Post Xterra World Championships

Xterra Worlds on Maui last month is still clinging close to me. For one I dug the new course. Two: I just dig Hawaii. Three: Xterra World Championships is just that: A World Championship. This start list of my division just surfaced from Jodis camera. That's some foreign contingent. I dig that even most. Languages not understood. Except while on the race course.
           We are hungry for more. 2013 around the corner. Stoked.

The Maui News

Happiness is waking up in the morning after an Xterra World Championship and seeing your name in the local paper ....on the results front page :)

 Then spending that evening of your 11th wedding anniversary in the same place you got married (on the beach) and buying your wahine something special. Just a mere block from where this pic was taken in the beautiful harbor of Lahaina. No ka 'Oi.

Maui: Rocked it.

Okay. That was tough. Sooooooo relieved it is behind us. I took this race very seriously and trained, rested, worked, trained hard, rested, worked, repeated. And then you have to show up, suit up and hope things go well. The Hawaiian god Pele' was on our side. Freakin' nutty huge tsunami warning with sirens blaring the night before the race craziness. Folks were displaced to rooms above the 2nd floors. If rooms were not available they literally had to evacuate. Many athletes sleeping in their cars in parking lots on higher ground. Word was race was to be cancelled. And understandable. Sounds nuts? It was.The news people and weather "experts" thought that the earthquake in Canada was going to wipe everything out @ 10:28 Friday night. 10:28. They had it down to the minute the tsunami would arrive. And overly emphasized the first wave may not be the largest. Wow. Fortunately that never evolved. We observed from the balcony of  the beach front 12th floor room at the Mahana. 10:26, 10:27, 10:28. It fortunately never showed. But it was crazy. Ca-razy.
         We did not turn the TV on for one second after Friday night and all that hysteria. It was not until after the race and we were eating dinner at a little off -the- beaten- tourist joint  in Lahaina that we learned of the seriousness and destruction of Hurricane Sandy. This one for real. The devistation of yet another natural disaster puts things in perspective. Our hearts go out to those so affected. Very heavy stuff.
      As for our race: I could not be more stoked or satisfied. Neither of us got hurt. My division was larger than ever with over 70 entrants qualified and entered prior on the Xterra website. 64 showed up and were on the start list at race site. 56 on finish results page. Fifth for me with all Europeans just a few minutes ahead.

      Jodi nabbed a 5th division as well. On the only old V-braked (that I could see) bike at the race. She wore  a camel back and from the now available pics from race looks like she was carrying a small child on her back. And I was concerned with the extra weight of my tube and co2...........She has proven again: She can rock on the off road. She is one tough little wahine.
            Yet it is Ironman distance on the road where she she really shines. Speaking of, she is all Ironman focused for 2013 with the new Canadian Whistler course on the radar(and entered).........and for myself in 2013? Who knows. But like I have always said: Will race anything. Anytime. Anywhere. As long as I can anyway............................
           HUGE thanks to Scott O'brien and Safariland. Corey McCroskey and Coates Bicycles. And the entire team from Xterra. Collectively assisted in our successful trip.

Here today......gone to Maui

Yup. Depart tomorrow Friday evening 6 p.m. Nothing like getting to a World Championship competition 6 hours early to acclimate and pre ride the race course! Hey it could be worse. We could be returning Sunday. But we are not! Hopefully find some surf for three days. Aloha!

Xterra World Championships less than a week away

Another Xterra Worlds Championship race departing 5 days from now. Here are a few shots from the years Jodi and I both won our world titles. Back to back. Can it/will it happen again? It takes everything to go right and nothing to go wrong on this particular race. Everyone is fast. Everyone is hungry. The race as Ironman has several dozen countries representing. Are we ready? You bet. Going to give it my all. We know there 50 year old phenoms appearing. All preparing for their best performance of the year and/or their lifetime. The competition will be the best in the WORLD. Several prior world champions on the entrants list.................. But wait: We are two of them !  :)

This morning's TriEvents Triathlon

It has been a very busy 2012 year of racing. Half dozen road tri's. Several off road tri's with Xterra's in Las Vegas, Alabama, Texas, Snow Valley, Renegade. Goals accomplished: We qualified for  the XterraWorld Championships to be held on Maui in less than two weeks. This will make our 6th appearance.

