Memorial Day Weekend Recap

Short version: Long weekend, hard racing, good times.

Long version: Headed up north on Friday morning for some racing. I survived the Burlington Road Race, finishing in the pack (although I was omitted in the cyclingnews results). B and I had a nice dinner at the Big Muddy on the riverfront. Saturday was Snake Alley. It was hot. Very hot. I felt unprepared. Last year I had more specific training for this weekend, and now just the sight of the snake made my legs hurt. I got caught behind a crash the first time up and got lapped 5 laps in. I think I surived 10 laps. Here's Bridgette hanging out with Duff-man. (thanks to BVD for making it look like she's just hanging out with a shirtless guy. he actually had a cape and beer belt on)

Here's me on the snake.

We dined with Matt and Bobby in downtown Burlington that night. Bobby drank a bowl of worceteshire sauce. I don't think he felt too good after that.

We traveled to Muscatine for the Melon City crit on Sunday. I won this race as a three last year. Now I just wanted to survive. I couldn't even do that. After having to put my foot down before the first corner because of a crash, I was having to jump hard out of every corner just to stay on. I only lasted about ten laps. Why does Muscatine stink so bad? Why is Iowa so weird? This is the part of the midwest people make fun of.

Bridgette and I before the Muscatine crit. She looked rather glamorous that day with her sunglasses and hair. I had no idea of the misery I was about to endure. Note: I'm getting pretty good at self photography. Although you can see my arm in my sunglasses, I've been centering the photos quite nicely. Also: the goattee. I think I look like an asshole with it, but B seems to find it attractive so I bring it out on special occasions.

After my premature departure from the race we drove to Rock Island where there seemed to be only one local restaurant open, and everybody was there. We walked 5 blocks to another restaurant only to find out they were closed. Bummer. So instead we had overcooked pasta and a bad salad bar. All of it overpriced. I was worried I would do poorly in my race on Sunday, but I was able to tough it out and finish. all 400 corners. It was fun and fast. I only finished in the pack, but I was very satisfied given my two previous performances. I'll be back next year more prepared.

I got 'sick' on Monday night and ended up having to go to six flags on Tuesday to pick up my medecine. B and I met up with her mother and sister at the water park and partook in some waterslide fun. B and I then took off on our own to do some dry rides. The new superman ride was pretty fun, you go up a fair ways and then they just drop you. Freefalling is pretty cool. The Boss hurts. I proved my superiority by winning the scooby-doo ride/game. And then I took the moon car out for a spin. Afterwards there was much rejoicing.

Road Trips

I love going on road trips. Seeing new places (or old ones again), getting away from home for a few days, and just feeling free. Many of my favorite memories have occured while on some form of road trip. Like the time we..... nevermind. Whether it's one of the many trips I've taken with B, or school, or the trips I took when I worked in New Mexico for a summer, road trips have always brought fun and adventure of some sort. So I'll be travelling this weekend, and although it will be fairly close to home and on a fairly organized schedule, it still beats staying home all weekend. It looks like it'll be the warmest weekend of the year too. I realized summer was pretty much here when I looked down at my computer last night and saw that it was 8pm, daylight, and I was still on my bike. Although I don't welcome the heat and humidity as much as I like the other aspects of summer (minimally dressed chicas, etc) I'll deal with it.

Ever been writing or typing and use a word you've used many times before only this time it seems completely alien to you? Like you've never spelled it out, or it just doesn't sound right anymore? I just had that with the word 'whether'. Had to look it up online. I even had to look up the meaning because I couldn't remember if I had even been using it right. Welcome to the exciting world of me.

post number 1

Memorial Day races are this weekend. I'm excited about going, but there won't be the crowd like we had last year. I'm the only clubber racing all 4 days. Bob-vandalay and Dawson are coming up for the snake which should be cool. Otherwise it's just me getting my head smashed in by the big guys and then hanging out with the lovely B for 4 days. I'd like to get in the money at least once. That way I can pay for some part of all the new crap I've bought in the past weeks. New glasses, bike (already crashed), and now new shoes. Watch out cash registers of the world, here I come. It's only paper, right?