TT Practice Day With Rhino

Things didn't start off well for the Goose. He called on the way to Miami East and said he had forgotten the map/directions of the TT. He was headed home and wanted me to have it and some other "stuff" outside so he didn't have to come in. As I handed everything to him the thought went through my mind "Did you forget anything else?".

I was debating if I was riding first or going to Krogers to pick up what I forgot yesterday. Decided to go to Krogers first, knew after I rode I wouldn't want to go. On the way home my cell rings - it is Jeff. First thought was I hope he didn't go down (he has done that is a couple of years but it is always a fear for me). Nope - he forgot his shoes and could I bring them to him.

We all know Vince doesn't like to wait, but he did with a smile (THANKS!) Goose was a little nervous riding alone with Vince - he was afraid of not hanging on. But he did and got some good coaching from Vince during the ride. Jeff was very pleased with the ride and how smoothly the vent repair at the kids house.

So even though the day started out forgetful, he had a good riding day.

Lance's Team - A No Brainer

A Kazakh cycling federation official says seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong will join Team Astana for his return to competitive cycling. Federation deputy chief Nikolai Proskurin says Armstrong will be making a formal announcement at a news conference in New York today. He says Armstrong agreed to ride for the Kazakhstan-based team for free for the first year and that his first race will take place in California. The deal is a coup for the Kazakh team, which was thrown out of last year's Tour de France after Alexander Vinokourov tested positive for a blood transfusion. Team Astana's leader is Johan Bruyneel,who was Armstrong's team director for all of his Tour de France victories. "I'm gonna train as hard as I can," Armstrong told Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith Wednesday. "I don't know how competitive I can be, because I've been away for what will amount to four years by the time I get back there next summer. But, the most important thing is we'll take the Livestrong message (to fight what his foundation calls a global cancer epidemic) around the world -- not just the United States, not just Western Europe, but Australia, South America, South Africa, Asia -- and try to create awareness around what really is a global epidemic (of cancer). "For me, the No. 1 priority is the message. It's making sure that, that not just, as we well know here in the United States, this disease takes an incredible toll. But there's a lot of societies and countries and cultures around the world that don't understand this disease. We try to understand it on a scientific level. There are a lot of other cultures that are just trying to understand the stigma associated with it, the side effects, all of these things that are associated with it we can change over the years." Couldn't he do it without racing a bicycle at the same time? "Probably," Arsmtrong conceded. "But I think, if you train seriously and you try to compete at the highest level, it brings that much more attention to it." Also, he says, training for a recent race made him realize he missed cycling. Armstong added that there's "no way I could race against" Bruyneel, making his choice of teams relatively easy. Meanwhile, Australian officials said Wednesday that Armstrong would begin his comeback in the Tour Down Under in January. Armstrong announced on Sept. 9 that he would return to cycling after three years in retirement and would attempt to win the Tour de France an eighth time. There were reports in Madrid on Tuesday that 2007 Tour de France winner Alberto Contador of Spain would leave if Armstrong joined Astana. "I've earned the right to be the leader of a team without having to fight for my place," Contador said in AS newspaper. "And with Armstrong, some difficult situations could arise in which the team would put him first and that would hurt me." Contador won the Spanish Vuelta on Sunday. Combined with his 2008 Giro d'Italia title, he became just the fifth cyclist to win the three highest-regarded Tours. "My intention is to stay (at Astana) because I have a contract until 2010, but I have already received a good number of offers from other teams," he said. Armstrong sought to quell the controversy in his chat with Smith, saying, "Again, our first priority is taking Livestrong global. We're not here to take anybody's job or infringe on the stuff they've rightfully earned. We'll see. I don't know how the season will play out. It's the strongest team in the world which makes it easier for me if I were to be competitive."

Legs Return

Chia Goose's (hehe) legs returned today. Lots of work done in the yard and we are FINALLY done with the debris pickup (I know everyone else was done mid week - we are old and slow)

Goose's Physical

Every couple of years Goose has to have a physical (mandated by DOT) since he has kept his CDL. It was scheduled for this morning, but knowing his eye sight is better as the day goes on and his hearing is never good, rescheduled for the afternoon. Eye sight was 20/20 this afternoon (kinda surprised on that one). But I was SHOCKED - he failed the actual physical. This is a guy who can run and ride, I think really well. He called me with the results and I had to look them up (hadn't heard of either one) EPO.J and LOE - what? Well after much research I discovered they represented Excessive PoPo Juice and Lack of Exercise! Hmmm what to do? Drink more water and get your ass back on the bike. Just kidding (about what to do). Jeff has taken a well deserved week off - Saturday he has to work and then start getting rid of the large limbs lost during Sunday's winds.

