2005.......Dec 12th. goin to Tucson, thats right, we have a 2 bedroom apartment for February. In january I will be working the Surf Expo for Dogfish in Florida, Dec 3rd, It is cold, I do not like the cold. I am plotting the strategy for my return to Tucson. I am now on both a competitive mens soccer league and a Co-ed soccer league. My brother and new owner of the TOWER PUB is the sponsor......Nov 15th-----On sunday nite I was playing indoor soccer and I got clipped by, a not so good player, you know the type, they cannot play soccer good enough so they kick your knee from behind, dam that hurts.........I did ride trainer today, so it looks like knee will be okay...Nov 4TH.............I started my weight training program this week. My brother Rob bought a bar on Morganford called the Tower Pub so I have been helping him promote the business........October 24th..........yesterday was the second bubba cyclocross, I have been actaully working the races. A few rides in between, last week was a dogfish training ride. I will start weight training this week. Oct 10th....incredible weather... this past weekend was the 12 hour MTB race, I was on a coed team of myself, Lorie Kohls, and Farrel Browne. A good time was had by all, racing camping eating sleeping , oh did I mention sleeping. I returned sunday and played indoor soccer, yes it is that time of the year again......Oct 4th...this weekend was the Rumble to the River, I was matched up against Mike Weis, this is a charity race that is 60 miles, we raised money for Ronald McDonald House and St Louis Variety Club, Mike proved to be the stronger man this day, he beat me the last few miles, yes I have been sick all week, but I should have won anyway. but the point is this was a charity race and over $100,000 was raised......Sept 26th.....wow that was tough, not enough riding the last cupole of weeks took its toll, it is amazing how fast you can lose it, this was also a very demanding course. Ryan Pirtle took 3rd and Eric Pirtle took 5th, dang those guys are fast. I moved into my new apartment last week, I still have stuff everywhere, so I am a bit disorganized.......Sept 23..ooops it has been awhile. it has also been awhile since I have ridden....I am going to Indiana this weekend to do a MTB race.....borrowed a mtb from a friend.....plus next week is the rumble to the river......Sept 11th....Took the week off, just wornout and still sick. Saturday nite Matt Laberta and Mary Cowie were married, super fun wedding, lots of dancing, Mary and I did our impromptu Michael Jacskson Beat It dance routine. Sept 7th, I was sick all day yesterday--no tues crits for me. I guess I am just worn down from racing in 4 races in 4 days at the Gateway Cup.On FRiday nite it was fast and furiuos and both Mark Nagy and Charlie were involved in a crash. Charlie went to hospital, broken nose and stitches in knee. Saturday was the usual tough race at Kirkwood, I hung in the sweetspot for most of the race. Michael Kirberg fro our team had a great race. Sunday was its usual awesome venue at the Hill. Party at Raneks Sunday nite included beer drinking and general fun. Monday at the loop, I felt good, I chased and pulled and even won a prime. A crash in the last few laps took me out of the race.I basicly hit a parking sign trying to avoid downed racers.Aug 22--just got home from Downers Grove national criterium championships,, I did not win, but I feel like I did better than last year. All of the players were there. Saturday nite was the pro 1 -2 race dang it was fast, I hung on until the last few laps and then there was crash in turn 2, it did not take me out but I was stuck behind it and unable to bridge up. Sunday was the first ever for me cat 1 only elite race, I felt very good and stayed in the hunt until the end. There were several crashed but I was lucky and avoided them. I finished maybe 35th or so out of 165 racers. not bad

Aug 16th..last weekend was the Tour of KC, I stayed at Jonthan Laurans, thank you. It was nasty rainy storms on saturday circuit race and you guessed it we raced in that stuff. I finished that is about all I can say. On sunday it started super fast, I made the mistake of not starting up front and the groups were split in just a few laps, live and learn. Aug 8th...yesterday was the state crit championship-I did not win, but I did take 7th..not bad, but not what I wanted.......Aug 5.........crashed at the Tuesday nite crits, damm road rash hurts....Aug 2........last weekend was the crit in springfield, lots of squirrells were racing, sketchy riders for sure........July 29th......went for training ride, my campy components need rebuild, there was way too much rain in Wisconsin...........July 28th.....I have returned from vacation, which was great, relaxing, drinking, riding, etc. The race in Depere started out good but I was stung by a bee, halfway through the race, when I pulled off my neck looked like I had a golfball stuck in it. July 15th......did a training ride on Friday, in Columbia, Ill, I felt good. I am not doing the state time trial this sunday. I am saving myself for a couple of races at Super Week, specificly, DePere and the Sheboygan race and then on to Door County for a few days of camping and general good times, lots of beer and cheese.....July 10th'......Soulard was super fast from the get go...about 40 minutes in I took a slider in turn 2, before the crash I was spent, but the adreline rush of the crash gave me a second wind, took the free lap and finished 2nd. I must add the payouts seemed way out of proportion, oh well that is racing..........July 7th.......This weekend is the Soulard Race, multiple corners, high speed, great combination. I like fast corners, so this should be a great race for me......July 3rd,.....Columbia Cup this weekend, Sat was road race, soso finish for me, and the street sprints were cool. I stayed at Curt Kippenbergers. Sunday was crit and I had a great race, my strategy for racing is starting to become instinctive.. I went for the sprint early and finished third. This bike corners super fast.

