Nature Valley Cyclocross in Rochester, MN. Drove down to Rochester this morning and raced in the C main, taking 15th. Couldn't seem to get it going today, oh well. Drove back home and now have to get ready for Halloween. We are meeting the Cave family at the Mall of America at 5:00pm to do some trick or treating in doors and have dinner. Hope everyone has a happy and safe Halloween! 

The Quaker rep stopped by the store last week to talk about the 2005 Gatorade contract. While she was there she told me about the new products for next year and one of them is Gatorade Endurance Formula. Might be something that may be of interest to all the endurance freaks out there. 

Photo Op with Wade, the brother-in-law 

Climbing the final hill at the 12 hours of Metro. 

Metro 12 Recap

Throughout the week I kept getting email from WEMS saying that the race may be canceled or postponed, but I wasnt listening. The wife made me go to the Shrine Circus Friday morning and then we were off to Franklin, Wi. We stopped in Wisconsin Dells for gas, food, etc. at 6pm and I called the race hotline to see what the status was. I was informed that the race was postponed until Sunday. So after mulling it over a bit we deceided to head to the Holiday Inn Express in West Bend. The wife said I could race but only til 1:00 because I had to open the store at 5am Monday and our daughter had school. I fought back but in the end lost. I was still pumped about riding on a new track for 5hrs. The turnout for the 12hr was poor due to the fact we were racing on a Sunday and it was the rain-out of a rain-out. I was one of two entrants in the 12hr singlespeed class. It was hard to get motivated to go really hard knowing I could only race for 5hrs. The le Mans starts was up the ski hill an we were off. The loops were 5 miles with probably 3-4 miles of singletrack and only 2 big climbs. The other SS rider was faster than me through the singletrack but had to walk the big climbs while I rode them. I followed him for 7 laps before stopping. I took small breaks between laps although the breaks between laps 5 and 6 and 6 and 7 were longer because my brother-in-law Wade and his family drove down from Madison to say hi. I got a cool award for 2nd place - they printed up a personalized label for a bottle of Sprecher Pale Ale with my name, event, etc. Sarah (wife) managed to run down the battery in the mini-van listening to the radio all day so I had to get a jump from some guy so we could leave. All in all it was a fun family weekend and I will post a few pictures later.

Metro 12 hr. Race

Looks like I'm all ready for the 12hr race this weekend in Franklin, Wi. at Crystal Ridge Ski Hill. I hope the race doesnt get canceled or switched to Sunday!! Scott is not going to be able to join me this weekend so my wife and daughter will be pitting for me. My plan is to pit out of our mini van, pull in after each lap, open the back, do my thing and take off. Both my Singlespeeds are working great and I'm feeling good. If the race gets canceled before we leave then I will probably do the cross race in Ham Lake.

In other news...I am a commissioner on the Park Board for the city of Belle Plaine, actualy I am the chair of the Park Board. Anyway, I met with MORC today at a site in Belle Plaine (Evers Estate) that I am working to get some trails put in. Tim W. from MORC seemed receptive and I have them on the Park Boards next agenda for Oct. 25th. From what we walked today he thinks they could put at least 2 miles of singletrack in the area if not more, depends on the actual boundaries of the area we have to work with. I will know more after the meeting on the 25th, at least I got the ball rolling....

My awesome wife, Sarah, and Melissa along with Jacob (Scott's son) playing in St. Cloud during the race. Thanks Sarah for watching the kids while we race!! 

St. Cloud "Pork Chop Challenge" Cyclocross race. This event had a Singlespeed class so I thought I would take out one of my SS mountain bikes and enter that class. I brought my KHS soft-tail although I should have changed the gearing. The race was wideopen and fast, not very technical. I didnt have the speed with this bike and finished 25th overall in the C main and 5th in the SS class. I wish I would have raced my cross bike instead. Next weeek I'm racing the final WEMS race of the year in Franklin, Wi. I will be entering the 12hr solo SS class. The race is held at Crystal Ridge Ski Area. Scott and his son will be joining me and my family on the trip. Scott is going to pit for me and race in the 3hr solo class. 

Lake Rebecca Cyclocross. I took 19th this week in the C main, 6 places better than last week so things are improving. Sported my new duds this week including: Nike shoes, Gary Fisher/Subaru Team socks, shorts, jersey, and Trek "Anthem" helmet. My Trek XO1 was flawless again and I'm already looking forward to St. Cloud next weekend. 

Lake Rebecca CX

This Sunday is the Lake Rebecca CX. Sounds like Scott will be joining me. Look for pics and an unpdate after the race. Scott and I have been riding all week, the weather has been great and we have been taking advantage of it. Yesterday we took out the singlespeeds for a 2 hour spin down by the river.

Good luck Jeff Kerkove @ Moab next weekend!! Looking forward to reading about how your race goes. Bring some SOLO T-shirts to the Franklin WEMS race if you go!!

Here is the double barrier before the run-up. 

Orono Cyclocross race. I took 25th overall in the C main last weekend at Orono. The course was wideopen having the usual barriers along with one run-up. Sprinting for 30 minutes is harsh! 

I was fortunate enough recently to get some help from Trek/Gary Fisher through their grass roots sponsorship program. I received a 2004 Gary Fisher Team jersey and shorts in addition to some other goodies. I just wanted to publicly thank Trek/Gary Fisher for their help! Stop by your local Trek/Gary Fisher dealer and check out their great products!!