Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Off Season!

I took two days of work last week as my brother Tony and his wife Joyce came to Visit. They are on a grand tour of the US for their 25th wedding anniversary.
We took the Clipper to Victoria on Thursday. Then went shopping and wine tasting on Friday. Saturday Tony and I rode on the Tandem for a bit (he doesn't ride much anymore) he was the one who introduced me to bike racing, at my parents urging, to get me out of trouble. I don't think it worked ;-). On Saturday afternoon we went to Martha's Dad's house in Anacortes and sat on the deck drinking wine, or beer. then went to dinner.
I had them at the Airport at 5.30am on Sunday, for their flight to Vegas, where they took a Helicopter trip over the Grand Canyon, and tonite they are going to see Mamma Mia on the Strip.
Me, I'm probably going to El Tour de Tucson again this year, instead of a trip back to Ireland!

Friday, September 19, 2008

Cali Dog

Went to see Mr Pruitt off Last night, had to keep him and stangelator apart, seems like there's some anomosity there ;-)
Good to see bike racer types we hadn't seen in a few weeks, well all year, considering we were in Oregon every week this summer!

After a lot of soul searching I have decided to change teams for 2009, I will be riding for Z Team next year. I think we'll have a great team for Masters stage races, with David Zimbelman, Clint Chase, Matt Slater and me. Then for one days, Nathan Hobson (we just have to teach him some patitence so he can be a force at the finish)Karsten Hagen and Mike Dunn.

and Jen T, we're still thinking of and praying for you.

Monday, September 08, 2008

Duathlon

Well my 24hr race was spent mostly sleeping!

I was feeling great most of the time, not going too hard, but not quite able to get enough fluids in, my legs were still good after I finished the big loop of 171 miles and I did the 2nd fastest night loop of all my first time around.
When I stopped to get drink and food at the end of the lap, I couldn't stand up and then couldn't steer the bike when I tried to ride on. I had, I think a combination of Heat Stroke and Dehydration, I believe. That was it after 10+ hrs and 184 miles for me, and I was ahead of record pace too, but not halfway through the race!

The hardest part is having to wait a whole year to try it again, yes I am a sick man, but I'm also determined to do this once, at least. Well at least try one more time!

Huge thanks to Brian Ecker for coming all the way to Maupin and providing great support for me. Also to George and Terri for putting on such great events, they really make you feel like you're special, wherever you are in the field.

Also Kudos to Stoked for an excellent 193 miles in the 12 hr, only 9 miles behind the overall winner and a new womens course record. She's looking for a partner for next year to break the mixed team record....any takers?

Thanks,

Mick

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

24 Hours!!

No not the TV show, it's a bike race stupid!

"I went down down down and the flames went higher, and it burns burns burns The Ring of Fire"..........http://www.raceacrossoregon.com/roftt

The question is how many miles can I ride, the competitor in me wants to try to beat Urs Koenig's record of 414 miles, but that's a tall order....Urs is a peddaling machine. I would realistically be very happy with 400 miles....A 400 mile ride? even that sounds nuts.

Well here goes! and watch the website, they update during the race. I will start about 6.45 am on Sat and then they want me to go to breakfast after we finish at 7 am on Sunday. We'll see