Thursday, April 17, 2014

New Orleans 70.3



There isn't too much to write about this one.  It was not a friendly welcome back to long course racing.  I ended up with a DNF because with 8 miles left on the bike I had hit a huge crack in the road that blew out my front tubular tire in the sidewall. Somehow I managed to stay up right after doing a little weaving skid for about a 100 feet. I knew my Pit Stop wasn't going to fix that flat.  The mechanical team and I were out of tubulars and a front wheel. I ended up getting a sag in and therefore was I done. I still have quite a bit of other issues to address too that I care not to ramble on about.  My efforts for the day were awarded with a nice sunburn, a flat tire, and a tech tee. Praise be to God for all the good ones and even the bad ones. Without the bad ones we would never learning anything and evidently I have a lot to learn.  This is racing and I'll fight another one.

Sunday, April 6, 2014

Wedding 3-23-14



On March 23, 2014 Calley and I celebrated our Wedding with our closest of friends and family. I got to marry my best friend and partner in crime.

I was started to get nervous when it was time for the "first look". I couldn't wait to see her.


Here I am taking in the moment and admiring her in her wedding dress. 


She looked absolutely stunning!! 


This is about as emotional as I get as I was watching her come to down the aisle I couldn't help but tear up. 



As were saying our vowels it started to rain. However we were very quickly able to finish and be united as one.



Noah, our little ring carrier was hustling at a sub 5 min mile pace down the aisle, believe me I can accurately guess paces by watching people. This will be the guy to watch out for in the next 10-15 years. 


Our families were also united together too.


We had a great reception! 


Even made time to sing "our song" by Randy Travis "Forever and Ever Amen".  I had a couple of rehearsals with our musician Patrick James Freeden before this and this was my best performance - still a long ways before Nashville will be calling though. 

We added a third verse: 

"They say that time takes it's toll on a body
Makes Calley's blonde hair turn grey,
But honey, I don't care, I ain't in love with your hair
And if it all fell out, well, you'd look like me anyway"



We had a great first dance! 



Our tossing of the flowers and garter was quite comical itself. 





There was a of course great food. "No Coach, I am not eating a cupcake -- ok I am eating a really great cupcake.". 



We had a great time with our friends and family and were thankful you guys were able to make it. We even had some friends come as far as Tennessee and Michigan. Here are a few pics. 














Then we were off to Puerto Rico! 

(Photo courtesy of ALEX M PHOTOGRAPHY).

Saturday, April 5, 2014

Superman Bicycle Acrobatic Stunt

This morning was supposed to have been just a long prep ride for New Orleans 70.3 next week.  I'm not preparing to crash next week, but it happened and it happened out of nowhere fast. I was riding along starting get into my ride a little more when I hit a little bump, my elbows slid of my elbow pads and there I went straight out into superman mode onto the road. My bike flew over me across someones driveway barely missing there parked car and into their front yard. I could see my bike in the air as I was crashing onto the road.

 A couple of years ago I crashed on the Trinity Trail in Fort Worth a week before the Kemah Triathlon fracturing my ulna. I can say this time I walked away relatively easy given the crash. I did collect some road rash and holes in some of my new bike clothes. However, after all of this race goes on. I got back up  on my bike in the new positioning that I created for myself and road back to the house to finish up on my road bike (on the trainer) after Nurse Calley put hydrogen peroxide on my battle wounds.

High tech Cobb Cycling jersey got ruined. Even my spare tube got tore up. 

The most damage to me. 

Craft base layer ruined (bought on sale). 

Some road rash to my legs, wish I had shaved my legs before this ride. 

Smashed up that bottle but it still works but broke the right water cage. 

Finally, a new bike position to present to John Cobb on Monday. 

As the day wore I on, I found myself becoming more sore. Tomorrow should be fun.