July 1st.. I am leaving to drive to columbia for this weekend of bike races....I just switched out my handlebars to one smaller size..We are now considering a chapter in Ohio...June 28th--ooops I need to update more. Last weekend was the Dogfish Crit, and the Maplewood Crit, extremely hot, but I had a good showing at both races, 6th and 7th. The new bike is perfect for my riding style, fast and precise. June 15th-----I have been riding the ABYSS, full carbon bike from Kuips, lightweight, fast stiff and compliant, very precise handling, Spaniards seem to know how to build a cool bike...........June 10th-------I just received the samples from Spiuk / Kuips, this stuff is hot. The sunglasses are super hot, the helmets are cool, the bikes are fast and the clothing has every attention to detail needed to be great wearing performance apparel. Spiuk has a Pro UCI CONTINENTAL Team.........June 5th, this was a much needed rest week, no bike, I did work the service tent for theTour De Fat on sunday............June 1st-------Last weekend was quad cities. I only did the Muscatine crit and the Rock Island crit. Bothe days were very fast. I was out of the money on Sunday by only a couple of spots. I had a good race and good position until the final corner and got boxed in. On monday, the crit in Rock Island was so cool, and very fast from the get go. I started a break and could not hold on and then missed the big break with Tilford and Jensen. The crowd was so huge...........May 28th-----Eric Pirtle wedding today and then tommorrow I leave for Iowa--quad cites races.......May 25th----We just picked up a brand new line of cycling apparel and bikes from Spain, SPIUK and Kuips................May 22--the day after the state road race. Awesome countryside. Curt got in the break with a few others and they held it for 60 some miles. Way to go Curt. We finished up wth, a 7th, 8th and 9th. Not bad. Alll in all fun day. great little restuarant in Clarksville, fun and cute waitress.. I will be there next year for sure........May 18th..........The tuesday night worlds were rocked by the fact That I felt great, I had a awesome leadout by Mark Nagy and won the race. Then on to my brother Rob's place the Morganford for food and drink........May 15th---------wow, what a weekend, I am so tired. All of the major teams were at the race, Healthnet,Jelly Belly, Subway,Endeavor,Aerospace,Webcor etc, you get the picture. Friday was 110 miles, we had myself, curt and Micah, we did well finished mid pack. Saturday was a 90 mile road race, Micah finshed in lead group, I got gapped towards the end and unable to bridge backup to lead group. Time trial sat nite, we all did respectfull. Sunday is a ninety minute crit, we all started at the back and that is a bad place to be on this crit, it was so splitup instantly and almost impossible to bridge up. But all and all considering we were racing against the big boys we did pretty well............May 12th--I will be leaving today for Joe Martin Pro Race in Fayetteville, Ark.110 mile road race on Friday, 88 miles on Saturday plus time trail and then 90 minute crit on Sunday............May 1oth-----------8o miles again on Sunday, needed that especially after a nite of partying at Brennon Dalton's wedding. This week is Joe Martin and I am suppose to keep the training at a lower intensity.
