Back in action!

Okay, that's a silly title, but I couldn't come up with anything witty as a reason for staying away so long. In all honesty, it seemed silly writing all of these posts for people that I see and talk to regularly. I'm still not sure why I decided to do this, but someone talked me into continuing, even if it seems like a self centered thing to do.

Well I know I left off in suspense, but it really wasn't intended to be so long, although I really was waiting for something. In hindsight it isn't such a big deal, but I'll try to pick up where I left off. I will try to catch up as close to cronologically as possible. So, first off! I went to Paso Robles on Memorial day weekend for the Great Western Bicycle Rally. I was scheduled to run a ten mile time trial, which I ran rather successfully!

If you look closely at exhibit A you can see that is a first place award! Yes, I got first place in my class! Of course that was the 36-50 year old class. My time wasn't really any different than usual, but I guess since they took out the classified racers was why I placed so well. In all of the other races, I've been grouped in together with the categoried racers and that was keeping my placing down.

So, I was waiting for the medal in the mail. I had to leave the rally the day before the awards were presented, so I had to wait for them to mail this to me. Of course that was about a month ago when I received the package, so everything since has been because of my trying to figure out if I would continue writing my blog.

As for the rally itself, it was fun, but not really as organized or interesting as I expected. I don't think that I will attend next year. I also participated in the hill clinb. This was about a quarter mile climb for time up a grade ranging from 12% to 22%. I thought I would try it on the singlespeed Country Road Bob. I had a lot of poeple look at me like I was insane for riding with the singlespeed, and I in hindsight I was. I had to really work and after a lot of weaving back and forth at some points even turning back downhill for momentum, I was able to finish, and with a respectable time! It was a lot of work but it is always fun to prove naysayers wrong!

I think I will leave this blog at that for now, but I really do have a lot of catching up to do, so check back frequently!

Thanks for sticking with me!

Darren