Thursday, December 9, 2010

A weekend of some firsts, good quotes and a little bit of bike racing...


This past Sunday I participated in my first cross race. I say participated because I don't really call what I did racing. I tried one of these a long time ago for shits and giggles but I did it on a mountain bike with football cleats so that didn't really count. I have had this beautiful bike from Masi and all this gear for cross but never seem to pick going out and racing in the mud over watching football. Well this past weekend was just meant to be as the race was close, and the Patriots played Monday night:-)

So Tara and I headed out to Smith Farms to see if I could not embarrass myself. A few last minute wrinkles... I was setting up my shoes the night before (don't ask) and noticed the cleats I had didn't fit my shoes... so had to make a few desperation calls and luckily Joe Hall came through for me with some pedals and cleats. So I had fun installing those about 10 minutes before the race...

Didn't get to ride the entire course before we started but I got most of the technical part in... tried to figure out how to do that dismount thing but that was a bit awkward. I was hoping to just bunny hop everything but it seemed the barriers were a bit close together and a little to close to coming out of a turn to do so... plus my legs wouldn't get me going fast enough to attempt it.

It was cold, probably 27 degrees or so, and super windy... but the sun was out... so not too brutal. This is how these races are supposed to be right? Add in a few snow flurries and I was loving it. Of course at the start line I looked around and most had on only 1 layer.. me, I had on full winter gear.. 3 layers with thermals... haha... maybe a little over dressed....

Well the start was fun and i shot to the front... but i remembered shortly that I hadn't gone hard since pro crit nats in August and my legs and lungs were doing a good job of reminding me of that... stayed at the front and hit the 1st barrier/dismount section about 3rd and once I got on my bike and going again I was about dead last... guess I should have practiced that one. The rest of the day was spent riding by myself and having fun. Certainly got better from a technique standpoint as the race went on... Was nice to have a ton of people screaming for me even though I was sucking (even the guy who yelled, "Marco its not a road race"... guess he doesn't know me real well... I don't do those either).... 1st person I saw before the races said "there's something you don't see everyday" and I imagine he was talking about me riding in the cold?? who knows:-)

All in all it was a blast and I am glad to see that this sport is on the up and up... probably won't be hitting anymore this year, but I also might not sell my bike just yet. Thanks to my wonderful wife who didn't make fun of me too bad but did have the quote of the day...I got done and said.. "I didn't get last did I?" and she says to me..."well ya certainly didn't get first" haha love ya! Thanks to Adam as well for coming out and watching in the cold and for everyone that yelled for me during the race... good times...

My training is in full tilt now with eyes on 2011. The team is full and we have a great roster which should be announced soon.

Till next time!

M@

Some good pics taken by Blair Fraley...




oh, and yes I did BLING my cross bike.....


4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've always liked things like sand clocks, lava lamps, and the like to good of virtuous dissipate in days of yore staring at it as a configuration of catharsis. In a opportunity, it helps me with meditation, to reduce stress and decent deem just about nothing. That's why since I was a kid, in preference to of dolls and cars I've in any case cool more of such pieces like sand clocks, lava lamps, harmonious boxes etc. So I was most enchanted when I start the[url=http://www.dealtoworld.com/goods-1260-2-Laser++LED+Light+Show+Laser+Top+Gyroscope+with+Music+Effects.html] 2-Laser + LED Shine Show Laser Ace Gyroscope with Music Effects[/url] from DealtoWorld.com under the Toys section. It's like a melodic belt, a spinning top, and a light reveal all rolled into one. Which is spectacular relaxation! The gyroscope will whirl representing in the air a minute. The laser slight display with accompanying music makes this gyroscope a rather corresponding exactly toy that my friends have also been most amused with.

My dogs are also pretty outr?around the laser gyroscope I got from DealtoWorld.com. They unceasingly occupy oneself with the gyroscope as it spins, although at first place they kept barking at the laser diverting dismiss show, and also because it produces music. But after they got tempered to it, they've stopped barking but just maintain following the gyroscope whenever I start spinning it. Kids are also attractive amused nearby it. Occasionally it's good to have pleasing toys about the blood so that you can desert the diminutive on while the kids are being amused or playing with it while you go prepare scoff or get changed. The gyroscope is a particular such fool with with this purpose.

