*Expertise is acquirable!!!*

 

Just for all you try-hards out there.  Just keep giviner 110 and even thought you might not see it right now... it will come!

 

Everybody can become an expert!

 

SA

 

Well, I went to Union Hall tonight.  Very reluctantly I must add.  First, I just don't really like bars, and second, it's way past my bedtime.  But it was Robert's birthday and some other people were going, so I thought, why not?  Go for a little bit, it can't be that bad.  But it really can, it made me realize just how ridiculous our society and I actually almost started crying at the thought.  Maybe I'm naive or expect too much, but I can't believe the things I see and hear.  There's this song about a "crazy (beep), but she (beep)s so good."  I mean, really, how bad can you get.  And then you get some people "dancing," a term which I use very loosely.  A bunch of drunk people doing things they shouldn't be doing and I have no idea why, and things they probably wouldn't be doing if they weren't intoxicated.  I mean I have nothing against liquor, but I'm a firm believer in everything in moderate amounts.  And then, some servers, walking around in bras, I mean, I don't need to see that, even if you were attractive and wearing that, it wouldn't make me want whatever you have.  SICK, I say!  But as I said it is past my bedtime... so g'nite.

 

Goody-goody

 SA

Ring ting tingle-ing too
Come on, it's lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you

Outside the snow is falling
And friends are calling "You Hoo"
Come on, it's lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you

Giddy-yap giddy-yap giddy-yap
let's go
Let's look at the snow
We're riding in a wonderland of snow

Giddy-yap giddy-yap giddy-yap it's grand
Just holding your hand
We're gliding along with the song
Of a wintry fairy land

Our cheeks are nice and rosy
And comfy cozy are we
We're snuggled up together like two
Birds of a feather would be

Let's take the road before us
And sing a chorus or two
Come on, come on, it's lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you

 

Well, we made it home safely, speedily, and with virtually no troubles! 

 

The Tacoma race was fast and dry.  Dave had a great race to finish 9th in the juniors.  I was 66th on the start and couldn't go hard for most of the first lap because of all the people, but kept making up a few spots here and there.  I kept doing that for the first few laps, then it kind of went downhill, the run-up was hell, and I was just trying not to lose too many spots.  I ended up getting lapped as they came around for their last lap.  Oh well, it was pretty fun.

 

The next day was an early morning drive to Portland in the rain.  It's a good thing we stopped at Starbuck's for coffee and directions because we would have ended up in completely the wrong place.  But we got there, and man was it muddy!  Dave had another great race and was looking good in 6th, but dropped his chain over the barriers on the last lap and lost two spots.  8th is still pretty darn respectable in my books.  My registration didn't get there somehow and I was 89th on the line today. Oooh man.  There was a crash about 50m into the race right beside me... that sucks (after I realized Mike went down hard in it).  Same thing as the day before, I was just making up tons of spots... it amazes me how some of the "fast" guys can't ride their bikes.  Oh well.  After a few laps I started losing spots, and just tried to limit those.  But today I was just having so much fun that I really didn't care!  I got lapped again as they came around for the last lap!  But man, was it fun!

 

That night we made it to Spokane, and then we were home by about 7:30 on Monday night... woo... homework time!  There are few pics in the new album... more to follow!

 

SA

"I swear, Mike, I didn't even pick it up..."

 

Haha, funny quotes from the boys in blue on their way down to the states... Haha, Fletcher (ask me later, you need to hear the accent)

 

"Wow! Shaun, what the hell's that?"

"That... is hydroplaning.

And those... are rumble strips."

Wednesday's trave day started with a 6am wake up call, a trip to Starbuck's, and the ferry.  It was raining pretty hard and the ticket lady said me might go at 8:30 or 10:30, she wasn't sure.  So we sat in the car, nothing really to do.  8:30 turned into 10:30 turned into 3:00 turned into 4:00--yay! We're sailing!  And only 8 hours behind schedule.  And the time actually passed decently fast.  Once on the other side, the road was smooth passage.  We got to the border faster than expected, had absolutely no hassles there, got on the I-5, hit a little bit more rain, but made it to the hotel by 10!  Woohoo!  We're here!

 

After a decent sleep, we got up and rode to the course.  We found the start grid and some arrows and thought we were on a pretty decent, really fast course.  Guess not... as we ran into Fletcher, a very enthusiastic local cyclo-crosser.  He didn't know the course forsure, but showed us the "killer" run-up and the usual course directions.  (Unfortunately the run-up designers didn't know Alberta was coming and that this hill has nothing on Okotoks!!!).  Cool, hopefully we'll know the course forsure tomorrow.  A few groceries, some more Starbuck's, lunch, and here we are.  Hopefully we'll all have good rides and bunch of fun!  I'll let you know!

 

SA

Well, Nationals has finally come and gone!  Me and my mom had nice, uneventful and fairly speedy drive.  We arrived on Thursday night, when I was able to get in a measly 10 minute ride before I ran out of light.  But we woke up Friday, sat around for a bit, then went to go check out the course.  The weather was wet, but not really raining.  The course was pretty good, but didn't seem really suited to my strengths.  It was really technical and I was slow over the BMX track forsure.  But I convinced myself that it would be good for me.  somehow...

