Sunday Funday

Everyone knows that some days are better than others.  And while Sundays are typically very busy for us, they are also some of our better days.  We have a lot jammed into the day.  This picture was just one of the highlights!

Another solid segment of the day was the cyclocross race at Queeny Park.  I've committed to racing the A group this year, feeling that it's my sworn duty to receive a beat down at least a few Sundays in the fall.

 A course very much to my liking, despite the need for a lot of power, the turns and changes in direction were key.  As usual, I started off as if I were being chased by an angry pack of Velociraptors and actually held a nice advantage until the end of the first lap.  I got passed a couple times, and passed back, too.  In the end, I was greatly satisfied with 4th place.  My beautiful wife heckled me a lot each lap, too.

When we got home, I had missed a visit from my wonderful daughter.  She did leave me with a parting gift, though.  My favorite coffee cake from Hoeckele's bakery in Perryville.  Thank you, sweet girl!

I almost forgot!  The day started early at Cliff Cave park.  Our Dirt and Donuts series with the Trek Store had it's 3rd edition yesterday.  Even  more people showed up this time and it was awesome!  Deanna and I get a lot of satisfaction out of the excitement riders get when they learn new skills and conquer obstacles.  One more of these next week and we will call it good.

It's Finally Here - 40 Years of Racing and Complaining About It!

October 14, 1979.  That was the day that I conned my dear old dad into taking me to my first BMX race.  Feldon Wicks, a local hotshot and mechanic at the Richmond Heights Touring Cyclist encouraged me to get out there and try it. The race was at the old Bonzai track, where the current intersection of Hwy 70 and 270 stands now.  Who knew it would lead to a lifelong relationship with racing and riding bikes?  I actually won my first moto that day, and I was as surprised as anyone!

Less than 10 years later (April 1988), I borrowed a mountain bike from the legendary Margo Carrol and raced for the first time on the old Dogwood trail at Greensfelder.  It was the first time I had ever ridden a mountain bike, and despite the saddle falling off, I won that race in a sprint against none other than motorcycle legend Tim Surdyke.  Again, no one was more surprised than I was.

A couple years after I started racing mountain bikes (February 1990), I was practically forced to race road bikes by my dear friend Neil Kopitsky.  He was relentless in his quest to get me out on a road bike.  I had no choice, since he was a very persuasive lawyer-to-be, and he had already beaten me at mountain bike racing.  Not my best cycling sport, road racing (and Neil!) taught me a lot about cycling and life in general.

Throughout all of my years of racing, I have been most drawn to mountain biking.  And not just racing.  Riding in general.  Being outside, being in the woods, pushing myself to be better, chasing off the demons that haunt my soul, and getting a really odd tan have kept life fresh for me.

I'll keep riding and racing as long as I can.  Hell, I'll even throw in some running races, a gravel race now and then, and maybe even an adventure race if I can hold up.  I have an amazing support system, the most amazing being my beautiful wife Deanna.  They're always encouraging, never discouraging.

  Never grow up.  Never grow old.  Onward and upward.  

Running in a Fog - Literally and Figuratively

I left my house this morning, bathed in beautiful sunlight.  It was cold, 47 degrees, but sunny and the promise of warming temps had me excited to run at Cliff Cave.  As I approached the park, the fog came into view.

This was thick stuff!  The end of the parking lot is less than 100 feet in front of me here. Spooky and cool at the same time.

The trail head had an even spookier feel to it.  As I was warming up to run. I could tell that the sun would probably break through the clouds soon.  And it did in spectacular fashion just as I came out of the Overlook trail onto the pavement before entering the Bluff trail.  Brilliant.  And it was warming nicely.  Memorable morning, for sure!

On Sundays We Play in the Dirt

The day started very early for myself and the beautiful Mrs K.  A mad dash for donuts and coffee, then to Cliff Cave for the first edition of Dirt and Donuts.  D&D is a mountain bike group ride with a healthy bent towards beginners and brand new riders.  Nothing like passing on skills and wisdom learned over 40+ years of riding in the dirt.  It was a success, and we can't wait to do it again. We will be there at 8am every Sunday morning in October.

After a quick trip home to change clothes, we were off to Sylvan Springs for the first race in the Bubba Cyclocross Series.  Deanna and Eli took a lap of the course too, just to make sure it wasn't too hard for me.  A couple of showers before the A race made the course a bit unpredictable, but it was still FAST.  The demons booted me in the ass and I started as fast as humanly possible, which is just what I do.  Taylor Carrington, whom I hadn't raced in 20 years, grabbed onto me and made sure I didn't get anywhere.

I didn't really get anywhere.  After a comfortable first lap lead, I started getting passed, which is just what I do.  Mrs K kept up the cheering section, as she has done for 15 years.

But I pressed on.  The course was much to my liking.  I felt like I was very solid, and was battling it out for 5th place in a nicely talented field.  I also felt marvelous in my red St. Louis Trek gear.  God, I love red.

Did I say it was fast?  Our race averaged 13.4mph.  Doesn't sound like much to roadies, but wet grass and 807ft of elevation in 12.5 miles gives you a good idea of that speed.  I did hold on to that 5th place, and even picked up some money at the pay table.

A bit soggy and absolutely exhausted, I felt great about my post-race indulgence.  Can't wait to do it again.