8th

It's been a bit since I've raced a mountain bike race.  I worked hard at it for years, and did well, and I got to a point, I let it go.
I did crits, and stage races.
I fell in love with cross.

Mountain biking is the gateway drug into racing.
the most connective, to people, and place.
The road, it seems pro, fast, sprint finish.
and Cross, no doubt my love, we'll grow old together.

I love my bikes, and I want more.
More.
Track, dirt jumpers, a bike with shit, tents, stoves, rain gear stowed, that I ride across someplace.
It's been a while since I've raced a mountain bike race, and there is no better race than Fairhill.
I had a blast, so much that I did'nt hug anyone thank you goodbye well done.
believe me, I owe some hugs.
If you hug in mountain biking.
and despite being a Cyclocross Racer, I know that down in my roots, it all started at a mountain bike race.

Cheers!  dlowe

Drink Fresh

Haiku comes in many different forms.
It's not always count out the same.
Yes, when it's put in words.
but out in the world,
how do you select the moments,
and put them together, which images I remember, and which,
feelings, I nip and cut and define
the times.

....maybe that's it, understanding what brief things, big statements. in compact form.
the soul, color, simple definition.
thats what makes a good ride,
a great novel.
Stong worker.

Cheers! dlowe


Drink Fresh

Spring focus Harry
ride the train to opening
f' be young riding

Wrecklessness

good Spring training days for me,  come with a boisterous exuberance.  I don't need to be anything yet.  Ride smart, train a bit, fidget a few days not riding, with a cold,  and get out today, for a long slow mountain bike ride.
after about 2 and 1/2 hours I thought up, maybe hit home, make a sandwich, grab a soda.  Then get out, do more.   Like I did as a kid.

alas, I road straight through.  Belmont, and down the drives, and cut into Wissahickon,  it was pretty full,
and I made like a good ambassador, and slowed, stopped for the walkers, dogs, runners, and gave them respectful right of way. 

of course I came across friends.  and made no mistake or rush, and chatted as much as not to be intrusive and or just going on too much about something.

and the Daft plans, an early August Cx clinic at the Mann?   Grass track Wednesday nights of August following.   (got a sweet little spot in mind).

Tonight I feel tough, and fuck it allishness running strong in my blood.  umm to bottle it up, and sip on it in the fall, that'd be nice. 


Cheers all!  Get some.
dlowe

rise and Shine

Early in the season
I hopped on the mountain bike.  It's been long enough, into training to know, how I'm shaping up.
To get out and flex in the mirror.   Trot a bit.
I sat up hill to the shadows, with the wind to my back.
on the stoop  of the Valley Green Inn.
Still fresh, and wanting to ride more.

Hitting up the gym, time riding indoors, or outdoors at cold temperatures.
I miss the simple fact of lining up in the grid, starting, being placed.

There should be a thought of beauty.  A view.  from a window, a road,
someplace,
that holds special.
A sound, smell, that lingers, distinct, as a name.

A memory of a course, so well designed, that, the inside of the tape, that little,
9 foot wide path, is well thought out beauty.
It flows, it makes me battle, or feel like I'm getting away, drop the dudes behind me.
and It may have,
that those 3 feet become 10, 10 yards,  then 20 seconds, dropping them.
A pedal stroke, lunge at the line, half a wheel ahead.

I've labored tonight for words, a number of hours,  just sitting,
It's not like the sap just comes out of a tree, plug in a spigot, turn the handle and fill the bucket.
I'll continue to work hard, maybe the mundane days are the best.
The bell will ring, I'll stand, the stool will be pulled out.

Cheers Monday.
dlowe