Get ready for Hendersonville!

Looks like there may be some moisture to go with the low temps expected for this weekend. Stay tuned for a Real Deal weather update in the coming days. Cold, mud, 'cross, what more could you ask for? How about video of Sven Nijs absolutely crushing the field in Pijnacker a few days ago? Check it out and get stoked for this weekend.



Let us all hope for a return of the angry this weekend!

"Hey, baby! Check me out in the Factory Pilots!"

This is a belated b-day present to Jeff. Happy 43rd! I remember when Factory Pilots were IT. Everybody wore them and believe it or not, they are still one of the best functional eye protectors for cycling. They didn't come off, they fit well and gave a huge field of vision. But they did make you look like a cylon or a bug, depending on your point of view.

Owen and I are training for the World Championships of Sitting Up, to be held right here in Lenoir on Thanksgiving Day. The kid is a natural and I can't overestimate the kids chances of overall victory. Look for a rainbow onesie in the kids future!

Mark this date down in a calendar, carve it in your arm or tattoo it backwards on your forehead: December 1st is the 1st annual Luna Cycles Customer Appreciation Par-tay! We will be serving light food and drinks (as heavy as you like), and we will be giving away prizes during the evening's trivia contest. Festivities are from 6 to 9 pm. Come by the shop for more details. RSVP to the shop if you get the chance, so we can have enough supplies!

PineHURT 'cross pics coming soon!

"...and the agony of defeat."

I remember when ABC's Wide World of Sports was the only game in town when it came to watching Paris-Roubaix and the Tour de France. It always opened with that video montage and that voice over. I don't remember anything about the video for "the thrill of victory", but I have that image of the ski jumper eating it BIG TIME on the ski jump while they said "...and the agony of defeat." The NC State 'Cross Championships made me feel like a kindred spirit with that ski jumper guy.
The results:
Shelli Welch - 4th place Women's CX4- Shelli put in another solid performance today, keeping herself up at the head affairs in the overall series.

Jeff Welch - top ten Master's 35+ - some cracks appeared in the armor today as Jeff couldn't hold Ed D.'s wheel and lost a couple of spots to him. This will knock Jeff out of the series lead, but not out of contention.

Howard Hesterberg - 5th Master's 55+ - seems beer, maturity and a recent leg injury can't hold Howard down. Welcome back to the trenches Howard!

Ken Johnson - 6th Master's 45+ - another solid hurtfest for Ken. When I saw him with one lap to go, I swear his eyes were visibly crossed. Deep pain cave exploration...

Jack Brown - 7th Men's CX4 - Mr. consistency in the 4's, Jack is looking very solid. Watch him in the next four races.

Me - 22nd Men's CX4 - Great starts don't mean jacksh*t when you can't generate any power to the pedals.

Dave Brown - 28th Men's CX4 - Dave didn't let the sand scare him off of a solid ride.

Eric Winebarger - placing unknown - Big E gave it the whole time and still had the strength to cheer me on when we crossed paths on this twisty course. Thanks for the encouragement, Eric.

I'll get some pics and more details from everybody this week. A big THANKS to Howard, Marcus and the rest of the Sandhills Syndicate for putting on such an awesome event as usual! Howard: hope you enjoyed passing me today, 'cause it ain't happenin' again!

Remember 5 days to Hendersonville! If you can't race, come spectate and see some of the best 'crossers in the country since this is a UCI race weekend!

"220, 221; whatever it takes."

So today is Day 2 of my Mr. Mom experience. Golden went back to work yesterday and I am taking the next 3 weeks off to take care of Owen until my parents get moved in down the street. We didn't want Owen to have to go to daycare for a week and a half and my very supportive boss was up for me taking the time off to hang out with the little dangger. My biggest responsibility has been to get Owen to drink from a bottle. He has developed into quite the boob man (who among you can blame him?) and so yesterday was a bit rough. He finally got hungry enough to stop screaming and give the bottle a go. Today, there were no issues and he seems to breeze right through it. I am enjoying hanging out with him. We've gone running (more me than him really) and we have chewed on lots of stuffed animals (more him than me). I somehow managed a truly frightening reading of "Don't let the pigeon drive the bus!" that brought him to tears in less than 4 pages, but other than that things are going well.

Today is Jeff's 43rd birthday, so if you drop by this week, wish him a happy b-day!

3 days to SandHELL!

