With a bell full of nachos and Iron Hill black and tans, I headed out to the Kirkwood road race today. I was in the 4/5 race, both my old coach and my new coach would love to see me in the 3’s, but after today, I think that 3 up grade might have gotten the kibosh.

Before I left this morning, Diane, who hates when I race road, was a little nervous about me racing in the rain. I said, “don’t worry, I’m gonna attack of the gun, get caught, and get dropped. I’ll ride the entire day by myself…” Hey, you gotta have plan…

During my road racing season, there was just one, I had some great people looking out for me. Matty D, Jay Jay, and Den Mother Tom. They all took me under their wings and taught me the principles of road racing. I am forever grateful for their efforts.

Matty D went as far as to email me basically a bible of how to race on the road. It was awesome. I read it like 20 times. I knew it verbatim. I lived it, I learned, I loved it.

If Matty D saw me race today, he would have bitch slapped me pretty hard.

Basically there are 2 ways to do a road race. First, race smart, save your energy, watch for the move, try to be in it, and in most 4 races, just hang around and be in the sprint at the end. Next, is how I rode today. I took a few flyers, talked some smack, and basically tried to stir things up the best I could. I had fun. But when things heated up, I was out of the kitchen quickly.

I got dropped, I had a good ride. First race of 2005 in the books. I still have a ways to go, it was really too early for me to be racing, but wtf it was fun. There is a part of me that really enjoys the silliness of road racing…

A number of WW guys were gonna come out today. Mike K and Buddy showed up. I had fun racing with them. Whew they are so strong. I was grateful to have Mike dragging my ass around after we got dropped for sure.

The other fellas got soft on me. That’s okay, the next time Matt T, Single Speed Dan, or Ted are putting the wood to me, I’ll just think about the day they pussed out because of the rain, and I’ll find the power to close that gap up…

FSVS looked tough today, they rode well, and put Chris Mc on the podium. Well done folks. Got to race with Wayne (the Erik Zable of Mid Atlantic Cross), that dude is cool. While riding in the pack we were laughing as I was being a jackass. I’m good at that. Met a couple of good guys from FSVS that I didn’t know. Always good to met new people...

Well, I still have :35 minutes to ride today, so I’m gonna clean up my bike and hit the rollers.

Respect
Fm…