1 week and counting...

One week from today. That's what we got till race season. And I'm glad we had a day like today to go rip it up. Matt, Garret, Mike, and I ventured out on the mountain bikes to put in some miles. Bobby wanted to join, but was feeling under the weather. We stuck to the road, because the gravel was still pretty wet from last nights snowfall. Nothing too exciting to report from the ride. Once we hit the Rapids exit on our way to Lebo on 50, we decided (or rather Mike decided) to crank it up a notch and we averaged 20mph into Lebo. There was no time to stop there as we headed south (and into the wind, which the forecast claimed would not be there) to Hartford. We hit up the gas station (I avoided the pizza) and refueled. We were able to contact Tim who worked his way out on John Deere to meet up with us. He joined us for about the last 15 miles of the ride. (And made us pay dearly) Tim and Matt made the city sprint interesting, but only because Matt nearly went over the guard rail. I guess there was plenty of handlebar bumping and eye gouging going on. I don't know what these kids are doing these days. I was told it was a photo finish (of course I was not close enough to witness it myself).

I'm pretty optimistic though as the forecast is calling for some sunshine this week!

1 up'd

Yes Tim, you have been 1 up'd. Just when I thought you were the most hardcore, Matt of all people, calls us up to go riding in 19 degree weather after an entire morning of sleeting. (usually I'm the one having to convince people to go ride in the worst of conditions)

And of course I had to document this experience. Mostly for Matt and Steph's friend Reggie, who resides down on Nevis (a Carribean Island). And a little bit because something this dumb needs to be recorded. Grandma, I know what you're thinking. And well, yes, your grandson and his friends aren't the brightest. But, this is what we gotta do just to ride in this dang state.

So click here to watch yet another amazing production of Kansas mountain biking. Enjoy!

MEDIC!

We get a b-e-a-utiful day to ride and I have to go and ruin it. Tim, Matt, Bobby, and myself decided we couldn't pass up this 50 degree weather. We ventured out on some gravel roads southeast of town. about ten miles into the ride Matt decides we need to be doing some intervals. I was all for it. Well, at the beginning of the second interval I shifted up and stood up to get myself going. Apparently I was in a bigger hurry than I thought, because I ripped my left foot out of the pedal and smacked my knee on the handlebar. It hurt a little, I had to get off the bike and walk it off. Once Tim and Matt came back to see what we were doing (They continued on with there 3 minute sprint), Tim noticed that it was bleeding through my leggings. Needless to say I called it a day and Bobby accompanied me back to town as I limped home on one leg. I think I'll survive though, we won't have to amputate anyways. Just a nice gash and some swelling of the patellar tendon to show for it. It should (and better) be healed by March 2nd.

No matter what

So, we checked the forecast this morning. High just above 30 and rainy. Perfect riding weather for Tim. He talked me into going and I in turn had to talk Bobby and Garret into coming along as well. We decided we would get a small taste of the DK action and re-ride the Freedom Ride route. It was a good reminder of what hills are out there. (The Flint Hills are not flat if that's what you were thinking.) Things were going well until about 20 miles into the ride it decided to drizzle. Now I guess that's better than some full out pouring, but it was still wet none the less. We had no choice but to hunker down and grind it out. The precipitation cut the ride a little short at 35 miles, but I guess that's no bad given the conditions. Basically, Tim means business. All the time.

Oh so discouraging...

What's that? The trails are dry you say? Let's do it!

That was my reaction when Garret informed me the Camp Alexander trails were dry and ready to be ridden. (Who cares if the wind chill made it 10 degrees outside) When we got out there, the trails were in fact dry. Well, frozen, but now you're just splitting hairs. But, I wouldn't quite call them ready to ride. It was rough stuff. Not to mention, with very little trail time in the past three months it made me very discouraged. Our first race is less than 3 weeks away and our trails are in bad shape. Oh well, I guess the only way to get them looking good again is to ride the heck out of 'em even if mother nature doesn't want to cooperate.

