this is a Race Report from a few years ago, just thought I would throw it in for some filler....

Sunday at the Races....
Extra Large City Bikes presence at this weekends race event
large in the respect that there were two City Bikes CLYDESDALES racing
making up 1/3 of the CLYDESDALE field

we loaded up the truck and headed out late for the Dan's race in Richmond, Camp Hilbert
the drive was moderate
the course was flat
not a bad combination
especially since the gwadz Boys are getting a late start on the race season
(marc's second race of the season, joel's first)
the races had us lined up in the queue long enough for some tension and some bonding with the other CLYDESDALES
it was the Series final, and points were being doubled that day
there was a 2 point differential between two of the riders there
it was clear that today was going to decide it all
Bill Davis was two points behind a muscle bound cyborg
Bill is a recent inductee to NCVC and a regular on the CLYDESDALE circuit
a rival on many levels
he was there to play
he had something to prove and something at stake
I false started at the countdown
and Bill was out of the gate like a jack rabbit
he was not going to pull any punches
so much for warming up the legs
before the gravel fed us into the single track I grabbed his back wheel and waited for him to slide into a groove
but no groove
he kept pushing it
we jammed through the course
with me breathing all the way in the usual Darth Vader fashion
having no previous experience here and no preride I was not sure what to expect
I just jammed behind Bill
he took his hands off the breaks and accelerated on each winding down grade
I muscled up each grade and got back on his tire
tried to pass
as he tried to prevent me from passing (proving to be a tactical failure, I should have passed to control the pace)
after the first lap or so I realized that I needed to let bill go and race my race
dropped off his tail and figured on reeling him in with endurance on lap three

just as I slipped into a groove
marc was on my tail
we kept up a good momentum
but marc sites were not on me
his sites were on bill and the finish
so with a little hesitancy I let marc pass
got onto his wheel
with all of the twists and turns
the roots and rocks
and the endless BMX dip-dee-doos I found it difficult to refuel
water in the camel back, and unattainable gatorade bottle in the downtube
all the time my wedding ring was sneaking down my finger
readjusting my ring (which I usually take off before rides and races)
thinking all the while, 2 out of 5 men loose their weddings
and I am soon to be one of the two
how would this of been explained?
"come on lisa it is a race.....I can get another ring...and the next one will be race worthy! I will get titanium!"
I hung onto marc's wheel for a bit
but he too drifted into the future
while I dangled along in the past
he too dropped me
in this game of cat and mouse I was feeling like a bit of a pussy
I felt like I could save what reserves I had for lap three
lap three came
my second wind did not
there was a slight push for the leaders
but it did not come fast enough
when I finally came within 20 yards of marc
I tailed for a little while
then he kicked in around a corner
not to be seen again until the finish
leaving a one two three finish, maybe a 20 second differential between each rider
Bill, Marc, and myself
NCVC, City Bikes, and City Bikes
with the City Bikes members taking 2nd and 3rd Bill was sure to get the series
he earned it
he raced well
he knew the course
he knew his competition
he did what he had to do


final thought
with any of these flat winding courses there was the usual 495 back up
timing and luck can come into play
there were several sections where I expended a great deal of energy trying to get around the trailing riders from race groups that set off before our pack
most people were helpful in allowing me to pass when the opportunity did arise
these are the same conditions that all of the racers had to deal with
well all of us with the exception of the ELITE PACK
when on my third lap I heard the pelleton coming
this gave me a burst
I pushed and looked for a good spot for them to pass
they were clearly faster
there was not good spot for them to pass
I was forced to step aside
I pulled over
bowed my head
averted my eyes as to make contact to the gods as they passed
thanked each and every one of them for letting me ride on the same course as them
got not so much as metaphoric spit in the face
"you are a lapped rider"
"out of the way"
"pull over"
for my pulling aside
not a thank you
not a word of respect
just jocked out attitude
not sure what to do
maybe next time they will have to work the pass just like any other racer
I was in a race
just as they were in a race
I had to deal with the elements of having to pass
at the next meeting I will have to ask the more experienced racer what the appropriate behavior is in such an event

it was a fun race
a good time was shared by all

ah
here it is winter
no real riding
and too lazy to race
so i am going to cut and paste a race report from this summer past
it is random
not even sure if this is a draft or not

hmmmm....
where to start where to start?
The drive out to Northern Virgina was a great metaphor for the course....
Efficiency is more vital than speed.
A great amount of energy can be spent and wasted trying to pass.
It is a simple well marked course and difficult to get lost.
Expect some back up.
Accept that you be trapped behind a line of idiots taking a slow and stupid line and driving inefficiently.
(I hate driving in RUSH HOUR traffic!)

With all that said....
When I got to the race I was frustrated with the traffic. Had not expected to have to wrestle with the commuter crowd. Was not exactly sure how to get to Wakefield so mental energy was wasted on worrying about getting lost. In short....I had spent my wad on the drive up. Not to mention that racing at dinner time is not good for the Clydesdale. Needed to load up with something, but had nothing to fuel up with. Foolishly thought my lunch would hold me over and that this race was such a sprint that it would not effect me not to eat before hand.

