Okay. I’ve been looking at the ranking system that USAC is using and can’t really figure it out at all. I’m pretty good with numbers, but these numbers are baffling. I’ve sent a bunch of emails to USAC and only have one returned. They corrected part of the issue, but just created or maybe more accurately, exposed another. Here’s an example below. This is cut from the USAC website for the Jingle Cross UCI race last year. Here is the Elite results and ranking points awarded. Remember the lower points are better.

Now here are the results from the Master’s 35+ race.

Supposedly the higher quality the field, the lower the ranking points. Here in the Elite race, you have arguably 5 of the top 10 cross racers in the country. And in the Master’s race you have a bunch of Master’s guys. Not close to the same quality of field. But, the first two places in the Master’s race received a better ranking score than the winner of the Elite race.

I think I’ll eventually talk to someone at USAC that knows something about this ranking system, but it would be nice to be better informed before talking. So, if anyone has an interest in trying to figure out this new algorithm and could explain it to me in layman’s terms, I’d be more than happy to listen.

I’m still in Kansas. It is going to be a duplicate day to the last 3. Mid 80’s, super windy. I rode to Lawrence again on gravel for the 3rd day straight. I talked Adam Mills to ride my way and meet up with me, so it was nice to have some company for abit.

I can’t believe how the trees have changed from green to nearly brown in 5 days. It is probably because of the lack of rain. I don’t know. Nature never ceases to amaze me.

We’re riding at my house at noon. I’m not sure how many people are going to show up when it’s this windy. Group rides and gusty wind are always interesting.

There is a local cross race tomorrow in Kansas City. I’m on the fence whether to race or not. I have a mild hang over from drinking too much wine last night at dinner and after. There is a new restaurant in town that specialized in burgers, The Burger Stand. Gourmet burgers and gourmet salads. It is weird, but for some reason when I ride long, hard rides, I feel like eating meat after. I don’t eat much meat in general. Trudi is on an anti-meat program since she got back. I think that is because that is the main staple at races in Europe. Anyway, they have two professional ping pong tables in the back, but we could never secure one, so we ended up playing pool.

Okay. I’m going to get on my scooter and head over to the farmer’s market now before the ride. Our farmer’s market here is sad compare to ones in California or even Colorado, but you get what you get.

Trudi called me in Lawrence and said there was a 4 foot snake in our yard. She called back and said she had it trapped under a bucket. I told her it was gone already. She said no. It had disappeared by the time I returned to deal with it.

A black and blue burger. Blue cheese with granny smith apple sauce. Pretty yummy.