For Sale: Lion of Flanders stained glass

The framed one is roughly 11-1/2w x 9-1/2" h
The unframed one is 10"w x 8"h


Two Stained Glass "Lion of Flanders"....one framed and one unframed.

Both are going on eBay for more...this will be my fellow 'cross racers pricing.

Pricing to be around $75.00 for the framed and $50.00 for the unframed....higher on eBay.

This is going for my unemployment fund.....
:-)

Ciao,
Rick

on the road again...

finally.....
I got Gary out and we met the Lake Effect gang on my turf at 21 & Valley Pkwy Sat. It was great getting out and riding 41 miles with a group of around 21 in the warm weather.
Gary wasn't feeling the love on the last climb so I dropped off to escort him up; lord knows he's done that a hundred times for me. A great time riding and chatting with everyone....the Maruts and Ernesto....the Srokas; Robert is getting pretty blinged out equipment wise!
Afterward, Brett showed up and we sat around having a malted beverage and talking about the next steps for the Velodrome.
Yes, the Velodrome is still moving forward and Brett D & I should have news within a couple of weeks.

Sunday started out bad...I missed the group ride out of Lock 39....but went out on my own from home...dang the temp dropped big time and it was even more windy than on Sat. I took it easy and brought it home after around 22 miles...with toasted legs.

Dang did I need that....plus I now have the Ritchey Ti step back up as my bad weather road bike.

Time to continue the job search....
Ciao,
Rick

Putting on the Winter Fat

Thanks for this Donny! What does the above got to do with this post....huh, nothing, but I wished I had it earlier!

Actually I am at race weight right now, just a touch under 153 pounds but the title is more how I feel than actual condition. I have done NOTHING since the last 'cross race of this season.

This is going to be the least relevant posting about biking that I've done.

I'm sitting here wondering why my mood is so crappy & D'oh:
- I'm not a big fan of cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy weather
- ex gf got married (11/28) w/in 4-6 weeks of moving to Seattle last month after a 5 yr on/off relationship with me
- my company laid me off after 5 years of never finishing lower than 3rd OA in sales out of 7 on Dec 4th.
- it's the Holidays

Now, after all of that bad Karma crap, I'm thankful for:
- ski season is here (both xc & snowboarding) and I'd like to make the most of it .
- my ex gf moving out of my house and Ohio and getting out of my life (finally).
- I'm not getting into another relationship too fast (not easy for me).
- getting laid off is forcing me to go after a job in an industry where I can be more passionate about work.
- it's the Holidays and I'll be spending them with family & my son this year and it doesn't get any better than that.
- My Dad won his election - nice, moral, good guys do finish first in politics! And that doesn't have anything to do with what party your associated with.
- I'm going to start spin classes and trail running; I'm surprised my head hadn't exploded from not having exercised in what is approaching 2 weeks!
- I'll be stepping down as an officer of SnakeBite Racing (two years of hard but satisfying work) and will be supporting the new "guys". Next year I'll be "just riding/racing my bike(s).
- The Velodrome project is really taking off and Brett has taken it to an even higher level. I've got big expectations for this and this is one reason I'm not going to be an officer on any other board in 2009.

As you can see, not fun but the positives waaaay outweigh the negatives and I'm treating this process as a fresh start where I can accomplish anything I set my mind to.

Thanks to Gary, Donny, Billy B and remotely, Steve, Jeff and Alex for being there as fantastic friends during this challenging, but exciting time for me (oh & my UBER cool parents too).

I'm going to make up a couple favorite pictures of 2008 posts (one biking and one non-biking) b/f the first of the year.

Thanks to all for making this 2008 biking season such a great one.

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!
Rick

Boughton Farm BA Series Last Race for 2008

picture by Robert

Well, time flies when your having fun and the last race was upon me. This is the first season I have raced with the A's in the A Masters and it's been a great learning experience. I'll take the 8th overall behind two buddies; Dr. John & Brett D.

I've had some major league distractions; one was in September and one huge one was just last Thursday. I wasn't real motivated to attend this race and was running down the list of excuses I could use for not racing. Gary wasn't to keen on it either. We ended up deciding to go the morning of the race for two reasons:
- The Bike Authority Series has been fantastic; well run with great courses with nice people helping out and we wanted to support them.
- I talked Gary into racing the As with me (insert evil laugh here).

