Made it home safe from our weekend trip to Gainesville, Ga. The Ride up was trecherous. Pouring Rain and Major Traffic thru ATL at rush hour. We stayed at the Country Inn & Suites near the Mall of Georgia. They had an indoor pool but we forgot to bring bathing suites. We spent most of the trip exploring the Mall Of Georgia. It was not as big as I had expected but large none the less.

I got up Early Saturday morning and headed out to Pre-Ride the Gainsville College Course. I stopped off at Jittery Joe's for coffee on the way. I ended up just hanging out there for an hour as I could tell it was too damp to ride since the highway was still wet and it was still drizzleing. I had a Medium roast cup, black to start out with then had a double mocha before I left. Fine cup of coffee it was! They had their new Jittery Joe's Jerseys in stock but not one my size. I just ended up buying a Cup and a Can of Whole Bean Sumatran.

Traffic in ATL was the worst I have experienced in all my 18 year's of driving up there. Saturday night we fought through the traffic and made it to Dave and Busters. We had a great time and the food was above my expectations. This was the first time I have played video games in many years.

Sunday was a beautiful day for a race. We got there in time to set up a spot for Jill and Cassidy to watch. There were not too many Central georgia folks there this year. I did speak to Renee and Beth who were there racing. I did not take time to warm up like I should have. It was a fast start. I was quickly in last place. I rode fast and as hard as could. I was determined not to stop for the whole 3 laps, and didn't! I just got over to the right when people wanted to pass. I had the next to last place guy in my class in my sights for most of the first two laps but then lost sight of him starting the Third lap. I was determined to catch up and pass him so I would not come in last. I struggled through the muddy sections bogging down but put the hammer down on the flat twistiy sections. I finally caught him at about the last mile of the race. He looked back and saw me catching up and started sprinting. I sprinted too and caught up to his back wheel but just could not pass. I gassed the last 100 yards and he beat me by about thirty seconds. This was A LOT of fun. I actually felt like I was racing for a change. Trying to beat him was like trying to come in First Place. It was a Blast!

ALL THE PHOTOS

Today's Race: Tumbling Creek Rumble X, 20th of 21 Sport Men 34-44, 3 laps, 15 mi, 1 hr 40 min

RESULTS

Rode out at Thomson tonight. Was lucky enough to get there right when Jessie was showing up. We did two fast laps. I Like riding with Jessie cause he is just that much faster than me that it makes me push myself more the whole way. After the two laps we joined in on the Skillz Clinic given by Jeff D. and Brady. We ended up doing anouther lap with the group after working on some cornering techniques.

Starbuck's Coffee is coming to the Macon Mall. That's right folks you heard it here first. The store will be in the main intersection between Macy's and Belk's near the Escalators. My usual is the Double Tall Mocha. The double means two shots of espresso! Now if we could just get a Jittery Joe's to come to Macon.....

 

I took Jill out to the Pig Trail this morning to do some easy trail riding through the pines. We just had to turn around and go back home because the place was packed with people attending the Private School Cross Country Meet. We ended up going to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Fall Festival in Warner Robins.

This Afternoon I went to the ArrowHead trail for a Nice ride. My MP3 Player kept fallin off my arm band so that slowed me down a bit. I was able to get in a Sport Race distance at a good pace. The Trail is in great shape and even with the clear cut the lap distance is still right at 5 miles.

This evening Jill and I went out to a great dinner at Luigi's in downtowm Macon. I had the Greek Salad, Blackened talapia, and Black Eye Pea soup to start. Jill had the Fillet in reduced balsamic, mashed potatoes, and brocoli.

The upcomming week will be very busy for me. I have a lot going on at my day job plus I have picked up 4 houses to draw at home. All that including getting everything ready for our trip to Gainsville, GA next weekend.

I'll be out at Thomson Wednesday for the Trail Riding Skillz Clinic. It was postponed form last Wed. to this week. If it's cancelled again I'll just do my usual 3 laps before dark.

Rode Out at Thomson yesterday. Did the first slow lap with some fellas from work. Nathan had to borrow the Bike I found leaning up next to a dumpster last month. I then did two more laps after they left. Rode my Last lap with Mark D and Jessie. I had a hard time keeping up with them but I did my best. It was good for me to push myself to try and stay with them.

There was a group out there from Central Georgia Cyclist decorating the trail for the Night Fright Ride to be held Saturday night October 28th.

Yesterday's Ride: Thomson, 3 laps, 12.8 mi, 1 hr 38 min, 7.8 mph avg

---

With my youngin out of school the past week for Columbus day, I took advantage of not having to be at the bus stop at a certain time and commuted to work a few days. The mornings were nice and cool and the evening ride home was warm and windy. One way was 8 miles and it took me 30 min.

We spent all day yesterday out at the Georgia National Fair in Perry, Georgia. I even road one ride, the Wild Mouse. Of course I had a Italian Sausage and a Funnel Cake. The sun was blazing and we got a little burnt. We went and looked at the Picture of me Shane W. entered in the Photo Contest. It didn't win a ribbon but a great picture none the less.

Today there were a group of folks riding out at Dauset Trails. I was going to go join in by myself but I decided to Take Cassidy and Jill along with me and do our own little group ride. We did a Short loop Down Moonshine to the Bathroom, Then up the gravel road to the top of Pine Mountain. They were a little timid down pine mountain but made it with no falls. A good place to teach them to Put there weight back by sliding there butts back on the seat and leveling out there pedals so one will not be lower than the other for better clearance. We stayed on the near side of the creek back to fern gully then Bootlegger back to the Parking lot. They did much better than I had expected. This was Jill's first Trail Ride. They came out with much more confidence and with much improved riding skillz. They were riding over roots and down and up humps that they never would have before. After that instead of going over to see the Nature center part of Dauset we stopped off at High Falls State Park and Hiked down along the River and back.

Today's Ride: Dauset, EPIC, 4.4 mi, 56 min, 4.7 mph avg

---

Thursday, October 5, 2006

I was looking forward to Racing the Florida State Championships Series #3 At Tom Brown Park in Tallahassee, FL this Sunday but I just can't afford to go this weekend.

I have to save some dough to be able to spend the Weekend up in Gainsville, GA for the Tumbling Creek Rumble Race Oct 29th. We are going up that Friday before the race. We will be staying near the Mall of Georgia. I also will miss the Komen Race For the Cure. This is a Fun 5K running event held at Wesleyan College in Macon, GA. I have ran in this event the last three years. It's on the 28th of October.

The Georgia National Fair Starts tonight In Perry, GA. I'm sure We will be going a few times in the next week. This year I'm not going to wait till all the Honey is gone. Last year I made the mistake of trying to wait til the end of the Fair to buy some honey from Ambrosia Apiaries of Perry, GA. They had a large booth set up with plenty of Honey the first day but by the end of the fair they were all sold out of the good stuff. My Favorite is Orange Blossom!

---

Rode out at Thomson tonight before the OMBA meeting. Completed 3 fast laps. My cyclo-puter needs a new battery so I'm not sure if the ride stats listed below are correct. The trail was in great shape, Mark D. and others had blown it off over the past weekend.

Details of this Sundays FSC race in Tallahassee forthcoming.

The masses converge on the Pig Trail over the weekend. Mercer University's Cross Country Team hosted the Georgia Collegiate Championships on Saturday at the Georgia Industrial Children’s Home. 21 teams attending in the college division and 25 high school squads.

We went out to the trail Thursday and Friday nights of last week to escort my niece who runs cross country for Northside High. I ran the course Friday night and my calves are really sore. My niece came in 10th place in her division in Saturdays race.

Some Results