Nothing going on in my world so I am putting up a...

Photo of the Day: Another of the mushrooms that I took photos of a few weeks back.


I'd forgotten about Klaus' Quote of the Day: Many study student financial assistance scheme after the Abitur only times.

How true is that?

I guess I should also mention an extra thanks to Les for BBQ'ing again, O'Fallon Brewery for supplying the beer and Amy for bringing the jello shots. My post race evening was very mellow.

My leg held up well on Saturday's ride. Like previous week's I stayed in the small chainring the whole time. I just had more incentive this time so that I didn't get carried away and strain whatever had been bothering me last week. The fact that Patrick's knee was bothering him helped too. He wanted to be cautious and cut the ride short, so Mark and I went along. The wind made for some tougher riding at times but it was not so bad. Mark and I added a little extra loop along Levee Rd and we ended up with 84 kms. The wind was stiffer down on the flat farmlands than up on the bluffs. The stretch going west alongside 255 was a good test. I pushed it and had a real good effort. Despite the hard work, it was tough to stay above 30 km/h.

Sunday we had Bubba 3 at JB. As expected, a good portion of the cross country course was used for our race. We didn't use the areas by the amphitheater or Powder Magazine Room, though.

The course was quite good. A short uphill start, turn, very slight downhill to a 180 and back up. As the ground steepened, there were three barriers and then a long straight descent. Toward the bottom you had to ride the good line to avoid a couple good sized grouping of tree roots and plow through what became a very rutted piece of soft, thick mud. Then through a small wooded section and up the hill toward the start area, only to turn left and snake through a couple off-camber hairpins that opened up into a series of turns on the ballfield, then onto the gravel road and then the slight incline up to the finish line.

It was a quick course but with enough hills to make the effort hard. I enjoyed it quite a bit. My heart wasn't much into warming up as I just rode around aimlessly for a short while. Everyone lining up earlier than I expected didn't help my enthusiasm as I was parked at the back of the pack... again. But, when the whistle blew I got the adrenaline flowing. The Mack guy took off like a bat out of hell again leaving the rest of us to fight for the best loser spot. Through the wooded section there was a small gap forming between my group and a lead group. It was decision time, and I took the aggressive approach and bridged up by the base of the hill.

From then on we had a real good race. There was an ebb and flow as a group of 7 or 8 guys were in the mix at one time or another. Guys would open a gap and come back. Some would drift off and come back. The mix of guys seemed to be ever-changing. Eventually, Mike and Sven rolled away, leaving Pat, Yielding and myself fighting for 4th. Approaching one to go, Yielding was leading and went down in one of the slight off-cambers at the end of the ball field. I had no way to go and went head on into his lower back. Over the handlebars I went. Patrick managed to slow down and avoid the pileup. We untangled ourselves and resumed racing. Yielding had more jump than me and opened a good gap that I couldn't close despite a nice charge in the last part of the race. I got closer but it wasn't enough. Sixth place again this week.

I took more days off than I intended. My hip/butt was progressing well and I wanted to give it a few more days of rest. Last night, I hopped on the trainer for a little over an hour. No hard riding, just tempo. The leg gave me no problems at all. However, today I have had some minor muscle twinges. I still plan on doing the Ronde van Madison tomorrow and that will be a real test. The predicted will strong winds will make all that much harder. By Sunday, I may be worthless because of the leg.

One last note about the Carbondale race. The guys used a nice feature of having yellow tape on your right and orange tape on the left. That's a little feature that some guys may not have noticed but it helps a rider read the course. Nice touch.

Faust Park made for a good race Sunday. Soft ground, but not muddy, ground. Enough up and down, fast off-camber turns, uphill hurdles. A course that handed out plenty of hurt on blustery day.

And speaking of hurt, my left butt his aching today. What felt like a jammed hip after Saturday's race feels much more like a pulled muscle today. I'm giving it some rest today and hope to spin some tomorrow and keep it loose. I'm just wanting it to heal sufficiently for next Sunday.

I got a nice start Sunday and was a solid third over the first barrier and past the finish line. Pfood and Jeff set a quick pace on the first lap and I was happy setting a good tempo for me. Starting with the 2nd lap, I began to drift backward as a number of guys went by. My guess is dropped back to about 9th but I stayed on the wheel of Jose, Greg and Dodd. Dodd dropped off and a lap later I came back around Greg and Jose up the first hill. For the next 4-5 laps I gave chase of Jeff and Mr. Black and White guy. Jose and Greg hung tough and stuck to my wheel as we eventually caught Jeff.

