Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Midnight Cowboy
Good day ladies and gentlemen. Doctor Goscinski here, and man do I have a story to tell you. About two days ago, Robort and I got a call at the TC Man from none other than Tropical Midget Storm Mason. The reason for his call: Midnight Century time. The plan was to meet at TMSM's just before the bewitching hour, mount our road bicycles, and crush out a hundred miles while the competition was sleeping soundly in their beds. Well, everyone but Dwayne anyways. Honestly I expected to see him out for a spin at some point during the evening, but no such sighting occurred, maybe he was out doing Berryman laps. At any rate, shortly after the designated time, TMSM, Nico Toscani, Robort, and I departed and set a course for pain country.
At this point, it is important to understand the huge, enormous amount of shit that I gave Robort as soon as I learned of his intention of going. This one ride would double Robort's mileage for the year so far, a feat that I was sure he could not achieve. For at least two solid days I let Robort have it with both barrels, after all if he couldn't withstand that abuse, there is no way he would survive the ride. All the while Robort assured me that I would eat my words, but the off color and not appropriate for children comments kept coming.
After a warm up lap of Nico and I's Forest Park century course (yes, we really for some reason did a century entirely in Forest Park. I really have no explanation for why anyone would chose such a course of action) We found ourselves headed in the direction of lovely Creve Couer lake via Midland. From there it was the Chesterfield flats, to Hog Hollow (entirely painful on a single speed) We continued in a westwardly fashion on Olive until it becomes Clarkson. I am not sure exactly how as this was only the second time I had been in this area, but I think we took Clayton to Khers mill, to Strecker, to easily the best part of the ride: Shepard. I had done this stretch only once before, and in the opposite direction at that. Nico and I thoroughly enjoyed our 42x16 and 42x15 (respectively) single speed domination of this climb. From there we decided that the only logical course of action was to climb Marshall, so that is where we pointed our bicycles. Finish the ride up with a jaunt down the Grant's trail (which even at 4:00 in the a.m has joggers) through the city, a little ways up the RFT and then back through the city to TMSM's for BBQ and Brews, lots of brews. So many brews in fact, that I awoke at about 3:00 P.M. laying on TMSM's porch to the lovely Mrs. Doctor kicking me and telling me I told Robort I would be at the shop by 3:30 so he could go to school, and that she had come to take me there. Holy shit.
All in all, it was an amazing ride. By the end of the ride, everyone involved had been awake for about 30 hours or so, ridden at least 100 miles, climbed around 4,000 ft., and had a kick ass time. Robort rode strong the entire time, finishing the ride no problem, thereby successfully doubling his mileage for the year. I was after all forced to eat my hilarious, delicious words. The truly impressive part is that Robort showed up to work on time @ 10:00 a.m., he then promptly fell asleep. It's for the better though, all we had to drink was delicious beer (Schlafly APAs and Stouts) and Robort only drinks Zima. Oh, and going to work drunk isn't as much fun as it sounds like it would be.
At this point, it is important to understand the huge, enormous amount of shit that I gave Robort as soon as I learned of his intention of going. This one ride would double Robort's mileage for the year so far, a feat that I was sure he could not achieve. For at least two solid days I let Robort have it with both barrels, after all if he couldn't withstand that abuse, there is no way he would survive the ride. All the while Robort assured me that I would eat my words, but the off color and not appropriate for children comments kept coming.
After a warm up lap of Nico and I's Forest Park century course (yes, we really for some reason did a century entirely in Forest Park. I really have no explanation for why anyone would chose such a course of action) We found ourselves headed in the direction of lovely Creve Couer lake via Midland. From there it was the Chesterfield flats, to Hog Hollow (entirely painful on a single speed) We continued in a westwardly fashion on Olive until it becomes Clarkson. I am not sure exactly how as this was only the second time I had been in this area, but I think we took Clayton to Khers mill, to Strecker, to easily the best part of the ride: Shepard. I had done this stretch only once before, and in the opposite direction at that. Nico and I thoroughly enjoyed our 42x16 and 42x15 (respectively) single speed domination of this climb. From there we decided that the only logical course of action was to climb Marshall, so that is where we pointed our bicycles. Finish the ride up with a jaunt down the Grant's trail (which even at 4:00 in the a.m has joggers) through the city, a little ways up the RFT and then back through the city to TMSM's for BBQ and Brews, lots of brews. So many brews in fact, that I awoke at about 3:00 P.M. laying on TMSM's porch to the lovely Mrs. Doctor kicking me and telling me I told Robort I would be at the shop by 3:30 so he could go to school, and that she had come to take me there. Holy shit.