Boone GRRRRRL'S race

Hey Shawn...
just to let you know that ended up with some good shots from Boone... of course, if SOMEONE would actually take out a camera and shoot some shots of OUR RACE, we would have MORE photos..

however, definitely captured all of the pain and agony with Jeff, a great shot of Howard and a few of Chuck and Jack. If you want more detail about my race for the Blog... to put it briefly, my inability to dismount led to my losing the lead on the first lap... (which involved rolling around in the caution tape at the top of the stairs (very pretty)... fell back to 4th place then overtook 3rd in the 2nd lap and held that position... however, due to obviously a lack of top-end (and still, the inability to actually clip in or out of my pedals) was unable to close up the 30-40 second odd gap that 2nd had on me. 1st Place finished an embarassing 1 minute ahead. Needless to say my activities for this week involve, Barrier practice, barrier practice, barrier practice! I intend on coming to Pinehurst ready to hurt, ready to hit a barrier if necessary, and ready to either get my mother f_in 1st place or die trying. End of story.

Shelli Welch, ladies and gentleman, telling it like it is. Get ready for PineHURT people!

Boone Town Throwdown Preliminary report

Two words: super-freakin' HARD! A long primarily grass course with rough, fast descents, a staircase run-up, a barrier section that smelled like poo and the neverending wall of doom climb. This was not a course to double up on, so no double category racing today.

The day started with Jeff leading the charge in the Master's 35+ race. The race was hard fought between Jeff, Ed D. and Boone's own Smart Tom. Ed launched a vicious attack that neither Jeff nor Smart Tom could answer. The two remained locked together, but could not reel in Ed D. A crash in a slippery hairpin on the final lap, took Smart Tom off the podium. Ed took the win, Jeff took 2nd. The pair seem to be heading towards a season long duel and only time will tell who will come out on top...

The rest of the races are lost to me in a hazy fog of pain. The men's cx 4 race: Big E and I flew the Sledgehammer flag and Ron came up for his 'cross debut. Start was chaotic with just a bit of the argy-bargy. I moved up hard on the opening pavement section and made a liberal interpretation of what constituted the course to move into 3rd wheel before the race moved back onto the field. Big E did some blocking and my group of 5 got a gap. I felt like I was turning myself inside out, but I stayed in the top 5 for the first lap and a half. The rest of my race memories are: I lost some spots, I passed some people, I had an inordinate amount of snot and drool streaming out of my face, I rode the wall of death all but one lap and I took my first top ten finish of the season by finishing up in tenth place.

Shelly Welch took the hole shot and lead the first lap of the women's cx 4 class. She faded a bit, but came in a solid 3rd place. I'll get more details from her about her race later.

This race definitely had the best 'cross atmosphere with tons of spectators, a DJ and lots of strong Belgian beer. Seems like a Belgian flair is taking the NC 'cross scene. Now we just need some frites, mayonnaise and trombones and we'll be in business!

Next week takes us to the State Championships in Southern Pines. Sure hope you like sand 'cause they got it to spare!

Let's get ready to RUMBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tomorrow. Boone. 11am. Bring your A-game!

and now for something completely different...

I realized just how much space I have been devoting to bike racing in this 'blog as of late and figured that something needed to be done about it. Halloween has come and gone and Owen is definitely happy about it. It took about 30 seconds for the super cute costume that we bought for his first Halloween to meet with his very loud disapproval. I guess that is a lesson learned for the new parents: it never works out the way you planned. Next year, Owen is going as a toddler...

Predictably, the bike shop has become a bit of a ghost town. It's nice to have things a little more relaxed. Yesterday, Jeff and I were betting on the next street lamp to come on in the parking lot. Whew, fun times....

Well, the work week is almost over, which means that there are only 3 days to the next 'cross race!!!!!!!! Ok, I'm a loser and this is all I've got to look forward to (besides a beautiful, devoted wife and cuter-than-hell son), but give me a break, it's too much fun not to get excited about it! Anyway, this weekend features an all new course in Boone. The real deal weather report is calling for a brisk 47 degrees on the line. Jeff will have some course beta and I'll post it tomorrow. We should be seeing a large turnout from the Sledgehammer Charlie's crew. Maybe J-mac will stop nursing his "injury" and put in an appearance?
linky: Boone 'Cross 411

"Perhaps poker's just not your game..."

