Friends,So in the day and age of non stop media coverage on everything from what Paris Hilton had for breakfast to who's the latest crook on Wall Street, I have to stop and think about what I think about the Candidates to be my next President.
After spending a lot of time thinking about it, I have chosen to vote for Obama. I can't say that I am overwhelmingly excited by this choice, but I believe it to be the right one considering the alternative.
This is the first time in my adult life where I have made my preference known in such a fashion and encouraged my friends to vote as I do. I respect all of your opinions, but hope that common sense rules in the end.
It's a free Country and you will all vote as you see fit, I just ask that you get away from the sound bites, stop listening to the talking heads and think for yourselves.
I think...
I think that John McCain was an honorable soldier in a time of war
I think that alone does not qualify him to run this Country
I think that Barack Obama is a smart man, with an impressive educational resume
I think that alone does not qualify him to run this Country
I think that our choices for the next President are marginal at best and do not reflect the needs of the Country
I think that our current crop of Politicians (Republicans and Democrtats alike) are "me first" types, who have oversold their allegiances to special interest groups and lobbyists and are only concerned about their constituents durning election times
I think the average American has almost nothing in common with our elected Political leaders (Financially, or otherwise)
I think the divide between the average American and our elected political leaders is greater now than ever before
I think that American's don't know what to do about that and have become apathetic
I think that our best possible leaders are not interested in the job of President, primarily due to the politicians in office today and the level of corruption and special interest ties that go along with the job
I think that if Americans could have drafted any two Americans (Politicians, or otherwise) to run for the office of President, neither McCain, nor Obama would have been on that list
I think that tells the story of what is happening in Washington, DC
I think that John McCain has long since forgotten what it is like to be an Average American
I think that John McCain's choice of Sarah Palin as his VP candidate was reckless and politically motivated and presents a clear and present danger to the United States of America
I think if you disagree with this, you are lying to yourself
I think that that the people who support Sarah Palin are doing so only because of blind loyalty to the Republican Party
I think that if Sarah Palin were to have run for President, on the Republican ticket, she wouldn't have made it out of the Primaries
I think her supporters should consider this
I think it is nice to be "plucky", and "Spunky" and a "girl next door" type
I think none of these traits qualifies one to ascend to the most powerful office in the free world
I think that if John McCain were to die in office, thus elevating Sarh Palin to the office of President, America would be in grave danger
I think, based upon personal and family medical history, there is a better than average chance of this happening
I think we cannot take this chance
I think this fact alone, no matter what else you think of him, disqualifies John McCain to become our next President
I think that too many people are allowing racism to determine their vote for President
I think that too many people can't get past the name Hussein and the color of the skin
I think that Barack Obama would need a very skilled cabinet to become a succesful President
I think of the two candidates, he has the best chance to do so
I think that neither of the candidates will bring real "change"
I think that we hear the same empty promises every 4 years
I think that we never demand accountability for these promises
I think that we have ourselves to blame for this
I think that we should expect better from our elected officials
I think a crisis of confidence, not finance, is the biggest threat to America
I think we are forced to vote the lesser of two evils when deciding on the next President of the United States of America
I think that is a sad thing to think
I think that I worry for our children's future
Best,Liam
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
The Old Man and the Fish (In Reverse)
This past weekend my Gorgeous Fiance (GF), Jack and I went to camp to visit my 'rents. The plan was to chill, ski, tube and best of all (according to Jack) have Grammy teach Jack to fish.
In brief, every goal was attained...we Ski'ed, Tubed and best of all Gramm tought Jack how to fish (she even got him his own fishing rod and everything).
They say a picture says a thousand words, well this Video says a million.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ydx2zewpj0
Yep, he was pretty excited. I was pretty excited. Grammy was pretty excited...we were all pretty excited. Except for the fish. I was hoping for a catch and release type thing. My Dad even filed down the barb on the hook, so it wouldn't be too difficult to remove after the catch.
