D.C. on Sunday

We had a great dirt ride on Saturday and our Sunday ride had been canceled with a good chance of rain.

So, the boys and I decided to head to Washington D.C. for the day. They are my favorite traveling buddies. They don't read EVERYTHING in the museum and they cruise through at just the right pace! Love it!

Tons of fun!

We took the metro to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, Air and Space and then walked through the Holocaust Museum.

Next time we'll look up Sam, Jennifer and Javuan for lunch! (I didn't realize Sam was RIGHT IN the city)

February Weekends

One of Everett's pieces..........

The schedule looks something like this:

Saturday - Shey goes for a long xc ride. The boys and I sleep in, but that's a secret.

The three of us head out later in the morning for our xc ride somewhere local with friends. Yargo was a ton of fun last week! Love the new section! Any added length is much appreciated. The boys spend the rest of the afternoon building electronics, blacksmithing, reworking their rc car track, shooting large rocks from their homemade catapult, digging to china, etc

Sunday - I ride xc while the boys hike or ride for fun. Then we head to Stone Mountain for their training ride on the road. Clean up a little and head to evening mass. Our favorite mass buddy is Aimee, although she can be a bit disruptive. (we pick up a little more excercise with the kneeling/standing thing....he-he)

Kari

Thomson Day Festival 2008 Ronnie Thomson Remembered

PHOTOS BY CARL MESTA.....THANKS!!!!!

My family decided to hit the Thomson Day Festival this year, since they have been so incredibly supportive of our cycling community for so many years. Saturday was pretty cold and we knew it would rain, so we slept in a little later...love staying in my warm spot!


We got to the festival at about 10:30 and the 420 race started at 11:00am. So, we registered for the festival, race and renewed our subscription to Dirt Rag magazine. This left us with 10 minutes to change. Well, we weren't in the Hippie Van, and it took way more than 10 minutes for the four of us to knock elbows and finally get on all the layers of clothing that we needed to stay half-way warm.


All four of us missed the start of the race, but it was for 4 hours and 20 minutes, so we figured we could make up some time. Shey started first, then J and E about 10 minutes after him, then I was about 5 or 10 minutes after that.

It was pouring rain and very, very cold. The trail was SUPER cool. Very flat, but with lots of fun turns and twists, so sliding through those in the mud was very exciting. Of course my brakes started to become weak about half-way through the first lap and there were enough rutted and muddy downhills to make that a bit scary. I adjusted the brakes, but still they were not working so well. I completely expected this as I've raced so many muddy races, where you end up with your feet as your brakes. Well, I finally realized I had had a total BRAIN FART and was adjusting them the wrong way, so mid-way into my second lap I corrected them and wahlah....my brakes are back!! (this was after I slid a good ways through the forest after blowing the turn and finally bailed off the side of the bike to stop. Of course, this was VERY entertaining to the guy behind me!)


The feeling in my feet would come and go. They would go numb after the creek crossing, then would come back a bit on the climbs. As long as I kept moving, I was fine. It was funny to listen to the grown men grumble about the trail, their brakes, the rain......man, we are outside!! What could be better! I would take that over fluorescent lights in an office ANY DAY!!!!!





Shey lapped me twice and laughed at me the second time, because he couldn't believe I was still out there. Jansen also lapped me once and he was having a great time and was in a very good mood. Everett was waiting for me after the first lap, with a "you've got to be crazy to think this is fun" look on his face and he headed to the car to warm up.



The bridge washed away by the fourth lap and was laying sideways further down the creek. I put my bike on my shoulder and jumped onto it, then to some wood that was only a couple inches under the water, then on to the shore. Numb feet for 15 minutes after that little ballet number, each time!!!

The voluteers RAWKED and screamed every time we came through. All the ladies out there did a great job of playing in the mud and riding their best. I was very impressed with them all!


So, for our family entry fee we got: four Thomson certificates, key chains, Firehouse sub sandwich packs for lunch, yummy spaghetti, salad, garlic bread and cheesecake for dinner, and sweetwater and Nike shirts. When we subscribed to Dirt Rag we got brake cables, too.



Pretty good swag! Now, hopefully that will all cover new brake pads we have to buy....I'm off to wash the mud out of our spandex......





Kari L.

Tour de Felasco

The family headed down to Florida for some warm weather over the weekend. We arrived late on Friday and woke up to rain Saturday morning, oh well a little water never hurt when its warm out. The small stream under the tent was a slight problem and put us a little late for the Tour de Felasco. No matter, no rush, no race.

The ride was highly recomended by a few folks and we all had a great time. Very fun trails and a great place to spend doing some base.

Lifes not worth living if you can't pull down your pants and slide on the ice!

SSWC 2008 here I come

Going to Napa California in August, taking the Carver with me!

