Last night was the final World's before this weekend's Gateway Cup. The number seemed smaller at the start but by the finish there was the usual large group. I'm not sure where everyone came from. Anyway, I did my usual attack. Actually, jumped on Stover's wheel in an attempt to bridge to a group of escapees. It worked for a lap and a half. Typical of the moves I get in. Once I get there, I do what I can but I don't feel I have the strength to contribute in a sustained manner to a break. Especially with 1's and 2's in the pack.

Spent the weekend racing in western MO at a couple of first time races. Saturday was a 7pm twilight race in Sedalia so Joe and I were able to leave relatively late at 2pm. We got there in good time and had about an hour and a half to get ready. Perfect. The course was a rectangle with two long straights and two short straights. The last half of the backside was a gradual downhill and the corresponding spot on the homestretch provided a gradual uphill sprint to the line. Joe, Jose, Justin and I were representing the 3's while Shane joined us a 4 after getting 3rd in the 4/5 race. Not a bad squad but less formidable than what we are capable of fielding when everyone shows up.

The course provided for a quick pace and the small field of 25 kept the race active with no shortage of attacks. Everyone put in a good effort and did what they could. The final lap found me further back than I wanted. Someplace in the upper teens. Going into the first time something happened and two riders let a good gap open up. I guessed they just popped and let it open. A KU rider and I hopped around them and had to lay it down on the back. I played it cool and made the KU guy do the work. Thankfully he was strong enough to get us on the back of the pack by the end of the straight. Then it was just a question of getting through the short chute and hammer up the hill to the line. My kick wasn't killer but it moved me up a few spots but I knew I didn't get in the top 10 for money. My guess was 15th.

The officials posted the results and I was nowhere in the top 20. What the F? Justin was completely overlooked too. My gut reaction was to say "Oh well" since I wasn't in a point or money earning position. Joe urged me to protest anyway and I did. It never ceases to amaze me how often the officials screw up the videotaping of a finish. In this case, the camera was not at a great angle and it was hard to see riders on the far side of the course. The problem they could not control was a poor video image. Race numbers were completely indecipherable. We were left trying to distinguish riders by jerseys, shoe color and even a blur of sock color. We got Justin slotted in somewhere around 9th and it turns out I got a little better finish than I thought and managed a 13th place.

After watching the incredibly fast 1/2/3 race won by Joe Hill we headed to our hotel in Warrensburg.

Sunday we woke up and went downstairs for the hotel breakfast. I loaded up pretty well on bread-like items. I'm not a coffee drinker except for a handful of times a year I might have cup. But, I figured I'd give myself a little caffeine jumpstart and had a couple cups. We checked out of the hotel at 10 but had 5 hrs before our 3pm race. We hopped in the cars and Justin led the way to the course since he had a map. We were looking for Pine St. according to his map. I knew the course wasn't far but before long we had blown by the University and then the city limits and Justin was motoring on down the road. Joe blew his horn and I signaled that we need to turn around. Joe led us back to the University and we started down one of the roads thru campus. Joe and I slowed to get our bearings and Justin went by like he knew where he was. A minute later he was messed up, we passed him and found the right street. Despite the navigational miscues the course setup still had net yet begun other than the Start banner being set up.

We killed some time trying to figure out what the course would be based on corners had barricades waiting to be put in position. After a few laps we headed to registration but they still were not ready and waiting for one of the officials to arrive from Sedalia with some materials. The homestretch was a long gradual uphill, a left hand turn that continue up for another block. Then it was downhill and whole series of turns. Left, quick left, quick right, left, right, longer straight downhill, left turn and a quick right and then the uphill to the finish.

It was warm so we found shelter in the coffee shop upstairs. I'm not sure what got into me but I ordered a big cup of coffee. Meanwhile the organizers were having trouble getting everything together. There were a number cars to be towed, street cleaners had to sweep the course, race numbers were non-existant so riders who didn't keep their numbers from Saturday night or didn't race had to make their own numbers. Eventually, the race came together an hour behind schedule. Yes!!! More time to kill. Joe and I got changed, found a shady spot and laid down to relax. Lying there I knew I was hopped up on caffeine. My heart was clearly beating faster than normal. I wasn't crazy with that but hoped I would settle down before race time.

I got my typically poor start, picked up a few spots and waited for the uphill to come. I had good momentum and blew right by everyone and had a quick gap. By the second turn, the pack was back on my wheel but pulled everyone around for the remainder of the lap. Maybe all the coffee was doing good. After that I settled in and was doing okay but eventually I became to feel the pace. The hill seemed to take its toll as its upper section started to burn. Soon I was at the back and the accordian effect of the turns was taking its toll. Maybe it was my imagination but I felt that my heart was still racing fast and hampering recovery. Justin was sitting behind at the back and I kept telling him to get around because I knew I was not good and I didn't want to gap him. Finally he went around and a lap or two later the hill weakened me to the point having a gap open and and I was gone a lap later. A disappointing race after feeling pretty good the night before. Thats the last time I drink the equivalent of 4 cups of coffee before a race. One cup, maybe.

