Uwharrie Southern Classic Series MTB* race

We decided to leave for the race early Sunday morning instead of staying over night somewhere. So, we left at 7 a.m., got lost due to some questionable directions from the race website - okay, scratch that, I misread the directions - and arrived 20 minutes before the start. We got dressed and registered and headed to the start line.

The race went well, but I didn't feel right with out a warm up and an empty stomach. I got dropped on the first lap, but caught back up to the leader and rode away for comfortable win on the second and third laps.

After breakfast at 6:30, I didn't really eat again until 3:30. I don't think this was good for my race and after the race I felt sick. Next week at the SERC race, I think I will be stronger if I can prepare properly.

Spring Preview

Winter is dead. It may not feel that way for those of you in the North, but it wont be long for you. This was the best winter I've ever had, which probably had a lot to do living in North Carolina. It only seemed like a true winter on rare occasions.

It reminds me how thankful I am to have had the opportunity to come to Lees McRae. When I am out on some sweet trail or road, I think about how great it is to know that I have been to all these wonderful places. I am really enjoying the school experience too. It's tough having 5 reading intensive philosophy/theology courses, but I still love it. So thanks Doug, Brian.

It's just about time to start racing. I scratched the Chickasaw race because I found out that it's in Nashville, not Knoxville; six hours away, not three. Instead, I'll head over to Troy N.C. for some race over there. I'm sure there will be some good competition. I think I saw JHK and other world cup super stars in the past results. Then, the next weekend, I'm going out to Tsali for a SERC series race. That should also be good. I'm as excited about riding there as I am about racing since it's one of the country's mtb meccas.

After that I will chill out a little bit since there will be no more near by mtb races before school gets out. I'll do our home road race some time mid April and call it a spring season. I'm excited about that one because the course has something like 1000-1500 feet of climbing per 10 mile loop, so I would like to take it seriously and see how I do. Unfortunately, I can only race at the collegiate B level for road. Oh well.

My goal was to get back to Michigan for the Fort Custer Stampede. But, that's the last day of school, and even if I knocked out my finals a week early, I think I'd still have to stay because of my R.A. duties. I think that will put my first Michigan race into June - either Hanson Hills or Brighton. Either way, that's too far into the future for me to think about. I'm racing next weekend! Stay tuned for results.

The Birds Are Singing Morning Song

Breakfast
Went's crepes

Crazy Tom is an Aborigine from Australia. He's never had his picture taken before, much less has he seen a camera.

At the base of Sugar Mountain

Enchanted forest

Frosted mountains

Typical rides

campus dog?

After Bio John Doyle saw an episode of COPS, he decided it was time to cut the mullet.


Bio John's mullet