Eventually, I popped and the three of them came past but I kept Greg within reach. Bob Crow, meanwhile, was gradually gaining in the final laps and I knew it would be close on the last lap. On the penultimate lap, Greg took a spectacular tumble as he dismounted at the uphill hurdle.

One lap to go and Bob was closer again and I was getting close to lapping Leistner. I got held up a little bit in the tight section along the brushy area as we approached the final start/finish area. By then, Bob was right on my wheel. I started to make a move to get around Leistner just before the short paved section. I thought there were two ways around a tree but as I went to make the move all I saw was tape and I swerved back in line. We hit the pavement and then gravel section. I carried good speed through the gravel knowing that if I made onto the tight, grassy section my place was pretty secure. Bob hung tough and attempted to pass in the S-turns leading up to the final hurdle and finish. He swung it wide coming out of the turn. Meanwhile, I was carrying a little more speed than previous laps and also swung wide. We made contact as he hit the brakes into the tape. I continued on relatively unscathed and cruised across the line knowing that the heat was off.

The guys (Butthead and Nate, I presume) set up a real nice course that tested a riders skills.

There are fast race courses and there are slow race courses. Saturday's race was the Ronde von Evergreen in Carbondale IL. The Ronde is, as they dubbed it, race number 1.5 in the Bubba Series. If you were to look at the race profile for this course you would it would be a fast course. Maybe it was but I felt slow as molasses despite getting a good result. Nevertheless, I was better than last year when I crashed twice within a couple hundred feet

We had a whopping 8 guys in the B race. Our race official, "Major Hardcore" was by the book and wasn't allowing handups. I don't have a problem with that but the Bubba is normally more relaxed. He was sneaky about the start and I got out of the blocks good. I didn't want to get excited and go too hard, but still wanted to get rid of the pretenders.

I did an okay job of that and led for the first 3 laps. Then I faded. I'm not sure why. Despite my fading, I held on to 3rd spot.

The course was much better than last year's turn-fest. There was a nice flow with some long straights and then tight turns as well. The two puddles added a slop element to the race. There were a couple areas that were really bumpy. Maybe that is what contributed to the slow feeling of the race. I just couldn't get a good rhythm and seemed to hit every bump possible. Somewhere along the way I jammed my hip too. My right hip area, not to mention my back, was rather sore Saturday evening and I'm taking some Ibuprofen to get through Sunday's race.

There was a little rain last night so today should be soft ground at the very least.

The weekend was fruitful. Saturday we did a slightly modified Ronde van Monroe over in Monroe Co. IL. We had a chilly start as Patrick took his newly cast-free hand out for a spin. Arm and leg warmers were required but the day was still comfortable enough and got better as the temps slowly rose. We were pretty leisurely and the ride was quite nice despite a head wind on the way back. What else do you expect in the winter time.

Sunday brought the area's first 'cross race of the year. Bubba #1 was at Creve Coeur Park. Creve Coeur has produced some difficult courses in the past couple years but this wasn't so bad. The course was dry and the omnipresent tricky section around the shelter was not included this year.

We started with a short pavement section by the previously mentioned shelter before heading onto the dirt. The stampede of bikes kicked up a good amount of dust and made me regret even more my lackadaisical approach to the start of CX races. I lined up at the back and then got a sucky start for good measure. After literally eating everyones dust through the first two hairpins it was time to start picking people off and moving up.

I got one, maybe two guys, before hitting the sharp gravel turn at the far end of the course. From then on it was pushing hard but biding my time for the right opportunity to pass. After 4 or 5 laps I pretty much found my place. There was no more gaining ground on the guys in front and I was holding those behind at comfortable distance, but not so much that I could let up. The posted results scored 16 guys (not sure if that included DNF's) and I finished 8th. Not bad, but about what I normally do. I need to be more aggressive at the start and give myself a shot at a better finish. I'm not good enough to work my way out of the hole I always dig myself.

Observations: The course was good. Not very technical but it offered a few challenges. Particularly, the gravel turn was tricky.

