no time to explain

as things get busier i realize that i'm in no place to blog... i just don't have the time to be smart or funny or to even make the entries required to be an actual blogger. that's ok since all i really wanted to do was keep my first season's race and ride reports together.

in the past week i:
-worked a lot and in some strange places**(1)
-saw life ending and was reminded that it's ok**(2)
-spent time in Atlanta, Columbus, Albany and Athens
-raced and won GSC#2**(3)
-was stood up for a date
-saw several shows (Colin Meloy, WhiteRabitts, TheWalkmen, Spoon, OkkervilRiver, TheNewPornographers)
-rode in a sketchy group ride**(4)
-raced at the track and earned some points**(5)
-barely slept

**short reports below:

(1)
if there is anything i enjoy about my job it would have to be that i don't know what each day may bring. for the most part, my work days are mundane and just like most peoples, but what keeps it interesting is the fact that some days i end up in the strangest places. i like the downtown rooftop visit days. i don't mind having to investigate an issue during an interesting event or at a sweet venue. traveling Europe was amazing, even if i was 'working'. yesterday i had no idea when i woke up that i would be in an operating room while a chest was being pried open.


(2) i slammed on the brakes and was sure the squirrel had made an escape. i was shocked and upset when i stopped and looked back to see the guy on his back and kicking. it became worse when his buddy came out of the ditch and circled him a few times while he was kicking and dying. he finally kicked one last time and his buddy hung out for a minute or so before returning to the woods. it was really disturbing to watch him die and interesting to see the concern from his buddy. i walked down the street and moved him to the edge of the woods. i swear that i'm not making this part up.... the next day i was on the trail down in Columbus getting in a pre-ride for GSC#2 when.... a solid white squirrel runs on the trail just in front of me. i only saw it for a few seconds, but i swear it was solid white! maybe it was a ghost?

(3)
*i did not crop this.
GSC#2 was Sunday at Flat Rock Park in Columbus, GA. it was a fast course and we raced two laps which was a total of ~22 miles. no significant climbs, but a lot of tight and twisting trails and dips, rocks, and roots. some of the course had long open false-flats which were ideal for mashing roadie style. there were 17 riders in my CAT (sport 30-39) and once again, they looked fast. the whistle blew and everyone was off. i was about 10 riders deep when we turned onto the trail from the dirt road. i quickly started making passes. i didn't want to let the lead group get away while i was stuck behind riders blowing up after starting too fast. by the 5 mile mark i passed the two lead riders. they stayed about 50 feet behind me for the next ~15 miles. everytime i would create some gap i would find myself stuck behind some other riders from other CATs in the tight/twisty stuff. i would hear the riders catching me and have to beg the slower riders to allow me to pass. about 5 miles remained and i'm telling myself that 'this is your race to lose! just finish clean and don't do anything stupid!' now i hear them giving chase again. they're getting close... on a full 180deg switchback, i try to get a glimpse of them behind me. when i look back down to the trail i find myself over the bars and head first into a tree. my ear and face hated me for that...STUPID! so i calm down and just ride it out. i finish and take the win.

GSC#2 Results





(4) i enjoy a good group ride. weeknights are great for getting out and meeting other riders and crushing it. the ride that seems to be the most regular for me is the Wednesday night Outback ride. this ride has always been known as sketch and i've seen a lot of really close calls. last week we had a couple bad crashes. i think i'll always try to stay in the front group on this ride so that i'm less likely to be taken down.

(5) Tuesday night was rookie night at the track. i'm still working towards my 84 points for a CAT upgrade. we had 5 races and i was somehow able to win all of them. i was blasted... we raced a 5 Lap Scratch, 5 Lap Tempo, 5 Lap Point-A-Lap, 20 Lap Points Race, and Unknown Distance. i'm sitting at 75 points and hope to reach my goal of CATing up before the first Festival Of Speed.

DLV Results

*found a picture at No Brakes! ...