Getting to the course, I noticed that I was going to go "old school" on data....I had left my Polar 725x at home...no speed/heart rate, nuth'n.

We get there after missing the exit....still on time! Warm up on the snowy/icy course and I take some extra warm up laps and a last second "pit" stop to see the guys have already lined up. I come up to the front and ask if anyone would mind if I got in the front row for the start and got the "stare down" and a quick "no" in unison by all.....:-)

So sweeper position for me and I was just going to let the wipe outs happen and then work hard and see whom I could catch. Ray didn't disappoint by executing a fantastic head over heels flip/bike dismount that would have scored a 9.5 in difficulty (he was OK cause he blew by me a short time later). I went by Chris and was hoping Gary was on my wheel cause I saw a gap develop and I wanted to stay close to the main field if there can be such a thing in 'cross.
The story line for today was I felt pretty good and after a while heard a couple of people shouting that I was closing down the gap that John had on me and I'd love to give him a good battle so I picked it up a bit and at the same time Ryan was having trouble closing the gap down on me; he'd close it down in the woulds and I'd open it up on the straights (he wasn't feeling well that day). 3 to go showed up and I had John firmly in my sights (ya gotta have some motivation for this) and was going to keep him close but save some for the bell lap and see if I could give him a bit of a fight for position. Paul, Tony (way to go!) and Shawn came by us and I must have OD'd cause when we came around I thought we had one more to go and instead of one to go it was over with John in front of me and my legs ready to go one more. Dang it.....gotta get my head on straight. Gary did well and came in shortly behind me - thanks Gary for getting me out!

A great race and series Bike Authority & Team Lake Effect....I'm glad I got beat up in the A's this year. I'll be back for more next season.

A special thanks for the Maruts & Srokas....you guys are the best.
Ciao,
Rick

stupid is as stupid does....

Or, why didn't I take body armor to Ray's tonight?

Met Gary/Sadie and Bill B there and felt great....after about an hour Ray pulls me over and is asking a lot of questions about the Velodrome and isn't real, er, supportive of it. I don't see how it's going to negatively effect what he's doing at his MTB park. I would think it would only compliment what he is doing there.

So I talk with him about that and about the old Executive Director, Anna moving out to Seattle....then excuse myself and go riding. Well, within 5 minutes I go down hard and think it's no big deal, but after I get done about 30 minutes later I can feel my right knee get stiff. I pull up the pants leg and yup....dumb, dumb dumb. Well it's getting iced down now and I hoping that by Sunday it will be good to go for the last cyclocross race of the season/BA series.

I know....shut up and tough'n up mate!

Rick

MTB, no Urban ride

Gary

Well, when all else fails...make due with what ca got. Gary & I wanted to hit the trail again so we packed up and met the the trail head. The conditions were not nearly as good as yesterday....many soft spots where my front wheel was washing out so Gary & I decided to ride on the path and explore.
We ended up riding to the (potential) site of the proposed indoor velodrome in Slavic Village. The path dumps out about 6 or so blocks from the site so it was only a little hairy for those 6+ blocks.How cool will it be to have the indoor velodrome open by Jan. 2010?

We get back and not a moment too soon.....I'm dying of hunger (bonking) so we head back to my place grab something quick to eat and then head over to Donny's house to rock out with Nate.....nice.

Looks like I'll unpack the Ritchey Ti and do some 'cross practice today.

Back to work tomorrow....ugh!
:-)

Ciao,
Rick

A (finally) ride in da woods

I had a fun ride (for the first time at this trail) with Sadie.....it was nice to get the SISS out in her element.......a sweet ride and I'll think I'll go out there tomorrow but jam on it it.......:-)
It's all about getting back to the roots of it, isn't it?
Caio

Last Ride in FL Weds.

Or should I say the last warm ride for me for some time.....

Found another place that was easier to get to....Flatwoods Park close to UCF campus.

32 miles with around an avg speed of just under 20 with all the stops/starts of getting there.