Then it was the long drive home. We pulled up to Joe's place at 9pm. Too late! Sunday races should start earlier to allow for travel times. People do work on Mondays. The delays, of course, didn't help. Warrensburg was fun race, though.

Tuesday Nite Worlds were on the agenda tonight. I had everything loaded in the car ahead of time so that I could jump in the car after eating and be ready to roll. Only problem was I left the water bottles sitting on the kitchen counter. Such a goof. After that mishap, the race itself went okay. I got in a couple breaks that lasted a few laps each. Other than that, there was nothing extraordinary going on. There was a 7-8 minutes span about 35 minutes into the race where the hammer went down and the field was strung out in a long line. That hurt and caused me to dangle at the back for a bit but I hung on. I was strong at the end but wasn't real concerned with setting up in a good position so I came across in behind the leaders.

It has been a busy week and a half. Last weekend was the Tour of KC. This is a race weekend that kicks my butt every year. I've gone four, maybe five, times and finished either the Saturday or Sunday race maybe twice. I never finished the Saturday race. So, I made the journey yet again in the hope of just doing reasonably well. If nothing else, the race has always provided a decent warmup for Gateway Cup since it a weekend of racing.

The drive out Friday night was awful with lots of rain. Saturday we awoke to damp streets but dry air. By race time, everything had dried out. I got a bad start but stayed steady and each lap I would move up a bit more. By the fifth lap the rains came and I was poking around the top 10 on the bottom part of the course before the hill. I drifted back some on the hill but was still doing all right. But, not much later, as we crossed the start/finish stomach cramps began to set in. Only being able to take shallow breaths caused me to drop off the pace. From there is was a lonely ride except for the occasional rider that had popped off the pace. Each time they didn't stick on my wheel so I was still left alone. The last couple laps I chased a guy. Last time up the hill I gained the good ground on the guy. He didn't push real hard to the finish and neither did I but as long as he was just gonna cruise I figured I would take the placing. I was way off the back but I finally finished that damn race in 38th place. There was 80+ starters so that is not too bad.

Sunday was a overcast and chilly day for August. Again with another lousy start had me lingering near the back of the 80+ riders again. Those first 15 minutes were not good as I could not find a good rhythm. I was fighting the gears and just did not feel comfortable. This course really strings out the riders and makes moving up from the back difficult. I felt it was only a matter of time before a gap opened and I'd be done. Eventually, I settled in and was able to pick up a couple places each lap. Patience was key. My goal was to simply move up as much as possible by the end but I didn't have any designs on a victory. Top 10 even seemed unlikely. By the end, I was close to top 25. The penultimate lap brought an accident coming out of the second to last turn. Four or five riders went down with bikes and bodies bouncing around. Even a stray saddle was laying in the road. I had to slow considerably and by the time I got rolling again many places had been lost. At first I started to chase but came to my senses. Instead I just kept the pack close and rolled along for the final lap. Final placing was 50th. A little bad luck but I was pleased to have finished both races. A major accomplishment for me in KC.

Monday I went to work and then directly to the airport for a flight to Washington DC. The rest of the week was spent in training classes. I did manage to walk a lot while sight seeing but its just not the same as riding. One of my walks took me into Georgetown where I spotted a two bike shops right next door to each other. I had to stop in and see what they had to offer. The larger of the two had a decent selection of all bicycle types and brands from Trek to Waterford. The smaller shop, Bicycle Pro Shop looked to be a little higher end. Colnagos, Scotts and a DeRosa were in the racks. They had a couple of the new all-carbon Cannondale Synapses as well.

This past weekend I did some short sprint work. My legs were still sore from all the walking during the week and I didn't ride particularly well. The sprints started to feel better toward the end so progress was made. While cooling down after the third sprint there were a couple women who rode the other direction and were moving at a nice pace. They looked pretty good. It took some discipline to not forget the sprints and chase them down but I stuck with the workout.

Sunday was our sponsorship ride. Maybe 10 team members showed up and two guys from Companion came out. The turnout was a little disappointing but it was hot and the location was not the most convenient. If nothing else, the ride was eventful. We saw the aftermath of a bad motorcycle accident. There were five flats and Glen decided on taking a chin plant on the bike path. He said he was okay but his chin was pretty chewed up. His wrist was scraped up too. Afterward, the two cold beers at Fast Eddie's tasted mighty fine.