       As if the training and those races were not enough the Furnace Creek 508 (miles) non stop bicycle road race a mere few weeks ago was a real test. Physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually the whole enchilada. Jodi and her 100 lb. frame got hit hard by a side wind and down on the pavement she went. Hard. Fortunately just road rash and she remarkably stood up and went on to hammer out her stages. Then just this past Sunday three fifty plus year olds (sorry Robert I am giving a few you of mine, almost 55 and you are close enough) chose to relay the L.A. Tri Series race and dished out some of the fastest swim, bike and run splits to finish under 50 minutes in the sprint. Which only a few very youthful lightening fast kids did as well. Congratulations Dillon on rocking it.

       Our training after the race Sunday was to bust out Sunset Ridge on the mtn. bikes. Robert took the digger this time. Flying down the descent. I had to play nurse Ratchet as the real nurse (Jodi) was out putting in some last pre Maui running miles. 

        Please everyone be careful out there on your bicycles. Vehicles and human beings in them are our biggest threats. But there is always a risk beyond those too. Be safe. Carry your cell phone. Tell family/friends where you are riding. Ride with a training partner, etc.
and be courteous on the trails (and road)................

     

Furnace Creek 508 Champs

They claim it : "The toughest 48 hours in sports". For us it was 32 hours and 59 minutes to the finish line and first place. Brutal. Difficult. Demanding physically and even more so mentally. It's done. Over. The girls rocked. Jodi went down hard on the pavement. As in cracked helmet-hard. It looked bad. Very scarey. She got up dusted herself off and hammered away. Kevin Unck and his angels from above were watching over us this weekend. On more than one occasion..................
             Huge thanks to Robert Little, John Holderness whom both crewed for us. Two outstanding human beings, athletes AND support crew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Corey big shout thank you for the tremendous help. Could never have done it without any of you.
        And again: Great job Sherry, Jodi and Liesel.  Simply amazing.

LavaRacing/Hammer Nutrition/Coates Bicycles= Tri Clinic

We promised over the top again. Okay last clinic set the bar high. But this one will set it higher!!! For all you pre- registered you should have received instructions and clinic format by now. Reg is closed. If you did not receive it contact me pronto.
      The ride is long. The climbing longer. La Verne to Crystal Lake and back. 60 miles. Elevation tops out near 7500'. The Hammer Nutrition talk/ product bag distribution will be right when and where it should be: Before we begin the ride. This will be approximately 30 minutes. After we return from the ride and take our "Hammer Break" and will  then bust out 10 miles of San Gabriel Mountains trail running.(about 4K elevation gain). Again: Bring your Garmins and heart rate monitors. There will be a half distance and those of you are in the "B" group. All of this info is included in your instructions sent.

    And you can't forget the TikiSwim to be held in Oceanside in which we conquer the following day. (www.tikiswim.com) You have the choice of two distances: 1.2 mile or 2.4 miles. So far the majority in our clinic are signed up for the 2.4 miler.

Furnace Creek 508!!

Wow. Furnace Creek 508 just a few weeks away!! Mojave desert, Death Valley, 10 mountain passes, over 36000' elevation gain, Amboy, Kelso, Baker, Twentynine Palms. They call this race "The Toughest 48 hours of Sport".

