8 inches of mess

Oh it was pretty for a couple of days. Today it has been 9 days since this fell and on my ride today I still rode thru ice and snow on the road. I am going nuts and don't even ask the wife how she is doing. She just loves the trainer and rollers set up in the living room. It goes so well with the xmas tree.

We all survived xmas and are looking forward to the new year. Shawn has had a ball in the snow, we even got out his 4 wheeler.

Hopefully we will head to Charleston soon and Athen GA for some riding.

Getting ready for the holidays

Not much going in other than getting ready for xmas. Went to the factory last week for training and Sat. to Athens GA for the winter bike league ride. We had maybe a hundred and it was safe. Not exactly smooth but different and with Dave there got to hang out with him. He also brought me my new Niner MTB frame. I can't wait to build it.
Shawn is doing good and this is his last week of school and for Kellie also. She has been taking her finals and will probably make a 100. Gotta go to work.....R

Seasons over

Last weekend was the final race at the 12hr Fat tire festival in Helen GA. Dave and I did a 2 man on a muddy and hilly course. We got down there in time to set up the pit and ride the course. With a quick bath in the creek it was of to downtown for food and maybe a beer. Then we walked into this pizza joint and on the way to the table to sit down there it was............THE BOOT Dave was quick to ask and the deal was buy it once and then $15.00 refills all over town. This thing held 2.5 pitchers of beer and after one and a pizza we were off to get a refill. Upon scouting out other possible refillers and the locals and police checking us out we headed back to the pizza place. We made it thru one more and were off. We ended up in the vans behind some motel. We rolled out that morning to Waffle House and then to the race. I had some trouble with the course but we had 2nd until Dave's stomach went south and we pulled the plug ending up with a third.
This weekend Shawn and I went camping with the boy scouts and it rained on and of all day Saturday turning to snow then ice at night. We woke to a white campsite packed up and came home. We stayed warm and had fun.
This week has been off the bike but next week will be getting back into the grove and the gym soon.

Season is ending fast

I was hoping to race some more this year but with the broken ribs training has not been good. I did get to help Dave and Nathan win the 24 hr Faster Mustache which was the craziest thing I have ever been a part of. I am going to Helen GA for a 12hr MTB race with Dave next week and that should do it for the year. The next couple of weeks after the race will be a normal life until the brain gets back in gear to train. If this year is like the past my "end of season rest" will only last 3-4 days. I am really pissed and ready to go back to Nationals and win the damn thing!!!!

Drilling it

French Broad Classic winner

The black cloud still follows

The next day on the group ride we were heading home and I was crossing the railroad tracks I have crossed a million times and the next thing I know I am laying on my ass. Okay I am shook and bleeding but I think I will be okay for Chicago. We get to Chicago Wed. morning and I get to ride down to the course and see the city. Thursday I am going to meet the family in town and on the way I am t-bone from the left by a car going 35-40 mph. This was the hardest hit I have ever taken. Both legs a messed up, my right ankle is sprained and I have 2 broken ribs.....Game over. We got to see alot in Chicago for the rest of the week which was great. I am recovering slowly and got 7.5 hours in on the bike this weekend. I hope to get some more racing in this year and if I can get a cross bike, do some cross racing and get ready for 2010. I hope the run of bad luck is over, I am getting tired of being busted up!!!!!

2009 is still messed up

Started the new job and am getting settled in, so that is going well. I have not race since the FBCC 2 weeks ago. I just raced the crit since I had taken a week off after nats. I went to Statesville Friday night for the crossroads classic and did back to back masters and cat 3 races. In the masters I flated and got back in the top 25, 2 laps later was slammed off course jumped up on the sidewalk and got back in 3 laps later the whole field almost went down. In the 3 race it was calm accept for the dog in turn one. I cramped with 8 to go and I was in the top 30 for both with an average heart rate for 1 1/2 hours at 174bpm. Sat. was in Harrisburg on a flat 5 turned course. half way thru the race 2 guys went down in front of me and I crashed and landed on their bikes. I got back in and finished 25th but hurt mey leg, so I skipped the 3 race. Hopefully I will be okay for Downers Grove next week. Other than that drama the family is good. Kellie and Shawn will be starting school soon ans summer is ending fast.