All in all, it was an amazing ride. By the end of the ride, everyone involved had been awake for about 30 hours or so, ridden at least 100 miles, climbed around 4,000 ft., and had a kick ass time. Robort rode strong the entire time, finishing the ride no problem, thereby successfully doubling his mileage for the year. I was after all forced to eat my hilarious, delicious words. The truly impressive part is that Robort showed up to work on time @ 10:00 a.m., he then promptly fell asleep. It's for the better though, all we had to drink was delicious beer (Schlafly APAs and Stouts) and Robort only drinks Zima. Oh, and going to work drunk isn't as much fun as it sounds like it would be.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Rejoyce!!
For the blues hath made the playoffs. I have been waiting to say that for 4 long seasons now and my loyalty has finally paid off.
In other news the XTRDr Goscinski has offically taken over my blog. However, I welcome him as a co-poster seeing as he has more to say then I ever do.
And now for the mildly exciting news which is more exciting then the first couple of sentences that were written (Except for the Blues making the playoffs. If this didn't send a rush of blood somewhere then you are in fact a homo). I got out for another hour ride that kicked my fat ass. I really hate feeling like this. seriously! Also I started building up my awesome wheelset of death (My death that is because they will undoubtabley fail while I am trying to ride over my head during a race that my only preparation for was complaining about not having ride time and eating as much chocolate, chicken and sugar free energy drinks as I can in a 24 hour period.
AND NOW TO ADDRESS THE NAME CHANGE. Myself and the Doctor ordered some bars from Truvativ namely the Noir World cup (I purchased a riser and the Doctor a flat bar). On the shipping address I entered in Robert "Kankles" Metz. Well the creative minds at Sram Corp. Decided to have some fun with this and sent the package to:
Thus proving how awesome they are.
In other news the XTRDr Goscinski has offically taken over my blog. However, I welcome him as a co-poster seeing as he has more to say then I ever do.
And now for the mildly exciting news which is more exciting then the first couple of sentences that were written (Except for the Blues making the playoffs. If this didn't send a rush of blood somewhere then you are in fact a homo). I got out for another hour ride that kicked my fat ass. I really hate feeling like this. seriously! Also I started building up my awesome wheelset of death (My death that is because they will undoubtabley fail while I am trying to ride over my head during a race that my only preparation for was complaining about not having ride time and eating as much chocolate, chicken and sugar free energy drinks as I can in a 24 hour period.
AND NOW TO ADDRESS THE NAME CHANGE. Myself and the Doctor ordered some bars from Truvativ namely the Noir World cup (I purchased a riser and the Doctor a flat bar). On the shipping address I entered in Robert "Kankles" Metz. Well the creative minds at Sram Corp. Decided to have some fun with this and sent the package to:
Thus proving how awesome they are.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Doctor Goscinski's Amazing Blog Suka!!!!!
That's right ladies and gentlemen, your Doctor's blog has grown too badass to be contained by the comments section any longer. It's spilled out to the main page. Holy shit. Actually Robort just left himself signed in on the computer at work. You'd think he would learn after last year when I posted as him coming out of the closet on STLbiking. The Ouachita Challenge is a race worthy of an honest to Energor blog post anyway, so here goes.
This year was my second go at this race. Last year the race itself was the longest MTB ride I had ever been on, I had no idea what I was getting into. This year I was much more prepared, knew what the climbs would be like, and knew what to expect from the giant cyclocross barrier known as Blowout Mtn (great for working on your mounts and dismounts). Our pre-ride the day before the race had me pretty excited to get started, the trail was super buff, and there was a fair amount of climbing before the single track to split the pack up a bit, which is great if you are on a single speed. After having a kick ass time camping with Team Trail Monster we packed up and made our way to the race. Starting time found Nico, Tropical Storm Ma(rio)son, and I at the back of the pack talking with some Cow-Town dudes. As soon as the roll out began we implemented our strategy of passing as many people as possible before entering the single track. I could see Nico just ahead of me spinning his nuts off and bobbing and weaving through the pack so I followed his lead. Going into the Womble I was in a good position, 3rd or 4th of the Single speeds, and I was feeling great. Then I got a rear flat. As I sat at the side of the trail fixing it I watched a good deal of the people I had pushed past on the initial climbs go past me, what a sinking feeling. I got it going as quick as I could and tried to make up some ground. It really makes a difference riding closer to the front of the pack, the faster dudes ride the technical stuff cleanly, and keep the pace consistent. Having to re-pass so many people can really slow you down.