Well, the dumb fish goes and swallows the thing almost whole. Long story short, it took a pair of needle nose plyers and a bit of umph to remove it (and there may have been some "collateral damage" during the extraction). I was still determined to set the fish free, so I tossed him back into the shallow water..at which point one of the dogs at camp IMMEDIATELY dove in after him and much to my dismay (as well as the fish's I would guess) RETRIEVED the fish and brought him back to shore in his mouth.
So, after removing the less than enthusiastic fish from the Jaws of this huge dog, I created a diversion (threw a rock to the right of me) and tossed the fish back into the water...where he promptly sank like a stone.
I'm sure he's fine though...just swim it off man!
The Fish's story:
"Wow, what a lovely day..swimming around..think I'll go get breakfast..Hey look, a WORM.
HEY, WHAT THE $@!# "
In brief, every goal was attained...we Ski'ed, Tubed and best of all Gramm tought Jack how to fish (she even got him his own fishing rod and everything).
They say a picture says a thousand words, well this Video says a million.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ydx2zewpj0
Yep, he was pretty excited. I was pretty excited. Grammy was pretty excited...we were all pretty excited. Except for the fish. I was hoping for a catch and release type thing. My Dad even filed down the barb on the hook, so it wouldn't be too difficult to remove after the catch.
Well, the dumb fish goes and swallows the thing almost whole. Long story short, it took a pair of needle nose plyers and a bit of umph to remove it (and there may have been some "collateral damage" during the extraction). I was still determined to set the fish free, so I tossed him back into the shallow water..at which point one of the dogs at camp IMMEDIATELY dove in after him and much to my dismay (as well as the fish's I would guess) RETRIEVED the fish and brought him back to shore in his mouth.
So, after removing the less than enthusiastic fish from the Jaws of this huge dog, I created a diversion (threw a rock to the right of me) and tossed the fish back into the water...where he promptly sank like a stone.
I'm sure he's fine though...just swim it off man!
The Fish's story:
"Wow, what a lovely day..swimming around..think I'll go get breakfast..Hey look, a WORM.
HEY, WHAT THE $@!# "
Friday, May 16, 2008
Oil and Gas...Thanks Prez!
Ok, for full disclosure let it be known I have no formal education in the following fields:
1. Oil production and refinement
2. Energy conservation
3. Being a rich Texas oilman who rode his families coat tail to the most important "elected" office in the free World.
So, the Prez would have us believe that he's concerned about the rising prices of gasoline due to the artificial "shortages" created by our "friends" in the Middle East..HELLO SAUDI ARABIA.
So nice to see Saudi Arabia tell us to basically go felate ourselves, that they are NOT going to ramp up output of crude to aleviate the shortages, because "Demand is not there from the buyers". WELL DUH!!! I am guessing that Exxon / Mobil are happy as a man with a bag of hundreds in a whorehouse right about now. WHY on Earth would they want to have production increased??? Check out the RECORD profits they are posting for a second straight year..CHA-CHING!!!
I'm sure, as his buddies at Exxon are cashing in RECORD profits, the Prez is really feeling the "bite" like the rest of us. I can see he's really going out on a limb with the Saudi's and DEMANDING they at least match their STANDARD output.
Nope, he just slinks back home and acts like he tried...BULLSHIT!!! I guess the F'N Saudi's have a serious short term memory crisis about who saved their royal asses when Saddam came calling. Here's hoping that some new maniacal dictator takes a decent foothold in their region and decides to kick some Saudi Ass! can't wait to tell them we'd love to help, but we can't afford to put GAS IN OUR JETS!!!
I am not sure what us average citizens can do to stick it to the Oil Companies, but I f0r one am going to try and do SOMETHING. I'll carpool whenever possible, Ride my bike as much as possible and will only be filling up $20 at a time.
I urge each of you to do any small thing you can think of to NOT support the gas barrons who are robbing the people of this country blind.
ps. I don't want to hear the 'ol, "well people in europe have paid $5 a gallon for a long time" line either. If I gave a shit what people in Eurpoe did or did not do, then I'd move to Europe.
Screw the Oil Companies, Screw Bush and SCREW the SAUDI'S!!!