Oh well, I'll try the MTB course at the Metro Parks for the first time today...wearing everything I own....

Ciao,
Rick

My Pre B-Day Ride

OK, this was my first chance to go on a good ride....I wanted to ride at least my new age today (48) and ride for more miles on my B-Day tomorrow. When Gary & I rode this 2 yrs ago....I don't remember the 10 miles to get to the trail. Traffic was bad; so bad that on the way home I rode on the sidewalk.

Anyway, once on the trail it was sweet....sunny and 76'F avg temperature.

Finished with 51 miles, burned over 1200 cal.

Yeehaa!

Ciao,
Rick

Riding w/my son in FL

Yeah, my son actually rode a bike (if you can call them that) Saturday and Sunday. Rode for like 2 hours on Saturday.....got to see a real wild gator too.
A fantastic time.

BA Series - Broadview Hts. (Can you say MUD?)

Photo by Robert

Wow, talk about classic race conditions, maybe a touch cold, but another great job by the Lake Effect Squad. You folks rule. Thanks to all that cheered me on...it does help.
I had my boy this weekend, so I was going to get to the race in time to warm up, mooch some of Bill's great home made heat rub and do the race then go home to my son.
I lined up in the last row and having not pre-ridden the course was going to just keep a decent position.
I gotta tell ya the Ritchey Protocal tubie wheelset with Vittoria tubies on them at around 35 psi felt freak'n great today! I felt really good the 1st lap and 1/2 until the dang rear derailleur cable broke....and was in the 38/12 combo...ugh! By the time I made it around to change out to my back up bike....my legs were getting cooked. My Bianchi SISS was set up w/a 32/16 and I wasn't exactly spinning. I was able to gut it out and finish. No DNF but I was really disappointed about the mechanical that I had. Seeing how this was the first one I have had all season.....that ain't so bad....it's just 'cross.
My knees are pretty damn sore right now, but I'll give them some time off.
I'll be leaving Friday morning for a week in Tampa w/my son and Family....now that's the way to spend T-Day!
Rick

Life After Kirkland.....

Has consisted of two rides in 70' degree weather last week (no way it was that warm) along with a rainy, cold ride on the towpath with Gary and Sadie Sunday.....

Been drinking lots of beer and back on my wing diet so I should be good and ready for the race this Sunday.
Shit.

It's all good. Life just keeps getting better by the day.

Rick

Kirkland Park Cyclocross Race

Photo by Robert Sroka

I had my son with me this weekend and everybody that knows Aaron knows he's not into racing much. :-)

Having helped out Saturday at the Chagrin Falls race, I wanted to give it a go at one of my favorite courses - Kirkland Park...it has everything and a great flow. The time change screwed me up and I arrived early, too early according to my son.
The good thing was I ran into Bill (Mr. Embrocation) for some of his home made hot stuff. My back was still sore from the Spin 'cross race and from moving crap out of my house and Peninsula during the week. The heat really helps and I put different heat on my legs. Heck, Bill even scored me a GU and a cliff bar. Your the best Bill and it's a bummer about your pedal issue during the race.

My training has fallen off so bad it's ridiculous. The last time I was on my bike was the Louisville UCI races last weekend - I'd better change that or I'll never make it to the end of the season.

