Ian, Deb, and I loaded the Durango and casa-de-la-mobile (pop-up trailer) after work and headed to Lawrence; more specifically Clinton Lake State Park for a couple days. Sadly Jake decided camping wasn't in the cards for him so he stayed behind (honestly, what teenager would pass up a chance for a parent/brother-free-weekend if given the opportunity). Deb and I are missing him more and more as he is doing a lot of his own things now, but it is just part of the transition until his departure (sniff, sniff...).
Pulled into the park around 7:30pm or so and set up shop. Our pop-up is awesome as it pulls easy, sets up under 10 minutes, and has everything to make 'roughing it' not roughing it (DVD player, microwave, refrigerator...) . Turns out Dale was in the area and ended up staying the night with us.
Super late sleep in on Saturday with several games of Uno followed with Ian's zoo (demonstrated in pic #2). Temps were nice and cool with intermediate sprinkles/rain, but who cares when you're inside with the AC on (oh yes, AC saved us a couple years ago in Moab).
Headed to KU a little before noon and I jumped in the circuit race knowing the course was going to be tough for this 'non-climber' and it turned out slightly better than I expected; 20th of 62 riders. Stayed with the head (main chasing field) until the end of lap 4 (5 lap event) where I let a small gap open over the top of the climb and couldn't get back on. I solo'ed it for the last lap and held off a chase group. Although it was a super tough loop it is now probably my favorite as it has so much character and flow (I will be back for more punishment). It was fun having Ian and Deb there yelling for me. Four wrecks in my race and avoided all of them (knocking on wood as I type...). Although I am off the pace of the winners I am having more fun racing than I have had in some time and the acceptance that I am 'pack fodder' when it comes to road/crits is just fine with me and hope that these events are laying in a foundation for a solid 'cross season come September...
I am 5th from the back (of the lead group) in this pic.
So back to the park for clean up and a short snooze before heading back in to catch some of the Pro/1/2. Roads were super slick for them and apparently caused quite a bit of carnage right off the bat. We walked around KU (awesome campus) and although Ian was in some shots he refused to look like he enjoyed himself as he hates the Jayhawks (even refused to stand next to a Jayhawk statue) and simply wanted to get back to MO.
While in town we hit Mass Ave for some grub (and entertainment) before heading back for dessert and a movie. It continued to be a great trip, but we all (even Ian) missed Jake. It drizzled rain most of the evening and it made for a nice sleep.
Sunday morning there was a break in the mist so after breakfast we boxed it all up and headed back to Bolivar. Got home (Ian insisted we hit the H1N1 factory outlet which was in full flow of disease spread), popped up the camper to air/dry out and got to work on the lawn.
Later in the afternoon we headed over to some friends' house for a bbq and pool time (for the kids). It's been an ongoing 4th tradition for us and is always a good time. Missed taking some video of Ian getting beat by a girl in a Belly Flop contest; he gave it his best shot, but she was taking the pain every time - solid.
Sunday evening is reserved for the 4th of July festivities at SBU. Tons of friends and family kicking back to food, live music entertainment, and fireworks. This year again didn't disappoint...
My folks crashed at our house (funny to phrase it that way - sort of makes it sound like some college or racing buddies, but you get the gist) Sunday night and Monday morning (market holiday = day off work) we hogged down on a local diner breakfast before they headed off for the day.
Dale, Nate, and I took in a solid 2:45hr ride at noon that included riding 'old Hwy 13' south, which is odd as it was always one-way (north). Took some side roads back home and when you see a sign like in the below picture there is no way to pass it up...
The rest of the day was spent doing a ton of nothing with the crew. Gotta love these kind of weekends/days.
This morning I got out early AM for a 2 x 20min interval session. Muggy even at 6am and I don't see it getting any better. Snuck in some basketball at noon for a 2nd effort session.There is a mtb race this Sunday in SGF and I am on the fence about doing it or not. Haven't been on single track since the clipped wing and not sure a race is the place to 'get back up on the horse again'. Additionally, it's one thing to be hot in a crit for 50 minutes, but hot and muggy in the woods for a couple hours is pretty much unappealing at this point. Will have to see how the weather goes.
TdF has kicked off and is more interesting than usual with the tough wet and cobbles stages early. AC is looking solid, LA not too shabby, and CE is the most impressive thus far with his stellar ride today. Who knows how he will climb, but I am a fan of the Rainbow Jersey. Interested to know why the peloton (specifically Cervelo) allowed Fabian C to bully the group to nullifying sprint points in Stage 2; didn't see him waving the flag for the GC guys when they got caught up in a wreck today - what's the difference?!?!?!? Oh yes, he had HIS GC guy in the break so it was full gas on - totally bogus but bad on Cervelo for not pushing thru anyway. Thor got his revenge today I guess, but could have been way out in front for the green.
No comments:
Post a Comment