The gathering before the race was fun. Prerace anxiety was cut by the unity of the crowd. Familiar faces and fellow City Bikes riders roamed about waiting for the early racers to come in so that we could go out. The races began pretty much on time. My class of choice (clydesdale) had a good representation. There were 7 or so racers in my class. As usual everyone is there to race and everyone feels as if they are in contention. Lucky for me Evan split a GU with me before the race, bummer, it was without caffeine. So I figured I would just go out and ride and see what I had in the tank.

The race groups took off before us. We were the last pack to be sent out. The whistle blew and the riders were off. The course was designed to send us weaving towards a slight climb up some loose dirt and rock. The pack was tight and everyone was fighting for position. I was back in the pack, The riders attacked the hill. I gained a few spots before this hill was up and then figured I would reel in the clydesdales ahead of me. Just as we entered the first stretch of single track I was in the lead. I pedaled and searched for my groove. Then started to pass racers from the other classes. Still no groove. There were two Clydesdales right on my tail and I was not feeling strong and not feeling good. My handling was a little shaky, perhaps too high a tire pressure. The thought came to me that I should just pass as many racers as possible and use them to block for me in the tight single track. So racer by racer I pushed ahead, gritting my teeth as I passed on the outside, fearing a thorn from the surrounding brush (I have a history of flatting at Wakefield) The course was fun. All of the logs were easily surmountable, the track was fast and dry, and the racers were all in a pleasant mood.

Still no groove I completed my first lap. Realized that there was nothing in my reserve I pushed on. Figuring I could hang on and if another Clydesdale caught me I could start racing harder then. Still passing all sorts of racers, my pace was slowed by following other racers packed into the tight winding single track, but I did not sweat it. I just figured that everyone has to deal with this element. This is not a time trial. Long story short. I kept passing, my pace dropped significantly but I managed to maintain a first place finish for my class. But had Marc been there or an of a number of other Clydesdales that I am familiar racing with..well then I would have been pushed back a space or two.

Long Story not so short.
It was a fun race. A great way to spent a weekday evening. There should be more summer nights like this!

am I supposed to reread this stuff before I put it out for others to read?
it is too long
sorry
hopefully my wife will blow off Yoga on another wednesday night so I can hit another Wakefield race!

This is funny
this is how we sold our condo on Lamont Street
word of mouth via email

Mount Pleasant Condo for Sale By Owner- Beautiful Mount Pleasant Condo, Two Bedroom, two full bath, tall ceilings, working fireplace, central AC, basement storage, private back patio! Excellent Location! Just a block and a half off Mt Pleasant Street! Those who have seen it love it!

Very cool! Very Interesting!

Current asking price before putting it on the market $320 K.

Get a jump on it before it gets put on the open market!

Interested?

Give me a call or just email me back!

Share this information with your friends!

thanks
joel

ps. we are staying in Mt Pleasant
we found a place on Park Road right by Rock Creek Park!

here is an email to my friend Peter (name changed)
we have a mutual friend
he is a well liked guy, this mutal friend has been in this town forever
and the word about town is that he has a monkey on his back
a monkey the size of KING KONG, heroin

Peter-

it was new year;s eve
had the dogs in the stretch of woods behind bancroft
it was the usual chance meeting
there was Whitey (again the name changed to protect the innocent)
i was walking roscoe and brutus (actual names)
at a distance I recognized Whitey (still fake name)
but was not sure who was walking him till we got closer
was it the haircut or the thin frame that caused me not to recognize Sabastian (again with a name change)
he is thin....shockingly thin
but it was him
here was the chance

we waved and exchanged hellos
I had been unsure that it was Sabastian (same guy, same fake name)
but it was clearly him, even with his thin frame

I made mention of how his name had been in a variety of conversations as of late
his name echoing up and down the coast
this was prefaced that people are concerned
not about trying to gossip or spread rumors
he listened
then I jumped right into the topic of drugs, addiction, and the fears of his friends

we talked about the fears that had gone about
he looked a little shaken
but he dispelled it all
his answers were all lined up
as if he knew the route of the gossip column
how people could make these false yet logical leaps

this is the breakdown
his girlfriend is currently in rehab/treatment for an old habit
this same women use to date his old boss
his old boss is engaged to his old girlfriend
there is a bit of a (Jerry) Springer feel to this web that life as weaved for him

long story short
he says that these worries are unfounded

I warned him that he may receive other calls
accept them as friends being concerned

we talked about a mutal friend who had commited suicide
how he slipped away cause no one took his condition seriously
or more over how everyone was young and no one understood

also made mention that I had spoke to people on this issue before
and they looked me straight in the eye and lied about being clean

he made conscious eye contact
we shook hands
I apologized for any accusations
wished him the best
and hoped he was telling the truth

the hand shake
the eye contact
none of that convinced me either way
there is no knowing unless I saw him with a needle in his arm
I was just following the words of others
and their thoughts were based on hear say
so I guess his word is enough
and hopefully he is as he says...clean

it is not entirely my concern
I know him, but he is not my closest friend
so I will not kick down his door and try to muscle the truth out of him
even then there is no knowing

for me I have been lied to and played before by people in this same situation
so I can never give into the answer
what did I expect
he gave me the only answers he could give