Last week, I ordered a couple photos from a photographer who takes shots of riders as they go up Alpe d'Huez. He snaps you as you round one of the hairpins and quickly jumps up and hands you a business card with an order number on it so you can see the pictures online. The photos look quite nice. I need to order a few from L'Etape as well.

Last night's races went much than Sunday. I rode with some aggression. After a quick start, the race settled down I got in a break with Roseberry and Christanell. We were away for a couple laps and Joe bridged up. The two of us pushed on for another lap and a half or two. A couple more times near the end I attacked and stayed away for a little while. I don't have the power to hold off a hard-charging pack but I knew I gave a good effort and that satisfied me.

Yesterday was the State Crit and the day got off to a rocky start. I left home a little before and was running ahead of schedule. For a short while at least. Just as I get onto 44 I realize that I did one of my occasional bonehead moves. Apparently, I felt a jersey and shorts were unnecessary for the race. So, back home I go to get the proper attire. I was then 15 minutes behind my own self-imposed schedule.

The trip went well. I get registered, change clothes and start to get the bike ready. While pumping up the rear tire there was a definite hissing. Sure enough, I have a flat. The hole in the tire was rideable but I didn't feel like risking it so I swapped out tires with the spare wheel. After making the change I lift the rear and give wheel a spin. It does not spin hardly at all. Instead the brake keeps grabbing. The brake looks centered and then realize there is more slack than usual in the brake cable. I can pull the brake tight but when I release the brake does not release. I played around with the cable a little but my lack of bike maintenance skills were quite evident. Ultimately, I put the brake back to how it was I resigned myself to not using the rear brake during the race. Who needs brakes, right?

Amazingly, I didn't unconsciously use the rear brake. If I had, maybe I would have had an excuse for sucking so much. Yesterday's race was a 6 on the Suck-O-Meter. I finished but basically I rode in the back half of the pack almost the whole time. The one time I moved to the front, some guy opened up a small gap. O'Neal jumped on his wheel. Around the second turn, they had about 50 ft on the pack. I jumped across easily enough. O'Neal then attacked from the behind the Capitol. I hung on his wheel up the hill and as the home stretch started, the pack had caught us. I eased up let someone else take up the chase. That was my whole race as I drifted back to my earlier rearward position.

I don't know the problem. Part of the problem is a lack of confidence in my fitness. I can give some short efforts but then I'm gasping. I fear giving a little too much effort and then getting shot out the back. So, I end up sitting in the pack and doing nothing. I hate that.

Saturday I headed down to Fenton, pushing a nice pace along the River Rd and Outer Rd. I eased up and went through Buder Park and took 141 to Valley Park. The good news in Valley Park is that the construction on Marshall Rd is complete and the road has been opened up. Normally, we take St Louis Ave when heading toward Big Bend because Marshall wasn't in very good shape. Now, Marshall is much nicer than St Louis Ave. which has become rather poor with potholes and the road has been graded to a rough state for future paving. However, it's been that way since winter.

My next good effort was up the hill on Marshall Rd. This hurt a little more than I wanted but I was determined to not slack off until the top. With the State Crit Sunday I wasn't going to push any harder than necessary the rest of the ride. I went down Lindbergh to Eddie & Park to Grant and Pardee to Laclede Station to the cemetery. After a little visit to the cemetery, I found a little cut out in the trees and plants that surround the cemetery that cut through to Grant's Trail. It was nice being able to avoid Hwy 21. From there it was easy to take Green Park, Mueller and Von Talge back home.

All week I've very itchy. I got swarmed by a bunch of mosquitos or some biting insect. There are a few bites on my arm but most are concentrated between my ankle and knee. There must be 15 bites on my lower legs Very annoying.

Haven't written much the past couple days. This weekend I skipped Springfield and did my own training. Saturday was series of 3 minute intervals. It had been a long time since giving that kind of effort. It was hard work but the feeling that some good was coming out of that work made if worthwhile. Sunday I spent doing shorter standing sprints. After several sprints I started another, out of the saddle and approaching my top end when the bike suddenly slowed to about half speed and jerked my right hand off the bars. I stayed upright and my left arm kept me from landing on the bars. Somehow my rear wheel had come out of the dropouts. I suppose I had not tightened it down real well. Dumb mistake but it could have been much worse than the bruised forearm that I received.

Tuesday Nite "A" race went well. I wasn't overly aggressive until making a go of it with a little over a lap and a half to go. The break didn't last too long and I was swallowed up by the top of the hill. Stomach cramps limited me from catching back on to the group. I just rode out the final lap. In general, I felt good. The pace felt comfortable and closing smallish gaps was not problem. Maybe the weekend work did some good.