Christmas 2012

It is that time of the year, our home is once again filled with Christmas, from the fresh smell of a nice big tree to appropriately-themed music. Well, actually, the christmasy music has been playing since Halloween, which is fine (I think by the time New Year comes, I’ll be ready for an auditory break from decking the halls and techno-frosty).

A ver... vamos a checar esta serie.... ¿Están prendidos todos los foquitos?

Though hard on the grown-ups to be upbeat this season as we remember Christina’s passing one year ago, Donovan  is all excited. One of the most vivid memories I have of Christmas with my family was helping my father check the strands of lights prior to placing them on our tree. I remember a feeling of satisfaction when I would replace a burnt out light, and its neighboring bulbs would once again light up.

Hope this season is full of happy memories. Thanks for reading.

JC

From CX to Xmas season

Christmas music and decorations started to fill our home since shortly after Halloween.  Donovan is full of anticipation as these last few days tick by, and he crosses them off the calendar.  A growing list of injuries ended my (lackluster) cx season, and that has given me ample time and reason to enjoy activities with friends and family. Fun in the mud was still great this year, and even though I didn't have the success I had last year, it was offset by seeing Donovan having fun with the sport.

At full speed and committed to his choice of line as he goes into a corner...
(Photo by Janet Hill)

Diligent physical therapy and strengthening will hopefully deliver a more solid me for 2013. In the meantime, there is a dark beer and some cookies somewhere with my name on them.

Happy Holidays!

....

I have been hesitant to publicly write my thoughts in the wake of the events last Friday. Mostly b/c I was really mad. I still am. Hell, this is my little blog and I can write whatever the heck I went. Nobody reads it anyway. So here is what I think-

I am not going to try to wrestle with the mental aspect of this tragedy. I am ignorant of how a person's mind and decisions go from A to where this guy went. Boggles my mind.

Guns. Illegal. Period. It is the one thing I really dislike of the US. I'm sure I would get an earful from the hunting/target shooting enthusiasts I know. And I don't care. The 'guns don't kill people' argument is stupid. There. Said it. Take my homeland- Drug people getting decapitated? Cartel associates' bodies piled high inside (choice of vehicle), or broken & packed into concrete-filled drums? Check and check. Cars driving by, spaying homes with automatic fire? Sure, happened around the corner from my house. Drug family members targeted with car bombs? Check, saw the lovely aftermath of one of those. Large number of innocent casualties? Yep, check, just look at the statistics. Young children shot at school? Uh...wait... what? WHO targets kids? WTFF!? C'mon... For all the truly brutal crimes that happen in Mexico, this type of atrocity does not happen. There are no metal detectors or armed guards at schools. Heck, there are no "Gun-free zone" signs at schools. I'm not saying it's not dangerous, and sure, criminals probably have it (very) easy getting their hands on something that goes BANG!. My point is fire arms should not be ready to be had from your parents' closet for when u decide to loose your marbles.  And I would be foolish to pretend some parents I knew didn't own guns back then, mostly obtained illegally and for the sake of safety. Still, with that violent of a platform, this is unheard of in a struggling 2nd world country. You tell me-How does this take place in the US? 

Woodland Park CX 2012

The 2012 version of the cross venue we like the most has come and gone. Once again, some 1000+ people came out on a cold, cloudy day with some sprinkles to watch the spectacle of lycra-clad guys, girls and kids race their bikes over mud, grass, gravel, logs. 

Donovan had a blast in his race, and despite starting in the back, made good progress thru the field.

Working through the traffic....

"I'm beating that big kid in the big helmet & big kid bike!"

That loud spectator in blue/black couldn't be more proud

The finish... and feeling the effort.

I was hoping to defend my win from last year, but alas, it wasn't to be this year. After fumbling at the start with getting clicked in, I was sitting in ~24th spot just 4 seconds into the race. I spent the remainder of the time racing flat-out, and managed to get back up to 6th.

I caught my good friend Todd for 6th with 1 lap to go, and thought we could work together, see if we could catch the leaders, but we were both at our limit and the front of the race was out of our sight.

