chilled weekend

Well I did what I have been meaning to do for ages, and have a weekend off the bike. I slept a lot, put on about 5lb probably and thoroughly enjoyed my time with the wife and in-laws.

Friday I went to Severn after work, rode for about 45mins, but suffered in the heat. I need to keep an eye on dehydrating, that's a couple of times I've felt dizzy and its the heat. I stayed and helped work on the track after a monumental storm and the guys raced i think, but i was feeling poop so went home and hit the hay for close to 12 hours.

Saturday we headed up to the farm. Went to the Mansion on Saturday evening for dinner. Very good. Had a lovely rib eye steak and some really cool ice tea sorbet which was awesome. We then watched some terrible film with Kevin Bacon. I didn't think he could make a crap film but he really pulled out all the stops on this one, flip me it was shite. Still Kelly Preston was in it, and she's pretty hot, well until she got shot that is.

Sunday we headed to Hoss n Boss for some good old fashioned diners breakfast. Lovely. I had some sausage gravy thing, which i think had died a slow death, not the greatest but i ate it seeing as i was paying. We spend the rest of the day wandering around Codorus Park and Lake and looking at boats to buy with Ben and Christa. Even if we had bought one, it's a 3 yr waiting list to dock them. We stuck with the rental idea. Sunday afternoon was more napping and a leisurely drive home with a little 'open house' viewing. For $300k in Hanover we can get a place twice the size of ours, brand new, fully decorated and with appliances. It's crazy. Papa Laurence was trying to convince us to move there. I would.. if i could get a job like I have now and the same with Bean. We'd have built in baby sitters though, as Papa Laurence spent all weekend trying to bribe us to have kids. We are going to hold out a little longer until the bounty is at a decent rate and I can squeeze in another 2 wheeled form of transport...

crap nights sleep last night, ended up in the basement as i was annoying the wife. i think i went to sleep around 3am. Today is going to be a long day, but hopefully my new bike will be here this week.

Heard the Warlock finally got airborne this weekend, amazing how he can so easily be persuaded with food and he grabbed an A final place and Lauren made her first A final also. NICE.

laters.

Muppet!

I am going to proceed this blog update, with I love my dad dearly... however he's a muppet! Today he managed to chop the top third of two fingers off his right hand. And, in his typically subborn way continued to finish the job he was working on before driving home 60miles so he could go to the local village hospital 'where people know him'. Honestly, I spent my entire child being called 'jonah' by him cos I was the clumsy one, doing daft shite all the time. Apparently some steel fencing fell on him, it was that heavy it bent the steering column of the tractor he was driving, so no wonder it took his fingers off. Mum is not happy with him. "there but for the grace of God go I". Oh, and mum had a mirror fall on her noggin today too and has a nice bump. That's them two and me binning it at the trails last week and jacking my knee up again.

So I finally ordered my new road bike. I just couldn't justify a $2000 sat at home, even when I get $700 off list, so I went for the Masi Gran Corsa Ali and Carbon frame and forks, and 10 groupset. It's more than enough for my needs to keep me fit and do something a little different than the bmx. I am looking forward to getting it.

Had a good session at Severn last night. Got some good pull on the first straight and my gates are improving on the ABA every week. Got some help from Matt Kelty on the second straight. No matter how long you have been riding a little bit of advice from someone else can go a long way. I got the second straight doubles down now. Pick up manual, tyre tap out and boost the triples. Took me a few attempts but i got it. Cheers Matt. Chris Agard and his mrs, Tammy where down with John, so it was a good session. Tammy is getting pretty good considering she has just started riding. She certainly doesn't seem to be scared to try, which is what it's all about.

There is always a good turn out at Severn, more so than at Woodbridge. I guess cos the track is easily accessible 24/7. Feeling it today though, bit dehydrated and sore. This is what I want the road bike for, nice recovery rides after a hard session.

Been a hectic week at work, got lots of irons in the fire, lets hope these deals start to grow.

Off home to love the wife.. or annoy her, which ever comes easiest.. or first.. :)

Happy Birthday Bobbin

Almost forgot, its little Bobbin Eames birthday this past weekend. Happy Birthday Robyn.. :)

2yrs..

I've been here 2yrs now, as of Saturday. Can't believe it. tempus fugit and all that. So it's been a happy 2yrs and I wouldn't change any of it really. We've had a few ups and downs along the way, sadly with the passing of Colin McNevin just after we got married - a pretty low point, but things have been good and I know I made the right decision coming here, even if I do miss family and friends a lot.

The wife bought me a new watch as a 2 yr anniversary present, which was cool. I have been banging on about getting an Omega for ages. I will still be banging on about getting one as they are a couple of grand, but she did buy me a nice Fossil watch. I love it, its white. But, she thinks I look a flamer with it! I prefer to be androgynous, but who's to argue which side the bread is buttered eh??

Last week I struggled to train, my left knee won't put up with any squats at all. I feel like I am trapping a nerve when I bend down, a bit like banging your funny bone in your elbow. I hit ABA gates on Wednesday night which was good. Had some good pull going on my flats and I am slowly starting to get an ABA gate.