1. Oil production and refinement
2. Energy conservation
3. Being a rich Texas oilman who rode his families coat tail to the most important "elected" office in the free World.
So, the Prez would have us believe that he's concerned about the rising prices of gasoline due to the artificial "shortages" created by our "friends" in the Middle East..HELLO SAUDI ARABIA.
So nice to see Saudi Arabia tell us to basically go felate ourselves, that they are NOT going to ramp up output of crude to aleviate the shortages, because "Demand is not there from the buyers". WELL DUH!!! I am guessing that Exxon / Mobil are happy as a man with a bag of hundreds in a whorehouse right about now. WHY on Earth would they want to have production increased??? Check out the RECORD profits they are posting for a second straight year..CHA-CHING!!!
I'm sure, as his buddies at Exxon are cashing in RECORD profits, the Prez is really feeling the "bite" like the rest of us. I can see he's really going out on a limb with the Saudi's and DEMANDING they at least match their STANDARD output.
Nope, he just slinks back home and acts like he tried...BULLSHIT!!! I guess the F'N Saudi's have a serious short term memory crisis about who saved their royal asses when Saddam came calling. Here's hoping that some new maniacal dictator takes a decent foothold in their region and decides to kick some Saudi Ass! can't wait to tell them we'd love to help, but we can't afford to put GAS IN OUR JETS!!!
I am not sure what us average citizens can do to stick it to the Oil Companies, but I f0r one am going to try and do SOMETHING. I'll carpool whenever possible, Ride my bike as much as possible and will only be filling up $20 at a time.
I urge each of you to do any small thing you can think of to NOT support the gas barrons who are robbing the people of this country blind.
ps. I don't want to hear the 'ol, "well people in europe have paid $5 a gallon for a long time" line either. If I gave a shit what people in Eurpoe did or did not do, then I'd move to Europe.
Screw the Oil Companies, Screw Bush and SCREW the SAUDI'S!!!
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Thin TP People??? WHY?
Ok, I have never understood the phenomenon of people who buy cheap toilet paper. When I am shopping for TP, I look for something that could double as a pillow/ blanket in a pinch. I want something that has some consistency, thickness and softness that would make a sheep envious.
In a feat of engineering marveldom, I can obtain this magic material, by the ROLL, at any neighborhood grocery store for less than you'd spend on a Big Mac and fries. And I litterally get YARDS of the stuff...YARDS!! Rolls and Rolls...enough to last a MONTH. At a cost that's definitely NOT going to break the bank (or even the roll of quarters I have in my pocket for Laundry)
Yet every once in a while you go to someones house and they have TP that's so thin you can read through it. WHY?? How much could you possibly save by doing this?? Maybe $10..IN A LIFETIME!!! Is that worth it???
Also, what these cheap TP people fail to realize is that what takes 2-4 SQUARES of regular TP to accomplish, takes approx. 112 FEET of their cheap-O TP to do. So effectively it's more EXPENSIVE to use the cheap stuff.
Do these people actually use a single square of this craptastic paper product? If so, I think I have shaken my last "Cheap TP owning person's" hand. When they blow their noses and their TP disintegrates, don't they get grossed out?? How can someone rationally use this stuff more than once and still continue to buy it, just to save a few pennies versus a regular TP?
Frankly, I want something that keeps my appendages as far away from stuff that TP is designed to handle as possible. I am not taking ANY chances!!! PERIOD! And it's not like I have to dip into my Son's college fund to buy it.
Do you think these cheap TP people go into someones home, that uses regular TP and thinks to themselves "Ooooh, Mr. Fancy Pants thinks he's soooo rich he can use regular TP"? I just don't get it. There is NO good reason..NONE...NEVER!
Bottom line, life is too short to buy cheap TP!
In a feat of engineering marveldom, I can obtain this magic material, by the ROLL, at any neighborhood grocery store for less than you'd spend on a Big Mac and fries. And I litterally get YARDS of the stuff...YARDS!! Rolls and Rolls...enough to last a MONTH. At a cost that's definitely NOT going to break the bank (or even the roll of quarters I have in my pocket for Laundry)
Yet every once in a while you go to someones house and they have TP that's so thin you can read through it. WHY?? How much could you possibly save by doing this?? Maybe $10..IN A LIFETIME!!! Is that worth it???