Anyway, I'm riding A Masters (due to finishing 2nd in the B Masters last year)...I know I'm going to get shelled and lapped by the lead As; I don't race 'cross just to win, I do it (A Masters) 'cause you can learn more by racing with these guys. So at the start I'm looking to get good position and ride hard. The start goes and going into the first corner (photo by Julie)
I see I'm right behind Dr. John and decide to see if I can stay on his wheel for a couple of laps....John's got skills and great conditioning. So John pulls me around for 2-3 laps and I'm feeling pretty good when we enter the hard turn(s) area and he goes down in front of me; I get around him and go hard forward. (one thing I had learned by now was to give some room to the rider in front in the techy sections so I wouldn't get so bogged down and gapped bad if the rider in front had a mishap). So I'm in front of John and Derek thinking to myself that there is NO WAY this is happening and I'm trying to keep the gas on and maintain the gap. OK that's one lap in front of them....two....shit, Derek is reeling me in and it's only a matter of time....the guy's a horse. He gets around me and I try to stay on his wheel for as long as possible cause I know John was right behind him. I'm riding a real good race, my legs are fine and no mechanicals or wipes outs so I think I can finish pretty good and at least give John a run for his money. I have a third lap I think and John catches me after I take a hard fall on the twisty section and It's time to claw on to his wheel. I get too tight on John's wheel on the off chamber, he dabs it and I completely stall out and he gets a gap on me (great, so much for keeping some distance). The rest of the race I try to close the gap down...get it close and John opens it up again. I fall apart on one lap where my back has stiffened up so bad I am hoping to just finish the race without getting caught. About then the lead three riders come by with Earnie in the lead and I finally get moving again. John keeps the gap opened up and I keep anyone from moving up on the placings against me. I bring it across the line in 7th place Masters. That 7th place felt as good as getting on the podium.

Thanks for putting on another great venue, Lake Effect!

Rick

Chagrin Falls Cyclocross Race

Big thanks go to all that showed up and raced. The velodrome got a lot of attention and it looked like everyone had a great time. Tunes, Beer (beer hand offs), costumes and racing; how could you go wrong?

I was in charge of parking cars so I didn't get a chance to catch the C race....
Ernie and I after the race...that was my outfit.

I was able to take some Photos of the Bs and As.

More later....

How I Feel Now

It's been a tough week, some might say year.

This movie clip kept coming to mind while this week was going on.

I'm free now and will not put myself in the same situation again.

'Nuf Said.

UCI - Louisville, Part Duex

In the airport waiting on my flight while Gary & Sadie start the drive home.

Great conditions, the track was even better today than yesterday.

Gary rode strong today; I got close to catching him but he rode well and finished just in front of me. I felt good, but not as good as yesterday.
Results were Gary - 9th and me in 10th out of 78.

Sadie rode stronger today than yesterday and looked more comfortable on the course.

Gary took all the pictures today.

More later, gotta board the plane.

Rick

UCI Louisville - Day One

Just a quick note then bed....more later.

Pictures of this day are up now.....

Sadie, Gary & I raced today.

Gary & I in the open 4s - Gary 8th & I in 7th out of 40.

Sadie was 19th out of 23.

Great track....big fun, real early race. One more tomorrow and then home.

SBR Meeting Last Night

The kind folks at Bike Authority let us use the store to hold a team meeting last night...thanks for the pizza, Sherman!

We went over the new membership program, met new members, Gary introduced the new race reimbursement program (it only looks complicated) and we went through the "extra" team kit inventory and offered many items at a discount and are working on the 2009 order.

Afterwords we headed over to BW3s where Tim F talked me into a couple of Dead Guys!


Kit orders must be in by this Friday, the 24th.

Rick

"Recovery Ride" last night

I know I haven't been saying much on my blogs recently other than basically posting the pictures on my FLICKR acct.
Mucho personal things and business traveling going on plus a big race schedule this month means I've been slacking.

Having said that....got in a nice SLOW recovery night ride last night. No music, just the sounds of the night and watching out for all of the deer running around. Just what I needed.

I should have more words from know on....it's tough NOT being a marketing guy (all pictures and not much verbiage)

Rick

BA Series - Spin 'Cross your Heart Race

Gary B. took all the race photos....

The end results of one well placed, deep mud puddle on the course.....

Raced in the As Masters group today and was dead last in the line up to start the race, had my head firmly planted somewhere else and showed no mental toughness. Bummed about that but it was an excellent race and a tough course that if you missed it, shame on you. I should make this one of my "A" races. While there was no sand on the course, some sand was seen in the B race. :-O Yeah, It makes me sick thinking of the guy that refuses to "MAN UP" and race A's after winning the B open and B masters.....I don't care if you beat me in the A Masters but at least do a "sack check" and get with the program. How's that for not being "PC"....

*Oh, a big thanks goes out to Bill M for letting me use some of his "home made" embrocation for this 47 yr's legs & knees. I should have used that on my back, cause my legs didn't really bother me during the race, but at one point I was thinking of DNF'ing due to my back (see lack of mental toughness above).