Friday night I hit the trails. Apparently in a literal sense also. Tit. No pads, no helmet and I went for the big set which I've been wanting to do for ages. Guess what, came up short and over the bars. Luckily I hit something soft on the way down, but my right knee is now banged up. Still I did almost make it through, but why I tried it with no gear on and on my own, I have no idea. The trails are a good ride off the path back in the woods, I would have been up shit creek if I'd really hurt myself.

It's South Park this coming weekend. Not sure how I am feeling about it. Heard good and bad about the rebuild, and its never been good to me results wise, but I love riding there and watching the Pros. Just with gas prices, going up to watch is not really an option. I'm going to make a last minute decision I think.

Still looking for a new road bike. Just waiting my sponsor to see if he can get me a deal on the Masi Gran Criterium. Any bike in Purple People Eater purple is worth buying in my book. There are a few road clubs by my office and I'd like to get involved with one and maybe do a race or two next yr as a novice for fun.

I am swamped at work at the moment, so I should end my inane ramblings here. Good to be busy though, we are starting to grow our little business well now. Have a meeting next week at Norfolk Air Base, oh, and it just happens that Hampton track is just outside the air base, best take my bike with me then..

ta-ra

Tired..

Don't know what's up with me the last few weeks, been feeling pretty tired. Have enthusiasm do to do stuff, just no energy when I get to it. And, its not like I need an excuse to be even lazier is it?

In the mix, in the ProAm and doing it for flat pedals and the over 30's club!

My friend, Alex Larson (A Pro), his dad is a great photographer and took a ton of pics of us all racing at Woodbridge recently. I like this one, leading W2, Bill Young down the first straight. It was home track glory, he kicks my butt most of the time, but it's great to race guys as fast as him and Patrick Parker.

Saturday I went to Hampton, VA for the State series. As usual nobody turned up - heat and gas prices being the excuse. Although I think running it in the middle of the day in a Virginia summer is also a contributing factor, that and distance. Chad Powers (www.powersbikeshop.com) had made some interesting changes to the third straight. Any Euro rider would have laughed at it, however most people were having kittens! It was steep, and you were screwed if you lot your momentum, but I enjoyed the challenge and want to go back and see if I can double through it. I'm sure I can with some practice. I took 2,1,1 after only 5 laps of practice. We got stuck in awful traffic. I raced the ProAm and took 3rd after an awful start, but an old skool one footed high/low saved the day and made me a whopping $26!

Sunday I chilled big time. Did jacksh1t actually. Annoyed the wife by being lazy, but then cooked up a great steak on the grill. We are definitely getting into the grilling lately. The meat always tastes so much better and we have fun doing it and then sitting out on the deck with the food. I was no not bothered about having a deck when we were house-hunting. I'm glad we have one though, it's a nice place to be on a summers evening.

Think I am going to give sprints a miss tonight and save some energy for the West Virginia regional. Some good points there and I can take it easy for while and ride the trails and maybe do some mountain biking or road riding.

toodlepip

Pumping the rhythm for all I'm worth and trying to get clipped back in. I came unclipped coming out the second corner and couldn't get any cranks in before the section. I'm glad it was narrow otherwise both guys would have gone past me. I got back in by the end of the straight though and pulled down the last straight.. I wasn't about to wait another 2 yrs to get a shot at winning. These dudes are fast.

Coming out the first corner in the final. Brian Meyer and Vin Morreria behind me, and my mate Phil Oddo in the FMF shirt making his come back. He cracked his skull at Woodbridge last yr! ouch.

Second straight table top action over the doubles. The pro section was on my left, first one was no problem, second looked a bit sketchy to me and certainly wasn't faster..

..damn another pic, he must be good?

or just lucky! Anyway, another Woodbridge pic in BMX Today. Scott Morrison to my left, Kris Lundgren out front, John Paul Pfeiffer outside him. I got third, after 1/4s and a super tough weekend of great racing..

Pfeiffer and Jason Lindsey on Scotts left rode 2 bikes both days!! too much for me.. :)

one to keep the sponsor happy

Check it out! Me (310) and my good mate Scott Morrison down the first straight at Woodbridge National. This pic is in BMX Today. I'll be signing autographs later, and am happy to sleep with all bmx moms now I am famous..!

At last..

I finally got my first national win over here on the 20". It's taken 2 yrs almost to the day, I've led three finals, only to crash in all of them and finally sunday it just clicked and I won!... but not without a near miss! The second corner had to be carved hard otherwise you'd end up on the slower side of the decision maker which I really didn't want to be on with two guys breathing down my neck. As soon as I picked up to pedal again out I popped right before the roller into the rhythm section. I didn't get the extra cranks I needed and got caught but as the straight was narrow nobody could really get past. I pumped hard, got clipped back in and managed to pull away on the last straight section. Was a little lucky I guess, but I won comfortably in the end. The nice part was I had a perfect, won all my motos and then the final. Day 1 I also won all my motos, got a mint start in the final, only to butcher the first straight step up and let 2 people past. I stayed in third to the line, even though I caught up in the rhythm I just couldn't get past.