Sunday? That is still up in the air.

With overtime at my son-in-law's work, I haven't ridden this week. I have been able to walk all week (10 miles total just today). Tomorrow I plan on getting out early in the day and hopefully walk after riding. Sunday? Not sure. I know I said I would never ride my route 2xs ever again, but I might have to do that. Andrew (Son-in-law) had his hours changed at work, putting me home 2 hours later everyday, which puts me out into work traffic. Not sure what I will do, but will work it out.

Circumstances

I am very positive with the circumstances of Highlander, Goose made a good decision of not going. With all the flats - add Goose into that - Egg would have been very busy. With the weather coming back - I am positive I am glad we didn't go. I still remember our return from Helen, we caught the front at one point and the after at another of a tornado. I know there were points that I wanted to pull over. I probably am over cautious when we travel with AJ, but I don't like high winds on or off the bike!

With that - Goose rode Sunday and ran into Mr and Mrs Helldawg out of the roads. He came home and said - great day to ride, wish you would have ridden with me (NOT!!!!!!) I saw the ind gusts and knew it would kill me today. I had trouble walking into the wind and knew it wouldn't happen for me. We are sorry everyone had flats, but glad it was a good trip for all.

Goose canoed with Rick Kitchen on Monday and said the Bellbrook river is a mess. Guess the plan is to keep the tri on track. Hopefully the river clears up before then.

I was going to ride today. I drove the rodes and saw the power lines down and trees still in the road on the back roads. I decided not to get myself in the way and picked up the never ending branches from our yard and to walk. I think we will be cleaning up the yard this time next year.

Great year - Goose has one more tri and the TT then it is time to scale back the training for a few weeks. Looking into new DVDs for this winter. Time to have more fun.

Dog Update

AJ and I decided to go on a picnic today, so we headed to Taylorsville Dam. There just happened to be an Animal Control Officer on her lunch. After she was done, I explained my situation to her. She said since the water made the dog more aggressive, do not use mace. I gave her the address and she said she would check it out. Just got a call from her. She said the farmer has a beautiful kennel for the 2 dogs - nicer than most homes she has been in. There was a younger gentleman there who works for the farmer (he wasn't there) and said yes the dog is a huge problem. He has chased a number of cyclists and witnessed what happened to me yesterday. He said the farmer has obsolutely no control of the dog. The Animal Control Officer left a warning and said she would do a follow-up. She gave me a card to carry with the number I needed to call if it happens again.

I hated to report the guy, sure I could make another route, but I do like this one. I am glad to hear it just isn't me. Jeff said he has riden that route many times and never had a dog come out after him. Oh well, I am not riding tonight, decided to walk to see if I can work out the "bug" in my hip, but I do plan on riding Friday.

Wednesday

Dropped the CD off for Ron to give to his mom. Goose was early - again! When he got home he said he was happy with his ride. Still recovering from his Tri on Sunday. Didn't get a blow-by-blow like Eggie gives. Shower - dinner - a few cold ones - he should be good the for the night. Looks like almost everyone is heading for Highlander - Goose will have to ride alone on Friday night.

Me? What a day. AJ was line leader (if you have ever had a child in pre-school, you will know what a big deal that is!) I got to walk my 5 miles while he was in school and really enjoyed it. After Andrew got home, I went out for my ride. Not a good thing. All I can say is that dog needs to be restrained, police are a waste of time, motorcycles are good things, the dog I think threw my hip out or strained a muscle when he hit me. Definitely getting mace before I ride that way again. Owner doesn't understand he has to restrain the dog.

To everyone going to Highlander - Have fun - takes lots of pictures. Travel/Ride safely.

Say It Really Is So

Well after reading Egg's blog, I must admit I was excited about Lance. Then I read Dobo's and thought shit. Well NOW YEAH:

"I am happy to announce that after talking with my children, my family and my closest friends, I have decided to return to professional cycling in order to raise awareness of the global cancer burden," the 36-year-old Armstrong said in a statement released to The Associated Press. "This year alone, nearly eight million people will die of cancer worldwide. ... It's now time to address cancer on a global level." In an exclusive interview with Vanity Fair, Armstrong told the magazine he's 100 percent sure he's going to compete in the Tour de France next summer. "I'm going back to professional cycling," he said in the story posted Tuesday on the magazine's Web site. "I'm going to try and win an eighth Tour de France."