I've had my son this weekend, so I just showed up, raced and left....Gary was nice enough to take pictures on my Olympus point-n-shoot camera. Photos are here. More later, off to the rec center with my son.

Ciao,
Rick

A UCI Cyclocross Weekend - Pictures

No time for a report yet, but I'm uploading the 2-3 GB of photos that David S., Gary B & I took with the NIKON D40X camera.

Thanks for cheering for me during the races and it was great seeing everyone....more later.

LeRoy Cyclocross

Just a quick note that the photos are up on my FLICKR.

Good grief....I only downloaded 81 of over 200+ photos....just updated it. Some of the B and most of the A race is now up.

Enjoy....more later.

Ciao,
Rick

BA Series - Whiskey Island

Gary charging......

Dan in the twisty section.....

Just a quick post....The folks at Lake Effect/BA did a great job laying out this course. Just the right mix of everything. It seems like there was a lot of flats happening though; I got lucky and didn't have that problem. I needed all the help I could get racing in the A Masters Race.
I did get some shots of the B race and others warming up posted on my FLICKR. I regret that I couldn't shoot more but I needed to pre-ride the course and get warmed up myself. After I tried bunny hopping over the rails and endo'd big time I decided that I was going to run them during the race. Nice.
Dan B, Gary B, Sadie D, Linda M did the B race and Samantha M did the Cs. David S was doing the A open and Dr John & I were in the A Masters. Yeah, I was afraid, very afraid of what the hour long race was going to do to me. I'm not sure my fitness level was going to keep me anywhere close to where I wanted to be. Long story short, I felt pretty good (nobody could tell by the look of pain on my face the whole time) and was on the Dr's wheel for a lap plus along with a Spin rider....then a slower Summit rider got b/t the Dr & I, John opened up a gap on me and I couldn't close it. I then was mixing it up with two RGF guys who are uber fast on the road, but thank goodness don't have the off road skills yet....watch out when they do! Anyway went back-n-forth with them, got a gap on them and I think at least one flatted out. It was just me getting chased by Tom H. from Spin the rest of the time and he pushed me like crazy the rest of the race while I in vain tried to reel in Brad B from Spin. I ended up in 7th; results are here.
A painful but great time followed by food and drinks at the eatery next to the Park.

A big thanks goes out to Mike V. at the BA for a great job on gluing my Vittoria tubulars which worked well at 45 lbs that day. Rougher than I liked, but no flats. (yeah, I was lucky)

Gotta go work....
Rick

Back to Back Fun

Since I'm going to race two back to back UCI 'Cross races in October, I wanted to do some back to back hard efforts to see if this old bod could handle it.

Sooooooooo, I figured that the Westlake A Group on Tuesday and Spin 'Cross practice race on Wednesday would be a good way to start.

Dumb.

Westlake As consisted of Lake Effect/RGF some Spin guys and Tom K, Gary B & I. We had a nice parade lap and then all hell broke loose.....distance was 11 laps at 21.3 miles, avg speed of just under 27mph, avg watts 304 and only twice during the race (like 30 seconds total) was I at below TH....avg HR - 159. Big fun until at the final group sprint a car pulled out and since I'm not even on the OA point radar screen, I sat up....

So the next day I'm feeling pretty good so I head over to Gary's to go to the 'Cross practice race with Gary & Sadie. We get there and David S, Tim F and low and behold did we see Brett D show up? I had just spoke to him and he had done a MTB workout that morning had wasn't going to show. Well Bart had set up a track that I thought I was going to need a GPS unit to find my way around....it was long but a real good mix. It was decided that we were going to go for 45 minutes and not laps. I didn't even get my splits during the ride...it was around 10 miles long. We started and Gary & I kept the lead group of 6 or so in sight. Brett D came up and what seemed like for two laps we kept going back-n-forth...I was with a group of 3 MTBers sitting in when they (Brett included) took off and I couldn't respond. Damn. Gary was on my heels the whole time and Greg (?) from Spin was in my sights so I had someone I could chase. Let's just say from 18 minutes through about 28 minutes into the ride I really wondered what my sanity level was for wanting to do this. Things got better or went numb at the 30 minute mark and I felt better. Except for my back which was screaming by now. I have never been in my drops as much as I was that night trying to take the pressure off my lower back. Felt pretty good......once we were done.

