pee wee in the mud pit from daten on Vimeo.

Last night was the final 5^th St X for the season. With the weather crisp, and the ground covered in ice, Brad and Bowman were in a full lather about who would win the season, and the PBR title was up for grabs between Kuklis and Robi. Perfect. Somewhere around 39 riders lined up and were off for a 30-minute +1 race, single race format, and for some their final chance at glory. Bowman was riding hard, with only Yozell staying ahead of him (even though Bowman was on the edge of legal with that 29’er he was riding) but Brad kept it close in 4^th. That was all he needed to clinch the title, and so it was. Kuklis and Robi downed as many PBR’s as possible, and kept it close as well…ah, swilling at its best! With only 1 dislocated shoulder the carnage was less than expected, but that guy was a trooper through it all and never wimpered even once while they tried to put it back in using duct tape and a propane tank. I hope the hospital was able to put him back together, and I hope he’s back to fight next year. Many thanks to the Strickland family for putting this on, putting up with us, and putting some of us up. I am already looking forward to next year.

Ok, so I had the MRI (which is really loud, but at least they had good music and some headphones) but no one seems to have read it yet. If I dont hear anything by the end of the day tomorrow, they will be getting a call because I need to get this sorted out. Its not being injured that is killing me, its not knowing what is next..ugh. In any case, this week is the final 5th St X of 2007, and we will have the honor of laying claim to riding along side another national champion 5th St X'er (Tilford) and a local legend (and NOT a sandbagger no matter how drunk I am) Mike Yozell (8th Masters 35-39). I can only hope that these guys dont just see me as another jackass on the course and in life. At least I can still be useful enough to take some pictures-

Belgian night. A night to honor the lords of cyclocross, where the frites, waffles, and (ahem) beer flows freely whilst the crazy and healthy ensphere the back yard that hosts 5thStX. I was appropriately cold and slightly snowy- the pond in the front yard was frozen, and the outdoor heater finally fired up with a fresh tank of gas. The campfire was burning, headlamps were lit, and the racers were off. I was hoping it would be as much fun to watch as it is to ride, but I had no idea how badly I would pay for it the next day. See, I only drink a handful of times a year. I decided Belgian night would be one of those nights. How could I resist the wonderful malty beverages splayed across the table in the garage? The smell of waffles was sweet, the frites were crispy, and people were on bikes! I could almost hear the Manneken Pis statue peeing all the way from Brussels.  So I had a few. Got a bit loose. Lost track of time. Was found by my wife (I didn’t call telling her I would be late so she got worried). Got home. Fell asleep. Woke up with a hangover. Ugh. Now I remember why I only do this a handful of times a year. At least its out of my system now- my sorrows about my knee have been drowned. Time to get serious again, modify my training to focus on what I AM able to do, and get on with it.