Super Rookie’s World

Today I did the best I have ever done in a CX race with a 12th place finish in the Men’s B Race. The Orono cross is definitely my favorite course so far. It really suits me with the lack of technical riding and the insane mud and gravel roads. I know that I can get better in this discipline. If everything keeps rolling along I should be able to crack the top 10 throughout the season and continue to progress.

I did a few things different today. While I put in a nice effort for the start I really concentrated on holding a nice sustained tempo throughout. This of course was a huge improvement over yesterday when I let my wits get to the best of me.

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Last year I spent a lot of time trying to learn how to dismount and remount from the ‘proper’ side of the bike (non-drive side). I eventually got comfortable at getting off on the non-drive, but I found myself consistently running around my bike to get back on the bike from the “wrong” side. I don’t know why I am so bad at doing it the ‘proper’ way, but it stems from my days as a messenger.

If you look at the pro’s they run it this way:

Yet, every now and again you see a picture that makes me seem somewhat vindicated:

(note the guy on the right of the picture!)

Or…a recent 4th place finisher on a single speed at Chewamegon at last years State CX Championship:

The scene is similar in Minnesota. Everyone seems to do it this way:

Then I come along…

Thanks to Skinnyski.com for your consistent coverage!

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The ‘A’ race was fun to watch and the Little Guy and (dis) did great.

Check out bikethrow.com soon for a complete recap of the weekends racing.

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From what I have gathered from everyone the real epic race of the day was the Women’s race between Linda Sone (Ridley) and Linda Cooper (CSM-Fargo). Since, they race with the B’s it is rather difficult to watch their racing when they start a little bit after we start. It sounded like an epic race and according to Linda Sone’s blog she credits some of her victory to the velodrome:

In my race I tried to hold onto Linda C’s wheel. She’d get away and I’d peck away at the gap. It was like a criterium race. I just sat there while she marked out the pace. It was very rutty and muddy back in the woods and it was hard to find a line. I made my move on the track. I felt like I was at the velodrome in the win in out event.

Further proof from one of the best women riders in the state that the Velodrome is where you can learn important tactics and ways to improve your all-around cycling capabilities!

Rain. Mud. Tree Roots. Fire Trucks.

Mix all of those together and you got your self a pretty bad-ass cross race courtesy of the Big Ring Flyers and Dag Selander. The race was a lot of fun at a bad ass venue. I liked the course…but my skills didn’t.

I am just not very good at technical riding. If there are a lot of turns or muddy turns or other things that hamper straight riding than it probably doesn’t fit my game. There was a big bright spot. I had one of the best starts I have ever have  had in a cross race. They blew the horn and I just put the hammer down for the all important chaotic cross start and went balls to the walls to the first turn.

Bad ass.

Now I just need to learn how to keep pace with other riders on the technical stuff and I think I could be somewhat decent at this. Once I got spat out the back and crashed twice I just threw in the mental towel. My legs felt okay throughout the race, so I don’t think that was the main issue. The biggest was my inability to get over the mental road block.

I ended up pulling out with 3 to go.

Word.

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Amy C won the beginner womens race for the Grumpy’s/LGR team!

Little Guy got 14th for the ‘A’ race when it was called prematurely 2 laps prior to the finish due to lightning.

Spencer got a top 10 in the ‘B’ race.

Fil got about 20th.

Strats also raced for the team earlier in the day. I don’t know how she finished.

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Joe Johnson and Linsey showed up to pick up my wheels. Word. $150 for a sweet set of wheels. That will be a good start to getting the car fixed!

Darrin Homme and I just got done producing another Bikethrow.com Podcast!

Episode 4

This week we discussed the past weekend races, the upcoming races, people bitching about stupid stuff, and our journalistic integrity and reliability. Over 125 downloads last week and counting!

As always send us tips and feedback at bikethrow at gmail dot com!

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Great news on the Super Rookie front. No longer will I be standing around for your perusal at the MOA serving up the hotdish. Instead I will be increasing my hours at my former place of full-time work and will no longer be so damn stressed out. What does this mean for you, the customer of Super-Rookie.com?

-More posts.
-Easier accessibility.
-Less complaining.
-Better racing.

Sounds to me like a win-win situation.

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Sarah and I have a ‘99 Passat with 55,000 miles. It is going to need roughly $1200 worth of repairs in the next few months. Would you a) trade it in for a new car, b) suck it up and pay for the repairs. Please note that I am not allowing for a c) go car free. This is because that is just dumb.

This conversation took place between me and Sarah at approximately 3;30AM last night:

Sarah: Wake up! Wake up! I can’t sleep.

Me: Huh?

Sarah: I can’t sleep.

Me: Why?

Sarah: The neighbors downstairs are having sex and I can hear them.

Me: Thanks Honey.

I just love having conversations like that. This one is up there with one of my all-time favorites. You know the time I told her all about my race and she wrote this race report.

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As you have most definitely heard by now a Senator was arrested for trying to get some action at the MSP airport. I think the dude is guilty. Why? Mostly because homeboy never flushed the toilet or dropped his drawers before trying to solicite some action from the copper. Blah Blah Blah. I don’t really care.

However, today is his big hearing at Hennipen County Government Center. I must say I am a little shocked that the Senator won’t even be in town for this. Because I think it would have been funny to see him walk through the airport he got the citation. Maybe that is just me.

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While it is always sad for someone to pass away. I met this guy when I worked for the Hawks and he was a rude ass to me. So, while I am happy he is no longer going to be able to destroy the Hawks I do feel for his family. I just wish this dude was a little bit nicer all the way around.