Much more training to get ready for Oct. I'm off today.

Caio,
Rick

UCI Cincy 'Cross

What will be round one of the "Tour of Pain" for October....

Event Name - Java Johnny's - Lionhearts International Cyclocross (UCI C2)
-- Event Date - 10/11/2008
---- Category - Beginner Master Men 45+ (License Cats 3, 4)

Event Name - Bio Wheels/United Dairy Farmers Harbin Park Cyclo-Cross (UCI C1)
-- Event Date - 10/12/2008
---- Category - Cat 3/4 Men 45+

Derby City Cup

Round Two of the "Tour of Pain".....

I'm pre-reg'd for both days....I did this Louisville UCI race last year. Only one day and wish I would have done both days.

Event Name - Papa John's Derby City Cup
-- Event Date - 10/24/2008 - 10/26/2008
---- Category - SATURDAY - Cat 4 Men
---- Category - SUNDAY - Cat 4 Men

http://www.usgpcyclocross.com/Races/DerbyCityCup.aspx

I'll have room for others.....

Rick

Spin 'Cross Practice

Was last night at Edgewater...not an official race, but just a practice to ride hard and work on (lack of for me) skills. It's a bummer that the real race series was canceled, but this works out well.

Roughly 5 Spin, 6 SBR (Tim, Gary, Dan, David, Sadie & I), 1 Lake Effect (Fast Matt) and 2 or so unattached.

Bart laid out the roughly 1.3 mile track....we were to do 7 laps (or when he didn't feel good) according to Matt....and he was going to be the rabbit. :-)

Lots of sticks still on the ground and Gary picked up a big one in his derailleur when he & I were trying to maintain contact of the lead 4 guys....after the 3rd lap I broke off my CAD sensor...luckily I saw it, stopped, picked it up and kept going.

lot's of pain, but a great workout....see everyone next Weds.

He's the man.

Jonathan Page.....(don't try this at home)!
I came across this image and had to put it up. Recognize the bike? That would be one of the 3 modified Cervelo R3s (or 2.5s) that the company made for him when he came in 2nd in the WORLDS. Gawd I wish they would come out with a 'cross bike for "us"/me.
:-)

Who's Bike is this?

Actually I was hoping that the owner would post a picture of it built out....maybe we will see it tonight???

Motor Pacing?

Well, that's not the whole reason for going to PA and then driving this 1986 Honda VT500 422 miles back to Ohio. Seems Anna would like to get her motorcycle endorsement and this is just like the first bike I had out of college.

We celebrated picking it up in PA at the Hotel that night with the smallest (uh, three of the smallest) bottles of Champagne and Cooke had fun too.
I took my son for a ride on it Saturday and (finally) after tracking Eric & Alan at the Ironman WI via computer, I actually rode my neglected Cervelo tonight.

Nite,
Rick

Ford Ironman WI

Here are the results for Eric....I was watching him and Alan Wong on and off most of the day via the gps locator they were wearing.
ERIC GIBB
BIB AGE STATE/COUNTRY PROFESSION
1167 41 AVON OH USA CONSULTANT
SWIM BIKE RUN OVERALL RANK DIV.POS.
1:06:57 5:46:53 3:59:53 11:03:36 293 46

LEG DISTANCE PACE RANK DIV.POS.
TOTAL SWIM 2.4 mi. (1:06:57) 1:45/100m 452 60

TOTAL BIKE 112 mi. (5:46:53) 19.37 mph 346 59

FIRST RUN SEGMENT 13.1 mi. (1:54:06) 8:42/mile
RUN FINISH 13.1 mi. (2:05:47) 9:36/mile
TOTAL RUN 26.2 mi. (3:59:53) 9:09/mile 293 46

Congrats Eric!

I'm looking for Alan Wongs' info and will post that soon.

Outstanding effort both of you guys!