        I just dug up a couple of buried away photo's. The street sign? Kelbaker road. Right smack out in the middle of no mans land. It is thee the 508 course but backwards. I have ridden it several times on our epic Palm Springs to Baker ride. Typically myself and at most three others. The roads are desolate. The roads are rough. The scenery is off the charts. The traffic was always minimal. There are long big climbs and long descents. I have only ridden it going the opposite direction of the upcoming FC 508 race. I have never ridden it in the pitch black dark of the desert night. But that is soon to change..............................

Furnace Creek 508 straight miles of bike race

First and foremost: Congratulations Carlos Solis for your accomplishment on finishing your much hard -trained -for Malibu Triathlon held yesterday. You not only finished it. You rocked it. It was an absolute honor and pleasure working with you these past 6 months. You my friend deserve 99% of the credit. I will take .05% and give the other .05% to CNN FitNation and their team. That being said and it is done and over, you are an amazing man.  Continue to share your message.
         It is now time for us to continue on with our own personal goals. Furnace Creek 508 mile bike race coming up in a few weeks. Pic here is Liesel Lemay. Widow of much respected and much missed Kevin Unk. My sister Sherry, wife Jodi, and good friend Liesel and myself are racing in Kevin's honor. Have dedicated our efforts to his foundation and lasting memory. He was one amazing man himself. Sure his cycling talent was off the charts. But his character even more.

         This race has/had several hundred teams which all had to send in a tedious application. Many or most got turned down. We did not. It is listed as  one of the most difficult races on the planet. 508 non stop miles, through huge mountain ranges (35k' of elevation gain) Death Valley in the heat of day  and no sleep and that makes sense. We have all trained hard. There is a lot involved in such an activity. I am used to tossing my gear in a bag the night before a competition, get up in a.m. and jump into the water 2 minutes before the gun goes off. Not this one.  Whole different ball game.......and we are looking forward to it.

Carlos Solis Team CNN

It was only 6 months ago CNN contacted myself inquiring if I would be interested in training an individual for the Nautica Malibu Triathlon. A race that will be held this Sunday. Yes Carlos Solis, a once overweight, hypertensive and type 2 diabetic is ready and will be competing along with 6 other CNN Team FitNation athletes from around the country this weekend.
         Carlos is ready. He will accomplish this. And he will then continue on with his new healthier lifestyle. Sharing his message. Being an example. He is one awesome individual. Good luck Carlos and all the CNN FitNation team this Sunday. See you at the party Sunday night!

Xterra World Championships 2012

Xterra Worlds coming up fast. Heck these past dozen years went fast! Speaking of fast. Fast is fun. I like being fit to go fast. I like training hard to go fast. As does Jodi. So looking forward to it. Sure several hundred other fit, fast and hungry competitors from dozens of other countries will be in attendance. That just makes it all the funner. Train hard. Go fast.

Hot and Helly Mt. Baldy Time Trial

Okay that hurt. 70 racers went off in typical time trial fashion every 30 seconds. Mt. Baldy is flat out known to be one of the steepest climbs in California. Someone said it was 100 degrees today. Humid too. 12 miles straight up 5K elevation. I have to admit: I loved it. It hurt. A lot. I raced 45+ category and placed 1st. Stoked with that being that I am playing in the mostly one dimensional road racer playground. That and I am a hell of lot closer to 55 than 45. Jodi rocked and placed third in womens Cat 1/2. Very impressive. Robert Little has big cajones and unlike many others.............showed up and raced it. Placing a very respectable 5th. Up until 6 months ago he was triathlete only. I persuaded him to invest in a road bike for training and here he is racing. Well at that. Congratulations to everyone who even attempted this beast. Finished or not.

Mt. Baldy Time Trial this Saturday!!!!

Challenging? Yeah. 12 miles straight up thru Baldy Village and  then on up the switchbacks and finish at ski lifts. This is probably thee toughest climb in So Cal. Now you can race up it!!! Here is Jodi about quarter way up ducking thru one of the tunnels. www.backontrack.com website for info. Finish line is well over 6000'. Yay!

        This will be a sufferfest. Be prepared to get your hurt on!