Where do I start

Nationals: 64 in the RR, That was the day the company lost there distributorship and I had to much on my mind. 41 in the crit, I had top 10 in the bag and got crashed out with 5 to go.
Worked my 2 week notice and went to Charleston the next week to babysit Cosco. We had a good time at the beach and running around town. I have started my new job this week and Kellie is getting ready to go to school. Shawn goes to scout camp this weekend and I am trying to find time to train in between. We go to Chicago in a couple of weeks for crit nationals and Shawn starts school soon so we a busy to say the least. Gotta go for now...........R

The clock is ticking

Nationals is around the corner and my world has come unglued. Kellie lost her job and I had to close my office and am wondering if my company is going to file bankruptcy. I found out that we are being bought out soon. The good news is I have a solid offer from another company. This is not the kind of stress you need before the biggest race of the year.
Last weekend we went to the Hall's at Cosco Estates and I raced and Kellie and Shawn went to the beach. I got a 9th and 16th in the crits and 8th in the raining road race. Nathan, Scott and Dave all rode with me so it was good to spend time with friends and forget about life.
This weekend Zack and I are going to the NC road race championships on Saturday so we will see. I feel like the stress is becoming less ever day, especially since the job thing has been nailed down. Now if we can get Kellie's schooling worked out we will be good.
On a high note Shawn is out of school and made the A/B honor roll for the whole year and we are so proud. He drives us nuts at home but it doing great in school. That's all for now.........R

Tour of Atlanta

First and for most the GA cup has not changed. They changed the start times , did not have a overall GC for the threes, did not have enough course marshals for the RR and put the wrong address for the start of the RR on the website. Four days and 7 races with no loss of skin or broken bikes. Day one was the TT of 1.24 miles which I got a 10th in the rain. That night a circuit race I waited to long going to the line and pulled out a 24th. Day 2 first circuit race the feel for the group was coming around. There were a couple of teams who were serious about trying to keep it together so attacking and chasing was the way it was going to be. I pulled out a 15th in the first race and 16th that night in the rain. Day 3 The first circuit race 10th and that night was the fastest so far and the group never got organized and it was a weird vibe but pulled out a 16th before the rain. Day four was a 65 mile RR with almost 4000 ft of climbing. I tried bridging across to the break away but the stomach problem I had been fighting since the weekend before at the GA state RR kicked in and the legs were tired. I was back in the pack and on the second time up the climb I could not respond and got gapped. Got over the top and myself and one more went on the chase and I dropped him and could not catch the group. Hooked up with one rider and set tempo to the line picking off several on the way. I should have been in the top 25.This weekend Gafney and Walnut Grove and the next will be headed to Port Royal/Beaufort races. A quick thumbs up to Natan Smith who did the Tour of ATL also. He had his hands full with the pros but was happy with his performance.A quick thanks to Dave Hall for the help. If you want a coach who will shoot you straight he is you man!!! Now I go home and sleep....... .....Robert

Back on Track

Since the Tour de moore I did the Masters and A race at the local track. I was not concerned with the points race just the overall. In the Masters missed first by 18 inches and in the A race got 6th. I went to GA and did the State RR championship and was pushed out coming to the line by some of the wost bike handlers I have seen. I ended up 32nd, never got to open it up and did not go down. The crit the next day had all the good riders and it was fast. Three got up the road, then 2 more and myself and 2 others went after them. We caught the chase group then the field pulled us back. The last 2 laps where all out with everybody attacking. I got the group to pull it together and coming to the line we where racing for 4th. With 200-300 meters to go a guy pulled his foot out hit the guy next to him, they kept it up but caused me to hesitate for a second and I pulled out 8th overall and 6th in the 35+. That would be one place out of the money. Now I rest for a couple of days and the family and I head to the Tour of Atlanta.
Tonight Shawn will be crossing over to the Webelos and we are all excited, he is growing up fast. He is also hanging on the the A/B honor roll and has testing coming up next week. We are keeping our fingers crossed. For now work, rest and prepair for the Tour...........Robert

