3rd Grade Tribute to James Brown Get Up Offa That Thing

Here it is. I was put in charge of Trixie's 3rd Graders to organize their "Show" for the African American Program this past Spring. Is there any better way to honor the Godfather of Soul? I must say I truly did well, because these kids nailed it! This little 7ish minute skit goes into my portfolio to get into the School of Education. Hopefully this is my ticket. Enjoy! We all know they did.

Monday, September24

Please make sure to not under-bake @ the Tater Bake 2 . Here is some pics from Rusty, take notes.

Yup, it's Monday. I'm sweaty. Sittin at work. Dreamin of me Roger. Wishin I had a day. Wishin I was at Iola. Hopein my portfolio gets done on time. Forgettin what's due today. Can'tin wait till this weekend...A full weekend of racing for my out-of-shape-rear!

Who's birthday was it???

Roger that.

Apply to the UWM School of Education

I have to put together about a 1inch thick portfolio by this weekend. It is needed to get in to the School of Education @ University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. It's due by Sept 29th. If I procrastinate, I miss a full weekend of Endurance racing n Cross racing. Instead, I chose to miss WORS #11. Its gotta be done! I am sure EXPO is going to hold it down this weekend.

Now, I must go. And think..."Why do I feel I am ready to teach in an urban school?"(Maximum 5pages)

Tonight we celebrate Trixie's bDAY!

Scabs, Tacos and a new Bike!!!

30yards from class. Cruising nice and easy in the bike lane. I start to get out of my saddle to apply force to the cranks to slow down. In order to apply the most force, I shift my weight froward over the handle bars. All of my upper body is supported by my arms... STUPID. My left hand slips off the grip STUPID and my chest crashes into the bars STUPID as if I broke my stem. STUPID. I ride the unicycle for a split second until I crash n slide into the middle of the road. Two taco supreme's create an unrideable bike. A quick glance over my left shoulder...phew...no cars. Now try getting a broken bike on to the MCTS bus STUPID(500 batting average gave me a 3hour trip home).

I can think up a thousand different scenarios that would have put me in the hospital. Knock on some wood and let this be a wake up call for all. Even YOU can ride STUPID.

Enter the new bike...well, not truly new. Just some new riser bars and a trustworthy upgrade to ERGON grips. I can honestly say it, if I would have been running ERGONs yesterday, I would still be riding the Medici.

still not unpacked

At this exact moment, I was traveling at a speed never before achieved. A crappy result. A proper time. I will be back.

A few more pics - $$$$$

WoW


Endurosnob spoke it right.

All work and no Play

Well, I just found out today that I could have gotten a last minute entry into this. A big thanks to one of the "Major Sponsors" for making it possible to go. I must however, regrettedly decline. I have already committed an entire weekend of WORK. Segway Segway and Segway, Fri night, All Sat and All Sun.

It is really starting to look like a race I would love to do...30's sounds ohso tempting! Not kidding. Too bad.

Good luck to EXPO riders making the trip! ERGON Nation is sure to represent! WORS is sure to rip it up.

I have completely shifted gears

Not sure if that title makes any sense. The geared bike might come out for two more races this year.

School has picked up a full head of steam. Tutoring is in full force and Segway has moved to Mon Tue Wed mornings. My schedule is so Tight, I will be unable to get lazy and take the bus. Each day consists of anywhere from 4-6 25-50minute sprints. I go all out. Why? To get ready for cross season. Fridays are off days aka long ride days(unless it is a race weekend). I still have been unable to find time to do my homework.

I am able to arrive at my desired destination completely soaked in sweat. Do not worry, I am already married. All I need is 40minutes to dry off to go out and do it again.

Bring on the zits!

EXPO's big dogs @ SunBurt

Thanks Rusty.

3v3, Track Stands n WORS

WOW what a weekend. First off, a bunch of fruit cakes in tie-die t's decided to steel the crown in one of the toughest 3v3 soccer tournaments in the Nation. To top it off it was done street ball style in a cage! Urban Playground Festival.

In between games I dropped some coin and entered the track stand competition. While standing on my bike, I realized something. Some of these "messenger riders" try way way too hard to sustain their image. With that said, they are one hell of a group of guys. The skillz comp after track stands - riding a fixed gear no-handed on vintage rollers...now, whoever can down the most cans of beers, wins.

Carlos aka Alterra wannabe EXPO, after taking 2nd in the MTB race, was showing off with no hands.



