tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-221097122024-03-07T02:25:30.467-06:00Pedal Brake PedalRacing and Complaining about it for 45 years!Pedal Brake Pedal by TKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009106929378916039noreply@blogger.comBlogger2715125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22109712.post-73858234118920814682024-03-05T19:55:00.003-06:002024-03-05T19:55:38.841-06:00Dirty South Roubaix 2024<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbP-IstBJ1En8Ojv0P48TRHkDMQRF4T9nIVolPtd_jYm7HwIpuzw_E3c4xlX-uxMDLS3qd_FeFaVrJnRDBNGEH16t8Rqh7L0lgYxwmtZ9KpVWBssoiNIwSCE2joxAcBvVvqyRPb4n8Ix3g5YgdDrBaKCM7tI0toXguGLL2bNuNczaq3SSdeoD/s497/101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="497" data-original-width="460" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbP-IstBJ1En8Ojv0P48TRHkDMQRF4T9nIVolPtd_jYm7HwIpuzw_E3c4xlX-uxMDLS3qd_FeFaVrJnRDBNGEH16t8Rqh7L0lgYxwmtZ9KpVWBssoiNIwSCE2joxAcBvVvqyRPb4n8Ix3g5YgdDrBaKCM7tI0toXguGLL2bNuNczaq3SSdeoD/s320/101.jpg" width="296" /></a></div>I swore in 2020, after my first Dirty South gravel race, that I would never do it again. I hate long races. I like short races. But sometime in December Eli got a wild hair to register for this 100k gravel race so then I got a wild hair and signed up, too. No, I would not jump off a bridge if Eli jumped off a bridge, but this is cycling and I'm easily influenced. This photo, lovingly shot by Amy Strahan, shows the big smile I had on my face about halfway up the first impossible climb. That smile is a bald-faced lie. There probably wasn't a bigger lie told that entire day in the wilderness of the Shawnee National Forest. I was already hurting and there was about 45 miles to go. I pulled myself together and finished in the top 100 (out of 500-ish) and bettered my 2020 time by 20 minutes. But mark my words: I will never do it again. I mean it. I'm not kidding. Don't take this lightly. You'll see. Nope. No way. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zc7qPr15OZGdOG1ML6bGKXsZJl3y-m4_Bxr_X9wbW8PPmlIpk6xnQUMQ_rrX3AcPjCiMWDYDbFPpcJoku183hCIXUrlnLTXEF7O84TPnKAIVaqLd5Hoh2YHwPrKApSB9tDagqNKQyk9bs69SlV-3Wy2ORiTwfjafHMUykUGyP-VniM-1U6gN/s945/103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="710" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zc7qPr15OZGdOG1ML6bGKXsZJl3y-m4_Bxr_X9wbW8PPmlIpk6xnQUMQ_rrX3AcPjCiMWDYDbFPpcJoku183hCIXUrlnLTXEF7O84TPnKAIVaqLd5Hoh2YHwPrKApSB9tDagqNKQyk9bs69SlV-3Wy2ORiTwfjafHMUykUGyP-VniM-1U6gN/s320/103.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>This was Eli's first gravel race. Actually, it was his first race longer than a 2 hour mtb race. He did well, finishing in the same time that I did in 2020 for the exact same course. He got a super cool 2nd place trophy in the juniors class. Not bad for a short-race kind of guy. He slept most of the way home in the car. Oh, the sacrifice. I guess the peace and quiet gave me time to contemplate my failures and pathetic triumphs of the godforsaken Dirty South race. Not that I'm going to do it again. Just musing about riding more so that long races wouldn't hurt so bad. Not that I'm going to do it again.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpd7Bx36QPqlWJKddfHQjLuFcUE9YQWimCtRVN_1o6gW5CaBc6jcrluKnaM5ZDCLqcTvWCMU58iM0FyMcMs-V8DkiinDDzp0Xc5bAh5lshoVQWEl_MJBynwJ0lfQH4Xe4q9OQMc26A6VvPtKVA-q15OeMVLDvK4ms37okCV4ykQnbtUORQyamE/s945/102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="709" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpd7Bx36QPqlWJKddfHQjLuFcUE9YQWimCtRVN_1o6gW5CaBc6jcrluKnaM5ZDCLqcTvWCMU58iM0FyMcMs-V8DkiinDDzp0Xc5bAh5lshoVQWEl_MJBynwJ0lfQH4Xe4q9OQMc26A6VvPtKVA-q15OeMVLDvK4ms37okCV4ykQnbtUORQyamE/s320/102.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Once home, the Beautiful Mrs. K and I went to get Mexican food. I ate chips and salsa. Tacos. Beans. Rice. I drank some of her margarita. I drank a big Coke. At least two big glasses of water. When we got home, I ate Mrs. K's leftovers that she was saving for lunch the next day. And pretty much, as I write this on Tuesday, I've been eating non-stop. I will stop eating soon.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Pf93BGY7hNsxik6yC5DXhK1g4hPALk2LBwygcubDBUaJVReY_vbfmiYpBb_w-YpbLpW8D90CYFZgCiPgaHeutCGQ9RW0yMp6q1b2Z53zbmaJARqBfNNswnXqd2kqDrniyjKPZDXQgO0qa34OsydBDoG-AbCWiwhSdqp9Tgq-c5mor_beJV0h/s945/104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="709" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Pf93BGY7hNsxik6yC5DXhK1g4hPALk2LBwygcubDBUaJVReY_vbfmiYpBb_w-YpbLpW8D90CYFZgCiPgaHeutCGQ9RW0yMp6q1b2Z53zbmaJARqBfNNswnXqd2kqDrniyjKPZDXQgO0qa34OsydBDoG-AbCWiwhSdqp9Tgq-c5mor_beJV0h/s320/104.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And the hound dog could care less.</div><p></p>Pedal Brake Pedal by TKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009106929378916039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22109712.post-59973760126221295192024-02-18T19:57:00.001-06:002024-02-18T19:57:16.404-06:00She's Just a Baby!!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSs3B34OzIlaZWvu3x0p2Hirs1m6xD-qPFZCBrIZkcO7r3JQ-AD1VCXOxcmMpjwRXYK1GjLrtNsPvBqimPriQCNkJT1en8OzWAnLipap6TEO2vze7fPE3KJ5lo_VbMbIwLVArblBnTL7KPhhpKnlLvP2CNbL_mGMjd77tcdXCVuFzhm8Xo9roe/s945/202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="532" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSs3B34OzIlaZWvu3x0p2Hirs1m6xD-qPFZCBrIZkcO7r3JQ-AD1VCXOxcmMpjwRXYK1GjLrtNsPvBqimPriQCNkJT1en8OzWAnLipap6TEO2vze7fPE3KJ5lo_VbMbIwLVArblBnTL7KPhhpKnlLvP2CNbL_mGMjd77tcdXCVuFzhm8Xo9roe/s320/202.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>Although she turned 24 two weeks ago, she's just a baby. Maybe not a diaper-wearing toddler. But you don't really expect me to believe that she's all grown up, do you? Ok, she has graduated college. And moved out of state. And she lives in a posh apartment. And yes. She makes more money than I do. But all grown up?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXf56f5zgYlntioTJWhCMyQm5vRaQw1V23wqSnVQICMnYOxWCBIKE0i8IJZABEkk22a-X3nAKfMzs7OaY5haJYspxb3p9OrqJx3yfoZAd9rF0LSQsL9zW8QVjab5uvLO8npBfzwqDEH3MlnCBh-xQr9su9sT6oORqrZYoS1BeGFcJdbSCZ36g/s945/201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="709" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXf56f5zgYlntioTJWhCMyQm5vRaQw1V23wqSnVQICMnYOxWCBIKE0i8IJZABEkk22a-X3nAKfMzs7OaY5haJYspxb3p9OrqJx3yfoZAd9rF0LSQsL9zW8QVjab5uvLO8npBfzwqDEH3MlnCBh-xQr9su9sT6oORqrZYoS1BeGFcJdbSCZ36g/s320/201.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>I guess she is grown up. She eats way more like an adult than I do. She drinks Matcha. What kid drinks Matcha? I still drink Coke while eating Little Debbie fudge cakes. <p></p>Pedal Brake Pedal by TKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009106929378916039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22109712.post-2233726882423489832024-02-17T23:07:00.001-06:002024-02-17T23:07:13.451-06:00At Least Someone Enjoys the Snow<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hBrTH0Ntx40uN8VB8oD0Q2Vtf7EQ4nN5T8ds54cBtb3UqweGLKdXNqnr1GyzxV8Hx6k-MSGXWh6MF_qaDCi-eeNjirQAaWTYLTjykJXMnqDwpH27L-X4eqw83h_CICpWiKQzD4vTs2ytzIBO2KTFclFdV55YyteYM4w-S6Xsn_aRWA3N0lI0/s945/101.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="709" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hBrTH0Ntx40uN8VB8oD0Q2Vtf7EQ4nN5T8ds54cBtb3UqweGLKdXNqnr1GyzxV8Hx6k-MSGXWh6MF_qaDCi-eeNjirQAaWTYLTjykJXMnqDwpH27L-X4eqw83h_CICpWiKQzD4vTs2ytzIBO2KTFclFdV55YyteYM4w-S6Xsn_aRWA3N0lI0/s320/101.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br />This guy really seems immune to the weather. He goes out in the heat, cold, rain, and yes, heavy snow. He really likes snow. On Friday when it started snowing so hard, he was at the back door begging to go out. We threw the Frisbee to him a bunch, and there was no stopping him. He would plow his nose into the snow, jump up and down, sprint across the yard, jump for the Frisbee, whatever. And no, he doesn't have any Husky in him at all.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ax2ktB-h48AgOAzd2jcYXN56wRWi_26pM7dt9sO8ste1GIFOo-W-v_RjU8MXfSjLkf0wL6NIVLrtU1wXcPaPAy_uHCGwWKyzuXQOFoufdv2gQAR6m4TUZKTy4fkRGDddLCvxMezqwQ1Z0_3-avZ9CDtg5kKQ-8N5JY_gVIZ7cipJz1GpY8gt/s945/102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="709" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ax2ktB-h48AgOAzd2jcYXN56wRWi_26pM7dt9sO8ste1GIFOo-W-v_RjU8MXfSjLkf0wL6NIVLrtU1wXcPaPAy_uHCGwWKyzuXQOFoufdv2gQAR6m4TUZKTy4fkRGDddLCvxMezqwQ1Z0_3-avZ9CDtg5kKQ-8N5JY_gVIZ7cipJz1GpY8gt/s320/102.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Covered in snow, he finally gave up. He looked a bit sad and maybe a bit cold as he scratched at the back door to be let in. But don't kid yourself. Over the next few hours he practically beat down the door to go out again and again. I seriously wish I had his love for the cold. He and I are NOT alike in that way.<p></p>Pedal Brake Pedal by TKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009106929378916039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22109712.post-60411923631723895812024-02-11T19:42:00.000-06:002024-02-11T19:42:06.382-06:00Forty Five Years of these Shenanigans <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv3VZbZI2mPE-zTxoVOtf8rxuOiy3zlihGL1MyswK2kx6GNYS4RC4f5axQ4K5y0jF8-3UZBxGF_6sUuqHx7rhKEWtTaFmOswoP1KXO7SXieWmDh4Rc88sj5jvcn-xXsRkcXk3-i3PcXrGTSOIglDaGQs3Uo4b1P7OLjD7Qriy6ktry7cq3wYgu/s945/102.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="532" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv3VZbZI2mPE-zTxoVOtf8rxuOiy3zlihGL1MyswK2kx6GNYS4RC4f5axQ4K5y0jF8-3UZBxGF_6sUuqHx7rhKEWtTaFmOswoP1KXO7SXieWmDh4Rc88sj5jvcn-xXsRkcXk3-i3PcXrGTSOIglDaGQs3Uo4b1P7OLjD7Qriy6ktry7cq3wYgu/s320/102.PNG" width="180" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">How it Started<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtjNhymcyJz-nGaEQeb35qhieyukz0ZW2AkV5lYCee7e48cIJLL9wZHBnHLtRFGEoMLYOz_XNp9eHBpFoE2DcvhhlUY6rBWNocWuFwSnJ7Sr_nVnK1s_yYu2Z7YUFd6eJST13ezZTHOHUxODDU9MywOdfBZyfxNFDHNmWUHDLuXevkalMXdb7H/s953/103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="953" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtjNhymcyJz-nGaEQeb35qhieyukz0ZW2AkV5lYCee7e48cIJLL9wZHBnHLtRFGEoMLYOz_XNp9eHBpFoE2DcvhhlUY6rBWNocWuFwSnJ7Sr_nVnK1s_yYu2Z7YUFd6eJST13ezZTHOHUxODDU9MywOdfBZyfxNFDHNmWUHDLuXevkalMXdb7H/s320/103.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>How it's Going</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I started this whole adventure in 1979. My dad drove me and my Mongoose out to Bonzai, a BMX track at the intersection of 270 and 70. It was built on the back lot of Central Hardware. I won my very first moto, which was as much of a surprise to me as it was to anyone else. I was a 12 year old comic book nerd who liked riding BMX bikes with my friends. As so many stories go, one thing led to another and suddenly I'm 57 and still racing bikes. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Obviously, there has been a ton of water under that bridge. Lots of ups and downs. More than my fair share of successes. A lot more failures. A few big injuries. But, like it or not, it's made me who I am. I've benefited from luck as much as I've benefited from hard work. Right now, I'm reaping the greatest rewards of a charmed life. My kids are wonderful people and great athletes. My wife and family are into cycling and the bike business well past anything I could have ever imagined. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I don't compete at the front of the races anymore. I had planned on stopping 3 years ago because of that, but then Eli started racing and it just seemed like a really stupid idea to quit. His interest in racing reignited my own. Funny, now I love racing more than I have in 25 years. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I certainly don't have another 45 years in me. No way. Like everyone, I have health problems that don't make this very difficult sport any easier. No excuses, I'm just going to try to enjoy racing as much as possible. Maybe I can pass on some of what I've learned to the amazing new group of kids and youngsters who've started racing NICA and the other cycle sports. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Onward and upward. Never grow up. Never grow old. (ok, maybe old)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>Pedal Brake Pedal by TKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009106929378916039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22109712.post-7089892350185681522024-02-04T18:11:00.001-06:002024-02-04T18:11:29.189-06:00A little Getaway<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQywN_9b7DorTg4_qJFDT0egAleGR2gz4uGyVfZ3GtLwlcBMKX2IxbYSiy_1MGyPStv8_ttm3KB2gp9wGq9kQrOmOAqb0aqyvRpwN8JhOlXvFW0nMFyIHTlzfe2VNojwbAZe-DSDlyXO_tyxGXUsm5oQM7djXt-bT3tniSolPx4We241A3ffPK/s1260/103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="1260" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQywN_9b7DorTg4_qJFDT0egAleGR2gz4uGyVfZ3GtLwlcBMKX2IxbYSiy_1MGyPStv8_ttm3KB2gp9wGq9kQrOmOAqb0aqyvRpwN8JhOlXvFW0nMFyIHTlzfe2VNojwbAZe-DSDlyXO_tyxGXUsm5oQM7djXt-bT3tniSolPx4We241A3ffPK/s320/103.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Our darling children got together and bought us a Christmas present. It wasn't a pair of lonely socks or a sorry knick-knack to clutter the house. It was a getaway. Actually, a Getaway Bloomsdale. This organization has a handful of tiny one-room houses on remote rolling hills in southeast Missouri. Our particular little home-away-from-home was named "Siprina."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwBEiL_tUIQ2S7UAGI7hbB1wkNpvu1BiNprStZxjscn596xwj1z4HZk16k6SNWfb5pvFWzPz3Tuj5Tf61VWWml5vxBeHH9KCTO-Too-qzN7G7kjubqiocE3PWy7H3otvZjcSMdCQ-xhxKnGzgcSo9a4iJVLbMTn3FU4wfDW2gkJZSuToA_Kv0/s945/104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="709" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwBEiL_tUIQ2S7UAGI7hbB1wkNpvu1BiNprStZxjscn596xwj1z4HZk16k6SNWfb5pvFWzPz3Tuj5Tf61VWWml5vxBeHH9KCTO-Too-qzN7G7kjubqiocE3PWy7H3otvZjcSMdCQ-xhxKnGzgcSo9a4iJVLbMTn3FU4wfDW2gkJZSuToA_Kv0/s320/104.