Mass transit: subways, lunch at Grand Central Station and the Staten Island Ferry ride to see the Statue of Liberty.
Oct. 24, 2013
New York City for PhotoPlus Expo. We brought over 2 dozen second year students for this year's show. Because of Deb's schedule, I made arrangements for Sam to come, then Deb was off and Steph took the MegaBus over. Dinner was huge at Carnegie Deli.
Oct. 21, 2013
It's fall break at the college, so instructors have two days of professional development.
Oct. 20, 2013
NCCX Race #2 Raleigh, Lions Roar CX.
After yesterday, I decided I wanted to finish right at 50% in the field.
The whistle blows and I fought my way to the middle and about 15th or so, in a great spot on the long uphill asphalt to the first turn into the woods. Somehow I managed to drop my chain as I was setting up for the turns and had to coast over, stop, put the chain on and look back for a spot to jump in.... only 3 left in the field - CRAP!
With over 60 riders, it is tough work through the field and tight turns... so I was accelerating out of each turn and going all out on the short straights. I felt great and was passing folks all day. I had an interesting "chat" with a fellow racer. With all of my above effort I was really pushing the yellow tape and he said "you are all over the course," in my oxygen debt I thought he meant it in a negative way and locked up both tires and invited him to go in front of me (not sure why? I guess if he thought I was a pain to follow, he would hate me behind him) but he quickly said he meant it as a compliment and we worked our why past more of the field trading positions. I did talk with him after the race and he was serious, and meant it nicely. Anyway, I finished 23rd of 55 finishers (top 50%) and 7th in my age group (Should fall to 8th once Clay is added to results) My "friend" from above? He finished one spot in front of me! So a great day for me. I did decide to skip the second race today ; )
The picture today? If you are going to race single speed, go all out and wear a head to toe yellow body suit. Even in the outfit and SS this guy super fast!
Oct. 19, 2013
The start of the North Carolina Cyclocross Series this weekend with racing both days. Today was Charlotte and a fun and technical course. The run up and sand pit were two highlights. (No pictures of me this week, traveling solo) I tried to race twice today. Race 1 - Masters 35+ Cat 4. I started well and felt good, lots of tight racing throughout the 60 plus racers that started. I finished 29th of the 51 finishers, lots of DNF's due to flats. They also break down the age groups - 35+ 45+ and 55+ I was 17th in my age group. Race 2 Open Cat 4 (young guys) - I had a great start and was running well for the first two laps, but my legs started cramping and my stomach was upset (no more milk based recovery drinks between races) so I just pulled off the course and took the DNF. Save something for Sunday.
Oct. 18, 2013
Hoping this is not my best fall color. But I am afraid I will miss the peak this year.
Oct. 17, 2013
I had the honor to meet and chat with Pulitzer Prize winner Matt Lewis and visit him in his home and his basement filled with history! He photographed the civil rights marches, MLK, the White House, Ali, John Lennon and everything in between. As we were chatting, I was just picking up stuff (I do that) and pulled a contact sheet from a pile, I just pulled one out, no choosing, and it was Matt's roll from JFK's funeral. Amazing morning!
Oct. 16, 2013
Homecoming week and middle school football. Some where in there is Sam with her "boyfriend." After the game i asked her if they held hands, she said, "no, he tried sitting too close to me, so I told him to mover over, I have a box." #confusedboy
Oct. 13, 2013
The first annual Brute Cross was held at Moore's Spring Trails and featured a Le Mans start, two creek crossings (with one muddy run up) and lots of leaves. After a rainy night everything was soaked and I decided to race in a faster/longer race, but less than 2 minutes into it, I broke a chain. (Not a big problem, I was already DFL and going backwards) The race director let me switch to the race I was planning to do. My race started well and I settled into 3rd for the first lap until we came around to the "beer hand up" shortcut, it was a time saver but you had to drink a full red Solo cup of some hoppy IPA... I downed it and went back onto the course with the lead, but burping beer
badly ; ) I lead most of this lap until the long straight and was run down just before the creek crossing/muddy run-up. I went through in the lead and let 2 by me as we went through the back section. We settled down and rode out the last of the race in this order (although I think Josh lead for a bit after he did the beer hand up, before dropping to second) The finish featured a 1/2 mile uphill that forced me off the bike to push on one section. But I finished third (hardware) behind a Cat 1 mountain bike racer and some new guy to cyclocross, but he looked like he is fast on the road. Next weekend starts the NCCX season, Saturday in Charlotte and Sunday in Raleigh.
Oct. 12, 2013
The Gov't shutdown forced a change of plans this weekend. We had reservations since March for this weekend to meet friends in the Smokey Mountains, camp and see the elk. The campground was closed and several of the roads through the national forest were gated (to find the elk) so we went to plan B - Mt. Airy (Mayberry) and a cyclocross race.
Oct. 11, 2013
Since adding the Flippac, I wanted a wind deflector to help with MPG and keep some bugs off the front of the camper. There is not a good solution until I found these 4 suction cup dent puller at Northern Tool. Add some EMT tubing and the fairing from my kayak rack and for less than $20 I have something....
Oct. 10, 2013
Oct. 9, 2013
One of my favorite labs. A photo walk in downtown. It is a great mentoring lab, we talk about how to approach looking for images and where and how to shoot them. We even visited an awesome exhibit at the Arts Guild at the end.
Oct. 6, 2013
Great race today, the series finale of Cross Central in Durham. I wasn't sure I wanted to race but decided to keep my training program (only get fast racing by racing) and Deb was already up.
The large field meant I was starting on row 5 or 6 but had a strong start and settled in. I loved today's coarse, no major climbs, two run-ups, 1/2 the lap was grass, but short and smooth, the other half was fast single track and an interesting off camber side of a hill that had everyone talking.
There were several wrecks around me today, including one that I t-boned when he laid down right in front of me, I was glad I had disc brakes today. After a bit, we had a small group changing positions and rode the final two laps trying to break free of them, again, I was not able to power away from anyone, but every technical section I created a gap on the rider behind me or closed the gap in front of me. I finished 20th of the 60 finishers.... I think my best finish in these huge Cat 4 NC races.
Oct. 5, 2013
Busy day:
Change oil in Tacoma - stuck filter
Rotate tires on Tacoma - find leaking axle seal
Put front derailleur on CX bike
Start prep for next weekend's Elk camping trip
Clean out utility trailer
Use chain saw to cut up one of three downed tress from spring
Wash Land Cruiser
Dinner out
1 hour of Yoga to fix all of above
Oct. 2, 2013
This spider on the side of the porch was moving it's legs up and down to create this swinging motion of it's web.... anyone know why? or what kind of spider?
Sept. 29, 2013
My race report. Small field of 7 or 8 for my class and despite my legs feeling the hike yesterday, I decided to go hard from the start and fell into line in 4th and we pulled away from the field in about a half a lap, until my chain jumped up and onto large ring. But because I am running a short chain, it locked my drive train and I had to stop, pop the rear wheel off and reset everything. I was passed by my whole field and a couple from the field behind us. I was able to pick my way back through the field to finish 3rd. I can assure you, it will be my only podium this year, in two weeks start the 40-70 deep mass start races : 0
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