Lunch break blog post

Michael and I rode a century in 5:34 this past Saturday, under hot skies and with 88% humidity. The Kirksville Century, as we call it, is a tough and grueling ride under these conditions. I'd like to try it in October or late spring for the better weather. I did, however, win the sprint to the Kirksville city limit sign this year!

This 110 miles or so gave me confidence. A huge amount of confidence in my riding ability this year. As a tune-up for cyclocross season, I'm now really thinking hard about doing the 3/4 category for this race.

In addition, I'd like to ride in the Tour of the Hill in this wonderful weekend of racing. I have not done the Gateway Cup since the late 1990s, unbelievably.

The Sedalia crit, from what I've heard, is exactly the kind of crit I loved in the past: technical, with sharp, off-camber corners, a downtown spectacle, the smell of bratwurst and burning brake pads in the air. Survival of the fittest and the luckiest. I love the Darwinian world of criterium racing. I truly like the concept of it. I simply like toeing the line to see if I can survive. As for being the fittest----

WTF? Ricco?

The Tour de France is now officially a big, worldwide joke.

Droppage

My brother, Micheal tried to ride away from me last weekend

I dropped him because I have this little motor in my bottom bracket. He also has this strange habit of riding turned 90 degrees counterclockwise. No, actually, to give the dude credit, he is super, super strong and still as classy a rider as ever. A natural rouleur.

Leader Bikes

Two years ago I purchased a frame from Leader Bikes, a lesser known manufacturer in California. This particular frame was, in 2005, their top end frame with carbon seat stays and very high quality aluminum.

Honestly, I still love this bike, but aside from seeing it in the occasional photos from West Coast races I’ve never actually seen one at a race or heard someone talk about how damn good (and inexpensive!) they are.

That is, until I was reading Mark Schwartzendruber’s blog last night. His whole team rides the new Leader carbon bikes. I’ve actually never met Druber, I’ve just heard of his legend. It appears to me that he pounds it out in both the 40+ AND the Pro 1-2s with incredible success. Very much like Fish.

I’d just like to put in a plug for Leader, once again. The above photo is of the incarnation of my bike last year. I plan to get the carbon frame after this one wears out. Indeed, since I know I will never be a sponsored rider or work at a LBS again, I can’t imagine ever purchasing a frame from a different manufacturer. These guys know how to make bikes . . .