After the 1st aid station I hit the highway by myself and started spinning, man was it windy. After what seemed like an eternity of highway and fire roads I was glad to see the single track again. The Ouachita Trail section of the race is absolutely brutal. While you are praying for single track on the fire roads leading up to it, you are praying for fire road again by the end of it. Steep, rocky, and relentless, but soooo much fun. The descents are as mind blowing as the rock gardens are ankle braking. On this section I finally started seeing people again, after being alone for miles. I was able to pick off several riders on the Blowout, and Big Brushy sections. I recognized a lot of the trail from the previous year so I knew when I was getting close to the end. The trail popped me out on the last fire road section and I hammered all the way back to the finish, dropping three more geared riders in the process. Nico greeted me at the finish line with pizza and a fresh PBR pint. I took 6th in single speed and 59th overall with a 6:30. This is the same amount of time it took me last year, but with the course being 10 miles longer this year with 1,000 more feet of climbing I was pretty pleased.
Things I learned this weekend:
1. It would take about 45 PBR pints to replace 9,000 calories.
2. TSM is a cuddler
3. Nico does have an odor very similar to rancid month old Sonic
4. Don't get flat tires
5. Having a sweet mullet makes you go faster
Monday found us rolling back to the STL in an extremely foul smelling Toyota, almost as sweet as my new whip, which can been seen in all it's glory on the Team Seagal page along with TSM and Nico's glorious race recaps. Until next time, don't be a dick. Oh, and check the Seagal page here:
This year was my second go at this race. Last year the race itself was the longest MTB ride I had ever been on, I had no idea what I was getting into. This year I was much more prepared, knew what the climbs would be like, and knew what to expect from the giant cyclocross barrier known as Blowout Mtn (great for working on your mounts and dismounts). Our pre-ride the day before the race had me pretty excited to get started, the trail was super buff, and there was a fair amount of climbing before the single track to split the pack up a bit, which is great if you are on a single speed. After having a kick ass time camping with Team Trail Monster we packed up and made our way to the race. Starting time found Nico, Tropical Storm Ma(rio)son, and I at the back of the pack talking with some Cow-Town dudes. As soon as the roll out began we implemented our strategy of passing as many people as possible before entering the single track. I could see Nico just ahead of me spinning his nuts off and bobbing and weaving through the pack so I followed his lead. Going into the Womble I was in a good position, 3rd or 4th of the Single speeds, and I was feeling great. Then I got a rear flat. As I sat at the side of the trail fixing it I watched a good deal of the people I had pushed past on the initial climbs go past me, what a sinking feeling. I got it going as quick as I could and tried to make up some ground. It really makes a difference riding closer to the front of the pack, the faster dudes ride the technical stuff cleanly, and keep the pace consistent. Having to re-pass so many people can really slow you down.
After the 1st aid station I hit the highway by myself and started spinning, man was it windy. After what seemed like an eternity of highway and fire roads I was glad to see the single track again. The Ouachita Trail section of the race is absolutely brutal. While you are praying for single track on the fire roads leading up to it, you are praying for fire road again by the end of it. Steep, rocky, and relentless, but soooo much fun. The descents are as mind blowing as the rock gardens are ankle braking. On this section I finally started seeing people again, after being alone for miles. I was able to pick off several riders on the Blowout, and Big Brushy sections. I recognized a lot of the trail from the previous year so I knew when I was getting close to the end. The trail popped me out on the last fire road section and I hammered all the way back to the finish, dropping three more geared riders in the process. Nico greeted me at the finish line with pizza and a fresh PBR pint. I took 6th in single speed and 59th overall with a 6:30. This is the same amount of time it took me last year, but with the course being 10 miles longer this year with 1,000 more feet of climbing I was pretty pleased.
Things I learned this weekend:
1. It would take about 45 PBR pints to replace 9,000 calories.
2. TSM is a cuddler
3. Nico does have an odor very similar to rancid month old Sonic
4. Don't get flat tires
5. Having a sweet mullet makes you go faster
Monday found us rolling back to the STL in an extremely foul smelling Toyota, almost as sweet as my new whip, which can been seen in all it's glory on the Team Seagal page along with TSM and Nico's glorious race recaps. Until next time, don't be a dick. Oh, and check the Seagal page here:
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