Great day at Xterra Snow Valley

Great road trip. Seven athletes competing. Seven went up in Coates Team Van. Seven came home with hardware. Everyone rocked the challenging course most beating their competitors in their division. Jodi and I both took 1st place male and female overall in the Xterra duathlon. Robert, Alex, Devon, Jeff 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in their division. Scott and Tami teamed up as a relay winning their division as well. I hope this race sticks around for years to come. Congrats to all who attempted and/or finished this challenging course!

Carlos CNN Team Member

Carlos' training today consisted of pure open water beach starts/ 400 yard repeats. Nice having the Steamboat triathlon swim course open for him to train. These awesome Bonelli lifeguards were troopers and joined in on the fun. He is getting comfortable with the hands, feet and elbows that a mass swim start entails. With his big event approaching fast he is right on course. Actually a little ahead..............
             

We're baaaackk...........

2012 brought lots of fast racing out of the gates. I figure a dozen  race competitions or more already. Big ones too. All of the Los Angeles Triathlon Series, an Xterra in California, Xterra in Nevada, Xterra in Alabama and half Ironman in Texas and then toss in a few other local fast races and well,  that's a lot.
          With a few World Championships coming up in October (oh and the Furnace Creek 508 mile bike race) it is time to start crackin' again. Not that we stopped crackin' but nice to just train aimlessly sometimes as recently have.
          TriEvents just sent us our schwag for 1) both winning the overall title for the Express series. 2) double whammy that we are the first couple. 3) Bigger whammy that we are both in our fifties....... Fifty? So what. I train like I always have these last 27 years. And the race outcomes (and times) thus far are staying close to to the same. Not going to change anything now.....................

         TriEvents asked Jodi and I if we would like to put on a little triathlon clinic prior to their October race. Initially I figured we already had too much going on. But after a few days something again is having me lean towards paying it forward. I have been given huge amounts of good from the sport. Huge. No larger than huge. Going to pay it forward. So keep your eyes for a one of a kind clinic coming up. From a pretty cool couple. Whom have both qualified for a Triathlon World Championship this year. Don't know how many that makes. But I guess we are doing something right. Hope to see you soon...............................................

Carlos and Ryan go prime time!!!

I am not no chef. Nor am I a chief. But I know some chefs. Some chiefs. And lots of champs. That's what it took to get these two awesome individuals together. Just two weeks ago tomorrow they met for the first time. It took a recipe that was baked from scratch. Baked on high real fast. And yet they were on CNN today.  There has got to be a lot of story for one to get on such a broadcast. CNN. That's pretty big. I would like to acknowledge Trievents for allowing them to race under such quick notice. Alex Soto, Carolyn Wolk, you two really stepped up to the plate. How wonderful CNN used this backdrop with the Trievents logo today on live television. And then there is another very important individual whom was a huge part in the success of this exposure. He is one of the most selfless human beings on the planet. He insists on not getting any credit or having his name mentioned. Okay I won't. But he said nothing about using his initials. T.M. was a major factor in this getting to where it did. Just as big as Dr. Sanjay Gupta. Carlos Solis, Ryan Maloney, Alex and Carolyn. And one other but whom like Terry will just be grateful he is able to "pay it forward"....................

Ironman 70.3 Buffalo Springs this weekend for Jodi!!!

First congratulations to Dillon Nobbs whom qualified for Junior Elite Nationals while competing up in the state of Washington last weekend!!

      Jodi departs for her big race flying out this Friday. We have trained well. Big days climbing on the bike. Long mid day-hot runs. 2500 yard swims. Throw in a half dozen shorter high effort races she has done this season and makes a good recipe for Lubbock. She, like Dillons race last week knows there will be big competition. That just makes it all the better. This is a Kona World Championship qualifier. She has qualified and raced there 5 x's. That does not mean she will qualify this year. But scarey thing is she is now 50 years young. Fitter, faster and stronger than ever. The temperature is expected to be near 100 degree's there this weekend. Nuts. But we train for that : )................good luck and give 'em hell Jodi!!!!!

