Monday, July 28, 2008

tire(d)issues

The American spelling for Tyre is Tire! So I thought I'd have a little play on words and use tired to discuss tired legs and a tyre problems!

This weekend was a double header State race at Winchester, VA track. It's a tough track, not technical, but physically demanding, long and extremely bumpy. So after blowing a tube on my road bike last week and repairing it Friday night I decide to head out for a short ride to make sure all was working. An hour later and some hill climbs I get home feeling beat. This was rather stupid considering I know how tough Winchester track is. Also, riding the road bike a day before a race does my leg speed no good at all, as I found out first moto. I enjoyed the road ride, but not the night before a race is the lesson learned here.

Thankfully the weather was on the cool side up in Winchester. Last yr it was close to 100f, this weekend it was only in the low 80's which was a nice relief to be honest from the humidity of the last few weeks. Practice was ok, although my gates were shocking, too long away from NBL gate practice I guess. I managed to bump jump out of the second straight triple which was cool - manual the first roller and then hop off the second one from my back wheel down the back side of the jump. I got it down and did it in all my races. There was only 5 of us in class, but Scott Morrison was there who is usually a little faster than me so it was going to be good fun. However, I think I left my racing shoes at home, because to be honest I couldn't get motivated to ride all day and rode pretty crap. So much so that I ended up 5th after deciding I had had enough half way down the first straight in my final and sitting down.

I made the Pro Am final however and decided to give it one final effort. I had a good couple of motos picking up a 5th, 3rd and 2nd, even holeshotting one with Matt Kelty in (although my mates said he was just rolling!! damn!!) and Leroy Moses. So I summoned an almighty effort coming out of the gate, the kid next to me slammed my bars, I went wonky and twisted my tire/tyre out of shape! Pretty much the end of my race, by the time I got myself in a straight line I was about 5 bikes behind. I caught up to 6th, but then just simply blew up down the third straight and ended up last. My legs wouldn't even pedal and I thought I was going to pass out to be honest. I picked up a new tire off Chad and headed home to the In-Laws feeling pretty pissed off and tired.

I drove the 2 hours up into PA to Ben's brother's house, who was having a family BBQ and get together. My wife was well on her way, Jessie and Aunt Kathy were already pissed and the rest of the family was following suit. I ended up designated driver seeing as I arrived late, so was allowed one warm Yeungling beer and lots of pop to keep me going. We had a great evening. We don't see so much of the whole Laurence family, but we always have a good time, and seeing we are all close in age, it's good fun.

Sunday was spent lying in bed, at Dunkin Donuts, and house hunting, well looking at least. You'd be amazed at the size of house for $270k you can get in Hanover, you'd be like royalty. It really does make me think twice about all the money we spent for ours, but then I'd be working at Walmart and Christine would be a career receptionist somewhere. It's not conducive to the $$'s for sure.

This week we are getting Gatsby, our cat adoption. C is freaking a little, but I think they will be fine, and I would rather we take the cat than put him in a home. I am looking forward to it. I think he will be fine with our two. They are pretty laid back and I don't think it will be long before they get on.

Tonight, final coat of paint on the new door frame, new tire on the bike and early night I think.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Hot weekend

It's been hot here, well into the high 90's and high humidity. Not pleasent to do anything in, so I kind of hid in the house most of the weekend. Friday night I did nothing more than mow the laws, kills weeds and watch TV. I have to say though, that lately if I sit still I seem to find a beer in my hand. This is worrying, a) because I'll become a fat bastard, but b) I seem to be enjoying it too much and want to drink regularly. I think this might be a result of the heat and a cold beer just feels good, but I don't need a couple of pints a night like I have been doing this last week. I'm an alchy!

Saturday, we hit the hardware store, paint and things. Bean has been doing a great job of painting the kitchen, she has done it all her self and is rightly proud of her efforts so far. Nice one. Saturday afternoon, after naps, I headed to Severn for an hours riding. It was 94f. I ended up riding from 4 to 8pm. Had an awesome session. Got the clips dialled in and felt much better on them. Manualled the whole third straight, all 7 jumps clipped in, flat out and was getting the bnump jumps dialled in, so am much happier. Bad thing is, I am still struggling with my knee, it feels like a trapped nerve in the top of my knee, it starting to get bloody painful and I really don't know what's causing it. No weights again then this week, just sprints and some road rides.
Saturday night Amit and Jacey came over, so the day finished off well with Amit's stories of screwing over sales people. Very amusing.

