getting punched in the gut can force you to reflect

The most important thing in the world to me

Sunday 1/31/2010, a dear friend of mine was struck by a vehicle from behind while riding his bicycle and was killed. Jim, Jimmy, Rogers was that friend. I have known Jim for 25 years and owe him so much. Jim showed me many things about riding a bike. The way Jim sat "in" the bike always left me marveling; pure, powerful, steady and beautiful, that was Jim on a bike. How lucky was I as a jr. cyclist to get to ride around with Jim and be nurtured along. Jim also showed me how to be calm on a bike. whether it was getting really tough and your body was about to implode, or a car just threw trash on you as they passed...Jim remained calm. I cant believe Jim is not with us anymore. Jim is survived by His Father, Mother, Wife, Daughter and Son, what a loss for them. what pain...I hope that they will absorb this tragedy and go on to live strong, full and loving lives.
Since Sunday, I have been wrecked. Before I even knew it was Jim, I was beside myself, questioning the "why". Why do cars have no respect for others, why do we take this risk of riding on the roads, why do these things happen?
These questions have led me to a few conclusions. No matter what happens in life, you must pursue life. there is no point in living a life chasing your tail, going to work, to pay bills. Ride your bike, Learn Spanish, travel the world, go swing dancing, do everything you can. you only get one shot at this life, find love and cherish it.
Jim, thanks you for being you. I hope you are riding some silky ribbon of tarmac my friend. Thank you. Rest in Peace

Wrapped up!

Foxy giving me a high 5...Why?

Series Winner Jersey

Because I won the overall series title for the Sacramento Cyclocross series. The Rock Lobsters carried me through! thanks for the props Foxy!

april moto trip!!!

April moto trip is going to be sweet. we will call it my birthday ride! Myself, Hollie and our friend Sam Raymond are going to www.ovexpo.com in Amado, Arizona. we are going to ride our motos there and back...should be around 10 days. the plan is to stay off road as much as possible. 300-500miles a day, camping out and having a blast. going to the expo for 3 days and riding home
the bikes:
KTM 640 (chris)
Suzuki DRZ 400 (hollie)
KTM 690 (sam)

if anyone out there has any route suggestions let us know, we are just starting the plan phase!

Cheers

I went down in a blaze of...

Chris the leader for a day, or 3 laps

This is a classic course and today did not dissapoint

Hollie rocked it today for 2nd

I did my best today, but it was not enough

Dave and I rode pegged all day chasing a 15-5 second gap the last 1/2 of the race

Looking for another gear?

Today was a bitter sweet day for me. This course suited me well. Bumpy power flats, sharp steep loose climbs, fast descent, sand...everything I could want. I just lacked 1%. that being said, Josh Snead absolutely smashed it today. I had to beat Josh to keep the lead in the series. He won, I got 3rd...I ended up 2nd over all. The Bay Area Super Prestige was not a goal of mine at the beginning of the season, but after the first race I started to gravitate towards it. Next year I will put it higher on my list of goals. Great series. Great competition.

Sacramento CX is so fun.

Hollie ripping off the start line

Great start by Hollie, but the grassy course and mudder tires slowed her down a bit.

Rip Rip through the woods

Trying to shake Fergi. Unfortunately he had some bad luck and did not finish the race. Sorry bro, next time.

The "W"

this was a great course for me, power, power, power. The attack lasted a bit longer than I had anticipated, about 55min. but you have to react to the race. With the help of my team mate, Josh Snead, the attack stuck

I really found a rhythm

Power to the pedals!

4x4x4

BASP#2 Photo by cxmagazine.com

4x4x4 it seems to be what is going on with me for the last few races. I have been 4th. every situation has been different, but the outcome has been the same. Strange. perhaps some 4 x 4min in zone 4 will help me get back up on the winning step of the Podium

surf city cx #2

surf city cx #2

surf city cx #3

Ouch!

I am in the Pain Cave

I went racing down in San Mateo this weekend in Round #2 of the Bay Area Super Prestige cyclocross series. I thought was going to be a stellar day in which I would take the lead of the series...it turned out to be a rough go.
The course: It was my first time racing in this part of the park, and I loved the course. I thought it was very challenging...too much front tire pressure made even more so. You had to be super smooth and strong on this course. one bobble or a dab cost you dearly. I think it would take about a 1/4 of a lap to get things going after a mistake. My team rocked this race. Tactically we raced against Don Myrah. That guy is so strong it took 4 of us to butter him up enough to get Josh Snead off the front. Ideally I should have tried to slip in there between Don and the front of the race for the overall lead, but I was gassed, hanging on for dear life! I tried twice to go away from the front...the first time I felt good about it. I was accelerating hard out of every turn and I felt like I was doing some damage and getting a gap, but I washed out the front end and went down pretty good. The front of the race caught my while I was down and Josh smartly countered. From here Josh Maintained a 20 sec gap and Dave Wyandt drug me around following Don Myrah. Once Josh had the gap I tried to go again, If I finished in front of Don, I would have taken the lead. My last ditch effort did not work out and I blew up with 1.5 laps to go and limped in for 4th. I have not felt that Knackered in awhile!