2009 Year in Review

I've always liked this time of year. Time to reflect over the past year. Overall 2009 was a good year that created many good memories.

The Good:

• 16 Wonderful years with Mrs. Carolynn Locke.
• An awesome time at the Ride the Rockies.
• Some good times Camping.
  
• Winning overalls at the Black Locust and Bone Bender MTB events.
• Winning the Fat Tire Duathlon Series.
  
• A great showing at the Cross Roads Triathlon.
  
• Taking top honors, again, during Bike Week.
  
• A good showing at the Redman Triathlon.
  
• Promoting a successful Duathlon and Cyclocross series.
  

The Bad:

• Where the heck did my 401K go?
• Missing not racing/riding with Christopher (the X box got him).
• A visit to the ER because of a crazy bug.
  
• Dealing with IT Band Tendonitis while training for an Ironman.
  
• Sour stomach at Rapure in Misery.
  
• The Ouachita Challenge (more of a disappointment than bad).
  
• Overall weak showing during the 2009 cross season.
  

Smart or Lazy?

Christopher is home on Christmas break. He needed something to do to keep busy and earn some money to buy more Xbox games. I refuse to buy him any. I think those video games are just as bad as dope. Kids get addicted to them and all they want to do is stare at a screen and play with a controller. I regret ever allowing him to get one in the first place. But I digress....

So I give him a job which was to transport all the race equipment that we had left over from this years cross season from the garage to the shed out back. It was a large pile - taking up 1/2 the garage, and I estimated that it would take him 2 days to complete it. If he completed the work and did a good job I would pay him $100.00.

I get a call from him today, two hours after he began the job, tell me that the work has been completed and can we go to Game Stop tonight to buy a new game with his newly earned cash. I asked how he did it so fast. He said it was easy. He rounded up all the kids in the neighborhood, borrowed some wheel barrels and had the kids do all the work. My question is, is this smart of him or is he just lazy? Should I pay him or the kids who actually did the work?

New Year's Day Ride

New Year's Day Ride
Date: Every year on New Year's Day
Time: 12:00 Noon.
Description: This was the inaugural ride of the Lawrence Mountain Bike Club in 1996. Rain, snow, cold — it doesn't matter, we always start the year off by going for a ride at the River Trail then having refreshments at Johnny's Tavern. The New Year's Day Ride is appropriate for riders of all abilities. We begin the ride on the levy and ride to the River Trail where you may opt to ride as much or little of the 9 mile trail as you like before heading back to Johnny’s!
Location: Meet in the parking lot accross from the Lawrence Visitors Center (Restored Union Pacific Depot) in North Lawrence at the intersection of N. 2nd Street (Mass St.) and Locust Streets, just north of the river.

More info: http://www.lawrencemountainbikeclub.org/

Discussing Cross w/Poser

Gravel Grinders

It is winter time and that means one thing besides freezing your butt off here in the Midwest. Guru's Gravel Grinder series. Time to hit the lesser traveled roads and put in some serious base miles for 2010. Many of those roads will be gravel hence the name Gravel Grinders. The first three dates are set. We are also working on a gravel road race for February so stay tuned. As we progress through the winter the rides will become longer. Come join in the fun.

Here is our new blog: Gravel Grinders

GGG Dates:

#1 12/20/09 - Riverside, MO
#2 12/26/09 - Smithville, MO
#3 01/02/10 - Baldwin City, KS


Here is the info on GGG #1:

What: Guru Gravel Grinder #1

When: Sunday, December 20, 2009 - 10:00 am start time

Where: Start at E.H. Young Riverfront Park, Riverside MO

Who: Any and all are welcome

Why: Because there is way too much pavement in the world

Route: A mix of gravel, levee and back country roads. Mostly road, but plenty of gravel to keep us sane. Some hills will be climbed. You will experience some discomfort depending on pace. We will try and stay off any high traffic roads. Any road bike with a good sturdy set of wheels can be used. Cross bike preferred, but not required. Distance from E. H. Young is about 38 miles.

This is a Show-N-Go ride, please bring food/water and anything you require.