I wish him luck
and now I should put my energies into my life
and my concerns into my problems

later
joel (again real name)

this is an email message to my friend Katerina
we went to college together
she currently lives in colorado when she is not traveling the world
most recently she got bit by a could be rabid dog in Africa
hope she is well
In the old email I update her to a mutual friend's wedding in Vermont
and coldly close with the mention of a death of a fellow SMC allumnus

kat

back from vermont
it was rainy and cold for the first few days
no activities planned
just moving about from meal to meal trying to keep dean occupied until the day of the wedding
the rain finally stopped at midnight Friday night the eve before the wedding
just in time for me to drive home drunk down winding unfamiliar country roads
waking the next day to clear skies and shockingly dry ground

we met tim and his girlfriend (fiance) for lunch and then convoyed to the wedding local
it was in a field right behind the rustic house that Spencer and Valerie had once called home
even in the open field with the sounds of a west african string instrument playing the event took on a shockingly classic tone
the dress was appropriate, classic, and tasteful
the best men all in tuxedos
spencer in tails
no top hat, luckily, even as fit and trim as he is he would have looked like Sir Toppenhat or perhaps a more understandable less obscure Tomas the Tank Engine reference I will use Frosty the Snowman
Then Valerie came down the path
dressed in white with a long veil
shockingly feminine and classic to boot
she stood along side her maids of honor, they wore those types of dresses designed for weddings never to be worn again
there was the cute ring bearer who shuffled about through the whole ceremony denoting a full bladder
and the flower bearers none older than 4 had lead the procession tossing fall colored leaves rather than rose pedals

a vegetarian feast in a rustic barn
the barn finished and maintained for catered events just such as this

there was a roadhouse band
Valerie started things off
she sang a classic Motown hit to Spencer
her voice was not Hippie Dippie
she did not fake a note
it was clear and crisp with a hint of Arethra and a taste of Ella while clearly all Valerie
she even had some stage persona as she belted out the tune

the guests were a wide variety of people
mosers mosers and a few more mosers
most of which had mini mosers replicating the older moser manners and style
the friend list did not go too deep
it was an honor to be invited
to my prediction spencer had not invited any female guests other than his mother and his sisters
not even a kissing cousin was able to make an appearance

the best man's speeches/toasts were long, well rehearsed, and entertaining to all
a mix between stand up, roast, and excerpts from the State Department How to Survive in Africa handbook

as the party ended the event left me feeling a bit empty
still asking for more
sort of that party build up than a rapid exit
then bam
time to go home
I spent the last 20 seconds on the dance floor

the next day was spent running from toddler park to tag sale then off to the local flea market
dean was able to find two little Buddha statues to which he practices one of his many words
"Buddha"
"Buddha"
a few little buckets with Jack-O-Lantern faces cut out the side
and a 2 dollar truck that he could ride around on for the remainder of the day
to be left behind upon our departure

we were home seemingly like we had never left
other than my aching back from a bed that was too soft
and a house filled with half unpacked suitcases

there will be photos to tell the tale
and an not so clever anecdote about my feuding with the vegetarian gentlemen who had graced the ceremony with the west african string instrument
all about my having eaten a roast beef sandwich
and his refusal to shake my hand
joel is joel
you can dress him up
but you can not shut him up
he was born to offend

I need to put some heat on this back and get to work

joel out

ps-
tara call passed away the week prior

funny.....
Lisa recently emailed me a message I sent to the members of my new block here in Mt. Pleasant. She asked if I had recieved any responses. I had not. It is amusing. Along with the email was also an attached image of my son.

Hello All!
this is not how I wanted our initial introduction to go
but too much time has passed so this is how it is going to happen

a card through the mail slot was my original intention
along with a MtP sticker
but that notion is never came to be
(email back if you still want the sticker, I have a stack that are
just gathering dust in the garage)

My wife and I have purchased and moved into 2025 Park Road along with
our 2 year old son and our mix breed dogs Roscoe and Brutus.

We moved from the 1700 Block of Lamont Street.
There is the debate of what is the best block in Mount Pleasant. Many
on the 1700 Block of Lamont are of the belief that they are the best
block, yet as we settle in here we grow to hold a different opinion.
The sound of the birds, the hypnotic movement of the trees, the
endless entertaining dance of the squirrels, along with the backyard
culture of the 1900-2000 block of Park Road rapidly prove to offer
more than I could ever believe any other block in this neighborhood
could present.

With that said....
Hello!
It is good to meet you!
It is good to be your neighbor!
What a wonderful week! (even with the rain)
This week our son Dean turned two!
and parenthood is a glorious thing
as a proud poppa I am going to shamelessly share with you a few
photos of my son

I hope that they give you some joy
good day
and I look forward to getting to know you better in the
day/months/years to come

joel

Christmas is coming
and i am getting fat
my bald head is cold
I better wear a hat