Theresa and Donovan picked a really good spot near a corner, where I could clearly see and hear them every lap. "Vamos Papa!" cheered Donovan every time, and it gave me a little extra motivation.

Another good race. Another good memory...
peace

All photos above courtesy of Woodinvillebicycle.com 

While sick...

Ugh... being sick is so annoying. I know I've had the conversation with other tri guys, and seems the consensus is, when we get sick, we get SICK and for a while, even if it is just a little cold.

Forced to race on a demo bike with discs.... didn't like it one bit.... it was either no brakes, or locking wheels and/or over the handlebars every time....

So this latest bout against a cold rendered me unable to race cross this past weekend. While sniffing and coughing, I perused online at the latest CX results from Europe. One thing that has been on my mind is the market push from manufacturers for disc brakes and how that has actually translated into # of guys riding discs. I just don't see that many. Or hardly ANY at all at the top level across the pond, in conditions (like below) where I would assume they would be preferred, specially when grabbing a pit bike with clean cantis could cost the race.

I'm sure the argument is like onions with thick layers. I certainly would like to hear about performance, longevity, etc. from anyone who successfully uses them in cross.

little black CX cloud...

when will you blow over....? Man, I just feel like almost every race this season, there is always something bad happening. I am either sick, or break some piece of gear, or get injured, or get taken out by someone, or something....

Photo by Woodinvillebicycle.com

But that's why we keep going out, right? It's part of racing, part of the fun. This weekend brought another bent derailleur hanger, complete with chain in the spokes. Time to put the bike back on the work stand, see what the damage is....

From Donovan's perspective..

Haven't had a chance to update here, as these last few weeks have been full activities... Everything from running, to futbol, and cyclocross. First off I participated in my school's jogathon- I think I ran 15 times around my school to raise money.

High 5, Papa!

Next, I played soccer, like every other Saturday, I think we beat the Skeeters (we always win!). Following futbol, me and Papa went to race some cyclocross that day.  Starcrossed took place while the weather was still warm and sunny, here is me coming in fast to start lap # 2 of my race:

Yep, that's me in the red, tearing it up....
(Photo courtesy of Woodinvillebicycle.com)

Both Papa and I had crashes at that race, but we both got up quickly and kept racing. That's part of racing...

Now that the weather is cooling down, it is time to dress accordingly, so here I am warming up prior to this weekend's cyclocrosss race with long sleeves and arm... er.... LEG warmers....

See the game face? All concentration...
(Photo courtesy of Woodinvillebicycle.com).

As in all other cross races, we get one last call in the final moments of anticipation, as the starter says:

"Riders Ready....................? GO!"

Not for the faint of heart.... pedal, pedal, PEDAL!!!!!!

Making up places after a slow start... Gotta work on my starts! Me and Papa, both...

Coming in to the finish, battling to the end! This is a photo finish for sure.....
(Photo courtesy of Woodinvillebicycle.com)

Papa raced a bit earlier. He really wanted to win here again, but today wasn't his day.

You'll get 'em next time, Papa....
(Photo courtesy of Woodinvillebicycle.com)

After the race, we went and carved pumpkins, as we get ready for Halloween, but not b4 saving the day by crawling into the van and retrieving the key that someone had locked inside....

All in all, it was another great weekend. Until next time!

Winner, chicken, dinner

First cyclocross WIN of the 2012 season, this past Sunday at Arlington. Fast and furious course, just like I apparently like them. Being the WINNER netted me enough points to get an upgrade so I can go race with the rest of my buddies from last year. Which is awesome.   

Running the CHICKEN legs thru the sand... Representing for CXR.com

Pretty excited (a bit apprehensive too) to try out tubulars for the first time. Gotta figure out the art of gluing. Any hints/tips, feel free to share them.

As far as the DINNER, my (lovely) wife and I went out to celebrate our tenth (!) anniversary (yay, us!) at this place. Very cool, and great food. Check em 'out for a special occasion, or whenever.

Winner, chicken, dinner. On to the next one.