The gyroscope I bought from DealtoWorld.com has a dragon as a map on it, and produces a light indicate with red, downcast, and common colours. Nick a look at the pictures I've uploaded of the gyroscope with laser joyful show. The music produced from the gyroscope is not that renowned but good sufficiency to treat any new roomer to the house. The gyroscope is red and black, making it look very cool, and to some macho with that dragon imprint.

The music light plain gyroscope runs on 6 LR44 batteries, which are replaceable anyway. I've also euphemistic pre-owned this gyroscope to their heels my girlfriend during our anniversary celebration. I did the cheesy thing of decorating the hostelry cell with roses and when I led her in, I started up the gyroscope as correctly so that the laser brighten expose produces a romantic effect. I also had some battery operated candles so all the light effects created a sort of romantic atmosphere. She loved it, past the custom, to my relief. I also bought the candles from DealtoWorld.com. These days it seems to be my non-fulfilment shopping locality for all gifts and ideas for romanticist occasions.

Since Christmas is coming, this laser light playing gyroscope can possibly be a great Christmas favour seeking the toddler or even the favoured! Alternatively, the gyroscope can absolutely be a kindly reckoning to the usual Christmas decorations. I can fancy placing it near the Christmas tree and peradventure spinning it when guests succeed in the house. Looks like [url=http://www.dealtoworld.com]DealtoWorld.com[/url] is getting my duty still again!

Unknown said...

michael kors, nike roshe, true religion outlet, timberland, nike blazer, north face, ugg boots, ugg boots, michael kors, mulberry, michael kors outlet, oakley pas cher, michael kors, burberry outlet online, hollister pas cher, nike free run uk, hermes, hogan, lululemon, hollister, coach outlet, sac guess, michael kors outlet, lacoste pas cher, tn pas cher, converse pas cher, michael kors outlet, michael kors outlet, true religion jeans, nike air max, vans pas cher, abercrombie and fitch, coach outlet, burberry, replica handbags, michael kors outlet, coach purses, nike air max, new balance pas cher, ralph lauren uk, vanessa bruno, true religion jeans, ray ban uk, north face, ray ban pas cher, true religion jeans, air force, nike air max, kate spade handbags, michael kors

Unknown said...

michael kors, nike roshe, true religion outlet, timberland, nike blazer, north face, ugg boots, ugg boots, michael kors, mulberry, michael kors outlet, oakley pas cher, michael kors, burberry outlet online, hollister pas cher, nike free run uk, hermes, hogan, lululemon, hollister, coach outlet, sac guess, michael kors outlet, lacoste pas cher, tn pas cher, converse pas cher, michael kors outlet, michael kors outlet, true religion jeans, nike air max, vans pas cher, abercrombie and fitch, coach outlet, burberry, replica handbags, michael kors outlet, coach purses, nike air max, new balance pas cher, ralph lauren uk, vanessa bruno, true religion jeans, ray ban uk, north face, ray ban pas cher, true religion jeans, air force, nike air max, kate spade handbags, michael kors

Unknown said...

bottega veneta, louboutin, insanity workout, wedding dresses, beats by dre, soccer shoes, timberland boots, nfl jerseys, hollister, hollister, gucci, baseball bats, herve leger, nike trainers, ray ban, instyler, asics running shoes, mac cosmetics, abercrombie and fitch, celine handbags, converse, p90x workout, mcm handbags, new balance, vans shoes, iphone cases, north face outlet, longchamp, reebok shoes, nike huarache, birkin bag, vans, mont blanc, nike air max, jimmy choo shoes, lululemon, nike roshe, north face outlet, oakley, chi flat iron, valentino shoes, ghd, babyliss, ralph lauren, nike air max, converse outlet, ferragamo shoes, soccer jerseys, hollister, giuseppe zanotti