I did a lap this morning to make sure the course was marked and taped for the race promoter Gary Kline. Felt ok but was deteriorating fast. Had a nice breakfast at the Bear Creek Grille and that did me in. I threw in the towel on this one. All the guys in my category were bummed and wanted me to be in there too. I felt so bad but my stomach would not cooperate. I would have had to stop at the bathroom for 15 minutes after each lap lol. I’m really bummed cuz I wanted to give Kirt from MTBNJ a good run as he is pretty fast. Well at least I got 2 free lift tickets and my registration for the MASS finals taken care of. And ya know what really makes me feel like a rookie? On the way home with my tail between my legs I see Rob L. Riding his bike. TO THE RACE! He lives in Nazereth – BC is in Macungie!
It was a success! We rode, had fun, and nobody got high. 4 riders showed up for it. Of course it was the usual suspects, but that still counts. We all showed up for a greater cause. Anyways, since it was just us, we changed the venue at the last minute and headed over to the Mooch. Yep thats right, the Capt rode Allamuchy. He didnt even put up a fight when we asked him! Oh btw get this. Last blog I wrote that it was harder to get him online than to ride the Mooch. Guess what? He handed over his camera to me so I can pull the pics off and post them online. Yep, jsut as I thought. Getting him online is harder than getting him to ride Allamuchy! So anyways, it was Ryan aka Sissy Guns, the Capt, Conan and myself. It was the Guns first ride of the season. Ya its August. Fucker spent his entire spring and summer lifting weights. Hes got the guns, but he rides like a sissy now lol. Honestly though, he pulled thru just fine. Struggled on the climbs and the rocks, but he did it without a complaint. Well, he did say he was gonna piss on me when I suggested Lumpy Bumpy and extending our ride. Ya sissy boy had to pee I guess….. So Mace did really well too. He just needs to get out his comfort zone once in a while. I knew he would like it and that he would do well. Well, except the time when he bounced his face off the ground. That was funny. Well, it was to me and Conan anyways. Of course Conan was in true form, ripping the rear wheel completely off his bike. I dont understand how he does it…
The next R.i.R. is Sept 18th. Same place/time. Its posted on www.nanj.org if you need more info and want to check it out. It will be an easy fun ride. Unless its jsut the usual suspects again 
Until then, here are a few pics of the ride, and the updated Raystown 2010 album is posted below it with Daves pics added.
Sissy Guns rollin a log
The Capt enjoying Ice Cream
Conan cleaned the harder first half
So I tried to head out to the Blairstown meeting tonight. Seemed like good weather and I felt ok when I started. Got about halfway there and realized I wasnt going to have enough legs left over to make the trip home, so I turned up Jacktown Rd and meandered my way back home. Plus the temp was dropping and I prolly would have not only have been painful to ride home, but cold as well. Anyways it was a good thing as I really needed to get my ass to work on time. I was bummed as I really was looking forward to some ESH, but I will have to jsut get it elsewhere. As usual, its not on my time.
So the other plan God laughed at is a possible relocation to Colorado Springs. Something I have been looking forward to for a really long time. The cards unfolded and it was finally dropped in my lap. As usual, I jumped on it without thinking and went ahead and started making plans to get me and my family out there by the December deadline the hiring manager gave me. Well not only did God laugh, but so did my family. While I didnt think that having a new baby in November would be a problem, it definitely is. Anyways, I have been given the OK to accept the job with the condition that we wait till March. Not on my time, but definitely something I can accept. I jsut hope I can get the hiring manager to accept that. Fingers are crossed!!!
