Keeping Tempo: 9-12-08

Coming out of retirement, it's Keeping Tempo. Actually it was never really retired. It was just a rest week that took on a life of its own.

• Through the artful employment of photos and jazzy captions, Gwadzilla reminds us that the DCMTB CX Clinix at Fort Reno Park continue.
• After which, be sure to wash down your bike. Though methinks the Unholy Rouleur's doth protest too much.
• Indy demonstrates that brevity is the soul of wit.
• Floyd Landis may have found a new squad for 2009, which is relevant inasmuch as the Mid-Atlantic's own Matt Cooke could end up pacing him up Brasstown Bald next year.
• And speaking of local heroes, the Battley Harley-Davidson gents aren't the best amateur team in the region. According to the most recent NRC Standings, they are the best amateur team in the country. Tip your helmet to them by treating yourself to a full-priced entree and a couple of high margin drinks at Sonoma, Mendocino or Redwood.
• A couple (very) different voices on the same perspective - the need for a break:

Kyle: Mentally I am fried right now. I thought I was fine but the urge to just push myself hard or long is not there. I have been riding almost non-stop since the end of October of last year and I think I need some change in my routine. I have no urge what-so-ever to ride. It has been evident when I go out on group rides that I do not care to hammer or go for the sprint. Last night that was the case. I was in perfect position to go for the sprint and just sat up because I did not care nor did I feel like pushing myself to that level of pain. Just the thought of bleh came over me.

TerribleCyclist: As I look around I see others give no thought and trod on down the only path they know. Patriotic Americans with heads down, eyes closed, ears full of cotton, marching on in self righteous glory. I know their mantra...They are better, they work harder, they deserve, this is THEIR path. It's hard to see.... Slowly, slowly I look away from those paths that take sacrifices and life changes. I choose to follow the zombies and placate my anxiety with reassuring thoughts. "I was born in this society, as a member of it I cannot help but avail myself to its amenities." I slowly forget that my chosen path is made, like a mixture of asphalt, from the backs of cheap foreign labor and nature destroying fossil fuels. I avert my gaze and devote myself to one more year.

• Think you're a Lance fan? Prove it, by making this design by The Long Ride your desktop wallpaper.
• (I'm talking to you, Fish.)
• A couple hundred people got to race (or start, anyway) the Univest Grand Prix UCI race last weekend. But only a couple dozen got to drive team cars. Evelyn from Artemis was one of them.
• And finally, almost drowned out by the din of all this racing news, there's this critically important election looming. Who will be the next President (of TriPower)?

Comments

[senojelyk]

Finally Kyle stopped. That guys a jackass and should quit racing all together.

[Fish]

Thanks, Mike. Done. And to Kyle? Here here, my brother!