Giro d Ghetto - Stage 5

Long miles.

Here is my story, and I'm sticking to it.................because its actually true.

I left my house around 2pm that day. I had a few errands to do and was planning to hang out with a friend for a bit.

Basically, I ended up hanging out quite a bit and the rain started getting worse.

It was 7pm when I began talking myself out of going to the rain for practical and safety reasons.

I stalled.

730pm rolls around and thyneighbor calls and asks if im gonna make it out. I say im a toss up.

I was sure I didnt have time to go home and get my road bike. I really didnt want to risk crashing my road bike anyhow.

815pm comes up and I decide just to go out there on my cross bike in my commuting gear.

The course was nice. Some eastside action. Total millage was in the mid 30s.

In the first lap, W.1, R, and myself worked hard for some separation from the field.

It payed off. We remained a group of three till the end.

It was hard working together though. Conditions were gross. Drafting got you a face of road spray.

In the end, W.1 outkicked us. I ended up with second.

L-Dog

Thats Big Tex on left and Steven Roche on right

That morning, I was texting thyneighbor talking about what the ride would be like.

He was thinking a casual stroll round the metro, I was feeling that it was gonna be a slight leg stretcher.

Since I have under-dressed before, I donned the roadie cyclist-way.

I was in luck, it was a formal affair after all.

We started at MJ's and rode east, heading out of town.

The statesman says around 100 people showed up.

Even in the city the pace was not exactly casual (for non-roadies).

We went out east heading towards the old Tuesday Nighter course. That is where lance did quite a bit of his training at some point.

Mr. Steven Roche is a class act. The man was greeting and chatting up any and everyone. Kinda hard to understand with the serious (and cool) accent, but he was nice and looked to be having a good time. Before today I wouldn't have been able to recognize him. I have heard him mentioned whenever a new Irishman comes to prominence.

Being on the old race course got people a little antsy in the pantsy. Some attacking and pace quickening went on. Good stuff. Riding pace with 2 cycling greats*, when is that gonna happen again?

People had been dropped throughout the ride. See D's account. hehe

The funny business on the nighter course whittled it down to 10-15 people finishing the 50 miles together.

Lance took off, but Mr. Roche hung around and did autographs.

*You can be great at something and still be a jerk or worse. Im just sayin...

This is in no way an endorsement

Ride with Americas twitter sensation!!!!

Stage 4

Fun stuff.

No stage podium, but I'm still tied for second in the GC with EC.

The knee felt good, but I am really glad there is a rest day Friday.

There was a mental bug that I couldn't shake.

During my knee testing, I managed to pull out of my pedal.

I increased the tension at home and even more at the race.

During my first race with a "serious" dude, he pulled out of his pedal at the start, and I pulled out like 20 feet after him.

It could be that I am twisting my foot unknowingly during these high torque situations.

In any event, I had just as much fun watching and cheering.

There was one slight-grudge (re)match. Amazing race. Closest race a human eye could possibly judge.

Saturday and Sunday are going to be important, and slightly more up my alley than the last 2 races.

Sure, a overall podium would be pretty bad ass, but I'm hungry for a stage now.

photo from www.thyneighborsbike.com ............................I promise.

Guess whos back (3x)

Hey young world... the world is yours
Hey young world... the world is yours
Young world young world... the world is yours
Young wo-ah-huh-huh-huh-urld

This rap here... it may cause concern its
Broad and deep... why dont you listen and learn
Love mean happiness... that once was strong
But due to society... even thats turned wrong
Times have changed... and its cool to look bummy
And be a dumb dummy and disrespect your mummy
Have you forgotten... who put you on this earth?
Who brought you up right... and who loved you since your birth?
Reward is a brainwashed kid goin wild
Young little girls already have a child
Bad company... hey, now youve been framed
Your parents are hurting... hurting and ashamed
Youre ruining yourself... and your mommy cant cope
Hey, little kids dont follow these dopes
Heres a rule for the non cool... your life, dont drool
Dont be a fool like those that dont go to school
Get ahead... and accomplish things
Youll see the wonder and the joy life brings
Dont admire thieves... hey they dont admire you
Their times limited, hardrocks too
So listen, be strong, scream whoopee-doo
Go for yours, cause dreams come true
And youll make your mommy proud... so proud of you too
And this is a message... that the ruler rick threw
And its true

You know, you know what, you know what, you know what?
We like to party, like to party
(repeat 3x)

Hey young world, the world is yours
Hey young world

Yo peep this

Hey mr. bigshot... hey, dont you look fly?
But you dont have a nickle... ohhhh, my my my
Youve been fightin again and, you forgot why
Hey kid, walk straight, master your high
Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy.... because you make your family cry
And all jokes aside, are you in good health?
Hey little boy... now have you really checked yourself?
Youre a disgust, you know someone that I cant trust, youd
Steal moms welfare... and youd run and buy some dust, and
Plus, a must so... bigshot youre not
Your friends are talkin and Im hearin that your girls are what?
You didnt know? go steal and rob
And while youre at it... go get a suit for a j-awhh-ob
You see youre actin like this urge is demandin
Cmon, wake up... have some understandin
Societys a weak excuse for a man
Its time for the brothers... rap is trying to take the stand
Believe it or not, the lord still shines on you deep
Guides you... and he watched you as you grew, plus
Past the age of... a little child, thats true
But folks your age dont act like you do, so
So be mature... and put the point to a halt
And if youre over eighteen... I wish youd act like an adult
Dont live in a world... of hate hate hate
Pull yourself together... and get yourself straight
Men dont steal... hey, most dont borrow
And if you smoke crack... your kidsll smoke crack tomorrow
So be more mature... and kids do your chores
Make your own money... hey, be proud thats yours
You know why, cause thats a man... thats brains no spite
Stayin out of trouble... when it comes in sight
And a man never loses a fight... in gods sight
Cause righteous laws are overdue
And this is a message that the ruler rick threw
And its true

You know, you know what, you know what, you know what?
We like to party, like to party
(repeat 3x)

Hey young world, the world is yours
Hey young world...

Yo peep this...
Mc... ricky... d...
The grand wizzard...
And his partner...
And his and his and his partner...
Say what?
La-di! da-di! la-di! da-di! (repeat 2x)
La-di-da-di...

It seems to still work.

Not cool, not smart

Got another injury to deal with.

After the race, a slow flat creeped up on me. Slow enough for me not to notice it before taking a sharp(ish) turn. Front wheel left me, and my right knee was utilized as a crumple zone.

It hurts.

Not bad enough for me to throw in the towel.


Yet.


I am a mere minutes away from taking my bike out for a little knee testing.


Oh yea, stage 3 race report: I suck at alleycats. 8th.