Yesterday was one of those days that just kept on going. We left the house at 6:30, drove over to Bill’s, got him, stopped for coffee, and then headed over to Lawrence for bike day at a local elementary school. It was pretty cool out, mid 40’s and I didn’t bring enough cycling clothes to stay warm. Anyway, the day went so fast I didn’t have enough time to stress the least about the race this weekend, which was a great by-product of being super busy. I hate pre-race nerves, but sometime can use them to get the proper focus.

The school visit was all set up by the time we got there. TradeWind Energy had bought a new Bell helmet for each kid in the school and Dan Hughes, of Sunflower Bike Shop, was there with a gaggle of his employees to help fit the helmets and repair the kid’s bikes.

Brian Jensen, Bill and I were there to do a little talk and let the kids ask questions. My favorite question was really a statement, “Titanium melts.” How true.

So, every kid in the school got a new helmet, most had ridden their bikes to school, so we set up an obstacle course and led them through it.

It took nearly all morning and after, we headed over to Freestate to have an early lunch. I really couldn’t drink a beer at 11 am the day before I was supposed to race at 8 am. So, I ordered hot tea, plus a fruit and cheese plate for lunch.

Brian, Bill and I then rode over to the ride the hillclimb of the first stage of the race today. It is super short, just .7 miles. Uphill to an overlook. It is going to be pretty hard.

Bill and I then rode back to Topeka. It was a stiff headwind the whole way back. Bill was feeling a little sluggish initially, but after he burned off the beer, was riding pretty good.

The field today for the race is small, but pretty good. There are only 30 riders registered for the Pro 1/2 race, but the field is the best regionally. So, it isn’t going to be a ride-around. Lots of time spent in the wind is going to be in store the next two days. Tomorrow we race 3 laps of Lake Perry. It’s nearly 30 miles a lap and pretty hilly. And of course, it is going to be windy. Super training.

So, Bill and I are riding the 40 miles over to the 2 minute time trial this morning. I know it seems a little overkill, but I’d rather be too warmed up than not enough. Last week at Joe Martin, I saw, and felt, what the result will be not warming up enough. My 2 minute maximum on Strava is right around 500 watts. I’m not going to be looking down at my Garmin, but hope to at least match that. We do a 75 minute criterium at 12:40 too. Hopefully we’ll have enough time to go have some breakfast.

Okay, cup of coffee and out the door.

Matt Gilhousen, Czar of TradeWind, walking some little ones through the obstacle course.

Dan Hughes, left, waiting for the onslaught of the helmet fittings.

Man, there were a ton of department store bikes there.

Stack of helmets before they got to their kids head.

Class photo.

Bill and Brian riding west of Lawrence Kansas.