You just never know what is going to happen at a 'cross race, but apparently counting on Old Man Welch to pull off a W with style is not too far off the mark. He and Ed Dickenson duked it out on a long, tough course with lots of running and slippery sections. The end result was two in a row for Jeff in the Masters 35+ category.

After endoing and landing on my shoulder and back (while my bike tried to eat my left leg), I got back on and raced harder than I should have to finish 26th in the Masters category. Shaw Brown demanded a pee test after witnessing my solo pileup and resurgent ride after. I swear that the team doctor is just giving me vitamins...



Shelli Welch made it official: she is definitely the woman to watch in the B class as she finished 2nd this weekend. There is a win in her future before Thanksgiving, mark my words... Jenna "PS" Proffit debuted with a respectable 17th in a very large women's B field. The grin said it all though!



The CX 4 race saw 51 guys toe the line! As always in 'cross, the start was crucial as it went from a wide open straightaway to a singlefile path almost immediately. I got a good start and hit the first turn in 3rd, managing to avoid the inevitable bottleneck. I managed to finish 18th. Dave Brown kept out of trouble and finished an awesome 31st in his 'cross debut. Jack Brown, after a less than great start, pinch flatted and had to DNF due to the mechanical. The guy is going to be looking for revenge in Boone...
Thanks to everyone on the Sledgehammer Charlie's team for providing support during the races and good attitudes the rest of the time. Thanks to the out-of-nowhere 'cross hooligans (see picture) for heckling everything on two legs and two wheels coming up the run-up. Just wish I'd known about the beer handups...

Cary preliminary race report

Tough course. Tough competition. Huge fields. Wind.

Jeff Welch - win #2 in the masters class (out of 43 starters), 16th in the pro, 1, 2 field (out of 31 starters)
Shelli Welch- 2nd place women's cx4's
Jenna Proffit- not last
Dave Brown - 31st men's cx4's (out of 51 starters)
Jack Brown - DNF cx4's (mechanical)
Shawn Moore - 26th masters, 18th cx4's

Tired. Sore. Homer sleep now...

Round 2: Cary

Owen aka Edward Sockhands
6 am Sunday is the roll out for the Cary 'cross race, round 2 of the NC Cyclocross series. Looks like a bigger turnout than at Salisbury is in the works. Double down and PS are going to make their debuts this weekend. Double down acquiesced after a few words of "encouragement". True, I had to insult his manhood to a horrendous degree, but in the end he thought this weekend would be a fine time to jump in the ring and see what happens. PS is excited, as always, and is looking to just "do a good ride". As soon as that girl figures it out, watch out! She and Shelli could end up being the terrors of the women's B class.

I don't know if my plan to race the master's and then race the 4's, like, 20 minutes later is a smart one, but I'm sticking to it (for now). It is welldigger's crack cold and raining to boot. The real deal weather forecast is calling for clearing tonight and WIND tomorrow. A-rod says bring your spinnaker to the group ride tomorrow...

Not much to say tonight. Finished another work week. Didn't lose my cool with any adolescents. Not bad. Teacher work day monday, so this weekend will be a little more relaxed. Bummer for the weekend will be the absence of the fam at the race sunday. Owen can't take that long of a trip in the car seat... can't say that I blame him on that one. Boone is next weekend, so he should be back out in his bear suit and ringing his cowbell! One thing that worries me though: he really likes being in the water. He gets really excited and kicks his legs and giggles a lot in the tub. Could I be raising a triathlete?

More from round 1... (thanks for the photos Howard)

"Say when..." Jeff and Ed with one to go!
Shawn vs. Sandpit
Sandpit vs. Jack
Chris Thomas
Jeff and Shawn before the Master's race

Salisbury 'cross pics

Salisbury Race results click for full results! Sledgehammer Charlie's storms to a 4th place team finish in the NC Cyclocross Series! Just wait 'til all of our injured reserves get activated!

The Pictures:
Jack Brown and Harrison
Shawn Moore
Shelly Welch
Big E
Chris Thomas

The king is dead. Long live the king!