3 weeks to go.

Not too much new to report these days. Timzilla, Bobby, and myself decided to enjoy the weather today and put in some miles. Race season starts 3 weeks from tomorrow. The weather did not quite feel as nice as the forecast might have indicated, it was a pretty chilly ride. We headed out north on 99 to highway 56. We took that to Americus road and then headed back to town. The ride itself was pretty uneventful. We were to busy battling the wind to have any fun I guess. We put in a fair 53 miles, though. The hills on 56 were worth it. If you have the time you should make a trip out to council Grove.

Also, I added a list of friends on the right. Currently Cameron Chambers is the only person on it. That just shows you the amount of friends I have. But, if you're interested in reading up on Kansas' very own mountain biking superstar then click on his link. (Good luck at the OP!)

We don't care 'bout no snow!

Okay, I have another video for your viewing pleasure. I'm quite fond of this one, it was tricky getting that amazing footage. Also, it sparked me to put a poll on here. So for the five of you out there that actually read my blog, watch the video and then vote on the right. Click here for some amazing riding.

Also, I moved the pictures of my beautiful nieces to the bottom of the page. Hopefully they'll be visible now.

Super Commuter or Super Idiot?

Tis the question of the morning. I decided that I am low on gas and poor. Besides that, I would much rather ride my bike than drive. My bike gets better traction than my truck anyways. (S-10: rear-wheel drive + no weight = constant slippage)

The problem however, was that there was a foot of snow on the ground. Better yet, beneath that was last night's freezing rain. And in true Emporia fashion not a single road had been cleared. Way to go city. Regardless, I bundled up and drug out the Monocog. (Gears would just complicate things.) I should interject here that this is at 6 in the a.m. I gotta work early.

The worst stretch actually was the street I'm on, Neosho. I was fishtailing everywhere and was already beginning to think this was a bad idea. (yes I kept my butt on the seat and was applying even pressure, I know how to ride a bike) However, once I reached 12th things looked a little more promising. The few cars that had been out before me had packed the road down a bit. Once I got on campus (I work at the student Rec Center.) things got a little hairy again. In an effort to clear sidewalks (amazingly the clean-up crew was already out on campus) they created snow drifts that were unavoidable. These proved to be more fun than challenging though. I slid up to the front doors of the rec center got 'em unlocked and started getting the building opened up and ready for business. When to my surprise, my boss came out to inform me that school was canceled. No, I did not forget to check. ESU just does not deem it that important to post on their website that school is closed until 7:30. Well guess what, some of us work early. I suppose I could have called police and safety, but I can count on one hand the number of times ESU has actually closed doors due to weather and today did not quite seem bad enough for me to consider school might be called off.

Not a big deal though. Bundled back up, I headed up hill back to my house. (This isn't one of those "I had to walk to school uphill both ways" stories. It's downhill going to school and uphill coming home for me.) The ride home was made a bit easier by the fact that the wind was behind me and the snow was no longer blowing directly in my face. Needless to say I am going with Super Commuter, but I'll let you be the judge of that.

Bud Light.....Suck one.

Can I just say that overall the commercials were a disssppointment. And then Will ferrell comes along to not only save the commercials, but to spark a Giants come back victory. Mmm, sweet irony. Go home and watch some more home made videos Bellicheck. Oh yeah, you've got to go help explain to Congress why they were destroyed.

By the way, I don't condone the consumption of alcoholic beverages. It's bad.

I'm tired...

...of a lot of things. This weather sucks. School sucks. Getting Jersey's made sucks. But, it is January what should we expect from Kansas. Some trees would be nice...TO BLOCK THE WIND! Also, it is my last semester. I just have a bad case of senioritis. I know, the semester just started. But, it is Friday and my week is basically over. Just a photo shoot (for my SWARM leaders, not me silly) stands between me and riding my bike. I don't care if it's freezing, it's the only thing that keeps me sane sometimes. So come join me if you want. I enjoy the company.