I learned this weekend that being in the front doesn't mean its easier, its just that much more faster. "Goooooooooooooo" echoes in the center and we are off. My goal this race is to pedal hard, stay out of the red, and hit the single track with the leaders. I gave a couple of efforts to stay with the lead group, hit the single track in a lactic absent-mindedness and everything was a blur from there.

The first lap was a mess. Log jams, traffic, morons and stupidity. By lap two I found a grove and a clean tire with Clayton Summitt. We hammered the pedals, broke from groups, and finished just six minutes back from the winner. It's a best for me. My fitness is coming around and all I hope is to continue to improve upon it. It's a long season...


Monday was THE appointment. Nikole was anxious for this day and a bit nervous. But five minutes into our appointment, our concerns were found to be extrinsic. A heart beat of 130 beats per minute told us that all is well with the "little human" that is growing in Nikole's belly. So after meeting with the doc all is well and moving along on the prego front.

Yesterday marked the beginning of Nikole's second trimester. Its getting a bit more real and because of it I'm buying up all the bike parts on eBay that I can before the "little human" comes along and steals our money and attention. I say that with love ya know!

Till next race...Single Swizzle

Sturgie

Guzzlin

Early this spring I turned my old bike into my commuter bike. Its fun thinking about the gas I'm saving with every trip to work and back. But when you factor in the amount of errands that Nikole and I seem to do in a day, I was putting 20 miles or so on my commuter bike. And then I would jump on my other bike and spend another three hours pedaling.

Yesterday gas jumped to $4.07 here in EC so Nikole and I got a great idea...lets get a hog. So we got a NEW bike, a 1980 Honda Express. If the wind is at my back I can barely top 30 mph. Basket in the front and an attached milk basket on the back. Doesn't get any better than that...or does it? 112 miles to the gallon. Hell yea!

I'm curious to know how much we will save this summer and fall ridin around on the new toy.

Last week I put some much needed miles on both bikes and I'm continuing the same routine this week. Today its off to pre-ride the race course for this weekends race. I'm hoping that I figure out the start this weekend and can put together a solid race.

Nikole and I are one week out from the end of our first trimester and five days out from hearing our baby's heartbeat. Her morning sickness has faded some and she seems to be having more energy and less vomit these days. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we near our first exciting doctors visit.

We are off to my parent's place on the lake this weekend. We will ride a bit, rest a bit, enjoy some food a lot, and rest some more. I will keep you posted next week on the visit and race.

Have a great 4th!

Single Swizzle

Aaron