Euphoria 'Cross Race #1

I came late with Anna, pinned alot of numbers on jerseys and didn't warm up or pre-ride the course. That and I endo'd with the help of another rider in the first 500 or so meters and wiped out again shortly after ending up in a solid last place start with the next person in front of me barely in sight. Heck I could have started with the Bs and done better.

I had a blast.

It's freAK'N 'CROSS SEASON AGAIN!

:-)

Lot's of DNFs/Mechanical issues, but the Spin & Kyle did a great job with getting all the work done and doing a great starting course. Greg kept saying the track would be more technical next week. It was pretty good this week for a new track. Laps were 1.7 miles long and the starting temp was 84'F. My avg speed was pretty good with no slow down during the race of 53:06.

I'm disappointed about crashing at the start, but that's 'cross and I'm pretty happy with the fact I was able to reel in 4-7 people in and finish strong.

Gary, Sadie, Anna, John, Dan & Tim did well and it was great to see them out there. Matt O was out taking pictures and Michael L showed up after the race....good stuff.

I'm going to PA tomorrow and back Friday and will have another two wheeled vehicle. Hopefully for some motor pacing?

Ciao,
Rick

The Death Ride

80 miles, 13 hills, 4:30:00.....more later.

Bedtime for me.

Rick

Bike Authority Sale Aug 30-31!

Bike Authority has done an outstanding job with team SnakeBite this year and I was going to post their big sale and Gary beat me to it.

So here Gary gives all the info on it. Check it out!

Rick

The ride Brett & I didn't do

Yes, Brett didn't call me around noonish wanting to go on a hill ride and I didn't leave with him at around 2PM to ride 30 miles with three trips up Valley Pkwy from the bottom of the hill and we absolutely didn't ride the Cady Rd climb. We definitely were not out for 2 hours and under no circumstance drank a couple of cold beverages afterwards.

Yup, that's our story and we are sticking to it.

It was real nice NOT riding with you today, Brett. That is not a picture of Brett riding.

Sincerely Yours,
Rick

Old Home Vacation Rides

Rode with my high school buddy and his gang last Tuesday and then met with Gregg on his temporary turf to do a ride....he's moving up here within a week.



25 miles wit Chuck and 27 miles with Gregg....after the Tipp City ride these were just fun ones.

Rick

Valley City Race by SnakeBite Racing

Dr. John on the climb


Gary B charging up the hill.

Thanks to all that volunteered and raced Saturday. Linda and Pat did a great job as usual.

I've put the photos that I took at the race up on my FLICKR and will add more to this soon.

Shop Rats!

I rode 42 miles with three guys from Tipp Cyclery yesterday. SUPER GUYS from close to where I grew up in Troy.

Great guys and a fun fast ride with lots of sprints for county/city signs and KOM climbs. No, I didn't get any sprints and when I finally realized were I was and my fav hill I was coming up to (Horseshoe Bend Road)....I did get that KOM....I think
:-)

Took today off and hung out with family and my son.

Ciao,
Rick

Bloody Sunday

Me sport'n the new Velodrome kit.....

I think Michael is saying....how about shutting your pie hole and riding! :-)

Michael was nice enough to come down to Brecksville and go on a ride with me.

To say I felt like crap would be an understatement. It's nice to have someone drag you around for 35 miles w/o complaining....I was doing enough for both of us.

Thanks and I'll see you soon as a CAT IV soon, Michael!

Caio,
Rick

I'm on vacation this week and then the Valley City Race!

Olympic Track Cycling

Here's great info for Track Cycling schedule & what different races are going on.

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/summer08/schedule?discId=15

'Cross thoughts

After seeing David's post....I looked at a photo that either David or Katie took and it sums up what 'cross has meant for me.

Thanks to Brent E. for the words of "encouragement" during one of the races at Copley last year. I'm looking forward to try to keep from getting lapped in the A Master's field this year. Not a high enough goal you think? Rudy, Dr. John, Bill M. are just three of the "hammers" in that group, and that A Masters race during the A's with Shawn A, Paul M, Ernesto....so there you go. Of course, maybe I can come up with an excuse for staying with the B's for another year like someone I know.....and it's NOT Gary.
:-)

Ciao,
Rick