Back to Racing

I did the Tour de Moore this weekend and am glad to be back racing. My goal was to survive and get the system shocked back into racing. I was able to hold on till half a lap to go and was pleased with that seeing how we had 60+ in the Field and some heavy hitters at that. We split the Field and I came in around 30 or so. Yesterday I wasn't sure how the body was going to react and hit the local group ride. I got in 4 hours and was one of the two strongest guys out there. With that kind of performance I think my training will be good. My next race will be Highland rim classic which is all hills. It will be a training race so there is not any pressure. Then the Tour of ATL which I hope to do well in.
This weekend I am on call and we will be spending the day with the Scouts Sat. at a Boy scout camp. That will be a good time for sure and hopefully the rain will hold out.

ION Classic in the books

What a good weekend. I got to meet and greet the team, get my kits, and have team pictures Friday. Sat. I worked a corner for two races and drove the pace car for the rest of the day. Sun. I got to announce the race for the first half of the day. The weather was beautiful and the racing went good with over 300 riders. It was a long weekend but well worth it. This weekend I am headed to the Tour de Moore to race. It has been 6 weeks and I have to get serious now if I am going to make to nationals.
Shawn is still doing good and glad to see the spring coming. He made the A/B honor roll so mom and I could not be more proud. Kellie is solid as usual and trying to keep up with Shawn and I. The cat is still getting in 22 hours a day in the bed, so all is well.

Breaking the rules

The doctor never clarified how long I am suppose to wait to ride again. So technically there is a lot of grey area, right? I have been on the trainer doing a lot of tempo riding and hit the road this weekend for about 6 hour without any problems. Dave and Alex came up to go backpacking and got snowed out but hung out at the house putting the smack down on the video games with Shawn. My new training bike(aerocat) came in yesterday and I rode it on the computrainer last night. It feels pretty stiff so we will see. We may go camping this weekend which will give me an opportunity to do tempo rides up 276. For now back to work.

13 weeks to go to KY

Went to the weight room Sat. and two good hours on the trainer Sun. The legs are doing okay,collar bone hurts but I can get my hand on the bar and the ribs hurt. The staples where removed yesterday and the xrays looked good. I was told to take it easy for 2 more weeks and come back for xrays. I think maybe he said 2 more days, yeah that's it!? ( I hit my head you know so I forget things )
Shawn got his Bear badge last night along with some more awards at scouts. He was fired up about that. Last week he went to his science teacher and asked to make up a test he missed while being sick. He made a 100% and brought his c up to a B which got him back on the A/B honor roll. Heading to the gym today and putting the power tap on the bike tonight.

Focused !!!

Last year I went thru a tough mental battle when I was recovering. This year Kellie and I have talked about me quiting. She is a wonderful person. She does not want me to stop, nor does Shawn. With that kind of support you can't think about giving up. With that said, it is on.
I have never been so focused and calm as I have this year. I may get may butt handed to me at nationals but I will give 110% and walk away knowing I did. I do know that I am seeing a focus and dedication like never before and it is time for some payback!!!!

UNBELIEVABLE !!!! Part 2

Well I have been back on the bike, visiting the gym and trying to keep a positive attitude. I am also getting some extra family time. I usually do not go to the flea market on the weekends but given the current status of my body I went this weekend. Sat. while looking at all of the stuff Dave calls me. He ask "what color is your sling"? Then he tells me that his is blue as well. What in the hell is going on? He was on his way to work (on the bike) when he clipped the handle of a paint bucket which hooked a spoke on the front wheel, got stuck in the fork and sent him flying over the handle bars. He now has a separated shoulder and torn ligament that connects the collar bone. WTF !!! He was already kicking butt and I was getting ready to start flying. Now we wait. Hopefully we will recover quick and then release our bottled up anger on the southeast. Till then we get to enjoy rehab. Whoopee!

