Bad week

I am having an unsafe week.

I fell from the top of a 12' bouldering problem...and landed next to my pad...on my back. I have a huge knot in my neck.
A wayward chuck of styrofoam hit my windshield today...not so dangerous but still quite frightening.
I nearly cut my thumb off while cutting up a mango today...
About 5 seconds after chopping my thumb off I dropped an exacto knife on my foot and it became cut.

The thumb issue could possible have an adverse affect on my upcoming climbing trip...

A good thing happened though. I pretty much got a job with a company who installs putting greens...pretty sweet.

I have no money for races anymore...I am probably going to do one or two more road races this summer and just focus on getting ready for 'cross. That is appealing to me right now...and that is what is important.

Ross' Hill Climb

This should be short.

I had been feeling like rubbish during the days leading up to this race. I couldn't stomach anything the morning of and headed to the race on a couple glasses of water and some OJ. There was a fairly small race turnout so the 1/2/3's rolled out together. I started to feel alright as we approached the climb and made it over some short rises feeling pretty well. I was hanging in the middle of the pack and was feeling great. We crossed a couple cattle guards and The road mellowed out. I was feeling really great when all of a sudden, I started to fall back.

Flat.

My first flat in 22 races. Why?

Anyways...I got a ride up...then back down...It was a really goregous road and I loved the area. I really want to move up there now..tons of roads and tons of climbing (rock) spots.

I am not sure if I can afford anymore road races before August or September..I am riding to Yosemite for some epic climbing and then going to Mexico for a week a few days after I get home...

Maybe I should just focus on prepping for 'cross.

Mt.Hamilton Race Report.

This past Sunday was the Mt Hamilton Classic Road Race. It was a very beautiful day and I was wishing the race was a bit longer and slower so I could enjoy it more.

I have recently come to the conclusion that I will learn more about racing by being aggressive rather than just sitting in the pack and finishing with the bunch. For a majority of my races this year I have sat in the pack and not launched any attacks or started any of the sprints..I have just been happy to finish with the group and still have some breath to spare...This is changing.I figure there is not much purpose in finishing in the middle of the pack and still having energy to spare. If I am going as hard as I can and get dropped...great. If I attack, buckle then get dropped..at least I put myself out there. If I am timid the entire race and dont do anything although I may be physically able, I pretty much blow it..

Mt Hamilton was the first race that I decided to exert some energy....I attacked towards the end of the first climb and stayed away for about 15 Miles...(most of which were downhill) A group of 3 bridged up to me and we worked together towards the next climb of about 3 miles/~800ft. A couple of the guys dropped off and I continued to press in. I checked my heart rate just for a distraction..and what a distraction it was...196!!! In training I typically begin to puke around 190 and have never seen my hr above 191...I totally freaked as it jumped up to 198...my legs weren't feeling pumped or anything but I mentally tweaked and slowed down. The one other guy rode away as I spun in my easy gear up the rest of the climb.

On the middle section of the climb I could see the broken pack closing in...I decided to just be absorbed as there was a long downhill after this climb and a draft would certainly be helpful...I jumped on with the first group of ~10 who crested and we formed the most broke down looking paceline ever...seriously...it was terrible, I don't even want to think about it anymore...

The stragglers from the climb caught on and I ended up ~20th...this isnt really a position to be stoked on but I was really glad that I was agressive and didn't just become pack fodder like usual...

I spun for a bit after the finish then hung out with Sarah and Joey-Charlie Sebastian and watched the pro's roll in (Go Akira and Bradley!!)..We tried to go to this raw place in Burlingame for lunch but it was closed..I was bummed...It is on a cool block though..there is a nice healthfood store, the Raw place and an organic cafe all right next to each other...

Up Next: My first Cat3 race...Ross' Hill Climb...(wait..I climb as well as gravity...what am I doing?)

Opening ceremonies.

Hello all. I have a lot of things to ramble about and no one to really listen to it. Here I will ramble about all things bicycle, racing, music, religion, philosophy..and whatever else comes to me.

Today:

It is very windy outside. I am not riding my bike. I am geting a new 'cross bike and will post photos soon.