May 5th---been a long time sinve I wrote super busy, I did do 80 miles yesterday, last weekend was ultra crit.------April 25th--------Pops has surgery tommorrow, this past weekend was the tour st louis. On saturday it was cold or should I say cooler. We had seven guys in this race, jason O,Curt, Mark,Myself, and three from indy jason smith, jsaon fowler and Charlie. The race was fast and furious, Mark made in the break, but it eventually came apart, we all worked hard. Sunday was forest park, also fast and furious, we each covered are man and we had a great pre race strategy that we followed through on. Oh we got the new bibs and they look awesome.........April 20th--------well I guess by now you have heard the news that pops needs a triple bypass, that sucks. He goes in for operation next tuesday, with a six week recovery, wishing you well dad--------April 19th---Last weekend I went to Nebraska to get my race on. I drove down with Mark Nagy we got there around eight. The race on Saturday started at eight. We started in the rain and continued to ride in for about an hour it was really dirty. The race was seventy two miles I took seventh. Than at six I had a twelve mile tt, I sucked big time on that. On Sunday at three I raced a ninty min...crit I took thirteenth it was really fast. After the crit jumped in the car to head home. April 14th------- the tuesday night worlds included another break away by Joe Hill, I stayed with him for awhile, but soon dropped off, the pace was much faster than I wanted to run. Rode the motorcycle a bunch, it is fast and fun. On friday I leave for Nebraska, to do the Lincoln stage race. Micah is coming down from Minnesota. --------April 11th-----last friday I bought a motorcycle, a used cbr600--pretty sweet-hopefully I can ride it all summer--and sell in the fall. Now back to racing, last saturday was the Hillsboro road race, 88 miles of super fast--We had 4 of our guys come down from indy and it was great to race with them, we have a pretty good squad coming together. It ws fast and furiuos, I only made it to the 3rd lap , I was dehydrated and blown. Mark Nagy and Charlie were in the hunt until the end, Mark had an untimely flat with the wheel truck already up the road. bummer April 6th------last night was the start of the Tuesday night crits, awesome.I left my house about 1.5 hours before so I had a good warmup. I was suppose to be in less effort mode, but Joe Hill broke away early and my self and 4 others went with him, it was soon only 4 of us, and then down to three, myself, joe hill, mike lanyon, we lapped the field and I was blocked by a racer, so joe and mike got away, I tried to catch but they were cookin, so I put in a long solo effort for 3rd. I also rode my bike home but on the way I started to have a nutrition crash, ooops. Hey Curt I need to learn more about this nutrition thing.

April 4th---on my way to work at Big Shark.-----Last Friday I received my new frame, I started the process of exchanging parts, lets just say, not all went well,It took twice as long as I thought it would, so no ride on Friday. The saturday race was one of our best team strategy races, everything was going well and I was in good position(I am learning to hold back) but I ran out of gas on the final lap, Mark Nagy finished ninth. In this race we had Curt, myself, Mark Nagy, Mark Obermeier,Jason Ozenberger and Marijn Braadbaart. Marijn was our chase bunny and he did a great job, he had raced earlier in the day. Mark Obermeir had also raced earlier and was there to help us out. Jason was in the big break with 5 other sharks, curt was pulling the group and looked strong, so all in all a good day of racing.-----On sunday I did a 6 hour ride, the weather was great and I needed to get in that long ride.-------Thursday March 31st-----I am waiting for my new frame and fork---I ordered the Blackbird Airborne, carbon rear and carbon chain stay. I will be selling my Torch frame. I love that frame and I would like to keep it, but money, or lack of it causes that problem. On Tuesday I went over to the massage clinic, felt great even though some of my body parts are stiil sore from the crash. This weekend should be great---------March 29------I got hit by a car yesterday on my way to work at Big Shark. On Delmar right by the Tivoli, I was ridning next to a car and he decided to turn right--took me with him, he tacoed my front wheel--lucklily I was not badly hurt-just some scrapes etc. March 28---finally some sunshine, it looks to be a good weather week. Easter with the family, I ate way too much and basicly laid around. I need to start racing. This weekend is Tilles and next week the tuesday night crits start-------March 25th----Long week, went for ride everyday this week, dang it was cold on thursday, I rode with Brennon, we went to Forest Park and did intervals.--------March 21-----Yup Its Monday and my legs are tired. I went to columbia last weekend and Matt Racine and Ben Johnson came down from the cold wisconsin weather to ride with us. Great rides windy and cold. Thanks Curt for puttin us up at your pad.