UNBELIEVABLE !!!!

The strongest I have been this early in the season at River Falls and then the next week a @#$%%$# crash. I don't get it. I went to the Tuesday night ride in Etowah and was going to sit in since it was a recovery week. There was about 25 or so going into the first sprint and I was 12-15th cruising them some jack@#$$ crashed I had nowhere to go and tried to jump over a wheel and the next thing I know is Thad is holding my head telling me not to move. The results are my left collarbone is broken in 3 places, 2 broken ribs and a punctured lung. Oh yeah my new bike is destroyed. I spent 5 days in the hospital. I got on the trainer Tuesday and Wednesday and went to the gym yesterday. I should have enough time to get ready for nationals. I could not have gotten thru this without Kellie and Shawn that's for sure. Well back to recovering for now and hopefully a speedy recovery at best.

River Falls

What a beautiful day to race. It was sunny and warm and a huge crowd. We had 70 plus in the 35+ feild and it was fast. On lap 3 I made the biggest attack and had 5 guys from all the teams come up and we started getting away at 35 mph plus when one of the guys blew up and stalled us out which let the feild catching us. I only got into trouble on lap 5 coming up the hil lbut worked with some guys and got back in the group. Coming into the finish the moto came up to the front and started talking and the feild jammed up them all out war insued. The guy in front of me blew I could not go right and to keep from hitting him had to go across the center line with the mote right behind me. I hit the brakes got back around the guy and finished 25th. Not the best way to finish but I found out how strong I am and how fast the Madone is. Yesterday took Nathan and Alan on a 4 hour ride while being on day three of being sick. Not fun. Today I am about to die. Time to rest and shake the cold and get ready for April.
Shawn had a good weekend as well with a movie at school Friday night, birthday party Saturday and 75 degrees and sun on Sunday.

Offical start to the season

I decided to test my luck and do the road race at fork shoals Sat. in the rain. We had 40 or more and 2 guys went away from the gun. I wanted to follow but did not know what my performance was. Lap two there where several attacks and I was able to respond and do some work to pull them back. Lap three same thing and I made some attacks. The finish was a group sprint which I was boxed in and finished in the small chainring. I was happy with my fitness and think I am on track for a good year. Sun. we had a winter storm blow in so I had to put in 3 hours on the trainer. Monday we woke up to 6 plus inches of snow and 30 plus winds, BUT this coming Sat. will be in the 60's so River falls is a possibility.

What to do ?

The last couple of weeks have been hard training as usual and mentally preparing for the season. The body is adapting well and I am starting to see some power. I went to Greenville last Sun. to train on the course and spectate. It sounds like Sat. was a mess with everybody coming home with bodies and bikes in tact except Thad getting some stitches from a chainring.
My big dilemma is this weekend. I had planned on racing the road race Sat. but they are calling for rain. Trainer--Road race in the rain??? Safety---possible medical insurance deductable being met??? What to do. I guess I will decide tonight and in the morning.
On a high note Dave won the single speed 12hr MTB race in FLA last week. We also had confirmed that Low Country will come thru.
The family is well and the cat is still sleeping 22 hours a day, so all is good.

Warmer temps

Finally a weekend with warmer temps. I got 5 hrs in on Sat with 4400 ft of climbing and 4 hrs in on Sunday with a 40 min. tempo. I am glad today is a rest day. Sat. I was able to do a high speed sprint on the new bike with the longer stem and it felt good. Kellie did a great job washing and waxing the trucks and I was able to get them both serviced. We where able to get a lot done and Shawn spent the weekend outside. This week will be a rest week with nothing major happening other than the team meeting tonight which will determine who I ride for. It is always nice to have your chain yanked especially when the season starts in 12 days. I hope for their sake Dave goes easy on the caffeine before the meeting or there could be a mess. Will see?!

A/B Honor roll - YES !!!