2012 L.A. Tri Series Final

TriEvents races just keep improving every season. 30 year anniversary. That says heaps. PR manager Alex Soto comes up with great ideas. One was to push Jodi and I to race the entire Express Series and aim to earn the first ever overall series champion titles. As a couple. Married at that. And we are no spring chickens (although Jodi looks like a young chick).
          Jodi had no problem as she won all three races outright. Overall every time. She is swimming like a fish. Cycling like Jan Ullrich (dating myself with that example) and running like: The wind!!!!!
          As for me well swimming like a fish but more like a big Giant Sea Bass than Barracuda-like. But I have layed down some good bike splits entering T2  in 1st place a few times. Stayed there to the finish line one race. And two 3rd overalls. Problem was I had a younger speedster named Heiko (even his name sounds fast) with the same stats. I came into this race with 5 seconds on him. Meant he had to beat by 6 or more seconds to claim the overall Series Champion. He proved in an earlier race he could do so.

         But being a non spring chicken can have it's advantages. At the run turn around I could see Heiko was close. Real close. So I just ran a tad below lactate threshold. At about mile two he came up on me. Surged. I answered. Surged. I answered again. It was one heck of a painful blast to HAVE to run that pace. We were busting sub six minute miles those last few. Step for step. Heiko hit the finish line two steps which I cooly calculated 2 seconds. I narrowly took the title of Overall Series Champion. A big deal? Of course not. Fun, exciting while doing it? Heck yeah.
             Thank you Terry Martin for being out there working your ass off taking several hundred pictures of everyone. Your love is felt. Hope you feel it in return. You are the best. And again congratulations to Ryan and Carlos. The biggest winners of the day. Hands down.

L.A. Tri Series # 3: One special day.

You stick around this sport for over a quarter of a century and  chances are you will see and experience the same old stuff. Or the opposite. I am a lucky one and the latter happens to be the case. A few months ago I get approached by CNN  inquiring if I would be interested in helping one of their chosen 7 in our nation and assist him to be able to complete the Nautica Malibu Triathlon coming up in September. My info on Carlos was short on paper: Non athletic, overweight and diabetic. He was chosen for those reasons. After meeting Carlos on our initial visit I accepted the task because of the man he is. Athlete? Not yet. Good man? Already.

CNN wants Carlos' first entire triathlon to be finished at the highly popular Nautica Malibu. But I felt he needs the experience other than training with just myself near him. So CNN granted him our wish of allowing him to participate in a relay today at the triathlon. I asked Carlos which would he choose to benefit from the experience: Swim, bike, or run? He wanted the experience of several hundred other cyclist's around him. So bike it is.

It would have been easy to shag a swimmer and runner from right here in the local area. But I was pretty strong on feeling another diabetic would add to the worth, the meaning, the message these two (or three) potential team members can share. So I google "Tri-abetes" and "Team Insulin Dependance" and I get this facebook page with a 13 year old kid from Carlsbad whom from the pics looks like one involved little athlete. Swim, bike, run, surf, paddle board racing, his photos were impressive. So I shoot a message to him asking him to share it with his parents. Thinking: Long shot. 

But 13 year old Ryan Maloney rose to the occasion. Huge. His parents Bill and Annette drove the long haul from Carlsbad early this a.m. I met young Ryan for the very first time with both our feet in the water at the start of a triathlon waiting for the gun to off. A triathlon course I have competed well over 100 times. Ryan and Carlos? Never. The two absolutely rocked today. In every manner. The results and splits are up. Ryan out of the swim near the big boys!  With this being Carlos' first ever competition he handled his transition and cycling leg simply awesome entering the run transition as 2nd place relay!!! And then young Ryan Maloney running down the relay leader to take 1st place relay overall! Nothing short of amazing. Diabetic or not, these two guys are awesome. But the fact is they are both diabetic. And they are showing others they can control it and not let it control them.  Incredible examples.  I enjoy being around them.  With their natural public speaking talent (as witnessed today) maybe I will. Watching them from our sofa. They are both talk show material.  Absolute incredible display of sportsmanship, competition, and I'll even throw in the word professionalism. Not one I toss around much.