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Incredibly well-made and very well thought out for a one room house. Actually, there was a bathroom/shower as well but everything (bed, table, stove, sink, chairs, storage, etc) was in the main room. Our bed was poised against a gigantic picture window that faced east for a great sunrise. It's pretty amazing how a lack of room forces a person to be as tidy as possible.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLf1D1z8MYuUB_YoBBmdAZPuyvY0ywnEvLCVeaL_dceYWlnh62j4MecxYhnH54Y_VVHS1DMIX6gkSf6wnq01JV-UPiD0_oiFYC3hDxFQ-_v8KOoftXKAmNpkGKWf-wJFaE0iWmnkZ3LmVU-tzJqS-7tE9fVgfVMDe2-ev3DvZr2dDu374ux1r8/s945/102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="710" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLf1D1z8MYuUB_YoBBmdAZPuyvY0ywnEvLCVeaL_dceYWlnh62j4MecxYhnH54Y_VVHS1DMIX6gkSf6wnq01JV-UPiD0_oiFYC3hDxFQ-_v8KOoftXKAmNpkGKWf-wJFaE0iWmnkZ3LmVU-tzJqS-7tE9fVgfVMDe2-ev3DvZr2dDu374ux1r8/s320/102.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">So we took a selfie as soon as we brought in our stuff.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOhGuFqUyGI8qbCTrSXVoTxV_GCDus9yiQAVP44es9YfAYj2Qr1ZWCnMHNYO7HClxEK6Xp_gOb4-qHMyTi4Y0OEB60H3kq0NLkTkREnj7U96F6PL-1UrrPVwobpx7r8FVGxU8qiN2h9glsbFLUXkYXvdwiLy6-o9S4x4FTOtpgLaMYq6PybQYz/s945/106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="709" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOhGuFqUyGI8qbCTrSXVoTxV_GCDus9yiQAVP44es9YfAYj2Qr1ZWCnMHNYO7HClxEK6Xp_gOb4-qHMyTi4Y0OEB60H3kq0NLkTkREnj7U96F6PL-1UrrPVwobpx7r8FVGxU8qiN2h9glsbFLUXkYXvdwiLy6-o9S4x4FTOtpgLaMYq6PybQYz/s320/106.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>And, we went for a hike on the grounds. Sort of looked like Bluffview with no regard for 20 percent grades. Too bad it was only 1 mile long. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghkzWyaQQxA6DjjxF-F5tG0vG40H6OqE_sVChjHLkbZ37onQ6MiROMEOlyl_ggS6BwcVioSIQyXp5ntlhozHJxQo5BK3rFTVU61u7AnZaHHl4Eg3zG7p18G5LHjJ8cb2d7Wjd7BulQNFujnUKmNVzUvNaWAM25nD7yCL6KtHb6uP1Nd8SqJnY8/s945/105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="709" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghkzWyaQQxA6DjjxF-F5tG0vG40H6OqE_sVChjHLkbZ37onQ6MiROMEOlyl_ggS6BwcVioSIQyXp5ntlhozHJxQo5BK3rFTVU61u7AnZaHHl4Eg3zG7p18G5LHjJ8cb2d7Wjd7BulQNFujnUKmNVzUvNaWAM25nD7yCL6KtHb6uP1Nd8SqJnY8/s320/105.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Never to miss an opportunity to build a fire, the Beautiful Mrs. K spent an very long time coaxing one to life in the fire pit. We brought along some burgers and she roasted them for us while I watched her from the warmth of the house. I know, I'm a real catch.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis14651PLxKZ6x99C89M8GTEQOT-J_2j4rpb9GxlP8CuEXpS0gEnzoVLDSOZk4i0FdG6GKBWLvQMAcha9AbpNdfww3LNML8YEexXn3hdViwLY6g32Oip9d2AyzUF3pSt5Rv61Q877PEMsco-wqy3RtpP-2txVYR1KQ0ruas-YC3PnAT97xv_Zr/s945/110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="709" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis14651PLxKZ6x99C89M8GTEQOT-J_2j4rpb9GxlP8CuEXpS0gEnzoVLDSOZk4i0FdG6GKBWLvQMAcha9AbpNdfww3LNML8YEexXn3hdViwLY6g32Oip9d2AyzUF3pSt5Rv61Q877PEMsco-wqy3RtpP-2txVYR1KQ0ruas-YC3PnAT97xv_Zr/s320/110.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Not wanting to roast our own breakfast, we drove into Bloomsdale proper to eat a country breakfast at Cozy's. It's a cool place, with a more bar-focused Dew Drop restaurant attached to the other side. We ate at the Dew Drop that night. Best fries ever.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBXwVJlqoOkOh1jcJAwhpgOLWkwDXCOvq9EUbaarni-6sKS27T7fdN4C-3j05-MxmGCgmifMMSHpjbZFOkY4IIaqAB-Ld1nMYiDui9mr9UgsdZBWimHKL4H4GasJ-i7amJuBfP_XO09emXjSH8i8-ltG7sqHS2a7Ngb3ADhGzQIbyiURkG86L/s945/107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="709" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBXwVJlqoOkOh1jcJAwhpgOLWkwDXCOvq9EUbaarni-6sKS27T7fdN4C-3j05-MxmGCgmifMMSHpjbZFOkY4IIaqAB-Ld1nMYiDui9mr9UgsdZBWimHKL4H4GasJ-i7amJuBfP_XO09emXjSH8i8-ltG7sqHS2a7Ngb3ADhGzQIbyiURkG86L/s320/107.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Not ones to sit and stare at ourselves the whole weekend, we scouted out other places to hike nearby. We have passed St. Francois State Park many times on our way down to St. Joe State Park. We decided, since it was very close, to give the Mooner's Hollow trail a try.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgISzRYrMvkNd5z_9JRaHC-BIsOyADCnwsclT6jg93zM-imv1RF4fH6NNABbFxOvNV5HHe9WU1k8mwQpVZlvusJuN_IlLCo7zXuBPov-6dqoPwD8Nq0pRhp28DLMiHNTlOC4acAtX7aitlt4KJulejW-2rI660M7e_X6lgw2c3c8daR7a2_y1f/s945/108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="709" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgISzRYrMvkNd5z_9JRaHC-BIsOyADCnwsclT6jg93zM-imv1RF4fH6NNABbFxOvNV5HHe9WU1k8mwQpVZlvusJuN_IlLCo7zXuBPov-6dqoPwD8Nq0pRhp28DLMiHNTlOC4acAtX7aitlt4KJulejW-2rI660M7e_X6lgw2c3c8daR7a2_y1f/s320/108.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>It reminded me of Chubb Trail in a lot of ways. Very rugged, lots of roots, steep ups and downs. The whole trail is a 3 mile loop. Mostly dry, with a couple real-deal creek crossings.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODZkw07g_wWob5gMiBsI0L8bqZwibI1AWJrgeo00tio-RFMjAT50M-0tOPDnExzS7yJ_2JEKiXZa48NvBeeaNBXX0wQWhyphenhyphenAHjogzDa7aU_evWxK3Gt2uorMHOFOOiUcKJ_Gx5QPHkAJ9HIC0824gN62k1dAJU8rZmEDGjTyTYEyJbpBA0fdrM/s1875/109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="1875" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODZkw07g_wWob5gMiBsI0L8bqZwibI1AWJrgeo00tio-RFMjAT50M-0tOPDnExzS7yJ_2JEKiXZa48NvBeeaNBXX0wQWhyphenhyphenAHjogzDa7aU_evWxK3Gt2uorMHOFOOiUcKJ_Gx5QPHkAJ9HIC0824gN62k1dAJU8rZmEDGjTyTYEyJbpBA0fdrM/s320/109.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>If you hike anywhere in Missouri, you'd feel right at home at Mooner's Hollow. We had a great hike here. And just for good measure, we hiked the Nature Trail back at the homestead again before dinner. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you to our wonderful kids for the thoughtful gift. We enjoyed the time away.</div><p></p>Pedal Brake Pedal by TKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009106929378916039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22109712.post-66608092605619289932023-12-31T14:26:00.001-06:002023-12-31T14:26:33.530-06:00Another Year Down, Nothing Stops the March of Time<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0ZBrpeelMzPOcZPAMyN_vCFGYKqZJuLSX7HBgWnChbS1zFgEndxyyYOS31ft_vFAWpjaZe3QCMGTiVMulADknrgyH7DrMcUMA9vRvcayTArwi7WDcjYeUyJ72axzK1OESxVpKS3kYV3OsjHbc2on_GOOwCUWHX7-WV5QDJmXfMMAOdWDktM_/s885/tk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="885" data-original-width="847" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0ZBrpeelMzPOcZPAMyN_vCFGYKqZJuLSX7HBgWnChbS1zFgEndxyyYOS31ft_vFAWpjaZe3QCMGTiVMulADknrgyH7DrMcUMA9vRvcayTArwi7WDcjYeUyJ72axzK1OESxVpKS3kYV3OsjHbc2on_GOOwCUWHX7-WV5QDJmXfMMAOdWDktM_/s320/tk.jpg" width="306" /></a></div>2023! Wow, and it's already over. We did a LOT of stuff this year. I came, I saw, and I raced. Sometimes poorly, but I just can't give up. Seems like a good way to go out...racing and complaining about it.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHjewCIP-hLtGJB9xC-GTusNFAM20VhK4P1nVT_5tpBlChykEx8FwDobzKoDv432pBh8Q538r7bAnHQ5kY0s3Lz9QuBtk-9MPyREvm2N1IwJ7kP4rcjw_AtljgWqq9IwtBLfVtqJ7oSctBvpNy0sYemrF9Ab5pSURXxAl-DRTDWJ7b-bQNU4q/s824/deanna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="824" data-original-width="567" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHjewCIP-hLtGJB9xC-GTusNFAM20VhK4P1nVT_5tpBlChykEx8FwDobzKoDv432pBh8Q538r7bAnHQ5kY0s3Lz9QuBtk-9MPyREvm2N1IwJ7kP4rcjw_AtljgWqq9IwtBLfVtqJ7oSctBvpNy0sYemrF9Ab5pSURXxAl-DRTDWJ7b-bQNU4q/s320/deanna.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>The Hostess with the Mostest. The Beautiful Mrs. K is really the force behind most of what goes on around here. South Side Cyclery wouldn't be in business without her. We would also go hungry at home. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGyLkI5r77rO3yHT4REqP67p2KN9YwkL9tzH-i1LWMqcE3pGOEYJLK891QBQSZFfzsLRY5Zn3OOMLv00f7tmhEewfAezCa_-Lftny0BVcp5Z09guH8tCM1oZjaRIPayAUVZ06_aeuxttVhkjAGTbaXGuolDCLGauiUnKkXicuiDCFn9m7K8Dw-/s945/tyson.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="709" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGyLkI5r77rO3yHT4REqP67p2KN9YwkL9tzH-i1LWMqcE3pGOEYJLK891QBQSZFfzsLRY5Zn3OOMLv00f7tmhEewfAezCa_-Lftny0BVcp5Z09guH8tCM1oZjaRIPayAUVZ06_aeuxttVhkjAGTbaXGuolDCLGauiUnKkXicuiDCFn9m7K8Dw-/s320/tyson.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Tyson started riding bikes again. He and Eli went to, of all places, Bentonville. It made us happy to see him enjoy something so much.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ0Wd8O03TDf1nfUE6QNuHNXGDgAuDx5qdUWE5m0L6NPGwa-FxL6HXhFywkY2MBqT81-xqU_NgK_0gWO5tmLxHViWRn6OCbCt7A9lHpLW2u7Viczs-qie4WdU_qCLfVroW5iIU7pz5t6syRx5dF6YJFy2JzPajKe8GV1NlVFbci5__3_tFR1d_/s945/hanna.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="630" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ0Wd8O03TDf1nfUE6QNuHNXGDgAuDx5qdUWE5m0L6NPGwa-FxL6HXhFywkY2MBqT81-xqU_NgK_0gWO5tmLxHViWRn6OCbCt7A9lHpLW2u7Viczs-qie4WdU_qCLfVroW5iIU7pz5t6syRx5dF6YJFy2JzPajKe8GV1NlVFbci5__3_tFR1d_/s320/hanna.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div>Less surprising, but still very impressive, is Hanna's relentless pursuit of fitness. She has shifted her focus to strength and muscular development. Biceps for days. You lookin' at me, punk? Everyone should let her know that they have really nice gyms in St. Louis, too. Just sayin'.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWLMFDuzSUpZ1S3Usv9-v3TkEKZX6Z18rX3Y8AcQA_kEt_USTth-cOo7V-SxkUT19hEvF06VtVfXKNLEGy5DcR_jZf2rFzNLgd6M3HEpPUt4GOlmVE3ivLrwJIh7VHdPQJKxRpKL4g6Tv8gvlBzyyr-u3l4rMccY1aY9liqH-i59sFTfMrNhU/s5451/Eli_Senoir-42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5451" data-original-width="3634" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWLMFDuzSUpZ1S3Usv9-v3TkEKZX6Z18rX3Y8AcQA_kEt_USTth-cOo7V-SxkUT19hEvF06VtVfXKNLEGy5DcR_jZf2rFzNLgd6M3HEpPUt4GOlmVE3ivLrwJIh7VHdPQJKxRpKL4g6Tv8gvlBzyyr-u3l4rMccY1aY9liqH-i59sFTfMrNhU/s320/Eli_Senoir-42.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Eli is a senior this year. He progressed in amazing fashion, ending the year with a bunch of wins and a State Championship jersey in Cyclocross. Time flies crazy fast. Don't let it pass you by, or you'll be looking at baby pictures while your favorite photographer is taking High School Senior photos of your baby. The baby wearing my shirt, I might add.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi832wV9EqCLz2wM8D0YVDDVyFrDZd7dvj_46KksXCSrlhzn7ueCmJHmOMOFsRv9CBzvEq3RnGose5yFlKmaq4fGOmwjirNXcrv-EjrZ77LKj61kq1D1TS5dmF5aWGYfZ2AFOX1R0uOnQx5yUHoaIMBLjozuOx2UYrRdMBZs6vV_44z7kkgyRFH/s945/otters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="532" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi832wV9EqCLz2wM8D0YVDDVyFrDZd7dvj_46KksXCSrlhzn7ueCmJHmOMOFsRv9CBzvEq3RnGose5yFlKmaq4fGOmwjirNXcrv-EjrZ77LKj61kq1D1TS5dmF5aWGYfZ2AFOX1R0uOnQx5yUHoaIMBLjozuOx2UYrRdMBZs6vV_44z7kkgyRFH/s320/otters.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>Just in case you thought we were getting old and boring, you have to remember that we dressed up together in otters costumes. Willingly. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu54vFkLQOMSLdVnfnxRJUrHf88ZqZ5uNjREXsNg4lcL2TWgq51h2ZACwkBnql53m-9lNRSyW1ZB6ZZ3KuVtieB9G1JtSBsPWYeCRYEFMZBdsHr2Wy2nVk-NdcdBVDpe93wZU-W5fi-VRwzW6G5T2x-v7RjV5EDVTLFaTtaUrBlmVdL4DjORCW/s945/score.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="595" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu54vFkLQOMSLdVnfnxRJUrHf88ZqZ5uNjREXsNg4lcL2TWgq51h2ZACwkBnql53m-9lNRSyW1ZB6ZZ3KuVtieB9G1JtSBsPWYeCRYEFMZBdsHr2Wy2nVk-NdcdBVDpe93wZU-W5fi-VRwzW6G5T2x-v7RjV5EDVTLFaTtaUrBlmVdL4DjORCW/s320/score.jpg" width="201" /></a></div>And because everyone is doing it, I'll post my 2023 Strava score card. I could have sworn that I rode more, but numbers don't lie. The only defense that I have is that many of my miles are off-road, so there are fewer miles, and slower miles. That's my story anyway. Happy New Year!Pedal Brake Pedal by TKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009106929378916039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22109712.post-57183268658227005452023-12-23T19:29:00.002-06:002023-12-23T19:35:37.561-06:00Funny Products Names, are you serious?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzO14VgqADiztdFQ_bN4nlPnefPtW9U8WOB_NTbKDsIf9-iFgIathPCrNCPiN5S8cXiezRBFUaYoG18egBHxNE0xn1d1OE2jjKd3W9khkH6Qnf7qtqEDueBZ9-3RbVaas5PY0bNCjRefH3UzgO6RG8LIrVbBGNyIzI9IuszEXEsAUvInSpiMM/s916/blog1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="916" data-original-width="687" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzO14VgqADiztdFQ_bN4nlPnefPtW9U8WOB_NTbKDsIf9-iFgIathPCrNCPiN5S8cXiezRBFUaYoG18egBHxNE0xn1d1OE2jjKd3W9khkH6Qnf7qtqEDueBZ9-3RbVaas5PY0bNCjRefH3UzgO6RG8LIrVbBGNyIzI9IuszEXEsAUvInSpiMM/s320/blog1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Why do product managers choose such ridiculous names for their products? This one was on our own shelves at the shop. Grizips. Like..watching too much Snoop lately, guys?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZJuw0F9zR0IwcFicmbW3HT-zIWL1CP5hkMpA8z2cipCRKUbL2F_mrjAd56um6n9Enc2Alqxz7gXII3g8aWYBBEV_JYigA80DcG3_jVqZoTvmZpoos6AoDqXBKAR7eTo5kXn0u_KrAXjEQ8YSU7VpxHYsrJRfob0xMGqZcr22u4nTQ-N3VnwQ/s945/blog2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="709" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZJuw0F9zR0IwcFicmbW3HT-zIWL1CP5hkMpA8z2cipCRKUbL2F_mrjAd56um6n9Enc2Alqxz7gXII3g8aWYBBEV_JYigA80DcG3_jVqZoTvmZpoos6AoDqXBKAR7eTo5kXn0u_KrAXjEQ8YSU7VpxHYsrJRfob0xMGqZcr22u4nTQ-N3VnwQ/s320/blog2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>I like granola bars. I probably eat too many. But I've never had Llama-Rama granola bars. I just can't put together a thought process that would pair up Llamas and Quaker Chewy Dipps.