Halloween

 After driving for over four hours, the last two of those being in heavy rain, I realized it was time to get festive.  It was Halloween after all, and instead of dressing up and hanging out in town I figured I’d drive four hours to the Mother Land of North Carolina.

Time to make a wish!

In an attempt not to be lame I wished for the one thing I wanted most, a mustache.  While being over taken by a weird and new sensation of hair on my upper lip, I made a wrong turn going in to Mountain City.  I’ve made this drive so many times, but yet I found myself turned around at 11:12pm. 

Confused.

I finally arrived in the town of Boone, and met up with Noah.  Sam from Boone Bike and Touring was also preparing himself for Sunday’s big event:  the “oh so pro” team versus the “oh so pro…mechanic” team.  My money was on Sam and John for this tandem show down.  The mechanics out sprinted the pros for the win! 

Sunday was raining and gross.  Some would say perfect cross weather.  No surprises here.  The race happened.  I had a good time catching up with old friends and just hanging out.  Next up on the calendar will be Urban Cross in C-ville…probably the last race of 2010.  

Course...doesn't do justice of how muddy things actually were.

Welcome to the High-Country

I am surprised I made it through two winters living in Boone, North Carolina. Today’s damp, cold autumn weather made me question if I have lost my mountain man edge. Boone Cross was hard…just like their winters.

The Mother Land

10/31 Happenings:

1)  Halloween

2)  Nazi-Zombies

3)  9 hours of car time.

4) 60 minutes of bicycle time.

5)  One Black Cat burrito.

6)  Working with Dan Faudala, soon to be Six Pack Invitational Champion (bold?).

7)  Paranormal Activity, really?

 8)  New bicycles!

9)  Kaleidoscopic leaves.

10)  Table Tennis.

The drink of the South.

Thinking about Cheerwine.

Where’s the Cheerwine!?

…Cheerwine drop in…

I'm bonking! Cheerwine, anyone?

boomshakalaka

Early Season

Last weekend I made a pilgrimage of shorts to the mid atlantic states of our nation, and some would say finally becoming a “man”.  The ‘cross crew of the dirty, dirty south consisting of Noah, Jacob, and Tim picked me up in Rocktown Friday.  There was talk about reliving the magic of December 2008, but I had my doubts.  I showed the noobs the ropes of the pro tour lifestyle; we went for a small little ride in which I was dropped; and then we were off to the District. 

We cruised downtown Georgetown, and I was surprised how much wankery was going on. Tim, the obvious tourist of the group, hanging out of the window took some great pictures.  We made it to Ryan Bodge’s abode, who would be our host for the weekend.  We caught up, and then went to bed.  

Next morning after paying $5.00 for an egg and cheese sandwich (crazy, right?), we drove an excruciating distance to get to the first ’cross race of the season…Nittany Lion Cross.  I raced.  I had a good time, and worked through the 75 person field to 9th place in the “B” race…whateves.  Noah broke a spoke.  Tim rolled his tire.  And, Jacob just straight up got lapped.  The crew quickly figured out that there was no southern hospitality in UCI races.  So after a somewhat disappointing showing, with tails between our legs, we cruised back to DC.

We retold Bodge our journey, and then went out to play some billiards.  After our less than luster performance, and recalling the most boring movie in all of cycling, 9 Ball Diaries, we figured…”Heck, if Tim Johnson plays pool; so, will we, and the watts will be more plentiful and our bike handling skills will also improve (just like TJ, right?).  Well, we played pool in a somewhat “fancy” establishment.  In our jhorts, bathing suit bottoms, and tank tops we stood out amongst the black dresses, designer collar shirts, and snake skin shoes, RIP.  After seeing Jacob have his share of $5 Tecates, we headed to an interesting bar called “Bad Boys”, and then at Z Burger.

Bored yet?

Next morning we made our way to Durid Park for Charm City Cross.  I had 15 minutes to get ready.  I quickly got my number, and pinned it on  upside down in JV Squad fashion.  I rode the first couple of turns of the course.  I had the honnor to start in the very last row, where’s the series call-up love?  With an empty stomach, it’s 12pm and I haven’t eaten anything since the Z burger I had at 1:30am, I worked through 109 people for a 16th place finish in the “B” race.   I’m happy with my ride…it’s only Septemeber and last time I checked all the championships are in November and December.  Noah and Tim had a good ride in the UCI race, and Jacob did something for 50 minutes.

Saturday I’m going to travel to the magical world of Davis, WV for the revenge of the Rattlesnake.  I’m trying to figure out if I want to ride with one gear or 27 gears.   It’s going to be wet and muddy. 

In honor of “Bad Boys” this will be a picture free post.  Plus everyone who takes pictures at ‘cross races wants $$$…gotta make a living somehow.

Dance, Dance 2k9

My jam of the last 24hours…Miike Snow…how many times can you remix one song?