In the B race, Hemmer was strong. He's made good progress from last year at this time. Craig F. and Jose had surprisingly sub-par rides. Craig complained of high tire pressure and Jose I'm not sure. He didn't hang around. He had a good start but within a few laps he was well off the pace. That's unlike him struggle so much so maybe he hasn't been riding much.

In the A race, Ryan was his typical self and opened up the gap early and kept it. Kurt looked good. Hairdoo hung tough, Jack was good early and faded a bit at the end. Dr Mark came good at the end and Ethan struggled much more than I expected before eventually rolling his rear tire. Blame the new Labor Power jersey.

Another hour on the trainer Wednesday night. Felt pretty good while watching the first part of the '02 Paris Roubaix when Boonen really started making a name for himself and Hincapie decided to ride into a ditch.

Instead of a Photo of the Day we have a Video of the Day. This is the GP Eric Vanderaerden in Neerpelt, Belgium. There is an interesting ebb and flow to the race that makes it interesting viewing. This is an hour-long video so you best have broadband if you wish to watch.

We got a little of the rain that was predicted. The rain has been light and intermittent and made for a dark, damp and dreary day that would have been a stereotypical day of 'cross. Sunday, however, looks mostly clear with only a slight chance of rain. Looks good.

I rode the trainer last night for 1:20. Originally I was going to watch the baseball game while riding but turned on the videotape while the pregame show was on. Watching Ullrich ride off a mountain and Lance put in a dominating ride on Pla d'Adet proved to be much better viewing.

Photo of the Day: There is something that I like about taking pictures of mushrooms. Their miniature size makes for interesting shots. As if they are tiny trees or forests. A couple Saturdays ago I was driving through Sylvan Springs and thought I saw a large number of mushrooms growing near a tree. I had no camera at the time but came back a few days later to see if they were as interesting as they looked from the car.

I need to remember and try truing my front 'cross wheel. The wobble is slight but enough to cause some brake rub.

Five days to Bubba 1. A little rain is supposed to roll through tonight. Perhaps that will be enough to soften the ground a little bit. Rock hard 'cross courses beat the heck out of you. I have no idea what to expect on Sunday. My fitness is fair so I can probably expect my usual mid-pack finish.

Photo of the Day:

Discovery continues to pick over the Liberty Seguros debris left by Operation Puerto. Paulinho is already signed and speculation is that they are in negotiations with Contador and Caruso. If you can look past the Puerto matter, they have some good young riders.

Saturday I went to the Barracks for some 'cross. Did three hard laps with a fourth of moderate pace and mixed in remounts and general cool and warm down time. In total I rode two hours. I'm not sure why but several people seemed to be using the cross country course as a place to walk their dogs. They were a pain in the arse.

Twice I almost took a tumble. The first time I hit a hole that I never saw. Both feet unclipped and I barely caught myself before hitting the bars or endo'ing. The second time, I hit the brakes with my usual force. With my brakes working well now, they grabbed hard and scared the crap out of me.

Sunday I did the Bugman ride for the first time. Fifty-six miles of chilly morning air that turned into a perfect day. The trees out in the Wildwood area were looking quite good. Trent busted out his new non-downtube shifting bike and rode well. A new guy from Nevada was riding well in the hills, too. Eduardo, however, chose not to take a route map from the man of bugs and promptly got lost somewhere along Melrose and was never seen again. He was caught in between the lead group and some slower riders. Like a Criss Angel magic act, *POOF*, he was gone. He either turned down Allenton or missed a turn on Hwy 100 at Melrose. We don't know, but he wasn't back at Starbuck's by noon.

It had been a long time since I had been in the Wildwood area around Melrose, Babler and Chesterfield. Doberman had not been climbed in at least two years. The new roads in Wildwood make for some fine riding.

I have not missed riding on Wild Horse Creek. That's just not a fun road anymore. The road is poor and cars are going by respectfully but at high speed. Long Rd and Edison were like interstates with one car after another going by. Edison wasn't as bad since it had a shoulder.

No ride is perfect, though, and all things considered it was a nice ride.

Photo of the Day:

Thursday night's trainer workout whooped me. After a warmup, it was 50 minutes of accelerations, decelerations, harder gears, easier gears and everything in between. Sweat was dripping steadily and good puddle was left below me. Ooof!

