chapter 40: return to cookie mountain

It was a freakishly warm night at cross practice. I tried to be all euro and go totally over dressed for my warm up laps but quickly returned to toaster to shed 2 layers, and put on a short sleeve jersey. I don't like the course at mystery meeting place X nearly as much as our course at Middle School S. The Middle school has more elevation change, more corners, it's just harder. This new course, while considerably flatter, and considerably faster, has some light, therefore it works great.

One of the benefits of the new course is that it is a faster course, which doesn't usally suit my style, and it promotes more group/pack riding, which again as a single speed mountainbiker during the off-season, isn't my normal forte.

All that said, tonight might have been my favorite practice all year. I believe it certainly was the practice that I rode my best. The efforts went well, my technique was pretty clean. E-town had me working on my opposite side dismounts and remounts. The dismount was going very well, the first remount hit me in a very sensitive area. I have a new bruise forming. It's nice. On one of the efforts, Monkey took the hole shot and lead into the first corner, as we decended upon her like a hive of bees, she proceeded to pimp me and about 5 others in the corner pushing us way out, and taking the best line, as she powered away out of the corner. It was another very proud moment for me. Rob who joined the DCCoD late this year, and is a former cat 2 on the road who frankly was pretty dominate on the road in these parts. If he kicked your ass in a local citzen race this year, don't be too mad, it's not a come back, he's been here for years. Unfortuentatly for all of us, Rob is quickly becoming very skilled on the cross bike, and putting all that fitness and power into making all of our lifes that much tougher. He is making our practices that much harder. Rat Bastard.

After practice many members of the DCCoD rolled down to EL Hefe for some fine mexican food. I had a couple of chicken tacos that were quiet tasty. Sadly, something went horribly wrong as I got home and had to run for the thrown. Two bowls were filled, and many courtesy flushes happened. Yikes.

Someone asked me tonight if I looked at the registration for the races this weekend. I said no, because I know who all is gonna be there. Furthermore, if I look at the list I find myself saying, "yeah that guy can kick my ass, oh yeah him too, and him, he's riding great too..." Truth be told this year if you're in the top 15 of the B race, you can win, that's what has made this pretty damn great this year. I've just been happy to be in the mix.

respect-FM

pictures of monkey from : www.mlkimages.com; and always from www.dennisbike.com