CIRREM!

This weekend i ventured down to Cumming Iowa with wilson, brunning, and the mcnasty. after a late start leaving fairbault. the crack'n'fail got overhauled with new kore gradient wheels and an xtr rapid rise rear derailleur along with some good ole elbow engineering, courtesy of ben witt. drew and i ventured down to des moines were we would later meet up with dave and don. we got the bikes ready, had some pizza and settled in for the night.

Wake up Saturday am early for breakfast and were late to the start due to dave getting a little embrocation on his nads. if you don't know what embrocation is, you need to know. it is a leg saver in cold weather. shortly there after we had the mass roll out, things were dicey as people were figuring out their legs and getting spaced out. it was a neutral roll out to the first bridge as it was a dangerous crossing. then the race was on. the first 15 miles was incredibly icy and after being taken out by another rider i found my self in dead last place 2 miles into the race. i lost a solid 15 minutes getting my gear back in order, but i finally was on my way. caught up to don, whom i told to leave me be when he stopped to help. caught up to dave, caught up to and passed 93 of the 112 starters. i rode from dead fucking last to 19th place. i couldn't be happier. the conditions were awfully awesome, the temperature was perfect, and the time spent with my cohorts couldn't be better. i will be back next year. things i learned. i need to get up front right away. had i not gotten taken out in the general mass confusion that is the start of these races. i would have stuck with the lead group for the majority of the race. would i have won it? probably not, would i have finished top 10 and less then 30miniutes behind. you bet. ill leave you here with some fun peektures and linkys to results and other recaps.

Dons rite up: the sarcastic clydesdale
Drews which i assume will be up soon: ride on purpose
Results: cirrem 2012

and finally peektures:

all nice and clean

drew getting prepped

post race

mhh yea

Rachel and I

ps. oh yea i spent saturday night visiting a long lost friend in ames, if yer ever passing through check out the old main brew pub, the scotch ale was really good, the food was ok, but the visit was great!

Flat

The joys of commuting started for me about 4 years ago, besides the random crash or ten on ice, ive had a very mechanical free experience. yesterday i blew the sidewall out of my tire. first flat in 4 years of commuting. i really wasn't too concerned. called work, told them i would be late, and got around to fixing my shit. booted the sidewall with a dollar bill, put a tube in and went on my way.

what really bothered me however, was the lack of general concern by the community. i was pulled up on the side of a busy road with very minimal shoulder, and not a single individual slowed up, pulled over, or asked if i was ok. maybe it had to do with the clothing i was wearing or the manner i was carrying my self, or maybe its just that people don't give a fuck and don't want to step out side of their daily routine. 

either way if you always ever see some one on the side of the road, please stop and see if their ok.