Not the "BAM" We Were Hoping For...

Motivator

Get Back In The Fight

Sort of, Not Really - Swanson Shoot Out Marathon

First, I am rusty at blogging and race reports in general. There are no pretty pictures here (and with the socks that Kevin Wilkins wore, such shots would have been assured).

Second, I am rusty at racing and in that regard, the situation on Sunday was perfect. You'll hear people throw around the term "training race" and wonder if they are just saying that to excuse a result. I was one better (or worse). I knew going in I was only racing for two and a half of the four allotted hours. So, show up, check the fitness during the marathon event, shake the racing cobwebs off and see where things stand. (Then head for Con's soccer game). Perfect.

After a nice conversation with Anne Savery and the usual hellos, we started and I, in classic fashion, couldn't decide how hard to go out so I found a friendly ass and tucked in behind Gammel. I did bother rolling a warm up lap and hadn't ridden Swanson in two years so I just followed along. The gear seemed a solid choice and I keep Sam's last text to me in mind. "Hydrate well. Stay Smooth."

There was really only one point that I felt like I was racing. Anybody who has raced the one gear will know this moment... You hit a climb behind a group, hear everyone downshift and think, "Fuck, I should have passed." Ah yes... racing.

Otherwise, good times...

I was behind CVO for a bit until he needed to go poop.

I saw Marc making his way up to me near the end of my two plus hours. "Come on, Mother Fucker, get up here!!" A little banter and away he went.

Shortly after, the Cat One race came climbing along and in short-sighted effort to top out on the climb before then, managed to put myself in the dirt. If you raced, remember the point where, shortly after crossing the road, you turn left to climb the open-air switch backs? If so, you remember the brightly colored post on the inside of that turn? The one with all the ribbon on it? I somehow managed to clip that trying to stay ahead of guys I can't stay ahead of.

So much for "staying smooth."

Next up... Tranquility. And according to schedules, I'm in for all four hours.

Motivator

Damiano launches on gravel

Saturday - Feb 18

6.2.2012

Sam often (and rightfully) makes fun of my overly competitive side. Since I've been a bit of a half-assed racer for the last couple of years, we've largely been able to ignore this little short circuit in my personality, but I'm pretty sure that it's now coming back for blood on June 2nd, 2012.

Can't we just call it 'goal-oriented?'

Motivator Memory

For those of you racing XC in Nebraska...

The 2012 Race Calendar is here!

Sat March 31: Jewell Time Trial & Fat Tire Criterium, Bellevue, NE
Sun April 1: Swanson River City Shootout in Bellevue, NE
Sat April 21: Lewis & Clark Time Trial & Tranquility XC, Omaha, NE
Sat May 5: Battle Royal at Platte River SP, Louisville, NE
Sat June 2: Maskenthine XC Classic, Norfolk, NE
Sat June 16: Ponca's Revenge, Ponca, NE
Sat Aug 11: Manawa Mayhem XC, Council Bluffs, IA

From your friends at Psycowpath.

Sorry!

Two's Company

Sometimes, It's As Simple as a Good Picture

Like a two year old who can't quite read, simply looking at pretty pictures makes me "Ooo and Ahh." Adults would probably rephrased it as motivation.

The Embrocation Cycling Journal currently has two sets that, as they say, "Do it for me."

A Weekend in Belgium Part I

A Weekend in Belgium Part II

Then there is this. A starting point, with motivation to have this single back have three or four War Axe WMD's around it. All ready for the weekend. Ready to Thrash.

Hitting a Reset

The holiday season is often a season of lists for the avid cyclist. I tend to be more guilty than most of this little habit. Grand plans laid out and, in the last couple of years, little of them actually achieved.

This holiday season I'm taking a different approach. Keeping it simple. Keeping it week-to-week, month-to-month. Instead of paying for race registrations that end up wasted dollars when race day finally arrivals, I'll take a chance on missing out and focused on being better prepared when I do make the starting line.

Off season config. Made for Miles.

So what's up first, how about simply getting some solid miles in, some rides with friends, restart a few 'bromances.'

In the process, I'm using a few tools to help me stay on course and be accountable to myself, if nothing else.

Strava

I like my data... to a point. Strava let me know what I want and I can ignore the details that geek out the paralysis by analysis crowd. Plus, I can tell what my friends are up to and feel a little peer racing pressure.

MyFitnessPal

Yes, it's a calorie counter. But, it's a well-designed calorie counter that works for me. Ten pounds down so far. Hoping to be a light heavy weight by Jan. 1.