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKPB0sUXUaJakfE_Dkv6FEIaAoZpwQZrUN6f5rd4d2jjJhhKoj9tbwsv7NHeWuJwycXoYfjqlPp-lF9d3dMF-3wIxMdk5VOSr9-Hk_eQxJ4zMwxT2PqQwaoxAbk7lnnx42o3hgquHVEDwH_p4uAUxes1wM7sZfbX6YrmUk6ds2qoTqYKQheSl/s945/blog4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="709" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKPB0sUXUaJakfE_Dkv6FEIaAoZpwQZrUN6f5rd4d2jjJhhKoj9tbwsv7NHeWuJwycXoYfjqlPp-lF9d3dMF-3wIxMdk5VOSr9-Hk_eQxJ4zMwxT2PqQwaoxAbk7lnnx42o3hgquHVEDwH_p4uAUxes1wM7sZfbX6YrmUk6ds2qoTqYKQheSl/s320/blog4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Freakshow wine. Are we thinking that your next party will go from Grandma and Aunt Gertrude sipping tea to a FREAKSHOW with Cousin Eddy cleaning the toilet of his RV in the driveway?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHxTvXziu7rXrykZFwP0F43uWNA2ipchaKaqZdjDcytqofda7VyAtXztjxNhzzN9MdbQTP-UPBG2i6G5BpIGHWX9bry-NmOEUSKSZlim3S_vGVJq_1Vp4QVQip6QmXeX32prjlej8F0Sy1X9RhZD__4YP4kNZivslz1exIZSJFdfEKBNDjioYy/s945/blog5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="709" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHxTvXziu7rXrykZFwP0F43uWNA2ipchaKaqZdjDcytqofda7VyAtXztjxNhzzN9MdbQTP-UPBG2i6G5BpIGHWX9bry-NmOEUSKSZlim3S_vGVJq_1Vp4QVQip6QmXeX32prjlej8F0Sy1X9RhZD__4YP4kNZivslz1exIZSJFdfEKBNDjioYy/s320/blog5.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>While it may seem quite benign on the surface, dig down a little. The marketing guy at Post went out to the farm, walked across the wheat field, grabbed a handful of stalks, shoved them into a box, and said "That'll be $4.99. Plus tax."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NzX3XLwugiYL_FSjslLw1o32yVZEQid5m0PKmwoY6g102m6OoVhPAJU-fzXgmjGqkar3etDrvy2hm54Tr0eL6IbPqCwO-DsF5BIUKR-KEPCzJNhTdUJpJ_UVHSwOkMSRS08NG15SP7hFWudILU80qFWjypU0urKAJnl6iW1LgTb7yfirO8XE/s945/blog6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="709" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NzX3XLwugiYL_FSjslLw1o32yVZEQid5m0PKmwoY6g102m6OoVhPAJU-fzXgmjGqkar3etDrvy2hm54Tr0eL6IbPqCwO-DsF5BIUKR-KEPCzJNhTdUJpJ_UVHSwOkMSRS08NG15SP7hFWudILU80qFWjypU0urKAJnl6iW1LgTb7yfirO8XE/s320/blog6.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Someone has been to our house.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_2foCPVLOwzH07_w8RsYmnl3Q1mfjA-gufExOL606LulhD13WcpuZVq5D4PxBBEHEh5Qb3_-_HeBTXJ6fJu6SgSVHwQ9lEWQLuoaj-Ia-t1JpuNN0ZEnQEDSLU1kOJ4w_-aQl8rxPvdrxDeE9_Ea_J5KetzD-vqBkn-NVliPZYThLtaNlM_A/s945/blog7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="709" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_2foCPVLOwzH07_w8RsYmnl3Q1mfjA-gufExOL606LulhD13WcpuZVq5D4PxBBEHEh5Qb3_-_HeBTXJ6fJu6SgSVHwQ9lEWQLuoaj-Ia-t1JpuNN0ZEnQEDSLU1kOJ4w_-aQl8rxPvdrxDeE9_Ea_J5KetzD-vqBkn-NVliPZYThLtaNlM_A/s320/blog7.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Really? With a name like this, I expected to see the box graphics totally different. Where is the picture of a clapped out Pacer or Gremlin? Maybe a flaming Pinto? They really missed the boat on this one.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5oK8C9oxtzgK1IlHTcOQE_InebPA0v0DsssH0TcV3OulMC7b0QPaS3drm4zxxR49JIbhdDNWB1-SewBa6S-KcG75hOVnMqrpl-AuIJzho_ULP5OyNja22KlVgR84KbadunBpuSGFk_B5uuRGlV3VKtnCpuxfLjToQzXOqaa3yvBXYQfBw3hBS/s945/blog3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="709" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5oK8C9oxtzgK1IlHTcOQE_InebPA0v0DsssH0TcV3OulMC7b0QPaS3drm4zxxR49JIbhdDNWB1-SewBa6S-KcG75hOVnMqrpl-AuIJzho_ULP5OyNja22KlVgR84KbadunBpuSGFk_B5uuRGlV3VKtnCpuxfLjToQzXOqaa3yvBXYQfBw3hBS/s320/blog3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>This one is awesome. I can't for the life of me understand why Snoop would be on a bottle of red wine. Maybe on an edibles package. But wine? You think Biff and Shelly are going to want Snoop staring back at them while they're staring into each others eyes over the Yuzu Miso Roasted Salmon??<br /> </div></div><p></p>Pedal Brake Pedal by TKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009106929378916039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22109712.post-90472478635233553052023-12-08T20:41:00.003-06:002023-12-08T20:46:15.632-06:00Well Done, Son<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqrL7JxY5wLC7Ko1vZ3DuYA2xM3DQvWSt_6AX5-Jz0WbekaJrzhS5FtOdMrJbPy75FeRxx9nL0TGXBsJXj-3ATscSISM8UVduAgZID3FcIesx5jsAUOVdLYm72uuu2OdA86KUG45yG6STZgmjLHE0jOGku-5kboAIJ0Nd-7l2G7CDI0dqnzeTg/s3343/Sylvan_Springs_23-6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2653" data-original-width="3343" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqrL7JxY5wLC7Ko1vZ3DuYA2xM3DQvWSt_6AX5-Jz0WbekaJrzhS5FtOdMrJbPy75FeRxx9nL0TGXBsJXj-3ATscSISM8UVduAgZID3FcIesx5jsAUOVdLYm72uuu2OdA86KUG45yG6STZgmjLHE0jOGku-5kboAIJ0Nd-7l2G7CDI0dqnzeTg/s320/Sylvan_Springs_23-6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Sunday marked the end of Eli's racing season. It was an almost entirely UP season, starting in March as a Category 2 mountain biker. He raced so many races, he'd have to count them up for you as I can't really keep track. The Missouri State Cyclocross Championship race was at Sylvan Springs, a favorite venue of ours. His competition in the Juniors category came mainly from his fellow NICA racers, as the top 4 finishers were all NICA veterans.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2YfU7mQ5MsGYp3l-_J947-3vf1LH8BmK_KkevS6IJzvKC4wQLXv3ATZA2CSanE6XWnhKEjacWOpXDPMb2TC_hp6rsp16uEujNX1fnkBiRmdy9BjHPM3QZd_y5GHqXdCBPbEf1KFfv9kHr_ksV6hZUkCfdl4SryLuAuFVtRPTqni6WwFpvtja/s5528/Sylvan_Springs_23-17.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="5528" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2YfU7mQ5MsGYp3l-_J947-3vf1LH8BmK_KkevS6IJzvKC4wQLXv3ATZA2CSanE6XWnhKEjacWOpXDPMb2TC_hp6rsp16uEujNX1fnkBiRmdy9BjHPM3QZd_y5GHqXdCBPbEf1KFfv9kHr_ksV6hZUkCfdl4SryLuAuFVtRPTqni6WwFpvtja/s320/Sylvan_Springs_23-17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It was a super fast race, with the top 4 guys averaging 10.5mph, close to the older fast guys speed. I loved watching Eli over the barriers. For some reason, they are his super power.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdFq9XMFV5F53Y4NdvrlgcBSOBqdA0q-JKA_igTy83A5jiuGU9emPm_iDVUjJhCM5sKa-MO5P4J778Y4I5NGRX_Nsmwh50_CugUS05wyu-9p7KjslVwvV1JbYkWVnWWuFxZczp7qeoMh77OL4vVSogoo30SYq36YNy-0GboV0KR9A_JGWGQk3/s3509/Sylvan_Springs_23-94.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3509" data-original-width="2339" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdFq9XMFV5F53Y4NdvrlgcBSOBqdA0q-JKA_igTy83A5jiuGU9emPm_iDVUjJhCM5sKa-MO5P4J778Y4I5NGRX_Nsmwh50_CugUS05wyu-9p7KjslVwvV1JbYkWVnWWuFxZczp7qeoMh77OL4vVSogoo30SYq36YNy-0GboV0KR9A_JGWGQk3/s320/Sylvan_Springs_23-94.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>A very tight race until the end, Eli pulled it out in style and got his first gold medal. About an hour later, he raced in the Cat 4 race with his buddy and team mate Brodie, who got his first State Championship medal, a Bronze. Well done, boys! Now for some rest, some goofing around, and an eye toward 2024's racing season. Onward and upward!<div><br /></div><div>Thank you to Flannery Allison, who has provided us with spectacular photos all year that capture these valuable moments.</div><div><a href="https://flanneryallison.instaproofs.com/gallery/#events">https://flanneryallison.instaproofs.com/gallery/#events</a><br /></div><div><p><br /><br /><br /> </p></div>Pedal Brake Pedal by TKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009106929378916039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22109712.post-73219864091069593242023-11-27T21:06:00.000-06:002023-11-27T21:06:04.562-06:00Wild Animals Among Us<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-7rX16VzCZZydm7KtICG8CVJbGwkdqI9seKLBzYuluhBzNIKrnxnQdU9a6stlt4PICHUhQ9T8GHyEEbJafAiy3u4ut13nCosB8DSxBaJ3r6hPfQsZUL2pKbIhQsqqh23aVmYlc667fSGd5H8kVjhgkkMZi2W_PfUOUh6qtWRS_D08nDpMe0sR/s1273/101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="1273" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-7rX16VzCZZydm7KtICG8CVJbGwkdqI9seKLBzYuluhBzNIKrnxnQdU9a6stlt4PICHUhQ9T8GHyEEbJafAiy3u4ut13nCosB8DSxBaJ3r6hPfQsZUL2pKbIhQsqqh23aVmYlc667fSGd5H8kVjhgkkMZi2W_PfUOUh6qtWRS_D08nDpMe0sR/s320/101.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Upon entering my room, I was greeted by the sight and sound (snoring) of this wild beast. I obviously caught him sleeping off a whirlwind day of hunting vicious squirrels the untamed plains of Affton (our back yard).<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgtKwacE6kWxg00bfFMx3MJis_O5V77-B99Ca6sMvye9AusB_hj_onn_pxotQ6yH6ctouh7cStzzJ92e_FPa8xPS0I7YszSbSopTMx9PRrUEmY-LWWFRVOdDjaD22l6kIAUqE_IcpM98d0Ak7VvOuOxCguJ2G0Txrz5jTU2WnTUkWQ-KJLIzv4/s955/102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="716" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgtKwacE6kWxg00bfFMx3MJis_O5V77-B99Ca6sMvye9AusB_hj_onn_pxotQ6yH6ctouh7cStzzJ92e_FPa8xPS0I7YszSbSopTMx9PRrUEmY-LWWFRVOdDjaD22l6kIAUqE_IcpM98d0Ak7VvOuOxCguJ2G0Txrz5jTU2WnTUkWQ-KJLIzv4/s320/102.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Known for it's unorthodox sleeping habits (sleeps through thunderstorms, wakes up if a neighbor down the street sneezes), I approached with caution. It's legs are abnormally long, with dangerously large paws (he needs his nails clipped), so startling him is never a good idea (he moans loudly if he's awakened before he likes).<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh8Ial4rQ_-mXFN1duE4Jcm1j1idJ_58lrdUN84tglkx0b4IgWTxUdGQTy16WaPyRfK27OWnsSMABtmy-NP7J_Bs5LrsTzrYYrYieYkx3W1TdC5p7UkzZ3Ye8uV5xUu0xK1g_UfZWP2sTWx4VUqtAwmmi83Yeg63u3WSgeVM35nksa6-PcsrbQ/s955/103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="716" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh8Ial4rQ_-mXFN1duE4Jcm1j1idJ_58lrdUN84tglkx0b4IgWTxUdGQTy16WaPyRfK27OWnsSMABtmy-NP7J_Bs5LrsTzrYYrYieYkx3W1TdC5p7UkzZ3Ye8uV5xUu0xK1g_UfZWP2sTWx4VUqtAwmmi83Yeg63u3WSgeVM35nksa6-PcsrbQ/s320/103.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Throwing caution to the wind, I got up close to take a shot of his large head (and floppy hound-dog ears). I froze momentarily as I thought the sound of my phone taking the photo might have stirred him (he just snored louder). In the end, I was able to escape this encounter with danger, having gotten priceless photos to share with my devoted readers. <br /><br /> <p></p>Pedal Brake Pedal by TKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009106929378916039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22109712.post-10152372814246992092023-11-05T18:51:00.001-06:002023-11-05T18:51:25.160-06:00Whirlwind Weekend<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmfz8LRQJm-Kf0-8Pv9-7Z5mMuFuOKoM4oxNAcY0lu_xrubeeDOkyoUFmIr0zNxvooi3oRvdLVeSg0Qa6wxuS1Lme_MjKT4SeDb4_946R66o5jfg75yETx8QxFMd9qM4J6Ax53osp_qa6wnQFCB-7Z0iDRluQpVZ3e0w-vu-KOfkA8Egzz33hw/s800/nov5a.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmfz8LRQJm-Kf0-8Pv9-7Z5mMuFuOKoM4oxNAcY0lu_xrubeeDOkyoUFmIr0zNxvooi3oRvdLVeSg0Qa6wxuS1Lme_MjKT4SeDb4_946R66o5jfg75yETx8QxFMd9qM4J6Ax53osp_qa6wnQFCB-7Z0iDRluQpVZ3e0w-vu-KOfkA8Egzz33hw/s320/nov5a.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div>Eli and Tyson took a boys weekend down to Bentonville this weekend. They rode everything they could get to in a couple short days. Then Eli popped down south a bit to do the Old Post Challenge cross country race (2nd place!).<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIkDMYqxyTY-4DmU0ZxGkEXaOeD07m4UX0dJ2xmI90FTUHdkb4QONkHnUHEcSWusCZTTDuu4g-RrdbglyeT5H6qyD6h9EGzIEdS1vxQmMse8wND8_xBOe8QBBdpztF7E9RTGbF8PmcT1dk-QP8BwbHmpnT_kQFunClDv9fFSUUD6Fxubu6cuT/s955/nov5b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="716" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIkDMYqxyTY-4DmU0ZxGkEXaOeD07m4UX0dJ2xmI90FTUHdkb4QONkHnUHEcSWusCZTTDuu4g-RrdbglyeT5H6qyD6h9EGzIEdS1vxQmMse8wND8_xBOe8QBBdpztF7E9RTGbF8PmcT1dk-QP8BwbHmpnT_kQFunClDv9fFSUUD6Fxubu6cuT/s320/nov5b.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>A bit more surprising is Tyson's debut as a mountain bike rider. Oh yes, he can ride mountain bikes as well as throw a baseball. He's having the time of his life, wishing for an e-bike.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9j7iXedrCmxjULu5xc14ZUQK0KJldzUQhBpUS4JtzPIFy6np1GN80DcYZ-fKVsrfklDsbkAeZ0xFWchAmyK5Zmk2fPu0gbGmtmaHXbrVpMsA9a3Xte-yWGOQgGehhK2L9br24d6gaRus2gwEdKdeLOPGH_yIzvzZa8l1m58WL9CQbXhtGfvh/s736/nov5c.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="736" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9j7iXedrCmxjULu5xc14ZUQK0KJldzUQhBpUS4JtzPIFy6np1GN80DcYZ-fKVsrfklDsbkAeZ0xFWchAmyK5Zmk2fPu0gbGmtmaHXbrVpMsA9a3Xte-yWGOQgGehhK2L9br24d6gaRus2gwEdKdeLOPGH_yIzvzZa8l1m58WL9CQbXhtGfvh/s320/nov5c.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>In a rebound from last weekend, I had a spectacular day on the bike at the CX race at Vlasis Park in Ballwin. The course was literally the most fantastic cross course I've ever ridden.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqNgxiU37RINTgOP-YJVOrJqOJz304r2UhfFzZ2NZvWdplJexjkKWnUBgNBK4E2hyjcw2KyWlCAcptExR4k0dExT9BWgOIJXFzpwGRpgDlDTI-B_n812TL1UxJ4urWa1FCwfMsPD2PbexlTjtwyBwI7Xv_Jp1HlJTeb3ZHQlpDW_mIMpktRegc/s955/nov5d.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="791" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqNgxiU37RINTgOP-YJVOrJqOJz304r2UhfFzZ2NZvWdplJexjkKWnUBgNBK4E2hyjcw2KyWlCAcptExR4k0dExT9BWgOIJXFzpwGRpgDlDTI-B_n812TL1UxJ4urWa1FCwfMsPD2PbexlTjtwyBwI7Xv_Jp1HlJTeb3ZHQlpDW_mIMpktRegc/s320/nov5d.jpeg" width="265" /></a></div>And combined with 68 degree, sunny weather, I made the podium. Funny story: The guy on the top step here is the brother of the guy who beat Eli into second place last Sunday at St. Vincent! I mean...what are the chances??<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigkj7ohmISVPVhOAjSTrjthK4ZlEQrAif9Rdgag6V5O0vWBKC1jXTweAYuxkXgbuoOd0XHblO1i8jSlUA07FFaakWKcZBcBpiaWZbOzzBTmud5iTV9ttShh-b2q31gVWRG6l9Aoh3ZH44UYaQORr25m8uQpuVDGQpbss8kVuu-fr1xw2cOY7rH/s1408/nov5f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="1408" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigkj7ohmISVPVhOAjSTrjthK4ZlEQrAif9Rdgag6V5O0vWBKC1jXTweAYuxkXgbuoOd0XHblO1i8jSlUA07FFaakWKcZBcBpiaWZbOzzBTmud5iTV9ttShh-b2q31gVWRG6l9Aoh3ZH44UYaQORr25m8uQpuVDGQpbss8kVuu-fr1xw2cOY7rH/s320/nov5f.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>We are very happy with the turnout of young athletes and South Side club riders. Thanks so much for coming out and supporting the shop, the club, and racing in St. Louis and beyond.