I know what you're thinking.....

.....but, you are on my mind.

For the last couple of months it has been curveball after curveball thrown my way. As I've mentioned before I am pretty damn good fastball and curveball hitter, not so much a hard slider. Fortunately you get to sit and wait on curveballs and hack at it a little later (.1 second later!) as I see them coming right out of their hand. This is what I have been doing for the last six weeks. I've thrown a few fastballs myself, four seamers, but I like to hit way more than pitch. You're just plain meat on the mound. Give me a bat and I'll do some damage. Preferably a 34 inch, 31 ounce C271 model by Louisville Slugger. Ahhh the thin handle grip. I could use baseball metaphors till I'm blue in the face, and I still haven't explained the "why" of it all. Nor will I, but.....

I will say cycling is still the focal point of my life and will continue to be. Only now it's at a different pace than before. I have plenty of material I could cover with you, but I'll focus on the main points for now.

1 - Please make plans to attend the NashvilleCyclist.com Spring Training Criterium on Sunday, April 6 at LP Field. The race flyer is up on the main site. The highlights are a free Kid's Rodeo one lap race, a free Juniors only field and the usual A/B/C categories we have during the summer. The Kid's race is at 1:15 PM while the Juniors take off at 1:30.

I also encourage you to come out earlier that morning to watch the collegiate criteriums being hosted by Cumberland University and Vanderbilt University. Schools from throughout the Southeast will be there competing such as those in the SEC and ACC conferences. The collegiate only races start at 9:00 AM with the "C" field while the top notch "A" category rolls at 11:45 AM.

2 - I will get all racing and ride schedules posted soon. The 2008 version of the road schedule, mountain schedule and charity ride events will get updated for the new season. It's a pretty exhaustive list, but I think you'll agree it's one of the most comprehensive schedule lists around.

3 - I am in the process of identifying dates for the summer criterium series. My goal is to again have not only the A/B/C fields but also a womens only field. Plus, I am looking to add more dates by having two nights of racing within the same week on occasion. How would you feel about racing on Tue&Wed or a Wed&Thur?

Don't let this scare you.....

Titans to try turf parking lot
Right now we're in Lots A/B/C/D and their proposal for now is in Lot R.

4 - I will return and be back strong as ever very soon with more material, more passion and more energy than you've seen. Be patient.