Bikes 'n Beautiful Weather

These are two of my favorite things! It's a good thing you can't hear me singing. Being the jobless wandering vagabond that I am, I decided to mosey up to Topeka to ride some new trails with my faja. (That's father in case you were struggling with that.) Seeing how I've never ridden Dornwood and Tom Travis, who works with my papa, has been suggesting them, we traveled across town to give them a trial run. The layout can be pretty confusing as there are a lot of off chute trails, but we just picked a line and went for it. After that my dad had a tee time appointment and I wandered off to Clinton Lake to join Spot Josh for some single speed spinning. Although there was little spinning being done on my part. It was a struggle to get them cranks revolving. Just one tooth too few on the back. I managed to tip over on a nice rock section. I'm often too proud to just unclip and admit defeat, so in true Mike style I took a spill on the hard stuff. Not to be outdone Josh made a nice dismount from his bike as well. Stalling out on a climb he thought a nearby tree could give him leverage and he couldn't have been more wrong. Josh was so kind as to show me the Clinton Terrain Park as well. We spent a good hour or so playing on the teeter toters, log runs, and other various obstacles. Not that I've seen my fair share of terrain parks, but this one was very nice. It's very, very nice. After being beaten and bruised I limped my way back home, ate frozen pizzas and watched the tube with my papa. Yet another fabulous day in the neighborhood.

Yep, getting delirious and going to bed now.

An update from Garret?

You know it's time to update when Garret is throwing down posts. What's it been....2 years? Plus, everyone else has kept me informed of their doings, so I thought I should join the party. Just watched the Super Bowl. You've all seen it I imagine. Wanted the Cards to pull one out (Go Underdogs!), but don't get to concerned about it beyond that. Let's see...SS and Superfly are tubeless. That makes me very happy. The cross bike will be soon. Chris Wiggins, Mike, and myself laid down 6 laps at camp Alexander yesterday. I couldn't of imagined feeling any better. But, with the weather what it was I don't know that I could have had a bad day on the bike. I know, you're getting the short and skinny here. Maybe the next post will be a little more colorful. Possibly even a picture or two.

First Cross Race

So Bobby and I gave our first try at some 'cross racing. And let me be the first to say, we made some serious miscalculations. Certainly a week of riding does not sufficiently prepare you for the perils of a cyclocross race. I managed to stumble around for 45 minutes and find myself in DEAD LAST place. Not the first time I've been there and of course it won't be the last. Oddly enough I always have fun when I'm losing. There are a lot less worries at the back of the pack. However, I don't anticipate being in that position come next year. Oh no, my eyes have been opened and I now know what is required to tackle a 'cross race. But for now it's back to the mileage in preparation for a long season of endurance races...thank goodness! 

Bobby decided brakes were highly overrated for 'cross racing and came to the conclusion that only real men race on 30 year old steel frames. Maybe he's on to something, at least he managed to cross the line before a few other people. 

Sir Chambers rolling to a second place finish. Albeit fast, the 1,2,3 race was a bit boring. I know that sounds harsh, and there was some nice carnage on the first lap. Big legs + sloppy corners = destruction and endos. After that the race strung out and the finishing order was decided after the first couple laps. This is not to take away from the amazing ride that Chris Wallace put on nor the show that Cam was treating us to. Not feeling that two barriers was enough, Cam decided to hurdle a 'third' barrier. It's never a good sign when the racers are bored.
Bobby destroyed the hill run up. I'm pretty sure he passed half the field on the first dismount. Too bad the race wasn't one big hill run up. He might have won the thing. 
Creative camera work from Bobby. In true Wilson style I managed to hide my face from the paparazzi. It was important to hide my face being that far in the back. Although, a photographer for the Johnson Co. paper asked for my info for a photo. So maybe I made the local paper. I nearly forgot about Brittan and Melissa, they both cranked out 4th place finishes. Well done to the both of them! 