Friday Shawn got his report card and a ribbon for making the A/B honor roll. Needless to say momma and I are very proud and guess we will let him live another day. To be such a hand full he still continues to make us proud on a regular basis.
We enjoyed the weekend in Charleston. Kellie and Liza spent Saturday enjoying girl time and Dave and I had a very productive ride. Later that day he gave me a bike fit at the Trek store which brought to light a lot of suspicion I had about my set up and reveled the need for a longer stem. Sundays ride was a large group which included David Lee.....need I say more? It was not a constructive ride seeing as how I was third wheel behind DL in the pace line at 384 watts at one point. I was still able to get in a 30 min. tempo and ride sensibly. D Hall got to practice his tube changing technique this weekend as well , which resulted in the sacrifice of one Continental tire Sunday afternoon and the purchase of several tubes, levers and a tire. He should be set for the rest of the year now. In all we had a great time, got to put the smack down on some chunky monkeys, made it home safe and in time to see the Super Bowl.

pine wood derby

Shawn got to the finals. He was third in the Bear den and made it to the finals to race against the top three of all the dens. He ended up 12th overall. That was a pretty good first attempt and we learned some things for next year.
This past week was alot of finishing touches on the car and also setting up my new bikes. I got to ride the race bike Sunday. I can't wait to get my legs and put it to good use. That thing is fast!!!!
I also want to send a special thanks to Doug, Mike and Brad at Cane Creek. They invited me to come over and they put some 110 headsets in the bikes as well as catching up on gossip, practicing some BS and drinking beer.
This weekend we head to Charleston for some good times, warmer weather and great riding.
Got to go to work for now....Robert

Last week Dave and Adam came up for four days, two of them for Trek fit training class. Thur. night we went to bent creek for a night ride at 9 degrees. That was the coldest ride I have ever done.... What a bunch of idiots we were. Friday we got the use of the computrainers at Ash. Velosports to ourselves for what was suppose to be an easy 1.5hr ride. Did I mention that we were idiots? Yeah, 1 min. in we are figuring the thing out, 3 min. in we are in a full on race. After about 40-45min at an avg of 280+ watts we calmed down. I wish we had a video of that! Sat. 4.5hr group ride with warmer temps and an easy pace. Sunday we went to bent creek and that afternoon the guys headed home safely.
Dave also brought the new bikes to me which I have almost dialed in and am loving them.
Yesterday was Kellie's birthday which we celebrated the night before. She had a good day and her coworkers really made her feel special. Tonight we register the pinewood derby car and the races will be tomorrow. Hopefully Shawn does good...........

ABRC overall points cup winner

It is official, I won the ABRC cup for 2008. It's not the tour but it made me reflect on the past few years. It wasn't long ago that I just wanted to finish a metric cookie ride. Now I want to top 10 masters nationals this year. That is pretty impressive to me since I was the fat kid nobody wanted on there team. I could not be where I am without the support of my wife Kellie and son Shawn. That also goes for all of the people who have helped me along the way especially Cane Creek, Dave Hall, Wes Dixon and all the WNC riders that inspire me to get better.
The next chapter begins Wednesday night when my new bikes arrive. I have a new team for 2009 , Low Country Volkswagon and still the same determination to be better, show my son what hard work is and follow a dream.
In closing a special thanks to ABRC for there support and recognition of my accomplishments and good luck to all.....Robert

A new year

We survived the holidays !! We got to see family and friends and enjoy their company. Shawn had a good Christmas with plenty of gifts. We just celebrated the new year with a road trip to Savannah GA. It was a good time, we went up a light house, went thru downtown, explored historical monuments, took a boat ride and went to the nature center. One of the coolest things was at the KOA we stayed at feeding the swans, geese and ducks.
I was able to get some training in with the 70 degree temps. This weekend is the year end party for ABRC and next week Dave will be up, then the pine wood derby and finally at the end of the month, a possible a trip to Charleston.
I should be see my new bikes next week and can,'t wait. The TT bike is about ready to go and the winter training is in full swing. It won't be long before a new season and a new team. I am hoping for a good year. I have lost around 10 pounds with a few more to go and am pushing bigger numbers in the weight room and on the bike. Greenville will be here before I know it....Robert