One Step Back

I write this with a heavy heart....

Over the last month we have been preparing for the 2010/11 Cyclocross season. Last year's De Stad Cyclocross Van Kansas Series was a great success. It was a lot of hard work and required help from dozens of teammates and friends. In the end everything worked out and we set record attendance levels and received some wonderful "Thank You Letters".

As the start of the CX season nears I am already feeling overwhelmed and we haven't even gotten to the first race. Last week we hit a few road blocks, which is normal in any endeavor. This year is a little different however. My work load at my "normal job" just about doubled this past year and included plenty of nights and weekend work. This leaves little time for myself and my family let alone trying to promote events. I had full intention of making the 2010 season the best ever, but I have come to the realization that I just do not have the physical nor mental ability to continue - at least at the level that I want to and demand of myself. Several other "life events" have also surfaced which have forced me to make the decision of not continuing on with a cyclocross series this year.

Sometimes in life you have to take a step back to go two steps forward. That is what my family and I have decided to do. Take a step back this fall, re-energize our bodies and souls and move forward with renewed passion.

In looking at the local/regional calendar it looks like there are plenty of cyclocross events, gravel grinders and clinics including Mike B's and Jef's . My team and I are going forward with one event this year - The De Stad Cross Cup. With all our energy focused on one event, expect big things. I know The Wheel Cyclery is going forward with the successful Smithville Cyclocross Festival. Several new events on the calendar including Rob's (Livestrong Army) new event at Shawnee Mission that I am looking forward to and Dan O's event in Kansas City. Curtis' Lawrence event is always fun - the Clinton course that we used for Chris Cross was one of my favorites. Heck, I might even have some form later in the year for one of Mark's frozen delights.....

Upcoming Gravel Grinders

It is getting time to add some more fun Gravel Grinder riders. Several are being planned thanks to some good friends.

Look for more information soon on...

Night Gravel Grinder - 9/5/10 (Tenative). Lights will be required for this ride.

Smithville Gravel Grinder - 9/12/10. Starting/Ending at Smoke'n Davy Trailhead off W hwy. Free water bottles and Butt'r for everyone who comes out for this one.

Prairie Spirits Trail Bike Ride - 10/9/10 (See Attached flyer)

Dakota 50

Carolynn and I are heading up soon for this...

2010 Rapture in Misery Race Report

Another Rapture in Misery in the books. I have done every RIM that has been held. It all started back in Weston on the "Ski Hill". Damn that was a fun course that was hard as hell. That first 12 hour solo event was very hard and I was happy be on top of the podium. Back then the event was a 12/24 hour event. Well, they tried to make it a 24 hours - some violent weather rolled in on that night and they called the race at Midnight. I still remember that night lap in the mud. Fun times for sure....

Then RIM was moved to Blue Springs. The Landahl events were all very fun and usually put an end to the MTB season. Several more class wins and podium finishes were earned in subsequent years. I was also on the overall winning team for two years and won two fastest night laps (also tied one year for the fastest night lap). Yea I liked the event when it was held in early Fall. Some fun times.

Last year RIM moved to Crowder State Park and Doug Long took over the event. Both years the event was held in August and hot as hell. I vote we move RIM back to September. Who is with me?? Participation numbers were down this year especially in the 12 hour divisions. I personally think it was the heat/weather and why I advocate having endurance events in the early spring or early fall. But that is me, I could be wrong.

Last year my stomach stopped working on me during the 12 hour solo race - yea heat and me do not like each other. I have decided no more hot solo events for me during the heat of the day. This old man just can not take it anymore. This year I teamed up with Gearad and Jenny Brack (Two Bull's and a Diva) in the Co-ed 12 Hour Division. A proven team with Gearard just finishing another Wilderness 101 last week and Jenny being very strong rider.

Cow Town had several several teams in both the 6 hour and 12 hour divisions. We all did good with one 1st and two 2nd's on the team. Tim Greene enjoyed 6hours in the solo division and had a solid event with a 9th place finish in the 40+ solo division

The Two Bull's and a Diva team of earned a win (we were the only team in the class :-)). We still had fun and enjoyed the event. I rode steady laps and really put no pressure on myself and just wanted to get through the day without getting sick from the heat. Mission accomplished. I was feeling good on my night lap and tried to go for the fastest time of the day. I had it for awhile but Craig Stoeltzing ended up with the award. Pace was good, but I needed to attack the climbs and ended up with a 54 min time. I believe Craig posted a time in the 51 range. My pacing during the first 1/2 of the course was not a good strategy :-)


Here are is the 2010 RIM Photo's that Carolynn took.

Results are up 2010 RIM Results

Bob Hannah Tells it Like it is...

One of my all time favorite MX riders and roll models growing up was Bob Hannah. Total Bad ASS. And he always tells it like it is. No BS from the Hurricane. I used to love it when he would come down to Florida during the Florida Winter-AM Series.

I can upon this speech at a Roast that I found very entertaining. Maybe you will also:

http://hannahracingproducts.com/hannah-tized/

Gravel Grinders are Back!

Time to bring back the gravel grinders. MTB season is about over, especially after my poor showing at Crocodile Rock (might be time to just retire from XC racing all together, but that is a different post...). Cross is in the air and it is time to break out the old hibernating cross bike.

Sunday is the Riverside - Weston Gravel Grinder. Long course is 75 miles. Short course will be about 42 miles. There are several places you can make the course a little shorter if desired.

Complete information can be found at http://gravelgrinders.blogspot.com/

Remembering John

It has been two years since we lost John. During this time I have thought a lot about the past and have tried to figure out why things happen the way they do.

There has been hardship in my family; more than most will ever know. There have been many deaths and tragedies that we all have dealt with. Life was hard and very stressful at times. Everyone deals with stuff like this in their own way. Mom, Dad, Joey, Jackie, John and myself all figured out a way to work through life. This is what I am doing now, figuring out how to move on and look toward the future.

I hope that you are at peace now John. I miss you and wish that you could be here with us.