Looks like a great Tour for 09 and who knows, maybe Tour De Georgia can be saved. That would be awesome to see him ride there.

Well ok, I have had my fix on spandex today.

Race Day

Talking strategy? Who knows - but Jeff Coudron decided to ditch his shoes/socks at the last minute.

Plowin' around the corner. They both were very smooth in the boat today.

They came in before I expected them. Photo is blurry - was too busy cheering them in.

"God Am I Finally Done?" Goose is very pleased with his race today.

Well it really started last night. Goose went out to get the crap out of his legs - came back in the that smile upside down :(. He has "pulled" his calf muscle a little earlier in the week. Not much to talk about so he didn't Well yesterday, he must have finished the job. So he started icing his leg hoping to get rid of the pull. As of 8:00 last night, he didn't think he would race. We talked about him canoeing and riding and then not running. So he put a call into Egg to tell him save your gas - he just wasn't sure.

This morning, leg was still really tender, but we headed out. Beautiful overcast/cool day - perfect day to race. Talked to his partner, Jeff Coudron, about the running portion. Like Jeff C. said, "we are here to have fun - do what you can and HAVE FUN". The took off in the canoe like people were sitting still. They ended up being the second canoe in - they had staggered starts, which put them out front at this time. Goose and Jeff had already decided ahead of time that Goose would just stay on his wheel. Coudron is a strong cyclist and knew he could pull old PoPo around (hehe). We did the math and it looks like they averaged 24.99999 mph - Goose is really happy with the bike portion and THANKS TO ALL THE COWS! I really wasn't sure if he was going to run, but he headed out. The motivation sat in and discovered his leg wasn't going to hurt any more if he ran faster. So he did. He finished within seconds of his last year's time, but given the fact that his calf muscle is pulled - he is thrilled.

On the way home I asked him if he would classify this as a no chain day - YEP!

Lake Loramie

Usually this means the end of the racing season, but Speedy Feet has added one more Tri and a new TT. I always looked forward to the end of the season, that meant Jeff was more flexible in his training, was home more, etc. But I must admit I hate to see this year end. He has had so much fun training, less on the running and more on the bike. We have taken a couple of really neat trips, met new people at the Tri's and gained many new friends.

Jeff has gone out to just get the crap out of his legs - easy training day. Early dinner and early to bed. Looks like we plan to leave by 5:45 in the morning. He has his pre-race rituals and can't screw with them! Weather looks perfect for tomorrow. The water looks like it might be a low - but it is low for everyone. Hopefully a couple of the cows will be there.

Hoping for a good race day!

Labor Day

Yep - it definitely was a "labor" day. It started off with the door bell. I was sound asleep and it woke me up. First thought was "Oh shit - Jeff overslept". Nope he was already out of bed. Lazy me (and half asleep) yelled out the window and it was Viper (which I will call Vinnie Bear - courtesy of his best half!) Not long after that the green Big Tim taxi pulled and everyone loaded up and headed for Minister. Backing out Egg yelled he didn't know when they would have Goose home. Now that I was wide awake, I decided to get the errands done and then head out on my bike.

I couldn't decide which route I was doing. I had 2 really bad rides and 1 so-so earlier in the week. So I decided just to do the 16 mile. At the end of that route, I had found my legs and decided to go a little further. It got to the point either turn around and head home or it would be too late. So I decided just to do the loop again. As I turned on to Silver I clipped out of my pedals to stretch my very tired legs. Got to the stop sign and got a nice little honk from the Taxi - well crap - what to do? Of course -- clip shoes back in and try to go like hell. Told Craig "I would never ride that far again". He said take a shower and eat, then decide. We I did and I still said that. Today - well maybe I will go that far again :)

Jeff had a great ride, minus the flat. Hopefully Egg didn't get poison ivy. He was pleased with climbs (if ya want more details - Read Egg's blog). What really thrilled him was the pat on the back front Vince, all the coaching and encouragement he got from everyone. Got his belly filled with pasta and he was done for the night.

I think he is ready for Sunday - pray for no rain and a NO CHAIN DAY!