TrekCXC Cup - Put it on your calendar!

This past weekend Deb and I headed north to Wisconsin for the TrekCXC Cup in Waterloo.  Was looking forward to several things on this trip 1)hanging out with my best friend, 2) seeing the MWI crew, and 3) competing at a national level event. 

Averaged 34.5mpg for the up and back trip.  Ford Focus + Kuat NV is a setup I am loving

 

Left Thursday evening, slept over is STL, and arrived at the venue around 3pm Friday afternoon.  Didn't know what to expect from the first year course/event, but during the pre-ride I immediately knew we were in for a quality production.  Course was more geared toward 'driving' with little open/power areas, just tons of turning and accelerations to the next turn.  Had a couple up and down sections that challenged everyone and added to the fun of the course.  Little bumpy in sections but not any worse than I've seen from established courses. 

Saturday morning and the MWI boys (and girls) start showing up.  Paul was in my race so spent some quality time catching up with him and later Ross showed up to run support in the pits (awesome); caught up with The Boss (Mike) who was pretty relaxed considering he is running the Rapha-Focus team these days.  Always fun to have him show the latest and greatest stuff out - my favorite is the Dugast Small Birds (check them out - on my wish list).

Due to my Cat 1 status (at registration that is) I was on the front row for the Masters 45+ race.  Quick start and after two laps I was still in the top 5, then reality settled in and folks started passing me (or was it I was passing them backwards).  Was able to put together a couple good finishing laps and snagged 10th.  Felt good about that considering the field and my fitness.

Lot of good laughter and guys on the start line

 

Saturday evening Deb and I kicked back and did a huge bunch of nothing which doesn't sound like much, but when you have three boys NOTHING is the best!



Day two was pretty much the same course with just a couple slight changes (nothing significant).  Decent start and into the mix.  Felt like I raced better than day 1, but also the field seemed to move much faster.  Bike driving was good while accelerating and top end are getting better with every race.  By the end I finished 13th, but the difference of being 6th or 7th was a mere 20 seconds.  I could see (even taste) them the last two laps just right there, but every time I closed to them on a technical section they was gap me on a open/power part.  Good racing on a tough (but fun) course and like I said it is getting better and better with every start.  Really looking forward to seeing the progress come October and on...

Up next is local (2hr drive for us is local) event in KC - Manion's.  Not sure if I'll do both days or just Saturday. 

The latest MWI product for sale on our team website are these (pretty cool):



 

During the weekdays now are mad dashes to get house projects done since I will rarely see it on the weekends until mid-December.  This week's project was getting weed killer down for the fall.  My father-in-law has a sweet sprayer setup on an ATV so I was able to knock it down in two days.  In two weeks I'll plug and slice and top off with an over seed. 

 

Last week our house (actually the buried dog fence) was struck by lightening which literally melted the fence wiring, blew apart the GFI, knocked out a couple electrical devices inside, killed the garage door sensors, and...  Never had this happen before and luckily nothing of significance was destroyed/too damaged.  That being said, add a handful of projects back to the list.

 

To quote JayZ "I have 99 projects, but the ditch ain't one" (something like that right?).  Love the panorama on the iPhone

 

Front and back

Entry walk way

Kitchen combined breakfast nook

Formal dining, entry, and (eventually) a casual reading/library area

Dogfish Hermann 'Cross

 

And so it has started...

Drove up to Hermann with Dale and Nate late-morning and upon arrival set up our mini compound (nothing like the northern MWI boys and girls do it) on the course.  Between Dale's trailer and the always appreciated support from KUAT (supplied canopy) it was a solid home for the next two days.

Side note:  Check out the new ...kuat.. TRIO and the much anticipated Vagabond Skinny (releasing soon).  Quality products from quality folks

 

 

Had plenty of time to pre-ride the course and it was a typical setup for Hermann with lots of twists, stairs (although not to the top this year) and plenty of open area for full throttle suffering.  Caught up with several folks I hadn't seen in some time which was great.

 

Nate had the first race of our group and placed really well in the 4/5 event (I think top 10).  Dale was up next in the Masters 50+ and had a great showing in a fast field.

 

Finally it was time for the Open race (start time 9pm under the lights).  Think there were 40 or so starters in a fast field.  I was anxious to see how my legs/lungs would go since it had been a while since in a race situation, but I found myself simply excited to finally be back on a start line since missing the majority of last year.  I was smiling ear to ear... until the start and it quickly turned to the 'pain face'!  Had a decent start but as the race went on I had no zip/punch in the legs to go with folks when the pace was increased (especially in the open fields).  I was driving pretty good and the Blue with Clement MXPs were spot on, just no pop.  Finished 18th and considering I felt pretty flat I was decently satisfied. 

 

After some chow and conversation it was lights out.

 

Sunday I decided to switch up to the Masters 40+ as it started 2 hrs before the Open and that would get all of us home much earlier. 

 

Nate was first again in the 4/5 and finished top 10 again.  Dale raced at the same time as I so I didn't get to cheer him on until it was over.