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Bill Wirtz aka ‘Dollar Bill’ the man that has single-handily driven the Blackhawks to the cellar of the league and almost killed hockey in the Second City has passed away.

This might just mean that the youth of Chicago can watch the Blackhawks on TV, or better yet afford tickets to the games, or better yet, feel an association for a team that has been systematically destroyed over the past 50 years due to major collusion on the part of Dollar Bill! Many fans have gone as far to state that they won’t attend a Hawks game as long as “Dollar” Bill was in charge. My guess is that the seats will begin to fill up on the West Side of Chicago this winter.
h/t to Tuffy

ESPN Article

Hawks Fan Sites (note the name of the sites):

Kill Bill Wirtz

Wirtz Sucks

LET’S GO HAWKS.

May Dollar Bill find some solace where ever he is now.

Portion of the proceeds are going to the Velodrome!

More info coming soon at LittleGuyRacing.com

Last night I met up with a few folks about promoting the RollerSprint series for the coming winter. Utilizing a computer program developed in Chicago and a few new sensors developed here in the cities we should be to have a fully functioning roller setup by our first night of racing in November.

While we don’t exactly know all of the details at this point you can expect to see some roller racing at the Downtown Grumpy’s this winter. Sadly, for many of you purists out there the actual rollers will include a fork mount on the front. This is because not everyone in the world knows how to ride the rollers and any type of crash will destroy the sensors etc…

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Sarah has a day off today so it is nice to have her home.

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I always forget to take my numbers off of my jersey/skinsuit. It sucks having to do that. It seems like such a waste of materials to constantly be throwing the numbers every week. There has to be a way to get them to be like the track numbers. Throw down a deposit and keep your number for the year.

It would probably be a huge headache though.

I think Svein just moved to the top of my list for favorite pro bike riders. He also reminds me a lot of Little Guy, or Little Guy reminds me of Tuft. Read this crazy story about the 2007 US Open Champion and 2007 UCI Americas Continental Champion here.

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The St. Cloud CX race was today. I headed up there with the Little Guy and (dis). The new bike went really well and I missed out on my pre-race goal of a top 20 by two places, but I could feel drastic improvement from last year. Spencer got 20th and the Little Guy got 16th overall in the A race and 3rd place in the cat3s!

The race was a lot of fun and thanks to Jim R and the Little Guy for hand ups. The mens A race was full of mechanicals, but in the end DEWEY DICKEY kicked won. Woooooo Hoooooo.

*The St. Cloud course is really fricken bumpy and to me is a little on the demoralizing side. Yet, the organization and promoters are top-notch and the Chili Cookoff and Surly Beer were out of this world amazing.

*Dan Swanson said he is quiting cross racing altogether and is going to concentrate on his Snowmobile team for the winter.

*Dave Zimmerman raced today. It was his first cross race and he did fairly well. If we can consistently see him out there then I expect him to start putting the hurt on along with Adam Froeming for the Flanders Bros.

*Linda Cooper won the Womens race in dominating fashion. She is out of this world fast and can really put down the hammer. I expect big things coming from her this season especially in the age group races at Nationals.

*The MCF’s favorite Firefighters Linda Sone and Dan Casper took 2nd place respectively in their races.

*I dismounted from the drive side all day and it was awesome!

*Hareland broke a pedal while in second place to Swanson. One lap later Swanson flatted, but didn’t have set of wheels in the pit. This allowed Dewey (who was closing in on Hareland) to take the win.

*The ‘C’ race seemed to be rather large which is very exciting. Even my boy ‘the Professor’ showed up in the Priority Health kit and the flowing locks of awesomeness.

Check for pictures from skinnyski soon enough!

We ran this broadcast from 1st Ave and 6th St. Downtown.

Check the city park:

Nothing but CX in this episode! Join the masses of the newest thing to hit Minnesota!

Check it here.

I had a fantastic night last night with hotpinkevil! We went to Erte in Northeast and then continued on to Dusty’s where we hung out and drink a bunch of beer and fancy cocktails. We love it in Northeast. 4 years we have been together. Amazing I know…who would of thought I could be so lucky.

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I got myself a new bike:

Yeah. It is the Masi CX bike and it will be seen at CX races around the Midwest. Thanks to Masiguy for sponsoring my team and making this sweet ride happen. I think it looks fantastic (most people will get a good luck when they pass me, or when I pass them can’t figure it out) and it rides like a dream! I rode it last night and it is fricken awesome.

With a sweet ride it means it is time to have a fire sale to pay for some of it! Contact me in the upper right corner where it says “contact me.”

Shimano 105 Wheels: The wheels have never been ridden. They came on the new Bike. 10spd compatible.

Retail $300.00

My price $150.00

The 57cm “Dean” Cross Bike: If it looks like a “Dean” than it must be a “Dean.” The bike isn’t a Dean, but who is counting? The ride is sweet, but work is needed on the Bottom Bracket. The Frame is in fantastic condition and the rest of the components are ‘aight.’ This bike is perfect for someone wanting to try Cross. It just needs a little bit of work and you got a sweet bike.

$150.00 for the entire thing.

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Make sure you check out BikeThrow for a new podcast later this afternoon. We have a good scoop for all the Fall Racers out there! Word.

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I work at Mall Of America. I take the train out there. The other day this guy was in front of me on the train. He also was trying to hit on a lady next to him.

My new place of employment is next to the Select Comfort store:

Floyd Landis.

He could have just taken the suspension like a man and been back racing next year.

What a chump.

Bankrupt!