SUPPORT TEAM AND POST RACE FUN

Thanks to my extended family for all the fun and support. My inlaws not only came out to the race, but they brought the grandparents and Jeff and kids(friends) out to the race with the camper and food. I been racing most of my life on and off and I don't think I have ever received so much support. Thanks again.

Now, on another note. I have always lived near water and can appreciate it, but never cared one way, or another about water sports. Well, not in this family. My mother in law practically pushed me out of the boat. I have to admit it was fun. I did jump off of a thirty foot cliff into the water as well. Skiing I will do again. Jumping off perfectly solid ground, not so much. I only wish the expression on my face when I jumped had of been capture on film cause it ain't happenin again.

Little Beaver Mountainbike Challenge

Went to West Virginia to visit family and race bikes. Little Beaver State Park right outside of the New River Gorge area is were the race was held. The course was one of the more challenging that I have raced on. If you like rock gardens and roots then you will love riding here. It is by far one of the more technical rides I have had. About five minutes into the race I bent my cog set and therefore could not ride in about three of the five gears I would have prefered to use. I stopped twice trying to figure out what the hell was going on and finally gave up. I thought, "this race is over". I couldn't believe it, I was going to DNF, I never DNF and then with a few choice words I just got more pissed, and then I thought well no time like the present to figure out the whole single speed theory. (Actually I used about two gears that were not my first choice, but ya gotta make do sometimes.)

If you have ever done a mountain bike race you know once the pac spreads out and unless your on a straight away you often loose track of where you are in the pack, or in the woods for that matter. I had only ridin the course once the day before so both off these effects were in play. I figured I paid my money I may as well ride. It is amazing the mental rollercoaster you can go through when you are pushing your body. I was very lucky. This course was dumping people left and right. I don't believe I have ever seen so many fiddlin with there bikes, walkin, or brushing themselves off as I did at this race. The rock garden were betting us to death. Anyway I figured I wasn't the only one who had problems, so lets have some fun.

I got the finish line and thought, "well, If I ain't gonna win I may as well look cool so, I did a wheelie across the finish line." Come to find out I looked cool gettin 1st place. IN YOUR FACE, ROADIES.

Speedy's Hot Sauce

Anyone wanting sauce, or t-shirts just e-mail me your address to www.rooster790cc@yahoo.com . The sauce is $5, and the shirts are $20 plus shipping. It seems that the standard for shippin a couple of shirts and/or 2 ta 8 bottles of sauce has been around $8. At this point snail mail, or paypal is the way. Thanks for all the support.

Speedy's Hot Sauce

You asked for it and now it is a reality. There is a new batch of sauce and it is official. Bar coded, nutritional facts and all legit. The athletic fit t-shirt is available as well. It is tobacco brown w/ robin's egg blue silk screen. To all those non-metro sexuals thats brown and blue. Just e-mail, or message me if your interested. Look for it all in local restaurant soon.

The AT in Virginia

There were blisters, insects, unusual cold weather, rain, wind, hunger, heat, hills, down hills, crapping in the woods, weight on my back, aching feet, aching back, aching ankles, hunger, thirst, sleeping on the hard cold ground (in the 50's with shorts on) pure joy. Did I mention hungry and thirsty for cold beer. Pictures speak a little more. It's all worth it. I get board easily, and nature could care less. I am admittedlly a little bitch about comforts, but this final picture is what its all about.

P.S. I bought zipp off long pants and new hiking boots the next day. F merrell foot wear. It doesn't work for me.

the end of the journey

Or the beginning of the next.

On the Edge

"On the edge", can be scary in multiple ways. I ironically feel comfortable with either

The bug soup was delicious

Camping tip No.1: I the evening when you are chillin' and the lantern is on we discovered some pest control. The bowl was just sittin near the lantern and the bug just kept flying into it. I guess cause it was reflecting the light. So, after a while they will get on ones nerves. So, I poured some water in it and sure enough they would land in it and splash around "alot". So, I took this death machine a little further and put 4 or 5 drops of dishwashing soap in the water. Well they kept a comin every night and they don't spash around but for a second. This reduced the problem by about 85%.

Camping tip No.2: Go camping on Sunday. Most campgrounds have a 3 o'clock check out so get there around 4 o'clock. Everyone is leaving and you can scavenge all their left behind firewood and like I said we were the only folks in the whole place until about 12:00 midnight on Tuesday.

P.S. There are advantages and disadvantages to being the only people in the middle of nowhere.

Like when people cruise through at night late at a camp ground when you and your woman are the only ones around for miles it is a little unsettling. Another reason to pack some heat. I would hate to use it, but it brings me peace of mind.

Fairystone State Park

Left Sunday morning and came back Wednesday evening. One of the best things about all the people and the JETS flying over in Virginia Beach is that it will drive you to places like this.

I haven't ever heard anything about this place from mountain bikers, but its our little secret. If you are use to riding Williamsburg and Richmond area it is awesome. I would say there is about 8-10 miles of trails that are MTB legal. So, you gotta do some loops to get the desired mileage, but those loops are straight up awesome. It is one of the most well kept trail systems I have ever seen. Some great and challenging climbs and downhills... (Babycakes didn't walk or stop on anything this year). Yes, for a four and a half hour drive you can pretty much get some other awesome trails as well, but this place is the package. Awesome lakes, streams, mtn views, and the trails are well marked. The trail head was right past our tent in the back ground and we were the only people in the camp ground for two and a half days. Weekends are different and it is popular on weekends after school lets out because of the lakes. Living the dream.

Beer

I snapped a picture of Babycakes drinking one of the six beers she will drink this year. Hell, somebodies gotta drive me home.

Ace New River Gorge, WV

Last weeks adventure was awesome. Quality time with the family and great riding. And actually had time for some quality JT aka Jimmy Time aka Miller Time.

Speedy's Hot Sauce

There is progress in the Empire. The FDA approved nutritional facts and upc code have been purchased and the new labels are in the works. Waiting to hear back from Southern Labeling in Portsmouth, Va. to get back with me with a print. Should see something on Wednesday. Hoping to have website and credit card acceptance by end of July. Babycakes and I both have new bikes on order.