M.F.G. #1 - Big Finn Hill

Sunday was the first opening round of the M.F.G. Series held at Big Finn Hill Park in Kirkland, Washington.
I didn't expect too much in a performance from myself, after climbing 220 floors the day before (Sept. 11) to remember and pay tribute to FDNY's fallen. My body was tired, and it didn't help that a drank my share of beer throughout the day at 2 other Fireman gatherings to remember the 343 and celebrate their lives.
I lined up on the back row, since I knew I wouldn't be in the front group today. The gun went off, and we were off. My legs never hurt per say, but at the same time, they just felt dead and could not produce any speed or power. With two laps to go, I was closely following Zak Daab of HUP United, when we entered a high speed grass hump to pavement transition section at approximately 25mph. Zac lost traction as he transitioned to the pavement portion and laid it down hard. I tried to make it around with no time to apply the brakes. His wheel flipped into the air and I hit it dead on, flipping me over the bars in suddenly I was airborn at 20+mph! I rolled several times as me and my bike plowed into a row of parked cars. I quickly got up and saw that my tire had rolled off of the rim. Zac was not so lucky and was injured and out of the race. I shouldered my bike and ran 200 meters to the pits and got a new bike from DP who was ready(Thank you DP), and remounted continuing on. I knew the day was going to be rough, but jeez!
As I continued through the course, I was handed off a beer when I rode through the beer garden. I drank it up, and rode the next muddy technical section with the cup in my mouth, since I had every intention on consuming my "gift". I cleared the section and finished the brew. I finished the race in 22nd Place. Not much of a result to say the least, but I knew it was worth the small sacrifice I paid the day before.
I'm about the head out for a training ride to get things back in gear, to prepare for the next race. All is well, and thanks for reading.

9/11 Memorial Stairclimb

September 11th is a day that no American should ever forget. It is also a special day for Fireman around the world, as it is the largest Line of Duty Death (LODD) single day in the history of the Fire Service. 343 of New York's Firemen lost their lives that day in an effort to rescue as many trapped occupants of the World Trade Center as they could. Let's not forget that members of the FDNY successfully rescued thousands of civilians from those buildings before they eventually collapsed.
Every year, Fireman from all over the Puget Sound gather to remember our fallen brothers by climbing 2 Union square (55 stories) twice, to ensure that every brother makes it(the equivelant of the Trade Towers)to the top and will not be forgotten. We carry a picture of our fallen to the top and do so with honors. I went up that climb "4" times on Saturday, 220 floors, to take 5 of my brothers to the top. I took the following names with me to the top.

Lt. Frank Callahan - Ladder co. 35
FF Chris Pickford - Engine co. 201
Lt. Micheal Healey - Squad co. 41
FF Chris Santora - Engine co. 54
Capt. Tim Stackpole - Division 11

After climbing 220 floors, I knew that this would not bode well for my cyclo-cross race well the following day, but I'm more than willing to sacrifice my personal goals to ensure the rememberance of our fallen. A small sacrifice to say the least. RFB-DTRT

New Specialized Crux bikes have arrived

Yeehaw! My new frames arrived. I got 2 Specialized Crux Aluminum framesets with Carbon forks. The bikes are gorgeous, and I spent all day Thursday building them up. After I built up the first one (both are nearly identical except one has carbon bars and the other aluminum) I took it out for a ride. Holy Cow! I forgot what a really tight, repsonsive bike really feels like. The Crux rides very comfortable, yet is very snappy when you step on it. It just responds quick.
I'm really looking forward to tearing things up on Sunday at MFG #1 at Big Finn Hill in Kirkland.
Thanks for reading

Labor Day Cyclo-Cross Classic

photo by Micah.