Sunday, we slept late and then went to the Diner for brekkie. I think it's starting to become a habit, but it's a nice one and we have fun. We bought some curtain poles and a few other bits and bobs from Crate and Barrel and headed home to paintin and DIY. Although we did squeeze in another nap as we had been up for about 3 hours at this point. After painting the door I headed out for a road ride. I was beat to be honest and my 12mile loop took me 2 mins longer than normal. I guess I was suffering from the heat and riding the day before. I am trying to work hard on the climbs still though, if nothing else. I have been reading a good magazine that had some useful tips to help with climbing. They paid off a little I felt. It's so weird when you know how to ride a bmx well, you think a road bike is piss easy, apparently not at all. How you hold your ankle when climbing is a big issue. Seriously. I tried the technique and until my legs gave up I think it was actually working. I think for the most part fitness is the key, so more saddle time, but that can wait until after the Grands as leg speed and strength is what I need now, that and quitting my new found alcohol problem!

Gate practice wednesday and this coming weekend the State double header at Winchester. I want to go up to 44-16t, but then it's the ProAm and i'd like to make a final or two again as it was fun last time, so maybe I'll stay with the 41-15t. Decisions, decisions...

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Door

Interesting title. We are having a new door fitted today. I don't envy the chippy being outside putting it in for us, its 95f today. Door looks good though, I'll post a pic to keep mother happy later on. Not sure how exciting that it is for my several readers, but nonetheless it's the first major bit of DIY to our house.

Speaking of DIY, the NMKY is having his garden landscaped, lets just hope it's all chippings or something so Mrs Monkey doesn't have to hold the baby AND mow the lawn. Rich did his bike ride at the weekend and it appears it was fairly uneventful, but fun. Good on ya. I think I would die doing 60 miles, although I am determined to cycle from Hanover to home this summer and that's close to 60 miles if not more I think. I'll wait 'til it's cooled off a bit though first.

last night I went to Severn. They have made some changes, three rollers around the first corner, seems to be ok I guess and they are going to alter the rhythm section a bit, which is good cos its pretty washed out now. I rode clips for the first time in months, and I have to say I hate them. They are faster, but I am not smoother in them. I am just going to persevere and work on it, but it's not bmx, it's plain gay. Why do guys my age, who aren't chasing vet pro dreams need clips. Seriously, whats the point? We grew up on flat pedals, why do we need disco slippers now! I think when I turn 35x after christmas I will be back on flats.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

I forgot..

... my unofficial, legal, wedding anniversary yesterday! Oops. Well, things have been so hectic it never even crossed my mind, not even once so I can make up an excuse. Good thing is so did the wife pretty much. She bought me some turquoise underwear to go with the myriad other colours she likes to buy me. She wasn't piss@d but if I'd forgotten the real one, my nuts would have been on the pillow next to me in the morning.

We had a good weekend. C had Friday off and pottered around the house and went and saw friend and things. Saturday I rode all day in 95f heat. Had a great session at the track, won 30+ open and then we hit the trails for a while. Had a good time and this time I rode more sensibly rather than pretending I was Brian Foster or somebody. Got a nice redneck sunburn to my arms as well, just need the beat up old pick-up truck now and I'll be hanging with the boys, chewing tobaccy and shooting possums before you know it.

Saturday night we went for Dinner at Sonoma with jacey and amit, abbey and adina. Was a fun evening and good to catch up with everybody again. Sunday morning we hit the diner and ate too much. We are really bad. We spent the rest of the day decorating, putting up pictures, curtains and other things. It was too hot too go outside. Sunday night Bean went and caught up with an old skool friend courtesy of Facebook. It wasn't all that by all accounts, so I don't think she is too bothered about seeing her again. Just talked about herself the entire night. I hit the weights Sunday evening. Back doing deadlifts, as these aren't causing my knees any problems like squats where. I guess the squats will give me a bit more explosive power, but there is no point in hurting myself doing them. I am starting off light on the lifts and doing them quick, just touching the floor with the weight and then straight back up again.

Last night I did 12 miles on the road bike. I don't want to do massive distances, just work hard on the hills and spin on the flat. My legs are sore today. I am trying to push super hard on the hills as best I can to make up for not being able to hit the weights hard lately. My brother would laugh at me as he flies up hills on his road bike without braking a sweat, where as I look like the 15yr old who just got caught stealing Playboy... hot and sweaty, with a far away look in my eyes! Still, I am determined to make the most of the bike and I am really enjoying it. I have to fix a puncture for bean tonight as she got a flatty, same problem every time, spoke into the tube. I have more rim tape on there than Halfords sells, its feckin stupid. I have even filed down the spoke heads. It's always the same spoke to. So I'll fix that tonight and swap my gear back to 44-16t for Winchester and set up my new clips too. Maybe hit gates or a local race tomorrow night.

Off to MacDonald's for a protein shake...

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

New bike pics



A couple of pics of the bike.

