whats up?

Back in the Saddle

Hollie and I both put our legs over the top tube of our bikes this past weekend at Donida Farms Cyclocross. It was a blast. The course was fantastic, the weather was perfect, but most importantly it was good to be racing. It was literally an "off the couch" operation as neither Hollie or I have ridden the bike since August. We have both been too banged up. Our clouds of pain parted and we raced.

Chris Leading the Boys

I somehow was even fast enough to Race near the front of the Elite mens race and mix it up with the boys on the team. That was so much fun to be in the mix with the kids, cool. Especially since those guys are flying right now. I cant wait for this weekend to try it again.

Some other news: I was asking Hollie if it would be okay to buy tickets to a rock show up in Seattle. $20 a ticket, 4 bands, not bad...she told me no way. (yes things are that tight right now)...So this morning I am eating breakie and listening to KGRG streaming and they say they are going to be giving some tickets away to the same show. So i pick up the phone and call. 5 questions later i won 2 tickets to go see New Found Glory and Senses Fail. I am pretty stoked. There has not been a lot of fun around here lately so you can imagine...I am going to go rock out with a bunch of teenagers. thank god there is a bar!

Oh, Tuesday nights Hollie and I have a new gig. We are going to the Eagles Ballroom and swing dancing. I am sure you are trying to picture it right now, and yes I suck...and yes Hollie rules. But it so much fun.
Well, thats about it for now

USGP, RAD

IAN "THE DANE" TERRY

I just got back from Kentucky and the first round of the US Gran Prix of cyclocross. The weekend offered up 2 races for the countries best to throtle each other for and hour +/- in dirt, sand, grass, mud and pavement. I did not race either day...I took out 4 strong lads from the RAD Racing NW racing program. 3 juniors and 1 U23 racer. all in all a great weekend.

Erik Emsky rocking

The junior boys raced so strong it was impressive to watch. on day 1, the boys ended up:
Steve Fisher 2nd
Erik Emsky 6th
Ian Terry 8th
On day one Steve rode hard and out in front, staying out of trouble. While Erik killed it but a bobble held him up, which later forced him to back off, so he would not aid in the chasing of Steve whom was up front...damn tactics, selfless action by erik and a solid ride. Ian had some bad luck drawing 2nd to last start position. He did not let it bother him but the traffic in the first sand pit caused a crash and a lone chase for the rest of the race. He went from 30th to 8th when it was all said and done. WOW!
In the U23 race RAD had Nick Weighall, the Cardio Kid as he is affectionately known, lived up to his billing as a super natural lung as he rapidly moved up from 4th row start to latch on to the highest ranked U23 rider, Jamey Driscoll. This also put the both of them in the top 15. Nick was railing and looked stronger than his U23 competition...but like NASCAR, nicks tires let him down and he had to pit for tires, back out he went but another mechanical was in the cards. So 5th U23 was the best he could do and top 20 overall

FISH

Day two the boys all had to over come the results of the day before to race again.
Steve: his legs where so sore we has limping when we walked to dinner.
Erik: Frustration at having a small mistake cost him making the front group and then the tactics forcing him to hold back.
Ian: Crappy start position and a crash.
Nick: Bad luck.
All I can say is that the boys had no problem over coming these things to put up stellar rides. Ian was amazing. You cannot tame the Dane! He drew a bad start position again, but rode smarter to get through the traffic only to hit the front of the race and drill it for 2 laps, shaping the front group and Launching Steve to another 2nd place. Erik just missed the split again, but rode so fast and solid with Ian just dangling behind the front group to end up 4th. Ian, somehow recovered from his opening effort to take 3rd.

Nick had much better luck today and the U23 battle was HOT with 5 guys riding together the whole race. Nick yo yoed in and out of this group, but fought hard to take 3rd. I was very impressed with his fight and I was glad the juniors where watching...he is a great example of a fighter!

Well, that is about it. The RAD crew will be in action in Washington for the next 2 weekends before we head out to New Jersey for the next 2 USGP's...until then