Also, what these cheap TP people fail to realize is that what takes 2-4 SQUARES of regular TP to accomplish, takes approx. 112 FEET of their cheap-O TP to do. So effectively it's more EXPENSIVE to use the cheap stuff.
Do these people actually use a single square of this craptastic paper product? If so, I think I have shaken my last "Cheap TP owning person's" hand. When they blow their noses and their TP disintegrates, don't they get grossed out?? How can someone rationally use this stuff more than once and still continue to buy it, just to save a few pennies versus a regular TP?
Frankly, I want something that keeps my appendages as far away from stuff that TP is designed to handle as possible. I am not taking ANY chances!!! PERIOD! And it's not like I have to dip into my Son's college fund to buy it.
Do you think these cheap TP people go into someones home, that uses regular TP and thinks to themselves "Ooooh, Mr. Fancy Pants thinks he's soooo rich he can use regular TP"? I just don't get it. There is NO good reason..NONE...NEVER!
Bottom line, life is too short to buy cheap TP!
Friday, April 18, 2008
Who needs "Social Security"?
ok, so Summer is upon us and as such I am more and more drawn to wanting to spend my days outside. Every year I have the same thoughts..."why do we waste the best years of our lives working, then retire at 65-ish and stop working???"
This seems so counter intuitive. Let me ask you, would you rather have from 25-45 off and then work from 45 until you die, or would you rather work like a dog during your prime and then retire to a life of "liesure" spent worrying about things like "gee, my hip hurts" or "what's this little blue pill do again? oh well, better take 2 to be safe".
What in God's name am I going to do with myself at 65 anyway. Chances are EXTREMELY good that I'll be in no condition physically, or mentally, to make sure I put clean undies & matching socks on each day, much less get on out there and whoop it up, freed from the shackles of work. Truthfully, at that age isn't it better to have someone guiding my daily activities, as opposed to letting me make my own decsions? I mean really, I can hardly be trusted to make good decisions NOW, it's not going to get any better in 25 years..TRUST ME!
This would also solve one of the gravest ills that plagues our country...namely the vast sea of Winnebagoes that clog the countries roadways from May to September. Think about a highway free of the blue hair sect and their oversized homes on wheels (doing a cool 47.5 mph on RT 95). Just smooooth sailing wherever you chose to roam, while granny and gramps are safely secured at the Ford Motor Plant 16 hours a day earning enough to pay for their dentu-creme and Depends. PERFECT, everyone wins!
I personally would have signed up for this in a nano-second if offered at 25 and even at my advanced age of 35+ (settle down you youthful Bastards!) would probably still jump on it now (for my remaining +/- years before I hit 45).
Can't we get this on a ballot somewhere?
This seems so counter intuitive. Let me ask you, would you rather have from 25-45 off and then work from 45 until you die, or would you rather work like a dog during your prime and then retire to a life of "liesure" spent worrying about things like "gee, my hip hurts" or "what's this little blue pill do again? oh well, better take 2 to be safe".
What in God's name am I going to do with myself at 65 anyway. Chances are EXTREMELY good that I'll be in no condition physically, or mentally, to make sure I put clean undies & matching socks on each day, much less get on out there and whoop it up, freed from the shackles of work. Truthfully, at that age isn't it better to have someone guiding my daily activities, as opposed to letting me make my own decsions? I mean really, I can hardly be trusted to make good decisions NOW, it's not going to get any better in 25 years..TRUST ME!
This would also solve one of the gravest ills that plagues our country...namely the vast sea of Winnebagoes that clog the countries roadways from May to September. Think about a highway free of the blue hair sect and their oversized homes on wheels (doing a cool 47.5 mph on RT 95). Just smooooth sailing wherever you chose to roam, while granny and gramps are safely secured at the Ford Motor Plant 16 hours a day earning enough to pay for their dentu-creme and Depends. PERFECT, everyone wins!
