Drive worth the beer mug - Ronde Von Evergreen Race Report

Photos by James Durbin

Long drive for sure but I'm itching to race without having to pound stakes, move fence, haul stuff from one place to another and generally not get enough rest before race day. So I did not mind the 3 hour trip to Carbondale to race. Other than only being able to find country music on the radio the drive was nice.

Many of the usual suspects lined up for the Men 123 race: Nagy, Dr. Mark, Matt J, Drew, Stroot, Dennis, "I just got back from Cross Vegas" Jay, "Bearcat Champ" Alex, Martin, Wild Trak crew, Casey, and a few others to make up a group of 13 or so.

I lucked out with a front row spot which was not wasted as I got a great clip in resulting in 2nd wheel into the first turn behind Dr. Mark. Somewhere in the 2nd lap Nagy and Alex come around pushing me into 4th with Jay close behind.

It stayed this way for a few more laps. By this time positions and gaps began to establish, riders looking to move up a spot or push hard to overcome that guy in front of them, or so gassed they hopped they'd be able to hold on for the entire race.

For me, my place was in between Dr. Mark and Jay. Dr. Mark had fallen off the lead group of Nagy and Alex making him my guy to catch. I also had to keep an eye on Jay just behind me, I was sandwiched in. Dr. Mark was matching any attempt I made to gain ground, however these gap busting attempts did help improve my lead over Jay little by little.

I would guess it was about the half way point when I was in the nasty BMX section, took a left hand turn and hit a rut wrong pushing my front tire into the ground hard with a twist sending me over the top and to the ground. No big deal, I'll get up and continue, wrong - rolled the tire.

Put the bike over the shoulder and made my way to the pit. Made the wheel change and off I went, wrong - chain had fallen off. Fixed that and off I go - wrong, seat was pushed to the side. Fixed that and off I went for real this time.

To be honest the air had been let out of my motivation balloon after this. I did make an attempt to catch who I could but it was short lived and I was reduced to a tempo ride to finish things out. Ended up 9th on the day.

Despite the unfortunate tire roll I was happy with the day having a good race effort overall.

Before I left they gave out some very cool beer mugs, I like beer mugs! Thanks guys!

Next up is a rest week, good thing, I have some much needed yard work to catch up on. Then in two weeks Chris Cross in KC.

Dawndi Rocks 10k run

Dawndi has been training hard the last 4 month for the Roots N' Blues BBQ 10K. Today in Columbia, MO that hard work paid off.

Under cold and rainy skies she flew around the 10K course in 57min taking home 6th out of 42 in her age group and 98th out of 302 overall.

She beat alot of people but more importantly she beat her own expectations!

Nice Job!

Team Change

Joe the owner of Revolution Cycles out of Washington, MO and I have worked on several projects over the past year from sponsorships to bike builds. With the shop being so close to Hermann it has become my local bike shop so to speak.

Long story short I've made the move from Dogfish to Revolution Cycles. Rev-Cycles provides an opportunity to help build a racing team and have ties to a shop close to home. Dogfish and I will continue the partner as we have with events, but I will now sport the Rev-Cycles kit beginning this weekend.

No broken bones today

Year ago today I went over the bars and fractured my collar bone. Today, same ride, same direction, no broken bones.

MO State Cross Registration Now Open

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Hermann Cross part two in the books

Hermann Cross Under the lights came to an end last night with perfect weather, great racing, screaming fans and awesome volunteers.

It's been a long few days, few weeks actually of cross promotion and well worth it. Even if my legs suffered from it when it came time to race, 19th place last night. But for this night, I have as much fun ringing the cowbell as I do pushing the pedals. Coming up the stairs I think about 15 times last night full of people screaming, ringing cowbells, live band playing, and even fireworks was amazing.

Now with cross officially started my focus can shift back to training and racing. I know I'll need to be fast to hold on to my 08 State jersey, I know one guy for sure who is out to get it!

See you next weekend in at Ronde Von Evergreen

Hermann Cross Under the LIghts this Saturday

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Cross Season has started

Big efforts this weekend by many as Cross in MO has started. Took home 5th in the Men Open race and very happy with how the race day ended.

Lots of calories burned over the past few days getting this race set up and put away. Great to see so many from all over.

Time for some recovery, followed by a some good training then I'll do it again (with the help of many) for Hermann Cross Under the Lights.

Bearcat Results

Bearcat Cross This Sunday

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05 Specialized Roubaix Pro For Sale (52) full 10 speed Dura Ace

Full Carbon Specialized Roubaix Pro For Sale (52)
17lbs.
$1900
Purchased new in 2005, one owner, well taken care of
Pedals not included
New Fizik Saddle
Bike has never crashed
Few minor clear coat flakings
Details from Specialized web site

If bike needs to be shipped, you pay shipping.
Located in Hermann, MO, will deliver/meet if within reasonable distance.
Contact 314 809 2425
yielding@gosculpture.com


Clikc photo to enlarge.

Tall Oak Challenge

This MTB think seems to be where it's at. Yesterdays 6 hour team event was pure fun all the way around. Awesome course and great folks. Nick and his crew at Team Red Wheel did an awesome job, thanks guys!

Justin and I had a good race, we were shooting for ten laps, came up one short due to a chain issue Justin had plus he decided to launch off his bike into a tree.

I personally had a good day on the bike, felt in control all day while working to improve lap times as the day went on. First two laps were in the 39 40 min range. Lap 3 and 4 I pushed the downhills and worked to stay off the breaks in the corners, shaved lots of time off with 37 min.
We ended up 12th on the day out of 28 teams, not bad considering the mechanical issues, would have been 8th if not for that.

Today I'll head out for some training then hit the last day of the Gateway Cup on Monday.

Tall Oak Challenge 6 Hour

Saturday team mate Justin and I will compete in the 6 hour two man event in Jeff City. This should be a good time indeed. MTB is cleaned, food has been purchased, truck is nearly packed with gear and I'm ready to go, too bad it's only Wednesday.

I'll blog from the phone on Saturday, race starts at noon, I go off first.

Till then.........