Recovery

In an attempt not to become like Andy or Jfloin their less than professional routine blogging etiquette, I’ve decided that I’m going to go ahead and publish some witty piece of work that will have the masses coming to my blog for weeks and weeks on end.  So go ahead and grab your chocolate milk, put your feet up, and enjoy the read…

After only riding my bike four times since August 15th (21 days), and being terribly over worked before Sunday’s main event, sorry Chris, it’s true and you know it, I decided to give the Shenandoah Mountain 100 a try anyway.  I had big dreams of rolling into Stokesville a top ten finisher, but my dreams were quickly shattered within the first 20 minutes of racing/riding/whatever you want to call it.  I had a very controlled reverse attack off the main group of fifteen or so right before the fire road gets steep in a last ditch effort to get to the ridge.  I quickly purchased a one way ticket to slum-town, and would have a nice eight and half hour vacation seeing the sites.  I never made it to Bonk Avenue found in the business district…I hear it’s a nice place to visit.

Bonk Ave.

To clear any possible controversial comments and or thinking and or negative comments towards www.fawley.wordpress.com I would like to set a few things straight.  Slum-town in the context I’m writting in, is not a geographical location like the above picture of Tilman Road, but a mental/physical state of the body some locals here in Harrisonburg refer to often.  A sentence using this phrase might be, “Oh man, I’m in slum-town.”              

Okay back to the acation, the lowest point in the race was when my knee starting hurting up Hankey Mountain.  I had to cool it for a while…6 hours actually.  I had the pleasure rolling out to check point five with the Sue Haywood, and a new friend from Tennessee, Brad.  The trails were riding pretty well for how dry it was, insert small pat on the back here for Matt Smith, Andrew Jasper, the Sue Haywood, Kyle “No Compromises” Lawernce, Kevin Sherman, the six pack crewz, and I guess Chrissy Scott.

 

I ended up finishing in 8 hours and 33 minutes…not to bad for working 75 hours that week, being sick, and having to milk an aching right knee around the course.  I had a pleasant surprise of finishing right before James Kelly!  Next year we will both break 8 hours.  All in all, I’m glad I road…lets just say it was better than working.

 

Six pack this Friday!  I’m exicited!!! <—that exicited!!!!  Also, Cross is just around the corner and a Boone visit is in order.  Noah get ready to hunt some nazi zombies.        

A big gamble?

It’s Saturday night, and I’m in Atlantic City.  My friends are gambling, and I’m watching the movie Predator by myself.  I’m poor.

Busy!

I’m still recovering from last Saturday’s Wilderness 101.  I had a great ride going until the cramp monsterz hit me literally seconds before Aid Station 5.  I pedaled in with one leg for some aid, downed some pringles, refilled one bottle, and took a sample packet of Endurolytes for the road…I knew this wouldn’t be the last.  At this point, right before the monsterz attack, Garth Prosser, Andy Gorski, and Jacob Loverich all rolled 5 which left me a little mentally defeated.  No sweat I thought…my legs other then cramping are feeling great and it’s only 12 miles to the end.  I can catch them!  I start cruising and soon enough see Jacob up ahead, “Sweet, I’ll catch Jacob and we’ll work together to catch everyone else”  I thought to myself!  Time passed and the gap was down to 15 seconds when the course cruised under a road gate blocking the trail.  I saw Jacob ride under so I figured I’d do the same!  BAM!!! Super Cramps!!! Screams of pain and some light stretching off the bike.

 

At this point in time I was really defeated.  I limped up the last climb, and walked the techy section of the river trail…don’t tell anyone.  I got a second wind when the course returned on another rail trail for the last 3 or 4 miles of the race.  I finished 12th and was super happy with my ride.  I just snuck under 8 hours with a time of 7:56 and had a blast riding with Garth for almost all the course, and Jacob for the middle half. 

 

Then it was back to work, but I was able to get in a solid ride Tuesday, and then hit the Alpine loop again.  This time with Sue Haywood and Matt Smith.  Tomorrow I’m going go out to the George Washington for some sweet Shenandoah Mountain 100 recon and camping!  I’ll be back Sunday.

Matt Smith and I. Photo Credit goes to Sue.

Lough's Place! Photo Sue.

Long and Slow Practice

I finally hit Harrisonburg’s Alpine Loop today with Andy Mckeegan and it delivered.  I had my doubts after living in Boone for two years and every Friday Noah , Jacob (ex-pro blogger) and I would hit our own alpine circuit, but this new route is killer…fast paved climbs, steep gravel back road kickers, sketchy descents, alpine meadows, long gravel climbs, and switch backs.  90 miles and 10,000 feet of climbing.  It was 5 hours and 15 minutes of perfection. 

Rolling out to Shenandoah Mountain.

Almost to the base of Shenandoah Mountain.

Last time we'll see good ol' VA for a while.

Open for business.

Slummin, but where's Andy?

This one needs to be in a calendar.

 After this amazing field I went into self-preservation mode, and didn’t take a whole of pictures.