L.A. Tri Series #3 this Sunday!!

Bill Carlson is a very good friend of mine. Has been for nearly 20 years. He has type 1 diabetes. He is an absolute animal swimming, cycling or running. Most anything for that matter. He controls his diabetes and does not let it control him. This pic is from one of our many nutty endurance escapades. Palm Springs to Las Vegas, 250 miles. Oh and then run the Las Vegas half marathon the next day.  Once was not enough. We have repeated it a few times.

              I coach Carlos Solis for his upcoming Nautica Malibu Triathlon. I am learning more and more about him. And his disease. This Sunday he is teaming up with another diabetic that is barely a teenager named Ryan Maloney coming out from Carlsbad, Ca.. Ryan will swim and run while Carlos will do the cycling portion. Ryan is 13 years old. Diabetic since he was two. Carlos 47 years old and diabetic only a few years. Carlos is a school teacher. Teaches Ryans grade level. The roles will be switched this Sunday with Ryan having much more experience with diabetes AND triathlon, hence he will be the teacher this day. Sunday will also be the first time Ryan and Carlos meet. At a triathlon. On the same team. Sharing a message for the same cause. That's a pretty neat thing. Good luck Ryan and Carlos and most importantly: Have fun!

Blood sugar levels and a new Diabetic division

I have Carlos check his blood sugar before every workout. Then again after the workout. We will be training longer and harder now and I will have him check it during.

 Interesting, three months ago I had Carlos in just "survival" mode for the completion of Nautica Malibu Triathlon. That's changing. Things change when you "continue" to make positive improvements in your lifestyle. Eating right, exercising, rest and recovery. It is a simple equation. But you have to do it.

   I am going to suggest to my Race Director friends the thought of adding a new division category: Diabetic.  Watch some diabetics kick diabetes in the ass. Along with kicking non diabetics in that spot too. My good friend Bill Carlson has been doing just that for over 25 years. Ironman distance triathlons, ultra(100 miles) distance running, and he has been dabbling pretty seriously in bicycle road racing the past few years. In typical BC fashion: Hard and fast................ Carrying his insulin along the whole way.

Baldy loop and cool cops

Great ride up frontside of Baldy down GMR today. June on the weekends is strictly Jodi training. She rode like a mountain goat on caffeine overload. The descent is always fun as my TCR just handles speed so well. I am used to wannabe overconfident riders on motorbikes on that hill and today there were a few crotchrockets doing just that. But one motorcyclist stayed on my my wheel for a few fast miles. As I nodded, hand gestured, hugged the outside, the guy just would not pass. I finally had enough and fully slowed and the motorcycle pulls right along side says: "You're going over 50 miles per hour".  Seeing that he was on a bike with multi colored lights and big guns a badge and probably a ticket book, I thought "Seriously"? One of my biggest pet peeves are the crimes (I feel pretty strong about it) roughly 10% of the California drivers get away with. Many IMO should have their licenses revoked on the spot when driving 100 m.p.h + on our over populated freeways.

     As it was time to wait up for Jodi anyways I pulled off on a turnout, the motorcycle officer did the same, and I figured if this guy wants to write me up for speeding  my name is now Joe Smith. 

