Four Weeks in 500 Words or Less

i'm settling into life post-college quite nicely. apparently all i ever wanted was an ambition-free, responsibility-free existence. it's possible this pleasant floating sensation won't last, but for the time being i'll enjoy my leisurely breakfasts, relaxed work schedule, and the occasional late night out.

the shut-in is in two days. perhaps after this weekend i'll give that a more in-depth treatment, but i've shirked a couple of race reports now, so:

at the tree shaker 12 hour sycamore cycles had a mighty showing, taking first and second in the three-dude team category. kwood, derek and i had to battle to the final hour for that podium spot, but in the end we got it. third place was well aware that they had been chicked.

some bakery patrons are still congratulating me for the collegiate team's showing at tahoe, and i have to gently remind them that although i WISH i had been there, i was slinging pastries while the kids racked up the stripey jerseys. i am super proud of them, especially captain america and tina.

i joined a posse of brevardians in boone this weekend for halloween festivities, downhill races, and some cross. i registered for the cross race to spite myself and i never stopped complaining, from the time i woke up until i pinned on my numbers. (two of them! ugh! nccx, it's like you HATE me!) by around thirty minutes in, when i remembered how to ride a bike and decided i was comfortable with my eighth place position, i started enjoying myself (sort of). it sure didn't compare to last year's second place, but it was the most encouraging crappy finish i've ever had.

and now those familiar symptoms, in remission for two years, are quietly regaining strength. hill repeats? carbon forks? series points? UGH! cross fever is like malaria...once you've caught it, all the quinine you take can't hold it at bay.

baker bill informed me that his sole purpose during the race was to make the course markings his bitch.

Another Good Day

Here's some tasty results for you.

Short track.

T. Cowie: He threw down a delicious attack on that tall orange dude and rode into a VERY respectable 2nd.

Rimmer: 15th

The Saint: 16th

Four cross. The fellas were looking SO awesome on that narrow rocky track. Unfortunately, they all experienced some misfortunes on the round of 16.

Real Tall: 11th

Rimmer: 13th

T-Bag: 14th

T. Cowie: 20th

Tina: 12th

Dunc: 9th

In the round of 16, Joh, Dunc, and I were seeded together so we cake-walked down the course to avoid wrecks and fatigue. Second round, I had a bad start and sat up. I was relieved it was over and so, so tired. But then St. Marie forced me back up the hill for the consolation round. I went, grumbling and tearing up. I just wanted to be done! I was bad at 4x! But...then...I gated two Warren Wilson girls and took 5th, smiling (albeit a bit hysterically) the whole time. I was pretty durn pumped. Three podiums in two days!

And then Tuttle pulled off another stars'n'bars! She walked away from her competition like they weren't moving. It was SO exciting.

Tomorrow is the final showdown. The DH shall separate the wheat from the chaff, the cream from the milk, the men from the boys. Park was a darling and lent me his SX so I'll be rolling down the hill in style.

We're reeling in that overall title. I can feel it.

Two Down, Two to Go

The ladies just wrapped up the endurance portion of Natz with another masterful showing in short track. Sarah got caught up in a big stupid wreck at the start but worked her way through the field and danced along to "Let's Get It Started". Alexis snatched up some spots from yesterday and got 8th, Johanne pushed through the pain and got 6th, and I was once again taught my place by Montana girl and Colorado girl. So, I didn't accomplish secret goal #2 but I rode a good race and had fun if you can believe it. I'm so proud of the Brevard girls! Now it's up to the fellas once again to replicate our success. No pressure!

In the team standings BC is third behind Union and Montana State right now...but wait till we whip out our secret weapon: a talented, well-rested, ready-to-go bunch-of-huckasaurs gravity team!! UHHNNHH feel the PAIN Division II!!!

I KNOW the East is the Best

Permit me to quote myself:

"If you're on the wrong side of the Rockies, feel the fear."

The SE-motha-f*ckin-CCC packed SEVEN OR EIGHT GIRLS IN THE TOP TEN. Can you say "Powerhouse Conference"!?

Brevard results, for your viewing pleasure......

Sarah Dunkey Monkey: 11th

Caroline Alexis "Tina" Decosimo: 9th

Joh "I'm a TOTAL B.A." Tuttle: 5th

Meeeee: 3rd (that's one secret goal checked off the list!)

Boys are starting in approximately 4 minutes. Updates later.

P.S. Word has it that the phone is ringing off the hook at Sycamore Cycles with people wanting to know results. That's how you know the town of Brevard is AWESOME. I can feel the love from all the way across the country!

St Marie Thinks I'm Blogging Too Much

Team BC is clustered around the big screen watching Chapelle Show while the womenfolk (and Danny...and Park) labor in the kitchen over a hot pan of lasagna.

XC chic race: tomorrow, 8am

XC bro race: tomorrow, noon

High spirits around here. I think everyone loves the courses. I know I do. They're pretty darn fabulous. I am excited to race XC, which is a strange state of affairs indeed. The course is maybe 3 miles up then 4 miles down and so much fun.

And of course, everybody loves everybody.

No Big Deal

Midway through the DH

Top of the DH

Day One

"'Stick your finger in it' should always be a step to everything. "

3:59am--I fell down a flight of stairs in the middle of the night. Yikes. Big old boo-boos all over my body and I haven't even gotten out of the state yet. Talk about an inauspicious start.

4:45am--We hung out with Herndon and Tuttle in the airport. And saw Dirty Wes D briefly, since he dropped them off. It's a bit disturbing to run into him so early in the morning; he is one sketchy bearded man.

6:00am--Joyfully reunited with most of the team. I swear it's like being part of a family.

10:23am (which is actually 12:23)--It seems that the artery between Charlotte and Las Vegas is the main conduit of grossly fat travelling people.

10:56am--Wow wow wow I've never flown over the Southwest before. Wow.

11:15am--Las Vegas! (Cibola, bumpty bump)

2:31pm--I love California! Home away from home. Driving up Highway 80 and what glorious vistas!

4:21pm--After wandering like Jews in a desert we find food in Truckee. Dunc and I head straight for the sushi/tapas bar, while everyone else prefers pizza.

7:00pm--Add to the amazing list:

-scenery at Northstar

-snowcapped mountains

-the chalet that we're calling home

-the biggest rainstorm of the year that just hit Truckee. It left the DH course tackier than Westerners can even come to terms with! (according to Herndon)

7:34pm--Now we're hanging out in the girl room watching Planet Earth on a massive flat-screen. Bedtime is coming very soon. Tomorrow: pre-ride XC, walk downhill, great shenanigans no doubt.