Saturday, October 10, 2009

The War Wagon Vs. Parker Lewis

I named my bike the War Wagon. The name just did not do the bike justice. I've been getting wailed on out there... the Blind Date and the first Cross Crusade. Totally been getting crushed.  Could it have been the brakes that Damian sabotaged. Or was it the 42x16 I was running. Or the bent axle. Or a combined trifecta of suck.
Well, I got some base miles in this week. Some most ridiculous Spinergy tubulars. And a rear 19 tooth. And I've renamed my bike... PARKER LEWIS CAN'T LOSE! And I'll be riding with the clydesdales. I've also got one more trick up my sleeve... a new kit. Dimpled cotton. WHAT!? Yes, dimpled cotton for SPEED!


Friday, October 9, 2009

Minutes of Team Motordome Meeting 10/09/10

I call this meeting to order.
I move that this meeting be concluded.
All in favor say, "I."
"I," Griz.
All opposed.
Silence.
Motion carried, meeting concluded.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Cross Crusade opener at Alpenrose Buries Many, with Cupcakes!

Thanks to Sweet Pea Bakery, we received what looked like a couple hundred tiny vegan cupcakes to hand out to the masses, and also a rad breakfast before we headed out. We also got some air pots from Coffee Plant for some fresh Stumptown Coffee in the Motordome. We love our sponsors.

Hecklers!

Our force for the day consisted of Griz, Corndog, Bobby, Glenn, Charlie, Danger, Kim, as well as Joel, Will, and Tad. We had good support from a dozen or so friends who managed to make it out a little later in the day.

Motordome Joel and Glenn

There was a good 15% more racers this year, and Candi reported around 1,440 racers with results, so more probably registered. We had six team members race the Singlespeed Category, and Rachel raced Women's A Category. We thought we might have to heckle ourselves as practically everyone who came with us was racing Singlespeed and Men's B, but with Motordome's seemingly endless finances we were able to pay people with cupcakes to be there for us, to make us feel worthless and thereby try to race harder. It's a proven technique I hear.

Bobby gets the first kit Rachel

We had the Reverse Podium Shovel out, and we were about to use it, but our DFL result was correctly switched to a DNF and the shovel stayed pretty for one more day. All in all our results were right where we promised they would be, maintaining our promise of no expectations. Three who shall remain nameless(unless you check OBRA for results, I had the names corrected) took three of the first five DNF's. We're kinda like the Kona crew, but without all that tough winning. We also are all about a foot shorter than them. Todd raced his way to an impressive 80th on a borrowed bike, with pretty much no training rides, on what probably amounts to a one beer per mile ridden routine over the summer. He was edged by Glenn in at 75th, who rode in just in front of Joel. I had what seemed like 17th, but was adjusted to 18th. I'm hoping for a number call up next week. I felt, like many, that my starting position will greatly change things next time. I'm hoping for a top ten Cross Crusade finish this year, and never getting lapped by Trebon. On that note I suggest a new term: Treboned-1). v., to be lapped by Ryan Trebon in a cyclocross race. 2). v. something else.

Damian Sweet Pea is rad

Considering Bobby and Charlie were both wrecked out and Bobby's crank was busted, the day went well. Rachel was racing after we got done with our race and we were there to cheer her and others on, and ended up placing 19th. We implemented the wave and helpful shouts of, "Go Timbers!" or "Go Blazers!". It clearly worked as there were lots of smiles showing as racers passed by. We enjoyed grilled salmon, brats, and some special beverages as the sun came out to warm things up a bit.

All in all, we had a blast and are looking forward to next week when we head to Rainier. Maybe this time we can use the shovel.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Site Visit #50

Things are really picking up around here! 50! Visits!

Of Love and Penmanship

Perhaps it would be best if we began using our Sunday School penmanship on our entry forms. As wonderful as we all are... or perhaps it's only the wonderful folks at OBRA entering the results, either way, regardless, let's start making it easier on them... Todd Darger, Kalli Phillips (they had it right at the race but WTF), Motordoom (that's actually cool), Reihn (no first name), Bobby Bick. Was Charlie the grey ghost, did he even register? And they caught me, I was DNF, thought I had DFL wrapped up. Bummer.

Not our team, but I really did appreciate the Team Bee registration.


Thursday, October 1, 2009

Blind Date Again

Enough people inside the Motordome to cause it to list to the right. Maybe we need new shocks? Maybe we need to distribute the weight a little better.

Alpenrose Blind Date, 9/30/09

Rachel and Gideon and Griz were out racing today yesterday and things went pretty well if you don't ask Griz. But who cares about him?

Alpenrose Blind Date, 9/30/09

Rachel looked good on a recon mission of the course and was smooth as was Gideon. Sunday should be good. Griz got screwed by my brake job as planned and removed himself to the comfort of our booing/cheering section. I will have it repaired by then buddy, or you can use my bike.

Alpenrose Blind Date, 9/30/09

On an important note, one of the Team S&M dudes in the B category was putting on a show. On the first lap I noticed a wreck over the one barrier before the runup, and thought that it was ridiculous to fall on one barrier with fresh legs. On the next lap he rode over it, bonking the rear up and over, falling out of the pedals, and then quickly righting himself to ride up the runup. We were stoked. Then on the next lap, another try at bunny hopping. He clipped the front wheel, face planted, and catapulted his neon green Major Jake about 15 straight up. He popped up right away and grabbed his mangled ride and ran back to attempt it again and wrecked, then ran it. That episode sent the heckler corner into a frenzy. We love this guy. He even faked me out when he saw me run to get a photo on the next trip by running it, followed a lap later by an intentional headlong dive over the barricade.

Racing is fun, but this is why we love cross.

See y'all Sunday! We leave at 8 from Sweet Pea.

Blind Date 9/30--a haiku

Tonight spent training
In South East with PBR
Six pack split two ways