It went something like this…..I see the field take off, and in 1.5 minutes they double back on the other side of the median past the start/finish. Watching 2-3 laps of girls shuffling around in the pack, 2 primes loaded with money, and gaps happening throughout, I patiently awaited the last lap. With one lap to go, I mosied to the start/finish for te final moment.
From the line you could only see the 100 meter sign (the 150 meter was just around the bend). With a Hyudai (?) sport vehicle in full view, I catch a glimpse of turqoise/red and also a rider in red. Could it be? Yes it was!!! Chris, giving it a 1-2 punch, to take the win and put XPLANE/Team Revolution atop the podium.
Great Job Chris!!!
So exciting to watch it play out.
I am sure you can give us a personal account with details.

Spectator-
Carrie

Some of you may have noticed that I also blog about “Why I ride”. I’ve not been diligent about keeping up with it…mostly b/c my reasons, while I ponder them daily, all boil down to the same basic reasons. But, every once in a while I have a new epiphany. I try to capture them there.

I started writing today’s entry “Because it feels good” and then got side-tracked by the most-signficant reason it might NOT feel good to most people…I don’t know why. Because I babble and write stream of conscience. But, the truth of the matter, is that it does feel great to ride: psychologically and phsyically.

For most beginners, it does seem to be about conquering two main hurdles: “My butt hurts” and “I hate to ride where cars are”. We’re trying to address the traffic issue. Constantly. Education and advocacy (but our emphasis lies in teaching better defensive cycling skills). But the butt issue? We’ll give advice, but don’t ask details. Not because we won’t share them, but trust me, you don’t want to hear them (and neither do we).

Seriously.

In this month’s Outside magazine, they outline the best places to live all around the country. We all know how great places like the SF Bay Area (Santa Cruz) is. The whole Pacific Coast, OK, anything on a coast has a leg-up on us land-locked folks. But, not only is STL NOT on the list, nowhere in Missouri is called out. Not surprised, right? Me neither.

On my flight out to SF I watched the burbs sprawl out below me. I shook my head and was filled with a sudden rush of panic. As I sadly noticed all the brown, newly bull-dozed land I wondered when Castlewood would be the Forest Park of the suburbs. As a woods-filled park, it’s over-crowded and the traffic to get there is rarely the breeze it used to be.

Sigh.

No, I’m not surprised. St. Louis barely exists as a “city”; it’s a sprawling, chaotic mess. Who will save our green?

(painting of SF by Kim Cogan. I absolutely love this guy’s work!)

Sorry, Carrie, but I have to post a blog over your race series flyer. Everyone, don’t forget about our race-series on Wednesday nights! (How’s that?)

So, today is my last day of work in San Francisco. I have tried to visit all of my favorite eating places (which might come back to haunt me since I’ve literally taken the entire week OFF my bike and excersize in general). I will dearly miss the culture and vibe I get here. I have consistently tried to bring it back to STL with me–to infuse my life there with the best of what I love here.

Bikes everywhere. Great, fresh food. Pedestrians!

Can’t wait to get my butt back on the saddle in STL. It’s going to be a tough transistion from the 60 degree weather I’ve had here all week, but my bicycle will make it all worth it! I’m coming home, Luke! (yes, that’s my bike’s name).

Okay, you all are sick of hearing about our racing, so now it is time to work on your own race stories and blog entries. Come join us and have a little fun!!!