 

Small field in the 40+ with a great group of guys.  From the onset I knew I had pretty good race legs so after jumping to a gap after the first lap I settled in with the lead group until 5 laps to go (20-23 minutes).  I put in a good effort quickly building a decent gap which I held to the finish.  Felt like I raced Sunday and rode around on Saturday.

 

Packed up, gave Jeff and crew props and headed home.  SO FREAKING GLAD TO BE BACK RACING 'CROSS!!!!

 

 

Deb and I head out Thursday evening for Waterloo, WI (Madison area) for two days of TrekCXC.  Looking forward to seeing most of the MWI crew and racing a new venue/course.



'Cross-mas Eve 2013-14...

June was the last entry and it seems like just yesterday.  The summer was a vapor between buying a new place, moving, upgrading/maintenance, vacation, and the boys' games... oh, and somewhere in there get in some training.

The house:  All the major upgrades are done and now there are a handful of minor stuff (landscaping, clearing the undergrowth in the woods...), but these have no timeline so we are actually starting to LIVE in the house instead of WORKING in it.  Great space for the boys and Jake's college friends downstairs for being loud and active, loving my bike room with adjoining shower/bathroom, the main floor looks and is functionally great, and with the cooler temps and less bugs ready to break in the deck.  The full court basketball is nice as this summer we hosted Sunday Night Dunk Ball (lowered the goals to 9') and routinely had 15+ guys playing late into the night.

Main floor living room



Fully lit court in the backyard has been great

Basement area for the kids

The boys:  Jake is knocking out his Junior year at SBU and is doing great with a heavy math load.  He makes his way over to the house often which is always nice.  Ian is in the middle of soccer in SGF and that is going well along with his 7th grade classes.  He physically really stretched out lately.  Darion is also in soccer and going great in 2nd grade.  All of them are loving the new house and their new dog (Clohie), who is my morning running partner.



Intro to Rootbeer Float

Promised the boys a dog when we moved so here she is

Jake and his friend Marisa

Deb:  After a super busy move she has got the house looking awesome and totally functional.  She is ready to settle in and start living in the new place. 


Training/Racing:  Racing this summer leading into 'cross was pretty much non-existent, but training (when not recovering from a wreck) is going pretty well.  Form was coming pretty good then three weeks ago I smashed into a tree while mtb'ing and had to take over a week totally off while letting the internal damage drain (knee blew up huge and totally colored black). 



This is my quad/hip flexer immediately after impact with tree; that's not road/trail rash its straight impact

So got back on the bike and headed to Gateway Cup for Sunday and Monday crit racing to put a little speed in the noodles, but 15 minutes in the first race guy dumps right in front and I had nowhere to go except straight into him...  Hip/butt, shoulder, and leg with swelling and tons of rash; that sucked!  So a handful days off again letting the body heal and what do you know, it's time to Hermann Cross and my intensity is way behind.  Oh well, nothing like the 'Tilford' approach of racing yourself into race shape. 

That's me hanging on the fence trying to figure out what happened

Think the biggest disappointment was the mutilation of the San Remo suit...

So now it's Friday afternoon and bikes are dialed in and ready for a couple days at Jeff Yieldings Dogfish Hermann Cross.  This year I am skipping the masters and putting on the big boy pants in the open event. 

After missing last season (except four races) I am so ready to get back in the mix.  No idea how it will go, but after last year results don't matter near as much as just being part of the best time of year - 'cross season.



Beautiful Site

Riding Blues again this year with SRAM drivetrain and Clement rubber

Never know where the jackalope will show up

 

 

True to the secondary title; we've been busy

Been a bit since an update so here it is in a nutshell:

Training/Racing - Training has been great, but racing has been pretty non-exsistant.  Frustrating from time to time, but so much actual life is going on that hobby stuff needs a backseat for just a bit.  Afterall, it's not fall/winter so is anyone really that focused on racing... (Ha!)

Family Stuff:  Took the crew to Disney and as exhausting as it was we had a blast.  Deb and I have taken our boys when they are 7 years old and it was Darion's turn.  Fun having all the boys together as the older one's really had fun seeing it all again through the eyes of youth.  Deb lined us up staying at a Disney resort and it was seamless; highly recommend it. 



SWA let D snag the pilot seat (after we landed); pretty cool!

 

 

Back up a couple weeks before Disney and we sold our house (closing on June 28th) so since we hadn't really looked around much the clock was ticking to find a new casa.  God's hand was 100% over this as we quickly found a house that is tailor made for us (also closing on June 28th).  So every evening we pack up a couple of boxes and it seems we are knocking it out pretty fast.  The new place is only four or five blocks from our current place but lots more room for everyone and even has a lighted full court basketball setup in the back yard (and an awesome treehouse in the woods.  Everyone is excited and looking forward to the move.



New Jones dwellings come June 28th



Sits pretty deep in the backyard and is huge (and came with lights)

Darion finished up school and ended with high academic marks and is playing baseball on a local team.  June 7th was his 2 year 'gotcha day' for all of us; couldn't imagine not having him as my son.