Why Is Kansas City in Missouri?

Well, we recently got back from the strangly named Kansas city. We went to the nationals cyclocross race. I didn't race, (been slacking off this season) but Jansen did. For his race, (which was on Friday) the thick mud left over from the previous day had frozen into concrete-hard icy ruts. In a nutshell, it was nearly impossible to ride the stuff, but Jansen managed. He placed 16th, I think. Lesson learned: When it comes to icy ruts, use mountain bike wheels. You can glide right over the slats, while other racers with thinner wheels will slide into them, impeding speed. The next day (Saturday) it snowed. Probrably the first snowstorm i've ever been in. I loved it. Lots of snow to goof off in. Most of the other people sharing our tent (Dan, Daryle,Oscar, etc.) went out and raced on this day. The course was very slick due to ice and snow, as well as the unfortunatly re-churned gloppy mud. As the day came to a end, Jansen and I managed to convince Jim and Adam to have a snowball fight. This reseulted in Jim and Adam tackling each other, as well as Jansen and me. We didn't get a movie of the ensuing ludicraty, but we did get several photos, which I am sure will make way onto the blog at some time or another. Afterwards, we left for the hotel, swam a bit in the lovly heated pool, then got up at 4:30 and flew home. It was quite a ... interesting experience. I really did like the snow, 'specially since we never get it around here.

Hmmm cartoon's

Watch out Superman there's a new man in town!

Who remembers The Tick?

Not a fan of the time change

Rushing around, trying to get a workout in before dark and three flats in two days. Sometimes I feel just like my good friend Sam!

Thanks for all the support in 07!

Stopping to Breathe

We have had so much happen this summer. I don't know where to start!

My parents came for a great visit. They watched Everett race on the road and Jansen race xc. Mom and Dad are natural cyclists and hopped right on our bikes to cruise around in the dirt for awhile........it was contagious, and my mom bought an Electra Townie while she was here! It is super sweet and she has been cruising around her town in Texas ever since. Dad bought a bike soon after. I hear there is a little spin competition going on there.....

Everett had a great time road racing and was very happy with his results at the State Championships. Way to go Everetto! He is running cross country now at a public school and loving it. Cyclocross is right around the corner, so he'll be a busy guy. He's always creating new electronic creatures and loves to melt metal.

This is one of Everett's favorite shirts.

Jansen had a great mtb season and enjoyed every minute of it! We love the shaggy hair and cool hats. Huge congrats short stack. Cyclocross has meant some running for him, too....and sore legs. He found a couple old bikes to fix up and he's done a pretty good job, too. He is still addicted to the hot glue gun.

This is the blacksmithing furnace their grandpa made for them and all the blacksmith tools they have accumulated over the years.

Shey has done his fair share of 100 milers and we couldn't be happier for him. He has proven to be a great all around xc racer and still enjoys it so much. (I would say I could kick myself for buying him that first bike, but he wouldn't be who he is now......not that he couldn't use a few self-help books!he-he)

We have had some awesome birthdays this summer and this is the dessert Shey always makes me for special occasions. Yummy! Both boys were able to celebrate their birthdays with some very special friends of ours.
Aimee and Rob - great people!

Peter and Shey in Ohio.

We attended the wedding of a wonderful friend a couple weeks ago. It was outside and very peaceful. We had a great time and enjoyed visiting......and not being sweaty and tired! Congratulations to Peter and Kim! May you have many great years ahead. (we also go to see Marv and Karen's new young one. very cool.)


More later......................

12 Hours of Dauset

No, Kari and I did the six hours of Dauset. Another one of those smooth fast courses that gets really tough and rooty after about 4 or 5 laps. With a flatter course comes a constant very fast pace that will wear a racer down. Give me some nice longer hills and a chance to rest please. It was nice to be able to talk with my mtb friends after the race and hang out.

Can I get one of these please!

2007 Georgia Cyclocross Schedule

10-21-2007 Conyers GIHP OTR/Bike Center
10-28-2007 Winder Fort Yargo GTC
11-04-2007 Monroe Criswell Park Sorella Cycling
11-11-2007 Macon Sandy Beach Bike Store/Thomson
11-18-2007 Augusta/State ASU Complex Augusta Club
12-02-2007 Blue Ridge Fannin County New Leaf Adventures
12-09-2007 Dahlonega High School D Wheelworks/Lifetime

2007 Georgia CX Demo Fleet

Hell yea Cannondale. My favorite rep Wiley came through again this season with some really nice bikes for the Georgia Cross Series. The first few have hit my door, check out the new color!

Firewater 50

The Firewater 50 was on Saturday.
I HAD A BLAST!
Great job Hodge you nut
TT might have won and topped Tibbs before everyone else but IMO GT owns Tibbs!
Great ride everyone and thanks for the memories

Shey