I think this is politically correct since it describes me. Anyway, I spent most all of the day yesterday at the dentist’s office. Actually more than one dentist. An endodontist did the majority of the work, which wasted me the most. I am now minus a couple more roots of the same tooth and am taking antibiotics, sort of. I did get out and ride my bike for an hour in 40+ mph winds while the temperature dropped 15 degrees while I was out. It wasn’t my best day.

Now I am driving down to Austin. It is supposed to be 40 mph tailwind, so I guess I didn’t mind the riding in the wind for a bit yesterday. We left at 6 am to try to get through the DFW traffic before it gets super ugly on Friday afternoon. The temperatures in Austin were in the lower 90’s yesterday. It is going to take a 30 degree temperature change by this weekend, so the highs are only going to be in the lower 60’s. Not bad for bike racing.

The race on Saturday starts at 8 am. It is way too early for my liking considering it is 40 minutes to the start. It is a PRO-1 race and there are only 40 guys or so entered. And 10 of them are from the Elbowz Team, so it should be a smear. Hopefully those guys don’t get too greedy and wait until the end of the race to destroy the field. The Walburg race normally has a ton of wind, so it is pretty easy to blow the field apart nearly anywhere on the course. Bill and I are going to be the only guys from Tradewind Energy, so we won’t be in control of our own destiny. The course isn’t hard enough, other than the wind, to make any selection.

Sunday at Pace Bend is a 6 mile circuit that is hilly. The races the next weekend at Lago Vista, have a much harder course that selects the strongest riders. Hopefully I’ll be back up to speed by then, without totally wasting myself during the week putting in way too many miles.

I love it down it Austin. I brought my MTB bike just in case I get a wild hair and decide to race the MTB race on Lance’s old ranch the next weekend. I really like the Lago Vista races, but I haven’t done a “real” MTB race in a long time. I’ll just see how it goes.

Okay, that is about it for this morning. 700 miles to go.

I don’t have much time here. I have to get going up to Walburg to race at 8 am. I think the race is officially 80 miles, but it is actually closer to 72. It is always windy there, but there is a rumor going around that it is going to be fairly calm today.

We got to Austin without too much traffic. It was a little ugly in Dallas and again right into Austin, but that is always the case. We rode over and picked up our numbers and got 20 miles in. I felt like shit. My tooth isn’t cooperating with my dentist’s work as of now. So, eating and doing about any other thing with my mouth is not good. I actually took a pain pill last night to sleep, which is totally out of character for me, but teeth problems seem to make me a wimp.

There are a ton of us upstairs at Ann’s house here. 7 to be exact, plus Bromont and Ann’s dog Stanley, who likes to hang upstairs when we’re here. I met Ann the first time through these races, I don’t know when, maybe 6 years ago. Every since then, it has been a home away from home here in Austin. Everyone had an early morning, Ann running 5 miles at 5:15 am and then going to work and us heading out by 6 am, so we didn’t get much of a chance to catch up. Hopefully tonight that will happen.

KU is playing Missouri for the last time in Allen Field house this afternoon at 3 pm, since Missouri is leaving the Big 12, so today’s game is special. If KU wins, they are the outright Champions of the Big 12. If Missouri wins, then KU can still tie for the lead. So, needless to say, we need to skedaddle back after the race. I hope I feel better riding my bike than walking around.

The Birkie is today up in Cable/Hayward. I want to wish good luck to Kent and Katie, plus all the CXC guys and gals doing the race. It isn’t going to be much warmer here at the start, lower 40’s, than what you’re having today, upper 20’s. Have fun.

Here's a photo I bought off eBay from the Chicago Sun Times. It was taken after the Gant race in Chicago. Long story there.

The back has all the information for the story.