Gettin' Ready

So, I decided with the cross season almost over I might give this crazy thing a try. Surely by now all those hardcore crossers are worn down from a winter of crushing it. I started putting some time back in the saddle in hopes that I won't finish dead last. Second to last maybe, I could live with that. I also recently discovered that DK registration is the same day as the race. I had tried to talk myself out of doing it again. I finished, pretty respectably on top of that. I should be happy with that right? Of course not. I started looking at last years results and thinking of all the ways I could shave time next year, plus I should theoretically be in better shape. Dang it, I'll be signing up to have another go at it. Maybe crack the top 10 this year. 

Random thoughts on the eve of Christmas Eve

If you have not seen every last episode of Arrested Development then I strongly suggest you do so. Now. Bobby, Crystal, and myself have diligently watched the entire three seasons. Now that it is over I'm not quite sure how I'll spend my time. Riding is on the back burner...for the most part. Bobby and I made a trip out to Raunchy Randy's Cyclo-X track and tore up the course in the snow on our mountain bikes. This Friday the temps are s'posed to rocket into the mid 50's. Nothing will be keeping me off my bike on Friday.

How could I have forgot about this. Bobby and I finally finished up our schooling. I think a few people have got their doctorates in the time it took me to get a bachelor's, but hey, we can't all be rocket scientist's. Big ol' thanks to my family for making me feel pretty special about it. Hmm, seems to be about all that's been going on lately. Have a Merry Christmas everybody!

CX Nationals

The warm morning temps were a mere teaser and the looming cold front was only appropriate for a cx national championship. Mike, Jim, Bobby and myself decided we needed to have a little fun, so we did a couple laps on the short track around the corner from the cross course. It was enough to convince me I might want to hit a couple of those up come next summer. Then the cold really hit. It was miserable for a bit, but then Mike, Bobby, and I found a good bit of the course that was hidden by some trees. 

Nothing like below freezing temps to bring out the crazies of the world. Gotta love it.
Look at this champ. Amidst all the stars this guy was by far my favorite. But, it was nice getting a little start struck by the likes of Todd Wells and Jeremiah Bishop. And of course a long list of 'crossers. 
Taking the barriers like a champ. 
Eventual National Champion Ryan Trebon. I was glad to see him take home the victory. It seemed to be sweet justice for what happened here last year. The man won it by a considerable margin. 

Bye Bye Home of the Blues...Buenas Dias Bread Basket State

I know what you're thinking and you are wrong my friend. These are not just any ol' ordinary ducks swimming in a hotel lobby. These are THE world famous Peabody ducks. Daffy ain't got nothin' on these mallards. Well, enough hype. While strolling downtown we walked by the Peabody hotel and had to stop by and see the trained birds. They really don't do much besides walk down from their 21st floor penthouse to come play in the fountain. Then they go back upstairs. It made my night.
Also made a trip to the National Civil Rights Museum. This is the Lorraine Hotel, the wreath on the balcony signifies the place where MLK Jr. was standing when he was shot. The hotel has since been converted into the Civil Rights Museum. Top notch, see it if you're rolling through Memphis.
Mmm...guitars. I had to make a stop at the Gibson factory (even though I'm a Fender man myself). The tour was pretty sweet, although guitars are nearly made entirely by machines nowadays. It was still a good time, got to pick on some high dolla' gitfiddles.

Now, I kept this a secret from my friends and family. But, I decided to quit my job in pursuit of Big Foot full-time. I thought I would take my belongings to the pacific northwest and make routine bike trips into the backcountry in search of the elusive primate. But, as it turns out he was just hanging out in downtown Memphis. Friendly fella too and always spreading holiday cheer. Not to mention he grilled up some nice burgers. 

Well, I guess this is my final Memphis post. In two days I'll be making the trip back to good ol' Kansas. Memphis has been good to me, but let's face it. The south has nothin' on the sweet tea I've got waiting for me. And BBQ...PLEASE! Gimme that sweet KC Masterpiece any day. Now the riding, that I'm gonna miss (a little further East). Yes, Kansas is beautiful in her own barren wasteland kinda way. But, I'd pick a certain group of folks over the mountains every time. It goes without saying that I'm coming back for my family and there are too many wonderful people to name. Never thought I'd be so happy to admit that only a few of 'em have escaped state boundaries. I guess what I'm trying to say is good bye Tennessee, hello Home Sweet Home.