</p>What can't be overstated is the Beautiful Mrs. K's commitment to getting others into riding and racing. She has been such a driving force behind South Side's clubs and teams. <p></p><p> </p>Pedal Brake Pedal by TKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009106929378916039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22109712.post-2652346119760627302023-11-01T19:43:00.000-05:002023-11-01T19:43:00.820-05:00Cyclocross in the Mud at St. Vincent<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiixzYygg33nncwB4SHCISj6wB6cf82upgewMsyBxoB9qx02Q5iYWlgHkXbhl6S4t_YZHFnffwz36w-iG5xQYLQ6SLHB8yQuBLTXSUI3Il05ISaRykygQ80QfvPJJ1t29CI5kKotAbXVNkmCn2Yu8NMlAdF9FQ46bgEhS8gySm6Ol9NhXt8b6s5/s955/sv1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="786" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiixzYygg33nncwB4SHCISj6wB6cf82upgewMsyBxoB9qx02Q5iYWlgHkXbhl6S4t_YZHFnffwz36w-iG5xQYLQ6SLHB8yQuBLTXSUI3Il05ISaRykygQ80QfvPJJ1t29CI5kKotAbXVNkmCn2Yu8NMlAdF9FQ46bgEhS8gySm6Ol9NhXt8b6s5/s320/sv1.jpeg" width="263" /></a></div>I can't really tell you why I raced cross this past Sunday. As you all know too well, I avoid riding (and definitely racing) in the mud. I've had my fill of it over the 44 years of racing. Eli was dead set on doing the cross race at St. Vincent, so maybe that was it. My race was after his, and he and his podium mates don't look too bad here. Very proud of his second place!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi493hBcfeEMPLFyrC3H4yExHHvfnq98uJ47On29bPbsvjBnJVxfcLbAOjFv76wYivFQCYslVCyblP3hE0q4VRG84yEI9V6JYk8xWEc_UvOC3PvAX_QZy5iU6pAq3mfl-sTNPiCmdOZNtqfW_dymMz6s0CO4kuUJMamci5kWzaqdAG3zirn6bIC/s922/sv2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="922" data-original-width="677" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi493hBcfeEMPLFyrC3H4yExHHvfnq98uJ47On29bPbsvjBnJVxfcLbAOjFv76wYivFQCYslVCyblP3hE0q4VRG84yEI9V6JYk8xWEc_UvOC3PvAX_QZy5iU6pAq3mfl-sTNPiCmdOZNtqfW_dymMz6s0CO4kuUJMamci5kWzaqdAG3zirn6bIC/s320/sv2.jpeg" width="235" /></a></div>As much as I love to race at this venue, the wet conditions did me no favors. The course wasn't too bad when we arrived in the morning. Not surprisingly, with all of the wheels rolling and the occasional quick shower, it deteriorated. After my race started, there was a steady rain to go along with the steady cold. I was slip sliding away and riding terribly, despite working very hard. 10th place was all I deserved.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI-4I7Z8X_Dyhc_9Sh6Vn1ulcWoyj2hbd4-JumqG0qrdg8bg0SlJXTMtDmGZcldJbDaGKCfN7yq8Q1CLV9Z0DLTSkbvDJVz8zPJGBz3qWo-xy7ZsVZsKcq-qVbq6ikHzagmQS_gdG2TntKxtByCdlerhgwX8EAnPHY3huZehqRmLk2PTi0tdNf/s1273/sv3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="1273" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI-4I7Z8X_Dyhc_9Sh6Vn1ulcWoyj2hbd4-JumqG0qrdg8bg0SlJXTMtDmGZcldJbDaGKCfN7yq8Q1CLV9Z0DLTSkbvDJVz8zPJGBz3qWo-xy7ZsVZsKcq-qVbq6ikHzagmQS_gdG2TntKxtByCdlerhgwX8EAnPHY3huZehqRmLk2PTi0tdNf/s320/sv3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>There was no escaping the clean-up. The mud was not sticky, but the grass on the course combined with mud wound it's way into every orifice on our two bikes. We stopped at Imo's on the way home to celebrate Eli's great race and my malaise, but after that I went to work. Three hours later, the TCX's were spit shined and waiting for another race. <p></p><p style="text-align: center;">However, if the next race is muddy Eli will be the only Kakouris racing that day. </p><p><br /><br /> </p>Pedal Brake Pedal by TKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009106929378916039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22109712.post-16983196122767094312023-10-29T21:01:00.005-05:002023-10-29T21:01:50.098-05:00Halloween Girls Night Out<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKF4xqhDhAZEICZZUWS2NLAZZvGv7U40dbaWXh7-Eo8RYPMUR5uR0OQeXnykiigBOlzrVOM9ov3jCpH_-m4qGnTb-Nzk7fV9m4fDlwndqLPS4Fsoz_jNf8vLfDEfxd_pXr_E317mZq5nrGqtqM-K_pmqkOJ-ch4q9eoxcsmHxpUZLhd1w-dUA/s867/hw1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="573" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKF4xqhDhAZEICZZUWS2NLAZZvGv7U40dbaWXh7-Eo8RYPMUR5uR0OQeXnykiigBOlzrVOM9ov3jCpH_-m4qGnTb-Nzk7fV9m4fDlwndqLPS4Fsoz_jNf8vLfDEfxd_pXr_E317mZq5nrGqtqM-K_pmqkOJ-ch4q9eoxcsmHxpUZLhd1w-dUA/s320/hw1.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>Each year, the Halloween GNO ride has been a big hit. The Hot Hostess (otherwise known as the Beautiful Mrs. K) has grown the Thursday Night GNO rides into something everyone can enjoy. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikn2CyrN0XVM9Cb4PgYTetug8KJRvAHARl_67YEUBpk0XYkFi7GqePgvc0C9kP3UTZpWF8NXAtZvVHw3o6XbnQbSp4G_IyOtcZcijqhsp7PjvRPsYG87SNlkrdiZjxHNy3y-r4KOT5UPQwYFiAgpjWtfSQwaNAbbg2hdfmJ1TlSZJl5wNfdVSg/s1273/hw2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="1273" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikn2CyrN0XVM9Cb4PgYTetug8KJRvAHARl_67YEUBpk0XYkFi7GqePgvc0C9kP3UTZpWF8NXAtZvVHw3o6XbnQbSp4G_IyOtcZcijqhsp7PjvRPsYG87SNlkrdiZjxHNy3y-r4KOT5UPQwYFiAgpjWtfSQwaNAbbg2hdfmJ1TlSZJl5wNfdVSg/s320/hw2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I normally put my 2 cents in by setting up snacks and drinks for the riders return. For the Halloween ride, it was probably on 1 cent, because Mrs. K herself shopped for Halloweeny stuff and I just arranged it. And Tyson put up the decorations. So I guess I just stood around and looked pretty.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_PLHDrjBWJaCxbUDCeFNXBGw2RT7xuhVidCioOi_h2bXHkxlOEwfwTDnst4FnrXg6bcYfwEfuj1eRXfIvq1wXw0mXDw-oH5Al4QQm01tflX8x4lgW-2zJZrlLHd2pL0sUj3eZF5mUMSXf8ZNwQeccbw7bspWtEkfPR3rElwTH4O3A1oD7lNd/s955/hw3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="716" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_PLHDrjBWJaCxbUDCeFNXBGw2RT7xuhVidCioOi_h2bXHkxlOEwfwTDnst4FnrXg6bcYfwEfuj1eRXfIvq1wXw0mXDw-oH5Al4QQm01tflX8x4lgW-2zJZrlLHd2pL0sUj3eZF5mUMSXf8ZNwQeccbw7bspWtEkfPR3rElwTH4O3A1oD7lNd/s320/hw3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>But there were so many eye-catching things lurking around, it was tough to notice the pretty guy guarding the drinks. I mean, just look at these people. I feverishly scanned the news reports for any escaped lunatics.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTS-M86-gELVhzEGuX_JSr8WqRoCJHpYbwwPq3c8O43RK2NpoLVKnWFghaeshMw4FTE5a1bywszb6LCJVmwO7035FayB9HYYg25La9xNhEBh1fDLtxIXNvErus-zlj1MgFsJpOEqH-aIeoiVCD_P92R3-DU5lpVTVM-m9iAKS8FH0MEZRqJpr/s955/hw4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="716" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTS-M86-gELVhzEGuX_JSr8WqRoCJHpYbwwPq3c8O43RK2NpoLVKnWFghaeshMw4FTE5a1bywszb6LCJVmwO7035FayB9HYYg25La9xNhEBh1fDLtxIXNvErus-zlj1MgFsJpOEqH-aIeoiVCD_P92R3-DU5lpVTVM-m9iAKS8FH0MEZRqJpr/s320/hw4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This one took a double take. A triple take, actually.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdgblwUHTZG0A-Zj_k22eTzHaOrbRF7WZsYQHm-pqHG433PmTsgn2ohxWpHrPI6t_tqZgP38NlM1XGH2K6sMZ6zxGRgKn_ea2xZPO2kqHtFH4JyRUS0yLPfBi7wAWOGcmkCbbV_s7kXo8zQr9MTV298pNkeLfdkq7c_881k6XZTyvK3xvds1NQ/s1277/hw5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="836" data-original-width="1277" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdgblwUHTZG0A-Zj_k22eTzHaOrbRF7WZsYQHm-pqHG433PmTsgn2ohxWpHrPI6t_tqZgP38NlM1XGH2K6sMZ6zxGRgKn_ea2xZPO2kqHtFH4JyRUS0yLPfBi7wAWOGcmkCbbV_s7kXo8zQr9MTV298pNkeLfdkq7c_881k6XZTyvK3xvds1NQ/s320/hw5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Before liftoff, I managed to get a signature panoramic photo. I wish you could see some of the costumes better. You'll just have to trust me, they were good. We had a raffle and a costume judging when everyone returned. I'm sure everyone was sad to see GNO hibernate until the spring, but we're hoping for a mild winter and strong legs in March. Thanks to all that came out this year, because there is no GNO without you.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <p></p>Pedal Brake Pedal by TKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009106929378916039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22109712.post-81918674553542217022023-10-26T16:58:00.003-05:002023-10-26T16:59:24.086-05:00You TOTALLY can't tell We're Not Real Otters<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3O4Oc_s_2vstXYsOQxltVl4AyUd0Z67Bn4ThhtC802L7s15zjSYGGGVX0PxjrBo72V82kpt0bS7fIpazjzFVpIhgT7edUH735C3Zr5DleuUYxDUix1C4hgA2J-zLKtHICQpjwxGtqjAX1IUVk5MQTV0Dk0pJYc1yNG5E2B389jXwLSmx6QC50/s1280/otters.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3O4Oc_s_2vstXYsOQxltVl4AyUd0Z67Bn4ThhtC802L7s15zjSYGGGVX0PxjrBo72V82kpt0bS7fIpazjzFVpIhgT7edUH735C3Zr5DleuUYxDUix1C4hgA2J-zLKtHICQpjwxGtqjAX1IUVk5MQTV0Dk0pJYc1yNG5E2B389jXwLSmx6QC50/s320/otters.png" width="180" /></a></div>You just never know what you're going to see at a NICA race these days. Especially at "NICA-ween", the official Halloween celebration. While there were many, many better costumes than these oversized, hot, and very itchy otter suits, I think the Beautiful Mrs. K and I embodied the spirit of NICA-ween really well. I wasn't smiling very well because I had Skittles in my mouth.<p></p>Pedal Brake Pedal by TKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009106929378916039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22109712.post-70646592804064448952023-09-24T21:54:00.001-05:002023-09-24T21:54:33.019-05:00Birthdays, Baseball, and Grabbing the Leaders Jersey<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijNb5_rhuFMKMAby9Gdb5ml2YlSV80mNJhSYigSmFfyRbhJFekB8yS2uLaLLq_MXta6A0FegpBbkBwqp1BXVYWnjCUOPEJYNvGeQE8GGV_uRAauEOb5gGCXRVCGpoX7BFtjxMsxDnGqbN3gyrS20bhiWHc-EmRoDMCcpbCqQgJ8rwmt2uMWX6X/s676/jc00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="643" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijNb5_rhuFMKMAby9Gdb5ml2YlSV80mNJhSYigSmFfyRbhJFekB8yS2uLaLLq_MXta6A0FegpBbkBwqp1BXVYWnjCUOPEJYNvGeQE8GGV_uRAauEOb5gGCXRVCGpoX7BFtjxMsxDnGqbN3gyrS20bhiWHc-EmRoDMCcpbCqQgJ8rwmt2uMWX6X/s320/jc00.jpg" width="304" /></a></div>I feel like I need to prove that we do things other than ride bikes. Or sell bikes. Or talk about bikes. Something, anything, other than bikes. And we do. This past week, we celebrated a birthday. Deanna's mom just turned 40, so we had a fantastic dinner. And in true Zimmer fashion, they played cards. Oh, and there was cake. Mmm. Cake.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbkbUCjEpoUNaRqazhCeGVeHJu2X_hMpuy5w9iKM6ncZqvN1noTdF2spJhw2WD7h18i9YWjZmmvFNi8d0ALV9m2wmTLRz08hf9T3ugxi2daZ2i37NLyoGTg0ntEFgpA4Exk4BennQucHbHNmj2XcEQNVp0Nac5ckJQhQkaFxN1Jl47KoJsF87D/s2048/jc0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbkbUCjEpoUNaRqazhCeGVeHJu2X_hMpuy5w9iKM6ncZqvN1noTdF2spJhw2WD7h18i9YWjZmmvFNi8d0ALV9m2wmTLRz08hf9T3ugxi2daZ2i37NLyoGTg0ntEFgpA4Exk4BennQucHbHNmj2XcEQNVp0Nac5ckJQhQkaFxN1Jl47KoJsF87D/s320/jc0.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The Beautiful Mrs. K went to a Cards game with the fam. I should have gone. But sitting at home in the peace and quiet won out over the chaos of a baseball game. Man, I must be getting old.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfttJVw82XfJMsZZqHJuebNWJgaitskJCmvNZZaEg6lOApETRL7Tuu_8nH1vOpxbAk4KddeSbBQtePbalbfBiPr88GeYwejayK46UWRuM7JpvS5Pj9IXNknnmhQnDyQqZBmGHXDGLwjCk5zqyvM_cU_k1aqsnY7rA-_dmc-4mN3dNS2mwPOHUG/s1920/jc1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="791" data-original-width="1920" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfttJVw82XfJMsZZqHJuebNWJgaitskJCmvNZZaEg6lOApETRL7Tuu_8nH1vOpxbAk4KddeSbBQtePbalbfBiPr88GeYwejayK46UWRuM7JpvS5Pj9IXNknnmhQnDyQqZBmGHXDGLwjCk5zqyvM_cU_k1aqsnY7rA-_dmc-4mN3dNS2mwPOHUG/s320/jc1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Somehow, you knew this was coming, right? We traveled to Jefferson City for the 2nd race in the Missouri NICA mountain bike race series for Eli. We had to go a day early (Friday Night) because there were horrendous storms forecasted for Sunday. So the race organizers opted to race Saturday instead. We had a beautiful Airbnb on the edge of the Missouri river. Great morning view before we had to pack up quick and head out to Binder Lake for the mountain bike race.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzoQd7QT804qe_bMZDFkXRwWMrFHtfEFDzcH5zX4AC_pz5mj3ycTCJ3yhMyoVlteYbsSdNRDJhqJTT7CosMwX8t3dJq7LnHxaooXbO2jKpY8mAbRDkXrU2rLkcZElyJnpvgtNUFxSXc4yb_Ut-98kN2VM4fKjMRl1QYFckxUgFhb2W6_MGy1V/s1279/jc2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="1279" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzoQd7QT804qe_bMZDFkXRwWMrFHtfEFDzcH5zX4AC_pz5mj3ycTCJ3yhMyoVlteYbsSdNRDJhqJTT7CosMwX8t3dJq7LnHxaooXbO2jKpY8mAbRDkXrU2rLkcZElyJnpvgtNUFxSXc4yb_Ut-98kN2VM4fKjMRl1QYFckxUgFhb2W6_MGy1V/s320/jc2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The first race of the day is always the Varsity Boys. Eli and the other points leaders get called up, total professional style, to the starting line first. This photo is so great: these guys ride, race, and train together. They're fantastic young men, talented and real role models for the hundreds of kids that participate in these things. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1qvVCyXbdS8r2aeIm4NveazUMubZ7DTbS1u7cZ_J7-EKNZahKXcKF8OV-fOkOWyQt7BEAahDuhN4lyeXBlqJuaF2LK3ML_dwivzugSexkQwEqeZ8FBAfrL7FcHhrKV5OCLxPRP5GAo5DfU2S87-F71XN0MfxpS0kgVvffKG6Bj85NHT0Vwf5D/s777/jc3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1qvVCyXbdS8r2aeIm4NveazUMubZ7DTbS1u7cZ_J7-EKNZahKXcKF8OV-fOkOWyQt7BEAahDuhN4lyeXBlqJuaF2LK3ML_dwivzugSexkQwEqeZ8FBAfrL7FcHhrKV5OCLxPRP5GAo5DfU2S87-F71XN0MfxpS0kgVvffKG6Bj85NHT0Vwf5D/s320/jc3.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>After a blistering fast race, Eli came second. I figure that my fine readers know that the most stressful times of my life are when my kids are competing. Watching him power up the climb to the finish line took an enormous weight off of my chest.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvs6teJnFvHYRQoluEVDpTKuOAQP3EOzKA8Z3kgeEWH3p2eCLULDG-uMSYM5YBjEKdIZ2944nZHGX6AECKfUorjh7uKJOogKgtCDUu8dn-VpQTPNAr10Tcea5tUInm-d-5aUo5OUX_YQ3u-n1Ggnpx2yxsYTF-Df5koCBBxblcFk9cChCra7gi/s955/jc4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="716" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvs6teJnFvHYRQoluEVDpTKuOAQP3EOzKA8Z3kgeEWH3p2eCLULDG-uMSYM5YBjEKdIZ2944nZHGX6AECKfUorjh7uKJOogKgtCDUu8dn-VpQTPNAr10Tcea5tUInm-d-5aUo5OUX_YQ3u-n1Ggnpx2yxsYTF-Df5koCBBxblcFk9cChCra7gi/s320/jc4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>That second place finish was enough to put Eli in the coveted Leaders Jersey. Every kid that puts their tires on NICA dirt wants one. After his first year of racing in 2021, Eli has been shooting for this. It can change hands again at the next race in the series, but he has worked very hard for this and it's his for this precious moment. