I am thrilled.....

Today is Friday the 13th. There, I said it. What's the best way to avoid the supposed dangers of Friday the 13th? I say it's best spent watching bicycle racing in person all weekend at the Edgar Soto Memorial Criterium Series! Friday night we're at the Music City Motorplex at the Nashville Fairgrounds, Saturday we are in downtown Nashville on 2nd Avenue, and Sunday we're in Maryland Farms in Brentwood. Come and watch some fast and fun racing!

...and they have a little trouble
This could not have felt good.

Only Pro-Cyclists can crash bikes well
I'm sure you'll recognize some of these, but there's no such thing as a good crash.

Cycling - Moment not to remember
If you don't believe me, just ask this guy.

Nooo
Yesssssss.....

Hardball Mysteries
Who knew he was a lefty? Word has it he's got a killer sprint, but only if he can keep his fluff out of the deraileurs.

Gas prices encourage pedal power in commutes
Katharine Karrick, aka Superwoman, transforms herself from commuting super cyclist to super businesswoman all by going through circular entrance! I have been riding more myself instead of getting in the car and driving. I've harped on the gas thing already, but here's another example of what I'm talking about.

I can ride my bike from house in Donelson over to Shelby Bottoms and into Edgehill for a pilates class at Simply Pilates. After class I hop back on my bike, get a sandwich at Bread & Company, and then ride back home. Total driving miles are probably about 30 or so, which would likely cost me at least $5 or more in gasoline. Bike ride time is just a little over an hour and it costs me nothing. If you aren't using your bike for something other than training or racing then you're wasting money.

Awesome Custom made Bike!!!!
However, if you've got a bike like this then I understand your hesitancy.

More Americans Are Giving Up Golf
What happened? I say they wised up and bought a bike! People talk about how cycling is an expensive sport, and it is, but compared to golf I think cycling is a better economic alternative day in and day out. The articles makes it out that men are becoming soccer moms, but in reality men are lazy and finally realized golf is a difficult sport that will wear you out leaving you with less energy. Plus, drinking all those beers on the course makes them fat and unattractive.

The Claim: Stretching Can Prevent Soreness and Injury
This conclusion backs up everything I have read too, which is that stretching does not prevent soreness or injury. There's a lot of data out there to support this "claim", but there are benefits to stretching other studies have explored. In other words, stretching before or after working out or riding really is a waste of time if you're doing it to get loose or not get injured because you think you're too tight. The best warmup is specific to your sport activity; ie light jogging, easy spinning on the bike, throwing the baseball/football lightly, swimming, etc. Google this topic and you'll have more info than you can imagine that likely will surprise all former logic.

From Boonen wins Paris-Roubaix to Boonen's apology over cocaine positive won't get him into the Tour. If you're wondering why I haven't been on top of blogging about the sport of cycling then I submit to you articles like this which have really made me become disinterested. I am not negative or down on the sport per se, but it is less relevant to me this season. More and more I am spending my mental energies on the local level and not at the national or international level. Professional cycling isn't as exciting for me as it once was. I believe one day I'll regain that excitement, but I have purposely kept myself busy locally because it is what excites me more. In the broadest sense of our sport I/we get let down over and over again, but the tighter I pull on the blinders and look directly in front of me I become thrilled again. This isn't about the drugs but rather about the personalities. We want to associate with and follow those people we can put our faith and hope in, and not those who consistently let us down.

So what excites me?

I am thrilled to see eleven women show up and race the crit series. I am thrilled that racers from out-of-state show up and race the crit series. I am thrilled when over 150 people show up for the Ride of Silence and thrilled when bicycle cops show up to support us. I am thrilled every time a young junior signs up to race. I am thrilled when I see a beginner racer fill out a one-day license. I am thrilled when our great city is highlighted due to a bicycle race like Edgar Soto Memorial. I am thrilled to see little kids on their bikes when I'm riding through neighborhoods. I am thrilled every time I ride across the Cumberland River from Two Rivers to Shelby Bottoms. I am thrilled to participate in or hear about the success of charity rides such as the Tour de Cure. I am thrilled to see new cycling clubs started in our area. I am thrilled to have so many good friends and followers who have a passion for cycling and support it as I do.

What's that saying, "Think globally act locally." Truth is we think enough.

More action. More doing. Thrill locally.....