OmniBlog

Yeah, I am still toying with the idea of racing X at Jackson Park this week-end. Not real sure. I have great form, but I have been fighting a cold or allergies the last couple of days. Definitely makes me feel tired and ready to take a rest before starting training for next season. The Pro 1,2 was good, I was a little bit shy of the power I needed. That ABD guy (John Meyers) that was out with us on Turin last week was obviously on form so I tried to go with him in an early break. I could tell I was in a bit of trouble out there with him though and couldn’t commit to it so early in the race for fear of riding myself right out the back. I spotted his teammate going on the attack and tried to get Scott to cover (as Ryan Freund was the only guy that could challenge him on the IL pts overall). Unfortunately he let it go thinking it would come back and that ended up being the winning break. I tried to get the pack to chase a bit and wound up off on a break again on the 4th or 5th lap to no avail. Then on the last lap Scott went up the road solo, so I just dropped back and sat on Puffer waiting for the finishing sprint. John Meyers went up the road with about four guys, but we caught them back right on the bottom of the finishing climb. After that though it sat up as everyone prepared for the sprint and started watching to see who would jump first. I didn’t get a very good jump, but managed to come around one last guy right at the line to finish 20th (in the money). If they race there again next year, I might use my sew ups instead as they spin up a bit faster for a sprint (especially on a climb like that).

Had a great time hosting my old (& new) teammates for Superweek and Elk Grove. Luckily (for Sabrina), we did not wind up having more than 2 guys at a time. We both enjoyed having these young turks around and it motivated me for the rest of the season.

We had a nice vacation up to the north woods on one of Minnesota’s fantastic lakes. The weather could have cooperated a bit more, but all in all it was a great time.

This has made the transition back to work all the more difficult. The malaise has been eased a bit by being in the midst of the cycling season. Locally here we have the Superweek races under way. And of course I am getting my daily dosage of Tour de France coverage. It’s been an entertaining spectacle as always no matter what the results. I am starting to find a bit of form myself, and coupled with my joining a new team locally I am motivated to better prepare for next season. Hopefully the weather will be a bit better next spring than it has been for the last two years. I will be racing the Chicago criterium this week-end and hope to improve on my ride from last week-end here in Evanston. I’m sure that the field will be just as strong, but I feel pretty good.