Sept. 29, 2013

On the way home, we stopped at a brand new cyclocross race (it’s fall) called Rough-Cut Country CX in Summerfield, NC. It is also a brand new cut course and very twisty, tight and a ton of fun. Sam’s picture of me at top shows my new socks for this year (matching)

My race report. Small field of 7 or 8 for my class and despite my legs feeling the hike yesterday, I decided to go hard from the start and fell into line in 4th and we pulled away from the field in about a half a lap, until my chain jumped up and onto large ring. But because I am running a short chain, it locked my drive train and I had to stop, pop the rear wheel off and reset everything. I was passed by my whole field and a couple from the field behind us. I was able to pick my way back through the field to finish 3rd. I can assure you, it will be my only podium this year, in two weeks start the 40-70 deep mass start races : 0

Sept. 28, 2013

 

It was time to get out of town. I have wanted to hike Stone Mountain State Park (NC) and see it’s 600-foot granite dome. Of course once we got there and found out there were waterfalls, we also had to find those. Almost exactly 4 hours later we got back to the truck. The park was hosting “Old Fashion Days” and the campground was full, so we headed west to Doughton Park, MP 240, Blue Ridge Parkway, my favorite BRP quiet campground. I don’t have pictures but the park is north of most “tourist” areas and never more than half full, but always has interesting campers. This time, a guy in a 1973 Volvo p1800 pulling a small teardrop all the way from Washington state on his way to Vermont, a couple on dual sport BMW GS bikes, another couple on a motorcycle sleeping under the stars and the odd part, after Sam and I went backpacking earlier this summer, we camped here on the way home, this time we camped next the the same woman who we camped next to last time. A very nice single 50ish woman who seems to escape as much as we do.

Sept. 27, 2013

 Dinner at Magnolia 23 in Asheboro. My lemonade had ice made of lemonade and my baby flounder were awesome. 

Sept. 26, 2013

The last Thursday night SECCA/MOB cyclocross race went great tonight! I shaved another 47 seconds off my PR, so over the past month I have cut my time by 5 minutes on the same course and conditions. Now the real CX season starts!

Last night laps were: 7:22, 7:23, 7:42 (my Garmin fell off and I had to stop and get it), 7:10 The last lap was a tight battle for position. The great thing about Sam shooting each race was I really got to see my position on the bike. Over the month I changed:  

1. Handlebars:  drop > short flat > wide with sweep 

2. Gearing: 10sp > 9sp 12-34 >9sp 11-27  

3. Saddle: Softer > harder/lighter and fore/aft (simple 3cm made my knees hurt) 

4. Tires:  Maxxis > Michelin Mud 2 

I set Sam up for sunny pictures, so when she moved to the back of SECCA, she got to work on panning photos. ; )

Sept. 25, 2013 (Bonus Coverage)

The Randolph County Board of Education voted earlier in the month to remove Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man from the 11th grade reading list AND from all school libraries after ONE parent complained. It appeared they chose to ban the book without seeking guidance from the county’s legal team or education representatives (teachers)

Needless to say, they reinstated the book at tonight’s special meeting, but sadly there was more media than community folks!

Sept. 24, 2013

the note I left on my door after I locked my door.

Sept. 25, 2013

A new series. RCC Photography Students at Work.

Sept. 23, 2013

Doing her reading assignment.

Sept. 21, 2013

The same face eating and yaking….

Sept. 22, 2013

this is blowing all over the yard!