Cyclocross Racing - Sylvan Springs

 Fun, fast race course at Sylvan Springs this past Sunday.  I thought for sure that I would be off the back. So I decided....to start fast.

 Quickly relegated to third behind Chris Harre and a charging Josh Johnson, I started to wonder why I had chosen to wear a long sleeve.  Hey, I was cold when I started.

 I unzipped a little every lap, usually after I was passed by someone.  However, the fast course kept the wind in my hair.  Actually, on my scalp.  My Gateway Cycling socks, courtesy of Justin M are looking good here!

I didn't unzip this far to keep my female fan base satisfied.  But I did manage a 7th place, better than I ever have at Sylvan.  Pretty close to 6th, but I ran out of talent.

Thanks to Mike Dawson for again providing proof that I was there.

Cyclocross Racing - Bubba in Chesterfield

 Another 'cross race, another fast start for me.  I was actually not first going into the first obstacles, but that changed in a few seconds.  I was really having a great time on the flowly, extremely bumpy course that circled the lake.  Felt great leading the group of 24 strong.

Then, I looked up and realized I was riding a mountain bike in a cyclocross race.

Sixth place was the best I could do this week.  I did have a small battle going on for fifth but the younger man took the last paying spot.

Thanks again to Mike Dawson for taking cool photos of weekend warriors!

The Newest Area Mountain Bike Trails

Way, way back off of the Al Foster Trail, way, way back from Castlewood you'll find two of the finest mountain biking trails that we have available in the St. Louis Area.  Rock Hollow (or Zombie to those that know the old wives' tales) and Bluffview are amazing little trails.

I say little because they are still fairly short, only a couple of miles each.  Those couple of miles are action packed, though.  Consider Rock Hollow as sort of Greensfelder-like, and Bluffview similar with a little less rock.  Both are out-and-back for now, but there are plans for extensions that a lot of us are eagerly awaiting.

Actually, the trails don't have to be hard to access.  Lots of people go to Castlewood proper and ride all the way back, but you can get there pretty easily by parking at the lovely parking lot off of Old State road or park at Sherman Beach and ride a mile or two of Al Foster.

It's worth your time.

Queeny Park Bubba Cyclocross Race

 It's been more than a year since I've raced cyclocross.  I wisely chose Queeny Park and the Bubba series to make a return.  Great course for me.  And I'm not looking too bad here with my Giant helmet, gloves, and sunglasses, eh? It pays to show up to the dealer camps, I tell you! (Mike Dawson photo credit)

 Naturally, I started fast.  Naturally, Josh started slow.  That part played out pretty much as it always does, but I was able to dig a 4th place finish out of it. (Mike Dawson photo credit)

Who can resist racing on a day like this?  It was wonderful.  (Barry Bean photo credit)

Car Watching - 1967 Ford Fairlane 500

 I'm a Ford guy, and this Fairlane is one of my unicorns.  I have always been blown away by the stacked headlights, the fastback roofline, and the sort of "7/8 Galaxie" sizing.  This is a 1967 Ford Fairlane 500, and it's owner has taken such good care of this baby.

 It's hard to find a bad angle on the '67, and the body on this one is so delicious.  I like the personalized plate (curiously, only on the front??).

 A little exhaust pipe action peeking out from below the fender just behind the rear wheel.  No gaudy big dual pipes here, just classy.  There are dual pipes, just understated.

 Right click the photo to get a full-sized look.  You can see the gravel reflected in the chrome. 

 There's that other pipe peeking out.  See the body and paint on this thing??  Damn fine work.

There's my stacked headlights.  And that "289" emblem.  The Fairlane had similar engine choices to the Mustang, as were transmission choices.  This was probably a normal 2V engine from the factory, but I would not doubt if somewhere along the way it has been beefed up.  Even so, it would have had 200 horsepower (gross) from the factory with it's 3-speed Cruise-o-Matic automatic transmission.  There were fire-breathing Fairlanes, such as the "R" code 427's, but that's collector stuff and this one is such a perfect every day car.  The interior was fine, too, but those photos turned out badly.

I'm in lust with a green Fairlane and I can't do anything about it.  I hope this one, which is for sale, goes to a wonderful new owner who cares for it as much as this owner has.