CX

I'm finally set up with a cross bike and am getting ready for my first cyclocross race next weekend. You can bet I'll be the guy who nose dives over the barriers and racks myself trying to remount my bike while running.

But it looks way too fun to pass up. This video captures some of what I'm talking about.

US Gran Prix of Cyclocross - Portland, Oregon from Jesse Rosten on Vimeo.

My bike is a SS with a 36x16 gearing. I'm not sure if that is too easy or too hard of a gear but I'm sure I'll find out within 3 min of the first race.

I got my bike dirty today during lunch. What a trip riding a road bike on dirt. It was a cool feeling and has given me a needed shot of renewed excitement for cycling.

Same Time, Same Place

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The Assumptive Close

I rushed home from work in time to take the 7 year old to football practice. I packed along the 3 year old to earn extra points with my wife.

Got back home and put both kids in the shower and then got them ready for bed. Picked out 2 books and read to them.

Rachelle was with our oldest daughter at tumbling. I hadn't really talked to her all day. Mostly just a few text messages. So how do I approach the topic of meeting up with the guys for a night ride?

I tried to better my odds by getting to work around the house. I emptied the dishwasher, finished doing the dishes from dinner, cleaned up the random items around the house.

By that time it was 8:30pm. Rachelle still wasn't home and the group was meeting at the EQ at 9pm. What to do......

I hurried and got my bike ready and then threw on my bib shorts and jersey. I had just zipped up my jersey as I heard the garage door open.

Rachelle walked in, saw me standing there in the kitchen in my mountain bike gear, and knew what I wanted. No need for words.

The assumptive close is sometimes the best option.

Knee warmer weather is finally here. The best time of the year to ride.

Costume Ideas

Need some good costume ideas for the upcoming Hell-O-Ween ride? Check this out.

Night Vision

Remember when you were a kid and saw those ads in the back of magazines for "x-ray glasses"?


I never did order a pair and still regret that today.

But I found almost the next best thing to x-ray glasses. Night vision glasses.

And they can be yours for only $7. Click here


They come in clear or yellow lenses.

I was amazed how well they worked and at $7 a pop, you can crash all you want and not worry about losing or crushing them.

I let Dug borrow my yellow lens pair last night. After we got separated, Dug dropped down to the parking lot and kindly hung my glasses on the side mirror of my truck.

30 min later, I arrived at the truck, loaded up the bike and drove off as I checked my phone for any messages. By the time I saw Dug's text that read "the yellow glasses are hanging from your mirror. Thanks, they worked great". I had already hit 40 MPH and the glasses were no longer there.

No problem. It would have cost me more money in fuel to turn around and try and find them. I'll just order a replacement.

It's Thursday. Do You Know Where Your Lights Are?

Draper EQ at 9pm. Bring some cash for breakfast.

Bar Codes And Such

I had two goals for Lotoja this year:

1) Finish in under 10 hours
2) Do the entire race on foods with bar codes.

I knew from past experience that I wouldn't be able to stomach real food. So I loaded up with EFS gel & GU packs, Carborocket and water.

I missed both goals.

My time was 10:04
I ate a banana at the last feed zone

In short, the weekend was a total failure.

I Think I'll Wear Pants

I stood in line for over an hour last night waiting to pick up my Lotoja packet. I had heard rumors that they are making all entrants get an ink mark on their leg as part of the race requirements.

My fear was realized last night as I stood there while an old man branded my left calf with this:



I think I'll wear pants for the next couple of days. I'm very embarrassed to walk around with this thing.

The Cat 5 issue

Forgive me if I don't have a good grasp of the road racing scene. I'm too lazy to research it and frankly, would rather spend that time riding by bike. But I do find it odd that in mountain bike races, a racer can usually select the category that he/she feels they belong in. For example, I'll usually race in the SS or Expert category. At the time of registration, I can select the category that I feel applies to me, pay my money, and nobody gives me any crap about it.

Why is road racing different? I will always be a Cat 5 road racer because I do not do more that 10 road races per year to quality for the upgrade.

It seems silly.

And if a mountain biker enters a road race as a Cat 5 racer, and does well, that person usually gets a lot of crap from the other racers for "sandbagging".

What is the work around for that?

It's Better At Night

Climbing seems easier, music sounds better, and pancakes taste better in the dark.
It's that time of the year. The night ride scene is in full swing.

Get some before the snow flies.

Sweat It Out

My 3 yr old just got over strep throat.  My 9 yr old got hit hard with the stomach flu last night.  And as I sit here typing my post, I've received 3 emails and 1 phone call from other family members saying they have all been hit with flu.  Which is great since I spent 2 of the last 3 days hanging out with all of these family members.  

I'm trying to avoid getting sick.  What is my strategy?  Sweat it out.  Ride hard and flush any virus bugs out of my system.  Will it work?  I have no idea but if it does, I'm writing a book.

If it doesn't work and you see me on the side of the road or trail hunched over my top tube throwing up, just give me the thumbs up and keep away.