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4keGZKAztoLpOoJak0e4RpWDSv9nAoHc4Tv9CzcD8L_Hs2Y7NpEaqQlLsl9CMAD_AsuU3yWncrJTml_CRS3ff4tzaVDbH1QhuA8YFiHCajTTTNux-3jrZbGS78ZpwCVfodWa7hTXfLXzbFCyzaLQN2VIGf_jxasjnF5YhlPNBO7uW1V_U0ZS8/s745/jc5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="745" data-original-width="554" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4keGZKAztoLpOoJak0e4RpWDSv9nAoHc4Tv9CzcD8L_Hs2Y7NpEaqQlLsl9CMAD_AsuU3yWncrJTml_CRS3ff4tzaVDbH1QhuA8YFiHCajTTTNux-3jrZbGS78ZpwCVfodWa7hTXfLXzbFCyzaLQN2VIGf_jxasjnF5YhlPNBO7uW1V_U0ZS8/s320/jc5.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>Bad photo because the light was fading and the skies were getting stormy. Happy to have caught this shot of Eli's best girl putting his 2nd place medal on for his days finish. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWKpPs-O_eXW_k7UhlzCBojJIGfJbFHP3NZ7KQB7tzxwnl5VqKw5RQVmlS0hH2TkQ3V8bTXrW48V9RYwH1Sb_l7qjoHeGCHalQxw9j57cypjAj5AhvsFeQnUDzqchG_IugYJPEiJuh5ndyLQ0CMoG-BHUUuBjmhgX9_3LdXsSbaJvmaTqUvN3/s1013/jc5.5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="1013" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWKpPs-O_eXW_k7UhlzCBojJIGfJbFHP3NZ7KQB7tzxwnl5VqKw5RQVmlS0hH2TkQ3V8bTXrW48V9RYwH1Sb_l7qjoHeGCHalQxw9j57cypjAj5AhvsFeQnUDzqchG_IugYJPEiJuh5ndyLQ0CMoG-BHUUuBjmhgX9_3LdXsSbaJvmaTqUvN3/s320/jc5.5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Another bad shot, but I couldn't leave out the podium pic. I shouldn't be surprised by these guys being at the top of the class because I've raced them myself and I know they're awesome. But it's just so darn cool that this group is at the top of the heap at the moment. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4CNb2tUNmL4qKvYxf6RFwY-Z7hR0lnGv9JfA1jZBfgflQc_oSfpRH0_fdF8WLvTFY5E8DYEYvCnkpZaa3om6T6WB39GcEa4e-ybc0NMBvCEYFj3Uqkssjpe8DxTTO3sofbMnI-UF2qF7g0vMyYp-gG9Y2Y5TPOqIvnAXNZqDw0ppC59doveb/s955/jc6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="635" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4CNb2tUNmL4qKvYxf6RFwY-Z7hR0lnGv9JfA1jZBfgflQc_oSfpRH0_fdF8WLvTFY5E8DYEYvCnkpZaa3om6T6WB39GcEa4e-ybc0NMBvCEYFj3Uqkssjpe8DxTTO3sofbMnI-UF2qF7g0vMyYp-gG9Y2Y5TPOqIvnAXNZqDw0ppC59doveb/s320/jc6.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Resplendent in his trusty swim trunks and fresh Leaders Jersey, Eli couldn't be happier. I couldn't be happier, either. I'm so pleased that he's reaching the goals that he set for himself. The best thing a person can do is to accomplish things that are important to THEM. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGCTcbzklMVaMeitelF2fAA9fI3L6SQrQ5uifxGoZnA0ZSrEHpq2MfAYGfAEkxnS8IUow9GzszpNp4UmqLg9pySlb3sS6yjzYIFG6qFSRyP3POCk3c0PKRteYDnoSq5LsLw4qM56zmRWmzTcGIA0UxLHaCCGUmiuxYdYw09a6BWOBvKh9y4Z4n/s1273/jc7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="1273" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGCTcbzklMVaMeitelF2fAA9fI3L6SQrQ5uifxGoZnA0ZSrEHpq2MfAYGfAEkxnS8IUow9GzszpNp4UmqLg9pySlb3sS6yjzYIFG6qFSRyP3POCk3c0PKRteYDnoSq5LsLw4qM56zmRWmzTcGIA0UxLHaCCGUmiuxYdYw09a6BWOBvKh9y4Z4n/s320/jc7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Also very impressive: The South City Otters and the Metro Panthers. I'm lucky enough to watch these athletes improve and grow and constantly ride their bikes better and better. They were second in the team competition, which is no easy task. Way to go, Otterpants!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj044zbqPtg6x5sfG6-LSU9M9cTeOL__30MJCCc0VwMBK5_XzN4fJDuopwhMTD0PPv9DL_pMyFpT8EOhenUHIOireK20045ExC-VpT3ekHDJzuQ8sFHAZSEvPJ4w0Nuw9Fpn9Gn9OOUG5uRlC_1IFE7Qw0lL4IBEG7UDzxHlhhNf2sEtNE9EweF/s604/jc8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="537" data-original-width="604" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj044zbqPtg6x5sfG6-LSU9M9cTeOL__30MJCCc0VwMBK5_XzN4fJDuopwhMTD0PPv9DL_pMyFpT8EOhenUHIOireK20045ExC-VpT3ekHDJzuQ8sFHAZSEvPJ4w0Nuw9Fpn9Gn9OOUG5uRlC_1IFE7Qw0lL4IBEG7UDzxHlhhNf2sEtNE9EweF/s320/jc8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>And just when you thought that I had lapsed right back into writing only about biking stuff, we get this photo. I would like to think that I had some kind of influence on this. Pep talks, maybe? Some genetic support, perhaps? Or is this just typical Hanna tenaciousness, putting in hard work and making hard work part of everyday life? The latter, I'll say.<p></p>Pedal Brake Pedal by TKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009106929378916039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22109712.post-78792025840802847422023-09-17T21:36:00.004-05:002023-09-17T21:36:54.075-05:00Jam Packed Fall Schedule <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4zCPEI1fuW6rzWQ66Qw9OdnsF_bVVlrEmLrx8ZRo5vhqXymwpTrRM1VvmfsQAgr4OqguD8rqLandHEsHQbT6I99_Jnmd4d153kKAOZoPLPm_IY-aix9Uehov5kwrk2hXQ_BPVyeHeRY9vKA032BaBreJDF9puF_dp4ACunLarIe9jFQeNPQL/s5760/Shawnee_Bend_23-45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5760" data-original-width="3840" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4zCPEI1fuW6rzWQ66Qw9OdnsF_bVVlrEmLrx8ZRo5vhqXymwpTrRM1VvmfsQAgr4OqguD8rqLandHEsHQbT6I99_Jnmd4d153kKAOZoPLPm_IY-aix9Uehov5kwrk2hXQ_BPVyeHeRY9vKA032BaBreJDF9puF_dp4ACunLarIe9jFQeNPQL/s320/Shawnee_Bend_23-45.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>It's hard to sit down at the computer and sort photos to tell the story of what has been going on lately. The store is busy and there is so much racing going on. Nica season has begun, so that means we are racing and traveling every weekend for a while. Flannery Alison captured a moment for Eli and I that I won't forget.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRngKZBWLsqIcKFvtLiSczqlEYSTSA1LZatfSZbrJ3rp9vfVYrTpvWxACTFQDicbsrvcgr3hDw2yrzLOcMAVjwtP9yHodHwcDwNWg2rCEwOe16b84kGakin_aGLnnwHsiw-Nw_wvSiQpux9g18djMXwznV7mHVpflossmEmjXhplsowgZlQZy/s1024/cx1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="771" data-original-width="1024" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRngKZBWLsqIcKFvtLiSczqlEYSTSA1LZatfSZbrJ3rp9vfVYrTpvWxACTFQDicbsrvcgr3hDw2yrzLOcMAVjwtP9yHodHwcDwNWg2rCEwOe16b84kGakin_aGLnnwHsiw-Nw_wvSiQpux9g18djMXwznV7mHVpflossmEmjXhplsowgZlQZy/s320/cx1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Cyclocross has started in our area and the first races are always run in the Alton area. The Superprestige series is a great time. Last week there was a distinct lack of women racing. Just a couple showed up. This week? They rallied up a LOT more and had a strong showing for the wonderful course at Belk Park.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgId5n6vTR9UPhfVBRvwhWDTp3BjoTE5USfjZBzQbZnPr17pm-xt9RdphD9ru3KhBohUwPgR7fwBFdO_tudkGRkxyaZr4mOdgHySSoPHpRBq-xSiKlND59VYwfF04PYJn2rOa7I3NSzQ6xQKi8X64lubXfK35cGh6cgjOMsuvVe7P8dxjYAD_dq/s4722/Shawnee_Bend_23-162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3148" data-original-width="4722" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgId5n6vTR9UPhfVBRvwhWDTp3BjoTE5USfjZBzQbZnPr17pm-xt9RdphD9ru3KhBohUwPgR7fwBFdO_tudkGRkxyaZr4mOdgHySSoPHpRBq-xSiKlND59VYwfF04PYJn2rOa7I3NSzQ6xQKi8X64lubXfK35cGh6cgjOMsuvVe7P8dxjYAD_dq/s320/Shawnee_Bend_23-162.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Eli put all of his training to the test in Warsaw the previous weekend. He has so much competition in the Varsity class, and that mostly comes from his riding buddies. They fought tooth and nail, and he came out with a killer sprint finish for 3rd place. This is going to be an awesome series for them all. Another great Flannery Alison capture.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0DwXm3Z6-RzzkYCZ34PYFdblbCsTl9_hYPmCVfDYKfRuBiskpiZIWNdIg8iXVbenYfHhHaEAIdA8P9StWct_1yzCPEcoFxj_UffN3x4LKPvLUVoON4oWgGmEBGjOR-CzI0F5XaUK94qE-EZpslPBikxpNWwrbESStqCcvyl9N1ncyrgMKzFv/s1273/eli4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="1273" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0DwXm3Z6-RzzkYCZ34PYFdblbCsTl9_hYPmCVfDYKfRuBiskpiZIWNdIg8iXVbenYfHhHaEAIdA8P9StWct_1yzCPEcoFxj_UffN3x4LKPvLUVoON4oWgGmEBGjOR-CzI0F5XaUK94qE-EZpslPBikxpNWwrbESStqCcvyl9N1ncyrgMKzFv/s320/eli4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Proud dad moment. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Sh4fjTGaqKt4iWC__yOv7NMrVgizip2wTjidZFfPckjqv_2oEbRB8ZJnCPgKWDCkFqozC3HFJfG8GYZ5TJe7Tr6E-Kf8tkq4jI-0KRiKZ0kcBC7DKcG24e56awDSvEdyUgsQSKbSu6Efxe_THulBuRtiZHZfwSDINxai_KJhjAn6ewBaRJkU/s823/tkcx1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="823" data-original-width="528" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Sh4fjTGaqKt4iWC__yOv7NMrVgizip2wTjidZFfPckjqv_2oEbRB8ZJnCPgKWDCkFqozC3HFJfG8GYZ5TJe7Tr6E-Kf8tkq4jI-0KRiKZ0kcBC7DKcG24e56awDSvEdyUgsQSKbSu6Efxe_THulBuRtiZHZfwSDINxai_KJhjAn6ewBaRJkU/s320/tkcx1.jpeg" width="205" /></a></div>With local mountain bike racing over for me, I raced 'cross at Belk park. This is the first time since 2013 that I attempted to use an actual cyclocross bike. Man, what a difference 10 years makes. So much control, so much fun. I still have never won a cyclocross race on an actual cx bike, but I was darn proud of my 2nd place. Thanks to the Mileski's for the photo. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtCYP7uF1-EK-mf7VclXpemzD3RtYynlokgh1X4tzIgUV4zA4cV4g-9HA-06Z_QUiICCkbwnL7NOcDSr-AsDNHV10jhvf-HAgcus2JaDpSP1tPZZT8HnSYvkea4OEA9WXjxdBFyzVPZ2csGVoYZCALtj9yhRrb7CZQr6SBqox9tNYGBUQ6Kk3/s2048/cx2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtCYP7uF1-EK-mf7VclXpemzD3RtYynlokgh1X4tzIgUV4zA4cV4g-9HA-06Z_QUiICCkbwnL7NOcDSr-AsDNHV10jhvf-HAgcus2JaDpSP1tPZZT8HnSYvkea4OEA9WXjxdBFyzVPZ2csGVoYZCALtj9yhRrb7CZQr6SBqox9tNYGBUQ6Kk3/s320/cx2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>I was very proud of these two. Eli won his Junior's race, and Mrs. K had a much better race than she will admit. Funny thing: We all lined up together to race in the same race, which will probably never happen again. Another Mileski photo. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The next time I post, I hope to include our other kids. Hanna has an amazing new job in Dallas and I don't get to see her enough. She'll be visiting in a couple weeks and I'll catch up on all that is Hanna and I will have photographic evidence of that! Tyson has taken to riding mountain bikes again and has been riding a cx bike as well. Photos are promised for some of that, too.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Onward and upward!</div><p></p><p><br /> </p>Pedal Brake Pedal by TKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009106929378916039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22109712.post-5592587584350394672023-08-24T22:56:00.003-05:002023-08-26T19:32:10.349-05:00Heartbreaker Mountain Bike Race at Creve Coeur<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdo1XuGjXZKr5pybGVP6DtM-itta4EM67Tebw9SvaTYXVeaaCb8FsMixIy08cAm2Xz2mHIccNw1_yzrtZnISbukL_bNVxj3ZT_kg9Q83XmgauipdLDW2l79D9Gpt5uCiL9nduxHBKKYlSio5ErvDfRQkn3VIZwe7Vr2jhkCCyi6vphM4hFTTzk/s5002/Creve_Couer_2023-260.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3335" data-original-width="5002" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdo1XuGjXZKr5pybGVP6DtM-itta4EM67Tebw9SvaTYXVeaaCb8FsMixIy08cAm2Xz2mHIccNw1_yzrtZnISbukL_bNVxj3ZT_kg9Q83XmgauipdLDW2l79D9Gpt5uCiL9nduxHBKKYlSio5ErvDfRQkn3VIZwe7Vr2jhkCCyi6vphM4hFTTzk/s320/Creve_Couer_2023-260.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Wooo doggy, it was a hot one Sunday at Creve Coeur. Eli and I (along with 200 other people!) raced the last event in the United Federation of Dirt's series for 2023. Here you can see the old man getting out a little quicker on the "GO!". <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_pMtcBFxhGXERzsA5xlPxFkJCelrVTAruHdA4zY4e7DjNGIXVXJc0Q6tAPo07vehWn_eqPxCB788R3hBqHtn7JcsyMwJF_Ch0tSCG4egp7rTe_KQCZStr8cHRhEADbfk8VPH5Z-SKT9C0JAI_ncgB3syD7AvjdF8ZgBy0bhtMJBFKskRAk-y/s2903/Creve_Couer_2023-352.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2444" data-original-width="2903" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_pMtcBFxhGXERzsA5xlPxFkJCelrVTAruHdA4zY4e7DjNGIXVXJc0Q6tAPo07vehWn_eqPxCB788R3hBqHtn7JcsyMwJF_Ch0tSCG4egp7rTe_KQCZStr8cHRhEADbfk8VPH5Z-SKT9C0JAI_ncgB3syD7AvjdF8ZgBy0bhtMJBFKskRAk-y/s320/Creve_Couer_2023-352.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>These things start fast and never slow down. I was battling it out with a fast young dude from Spain...lucky for me he wasn't taking the heat well. That good battle kept me on the gas for the first 3 of 5 laps. I was feeling a little sassy with the heat so I unzipped my jersey quite a bit and the crowds went wild. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijWuoi_23lXZ8uSF8EtiyQeBqiPzqWq6Csb1oDIv3QYkr36jlJnL4St3zIn4g6sKi1WnuLUdZVHGz55yrimQzAHLlrDYPnUqrqcfmVSad1YbN1VuUM96emOV_z7GXhD6B392nVJSsVi-h6GKXNVETkO-KpdNr8xz5NG9ag9eAOtCn2TgfvLt00/s2724/Creve_Couer_2023-508.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2419" data-original-width="2724" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijWuoi_23lXZ8uSF8EtiyQeBqiPzqWq6Csb1oDIv3QYkr36jlJnL4St3zIn4g6sKi1WnuLUdZVHGz55yrimQzAHLlrDYPnUqrqcfmVSad1YbN1VuUM96emOV_z7GXhD6B392nVJSsVi-h6GKXNVETkO-KpdNr8xz5NG9ag9eAOtCn2TgfvLt00/s320/Creve_Couer_2023-508.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Eli was behind me but he wasn't slowing down. He could see me ahead of him on the last two laps.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilA_dO5Th3trwoI_A5qyXa6BzhKK8t0DUZ-qn1webubyUDpDub4y-cIgXVAdW71K1vxFmeNYOB23En4sM4wOC86bw1oi9MEoIyBqwcW-HKHida0kPcL026UC--fDVFkg03Bun3PDe2_kPi8ZAEkrqzQenqyUAeU9lu4OhY6-_zQYlbBPhyL-MP/s1841/Creve_Couer_2023-578.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1633" data-original-width="1841" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilA_dO5Th3trwoI_A5qyXa6BzhKK8t0DUZ-qn1webubyUDpDub4y-cIgXVAdW71K1vxFmeNYOB23En4sM4wOC86bw1oi9MEoIyBqwcW-HKHida0kPcL026UC--fDVFkg03Bun3PDe2_kPi8ZAEkrqzQenqyUAeU9lu4OhY6-_zQYlbBPhyL-MP/s320/Creve_Couer_2023-578.