeless soon, but need to get proper tires first. Racing Ralph with Snake Skin please!

Gosh, this last 20% or so is taking a while. Time for some liquid beverage! And time for you to stop staring at the computer screen and to write a letter to your grandma, or the next best thing. Go on now, get!

Blowup

So I've been taking a little rest as of late. It started last week with a full-on rest week, but I seemed to need more as I felt like poo and pulled out of Sunday's race. Back to some light training this week, but skipping the races this weekend. I'll catch you next year USGP!

Har-Har and I have been working on something great as of late. It involves Go-Kart Tracks and Bicycles in combination. Let your imagination run wild!

Dear Harry Hannukah:

I know Hannukah isn't for another month, but if you could be so kind as to bring my gift early this year. I would like to have my old legs back, the ones that rode fast. And while I'm at it, my old arms too, the ones that handled the turns better and didn't turn to jello. I promise to return them after the last 'cross race for the season, For Schnuckus! Thanks Harry!

Hey Now!

I'm still giddy about last night's Go-Kart track bicycle test-ride. Yes, that's right, I spent my evening doing test-runs on my TCX at an indoor go-kart track. And yes, it was AWESOME! So just in case you were wondering what I do on my rest weeks to get recharged for the end of the season, now you know. It's our little secret.........for now.

Speaking of rest weeks, I was more than ready for one. Last weekend saw a tired Jordan toe the line both days, and a tired Jordan exited early from both races. Stupid, stupid, stupid. I won't be making that mistake this weekend at Fairhill or Spring Mount. I's gots to keep this train a'rollin a little longer.