I also plan to post a bit more about the effort. Prepare to be bored.

Lastly, as a reference point. The Velomanti. Rule 71.

(Yes, I am willing breaking a few of the Rules in the picture above.)

Mother Cover

For DK and Marc W

The rest of you may enjoy as well, sorry about the ads, there's no way around it.


Wye Oak covers Danzig

Fork 395_47

You can't see it, but it says Grindcore.

How to Create Propaganda

So if you count back from Nate, you'll find the fat guy in the War Axe kit in a battle for the top ten, right? I also heard that guy also took out Matt T, Belgian-style.

Signed, The War Axe Minister of Disinformation.

The Parabellum in Photos

Nate Woodman: 8 Seconds of Butter

It's just that easy...

The Goods: CX Season 2011

If you didn't make the launch party, there are a few new items on the War Axe Bicycles menu that you've likely not seen. Here's a quick look at what we've put together for our relaunch.

While a few people have commented that our new embrocation smells like cloves, we are sticking to our guns. Essence of coffee, rum and a touch of vanilla highlight this little bit of skin care love. Currently available in a mild heat to match the early CX season, we experimented until we found a slightly heavy, easy to spread blend we were happy with. With the coffee aroma seeming to grow over time, perhaps we will have to add "extra shot" to our descriptions soon.

The Parabellum T-Shirt. Si vis pacem, para bellum or If you wish for peace, prepare for war. Our friends at Screen Ink put the specs to a parabellum cartridge to good use, designing a shirt that was being ordered before the ink had even dried. Printed on American Apparel quality for the hipster in you.

||| $20.00 Available in Small thru XXL. |||

With a subtle shout to iPhone icon graphics, the WMD shirt came together quickly. American Apparel pleasantly surprised us by having a color they call "Poppy" which nicely mirrors our own "is it red or is it orange" color way. BAM!

||| $20.00 Available in Small thru XXL |||

The Fascist Killer Tee. From the Hoss Creative, featuring Sam's super calves both front and back. Great deal in the sock with a War Eagle standing out in the crowd. Also printed on American Apparel and mosh pit ready.

||| $20.00 Available in Small thru XXL |||

"The turntables might wobble but they don't fall down." This is the old school design in our t-shirt stable. Tultex apparel with the obvious shout out to RUN DMC's timeless design. What more needs to be said?

||| $20.00 Available in Small thru XL |||

Death by Cross

If I am honest with myself about the first five days of cross season, the admission I would need to make is that 'gears' keep coming to mind. It is what it is. Whether being too spun out on a road section or enjoy a cadence of thirty due to a bad cog choice, the idea of trying a race with the ability to shift is pecking away at my head.

Case in point, Omaha CX Day One, 3's race. I was a bit nervous and very uptight as we lined up for the start. So much so in fact that I just planted myself in last position. 'Why slow other people down,' was the thought process. We start, I ease into the race, ease my way off the back and end up doing the course solo from nearly start to finish. Got lapped by the leader right before going thru on my last lap. Came away feeling like I'd worked hard but still gone through the motions more than truly laying it all out there. Disappointed with myself.

The highlight of my race was the hand up provided me by Liz and Rhino, smooth initial hand up, refreshing swing, then Rhino yelled "Throw It!" instead of simply taking it back. I obliged and waited from the spray but he pulled it down like Willie Mays. Great play, fun moment.

Kevin and Jay whizzed by while John was breaking off "Guns Are Drawn." Seriously...

Fast forward to yesterday, Day One of the Flatwater CX Series at VDR. Ride to the race, break your lungs in two, ride home. Love it. Decided to roll the "B" race, which, while only 30 minutes, was probably where I needed to be. Plopped myself upfront, when out hard, got spun out on the road, but while I had people ahead of me, I was generally bringing it back in the grass and dirt, then I would lose those any gains on the road and the yo-yo business began. Rob Taylor and I enjoyed one of those "races within a race," which was a hell of a lot more fun that riding alone for 45 minutes and I am looking forward to racing with him again next Wednesday.

I turned spectator quickly afterward and watched Kevin and Jay sprint it out for the win. Jay had passed Kevin at about the midpoint of the course. I saw the pass and remember thinking, "Ohhh, smart move," but Kevin came around him on the road. It was sweet.

No question, a great way to spend Wednesday night. Of course, if they reverse the course next week that long road section is all downhill... Hmmm.