I personally would have signed up for this in a nano-second if offered at 25 and even at my advanced age of 35+ (settle down you youthful Bastards!) would probably still jump on it now (for my remaining +/- years before I hit 45).
Can't we get this on a ballot somewhere?
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
The CAT...the Damned CAT!!
Ok, I love my fiance...let that be known. I love her and accept all that she brings to our relationship (which is 99.99% good stuff).
Here's where we discuss the remaining .01%...the CAT.
Actually my lovely Fiance brought TWO cats into our union, one is pure crazy and would take far too many words to describe, the other is a sweet little puff ball, that looks like she may have eaten an entire 10lb bag of tender vittles for breakfast, while chasing it with a 20lb bag of tender vittles. She ain't "slim".
This little bundle of joy's name is "Gert". I can only describe Gert as the "Tara Reid" of the Cat family. She has a "Smokers Meow" that would make Tara proud, displays a stupendously overextended belly that barely clears the floor and always looks like she just rolled out of her cat bed after a three day bender with Flava Flav and a baggie of cat nip. Gotta love her!
I like Gert best because she has the loveable attribute of being the "Cat that we never see". She is usually invisible except for the following occasions:
1. When she is tossing Jack's foam baseball down the stairs, carying it back up (while mewling) and repeating. This activity provides her hours of enjoyment and typically starts at approx. 11:45 PM. BUT I figure, we can't have a dog in the condo and at least she's exhibiting "dog like" behavior.
2. She hears the bag of cat food open. You will never see a fat cat more fleet of foot than Gert charging toward the cat food bowl..NEVER! You could light her on fire and she'd move slower...
So, all good right...a perfect cat, never see her and when you do she's acting like a slightly drunk / hungover dog. What could be better?
Well, the lovely and talented Gert has since taken up a new activity. Basically it involves this dainty 14lb cat perching herself on my chest about 1" from my face, while I am trying to sleep and swatting me in the face with her paw (with just a hint of claw, for good measure). This typically starts at about 5:30am EVERY MORNING!
My lovely Fiance has since mentioned that the lovely and talented Gert used to display this exact same behavior in her old stomping grounds (i.e. before she moved to Saco to live with me) however this bit of information was conveniently left out of the CAT conversation. I am told by the aforementioned Fiance, that this is a sign that the lovely and undainty Gert is comfortable in her new surroundings and has taken to me...can a guy get luckier??
I have not consulted my legal council (pending), but let it be known that my Fiance is now on DOUBLE SECRET PROBATION. Should I find that the other crazy beast/ cat (who we'll not discuss at this time, suffice it to say she's NUTTIER than a Snickers bar) that roams our home exhibits similar or worse tendencies once she gets "comfortable", I believe there will be a renegotiation of the living space allocated to these creatures of the night
(see also: "Cats who live in a crate").
Here's where we discuss the remaining .01%...the CAT.
Actually my lovely Fiance brought TWO cats into our union, one is pure crazy and would take far too many words to describe, the other is a sweet little puff ball, that looks like she may have eaten an entire 10lb bag of tender vittles for breakfast, while chasing it with a 20lb bag of tender vittles. She ain't "slim".
This little bundle of joy's name is "Gert". I can only describe Gert as the "Tara Reid" of the Cat family. She has a "Smokers Meow" that would make Tara proud, displays a stupendously overextended belly that barely clears the floor and always looks like she just rolled out of her cat bed after a three day bender with Flava Flav and a baggie of cat nip. Gotta love her!
I like Gert best because she has the loveable attribute of being the "Cat that we never see". She is usually invisible except for the following occasions:
1. When she is tossing Jack's foam baseball down the stairs, carying it back up (while mewling) and repeating. This activity provides her hours of enjoyment and typically starts at approx. 11:45 PM. BUT I figure, we can't have a dog in the condo and at least she's exhibiting "dog like" behavior.
2. She hears the bag of cat food open. You will never see a fat cat more fleet of foot than Gert charging toward the cat food bowl..NEVER! You could light her on fire and she'd move slower...
So, all good right...a perfect cat, never see her and when you do she's acting like a slightly drunk / hungover dog. What could be better?
