We be rollin'......they be chasin'

Buses

Beagles

Black dogs

Rural traffic

They can't stop the gravel posse

Important Cornbread updates!

Wow, a lot has gone on since my last post. The Big Wheeled Ballyhoo got hit by a freak snow storm and I got hit by a head/chest cold. Bad timing on both accounts. Even with the bad weather MG and company made the best of a crappy situation and appeared to still have a great time.


I made an attempt to get out to Brady for event (see photo above), but ended up bailing at the Goehner Exit due to white out conditions. No sense dying on I-80 when it's obviously not gonna be ideal riding conditions. Besides, I was in no shape to be riding a bike. So things just weren't meant to be for the BWB this year, but hopefully next year things will be better. Folks that made it out to Potter's Pasture on Friday night were raving about the trails. Hopefully I'll be able to make it out there either this year or early next year for a long weekend of epic mountain biking.

Last weekend I flew home to see the family. My Dad's health has been declining recently. It's tough to see a proud and strong guy like my Dad so weak and in constant pain. The worst part of it is we have no idea whats wrong with him. So that made for a tough trip home. Also seems to put a lot of things in perspective. Everything else really doesn't seem to matter much right now. Especially bikes. Hopefully we'll find out soon and he'll start feeling better.

On Thursday night, Race Across the Sky was playing at South Point. The movie chronicled Lance Armstrong's battle against Dave Wiens ( 6 Time Winner) in the Leadville 100 mountain bike race this past August. Dubbed the most difficult mountain bike race in the world, the Leadville 100 travels 100 miles (duh) and climbs over 14,000 feet all above 9,000 feet of elevation. Yeah, it's tough. Lance credits the 2008 race with rekindling his desire to race bicycles again.

The theater was packed. Lots of Leadville veterans and a horde hopeful future participants were in attendance. I busted out the buckle for the movie (above). And why not? I'm proud of my finish in 2007. 8:56:14. As far as I know, I'm the only Lincolnite to finish under 9 hours. Now, Omaha has several folks that have cracked the nine hour mark (Kent x 3, Jarret x 2? and Limpach x 1). Mark Merritt of Grand Island has also collected a Gold Buckle. I'd like to see another Lincolnite get a Gold. We've got a very talented group of riders and I'm sure Lincoln will have great representation at this year's event. The Cycle Works crew is fired up and ready to go. How about you?

Today I got out on the bike for a bit of gravel with Jim (The Fob). My first real ride in over two weeks. The head/chest cold, trip home and bad weather have cut the miles down this month. I'm over 700 miles off my usual pace for the month. Definitely won't be cracking a grand this month. Oh well, I needed a break.

And finally...CVO, is back in town!

Cross and the Fargo

The only pic I took from the Omaha Cyclocross Weekend

My first cross races of the year are in the books. Yep, it hurt...a lot, but was also a lot of fun. Had a weird mechanical on Saturday. My tire came off the rim after going through a small sandpit. First time that ever happened. Had to run it for a bit to get to the pit to get it fixed. It was an easy fix and I was able to continue the race and go on and finish. Unfortunately, I got lapped by the top three. Bummer.

Sunday was a bit better. Managed not to get lapped by anyone! That's my goal for this year. Not to get lapped. Baby steps. Next year maybe I'll try to crack the top seven.

Needs more headtube...kidding

Got the Fargo built up this weekend too. Thanks to MG and Salsa for the frame and fork. Thanks to Vomitron for the wheel build. The bike turned out pretty nice. It's ready to go just in time for the Big Wheeled Ballyhoo! I'll be leading some gravel rides on Saturday and Sunday. Come on out to Potter's Pasture for a celebration of big wheeled bikes!

Who's ready for gravel in 2010?