Saturday afternoon the Advantage Benefits Endeavour cycling team drove to Downer’s Grove, Illinois for the ProAm challenge race in the evening. Near the race course the van stopped at a BP gas station to get some ice for the cooler. I was unaware of this fact since I was sleeping in the back with my head on Sneaky Pete’s leopard print pillow listening to my ipod. Just as we were about to leave I wake up and decide to run in for a diet pepsi figuring we were two hours early and basically at the race course. Apparently two hours was not early enough because Mr. Pipp vetoed my decision and said we were leaving. After a few “Australian expletives” directed towards Frank I had my diet soda and we were on our way.

The race was crazy with all of the pro’s and amatures combined. I think there were two hundred people on a tight crit course. Frank got fifth making a huge $250 dollars to split between the eight of us that raced. I think that is like $31.25 apiece………..enough for nineteen tall black coffee’s at Starbucks and lots of free Splenda (more on that in a bit). It is more that I can say though since I did not contribute anything. I guess I was feeling tired from walking to the coffee shop to get Karl an espresso before the race and then having to go back and get some sugar for him since I forgot the first time. Ahhhhhh, that is why I had shit legs!

We stayed at the Rudrud’s house after Saturday nights race. It was nice there. They had cold diet mountain dew and wireless internet. Plus, when we got up they had a huge breakfast buffet waiting for us. I did have to use my own Splenda for my cereal though. Actually it is not my Splenda I “borrow” it from coffee shops whenever I get a coffee by grabbing a handful/s. That shit is expensive! Thanks for letting us stay!

Rode for an hour in the morning and adjusted my saddle again. I can never get comfortable and when I finally do, I think I can be more comfortable, and make an adjustment that only ends up being uncomfortable. I think I need an electronic saddle that I can adjust on the fly while I am racing. Sort of like the electric seat adjustments on a car but instead on my bike. Then I can adjust when I am racing. That would be nice!

USPRO Crit was good. We had a tv/flim crew taping us all day and I even think they got footage of me putting on my chamois cream. So HOT! The race was not too fast and I went for the hotspot sprints. Three sprints and rider with most points after the three sprints wins. I ended up second behind Ivan Dominguez who smoked me on the last one and won. Second is crap!

After that I hung out at the back for a bit until the end when I tried to move up and help Frank. I had a hard time getting through the traffic and when I got up there it was halfway through the last lap and a bit too late. Karl did an awesome job and Frank was there to finish it off but and New Zelander from Health Net pulled a shady move that lost Frank the race. Frank and Karl and everyone else still rode awesome!

After we ate pizza, drove back to Milwaukee and had a melon fight with the cut up melon we had left over from the drive. Nick hit me in the chest with a piece so hard I think it is going to leave a bruise?

……………Okay that is it for tonight.

later,
g.

P.S. The Hartman interview for real tomorrow.

The Aussies are back in town so for the occasion Frank, Wes, Karl, Rich, and I went and watched the “The 40 Year Old Virigin”. It was definetly good for a few laughs and I would recommmend the movie. Then after we had a bit of a BBQ. Frank grilled up some spicey ass chicken and Steph brought over some awesome spinach/cheese bread that she made. Steph is definetly a great cook and can cook for me anytime!

Frank and I also went and checked out the new vehicle that he might buy. It is a sharp looking black Toyota Four Runner. Between Billy’s new Porsche Cayanne and Franks new vehicle I have the ability to impress some people. If they are nice enough to let me borrow them for a few evenings (hint).

Time to head down to Team Sports and load up the van for the trip to Chicago and a few races. Have a great weekend.

later,
g.

Made it back to Wauwatosa a few days ago after finishing up a bit of training in Madison. I had a good time and the riding is great over there. My last day in Madison, the day after our wine tasting/custard eating extravaganza, I decided to head out for one more long ride by myself. I was not going to ride that long but Wes and Pipp headed back to Tosa meaning I could crush them in the mileage competion. Plus, I felt guilty about eating custard the previous night.

I was planning on doing six hours but like all of my rides the six hours turned into seven. If you ever ride with me add about one hour to the planned time and that is approximately what you will be in for. Or else you can be like Frank and get pissed every ride because we are out for longer than planned. I am just trying to help him out. I also think he could use the extra miles.

Yesterday, back in Tosa, we went to our house: (if anyone wants to mail us any tables, silverware, Lazy boys, superautomic coffee machines, long sleve polo shirts, Starbucks gift cards, etc…… here is the address)

I came to Madison last week with Frank and Wes to do some training in the bluffs around the city. The training has been going okay but there are so many damn distractions it is hard to stay focused. Take tonight for example………………..

After riding our bikes for a bit we got back to Darren’s (Frank’s brother who we are staying with) and took an interactive tour of his wine cellar. I think that first glass of wine I poured myself was a little too big because the following glasses seemed to go down a little too smoothly. Anyway after trying all of the different red wines, white wines, imports, different years……etc. I was feeling good!

Upon concluding the wine tasting extravaganza Darren cooked us deer (venison) for dinner. Even with all of the wine and cheese and crackers we were still hungry. The dinner was very tastey and we even had some asparagus from the garden.

Later on as hunger set in once again a group decision was made to go Micheal’s Frozen custard in Verona. Not to start any controversy but I have been told that Micheals is much better than Culvers. Malts and ice cream was had by all!! However, before going back to the house I had Darren swing by Kelly’s Market so I could pick up a liter of Diet Dew for the drive back to the house and Hartman got some Mike and Ikes. I guess I am drinking diet soda again.

From there the evening got only better! I got back to the house pretty tired and wanted to change and go to sleep. However, I went into my room and found Steph, Frank’s girlfriend, lying in my bed! I found that weird but I definetly did not complain. What can I say Frank is a generous guy.

I did notice something weird in Frank’s room as I walked past. I was fortunate enough to catch it on camera. It appears to be Hartman with his shirt off in a rather comprimising position. Why would Hartman be on Frank’s bed with his shirt off? I guess some situations it is not good to ask questions and I think this is one of them.

That was definetly enough excitement for one night.

I did come up with some training tips on today’s ride that you might find useful. First, wine, custard, massive quantities of diet soda, Mike and Ikes, and teamates girlfriends in your bed don’t necessarily make you fast. Second, wearing gloves are great. Who cares about tan lines on your wrists when you have them on your legs and arms anyway. Third, eat string cheese and drink a liter of diet mountain dew halfway through five hour rides. (string cheese my only be available at Wisconsin gas stations?) Lastly, ride in your big chainring even if you are gettring dropped by Pipp on a gravel hill.

later,
g.

PS. The Hartman interview has been rescheduled for a later date. Sorry.

My mild case of allergic rhinitis has gotten out of control and upgraded to a critical case of allergic rhinitis. For the past two weeks I have been hacking up phlem, have had a plugged nose and pressure behind my eyes, and an intchy throat. It really has not bothered me. Maybe because I am tough?

Anyway, over the past two days my itchy throat has blossomed into an painful inferno! It is utterly miserable. I don’t think there is one thing that I hate more than having a sore throat. I could handle something like loosing a finger, having my appendix out, or breaking my leg but a sore throat I cannot deal with.

…….I guess it is not that bad as long as I avoid eating, drinking and breathing! Eating and drinking I can avoid but holding my breath all day that will be trickey.

Time to go and gargle with warm salt water which might help. If not I am going to drink a little Listerine which should work since the bottle says it kills 99.9% of all bacteria. That means it will kill the shit in my throat, I think?

later,
g.