---------March 18---------I started working at Big Shark part time--cool place. Yesterday we got the bike for Ben Anderson and I spent 3 hours building it--heading for columbia to ride with the boysMarch 13th-- yesterday was the ICCC crit, I was ready, we had myself, mark nagy, curt kippenberger and jason ozenberger. It looked to be a good day. We started hot from the gun, I spent too much time upfront at first, Jason was able to get in a break that looked like it might stick, plus he won a prime. That break did not have enough ummmph so did not stick, I was resting sortof and a break got away that I missed, dam.-------March 11th--- rest day for me, just abit under the weather, basicly I have been tired all week---------March 10-------Last nite we had a team meeting and Julie Carter was the guest speaker. Great Meeting--Hey what is up with this cold weather. Last sunday a group of us including some of our juniors did a ride down to the ICCC course, it should be a fun race.-------March 4th--what great day-I hope you got out for a ride----------March 2nd--more time on the trainer--I think I am losing my tan------March 1st--3 hours on the trainer, dang take me back to Tucson--played some poker last night with the boys--I lost--------------Feb 28th-- Yes I am home-returned Sat nite after a 22 hour drive home. Did a short spin on the trainer, legs were stiff from the drive. Sunday was Froze Toes--yes it was rainey and for me cold. 2 crashes kept me from the Front. Our man Curt went down in the first crash, Mark Nagy had a top ten finish. Up and comer TJ got third in his race.

Feb 22-------Happy Birthday to me---it is raining way too much---I only hvae a few more days here and then back to the midwest. I am excited to get the racing season started but I do not look forward to the cold weather-------Feb 19th------- we did a 4.5 hour ride today--legs alttle bit tired-I was starting to get a sore throat yesterday, but today feels a bit better. I plan on getting home around march 1st and I am ready to race. Feb 17---Micah Moran and I are heading to Mt. Lemmon today. My legs feel good, very similiar to how they normally feel in June. We had a driver / biker type altercation the other day, I guess there are idiots everywhere. Micah and I have been having very good team strategy type bike rides. I also look forward to getting back to St Louis and helping our Juniors.--------- Feb 13---- My first race of the season(Mcdoll circuit race outside of Phoenix)--I felt good but I made the classic mistake of chasing and pulling too much. I also made the mistake of thinking the second to last lap was the last lap, oooops. Live and learn. I did both the cat 2 race and the Pro 1 2 race and It felt great to get that race rush. So hopefully I learned my lesson.---------Micah Moran raced with me and it is amazing how strong he is especially considering he only has one week of Tucson in his legs. Feb 11--------------------- we have a race in Phoenix this weekend, I will keep you posted of my results. Do not forget the 22nd is my birthday-----The weather here has been cold and wet the last few days--3 hours in the rain, not fun.------------------------Feb 9---------------------- I am definately getting my race legs. Interval training has started and everything feels good, you know what I mean. It looks like the Valley of the Sun race is full. Micah Moran is coming in tonight. ------------Feb 04--------------- for a little over a week one of our teamates from Kansas City (jonathan laurans) has been staying and training with us. He is a great guy and we all thank him for those fun-lets go out and and eat meals. Last year he with other dogfish guys did the Furnace creek 508. You will be hearing more about that for next year. Jonathan sent me these pics--I have been terrible at taking pics from here.------------------------ January 12th the group drove to Tombstone Josh, Zach, Brian, Johnny, Curt, Jason, Matt, Ben, TJ from there rode to Mexico crossed the Border on bikes they were warned to make sure and have ID or they would not be allowed back into USA actually did not spend much time in Mexico maybe a few miles. Very different, poor etc, upon return to states--no questions asked, must have been the brightly colored lycra What a month------------------------- Jan 30 I need to start updating more. What month it has been.The weather for the most part has been pretty good. We are only a few blocks from University and the babes are hot. Maybe I should just stay here. The shootout rides sometimes have 100 racers from all over the place--blistering fast. ------------------------------------- dec 29th-- we leave for Tucson- We all packed in the Suburban (TJ Erlacher dad's, thank you) and pulling the Dogfish Trailer. 8 bikes, shoehorned in the trailer and gear for 6 guys myself, TJ, Curt Kippenberger,Jason Ozenberger,Matt Racine, Ben Anderson