Going Postal

Not this but this. After having a generally good time at Wausau I've been able to get some quality riding time. Tuesday's Crit, which wasn't originally planned, was a no-go. Instead I did a hard half hour TT on the flats east of town. I give Oliver (see below) credit for that. The other weekend he was railing round the neighborhood on his Mongoose with his dad's fixie TT bars. They're his now and the intensity on his face removes all doubt as to his intentions. I felt the need to channel that focus. Since he's leaving in a week I'd better get it done ASAP. Yeah, in neighborhood news the best neighbors in the world have sold their house (in record time, for the asking price too) and are moving west to Tacoma, Wa. Matt is transferring within his company (a computer company everyone has heard of...no, the good one) Tracy is expecting their 3rd child (a girl) in the next month or so. She'll have her hands full with the trio of children, but her family is in Tacoma so that will be great for them all.

Wednesday I went over to Cross Plains for the WNBR. The route for the evening was part of the Horribly Hilly Hundred, well, most WNBR in that part of the county are part of the HHH. It can't be avoided. A look at the radar before leaving the 'hood didn't suggest rain. The clouds on the horizon suggested otherwise.
After a 45 minute downpour the skies cleared and the riders who stuck around were rewarded. The "fast group" was the three of us, Big Mike and Aussie Craig and me.


Mike has motor on the flats and was holding a solid tempo that he and I could slightly gap Craig with. Craig stuck it to us on the climbing. I was able to stay within a length or 5 on most of the climbs except for a mile uphill on J before 78.

Jake (seen mugging below) showed up without his bike but drove the course in his car. He pulled up next to Craig and me on the climb and heckled. Craig and I had a testosterone fueled back and forth as a result but it didn't last long as I popped about a minute later. (insert innuendo there)
The three of us regrouped at the top of each climb and made sure there was a draft to be had. That's not the normal behavior for the "fast group" on the WNBR. Upon returning to the start there was a respectable number of hearty riders who didn't fear wet roads. Malt recovery beverages were had by all before repairing to Coach's in Cross Plains for good burgers. Bianca took matching kit to a new level. She matched her beer at least in colors, I can't comment about the name on the bottle.

Last night was the Thursday Bombay ride in Sun Prairie. It isn't as aggressive as WNBR and the rides can be a bit boring, but it's still a ~30 mile ride with folks I know. Brian (from a few weeks ago in Oregon) was there with his new Cervelo (warranty frame break) so we let the ~20 others get a head start so we could hammer without looking at the cue sheet or map. We worked well together and eventually caught the first group with about 4 miles left in the ride. Afterwards the group went to the Atlantis Taverna in downtown Sun Prairie. I'd had their gyro's last summer when I was working at the SPHS remodel so I was eager to go. I didn't overeat and I kept the beer intake to one. No sense digging a hole after a good workout.

Today I'll get the bikes ready for the WEMS at the Stump Farm and go for a spin. I'm planning to do the 50 miler. Should be a good day of great trails and good people. See you there?