 

Saturday morning, we got there early as my dad raced at 10.  Everyone was there and having fun.  I was nervous but I don't think I was even as nervous as I was at provincials.  Once I got dressed and started my warmup I was pretty much good to go.  The call-up procedures must have been done by a 2 year old as I was the only one with a second row start.  I convinced Aaron that he should give me his spot and that I ould get a fast start and he could get on my wheel.  The start itself wasn't too bad, but it just kept going and going.  I think I came out with the holeshot.  There was a bit of movement through the first muddy sections, but I still had it to the start of technical section where Kyle Douglas came flying by me.  I screwed up the sandpit and he got a gap.  That was that much of the race... The rest consisted of me pulling around the dwindling chase group.  A couple times some people tried to come around me--Mike, Brian, Aaron.  Aaron was the last one still with me and he was putting gaps into me on the BMX track every time.  I closed the gap each time except for the last and he just held his gap to the finish.  ended up third.  Not bad... not a jersey, but I did get a medal and a spot on the World's team!  Just over 2 months!!!!  Woohoo.

 

The rest of Alberta did pretty darn good too, as we picked up 2/8 jerseys and 8/24 medals!  Sweet!

 

I pretty much decided I didn't want to race the next day, and after walking the course I knew that was definitely the right choice

 

Then it was ready, set, go to the USGPs in Lakewood and Portland!

 

SA

 

ps. pics as soon as I get to my home computer!

This is clearly a report on cyclocross provincials from today...

 

Keith had designed another great course at COP.  And due to the fact that he could do lots on Saturday and not worry about vandalism, it was very nicely taped.  The course featured snow for the first few races, but with the beautiful weather, the mud came through.  Some sections had improved, while others had worsened.  There was lots of camber, and lots of fun to be had.  I had a pretty good start, with Tim, Ryan, and Bunnin getting away pretty early.  Nick was the next one to really get a gap on me.  The rest of the race seemed to be between me, Mike, Cody, for the espoir provincial team spot.  I ended up crashing pretty good on the 5th lap and was lost mentally after that.  Mike got a gap that I just couldn't close, especially with many more crashes in the second half of the race.  Cody put a scary gap into me in the last couple gaps, but I was able to pull him back and really pop him (or maybe he gave up...).  But unfortunately I couldn't catch the high-flying, not-sick Mike and he took the provincial team spot!  DANG!!!  I guess I'll have to wait and hope that the committee sees my potential and dedication!

 

Now I'm just really pumped for Nationals and the USGP's.  Hoping for a really good ride and lots of fun!  Hopefully I'll be looking at a national team kit soon!  Woop woop!  And hopefully I'll have some computer access to lay down some reports, pics, and get my missed schoolwork! Yay??  Anyhoo, a fun trip it'll be!

 

SA

Sorry for the long wait to those of you not busy with school.  But here is brief report from last weekend's beautiful cyclocross races held by some great organizers and some amazing course-designers. 

 

Saturday's 15 degrees didn't quite come through, but the ground was green and the air was, well... above freezing.  The course was great one, care of Keith Bayly, with many turns, some off-camber, a fast descent, nice barriers, but an unfortunately unavoidable long gradual suck the energy from you section along Bow Trail.  I pulled out another good start and had the holeshot up the first climb and through the off camber section.  At the bottom of the descent, Tim and Ryan came by me.  I was able to sit on their wheels for about 200m.  Yay!  Then came, Per, Cody, and Nick.  It was looking good.  Then Bunnin caught me and told me I was slow.  The next time I looked back, he was gone.  I kept hearing Cody was slowing and the gap was getting smaller.  And in the middle of the race I forgot that I was dying and was having fun!  Usually that is kept for the beginning and the end of the race, but it was a welcome feeling!  I was really gaining on Cody, but on the last lap, he was able to turn it up and pull away for good.  Good race guys!

 

Sunday's forecast came through with snow, and temperatures well below zero.  At least Per had us in a nice warm building, where I think only 2/14 people got any kind of a warmup.  The rest of the time before our race was consumed with watching the previous racers come in and asking them what to wear.  Fortunately, once we got racing, the attire was no problem.  My warmup consisted of half a lap of the course.  Which turned out to be really important because I still had hardly any idea what was going on.  I gave up the holeshot to Tim in this race and held his wheel for a bit, then Cody came by, followed by others... I can't remember who or in what order.  Oh well.  This race featured lots of tight chicanes, and therefore lots of running in the snow.  There were lots of changes in order, with people always passing each other.  It turned out to be a lot of racing to not make mistakes, instead of just pure speed.  That worked out pretty well in my favour, as I was almost able to catch a late-flying Peter at the line... but to no avail, and I finished 5th.  Not bad at all.  Unfortunately, with the limited entries, my prize money was reduced to $10!  But that is better than nothing!  Thanks Per.

 

Now, it's back to the books.  And provincials this weekend with another great Keith-course!  Woohoo!  Be there or be square!

 

SA

 

8 DAYS TIL NATIONALS!!!!!!!