Well, the lovely and talented Gert has since taken up a new activity. Basically it involves this dainty 14lb cat perching herself on my chest about 1" from my face, while I am trying to sleep and swatting me in the face with her paw (with just a hint of claw, for good measure). This typically starts at about 5:30am EVERY MORNING!
My lovely Fiance has since mentioned that the lovely and talented Gert used to display this exact same behavior in her old stomping grounds (i.e. before she moved to Saco to live with me) however this bit of information was conveniently left out of the CAT conversation. I am told by the aforementioned Fiance, that this is a sign that the lovely and undainty Gert is comfortable in her new surroundings and has taken to me...can a guy get luckier??
I have not consulted my legal council (pending), but let it be known that my Fiance is now on DOUBLE SECRET PROBATION. Should I find that the other crazy beast/ cat (who we'll not discuss at this time, suffice it to say she's NUTTIER than a Snickers bar) that roams our home exhibits similar or worse tendencies once she gets "comfortable", I believe there will be a renegotiation of the living space allocated to these creatures of the night
(see also: "Cats who live in a crate").
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
SPRING...she's a comin'
Ok, there's no two ways around it...this has been one of the LONGEST, COLDEST, UGLIEST winters I have lived through in my 20+/- years in Maine.
I guess if I skied / snowboarded / snowmobiled perhaps I'd have a different take on it, but I don't, so there's no consolation prize for me.
To make matters worse, I convinced my GF (now Fiance) to move here from MA. Now you wouldn't think an hours drive South would make that huge of a difference in overall climate, but
somehow it does. The MA winter was less harsh overall.
One of the worst parts is that my favorite activities are biking and going to the beach (not just to sunbath, but to collect seashells with my son Jack and finace Janine) and both of those activities have been virtually impossible (even at this late date). It's been cruel to say the least.
Well, over the last few days we've heard the gulls and birds coming back outside our window. We've heard the spring rush of the river as the falls are opened up. We've seen the buds on the flowers and trees as we drive to work. Apparently Spring still means to make an appearance in New England and I know of three very happy people living in Saco right now.
Here's to hope, Here's to warmth and Here's to SPRING finally showing her lovely face!
Onward...
I guess if I skied / snowboarded / snowmobiled perhaps I'd have a different take on it, but I don't, so there's no consolation prize for me.
To make matters worse, I convinced my GF (now Fiance) to move here from MA. Now you wouldn't think an hours drive South would make that huge of a difference in overall climate, but
somehow it does. The MA winter was less harsh overall.
One of the worst parts is that my favorite activities are biking and going to the beach (not just to sunbath, but to collect seashells with my son Jack and finace Janine) and both of those activities have been virtually impossible (even at this late date). It's been cruel to say the least.
Well, over the last few days we've heard the gulls and birds coming back outside our window. We've heard the spring rush of the river as the falls are opened up. We've seen the buds on the flowers and trees as we drive to work. Apparently Spring still means to make an appearance in New England and I know of three very happy people living in Saco right now.
Here's to hope, Here's to warmth and Here's to SPRING finally showing her lovely face!
Onward...
Monday, April 7, 2008
And so it begins
The 2008 Race season kicked off in fine fashion on Sunday morning (bright and early). It was a CHILLY start to the day (Temps were high 30's, but the damn wind just froze you to the core).
I picked up my friend Chris Volan and off we went to the Scarborough Industrial park, home of the world famous (or not) SIPC (Scarborough Industrial Park Crit). It's an 8 week crit series designed to burn off the winter weight and get us all ready to kick it into high gear for the 2008 race season.
On the plus side, at least it wasn't snowing this year (as it did last year) and with about 20 guys at the start line, there were plenty of bodies to find shelter from the wind.
The course is a 1.2 mile loop that is mostly flat, with just a slight incline coming around turn #3 that is probably a 2 percent grade and about 100 yards long. The front side of the loop (where the start / finish line is) is typically going with the wind and the backside of the loop is typically going into the wind.
