Sorry, its been awhile, but I’m back.  I’m not sure if it the Deep South weather or the cross action, but man it’s been HOT.  As you know we get started late down here, but things have started with a bang.  I’ve had three race days now, SO if my math is correct that makes a total of 6 times on the cross bike since last January. I really had good intentions…I tried to ride more (didn’t happen); tried to do some running (bad idea); got the bike out of storage early (it sat there pouting).  Feel free to add any more excuses here, I’m sure they will all fit.  I’m still coaching my daughter’s fastpitch team, plus my son started soccer and I’m coaching him.  Makes it hard to ride.  Then I reinjured my foot by trying to run too much. So, then I couldn’t do anything for four weeks.    By then, October was here.  So, I changed out the cables and heading to Birmingham.  Did the Masters race but had to pull out when my bike stopped shifting. Got it working for the 4 race. I got a great start in the lead group, but then started fading fast.  I ended up in the middle of the pack.  Then I went to Macon on October 9th. In the masters race, I continued to have mechnical issues, but I finished.  Then I did the 4 race.  Once again got a great start, but started fading fast.  But I did have a great sprint finish for 24th place.  Man, I looked like Cavendish on that sprint and I had to throw my front wheel to nip him at the line.  This past weekend I went back to Birmingham and tried the same thing again.  Got a flat in the Masters race so I pulled out to fix it before the 4 race.  This time I was a little more conservative on my start in the hopes of not fading as fast. I felt better and was able to maintain my pace, but I still ended up in middle of the pack again.  But man it was fun: beer handups, cupcake handups, kids on the rope swing falling in the creek (yes, the creek. It was hot), and enough sand to make you think you were at the beach.  I’m just happy to be racing.  I’m on the Jan Ulrich plan of getting a little heavy and then trying to race my way into shape (without the cocaine, of course).  But it is a long season and I’m hoping to be pack fodder at Master’s Worlds.  Anybody else want to clip in with me?

Talk to ya’ll later.

DS