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>He caught me right after this photo. He didn't taunt me or call me names. He did tell me to get going, which I couldn't. He blazed past me on the last climb before the finish and put about 40 seconds on me. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9wHPdr0lyZN0N6zbUBRSoyGTgMdDyczUrCu1YoSc2e-oag4kKWUzSF4VcTrKrZygz-gQdFB07GdPxSz3ryxoIg_i1FT_ypTlZ5NKeygNFUUJIRMgIRS5pLvC9RaCAjfO4FvyZFqMsxY85w_1airFGifjOfmnLkWUffag4vQEHzb4WVYVu3DS/s5760/Creve_Couer_2023-586.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="5760" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9wHPdr0lyZN0N6zbUBRSoyGTgMdDyczUrCu1YoSc2e-oag4kKWUzSF4VcTrKrZygz-gQdFB07GdPxSz3ryxoIg_i1FT_ypTlZ5NKeygNFUUJIRMgIRS5pLvC9RaCAjfO4FvyZFqMsxY85w_1airFGifjOfmnLkWUffag4vQEHzb4WVYVu3DS/s320/Creve_Couer_2023-586.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I was suffering at the end, but it was a solid race anyway. I felt like I was racing instead of just pedaling around a mountain bike course. Two hours total in the blazing heat was plenty for me, anyway. I don't know why I always make such goofy faces while I'm racing. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSnKKz45_be40UugJx0PBXn7sE5JcoPbPCsxv9VtWjBQOr0HM8LB2P9x4x4NpCWR7KeOQEkjLolQxzokdsm-BEz5ef3B9CejWbzueVhGUEQwyoxwqH3aGUpycbiOn6ypLIlYRNp4Tj-ZJ0dP0LzhWtXqTpS1CR6fQSmn4Rer-gl3POaMe9e5Yf/s4872/Creve_Couer_2023-587.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3248" data-original-width="4872" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSnKKz45_be40UugJx0PBXn7sE5JcoPbPCsxv9VtWjBQOr0HM8LB2P9x4x4NpCWR7KeOQEkjLolQxzokdsm-BEz5ef3B9CejWbzueVhGUEQwyoxwqH3aGUpycbiOn6ypLIlYRNp4Tj-ZJ0dP0LzhWtXqTpS1CR6fQSmn4Rer-gl3POaMe9e5Yf/s320/Creve_Couer_2023-587.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Eli really gave it all he had. Lucky for him, he had his number one girl to keep him from falling over at the finish line. I'm glad I could push him that hard!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnACUPRcpFTYMMKRQ-FXGGS2cc-vqa7tAEg0fuoiT2Vn4nsm7jFFlOQ-7rVGY5b3_x0I0wa1Nyrh3G2pQQ-mn89xNh1q7SlRmYJrREfgDv7FT0FBuWZRYkoengbSOiVNykj1xYCnjpESKv76Oo85huUwn85zOmPjnwVgYpjIxmwv6F6St5Pnan/s4036/Creve_Couer_2023-594.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3324" data-original-width="4036" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnACUPRcpFTYMMKRQ-FXGGS2cc-vqa7tAEg0fuoiT2Vn4nsm7jFFlOQ-7rVGY5b3_x0I0wa1Nyrh3G2pQQ-mn89xNh1q7SlRmYJrREfgDv7FT0FBuWZRYkoengbSOiVNykj1xYCnjpESKv76Oo85huUwn85zOmPjnwVgYpjIxmwv6F6St5Pnan/s320/Creve_Couer_2023-594.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>He gave me a big hug to make sure I wouldn't cry after our race. He's such a good kid, even if he does really like to beat me in races. I still paid for Subway on the way home, so obviously I harbored no ill will.<div><br /></div><div>A big thanks to the Beautiful Mrs. K for setting up the South Side Cyclery tents and getting drinks and snacks for everyone on the team and in the SSC club. We had such a nice crowd there and they all appreciate the hard work Mrs. K does. And she cheers and taunts us, too, so there is no slacking while she's around.</div><div><br /></div><div>These great photos and many more come from our biggest fan and great supporter, Flannery Allison. <br /><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><p><br /> </p></div></div></div></div></div></div>Pedal Brake Pedal by TKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009106929378916039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22109712.post-44119185013197565912023-08-14T22:12:00.001-05:002023-08-14T22:12:43.301-05:00Biking can be a Family Affair<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCYRrwvVMeWdOWXvbUknx7tMeqh9qKb9w6AN0oHPQD2HQr-N37X7Kpl68SBGMUkZ84n_I-0cDjOiVtrfyoGUOJSO3lJUfQAvmGWTrZPErg7MtfYYaIAxyHSFEjeXtkJ_L8ryREfGkL_9nM0QR_Rz8Hz3M-DSVzZJqYw-mwhDnlzn4wUFtcayo/s1600/z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCYRrwvVMeWdOWXvbUknx7tMeqh9qKb9w6AN0oHPQD2HQr-N37X7Kpl68SBGMUkZ84n_I-0cDjOiVtrfyoGUOJSO3lJUfQAvmGWTrZPErg7MtfYYaIAxyHSFEjeXtkJ_L8ryREfGkL_9nM0QR_Rz8Hz3M-DSVzZJqYw-mwhDnlzn4wUFtcayo/s320/z.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>There are a lot of things families can do together. Watch Sponge Bob. Buy matching "I'm with Stupid" T-shirts. Go (gasp!) camping. Not us. We ride bikes. Tyson recently joined Eli and I in getting a new Cyclocross bike. His is substantially taller than ours. That's the best way I can think of to make sure no one borrows his bike. Photo courtesy of Eli's BeReal.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuzouZbrhvm1m5NaAyDy45pVhpQrN2AjTCRqVWprtqdoDaTOuwBMYmxUZbP5PX3x8lJxwxc8GKF9uXhkhlUhaTZQPSg1GDAbfQPKNdQWRw5b698B2T6oEYNtA1gzwg-_uE5W7e2yrdCoYVZiRP8KFN6ocXEmJvfzlj-XhDPWMq-56eavTX6_6-/s4199/ICC1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3439" data-original-width="4199" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuzouZbrhvm1m5NaAyDy45pVhpQrN2AjTCRqVWprtqdoDaTOuwBMYmxUZbP5PX3x8lJxwxc8GKF9uXhkhlUhaTZQPSg1GDAbfQPKNdQWRw5b698B2T6oEYNtA1gzwg-_uE5W7e2yrdCoYVZiRP8KFN6ocXEmJvfzlj-XhDPWMq-56eavTX6_6-/s320/ICC1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The Beautiful Mrs. K got into the off-road action this past weekend at Indian Camp Creek. Thumbs up! Ride ambassador, mentor, coach, cheerleader, friend. Do not believe her when she says she only wants a sip of your soda. Trust me. Photo courtesy of Dan Singer Photography.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpa2XaFpJh9WWuyK2bHlLvA6RkEUqFXwSiImbNoYjqcHAprxaIQK7c1O9gVfy_nCju8xtl9jWOMRzd5_aVbjQfnQxjlmO4MReFhUe-FleMXvyzSVfUIRaGF5uVAxGdOFQWEcrzpdNiIXrNTJcEAQ6O6n59WAvFtUJ77SSKSg5JsPq4tP83xeoP/s4838/ICC4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4838" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpa2XaFpJh9WWuyK2bHlLvA6RkEUqFXwSiImbNoYjqcHAprxaIQK7c1O9gVfy_nCju8xtl9jWOMRzd5_aVbjQfnQxjlmO4MReFhUe-FleMXvyzSVfUIRaGF5uVAxGdOFQWEcrzpdNiIXrNTJcEAQ6O6n59WAvFtUJ77SSKSg5JsPq4tP83xeoP/s320/ICC4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div>Eli raced ICC, too. We are very proud of his steady rise in the off-road ranks. We are more proud of his growth as an awesome person. Dan Singer Photography took this photo.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygQ-els2AzWP4a_Ug97lz7smt-ldVF5atkmwJJWN0ZHsvjo-kCrqs6vzG4x7GiekKGyc_0ewQPFGzn1-c3KHaJGIsRJ9dEw6-oPhNAyCF067-3Ec3rHzN3TF7SrzipYGI9fLOskV3AsIvxjiis_QcxWBs9u7CXjTYPgFXNArx9A2nLBczNNsg/s4838/ICC7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4838" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygQ-els2AzWP4a_Ug97lz7smt-ldVF5atkmwJJWN0ZHsvjo-kCrqs6vzG4x7GiekKGyc_0ewQPFGzn1-c3KHaJGIsRJ9dEw6-oPhNAyCF067-3Ec3rHzN3TF7SrzipYGI9fLOskV3AsIvxjiis_QcxWBs9u7CXjTYPgFXNArx9A2nLBczNNsg/s320/ICC7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I raced ICC. And after 44 years of this stuff, you'd think I'd know how to smile for the camera. Instead I did my best interpretation of an old man experiencing a cardiac arrest while riding a very cool bike. Thanks again to Dan Singer Photography.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-3QvixCymq4i_ns-AW4RiTMGOKJu4pou8VwMQGhXGPZH04cHyL9ZHsEIG8kTz8pLxdrGUNdBRckNBE6g3b9d-ivK9qy7FrTOdtinIyAGiZQ9ZEeWztP3FEyIKlqESZ2p6VebsvvqxEhXKyAdAif_iznGs7GNuSXyD5m10ErR3A2fAKkKt8dEY/s955/x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="716" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-3QvixCymq4i_ns-AW4RiTMGOKJu4pou8VwMQGhXGPZH04cHyL9ZHsEIG8kTz8pLxdrGUNdBRckNBE6g3b9d-ivK9qy7FrTOdtinIyAGiZQ9ZEeWztP3FEyIKlqESZ2p6VebsvvqxEhXKyAdAif_iznGs7GNuSXyD5m10ErR3A2fAKkKt8dEY/s320/x.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>This is the only one of us that was missing this weekend. I know, I know, this is not a photo of Hanna riding bikes. But I wanted to sneak in this little powerhouse to show that she's not slacker just 'cause she's not riding with us right now. She could probably bench press me and my bike. Photo courtesy of me.<br /><div><br /><div><br /><p><br /> </p></div></div>Pedal Brake Pedal by TKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009106929378916039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22109712.post-88128637318419427922023-08-13T20:55:00.004-05:002023-08-13T20:55:59.679-05:00Rainbows and Hound Dogs<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2-hGxneJjueKiOtNUD64ZboUNMlh5vsIh0WXrBO5Zo-4sonwEcjRqZi2uc8EbHrisb40oxwrfqiqs_aJquuXOg-5pDMXilfPUHv1slT9nN-F7SfRNGlBLMhRgMnQ4MdrQbHGkNLA5j_zsXhSZFaFN2E-ppb-8q_EWDRvAkUkJjOnMBLkQYwH/s955/y.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="647" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2-hGxneJjueKiOtNUD64ZboUNMlh5vsIh0WXrBO5Zo-4sonwEcjRqZi2uc8EbHrisb40oxwrfqiqs_aJquuXOg-5pDMXilfPUHv1slT9nN-F7SfRNGlBLMhRgMnQ4MdrQbHGkNLA5j_zsXhSZFaFN2E-ppb-8q_EWDRvAkUkJjOnMBLkQYwH/s320/y.jpg" width="217" /></a></div>After a hard race today, we wanted to go to Ted Drewes to get some not-ice cream. The sun just peeped out enough on our way over there to make a cool rainbow. You can actually see the ghost of a second rainbow there, too.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_V3nI68IqbQ8laVSJ4-SU4s7520fi7K48PPJ8C5cNnakKrTx7IXQ79Tnh3uocKE4spxt86jKuGSQ4aTCwBXv3cjUthHWoSRmOUc1sA8qfpUhDJmXQ6bO0krQTdb_ZtaIki88Sl2sMXHkTqSUAPnR45baJNpzbsdUDVPfVH71W4ID3u3OPQdW/s1273/x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="1273" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_V3nI68IqbQ8laVSJ4-SU4s7520fi7K48PPJ8C5cNnakKrTx7IXQ79Tnh3uocKE4spxt86jKuGSQ4aTCwBXv3cjUthHWoSRmOUc1sA8qfpUhDJmXQ6bO0krQTdb_ZtaIki88Sl2sMXHkTqSUAPnR45baJNpzbsdUDVPfVH71W4ID3u3OPQdW/s320/x.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The Hound Dog doesn't give a hoot about rainbows. Or bike races. Or green beans. He wanted Ted Drewes. He laid down at my feet and pouted for a bit when he didn't get any. <br /><p><br /> </p>Pedal Brake Pedal by TKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009106929378916039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22109712.post-37637417781182901692023-08-06T20:48:00.000-05:002023-08-06T20:48:58.607-05:00"Big" Mileage Week<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsmnZxM__lREhc352vbm7EquxYg5JbkYjK0-oqUI3iFk8ODsRw4z687Q0O3DRwsOqMVnasNd3gdHgRn8-TdN5LNPohit4_PJz1hH8xP0ta16ebDObPhqFbEhV4lztTCCDwrF5ENK192YOtGNsMpXszBSuyN4uM9YR0CIZ9TIVkTD_-EfLuYMwD/s1273/101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="1273" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsmnZxM__lREhc352vbm7EquxYg5JbkYjK0-oqUI3iFk8ODsRw4z687Q0O3DRwsOqMVnasNd3gdHgRn8-TdN5LNPohit4_PJz1hH8xP0ta16ebDObPhqFbEhV4lztTCCDwrF5ENK192YOtGNsMpXszBSuyN4uM9YR0CIZ9TIVkTD_-EfLuYMwD/s320/101.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Something worked out well this week. My riding schedule! 140 miles for the week. Not much by many standards but quite a few by my own. Nothing in the way of mountain biking, though, as the rain just kept coming. This morning Eli set out early to get in a big mileage day, adding intervals in there somewhere. I waited a bit longer and surprise! I parked right next to him in the parking lot at Chesterfield. It was dreary and rainy, but pleasant temps. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW77BlDdkR_ydweG6c0qifSWMedQfeXB_tnZuPk8y1--mJxHLIDweiwWLamSNMcEPh25XxwqFiFiPQB7GavZVpFYf0LQIPr4usDXD2qQgdGzBfa50rm8W8eJJA5VCPZg6ksJJJxu9tFlLEHWcaGI2WSiuhQpGn9nHmi3n48p1NXn5RBFntz__j/s955/102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="716" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW77BlDdkR_ydweG6c0qifSWMedQfeXB_tnZuPk8y1--mJxHLIDweiwWLamSNMcEPh25XxwqFiFiPQB7GavZVpFYf0LQIPr4usDXD2qQgdGzBfa50rm8W8eJJA5VCPZg6ksJJJxu9tFlLEHWcaGI2WSiuhQpGn9nHmi3n48p1NXn5RBFntz__j/s320/102.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>By the time I had ridden the CX bike out the Katy, through Lost Valley and Busch Wildlife, the sun had come out. The first half, though, was soggy and soft. Not like a muddy mountain bike day, but the black mark on my left shoe is the actual color of the shoe...gravel splatter makes everything a drab grey. 30 miles of that was plenty for me.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq0m_UzWBZwBgBeTEf80d9WgVfsAZvWMqzO_S8EQaC7nIicJ55wyIhHn5UMOu2xxqBZUeo0aU2RvANdV8Auc3GGlXahMhflEV0zG1Vbc8JNvHkMnBJn1NX62JVg3na2-PqAOs1vRWmjsyzAjHod_0KDC6knEndJ8sJEA1oHkMW8REKMzZ7nd38/s955/103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="716" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq0m_UzWBZwBgBeTEf80d9WgVfsAZvWMqzO_S8EQaC7nIicJ55wyIhHn5UMOu2xxqBZUeo0aU2RvANdV8Auc3GGlXahMhflEV0zG1Vbc8JNvHkMnBJn1NX62JVg3na2-PqAOs1vRWmjsyzAjHod_0KDC6knEndJ8sJEA1oHkMW8REKMzZ7nd38/s320/103.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>But I wasn't finished. The beautiful Mrs. K wanted to go on a bike ride, too. Honestly, I was tired. We rode about 30 miles on the road and I was glad that was all we did. Upon finishing, we showered and went to eat burgers at Syberg's. Now I think we'll get ice cream. Probably multiple scoops.<br /><p><br /> </p></div>Pedal Brake Pedal by TKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009106929378916039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22109712.post-48987061217197306662023-08-05T21:26:00.000-05:002023-08-05T21:26:12.457-05:00What a Bad Blogger you've chosen to follow<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeH3AJINpops43zQU1OZjPD_F7fJBNf4mIebtLcUnAXvu3_lhSyJjEgpA6fJ7Aulmcct4ojLp154uIThX72_ssIadQ9PdFyItjGQgLSnrjYN78tjYA2pl61aEEGTC5YSVsyERdXds1C7qjI4npMfpM6itq4jgueO3CkRLbeWS1nIXzUY2Zxd5P/s751/106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="751" data-original-width="707" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeH3AJINpops43zQU1OZjPD_F7fJBNf4mIebtLcUnAXvu3_lhSyJjEgpA6fJ7Aulmcct4ojLp154uIThX72_ssIadQ9PdFyItjGQgLSnrjYN78tjYA2pl61aEEGTC5YSVsyERdXds1C7qjI4npMfpM6itq4jgueO3CkRLbeWS1nIXzUY2Zxd5P/s320/106.jpg" width="301" /></a></div>First off, I've been pretty busy. But really, I've been a bit sour. Ok, more sour than usual. I still haven't gained back any weight that I lost during my crappy bout with pancreatitis in May. Still down 10 pounds and feeling like my energy is somewhere in that 10 pounds. It was probably blubber anyway, but it was <b>MY</b> blubber.