The track at Lexington, SC was awesome, great facilty, good hospitality, it deserved a better attendance, with only around 80 motos each day. I guess the heat (over 100f all weekend) and the spiralling gas prices put people off. I hope they get a national next year though as it's on my list for sure.

My buddy Jason picked up a second in 41-45n and Bruce got the worse moto draw and unfortunately had to watch the finals from the sidelines.

check out www.columbiabmx.org for tons of awesome photos. Even one of me doing an old school table top for the dinner ladies on Sunday 8th part 2 i think...

Off to scare myself with the online bank account now..

Pointless, but I need one..

Check this out from Specialized, absolutely awesome. Every Brit should ride one.. I'm going to start a trend.. Its Langster London. Mint.

On a trend I am not keen to remain a member of, storms and power outages! I don't understand this? And I certainly don't understand why we have been without power at home for about 14hours now. Its BS. I trust Pepco are going to give me a rebate, although I expect they will have some clause that discusses 'force majeure' and say it's not their fault! Well it's not my fault when the bill doesn't get paid.

Off to South Carolina tonight, I hear the weather is in the high 90's all weekend and sunny! Lovely. I really don't mind riding in the heat, it's the stopping and sweating after that's the problem. I sweat at the thought of sweating. I think I am secretly a fat kid in a skinny kids body.. ooh I wonder if I've just invented something new for the Dr's and psychoanalysts to discuss on day time tv!

To Schwin or not to Schwinn?

NMKY, what do you think of this?

This is the 08 model, I may try and find the 07, it's the same just blue..

Don't tell the wife, but she did just drop a bombshell, supposedley I have been overpaying the monthly savings, cool.. i'll spend it before she can hide it somewhere from me.

spelling

Ok, so my last post, the grammar and spelling was aweful. I have a new PC and I can't type on the thing at all. I am so used to a laptop.. And I write proposals for a living, thank goodness for spell checker (although perhaps I need to turn it on..)

:)

Its all for charidy mate, not arf!

So the Cruiser Worlds ran on Sunday, and the UK old boys club rocked. Congrats to Dale on another #1, although he didnt look like he was trying all that hard and Flemdog who walked 40-44. Hilly took a fifth, Andy Shaw a 3rd and Ivesy a fifth i think. Great stuff guys, well done.

I am now motivated to rebuild and get back on my cruiser. It needs a clean for a start, hasn't been touched since Northern Monkey nearly got both wheels off the floor racing at Woodbridge. The bottom bracket is creaking like a good 'un yet again. I think it's the combination of a 3yr old ali frame and profile chromoly cranks. It will be completely stripped, repainted and rebuilt, or I may just hang it all and buy a new Crupi cruiser. I love them. I need new wheels and brakes for sure.

So the charity. Well it seems as though a few people are doing charity rides. my friend Mara is doing 194miles in CT or MA later this year and the Monkey is talking about one on his blog, when low and behold father-in-law sends me a link to one USAToday is organizing. I think it's a hint, something about giving back a little I guess and doing something I love. So I have a choice of 34miles, 65m or 102m in late August, the week before the Grands actually. Not sure if hitting up 100 miles is a good thing before the Grands so I'm going to opt for the 65miler. I will be good for this I think. Of course I need to go and buy a new road, bike, damn,.. well if you're going to insist.. I mean why not.. I'll have to hide it in the basement for a while and hope C doesn't spot it.

The weekend we went to NY for Jamies birthday, we had a great time, although after 1am I was starting to get tired and moody. I guess I can't keep up any more. Still the introduction of key lime pie perked me up somewhat. The wife consumed too much alcohol though and was feeling sorry for herself all day sunday. Lightweight. I was on it big time, I think I had 4 beers and a shot over 5 hours, no stopping me for sure. It was a great weekend and Jamie was on top form. She has some really cool friends too, so all in all a good trip.

I'm back on the bike doing sprints. My calf is holding out so far. Just plenty of constant stretching and I have it wrapped up so all is good. I guess I am going to have to jump everything at the weekend rather than manual to avoid straining it. Still I am looking forward to South Carolina, the track looks mint. If I can make two more main and pull some good results I will be in a comfortable position going to the Grands. I am not putting myself under any pressure though, the calf strain ruined my training for two weeks and unless I am doing something everyday I don't feel good, so SC will be about having fun. It's going to be scorching hot down there, so all the locals and Florida boys will be up front I guess. It's only just starting to get warm here, so I haven't had much time to get acclimatized to the humidity. Anyway, it's a new track and I want to hit the pro section, thats my goal. Anything else is a bonus.

More sprints or the track tonight with Chris Agard. Chris pulled off wins both days at PA this weekend at the ABA national, although it was a mudfest so he said. Chris should be in with a real shout of a Top 3 plate this year, maybe even the #1. Bring it East mate.

Jog on..