So what else has been going on… Ah yes, Raystown and Jim Thorpe rides! Sorry to say though, thats it. My training has been slacking so bad since the Bear Creek race due to me being so busy at work. Prolly the reason I wasnt able to finish my 50 miler hill ride tonight. Ok enuff about that, back to Raystown. Capt Huff n Puff is supposed to get back to me with his pics, but trying to get him online is tougher than getting him to ride Allamuchy with me. And trying to get him to email me something is harder than getting him to ride Allamuchy with Courtney. LOL ok sorry Mace but I had to get a shot in there. Anyways I gotta say he hung in there all weekend at Raystown. Well, the first day was actullay just Josh aka Pippy Longstockings and myself since we got there early. We setup the popup at Woodland Campground and then I took him on a nice 7 mile intro. Saturday it was the usual suspects minus DFL. We started out strong but it was a bit much for Pippy. He had to bail before we got to Rays Revenge. The little 7 mile intro was prolly a bit much for him. He was also struggling with platforms pedals too. Very inefficient but he swore up and down it wasnt that <insert rolling eyes smiley here>. So he headed back and Conan, Capt and myself (aka pedals) kept on rolling. We did jsut about the whole north east side of the loop, getting in over 18 miles. Super fun ride to say the least. If you have never been there, its a definite MUST do. Later after the ride, we hit the lake beach. Definitely surprised by the beach. It was free. And nice. And well built. It had a bottom of cement that went out past the rope boundry with a nice sand beach. There was even a little beach for little kids. Little sand boxes and play things too. Up on top of the hill was a snack bar. I never made it there but I seen all the fat fuckers walking back down with big plates of fries. And there were plenty of fat fuckers there. Typical PA. I noticed the farther you get from the shore, the fatter ad uglier the people get. Fucking great. Colorado is about as far from the shore as you can get. But for some reason, I dont see it being loaded with fat ugly fuckers… The next day all of us went out for a ride on the west/south side. I crashed. HARD. I had to say Uncle and bailed on the last loop of the west side. Yep I actually threw in the towel before The Capt. I felt bad cuz Conan wanted to finish the whole loop, but he didnt want to go it alone. You see, he had 2 flats and replaced a derailleur hanger already on just the first half of the ride. I dont blame him for not wanting to ride it alone HAHA. It was an awesome weekend. Lots of fun by all. DFL you really missed a fun time.
So the next weekend I hooked up with Mike, Doocey and Bret for a fun tour of Jim Thorpes Nesquehoning ridge. These guys always show me a fun time. While I like riding with old friends like Dave, Aaron and Rich, riding with guys like Mike’s crew who can really hang just makes me love riding my bike. Something about Jim Thorpe too. I know a few friends dont really care for that place, but riding here just brings about good memories. Many moons ago Mergs introduced me to this place. We had some really fun times together here with Jake, Gillen and various random girls. Not a whole lot of biking, but we tried lol. Anyways, yes its entirely possible that my memories clouds my judgment of the trails here, but I just cant get enough of this place. The trails are long, the rocks are plentiful and some of the scenery is beautiful. I truly appreciate Mike for hooking me up on some of his rides. Like I said, always a fun time and guaranteed a ride longer harder and faster than I usually am able to get out on!
So lots of stuff coming up. I hope I can get in some training. Next race is BC #2 on the 29th. Im going into it with a win on #1, but that dont mean shit. There is no momentum there right now as I am just struggling to get in saddle time. If I can come out in the top 5 I will be happy – and lucky. Again my plan, but we will see if thats my time.
Weekend report coming as soon as I get some time to post. For now, enjoy some pics. I will add more from Mace when I can get them from him.
Josh inherits his new nickname:
Mid ride break @ Raystown. Josh had bail on this one. Hopefully he is resting up for the next one!
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So lately I’ve been having a horrible time getting to sleep during the day. When its super hot out, its not so bad cuz I leave the AC on and I dont hear the cicadas, crickets, birds, dogs, lawnmowers, weedwhackers, roofers, etc. But when its nice out and the windows are open I can forget about sleep. Its just too frigin loud during the day. I end up getting 3 or 4 hours at best. Also I think 5 years of the night shift is really catching up to me. Even when its quiet, I still find it hard to sleep. So this past week I am trying to switch it up some and do some work during the day. It is working out so far. Mainly because it just so happens that this week I have some daytime meetings to go to and not many network changes to do at night. Some weeks I know are not going to be like that, so I will take what I can get I guess.
Anyways I found some pics from the GPS Bike Maps website from the race. Im actually smiling in one haha. I felt pretty good during the race and I guess it shows. I went out hard but was able to keep up the pace throughout the race, losing only 5 minutes on the 2nd lap. Not pro times, but I cant complain. Besides, I may actually get to go to the Specialized US Cup Invitationals on Sept 12 thanks to my Mom and Grandpa Bill. I will see if I can work it out, but that would be exciting for sure. Also below are a few pics from Dan’s site RSD Mag. He DEFINITELY needs to get a smugmug and start charging for these. Very nice shots Dan!
Anyways, here are the pics and up next is Raystown with the usual suspects!
laying down the power getting the hole shot
2nd places view
smiley
dirt replaces the smile
Bear Creek Rocks
Ellie was there cheering me on too!
1st place at the Bear Creek Challenge today. This means I’m also the PA State Champion, bronze medalist for the Mid Atlantic Regionals and qualified for the Kenda Cup. Good things happen when nothing breaks!
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So looks like I got a new ridin partner! He’s lovin it!
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the bird says: 