Ian finished up 6th grade and knocked out another year of straight A's (also received some cool awards from peers and teachers).  He is knee deep in school basketball open gyms and camps.

Jake completed his sophomore year at SBU and is focused on teaching math at the jr high and sr high levels.  He is working and hanging out this summer enjoying life away from the books

Deb is Deb = awesome.

So maybe heading to O'fallen, IL this weekend for a couple days of racing and hopefully Tour of KC, but as it goes every spring and summer for me who knows...

Finally Pinned on a Number...

Ok, so in mtb'ing it's more like zip tying a number (and a new sticker/tracker thing to your helmet), but you get what I'm saying.

Sunday was the Feel the Burn endurance mtb race in Warsaw and even though the trails are a bit rough it's hard to pass up on of Mac and Truman Bike's events as they put their heart and souls in to every one of them. 

Training/riding has been going pretty good and after two different 2hr sessions at Sac I figured it was time to see what the 'ol back could handle.  David Evans, Bolivar-ite, jumped in with me for the race.

Arrived to see the Cat 1 field nicely loaded with Dan Miller, Garrett S, JP, and Drew for their 52 mile go of it.  I, being of sound mind and no legs for that distance jumped in the SS class for 39 miles (much more doable).  Lined up and found I was the only SS'er (in the class) so starting 5 minutes behind the Cat 2's made for a fun day of seeing how many I could run down over the next 3.5hrs.

Things went pretty well for the three laps (13 miles each) and actually felt better with each as the race progressed and my back felt absolutely great.  I think there was one Cat 2 that I didn't catch, but not really sure as David and I hooked it home right after we finished.

(Knock on wood) I really feel back to 100% and now can relax and kick back on racing road stuff as I plan a full 'cross season ahead.  So many smiles during the day as it was great to be back in competition and Feeling the Burn (get it, the name of the race...).  That was the first race since USGP Madison back in Sept '12.

Mac and I shared the SS podium since there were no others

 

***thanks to Jolie Vorce for the great pics***

Up next is Jeff Yielding's Hermann Gravel 2-day'er this weekend.  Taking Deb with me so I plan to ride 66 miles (of the 100) on Saturday and 50 miles (of the 100) on Sunday so she and I can have plenty of time to explore Hermann.  After that it's a local one (OMBA) at Sac put on by the Mercy-Kuat guys the following Sunday.

Homefront wise all is going well and the crew is getting excited for spring weather, which means most of our evenings spend kicking a soccer ball or taking BP (batting practice) in the backyard. 

Season Wrap and Season Beginnings

So Ian's basketball team (I coach) wrapped up their winter season over this past weekend winning another tournament championship.  Played with six boys for three games and five for one (four in total) so by the end they were super tired.  I love these boys on and off the court and each has super supportive/encouraging parents which make my job easier.  So the season went 34-8 including five tournament championships and one league championship at The Courts.  I am ready for a break from coaching as we have been getting after it for the past six months.

Played with a skeleton crew

Ian is taking a couple months off before hitting the hardwood again for a summer session of games with his school team in June and then hopefully back with the Warriors for a handful of late summer tourneys. 

Speaking of Ian he turned 12 last week and I did a little into to sushi and I'm pretty sure he's a fan (as long as we don't go too exotic).  This week for spring break he's going to the STL area with his church youth group to do mission work in a couple different shelters.

 

 

For the past couple months Darion has worked out at a local gymnastics program and he is loving it.  His instructor is great with kids and there are only three other boys in his group so there is tons of one-on-one time.  He loves going every week.

 

 

On the training front last week two things took place which has me encouraged about jumping back into 'cross this fall: 1) got on the mtb on single track for the first time since my injury and the body responded great with no structural weaknesses.  Now, my handling skills were a total wreck but that is easily fixed... 2) played basketball (at an intense pace) for an hour on Friday and felt 95% solid.  That was the biggest 'iffy' thing as if I can get off-the-bike dynamic movements back then 'cross is doable.  This all is encouraging and lets me just goof around getting base and handling stuff down this spring/early summer instead of focusing on just racing the road stuff.

 

Crazy nice last week as the temps almost hit 80*, but back to a little cool down this week again.  I checked out the forecast for the NW Arkansas Classic RR this weekend and it has it at 38* and snowing; might rethink this...

Getting Back in the Flow

Started back riding road and gravel the last week of January and surprisingly the legs and fitness are starting to come around.  Back is still a bugger, but not near as significant as it was.  Getting plenty of riding and maybe in a month or so I'll partake in some road racing.  Really missing the mtb'ing we did last winter (dry enough it was rideable a ton), but am holding off until April before I throw my back into it.  Core work has been high on priority and it seems to be holding everything together.  Hoping to race 'cross this fall, but we'll see how that goes as it nears.  Plenty of road/crit racing on the calendar to somewhat keep my interest (but it just ain't 'cross).

On the home front all is good.  Jake keeps knocking out college stuff, Ian is wrapping up our winter campaign on the hardwood, and Darion is doing awesome settling in more and more in the security that he has a forever family.

Last weekend Champs; played with only six kids and by the end they were dead tired

This is more like the crew I know...