New Year

Someone asked me last week what I did for fun. Wasn't sure how to answer to be honest. My resolution for next year is the remember how to have fun. In the meantime, I hit the roads a couple times for some snowy biking.

It's a boy.

With two boys already, I am disappointed and relieved all at the same time.

11-11

Four years. Can't believe it has been four years since Eric was killed. Came home from work early (really, just on time, been working late a lot) and went for a run. I don't know how Eric trained for a marathon. Though I did feel like I could have run forever last night. Got 3 miles in before it got dark. Shelly and I are heading to Nashville this weekend to gather a few last things of Eric's from his house. Hope to make an uncomfortable trip into a getaway weekend, Lord know we could use it.

News

Well, after discovering that we are about to add one to the family, I picked up a kids trailer from Mac in A-town. Will come in handy in a year and a bit.

Got my new tire this week for the front of the MTB bike (to replace the one I melted). Spooned a WTB Exiwolf on. Hope it is a good combo with the Nano in the rear. Also installed my ebay scored Magura Julie brakes. Lighter than the mechanicals, plus the front is a 180-mm.

Ran out to Lake Hope this morning for the break in. Lots of leaves on the trail, but otherwise a great 15 mile ride.

Birthday Fun

So, I am about to turn 35. On a rare day for October, I headed to Lake Hope for a couple of hours of singletrack to celebrate (have not been on a trail since the Farmhand XC). About 20 minutes into my 30 minute drive, after going through swarms of lady bugs, I hear a loud bang followed by a burnt smell. I thought I had run over something and was expecting to have a flat tire.... on the car. Hmmm, car still drives fine, oh well. Get to the lake and drop the bike off the rear rack. Wait, the front tire was fine when I left home, how did it go flat on the car? Downfall of a 29er I guess, the tire was a little too close to the exit of the muffler. It literally melted through the sidewall of the tire, even melted the rim strip. No riding today. Killed a few more lady bugs on my way back home.

Thought I would salvage the afternoon and take the Jamis out for a dash down the back roads. Nope, flat tire on the rear. Found a small piece of wire through the tire tread and a hole in the tube.

Played guitar instead.

Ohio Pawpaw

The Ohio Pawpaw festival was held on Sat. at Lake Snowden in Albany. It is a rather organic festival with local food, music, and organizations. With a focus on the pawpaw, there is a wide variety of dishes, from pawpaw pancakes, pawpaw chili, pawpaw popsicles, and even pawpaw soda and beer. Started the day with the Double Nickel, a 55 miles road ride around SE Ohio. Had to opt for the 22 mile option as Ethan had two soccer games. Still, a great fall day for a ride and some pawpaw pop.

I disappoint myself once again...

The Bob Evans Farmhand XC race was held yesterday (Sun. 13th). I went down to the farm on Friday evening and the trail was already marked. I rode the full lap. Some very tight and technical areas. Some steep climbs (even a couple uphill switchbacks). Felt decent.

Sunday: arrived to register about 10:30a. Decided to race in the expert class. Two laps, about 20 miles. I knew I would be last, but heck, get my money's worth and stay out of the sport class mayhem. Followed the back of the expert field from the start into the woods. Wasn't a 1/2 mile before I was mobbed by the front of the sport class. Not much stagger in the start.

A couple climbs and I was feeling it. Half way through I had to pull over. Energy level seemed fine. I drank fluids all morning so I wasn't dehydrated. I even used a Camelback for drinking. My stomach hurt like I had been running the 400m in high school. My head was pounding. Made it through the first lap after letting a beginner rider pass me. An extra 9 miles sounded like a bad idea and I pulled out.

Big DNF.

Not sure how I always manage to blow it on race day. 23 miles at Lake Hope and I felt good. 55 miles at the Quilt barn and I felt good. 10 miles on Friday at BEF and I felt good. Race day = feeling bad. Stomach still hurts a bit today.