The season is officially underway, as yesterday was the "Labor Day Cyclo-Cross Classic" which took place at North Seatac Park which holds a ton of Northwest cycl-cross history.
The day was cool temps with breezy conditions but alas, no rain. I have to admit that I was a bit nervous before my start since I always started the early part of the season a bit slow and then working up into the front by October. My goal was top half, since I haven't raced any type of bike since last January. I lined up on the front row and upon the judge say "go", I was into my pedal and had two pedal strokes already in, when I heard the others just getting clipped in..."nice!" With the easy hole shot but being concerned to not go to early, I just got into a rythm as we rolled around the start/finish area of the venue and up the crazy steep/long runnup! After the runnup, we climbed up through some fairly technical single track and I was still in the lead. A little shocked to say the least. At the top, Tom Phillips came around and just walked away. In the next lap a few more came by that were now in this leading group of about 7. Nothing really exciting emmitted from my race but by the end, I was able to finish with a solid 5th Place. Considering that most of the top guys were on hand, I felt pretty good and was surprised on my fitness level so early in the season.
I have to add, that I chose a tire selection that I had yet to ever ride on. I rode the Challenge Grifo XS (semi slick/file tread) clinchers on dura ace wheels. I had about 40psi in the rear and 35psi in the front. I would have run them lower, but the pinch flat hazards at North Seatac are like nowhere else...brutal. The tires were crazy fast and still gave great traction in the dry to tacky conditions. I absolutely loved these treads.
Special thanks go out to DP, Micah, and Don for working the pits also, I love the ocnfidense that these guys give and the cheering they provide. Yeehaw, the season is underway, and I'm feeling good with the first one done. Gotta go....time to get out for another training ride.
Thanks for reading.

A Teammate Steps Down

Today is a bummer day to say the least. My teammate and good friend, Phil(Dr. Phil) Oppenheimer let me know that he will not be racing this season. Phil is gonna focus on spending some more quality time with his wife and kids and take a little break from the sport. How can you bust his chops, when he gives a reason like that.
I commonly discuss how much fun it has been racing together over the years knowing that we are both in eachothers corner helping to accomplish eachothers and the teams goals. Dr. Phil and I share a similar racing style and have many a times worked hand in hand to be a major factor in many Masters races against our competitors. It won't be the same this year.
All in all, and putting my interests aside, Phil, I can appreciate your priorities and focus and wish you only the best. I'm looking forward to the next time we get to hit the wind trainers under the tent as the rain pours down, and the course turns to a quagmire. It's gonna be a tough season brother.

Larry Kemp Cycling Camp

On August 19-22nd, we headed over for the Larry Kemp Junior Cycling Camp at the Flying Horseshoe Ranch in Cle Ellum, Washington. The camp is for younger kids interested in the sport of cycling. They work on skills clinics in both mountain biking, road, and cyclo-cross and receive great coaching and mentoring from Cycle University, and Cascade Cycling club. They even have a silly cycling olympics night where they compete in fun cycling games against eachother to demonstrate their learned skills. The kids are assigned cabins with counselors and have all of the ammenities of a traditional summer camp. Kristi was the lead coach and camp organizer, Sue (her Mom) was one of the 4 amazing cooks, and I was both a mechanic and an EMT. Lots of gauze and band-aids is always a must! It was great having the True North OSV with us to support what I was doing, and I was able to sneak away at night and sleep comfortable inside the trailer with some great music, as the kids sat up all night giggling in the cabins.
This was Holden's 3rd year in the camp and he had a blast that included a 30 mile road ride on Saturday.

3rd Annual Cavanaugh Roubaix

Yesterday, was the 3rd Annual Cavanaugh Roubaix ride that Kristi and I put on for family, recreational riders, and racers alike. This a very tough 60 mile ride starting and ending at our house. The ride starts off with a rolling climb up to Lake Cavanuagh (Skagit County), and then up and over a gravel mountain pass(Roubaix) down into OSO (Snohomish County) and back to our house for a BBQ. During the ride, there are "sprinter points" available at the Skagit County line sign, and the Arlington city limits sign with points being awarded. This years sprinters points went to Tony from Tacoma Bike, and Kristi from Cycle University. There are also climbers points (K.O.M.) awarded at two locations that include the "untold climb" and at the top of the gravel pass that includes grades of 23%, which went to Nate from Tacoma Bike, and Kristi once again. The ride was escorted by two support vehicles to carry extra equipment and fuids/food. Thank you Corazon, Ashley, Mandi, and Tracie for keeping us good.
This year the weather was very damp yet still warm, and to say the least, the riders and bikes were a bit muddy at the end of the day. We had a total of 15 riders make the trip that ranged in age from mid 20's to 61 years old. We only had one crash and 3 flats on the day, and considering the rough terrain we were riding on, that was pretty lucky.
Following the ride, everyone enjoyed a great BBQ and social time at our place recalling war stories of the ride. A great time was had by all, and we really appreciated everyone who came to brave the tough Cavanaugh Roubaix ride.