Old man Welch pulled off the upset that I called for! In an awesome display of power and bike handling skills, Jeff tore the master's field apart and then performed delicate surgery to take apart Ed Dickenson. This marked the first defeat for Dickenson in over a year!
In other racing news: Jack Brown had a sparkling 'cross debut with a 6th place finish in the CX4 category. Shelli Welch beamed with joy as she finished 4th place in the women's CX4 and discovered her new favorite sport. Big E finished his first 'cross race, putting in a huge effort in less than great conditions. And Chris Thomas struck fear into the hearts of the 35+ group as his reputation preceeded him. Between him and Jeff, things could get pretty interesting this season...
I rode the master's race for training and then "showed 'em I was there" by holeshotting the CX4 start, but then faded to a mid-pack 24th place finish.
I'll post pictures when I get 'em. Next stop: CARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Links:
Belgian SuperPrestige Pro Cyclocross Race Oct. 8th 2006 1+ hour of coverage!
2006 Cyclocross World Championships (starts at the 19 min. mark of the video) 30+ minutes of coverage!

2 days...

Two days 'til the big throw down. Get prepared by downloading and filling out your registration form now, instead of having to do it on race day. Follow the link to get the USA Cycling standard athlete release form. For those of you looking to do two races per event: remember it is $15 for the first race and $5 for each additional race per event!
Snuck out for a training ride yesterday at the Aquatic center. Saw Troy and did a few laps with him. It felt good even after a day of work! See you saturday for practice and sunday for racing!

Sat. Group ride time change

The Sat. group ride will move to 10am from the frosty 8am start we have been having. Please help spread the word!

The excitement grows

So, Jack and Heart attack Mark came in to the shop today talking about their coming 'cross debut this weekend. Talk of "I'm just hoping to survive" and "I just want to see what its like" flew through the air. Yeah, right. Ever ridden with guys that try to rip your legs off for fun and then smile at you like your all buddies sharing the same joke? They don't know the meaning of taking it easy. So come Sunday, when they belly up to the line, you better believe that it is gonna be on like donkey kong, my friends. KC (sans Sunshine Band) came in and got her bars re-wrapped and picked up her new helmet. She should be there Sunday. Pornstar came in tuesday, showing off some significant bruising from her fight to conquer the "corkscrew" during last weekends 'cross practice. She will be sitting out the Fall series, but look for big things from her this Winter Cup.
The question that is on everyone's mind is: can J-Dub repeat last weekend's performance and pull out a win at the NC 'Cross Series opener? The guy is coming on to form, so you never know what the shredder can do.
Finally, tip a glass to Double-Down as he sits in AZ learning how to drop laser guided triscuits to Afghani locals.

Another one bites the dust

By the way, it is 4 days until NC 'Cross season starts. Hope your ready, 'cause I know I'm not. A little Luna news: Doctor, Father, aging cycling phenom and all around good guy, J-Mac decided to give an entire middle school soccer team a little what for and ended up tearing his hamstring (see picture) just days before his cyclocross debut. The word on the street is that he was fouled, but we'll never know. J-Mac reports, "I scored the goal at least." That's the spirit...

6 days to go...

It is time to start whipping yourselves into a frenzy! NC 'Cross starts this weekend! Check out some video:
Starcrossed '03
Gloucester USGP Cyclocross '06
Check out how fast the freakin' start is!
Bunny hop barriers like a pro!

Johnson City lowdown

Alright, normally going to a race is a logistical problem to be tackled and experience teaches you the smoothest ways to deal with it. A baby really presents a new set of variables and we underestimated their effects. Needless to say, I arrived in Johnson City with about 20 minutes to register, dress, warm up and pre-ride the course! Not to worry though, it was plenty of time. The 4cx race started well enough, I found myself in third place at the start. In fact, I was wondering why everyone was going so slowly! At the end of the first lap I was still in third and I began to hear Bill Murray saying, "he's the Cinderalla boy, with the Cinderella story". And then Scotty started yelling from the engine room that he was giving her all she's got. 8 guys passed me in a big clump - BOOM! I had no power on the little grass climbing section and it showed. I was riding the off-camber really well and wonder upon wonders (after a few really ungraceful and completely unremarkable dismount/remount sections) I actually began going through the barriers better than ever. 5 laps, 14th place (out of about 40)... not bad. Then about 25 minutes later, the masters race. 7 laps of brutality. Again got a good start. Then the 2nd guy rolls his tubular in the corner, 3rd guy (J-Dub) hits him and stops, so that 4th guy (yours truly) can hit him from behind. We sort it out quickly and no harm is done. I fade towards the back of the middle while J-Dub charges off the front. I rode for training and J-Dub won the thing! Pretty sweet. Now I have two really angry grapefruits where my butt cheeks should be, Owen has windburn on his cheeks and Golden is worn out from the sheer effort of the trip. I think it's time for bed...