Rain = free watts

~20-30 to be exact...

Same RPE just 20-30 watts more power and well of course, i'm going faster.

Cross Talk Time:
I knew there was some physiological reason why i always feel better in sh!tty conditions.

One thing i keep thinking about... Single chain rings. Why? Seriously. Why. I know "why" people claim to like it. I've thought about it.

Sure, having one less shifter to worry about is great. very simple. no front der. But... I still remember seeing quite a few notable cases of riders with singles up front dropping the chainring, and with no der it is harder to get the chain back on. Sure ya *can* drop a chain off a double ring set up, but it ain't hard and as long as you aren't running a Solobreak style big ring without the pin, to get it back on while still pedaling. The added weight? Well actually some of the chain guards and the like weight more than the der and shifter removed. I dunno. I definately see the simplicity, but i also see people running chain tension like the 42 or 39 or what ever they are using as a single as they would if it was a small ring.

Take a moment (you single ringers out there) to look at your chain tension. The rear der should be close to maxed in the 25-27 (what ever ya got big in the back). If not? Ya asking fa trubba.

Now. Here's something a little different. Does anyone one know someone who collects super sweet vintage Flyrods? I'm thinking it is time to turn a few of the rods from my grandfather's collection (that i was given when the estate was divided up) into, if i'm lucky, some carbon scandium goodness. Why sit on rods i ain't ever gonna use if i can turn em into something i would use alot? Problem is, #1 they are amazing. Perfect condition. Unused and really really cool. So if ya got a suggestion lemme know, collector or reseller, fine, i just want to get them to someone who has the cash to pay for them and who will appreciate them. Specifically i've got a Hardy, and Orvis and Thomas and Thomas. Lemme know. (email is gewilli at gmail)

Thanks.

Now back to Cross. I'm diggin in the archives now. Rebecca's list prompted me to recall this. Actually, honestly i was thinking about posting it last night on the ride home.

Top 10 Reasons to Race Cyclocross in New England:

10.) You need to justify the $3k you just spent on your new pit bike

9.) You own a long sleeve skinsuit

8.) You need an excuse for why you had a crappy road season, and "I am really focusing on cross this year" is as good as any.

7.) Your name is Paul Curley

6.) You don't mind the cold

5.) You didn't get enough of Rich Fries' screaming during downtown crits

4.) It's the only chance you get all year to see several of the women you have slept with competing in the same race

3.) East coast mud tastes better than West coast mud.

2.)You were unsuccesful in picking up any women during summer and heard the Velo Bella girls were easy

1.) You drove half way across the country to some sparsely attended UCI race in the middle of nowhere so you could get your 1 UCI point and "earn" a call up to the front row.


Top 10 Reasons Not to Race Cyclcocross in New England

10.) You don't have a pit bike, because apparently you NEED a pit bike, even if you race the C race

9.) You're from the west coast and think that 45degrees is "cold"

8.) Your cycling wardrobe doesn't include anything thermal

7.) You can't fathom racing in leg warmers or anything other than one layer of lycra

6.) You've never raced a bike on snow

5.) You don't understand why Lewis Black's routine on "Weather in Boston" is funny

4.)You already crashed into a barrier and somehow managed to get a chainring stuck in your forehead once already, no need to do it again.

3.) Your name is Duane Skofield.

2.) You didn't sign up before the other 95 people in your category and now you won't get a prime starting position

1.) You can't pronounce "Gloucester" or "Worcester" correctly and you didn't think racing Providence nats in the snow was "wicked pissa".

Oh yeah... it is september 11th. That's the extent of my mention. K?

Oh and CTodd don't have a little ass. HE DON'T HAVE AN ASS!!! but i'm rollin on the floor watching it... Ya know... that kid is actually getting good at this thing... only took him 31 tries... but ya know he's good.

Peace

G