186: can't buy karma

7:30 Friday morning: I'm in the drive thru at star bucks in Jennersville. There is a man selling tickets to a chicken dinner that will benefit Chester County's less fortunate. Cool charity idea in conjunction with Starbucks. I gave the fellow the $10, and he started to hand me the ticket. "no sir, I know I'm not coming to the dinner, but sounds like the money will go to good use." The man reached in the car and hugged me, he smiled a pure smile and said, " thanks alot man. "

3:30 pm Friday afternoon: Along with a number of my brothers and sisters from the DCCoD and the Newark cycling community, we set up for the Delaware Special Olympics Cycling event, and it's sister event the Fox Run Duathalon, where 100% of the proceeds go to Special Olympics Delaware. The fact that it's pouring down rain doesn't deter us at all. In fact, it inspires us. At one point Tom and I look at each other and smile. We joked, "practice for Granogue..."

Now, those of you that know me know that community is huge for me. Further I believe that each one of us has a responsibility to give back to the sport and to our community. I have a word for people that just show up at races, walk around like they are someone special and never give anything back: fucking vampires.

But I digress, giving back just makes you a better human being, and frankly I enjoy it. I never expect anything in return for being nice, or doing what I see as the right thing. Not that I'm always nice, or always do the right thing, but I try...

Realistically, I know that bad people and frankly plenty of fucking vampires succeed in this world, and in our sport. I just think that's the wrong way to do it. If I have a choice, I'll surround myself with people that do things the right way.

That being said I know that there is never a cosmic payback or scorecard for the things we do, or the things we don't. However, I do believe that if you put out good energy, you get back good energy.

Karma if you will, do good things and good things happen to you.

I learned today, that Karma is a cruel mistress, and just when you think you have her on your side, she'll bite you in the ass.

Today was a nice cross race at Bear Creek Ski Lodge. The course was fun, and frankly would have been very shy if not for the rains the previous night which made the course extra technical, extra muddy. I heart Ray Ignosh, and he did a lot with that venue.

Monkey and I had some basic goals:

- go through the race day routine (pack car in dark, eat, hydrate, poop etc)

- put together a decent rides and build some momentum rolling into next week's double

- see lots of old friends we haven't seen during the off season. As Diane said, it's like the first day of school seeing old friends we haven't seen enough of...

- During my race, I wanted to try to stay with Reisinger and Kelsey. These guys were top PA masters racers last year, and if I could hang with them, the day would be a success for me.

I got off to a good start. Reisinger quickly dispatched me and Sean. Kelsey and I rode together for a bit, but when he bobbled, I attacked and got a little gap. Roughly half way through the race, I sat in 4th place with a pretty good gap on Kelsey and Piccolo behind me. I was having a nice day. I was feeling it...

Then I stacked it. Put too much confidence in my cornering ability and as my front wheel slid out, I did a flying headbutt into the ground.

In my life I have talked some shit. I have been that obnoxious drunk guy at the party. I have three brothers, who all wrestled and we have pounded on each other from time to time.

As a result of that I have been punched in the nose more than once. If you have ever been punched in the nose, you know that while you remain conscious, your balance is off, vision can be a little fuzzy, and although not concussed, it can take you a minute to gain your bearing back.

That my friends what doing a flying head butt to the ground will result in. That and a cracked helmet. I finally got my shit together and tried to get going again, but alas my pot had boiled, my turkey had popped, and my balloons had burst: my day was over. Sadly I pulled myself off the course.

bitter disappointment, and proof that you can't buy Karma

Perhaps my good actions were out weighted by my Lance Armstrong bashing this week, or for repeatedly bringing up that the MANbra promoters rudely dismissed my fellow C3/DCCoD promoters from the mabra promoter list, perhaps it's because I thought this was really funny.

Reality is this: I went too fast into a corner, and I crashed out.

The upside is this: My teammates checked on me further cementing my love of this team(thanks Beth, Kat and Andy!) my wife had a very good day (4th place) , and I got to race about 1/2 of a cross race today. Best of all, the blue and white team helmet that I never really liked is destroyed, so I can go back to my beloved black helmet.

I guess karma is on my side.

Now if I could just work on my current disposition. I'd like to say I wasn't grumpy, or disappointed, but I don't like to lie. I'm kinda of in a son of a bitch mood right now. Luckily monkey can handle me.

respect
faticus

thanks also to the folks at bear creek who checked on me after I crashed, and then again back at my car. very nice...