Having a solid 15 miles of saddle time since January, I was hoping for a sedate race, maybe even one where we could chat in the peloton a bit. My hopes were quickly dashed, as by lap two (JEEZ, LAP TWO) the speeds had shot up to around 28mph. Needless to say my lungs, legs, calves, toes, eyelashes, and every other part of my body were not ready for this kind of shock to the system.
by lap 4 the peloton had disintegrated. Now we had a group of about 14 riders bunched together holding a steady 24-25 mph pace...I was sitting about 8th wheel wondering what in the hell I was going to do and how I got myself into this (when I could have been home comfy in bed with my Fiance) while simultaneously hoping one of the 22 year olds pushing the pace up front would spontaneously combust into ball of fire.
It was about lap 7 when a group of the peloton peeled away and went off the front. I guessed there was about 7-8 riders and at that point I was sitting about 11th wheel and missed the split (ok, I wasn't paying attention..I believe it's called "oxygen debt").
Once I recognized what was happening, I moved up a few spots to get to the front of the chase group. The breakaway was about 50 meters in front now and pushing their advantage. I wasn't wearing my HR monitor, but I'm guessing my HR was appx. 278 bpm (give or take 1000). The speeds were inching up again, as the breakaway was trying to make their advantage stick and the chase group was trying to decide what to do. I looked around and realized that the chase group was rapidly falling apart. Guys were getting spit out the back a few at a time, reducing our combined chances to catch the break. Eventually the chase group settled in to about 5 guys chasing the 7-8 guys up front.
At this point the breakaway had about 200 meters and were holding pretty steady at around 25mph. We settled into a 5 man rotation to try and gain some ground averaging about 24-25 mph. For the next 5 laps we chased and chased and chased. I was literally cross eyed with the effort and I'm pretty sure I had begun to drool on myself. We lost 2 of our group when they blew up on lap 9, but the group up front also started to shell some of their own as well. I saw 2-3 guys come back to us and then get spit out of our group, as they were cooked with the exertion of being in the break.
By lap 10 I estimated that there were 5-6 guys left in the break up front and there were now 3 of us in the chase group, the rest of the field had either abandoned, or were spinning out the last of the laps in a leisurely manner. As the placings go 1-6, I figured I still might have a chance to grab some points if all went well at the end.
Settling into a paceline, the three of us rode it out sharing pulls until the last lap. I took my last pull coming off of turn #1, figuring I wanted to get set up to be 3rd wheel coming around the final corner (I may be old and slow, but I ain't no dummy). It worked out perfectly, as I was shielded from the wind on the backstretch and was in excellent position to react to any move coming down the finishing straight.
Coming around turn #3 of the final lap the guy sitting second wheel made his move and jumped around the guy in front. I immediately grabbed his wheel as we spit out the poor guy who had led us out. Now just two of us remained for the last placing, game on! The guy gave it one more out of the saddle dig, but I was locked on his wheel like glue and managed to come around him with about 100 meters to go.
I was sooo tired at the end I couldn't even make it around for the warm down lap. I went about 1/4 way around and just doubled back. When I got to the start area I collapsed in the dirt and lay there waiting for my HR to creep back into the 100's. I WAS DONE! Call a medic!!!
So, all in all a great way to kick off the season. Got on the scoreboard (which took me until week 3 last year to do) and managed to keep my bike upright. I would have preferred a more sedate start to things, but now I know what awaits for the rest of the season...going to be a long year chasing some young 'uns around the course, so I'll have to try and make sure to make it into the breakaway next time...then let them pull my old ass around and hope I have enough in the tank to make a sprint out of it...we'll see.
Kudos to my friend Chris for competing in his first crit. It was definitely a trial by fire kind of thing, but he's already said he'll be back!
Keep the rubber side down...
I picked up my friend Chris Volan and off we went to the Scarborough Industrial park, home of the world famous (or not) SIPC (Scarborough Industrial Park Crit). It's an 8 week crit series designed to burn off the winter weight and get us all ready to kick it into high gear for the 2008 race season.
On the plus side, at least it wasn't snowing this year (as it did last year) and with about 20 guys at the start line, there were plenty of bodies to find shelter from the wind.
