...

At least this is a cool picture.  

Our team walked away with our tail between our legs, but we'll move on and race better next time. 

 BTOW!

 Thanks Guys!

via btdc.

 BTOW?

 I was hoping I would be the first one to be a two time BTOW.

Pat and I broke away from the start of the crit on tuesday.  Another guy joined us.  We rode around the course many times.  3 up sprint, I just edged those guys out!  

Pretty fun racing on a tuesday, considering I almost didn't go.  

 Some photos Stolen from the internets.

After Friday, some motivation was lost, and it quickly became clear to me on saturday that it was my last day in the bike race.  My legs were hurting, my head was throbbing, the wind was blowing, and the pros were ready to rip it apart. 

Maybe I should have put up a better fight, but sometimes the writing is on the wall.  It was fun while it lasted.  I was super impressed by Mean Dawg and Zimmermann on the finishing curcuits on Saturday.  Those guys really dug deep.  Impressive.  

Sunday I went out and cheered on my favorites, and had a fun time.  Half glad I was done, but bummed at the same time. 

 PRO TT and Minneapolis Crit

 We got down to st paul for the TT, It was just like that lilydale TT we used to do, but started at the other end, and then climbed some big hill at the end.  We had to do some strange bike measurement deal.  My bike passed but they had to check my knee, I don't quite understand the whole deal.  Ian sent us some emails about it before hand and my eyes just glazed over looking at it.  I am glad I got to race.  I saw one guy not make it, and have to wait for a road bike from his team manager. 

I didn't ride all that good, but good enough.  The hill wasn't too bad until 200m.  Muyres was running on that hill and it was super cool.  

I got a little rest and then we headed down to MSP for the PRO Crit.  It was crazy. I rode near the back all day, and was having tons of fun.  Doug and I kept making jokes and counting down the laps until we were safe.  I got caught behind a crash twice, but never hit pavement thankfully.  It sucked trying to get back to going 30.  You get a small brake, but it is way worse in the end.  

I came off with a couple to go, but I was happy with how it went.  It was really fun hearing everyone cheer.  My favorite cheer was the guy on the turn into nicollet that kept yelling, "move up grandstay" since doug and I were riding together.  We laughed everytime.  The back is kinda nice because you can corner so much easier not fighting for lines with everyone else. 

 big PRO race day #2

Today was a fun road race in cannon falls.  We pedaled around the fields for awhile, all was well.  Then as we get into town we take a hard right onto gravel and all hell brakes loose.  I am at the back tail gunning, and after the gravel I look up and see the whole field single file. down the road on the finishing circuit.  I dig for motivation to move from 150th to 145th, but can't seem to come up with any good reasons.  I stay with the bunch for a lap or two and then we get in a small group just to finish 'er off good.  Marcotte joins our group after wrecking.  Bummer.  We rolled in a couple minutes down.  The best part, is we get to go sooner in the TT now on Friday morning!   I think I have Dave Z chasing me though!  I guess he was puking out there, and feeling sick.   

The town people are friendly and ran out and bring us gatorade.  The said "It is so exciting!", "It is like watching a big race on TV or something!"

Thats all I got right now I guess. 

 Day 1 Canceled.

 Crashs, and Gaps.  That was the game of the day.

Sit in line, move around crash, close down gap that formed from crash.  Repeat. 

I was riding well, but got gapped and some point from a crash, and rode around by myself? I was sitting pretty good position too.  I was riding around thinking a group was going to come up to me but never saw anyone?  I don't know what was going on out there.  

Then the race was canceled with like 25 laps to go because of a moto bike crash.  

No Grandstay guys crashed.  Mike Woell crashed but looked ok, a small scrap on his arm.  I think I saw Henk Vogels go down like 5 times.

I kept looking for Dave Zimmermann but never saw him?  Zim?  How did you do? 

Chris Doig must have been tired from getting up so early to be on the TeeVee.  

It sure is fun racing with the PRO'S!  

UPDATE

Our team is racing NVGP.  It should be a fun time with 12 local guys racing. 

GrandStay:

• Doug Swanson
• Dan Swanson
• Andy Minier
• Ian Stanford

Bianchi / Grand Performance:

• Cole House
• Eric Marcotte
• Pat Lemiux
• Gregg Brandt

Composite Team:

• Chris Doig (Flanders)
• Dave Zimmerman (Flanders)
• Michael Woell (Flanders)
• Jake Boyce (Lake Superior Velo/St. Olaf University)

 snake,melon,quad

Rode my bike around a lot of circles this weekend.  

Teammate BK crashed hard before racing began for us.  He is doing ok, but is still in the hospital.  Get better soon Brian!

Snake was going ok starting from the back, but chain fell off, lost alot of time and was done.  

Melon was kinda sketch with the speed bump, I attacked once but it was dumb, and in the end got 8th.  I was happy since I was at the back most of the day.  I haven't got racing big crits figured out yet. 

Quad was fast.  I got caught behind a crash, handlebars moved, and some guy fell on me and hurt my ankle.  I got back in, and rode around with the group at 30mph.  Should have fought harder for position I guess but it is tough out there when people risk so much for $100.

Congrats to all the Minnesota racers down there.  Dewey won snake, and Eric Marcotte won the next 2.  It is nice to know that your racing the best riders in the region week in and week out.

Random:

Andy Minier is not that Angry.

Fred is a Newbie.

Linda Sone likes to Laugh, Lots.

Zim and Woell hate picking up prize money.

85 seems really hot when it is humid.

I hate bugs.  

Jordan should teach his teammates to ride better. 

Iowa isn't that far when you sleep the whole way home. 

When is the next race?

More Racing, Climb, WoW,Opus, BD.

4 races since last update.  

Saturday, Rode up a big hill quite a few times. 

Sunday, WoW, and I am not talking about Warcraft. 28avg or something quick like that.

Tuesday, Rode around opus for the last time? 

Wednesday, set a PR at the dog. 

Thats my update for the week.  See bikethrow or skinnyski.  Better updates and pictures right now.