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguMNKzuv0nPCc2ukEoQDIC00OQLt3gGMq4Q5lJxNdtf4AQKAEXaeXH-EwktgmN0lcKOdeycEXr7R30pQl4k695zTpMMsdb3z2-iUlvvGzn-to838qJ2PudVS_e1fMD0eBzDttPYkLxEBxkwXPFNdQeHNaaN4ABpTceW4tap5Ez4SeTrRR4M25q/s1273/101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="1273" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguMNKzuv0nPCc2ukEoQDIC00OQLt3gGMq4Q5lJxNdtf4AQKAEXaeXH-EwktgmN0lcKOdeycEXr7R30pQl4k695zTpMMsdb3z2-iUlvvGzn-to838qJ2PudVS_e1fMD0eBzDttPYkLxEBxkwXPFNdQeHNaaN4ABpTceW4tap5Ez4SeTrRR4M25q/s320/101.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>However, there have been some great things happening anyway. Father's Day was a big hit around here. My clever children along with Mrs. K made a fine day for me. So I have that going for me.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT8RpYmdHVWiiXeAqTe_0rgb0dfE71AKAo2VhOCGhW-grmnk1t5bXmRqQKr4oouQfMTvE_kCmKgqZHuqOclv7E7vfc2a4TgjzdBlc36NDop3T-FsVk134khSUqGXOU1huMjNJExeHvc6ZuSIOhIZLyTsoe2Q44vUaTBA_uO9w61mi4RquDz_BF/s955/102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="716" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT8RpYmdHVWiiXeAqTe_0rgb0dfE71AKAo2VhOCGhW-grmnk1t5bXmRqQKr4oouQfMTvE_kCmKgqZHuqOclv7E7vfc2a4TgjzdBlc36NDop3T-FsVk134khSUqGXOU1huMjNJExeHvc6ZuSIOhIZLyTsoe2Q44vUaTBA_uO9w61mi4RquDz_BF/s320/102.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>We were able to make a nice mini-vacation from the 4th of July timing. Mrs. K, Eli, and I made the trip to Bentonville and stayed in an awesome tiny AirBnB. Lots of riding and hanging out with friends. That was needed so, so much. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8W4p_mmyXAkI6vhyPAXAIt7Ii4vNC8MoWOAVfKpVlLmdKarFxUkPwCL2qA3qctfc4UTkIBqMik9IsCnDiQs1fmKWwIoB7uGw37egujjxU_uFa553w0t-PFefzCMzgy6HR-Gzr80olJyoMBZ4oqjxBiLh4qV2ekHqtZxLyBbAD6moQI_3GrG8/s955/103.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="608" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8W4p_mmyXAkI6vhyPAXAIt7Ii4vNC8MoWOAVfKpVlLmdKarFxUkPwCL2qA3qctfc4UTkIBqMik9IsCnDiQs1fmKWwIoB7uGw37egujjxU_uFa553w0t-PFefzCMzgy6HR-Gzr80olJyoMBZ4oqjxBiLh4qV2ekHqtZxLyBbAD6moQI_3GrG8/s320/103.JPEG" width="204" /></a></div>I got in a couple more mountain bike races, too. Rhett's Run in Columbia was pretty good, although that pesky teenager of mine beat me by about 20 seconds. St. Joe State Park wasn't so great. Pretty bad, actually. No excuses, but I felt a LOT like I did at Greensfelder in May before this mess all started.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZrMT0to4V6SfsAVjll0tAgT7PV8NZ733WtliH-QgX4ZqMxEaAh_Ag9hpUCQhtW_K3YscZMfJTe3_GJTt-cgT1i41iiy3WhsS960wi5rHsWXNpCIQ-XHYczzV6N_PMDeH4KN6JOCLzzPULdHPNunRuWOjAcdqx9kRgmPfz7bnERrw4DPTxEbV/s955/104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="716" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZrMT0to4V6SfsAVjll0tAgT7PV8NZ733WtliH-QgX4ZqMxEaAh_Ag9hpUCQhtW_K3YscZMfJTe3_GJTt-cgT1i41iiy3WhsS960wi5rHsWXNpCIQ-XHYczzV6N_PMDeH4KN6JOCLzzPULdHPNunRuWOjAcdqx9kRgmPfz7bnERrw4DPTxEbV/s320/104.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>We had a Tour de France Femmes bash at the shop for one of the GNO rides. Lots of fun, along with teenagers in berets and French wine and cheese. I mean, we're like, so French, right??<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZkPH1gFbybY5TgH3F75FPs3w4pAjqMlIjUwu7kIa9Y99e9934x8wugy7vCFO5-UtADXiQJ65FU3Dly_F28qOl6oAAcZto839xNkKZL2DrWQSiwfRBwsrFW6hfDGK47RAe_IB_xonP5e8MJyPk7YVwQRxT7hMSmbYHyKsoVfcuWzHAZzlQU9Cn/s955/105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="717" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZkPH1gFbybY5TgH3F75FPs3w4pAjqMlIjUwu7kIa9Y99e9934x8wugy7vCFO5-UtADXiQJ65FU3Dly_F28qOl6oAAcZto839xNkKZL2DrWQSiwfRBwsrFW6hfDGK47RAe_IB_xonP5e8MJyPk7YVwQRxT7hMSmbYHyKsoVfcuWzHAZzlQU9Cn/s320/105.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>And Remi, although very disappointed to have missed the World Naked Bike ride, is still the best Hound Dog ever. That is despite his love for my spot on the bed.<br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div></div></div>Pedal Brake Pedal by TKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009106929378916039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22109712.post-67988821167432533102023-05-29T20:26:00.000-05:002023-05-29T20:26:07.313-05:00A Tumultuous Month of May<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWfdDSXGVPmuG04ctP5RMhq3ACVel--Lpqm3sjQ_CKXIc5SfPzCi9ZoUDpU2xM7yPaEhWMiBSNyVoWkuMBJEa5ydowKGqSq61VVsSg16WwP_zC8Dfu8XRdgRoT49lDtEUnkeSa9hDIbXmOrPqcdxH7RctVAQKHrR6KXfwRTph1O70WOUMUg/s540/b1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="540" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWfdDSXGVPmuG04ctP5RMhq3ACVel--Lpqm3sjQ_CKXIc5SfPzCi9ZoUDpU2xM7yPaEhWMiBSNyVoWkuMBJEa5ydowKGqSq61VVsSg16WwP_zC8Dfu8XRdgRoT49lDtEUnkeSa9hDIbXmOrPqcdxH7RctVAQKHrR6KXfwRTph1O70WOUMUg/s320/b1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Things seemingly started off well, with great weather for the Greensfelder Challenge mtb race. Eli and I started fast (you know this, man!) but neither of us finished as well as we wanted. We both had a bad day. My day got worse when I got home, as I developed a really awful stomach ache and I felt quite bad.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7bABoZRykyNudbpJuH8FHCShY85Os1zjjeeksBpIGq_6ZyPq4mH2RtmVmwQ0QCFsriomDp58eoLGdymGpM6PkODoqcQ6MO8hdoG4yrX3Q-hLTNvjedvDtzuLrmpYo_fI9G9kZYEgmJ6QM6ibBakA4t7LPDyW8dO1YcQCHbDEl_L6E0lmacg/s515/b2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="509" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7bABoZRykyNudbpJuH8FHCShY85Os1zjjeeksBpIGq_6ZyPq4mH2RtmVmwQ0QCFsriomDp58eoLGdymGpM6PkODoqcQ6MO8hdoG4yrX3Q-hLTNvjedvDtzuLrmpYo_fI9G9kZYEgmJ6QM6ibBakA4t7LPDyW8dO1YcQCHbDEl_L6E0lmacg/s320/b2.jpg" width="316" /></a></div>But we couldn't let such things bother us, as we had a Mother's Day ride to go on with Deanna and her bestie the next day. Strangely, I was left as backmarker for most of the ride. But Mrs K enjoyed the day out, and that was the important thing.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivD4-giGHemZjBn4gP7rJy34leJwPrs9MEGEPTkul6lXnoWb6taB8rA9pTWqbT6BImYatedNAGLWCvpwyGn2sHJPArQrbohWc-vZEPYFMGMBjTT2TBmD3ua941KN47QgaoLWSOHk1jvdVNz3Rpapk0vSK2JtIAPACc90fEvvcdHoY1W1L07A/s1055/b3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="1055" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivD4-giGHemZjBn4gP7rJy34leJwPrs9MEGEPTkul6lXnoWb6taB8rA9pTWqbT6BImYatedNAGLWCvpwyGn2sHJPArQrbohWc-vZEPYFMGMBjTT2TBmD3ua941KN47QgaoLWSOHk1jvdVNz3Rpapk0vSK2JtIAPACc90fEvvcdHoY1W1L07A/s320/b3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I came home from work about noon on Monday and had to lay in bed for the next couple days. By Wednesday, really unable to eat or drink for 3 days and down 6 pounds from my pre-race weight, I had to do something. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7W6ZjDT_m_wKDVGBV--BN-tCTGdBxbIS-diyduKV4vLOvyVRFgfs7NVKg4MDdROz6VVAVoc4V3Cyvcm0qRlGNOaAejSjyVavt3gh2IzMXNyT19hjaAak9RxyItZ4lTU37WRFo1FNKjuhulSvIxYKXXnCJ3AFvwb44rN1sxgQEK9o6pkOVg/s904/b4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="678" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7W6ZjDT_m_wKDVGBV--BN-tCTGdBxbIS-diyduKV4vLOvyVRFgfs7NVKg4MDdROz6VVAVoc4V3Cyvcm0qRlGNOaAejSjyVavt3gh2IzMXNyT19hjaAak9RxyItZ4lTU37WRFo1FNKjuhulSvIxYKXXnCJ3AFvwb44rN1sxgQEK9o6pkOVg/s320/b4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>After a bit of back and forth with the blood testing folks, I got in late on Wednesday for a blood test. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW4yzSbxNUkMDpN7kNJE9j78VamK96RvVl7ezK3BsF7YR-KlK5cjATA3S4GpE-uvT1vxu4rtL7NMROn7S8Sq-k5KzLNvTCE1BTgtSGU6YVlZSijrkUtqYjtmfn0N-oFza7GDDzNwKqLX_DV97H22EJcFMtj4tZF8oMNQYwep374leSSjNwrQ/s671/b5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="671" data-original-width="509" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW4yzSbxNUkMDpN7kNJE9j78VamK96RvVl7ezK3BsF7YR-KlK5cjATA3S4GpE-uvT1vxu4rtL7NMROn7S8Sq-k5KzLNvTCE1BTgtSGU6YVlZSijrkUtqYjtmfn0N-oFza7GDDzNwKqLX_DV97H22EJcFMtj4tZF8oMNQYwep374leSSjNwrQ/s320/b5.jpg" width="243" /></a></div>Thursday, after determining that it was, in fact, another bout of pancreatitis, I went for a blood transfusion. Ok, not really. Some IV fluids generally always do the trick to bring me back out of the pain cave. Only, it didn't really do it's thing like it has in the past. I was still very weak and tired to the point of disorientation, which is not normally a symptom that I have when I get an attack. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQFjq103k_ibwUHor_zBKamATZNSEObiLepliJdAvrmtSmF_To3gDLUBwmzargSTAa62RoBV_h4SM8S0KKZpfDucMQFWiYGxjo1ttYdqbYkL7Y7Di1-UguY0wizM_Q5jwjH96rQ3AAYlwrYaywOKfrfcpSWc3yr2aaOnp2iTZes_FjSvxFSA/s720/b6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQFjq103k_ibwUHor_zBKamATZNSEObiLepliJdAvrmtSmF_To3gDLUBwmzargSTAa62RoBV_h4SM8S0KKZpfDucMQFWiYGxjo1ttYdqbYkL7Y7Di1-UguY0wizM_Q5jwjH96rQ3AAYlwrYaywOKfrfcpSWc3yr2aaOnp2iTZes_FjSvxFSA/s320/b6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I don't think I would have been so stressed about it if I wasn't fearing missing out on one of our favorite events of the year: Wolf Creek. I didn't want to let my teammates down, and I didn't want to let Mrs K and Eli down, either. I made the event and mustered up enough energy for 5 laps. My team didn't win, despite the Herculean efforts by JR and Party Guy. But both Deanna's team and Eli's team won their classes! I'm so proud of them!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQVuaguORDXtEm5UkzWrsBSv4C1m33u6nHW9zlqVTjmQ8zaYpnztbE2DedGqvDBpbde2fWgJDuKphkeZyXzLQbzQ2SIYUfm5JyzDHrm4kXkq0o3QyT1oRoY2vU4Rdh54R2V-1sno99pGhTKDjh4ywaJuITOl4guAXRWZuyqLDT_xwb1OjZA/s904/b7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="678" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQVuaguORDXtEm5UkzWrsBSv4C1m33u6nHW9zlqVTjmQ8zaYpnztbE2DedGqvDBpbde2fWgJDuKphkeZyXzLQbzQ2SIYUfm5JyzDHrm4kXkq0o3QyT1oRoY2vU4Rdh54R2V-1sno99pGhTKDjh4ywaJuITOl4guAXRWZuyqLDT_xwb1OjZA/s320/b7.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>This week, eating better and feeling better, I got back on the bikes and things improved. Until a suspension part for my bike clearly didn't hold up to it's 15nm torque setting. Shoulda stopped at 12.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYGprWq9WpwHJtFwrLpkq59fda6D3aFLanBIs3JADmgqRUFafGw3Dl8MPncL6HQ69BhRZOXmx3YqYoJ9rc1S0t_XwDlfCQYoCXJoRGaTqueWkjtLSede89xxLzuK5mKJIssAnbWBRtHHnnQ4fC2L3sJOuU-_tKod1nUjoNgGy6z-_n6154w/s904/b8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="679" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYGprWq9WpwHJtFwrLpkq59fda6D3aFLanBIs3JADmgqRUFafGw3Dl8MPncL6HQ69BhRZOXmx3YqYoJ9rc1S0t_XwDlfCQYoCXJoRGaTqueWkjtLSede89xxLzuK5mKJIssAnbWBRtHHnnQ4fC2L3sJOuU-_tKod1nUjoNgGy6z-_n6154w/s320/b8.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Despite the efforts of my pancreas and my bike to stop me, I made it to Forest City on Sunday for a couple laps. Ironically, I snapped this photo around 11am when I had finished...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWhi-jgMkE4eWIp7NXtRfOi3JBH2Ys7bNz9Sgp1JkUSCGy-X4OCaSg0Uiw2tgE95a5lQW0H66DRDXBk-7sSB4QTIw56r57sNBKkKtd49yTp79L7lnoeKviHCSr3OqOiLzxpnS534duY_8Nm-6NIyEvSIoRr4fXMKhGcZ0Qghl6Ku1ulqF1vA/s904/b9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="678" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWhi-jgMkE4eWIp7NXtRfOi3JBH2Ys7bNz9Sgp1JkUSCGy-X4OCaSg0Uiw2tgE95a5lQW0H66DRDXBk-7sSB4QTIw56r57sNBKkKtd49yTp79L7lnoeKviHCSr3OqOiLzxpnS534duY_8Nm-6NIyEvSIoRr4fXMKhGcZ0Qghl6Ku1ulqF1vA/s320/b9.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>...and getting into the car I had a text that Eli had crashed and hurt himself. He WAS wearing his helmet.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEF7dB_gOtINuHw-XJgOt5rJ-y2srrceFfffD1AAJYK6wyBveOd-vKQpqrhFIA5XQiXmTEBaTMIOWfKtiUgdltzDlIJL6VA8kKJc4Ty6dQAsoT6IKCgd72-dSAP7hoWs4hsRHgHupizw0vOJJ1axEYULH5eUkGV50_oYwAB6QFdZ8qD-Pd_A/s904/b10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="678" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEF7dB_gOtINuHw-XJgOt5rJ-y2srrceFfffD1AAJYK6wyBveOd-vKQpqrhFIA5XQiXmTEBaTMIOWfKtiUgdltzDlIJL6VA8kKJc4Ty6dQAsoT6IKCgd72-dSAP7hoWs4hsRHgHupizw0vOJJ1axEYULH5eUkGV50_oYwAB6QFdZ8qD-Pd_A/s320/b10.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>But he won't be wearing this one again. He suffered a pretty stiff concussion, as well as some deep cuts around his face and rashing on his shoulders. I won't show those to you, but needless to say we were very worried and are happy that he'll be alright. <p></p><p style="text-align: center;">June will be better, I just know it.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Pedal Brake Pedal by TKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009106929378916039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22109712.post-55378687591235890662023-05-08T21:39:00.000-05:002023-05-08T21:39:10.952-05:00Sometimes you gotta get outta town<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqMO7hrs9_Dbh1wNXNrMhfyOBHQa4sOJKhqe7qmQJCx13ZlMuY1Oqalcu5jVbEt3HfpxILZPp9z7hmBlaEZekufBMC735AXBJZ4iZTbV3ee3a5OeQqx-LVARwX3Z1He2n7YZtV3_p-JrYhgQTHbyee4J4o0vPbRG9TeCgX7m3cUv1VNF7yg/s961/poplarbluff.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="961" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqMO7hrs9_Dbh1wNXNrMhfyOBHQa4sOJKhqe7qmQJCx13ZlMuY1Oqalcu5jVbEt3HfpxILZPp9z7hmBlaEZekufBMC735AXBJZ4iZTbV3ee3a5OeQqx-LVARwX3Z1He2n7YZtV3_p-JrYhgQTHbyee4J4o0vPbRG9TeCgX7m3cUv1VNF7yg/s320/poplarbluff.