Heading to Quad Cities – 95 Mile Road Race in 7 Hours

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Last night was a short night. Less than 5 hours sleep. I have no idea where time goes now. I got up with Trudi at 6:45 this morning. She headed to the airport at 7:30 to fly to Pro Road Nationals. Then it was non-stop the whole day and I barely got the stuff done by 2 am. I’m either moving slower than I used to or have a ton more stuff to do.

Anyway, I’m driving up to Burlington, Iowa for a 95 mile road race at 3:15. It used to be 81 miles, but they changed the course a little. I believe it is supposed to be dry there this afternoon, but the forecast is for rain the next three days, which are all criteriums, with tomorrow being Snake Alley.

I’m in this for the fitness, not the results, so I’m going to do what I can do and nothing more. I’ve done these races many times before and they all have a certain flow about them. Newt, the promoter of Snake Alley, is going to give me shit for not per-registating. I looked two nights ago and planned to register, but couldn’t find my wallet for a credit card number, then yesterday, the registration was closed. There were something like 126 guys registered in the Pro 1/2 race. That is a ton of riders for that course. Especially if it rains. I won it on my first attempt, partly because it was raining the whole day.

It’s a solo trip of just Bromont and I. Keith and Catherine might drive up for Snake Alley later today or tomorrow. I’m staying in Burlington tonight, then moving over to Davenport and staying with my friend Jeff Bradley. I’m not sure if Jeff is racing this afternoon or not. I’d better call and find out.

Okay, have to get moving. I’m already beat and the trip hasn’t even started yet. Hope that isn’t a bad sign?

I spent most of the morning over at physical therapy messin' with my shoulder. I had to sit in a corner in my shorts while I was getting some medicine electrically driven into my shoulder muscle. I took this picture because I wanted to know if I looked as bad as I felt. I did.

I spent most of the morning over at physical therapy messin’ with my shoulder. I had to sit in a corner in my shorts while I was getting some medicine electrically driven into my shoulder muscle. I took this picture because I wanted to know if I looked as bad as I felt. I did.

I put a road bike together this afternoon. It seemed to take forever. I had to take a bunch of parts off one of my cross bikes. I hate doing that.

I put a road bike together this afternoon. It seemed to take forever. I had to take a bunch of parts off one of my cross bikes. I hate doing that.

After going for a short ride, I spent the rest of the night pounding and prying the back quarter panel of Bill's car so I could reattach the tail light I fixed. I'm getting the car from Bill and taking it up to Ames, Iowa for Michael. Actually, the new plan is that Bill drives it there today on the way up to Minneapolis to race with Brian.

After going for a short ride, I spent the rest of the night pounding and prying the back quarter panel of Bill’s car so I could reattach the tail light I fixed. I’m getting the car from Bill and taking it up to Ames, Iowa for Michael. Actually, the new plan is that Bill drives it there today on the way up to Minneapolis to race with Brian.

Snake Alley Criterium – T-7 hours once again

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The Snake Alley Criterium is at 4 this afternoon. It’s one of my favorite races of the season, if not my favorite. The course is super hard and technical. But, today might not be my day. It is raining already and there are even odds that it is going to be wet later this afternoon. I’ve won the race in the rain before, it would usually suit me, but for the first race back from shoulder surgery, this wouldn’t be close to my first choice.

Yesterday I raced the Burlington Road Race. I did okay. It was the perfect race for me, long and pretty easy. It was easy because I didn’t participate in the race. I kind of blew it earlier in the day, missing a turn about 30 miles out of Burlington and taking a 30 mile detour. That made me late for the race.

The race started out super quick, mainly because we were riding with a strong tailwind. Within just a couple miles a huge group was up the road. I didn’t care, like I said I was there for the race miles. Cole House asked me if I thought that it was done. I told him absolutely. He then proceeded to ride up to the break.

Once the 15 or so guys were away, it got pretty civil. We were going pretty good, but mainly because of the wind. I think we hit the turn around a little under 29 mph and we were 5 minutes down on the break. Coming back into the headwind it slowed. About 1/2 way back the race started up again. Eventually 20 more guys rode away. I was left in a big group of riders just going back to the finish. I felt pretty bad at the turn around, 50 miles into the race. My hamstrings were burning , probably from sitting in the car 400 miles right before the start. At the end I felt alright. Nothing stellar, but pretty good considering it is the longest I’ve ridden a bike in months.

I have to admit my crotch was wasted after the race. I had to ride the majority of the last 30 minutes or so off my seat. It must be a position thing. Too much pressure on too small a spot. Whatever the reason, I need to fix it.

Okay, I need to go over the the course and register. The hotel has a shitty breakfast so I’m going to search something better out. Nothing like a rainy Saturday to do that. It is going to be leisurely until it gets super intense later this afternoon. I like those days.