Knock on Wood

I had just gone by Graham (who was stinking up the Cat 3s), had just passed 2nd place, and was catching first.  It was the second day of the Swampcross in Gainesville Fl., and the 4th out of what would be 7 laps.  The approach to the barriers had a tricky chicane.  The barriers were 2 2X12s stacked on top of each other and held up with re bar, and there were two of them in a row. 

Not me

Needless to say they were more substantial than the PVC barriers we used at the Gators practice facility.  I had had issues with these evil obstacles the day before so I should have been more aware.  But I had trophy lust, I was passing people, I was feeling "it".  I felt so awesome, until my foot clipped the first barrier.  I stumbled, in slow motion I saw the second barrier approaching.  I could not get my feet under me.  I landed on the second barrier on my knees.  This had the effect of increasing the speed of my upper body, which was still holding the bike.  My right arm and then my nose contacted the well compacted Florida soil.

I can remember the thudding sound my mouth made when it hit.  My first thought was my teeth, did I still have all of them?  From years of crashing in moto I jumped right up, you always did that so you didn't get landed on, not really a problem in a bike race though.  I ran my tongue around the inside of my mouth, everything was still where it should be.  Then I felt the dribble of liquid running down my lip, I looked down to see little red drops hitting my top tube.  A 352 rider who was practicing the course asked me if I was ok, then asked me if I had all my teeth.  I nodded and tried to get back on my bike only to find the chain had come off.  I was a little befuddled so he helped me get it back on and sent me on my way.

I had lost 2 positions, my knees hurt, my lip was bleeding, but I could see 3rd place not far ahead.  When I went by Ric he said "go! ohhhh" so I knew it must look bad.  I managed to finish 3rd in my class.  Won a great pair of socks. 

As I lounged on the grass after the race, holding an ice pack to my ever growing lip, and munched on a cheese quesadilla, my good friend BJS brought me a beer.  He was smiling as he leaned over to give me the solo cup filled with ice cold IPA.  He started to giggle when the cup slipped from his grasp.  Only a small amount of liquid fell on me, until he grabbed it again, squeezing it, and dumping the remaining beer all over me.  He claims it was an accident but I'm not so sure.  I swear he was laughing before the first spill.

Some would say I was lucky not to get hurt worse, of course if I was really lucky I would'nt have fallen in the first place.  Anyhoo, it was still a great weekend.  Tim won on Saturday, Ric won on Sunday, BJS went 4-2 on the weekend, and I can still eat an apple.

One Day

I admit I'm going to miss cross practice.  I like getting there while it's still light and hammering out a few laps.  It's weird, on the MTB I can't stand running lap after lap of the same thing, but on the cross bike I get some kind of perverse pleasure in trying to hit the same corner 10 times.

The new wheels could have something to do with that.  They took a whole pound off the bike.  Plus being tubeless allows me to run low pressure which makes the ride a little smoother.  Old guys need smooth.

I don't really know how it works but I turned on the Strava app on my phone before I rode last week.  Low and behold when I opened it up later that night I had second place on the gator cross loop.  It seems kind of suspicious, there's a lot of really good cyclists behind me (including BJS).  I must have cut the course or something.  But hey, it was worth it to call BJS while he was on vacation and inform him of my superiority.  Even though it will be short lived.

I started a new OMTP this week.  After much research and advice from the old guard in Bike Chain I went with LW Coaching.  I don't know why I like this type of structure.  At my age you'd think the last thing I'd want was some tart telling me how much to exercise.  http://lwcoaching.com/

I've been watching my competitors from the Old Man's Class last year.  I've seen them on FB.  Don't you guys think I haven't been watching.  I see you out there winning races in the Florida Series Mr. Ham.  And did I see you mentioned in a trainers photo also?  And you Mr. FRSS, yea I got the invite to the Snake Gap Time Trial you did.  The only person I haven't seen much of is Santa.  I was really hoping you guys would sit around all winter eating sugar cookies and watching TV.  But noooooo, you have to get all in shape.  Bastards!

This weekend is the Swampcross in Gainesville.  I've never done this event before but everyone tells me it's fun.  I bet there's some juiced up 60 year olds on the line with me Saturday morning.  I'm looking forward to the pain.  Maybe one day I'll beat these guys.

 

 

 

 

 

On the Porch

Sitting on the porch at Joanie's in beautiful downtown Havana after a slow recovery ride on the CX bikes with BJS.  Three beers down on a 74 degree afternoon.  Watching the clouds go by.  I love this time of year.

The day before we had done a variation of what we call the Grapevine or Big East loop on MTBs.  Which was very similar to the loop we did the Friday after Thanksgiving.  BW did manage to change it up enough so it didn't seem like a repeat.  We started off at a moderate pace but after losing most of the group BJS made me hate him just a little coming back in on the Greenway.  We finished with free BBQ and free beer at Higher Ground.  I was tired.

Last night's ride was attended by an eclectic group.  Not the regular crew, though some of them were in attendance.  It made for an interesting, if not fast, (for me) ride.  There was drama, crashes, and getting lost.  I'd have to say I enjoyed it.  Maybe because all of those things happened to someone else.

I bought new wheels for the CX bike.  No, it doesn't make much sense to put lighter wheels on a bike I only race maybe 5 times a year, but  I couldn't help myself, all my friends had them.  I'd buy more stuff but there's this thing called Christmas coming up where I'm supposed to spend money on other people.  Shudder.

Anyhoo, the next race is the Gainesville Fl. Swampcross.  BJS and I are going.  At least he says he's going. 

It's time to start getting into XC shape, the first race of the Georgia Series is only 16 weeks away.  I hope to redeem myself after my 4th place series finish last year.  I'm still looking for the perfect coaching plan.  Maybe something that requires beer after long rides.

But until then I hope to have more days on the porch.

Just remember;

Inside every old person there's a young person wondering what the hell happened.