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>I've been lucky enough to get some real off-road time lately. Between riding and racing with Eli and the Wheels UP XC team, I've hit the dirt quite a bit. But there is always the alure to riding someplace different, someplace out of the ordinary. When Matt from Loki Events put it out there that he wanted to have a pre-ride at Wolf Creek trails in Poplar Bluff, that tickled just the right amount of fancy. Deanna and I were more than happy to take the trip and put in a couple laps before the endurance race is held there on the 20th. <p></p><p>A cool group showed up and we did one lap as a smooth recon. All left turns except that one right. Got it! After that, everyone did another lap at their own pace. Myself, I wanted to hammer a fast lap. Like clockwork, the Missouri skies got angry and poured rain on me for just a couple minutes about 3 miles in. Enough to put a sheen on the rocks and splatter my clean South Side kit. But it was fine. The course holds water really well and I turned in a respectable race-ready lap time. </p><p>Great course, can't wait for the 20th! And great Mexican food afterward. </p><p> </p>Pedal Brake Pedal by TKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009106929378916039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22109712.post-65378642444586011292023-04-23T22:02:00.004-05:002023-04-23T22:02:52.149-05:00Getting Beat has NEVER felt this Good<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7PjpvvciAAYyrDMTwVlw1Jgc0u5Mjq97fDY1NkGNRq90fxWxJQo2vON-n0SI6Zb4mz6BmtD1mhdiOothjndPlwKJqJxwa4w_2zwppVuTGvW6jvJbq2L-eT-WXVOB54PcYcbVrWs83wjF1btPEUlaNBk1mMo6w_e_-Je9Hj8FaMDY1_slYzA/s573/eli1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="573" data-original-width="573" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7PjpvvciAAYyrDMTwVlw1Jgc0u5Mjq97fDY1NkGNRq90fxWxJQo2vON-n0SI6Zb4mz6BmtD1mhdiOothjndPlwKJqJxwa4w_2zwppVuTGvW6jvJbq2L-eT-WXVOB54PcYcbVrWs83wjF1btPEUlaNBk1mMo6w_e_-Je9Hj8FaMDY1_slYzA/s320/eli1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>After some incredibly bad luck last weekend in Fayetteville, Eli was really needing another race. Hitting another race really quickly after a bad one has a way of washing away the pain. We found that Landahl Park in Blue Springs was having a dual enduro/XC race today... and that none other than Matt Johnson was part of it. Landahl was the scene of XC races for me 20+ years ago. It was always a rough, brutal course and I liked it that way. So we got up early and drove to Landahl this morning, and Eli got himself a selfie with the king of selfies.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxSnmNhDMZ7zViUSZYRWLy2OD5ZNzgeBHJqgFu_1EJoAztoRK5w0gWjYyRPYRP-a8wnX4wa0krUHkRIIFrfV-hG99Jq5bXJgym0hcZRy4fcYP3G9VmPH4V_oCTug5-CgXuK19fIS0bvNMb1KtrUEk5kecCYe-byOD6kMQrAfEmuRUgU9kFA/s904/me1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="904" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxSnmNhDMZ7zViUSZYRWLy2OD5ZNzgeBHJqgFu_1EJoAztoRK5w0gWjYyRPYRP-a8wnX4wa0krUHkRIIFrfV-hG99Jq5bXJgym0hcZRy4fcYP3G9VmPH4V_oCTug5-CgXuK19fIS0bvNMb1KtrUEk5kecCYe-byOD6kMQrAfEmuRUgU9kFA/s320/me1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Not to be outdone, I had to get a selfie with Matt as well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTkcjdoUC8NUexxrA6nfO2-AszOHF0fKGg6sM8nNSRuRwV3nsaoiqm1strmSVNOA9nBwdj6cHcsAXYnsNcOLbqz0tkmkEZ1kLXCjavR8XUwZRyi4_dUMqIMVTf4oUnb6r3dKV3ohVIm-it46WklwV3FxmNvpyeP9rHFt45eTXiHnIX5KBDsA/s961/us1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="961" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTkcjdoUC8NUexxrA6nfO2-AszOHF0fKGg6sM8nNSRuRwV3nsaoiqm1strmSVNOA9nBwdj6cHcsAXYnsNcOLbqz0tkmkEZ1kLXCjavR8XUwZRyi4_dUMqIMVTf4oUnb6r3dKV3ohVIm-it46WklwV3FxmNvpyeP9rHFt45eTXiHnIX5KBDsA/s320/us1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Annnnnnnd.... the after-selfie. What transpired over a two hour period was worthy of an epic novel, so I'll spare you every detail and tell you the important stuff. The course was so much more brutal than it was in 2002. Even with our modern full-suspension bikes and 29 inch wheels and tubeless tires, it was bone-rattling goodness. 21 miles of rocks, boulders, roots, switchbacks, and mayhem. I started well, and within 2 miles Eli passed me. Yep, we raced together in the "Expert" or "Cat 1" class. I fought very hard and had a few glimpses of my youngest boy kicking my ass. But I never caught him. He finished 8th out of 23, and I finished about <b><u>20 SECONDS</u></b> behind him in 9th. How is that for a fairytale passing of the torch? And Matt was not only the celebrity selfie guy, he was the announcer. He made it painfully clear to the audience that he was enjoying the father/son battle.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivfvrOmnAElom0alVrlQdfvejN9tj_iC7LL2lSazUXYvz6gcXvrClwgqbrHZkhMYlkEQunC0gMgxpcmjLOp0XwMsZEI-qk9sj5vyF7NBYGAasDxUbNSkmq2HSjZVidJ3up9S3WRxR3jB4eR5UZyhMpPHu86xl9lSqHboQkDXvBcVkfmqRv8w/s1495/historic1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="1495" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivfvrOmnAElom0alVrlQdfvejN9tj_iC7LL2lSazUXYvz6gcXvrClwgqbrHZkhMYlkEQunC0gMgxpcmjLOp0XwMsZEI-qk9sj5vyF7NBYGAasDxUbNSkmq2HSjZVidJ3up9S3WRxR3jB4eR5UZyhMpPHu86xl9lSqHboQkDXvBcVkfmqRv8w/s320/historic1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Eli and I enjoyed it, too. He's really good and wants to get better. Best of all, he loves it and doesn't have the angst and emotional baggage surrounding racing like I do. And lest anyone think that I let him win, I present my heartrate data from Strava. Bad picture, but knowing that my max heartrate at 56 years old is only 173...yeah. I was going as hard as this old body could go. <div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">What a great way to lose. </div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div> <p></p></div></div>Pedal Brake Pedal by TKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009106929378916039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22109712.post-64022315490444353972023-04-08T21:55:00.000-05:002023-04-08T21:55:50.525-05:00Happy Birthday Eli - Keep up the good work!<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJz6M8BzHabTM5dp7CF3RHemBczgjP7aLgLdeoPdiW0UlTFYczk27rUPyEEaFOLeLstyamoGapOpUU4x-y7yG_lnbRlq27UnY4tX8DKwmLW_rjJcwG6n-S4NLfPbWBFMAwao--YSkLKDG23wyM_l2OOpR-eNd0bSUruNLlpMjM9rMiL6B9WQ/s1600/f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJz6M8BzHabTM5dp7CF3RHemBczgjP7aLgLdeoPdiW0UlTFYczk27rUPyEEaFOLeLstyamoGapOpUU4x-y7yG_lnbRlq27UnY4tX8DKwmLW_rjJcwG6n-S4NLfPbWBFMAwao--YSkLKDG23wyM_l2OOpR-eNd0bSUruNLlpMjM9rMiL6B9WQ/s320/f.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Although he isn't following in my footsteps, our youngest man is becoming a fine cyclist in his own right. He turns 17 today, something I never could imagine 17 years ago. It's always been hard to wrap my head around the future and what it holds. A couple weeks ago, Eli entered his first Cat 1 local race and did a bang-up job. It was a hard nasty race and he did fantastic. Still 16 in this photo, happy as he can be holding his expensive mountain bike that has been thrashed for two hours in the mud. Sigh.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLOm3RvvCQ_Wx4SppeEG2J41Ar6Tifa6tiVwQtIGlxZLSKA_EuupHtQcUrHVULyPkBP00wJzhuNeZxFH9Ra3WPRgmZvMASPGOBPD9GhV_uoRHEFVsVzetmPFvVbaVZY9FR5szwEyjRRyoklVMPiLq351kq_XqDoL7BAS2fI2WxSRCXZ5WzYg/s1024/c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLOm3RvvCQ_Wx4SppeEG2J41Ar6Tifa6tiVwQtIGlxZLSKA_EuupHtQcUrHVULyPkBP00wJzhuNeZxFH9Ra3WPRgmZvMASPGOBPD9GhV_uoRHEFVsVzetmPFvVbaVZY9FR5szwEyjRRyoklVMPiLq351kq_XqDoL7BAS2fI2WxSRCXZ5WzYg/s320/c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Never would I have thought he'd be doing what he's doing today. He was just a little dude with a bright future, whatever that might be. Not really thinking about bike racing then. Not really thinking about high school or college. Not really thinking about much except how to keep him in clean diapers and how to get him to fall asleep before 2am.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQT_d6ysEe-jYQXKQDWVrnFzDdymnHpE3NopAeW80h3VURqZ-1yuIOTpLHwiNHgzD3NPTL9GDoDUOeomPsOj_d1AaCSwzxLZT51SfFOXFccQgcUvTDQdicKwcb3Rrm_IM1G0UmoXMJrGnllHi7ZLV2xgwrLsHAKoJvFApQiiMHZNYQ2i5UmA/s1920/e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="848" data-original-width="1920" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQT_d6ysEe-jYQXKQDWVrnFzDdymnHpE3NopAeW80h3VURqZ-1yuIOTpLHwiNHgzD3NPTL9GDoDUOeomPsOj_d1AaCSwzxLZT51SfFOXFccQgcUvTDQdicKwcb3Rrm_IM1G0UmoXMJrGnllHi7ZLV2xgwrLsHAKoJvFApQiiMHZNYQ2i5UmA/s320/e.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div>Just last weekend, he and I took a guy's trip to Arkansas for one of their State Series mountain bike races. Arkadelphia, to be exact. This was the dam just below Iron Mountain, and it was glorious. Eli was signed up to race, but I wasn't. There was a few moments on Sunday morning where registration was still open and I was feeling good, but something told me not to. I went on this trip with the idea that I was going to be the pit crew, so I just stuck with that plan.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvWHwKQ1qJNPAVsHQ0dCLwhgB2GIDdcaZ6lYu6sIcaVG28qjehnZLRjigJ20p-FDcHukpAYd5ncYucOUkQuHVYjFijyutKDtM1iMUKg0yCAmLRa4C_5Z3s31JeP6I--y9XQQvGELDNK0ol7bEPwkDKNLOEyRD-VvlfiNixxevxHz64LMsTw/s974/g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="974" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvWHwKQ1qJNPAVsHQ0dCLwhgB2GIDdcaZ6lYu6sIcaVG28qjehnZLRjigJ20p-FDcHukpAYd5ncYucOUkQuHVYjFijyutKDtM1iMUKg0yCAmLRa4C_5Z3s31JeP6I--y9XQQvGELDNK0ol7bEPwkDKNLOEyRD-VvlfiNixxevxHz64LMsTw/s320/g.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Since this was a USA Cycling race, he had to race his category. We tried to sign him up to race Category 1 but he was technically only a Cat 3. We petitioned USAC and they upgraded him to Cat 2. The course was fantastic and Eli was quickly out front. He and another Cat 2 rider were flat out flying, passing through the older Cat 1's and looking every bit like they could have raced the higher category.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_2C0vV0UZhju-op9OnR7tQdxjBrXV2H2iqZdY3yRM1onoLMp-mUNjX6R67bk51vPleZeOVwFE__xx4XHOWO7Inh1MogLPeplwzLNlxpndSNjo3Yw25eDFTRo9BmWNFBmttdbbHyfpeLIbkDI9OubxWzeEBfNwhN0qIsH122iC1SR8oKzAQ/s943/h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="943" data-original-width="707" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_2C0vV0UZhju-op9OnR7tQdxjBrXV2H2iqZdY3yRM1onoLMp-mUNjX6R67bk51vPleZeOVwFE__xx4XHOWO7Inh1MogLPeplwzLNlxpndSNjo3Yw25eDFTRo9BmWNFBmttdbbHyfpeLIbkDI9OubxWzeEBfNwhN0qIsH122iC1SR8oKzAQ/s320/h.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>This was exactly why I didn't race. Why I shouldn't have raced. This moment right here. I was able to witness his first real mountain bike win. I was beyond proud. I'm sure everyone at the race knew that I was the proud father from my shouting. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSmHIENel4lUbA-w4mnhAUOA04dK4-MblqgWr3OIRj3SH2G8yRxERhH5uwI5GowDqkm-ZNbS3pl4fWBzcV_IOu9P1dNvKNPahFWixatbAZUaT89Hf3eCLLNtSAlenZ9DMtQm_rjvtuYhDA9eoanfKQmMuaqK-rvynNHMiyaNEcbOxEpQdQA/s904/j.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="678" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSmHIENel4lUbA-w4mnhAUOA04dK4-MblqgWr3OIRj3SH2G8yRxERhH5uwI5GowDqkm-ZNbS3pl4fWBzcV_IOu9P1dNvKNPahFWixatbAZUaT89Hf3eCLLNtSAlenZ9DMtQm_rjvtuYhDA9eoanfKQmMuaqK-rvynNHMiyaNEcbOxEpQdQA/s320/j.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Worth every ounce of effort. I constantly forget that he's so young because he carries himself like a much older person. I've worked very hard not to push my kids into things that I like to do, to not live vicariously through them. When I say that it has been 100% his decision to take up cycling, it's the truth. He even does it for different reasons, and gets something completely different from it than I do. He is truly someone a lot of people can look up to and gain inspiration from. To say that I'm proud of the person he has become is such an understatement. <div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy birthday, Eli! </div><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div></div></div></div>Pedal Brake Pedal by TKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009106929378916039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22109712.post-2763795935031071072023-03-23T22:16:00.002-05:002023-03-23T22:16:25.436-05:00Last Birthday Post - Electronic Edition<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwWjC2exneL3_jKP8eRCRKZ_z6XclTpSQSsQVt9drtnaa-J3LfXBda5x4hYF_O6k_7HLAzaQW2kRV9JFRiUwGKSiT8v_w7RMqOYwmsm-UVNWVO8f02zSNsuuBLEZRLyzyw5m2CHLHPoO-yUFx8WasTwKyI-pA93spgBl4nHZZg-Wf3YhHr2w/s961/woop1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="721" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwWjC2exneL3_jKP8eRCRKZ_z6XclTpSQSsQVt9drtnaa-J3LfXBda5x4hYF_O6k_7HLAzaQW2kRV9JFRiUwGKSiT8v_w7RMqOYwmsm-UVNWVO8f02zSNsuuBLEZRLyzyw5m2CHLHPoO-yUFx8WasTwKyI-pA93spgBl4nHZZg-Wf3YhHr2w/s320/woop1.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>After food and soft goods, the last thing I'll say about my birthday is how electronics were the finishing touch. Hanna, who we all know is practically the most fit person on planet Earth, uses Whoop. When she first told me about it some time ago, I figured it was just another fitness app. But she sends me her metrics now and then and it's pretty fascinating. I'm not sure if she's trying to tell me to firm up the old dad-bod or she wants me to share in her fitness glory, but she sent me one for my birthday. Thank you either way, fabulous daughter of mine!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRoUKK26o-X47qgoB3a-kL25-zbYC3Za58qXg0R46tQHd6LvaT2kJRiYitL7dXhsShdRSu2egUnEC6zDmRdF_t7-rO3DD7cAOgCXNs3tb8YyQTYpyPRobkypmgLgu7gWSKUISZyHFx6LglGADLrxU13SKB-ZTzYc26qe2nNw6mEkWE00HlA/s904/woop2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="508" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRoUKK26o-X47qgoB3a-kL25-zbYC3Za58qXg0R46tQHd6LvaT2kJRiYitL7dXhsShdRSu2egUnEC6zDmRdF_t7-rO3DD7cAOgCXNs3tb8YyQTYpyPRobkypmgLgu7gWSKUISZyHFx6LglGADLrxU13SKB-ZTzYc26qe2nNw6mEkWE00HlA/s320/woop2.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>The other part of the electronics equation: just how many awesome, wonderful, thoughtful, and heart-felt birthday wishes that I received. I'm humbled by how many people take the time to say "Happy Birthday" to a guy that has birthday cakes that would be considered a fire hazard with all the candles. And, although not electronic, I did get actual cards from beloved family members that were just perfect.<div><br /></div><div>Until next year, when the fire department (or coroner) will surely be called, thank you to everyone!<br /><p><br /> </p></div>Pedal Brake Pedal by TKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009106929378916039noreply@blogger.com0