EZIRP EHT NO EYE

Lots of stuff going on lately. TOM TT and stage 2 was awesome especially the ride to Branson was extra sweet. Other things going on behind on school work, behind on getting new job, stressed about the club, and the dog is like having a baby. Since we got her I haven't slept past 6am, which isn't bad because I usually get up around that time during the week anyway. But the weekends I used to sleep until 7 or 8, though I wouldn't change it for the world she is a great dog me and Christy are very attached. Cycling is fun.
Belle thinks I'm crazy.

Lots of wheels.


Nice belt cheese.


Jorge


Something you don't see everyday. Dave Z


Gotta love the Cuban Missile. photo mmphotography.geeb

Arkansas is so close.....yet so far away.

Me, Adam, and Mertz headed down to Jasper yesterday. To say the least I was impressed. The hills were insane, the one with the switchbacks was the best yet the worst. It seemed like I couldn't go over 5-6 MPH but I was having fun taking in the views. Adam had a rear derailleur problem that sucked up a bit of time. I felt like total crap for most of the ride, just couldn't get my legs to function. They told me the end of the route was lumpy but the climbs were bigger than any of the biggest climbs around here. The last thing we did was go downhill for 3 1/2 miles it was the most wicked thing I have ever done.

Just leaving the park

Right before the biggest climb of the day.


Maybe Mertz should be a photographer.

One of the many switchbacks.


Thats it Brad take the inside of the turn where it's the most steep.


Top of the big Mountain.


Problems


Wow. Where are we?

Depression Hurts:(

As of late I have been feeling more depressed than usual. I don't know if it is school, work, or what I hate about cycling. I love riding my bike, I also enjoy going on group rides and learning things from other people, be it if they are more knowledgeable or less knowledgeable about it, not one person can know everything about cycling. I have met some really nice people since I started cycling, and have become healthier. But I have also met some not so nice people in cycling, maybe they make fun of people because their kit doesn't match or maybe they actually try to harm someone on the road intentionally. All these thoughts probably are stemming from a message board I was at but I have been feeling this way for a while. Cycling is so important to me, but my family, school, and work trump it by a longshot. I don't understand what the mumbo jumbo is about. Is it because it's an expensive sport, and people think I have this bike and that kind of taint cream. I honestly have a hard time affording to fund this hobby. Yes I do have a nice bike, yes I might get some wheels but from what I started out on everyone deserves an upgrade now and then. The only thing I keep picturing in my head is Iban Mayo in I think it was the 2003 tour when he was bonking and a rider on a different squad gave him a helping hand on a climb. To me that is what cycling is about. SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!!!!!! RANT OVER

100 miles of glory, and some other stuff

Today me and Mertz showed up to the Sunday ride and I really wanted to do 100miles. So once I told Mertz, he configured a route in his head in about 2 minutes maybe less, and off we went. We went many places today down the steepest gravel roads that shook your body into submission, (I was gripping the handlebars so tight it made my arms hurt) up the steepest climbs that made the legs cry for help, rollers, flats, and great views. I felt good until a big climb on Chadwick road ,and then just blew apart. So we stopped at Kays in Chadwick and I purchased a ham sandwich and shoved it down my throat as fast as possible, at this point I think we were about 60miles in and had no intention on going thru with the century. So we headed back out about ten minutes in I was feeling better I thought I would give it a go. So we ended up going thru Sparta to get more miles in. We made it to the barn swings with 18 more miles to go. So we pushed on made a left toward Highlandville then headed down old 60 HWY. WE made our way to Riverdale I think that was the name of the place I had never seen he cool waterfall. As we started climbing out of there my leg started to cramp up Mertz told me to take on some food, so I ate a few clif blocks and started to feel better again. The end of the ride was climbariffic it was all I could do to get my pedals to turn over going up the last hill on F HWY. Of course the end of the ride we had to go up Riverside it tore me up, but I survived and am very proud of this accomplishment. The feeling was better than any race I have ever done. I couldn't have done it without Mertz though he really helped me out and kept me motivated to keep going. So to him I say THANK YOU! I never though I would be able to ride my bike 100 miles I'm so grateful for the fitness I have to be able to do such things. Just wish we had a camera today, breathtaking views made me proud to live in the Ozarks.

The results


Like my new handlebars more and more everyday.



The aftermath


Friday night at Cartoons was Christy's going away party for work. She starts her new job on Tuesday. I'm so very proud of her.


Not a big fan of PDA. Actually I don't mind it I was just doing this pose for the camera:)

School again UUUGGGHHH

So school started on Thursday, and it's lookin a bit overwhelming for me as of now. My math class is freaking me out the most. I just need to concentrate on finishing school and not worry so much about racing and training. Although I will probably still ride almost everyday I'm just going to have to change my training around a bit. The racing schedule isn't what I had hoped for this year. I guess thats just the way things go though. Speaking of cycling my wife Christy reads my blog, and I would like to quote her on a few words. "Brad if I get this job I will buy you a set of wheels for your bike." She never thought she would get the job, but guess what she did, and I want my wheels. So feel free to comment on here sweetheart. Anyways here are some pictures of our ever growing puppy Belle.




Belle sending me off for the first day if school

Last nights ride was full of attacks. Every time I would get comfortable sombody would pick up the pace. I got dropped on 186 into Rogersville. On the way back I rode off the front a little bit only to be caught, well I knew I would get caught I just wanted to put a little effort in. After crossing 125 Dave was on the front going up the rollers so I decided to hammer it up the last one only to blow up at the top. Stayed at the front until the false flat then Cale came whizzing by and I hesitated and fell off the back a little. Every time I would start to close in on them they would speed up I just could never get up there. Coming up to old 65 Skip pulled in front of me and started pulling I could barely hold his wheel I was so tired. It still amazing how fast some of these guys are, it seems like yesterday a fast ride for me was a 10mph average speed. Last nights ride was 21.3mph average.

Wicked crispy chicken

The Thursday night ride was pretty awesome fun. The weather was great, nice and cool. The usual suspects were there except Pat, I heard his mom is sick so my prayers are with their family. I had a good time, my legs were feeling good and I actually ended up riding a little more afterwords. On another note I have some video of the QCC it's not the best footage but it's footage none the less. I have a friend in town that is getting ready to move to New York for grad school. She was telling me about this drink called Zico Water has anybody ever used this before? I think I might give it a try, I hear it works real well.