  This Highway Patrolman was off the hook cool. Said he enjoyed observing a bicycle on a descent like that as he really has only seen it on TV. He asked what "Safariland" meant on the back of my bibs and he then shows me his Safariland holster. He grew up in Baldwin Park, went to Bishop Amat High School and was coached in football by friends of mine. Graduated in 2002.  Man he is young. He jokingly shared that he could write me up. But I think I got him back when just prior to rolling out he asks "what kind of bike do you recommend for me?" I replied :"One without a motor" smiled, dropped it in my 11T and ventured on. Pretty cool mutual respect thing we had there. I hope I see my new friend again.(maybe him pedaling next time :) It's always welcoming to see law enforcement up on GMR. But it is still rare. Unfortunately similar on our freeways. When I was 16 I learned real quick. Go over the speed limit: Get a ticket. Have not had one since................ Don't speed. In your car at least.

Carlos Solis

Rock Star. That in my book is what Carlos Solis is. I train him just like I do any other athlete: To help them obtain their highest level of fitness they personally can. I emphasize personally. We are all different. What works for one individual could be a waste of time for another. Or worse: Damaging. Carlos is improving like there is no tomorrow. Dropped 50 lbs. Blood sugar coming under control. Joints, muscles adapting to the stresses his body experiences from training.

   Google his name along with CNN and you may think he is a movie star. They seem to interview and film him more than the other 6 CNN FitNation athletes. If you met him you would know why. He is one of the most selfless and kind human beings there are. Today he broke into tears halfway through our training ride. I could see him getting emotional as he spoke of his ailing brother. I was already aware of those unfortunate circumstances.. But when Carlos told me he would know tomorrow whether or not he was was a positive candidate as a kidney donor (he didn't need to tell me it could save his life) Carlos Solis raised the bar even higher. And it was already pretty high.

Jodi and Buffalo Springs Texas: Time to start crackin'!!

And crackin' we are. With my gig last week behind and done all focus is on Jodi. I dished out a big leg whipping on the bike today and she gobbled it up. She is new to Strava. She see's the worth. Went hard for 4K of climbing and snagged four QOM (queen of the mountains) stretches. They will most likely get taken away some day. That's the fun. You have to work your ass off to get it back. Or not. We are heading out to desert now for a few big volumed training days. In the heat. The whole month of June is Jodi training. She is going to blow doors off. Wait. She already is.

Traveling pains

Pain drives me. It is my friend. I do not always get along with it but with friends that is natural. Last week my friend(pain) injected some. For the most part  the Alabama trip was beautiful. But due to lack of bicycle delivery to destination( this was a world championship race) two of us had to rent bikes from local bike shop. I grabbed the brand new never before ridden Niner Air Nine offered to me. Pavel got a close second with his Niner full suspension albeit: Used.
           But used and tested can be a good thing. My beauty of a bike had difficulty with the rear tubeless tire staying sealed to the rim. Flat tire came on after my first smack on the rocky and rooty course. A few CO2's and no tube later I just depressingly rode on the rim. At the World Championships. Far, far away from home. Very slow moving with lots of time to think (when pain appears) I thought about the run and figured I'd add a dose  more discomfort (the kind I really prefer). And that I did.
            In the pics are the bikes we shagged from local shop "Cahaba Bicycles". Great "Coates Cyclery" like- cool family vibe.
       With no team uniforms (and most race related necessities) we trained in board shorts (maybe that's underwear for Pavel) and borrowed running shoes. That is Roberts bike case being loaded as we laughed and kiddingly asked: Where's ours??
           Robert Little (fellow Team USA and amigo) was born and raised in Vestavia Hills which was only 10 miles away from Pelham. We drove through his old neighborhood, visited his high school and like a couple of 15 year olds challenged each other to a one mile race on his alumni high school track. That was a kick. And the sort of pain I prefer.

       Although we got holed up out of the gates and had to unexpectedly stay overnite in Dallas enroute, bikes lost, race gear too, flat tires and all............. we had one bitchen time. When life hands you lemons: Make lemonade. I made the best I could. And that tangy sting I felt earlier in the week? Getting weaker. The party goes on. Hard and heavy. Pain can be your friend...................................