Klondike

A two day stage race at Klondike in St. Charles County kicked my tail this weekend. This course always suits me somehow, because it is technical, fast and moderate all in one course. It is an allrounder type course, needing a little bit of everything in order to finish. I used gears, as I will for the rest of the season. A couple guys catted up to expert class on their singlespeeds and were glad the did. It was a fun race with a great group of people whom I have admired for years.

Let's face it. The freaking newspaper article that came out made it necessary for me show up and attempt a decent finish. My old fat ass needed to walk the walk, so I have been training my tail off, sneaking out here and there, one upping the DRJ, my other team mates, whomever. Amy Bertand of the Post Dispatch listed my category as expert so there was a heck of a lot more pressure, I don't consider myself to be that fast, but things are getting better than prior years. Last year my season as an expert was pretty poor. There was lots going on in life, sick parent, moving, other stuff. I have always wanted to get to the fitness level where I could keep up with Lil Buddy and Shuck. Brendan shelled me all week in Colorado last year. We are all fairly competitive and now it is even more so.

I didn't even get legs until October of last year, barely in time for cross season. As far as cross goes, I don't even get to feeling good until week 4. Lots of pain getting acclimated to anaerobe. So I have kept the fitness since October and did a little more specific training this year in order to see what I could do. I was pleased with this weekends race, even though I flatted in the short track. Ted Weiss, my team mate was there and had a great showing. So, thanks to everyone who held back today and let me squeak out a top ten finish.

I usually purchase a shot or two from Kurt Jambaretz of Action Images, he took this photo of me using Cyclocross skills to get through the hairpin switchbacks on Hogs Back decent. If you have never purchased something from him try and do so, he keeps showing up and has got to be the best photographer in the business. Plus, the dude was sporting a Pfoodman shirt. Nice.