Today's semi-cycling related news:

Armstrong, neighbors in flap over pool
DEAD MANS HOLE, Texas, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Lance Armstrong's neighbors near his Texas ranch aren't very neighborly any more because of a flap over a pond that has gone from clear to pea soup.

The blame for the discolored showpiece in the Hill Country west of Austin has been heaped on an ill-advised dam Armstrong built on Dead Mans Hole, then abandoned when things went wrong, the Houston Chronicle said.

Sediment from that project fouled the pond -- and fouled the neighborly attitude of residents near Armstrong's land, the newspaper said

The cycling champ says he is doing all he can to clean up the mess and has spent half a million dollars on it.

The once-pristine water has cleared some but there is an algae problem and the pond's bottom is slimy, the Chronicle said.

Photo of the Day: Another orchid picture.

Tuesday's trainer workout became a basic hour-long ride. After getting on the bike I wanted to spin the legs pretty good. Maybe tonight I will mix in more efforts. Everything on the bike seems to be working well.

Francesco Del Ponte update: VDB had a solid start with Acqua e Sapone today. He finished about a half minute back of the winner in 24th place, if I recall correctly.

Upcoming elections: I go back and forth on the Stem Cell Initiative. I'm only half-joking when I say that I'm tempted to vote no simply because the "Yes" supporters have begun trotting out the celebrities to stump for passage of the amendment. First, it was the Sheryl Crow commercials. Now Michael Fox has come trotting in to town. Go home. Celebrity endorsements and celebrity testimony in front of Congress is one of my pet-peeves and turns me off of almost anything they support.

Today's photo is something a little different. An orchid flower. More specifically a Dendrobium orchid.

Monday night I was able to pick up my cross bike before the team meeting. It's all shiny and seemingly smooth working. I can't wait to get on and check it out. The shifter will work since I bought a new one and the new cables and pads will cause the brakes to actually work well. I went ahead and had the brakes/levers swapped despite Butthead's advice. I wanted to try the setup and I'm a hard-headed german. Only one way to know whether I will like the setup or not.

I'm going to be on the trainer tonight. My legs tightened up a little Tuesday from Sunday's ride. I was lazy though and didn't get on the bike so I need to get the legs moving again. I'll probably try and simulate a CX race, as much as you can, on the trainer.

The temps better cool down by next weekend. Racing cross in 80 degree heat is not right.

The press release announcing next year's Tour of MO came out in today's P-D. Mike said the race was being announced next week so I wasn't expecting it this quickly. He also mentioned other possible news regarding the race but that it is much too early to announce anything.

Grand Tour rumors: I'm reading internet rumors of the Giro going over Monte Zoncolan next year. The Zoncolan is said to be the toughest mountain in Europe. I also read that they might return to the gravel-topped Finestre that was ridden in '05.

On the other hand, I also read that the Tour might also use the Finestre. I've also seen speculation that they might use part of the Roubaix course again as well as returning to Mont Ventoux and the Puy de Dome.

I can imagine the Giro rumors coming to fruition. The Tour going to the Finestre and also returning to the cobbles, I would guess, is less than 50%. I'd like to see it happen but will wait for the presentation in a few weeks.

Sunday's ride to Ste Gen turned out really well. We had a cozy group of four as Jose's last minute efforts to make it to the ride didn't pan out.

Temperatures were great with not a cloud in the sky. The only down parts were a flat as we pulled into the first rest stop and an unexpected closed gas station in Ste. Gen that caused us to ride just a little further up the road.

Except for one pissy motorcyclist who apparently didn't like our single-file riding we didn't have any troubles with cars and the one section of gravelly road we had last year because of road construction was smooth as butter this year. In fact, most of the roads were really nice. Hwy 67 could be better and there was short, poor stretch in Festus where I got my flat. We even had a freshly paved section south of Prairie du Rocher. Not having chip and seal shocked me.

I started cramping pretty bad around Maeystown up to Valmeyer. After that the cramps subsided some but started to creep back in the last 5 or so miles. Thirty km's/h seemed to be the cutoff. Below that I could ride without much cramping. Above that and I would tighten up pretty good.

In the world of pro cycling, my worst nightmare came true. I held out hope that Bettini would show some class with his kit at the first race after winning his World Championship title. The man was an utter mess, an abstract splattering of color reminiscent of a Jackson Pollack painting.

Time prevents from commenting further.