SUNDAY

WORS

Sunburst Showdown

EXPO Racing rocked it. (pics n vid in the near future)

Jordan - 6th

Brandon - DNF (a dislocated knee doesn't help)

Darwin Peters - First Race EVER on a new bike - 10th age!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mike Raasch aka MC Raasch aka EXPO Brain Child - 2nd age, 7th OVERALL

Cody Gunst - 5th singlespeed (Best finish of the year)

Chris Tamborino - Sealed the Sport Series victory and decided to give COMP a try - 7th age, 31st OVERALL

Aristotle Peters - 1st age, 57th OVERALL

Trixie got our first goal of the day on video.

In no particular order...

24 Hour Worlds Race Report

It was HOT. The Lemans start (on pavement) was not too long. I managed to be 1st er 2nd (single speed) out of the gate. 10miles in to lap one I had moved back to 5th. I was feeling good about it. Mile marker 13...Psssssssssssssss. CRAP!!! I flipped the bike and changed the front tube. By the time I was done I had earned the place I would eventually stay in for the rest of the day. 8th.

I rolled in the pits feeling really really bad, mentally. Did I mention it was hot. 100+. Aris asked me if I wanted to switch bikes. I had said NO. Big mistake. I went back out for lap two still feeling pretty bad. Mile marker 10...Psssssssssssssss. CRAP!!! But wait. It stopped loosing air, at around 20psi. Just enough to keep rolling. I rode the last 3.76miles really really careful n slow where I needed to.

The pits after lap two called for a bike change. and some jerky and red grapes. I started to realize I was drinking to the heat rather than on a schedule. I left for Lap 3.

Bloated. I had zero room left in me. It was a horrible feeling. I had absolutely no energy. Rideable climbs had become hike-a-bikes. But it was only lap 3! Physically I was out. Mentally, even worse. The top 3 single speeders (1st, 2nd and 3rd) had already lapped me! Did I mention it was only my 3rd lap??? I wanted to quit real bad. This was not what I had come here to do. My crew no doubt pushed me on.

It was the salt. My body started to recover really fast. My body turned a 180. My mind went back in to drive. I started passing geared bikes. I was descending faster than full suspension bikes. I was riding 87% of all the climbs. I flew into the pits. Everyone was shocked. They were not ready for me at all. I normally would have been mad, but it was truly my fault. I was surprisingly faster. The race is 14.5hours right??

Gimme another red bull! On ice this time. In a bottle. So I can take it with me and sip it slow. I knew from past experiences that too many red bulls can kill a race real quick. I knew this was going to be it for a while. Pedal pedal pedal, sip, pedal pedal, sip sip. Lap 6 felt like my fastest yet. I still had my mental state to battle with.

I mean I'm not dumb. Yes, anything can happen, but these guys were fast, out of my league. They were not about to slow down for me either.

My fastest just wasn't enough. If I would have stayed in, maybe could have reached 5th. Maybe. But we will never know. Cause I quit.

I quit feeling good. I did not quit cause my bikes broke, or a crash happened, or cramps... I literally felt it wasn't worth it for my crew. at 3am I was in 8th. I felt horrible at the thought of my pit crew hucking it all night long till 12noon for me to to still be in 8th. Every other Enduro I have done, my crew has always had the pleasure of some type of racing excitement to keep them going. I wasn't giving them that this time. I felt bad for it.

I know for a fact, my crew would never even think about holding a bad performance against me(during or after). That isn't the type of people they are. I also know for a fact that this is not going to be the last time I don't perform at a big race. My crew will still back me. I guess this is what you get when you cram your family into that little 10 x 10.

With that said. I am not the only one stoked to come back even stronger next year!

***I have never been so fast on a bike before. right around mile marker 3 was a screaming downhill. I have no idea how fast it was, but it was the fastest I have ever gone on a bike(it was 12midnight too). Can you dig it?

***ERGON grips again saved me.

***Sloane Anderson(Topeak/ERGON) and Sean Sullivan (Independent Fabrication) are two really cool guys. I got to ride a lap with Sullie too(he wasn't 100%).

***Peter Balistreri, you are hired.

***Oakley must do their product testing in Cali.

***Chuck at Bobcat Bicycles in Salinas, CA was extremely helpful. They even threw a turd in my bike box! Gave us full use of his shop on more than one occasion. Provided great insight on the sport of 24hr racing. Made me fall in love with the SURLY Pugsley. What more could could you ask from a fruit cake?

another league

mechanical misfortune and HEAT resulted in my first 3laps being slow and demoralizing.
as the heat subsided, i began to turn it on..but it was too late. i was putting in every possible ounce and risking every possible turn in order to put in hot laps. as it is...my hot laps were not even close enough. by 3 a.m. my best effort hadn't put me any closer to my goal. i pulled the plug. i certainly have some work to do. i left with my head held high and I have never been more motivated. sorry for the late post. spent the day repackaging the bikes to head back to milwaukee. race report and pics in due time.