The course is a 1.2 mile loop that is mostly flat, with just a slight incline coming around turn #3 that is probably a 2 percent grade and about 100 yards long. The front side of the loop (where the start / finish line is) is typically going with the wind and the backside of the loop is typically going into the wind.
Having a solid 15 miles of saddle time since January, I was hoping for a sedate race, maybe even one where we could chat in the peloton a bit. My hopes were quickly dashed, as by lap two (JEEZ, LAP TWO) the speeds had shot up to around 28mph. Needless to say my lungs, legs, calves, toes, eyelashes, and every other part of my body were not ready for this kind of shock to the system.
by lap 4 the peloton had disintegrated. Now we had a group of about 14 riders bunched together holding a steady 24-25 mph pace...I was sitting about 8th wheel wondering what in the hell I was going to do and how I got myself into this (when I could have been home comfy in bed with my Fiance) while simultaneously hoping one of the 22 year olds pushing the pace up front would spontaneously combust into ball of fire.
It was about lap 7 when a group of the peloton peeled away and went off the front. I guessed there was about 7-8 riders and at that point I was sitting about 11th wheel and missed the split (ok, I wasn't paying attention..I believe it's called "oxygen debt").
Once I recognized what was happening, I moved up a few spots to get to the front of the chase group. The breakaway was about 50 meters in front now and pushing their advantage. I wasn't wearing my HR monitor, but I'm guessing my HR was appx. 278 bpm (give or take 1000). The speeds were inching up again, as the breakaway was trying to make their advantage stick and the chase group was trying to decide what to do. I looked around and realized that the chase group was rapidly falling apart. Guys were getting spit out the back a few at a time, reducing our combined chances to catch the break. Eventually the chase group settled in to about 5 guys chasing the 7-8 guys up front.
At this point the breakaway had about 200 meters and were holding pretty steady at around 25mph. We settled into a 5 man rotation to try and gain some ground averaging about 24-25 mph. For the next 5 laps we chased and chased and chased. I was literally cross eyed with the effort and I'm pretty sure I had begun to drool on myself. We lost 2 of our group when they blew up on lap 9, but the group up front also started to shell some of their own as well. I saw 2-3 guys come back to us and then get spit out of our group, as they were cooked with the exertion of being in the break.
By lap 10 I estimated that there were 5-6 guys left in the break up front and there were now 3 of us in the chase group, the rest of the field had either abandoned, or were spinning out the last of the laps in a leisurely manner. As the placings go 1-6, I figured I still might have a chance to grab some points if all went well at the end.
Settling into a paceline, the three of us rode it out sharing pulls until the last lap. I took my last pull coming off of turn #1, figuring I wanted to get set up to be 3rd wheel coming around the final corner (I may be old and slow, but I ain't no dummy). It worked out perfectly, as I was shielded from the wind on the backstretch and was in excellent position to react to any move coming down the finishing straight.
Coming around turn #3 of the final lap the guy sitting second wheel made his move and jumped around the guy in front. I immediately grabbed his wheel as we spit out the poor guy who had led us out. Now just two of us remained for the last placing, game on! The guy gave it one more out of the saddle dig, but I was locked on his wheel like glue and managed to come around him with about 100 meters to go.
I was sooo tired at the end I couldn't even make it around for the warm down lap. I went about 1/4 way around and just doubled back. When I got to the start area I collapsed in the dirt and lay there waiting for my HR to creep back into the 100's. I WAS DONE! Call a medic!!!
So, all in all a great way to kick off the season. Got on the scoreboard (which took me until week 3 last year to do) and managed to keep my bike upright. I would have preferred a more sedate start to things, but now I know what awaits for the rest of the season...going to be a long year chasing some young 'uns around the course, so I'll have to try and make sure to make it into the breakaway next time...then let them pull my old ass around and hope I have enough in the tank to make a sprint out of it...we'll see.
Kudos to my friend Chris for competing in his first crit. It was definitely a trial by fire kind of thing, but he's already said he'll be back!
Keep the rubber side down...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)