Rich, check out the stem. It's a tube over the steerer tube, and the stem slides up and down it. I thought it looked sketchy, but it actually is so easy to use.

I prefer 0 degree stem, but it will do for now. Just put an old computer on it, from my BMX. And, Christine's boss gave me an almost brand new turbo trainer which is great for warm up for doing my weights. lovely jubbly.

Monday, July 7, 2008

surprise..

The planned, surprise, birthday party went down a treat for the Mrs. I think she was super stoked. She really had no idea, considering how clever she is, I am going to give myself a hearty pat on the back for not slipping up along the way. We had an awesome time, so many people came and it went off well. A bunch of my bmx buddies came, Shitbreak and Dave came down from Boston, Mo plus bump and James and all the family so it was a really good time. Have to say though I couldn't have pulled it off without Eric and Bep who helped out soo much. I am really grateful guys.. We even managed to keep Christa in check when she had a kitten every time the phone rang. The only slight downer was the weather, it pissed it down as soon as Bean turned up, so everybody was in my house. My mum would have had a heart attack with the mess, but it was all good. We now have about 2 cases of beer and several bottles of wine left. I think I may dump them over the fence as the guys next door will appreciate them I am sure.

Thursday I picked up my new bike. I was out in West Virginia at 6.30 in the morning, grabbed the bike from Jamie and was back in the office by 8.30. The bike is awesome. I only got a couple of rides in over the weekend as I was so busy, but this week I plan to use it some more. A nice recovery ride tomorrow morning from weights tonight will be the first ride. I hope I can get out 2 or 3 days a week and a nice long ride at weekends whilst Bean is a sleep, that's my plan anyway. I'm very happy with it though, apart from brakes are a little spongy, cheap calipers, so maybe an upgrade later on and definitely some new pads now.

Saturday night we went to Christines boss' for dinner. Had a great evening. Her husband, Greg, is super cool and very funny. We were made to feel at home and for saying I am about as useful at a dinner party as birth control is to the Pope, we had a pukka evening. Also met one of C's colleague, JoJo Spiker. Not only is he cool, but he quite possibly has the coolest name ever. Rich, can you imagine commentating on that name.. "call the cops, JoJo Spiker just stole first place..". Not that you would use that line Rich, that's more of a Warlock one line.. :)

Sunday, after a lie in, I went to Severn to ride and watch the local race. Some little herbert told me "i would be better if i clipped in.." Cheeky monkey, just cos daddy bought him a race team! I laid down the law. Cleared all the second straight without pedalling after the first step, then manualled the whole second straight, with a jump to manual in the deep set thrown in and then asked him to do the same? cue wind whistling threw the trees and silence. I'll put my clips on when a title is on the line, not for a sunday scooting session. It was a good session though, but the humidity is starting to hit with a vengeance.

Just starting to plan my Grands trip. I am thinking of flying, $200 for a return flight right. It will cost more than that in gas to get Louisville with current gas prices. So that maybe my plan and hire a car there. Back on the training schedule tonight, have slacked for last month with my knee and calf trouble. I have no intention of making the Grands a wasted a trip, so better pull my finger out..

ta-ra

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

the wife is 30 today!

Happy Birthday pooper! Can't believe you're 30. I liked having a wife in her 20's made me sound studley...! Now we sound old. C woke up to breakfast in bed, and some flowers and presents. I know how to look after my wife for sure. Actually that's not true, but last night I did set my alarm early to get up and make her brekkie, but apparently I didn't turn it on. I tried to imagine another 30 years for both us, and what it will be like to wake up together when she is 60. I expect it will be the same, just a little more wrinkly and maybe a different cat.

Last night I went to Severn to ride, made the most of easy traffic getting home so I threw the bike in the car and headed out. Had a good session. Manualled the whole third straight several times. I can do it fast, but not slow. Still, you don't race slow so I am not too worried. Be nice to bring that trick out at the national and pull a place or two. I've also been trying to learn downside table tops, I don't really get them, I think I just turn my bars and lean a little. Bloody stiff! I'll figure them though. Also tried out my new 661 Kyle Strait knee pads I bought, excellent. Well worth a look for anybody after some top quality knee protectors. So comfy to ride in and much better protection all round, as well as giving the knee some stability which I hope helps me. Some complete twat was also launching fireworks at the track, wouldn't have been quite an issue if he was 16, but he was about 40! There really are some dickheads out there. feckin' rednecks..

Dad is at the Dr's today to see about his fingers. They managed to save them so that's good, but how much use or feel he will get, only time will tell. I am kind of hoping that they might sew some brains on, or at least his arse to the sofa for a little while so he sits still, but I doubt that will make any difference. Still, at least he can't hold a ciggy properly at the moment, so maybe that will stop him smoking.. somehow I doubt it though.

Cheers