First the Good :

We had a nice dinner party Friday to celebrate KDog and Fast Lisa getting upgraded to Cat 3.

Lisa got enough upgrade points in a record 3 races, then went on to win her first C123 Crit yesterday.





Someone was also having a birthday. Much thanks to all for coming and sharing some good food with good friends. The dinner was great and the homemade dessert was too.





The party was organized and the dessert catered by GwG - Girls with Guns.

Thanks again. You two rock my world!






Michellie couldn't make it, but sent her regards.







The Bad :

I sadly had to pull the plug on Trans-Iowa. I'm not going to go through all the details because I don't like dwelling on the bad stuff. As difficult as it was to make the call, I know it was the correct decision. There is always next year. My bike and gear are already set up and poised to go. I will wait with baited breath to hear the reports. My gut feeling prediction - the conditions will be tough but tolerable. At least twice as many more people will finish than last year.

The thing I will miss the most is getting to meet and ride with all the folks that I've been getting to know through the internet. You all are what really makes these events special. Best of luck to everyone.

To make a long story short:

The Doc told me on Friday that the surgery was more involved than he expected. He had to remove a large amout of muscle tissue from my throat to get the whole lump. This explains why I was still getting run down and feverish after any rides. Biopsy results were negative for the C word.

At the century on Sunday I got taken out by a squirrelly rider in the very first mile. Went down hard. Got up and rode well for 40+ more miles. Actually was feelin' quite good on the the bike until the adrenalin from the accident wore off and I started to feel what was really hurt. I had all the typical scrapes and bumps you get when this happens - knee, elbow, and hip. In addition to all that I somehow bruised my, ummmm, junk, if you know what I mean. Was impossible to even sit on the saddle and peddle after 35 miles or so. I rode much of the next 5 standing and pulled out at a rest stop. My friend Andy was able to finish his first century and has a more detailed report here.

Oh yeah - I rode with the Wingnut Adventure pack loaded up for the first time. It worked wonderfully. I'll have a review up later this week.

Time to sit back, heal and regroup. My cycling season, which only a month ago seemed to be getting off to a great start, has to be total rethought.

When it comes down to it the three most valuable things in this life are :

Your family
Your friends, and
Your health.

So be sure to do your best to hang on to all of 'em. Then get out there and get your

RideOn

JB