Must. Develop. Thick. Skin.

ADMIN has never raced cyclocross, but has been to many, many local and national races over the last 7 years.  Have I been spectating under a rock?  What is this heckling thing?  I mean, everyone yells at people during a race, but the heckling stakes have been raised this year with everything from heckling contests to heckling machines on the course.  I understand the concept of heckling of course.  I’ve yelled “The money is up the road” at Mike during a crit, but what I don’t understand is total strangers singling people out on the CX course, screaming at them,  “You Suck!”.

The USGP Series has ended and I am happy to report that Mike won the USGP 45+ Series overall.  If you read my last post you’ll understand when I say that he got a ride home from the airport upon return.  ADMIN knew he could do it.  The wounded lion roared back! 

Mike takes the 45+ USGP Series Win in Bend on Sunday

The hardest part of the weekend was not being able to be there to see it.  Last year I didn’t go to the last stop either and spent the entire weekend pacing the house.  This year I decided to go to Verona, Wisconsin with Ian and Ray Smith to scope out the CX Nationals course for Red Zone and the other locals that will be headed that way next month.  But with the help of Joe Collins, Mike’s coach who went with he and Drew Dillman, it was like I was there.

After Ian’s race both days, I was able to go to the car as the 45+ were lining up and Joe texted me updates, experiencing the races in 2-7 word increments.  I can’t tell you the nervous moments I had in that car.  Ray couldn’t believe how nervous I was for my racer.

On Saturday, Joe reported to me that Mike was feeling good, was relaxed and that the warm-up went well.  These words were like music to my ears because all I’ve heard for the last couple of months is how tired he is and the ever-present discussion about hanging it up for the season.

As they headed to the line, I settled myself in the front seat.  They had talked strategy on the west coast and Ray and I had talked strategy in the Midwest.  With Tim only 2 points behind, it was decided that IF Tim took the win on Saturday and Mike finished second that Tim would take the jersey, but that Mike still had the chance to win it back the second day.  I personally didn’t like this strategy and decided it was just best to finish in front of Tim no matter where in the placings.    No matter what, the outcome of this Saturday race was going to be key.

This is how the race read:

Joe:  Mike is feeling good today.  Pre-riding.

Joe:  Mike is on the trainer.

In the Grid with Tim

(Race Starts)

Joe:  Mike Tim and a local off the front.

ADMIN: Sweet.  Just stay in front of Tim.

Joe:  Mike and Tim have dropped the local.  Mike is marking Tim.

ADMIN:  Holy Shit!

Joe:  Still marking.  Riding smart.

ADMIN:  Whew…I’m dying.

Joe:  He looks relaxed.  They have a huge gap over 3^rd.

ADMIN:  I’m freaking.  He better not quit in the sprint!

Joe:  One to go!  Mike tapped Tim on the back and attacked him!

ADMIN:  What?!  Crazy!

Joe:  Tim is fighting back.

ADMIN:  No!!  He must crack!!!

Joe:  Gonna be a sprint.

ADMIN:  Shit!!

Mike leading Tim on Saturday.  Photo Courtesy of Wil Matthews/VeloNews

Then the final text came up.   I have the type of phone that you have to open the text.  I knew it would be the race result.  My heart dropped and I opened it.

Joe:  Mike wins!

ADMIN:  YESSSSSSSSS!!!!!!

I literally SCREAMED in excitement!!  Ian and Gavin who were watching a movie and oblivious, took their headsets off and asked if he won then went back to their movie.  ADMIN wanted to do a dance and I think my smile the rest of the day told the story.

When I asked Mike later about the race he was very surprised that it had been just he and Tim off the front.  Mike, ever the roadie, stated that in the first part of the race it was on Tim to attack him.  Tim needed to win and so Mike wasn't willing to sit on the front and give Tim ample opportunities to attack him.  Once they were away, Mike did take his licks and ended up winning on the day.  About the tap, Mike told me it was a sign of good sportsmanship.  It had been a great battle and they were going into the last lap.  It was time for the final duel of the day.  

Mike takes top step on Day One in Bend extending his lead to 12 points.
Photo courtesy of Lasala Images.

Day Two and again the nerves started early for me.  This was for all the marbles.  Again I touched base with Joe and he told me that Mike was on top of it and knew what he needed to do.  Ray and I discussed and it was decided that if Tim wanted to win he needed to keep a group of riders together to stack Mike up, perhaps get him caught behind others in wrecks or technical sections.  Mike needed to finish farther back than 2^nd for Tim to get the points he needed.

We set up in the car and this is what I got from Joe at the race:

Joe:  Mike headed to staging.  How was Ian’s race?

ADMIN:  …5^th, but don’t tell Mike unless you think it will motivate him.

Joe:  They’re off.  Tim on the front.  Mike on his wheel.

ADMIN:  Keep it coming.

Joe:  Front group of 5. 

ADMIN:  omg…

The battle royale!

Joe:  Mike and Tim gapping the others.

Bend was dusty this year.  No snow.  No ice.

Joe:  3 to go

ADMIN:  Mike and Tim off front?

Joe:  They are 20 seconds off the front.

Joe:  5 Chasers

Joe:  Mike on the front.

ADMIN:  Cool.  Stay away from chasers!!!

At this point Ray and I look at each other and know the series is won if they can stay away from those chasers and if he stays up.

Joe:  Mike attacked Tim.  Tim struggling to get his wheel.

ADMIN:  omg…

Joe:  Tim fighting back.  

ADMIN:  Ride boy ride!!!

Joe:  Tim hanging.  One to go.

ADMIN:  How close are chasers?

Joe:  Not close.  Tim takes over on front.  Mike on his wheel.

Joe:  Mike down.  Tim attacks.

ADMIN:  Shit!

ADMIN:  Riding????

Joe:  Mike almost back to Tim.

ADMIN:  Deep breaths.

Joe:  They are together for sprint.

Joe:  Mike 2^nd.

ADMIN:  That is so awesome!  Thank you Joe!!!  Everybody wins.  Congrats to my boy!!!

Relief set in for ADMIN and disappointment that I wasn’t there to share the moment with my racer, but I was so happy for him. 

When I talked to Mike later that day he was very happy and relieved as well to be feeling more like himself again.  He let me know that Tim was bummed, but happy too, with his win.  Class Act that Tim Butler.  I know he reads ADMIN’s blog, but I would say that regardless.  Do you hear me Tim?  You and Sue are CLASS ACT!!  As you stated, you and Mike are 4 and 4 now.  Only you could put the pressure back on to fire us up for Natz!

Tim takes the win on Day 2

I will say that the only thing that Mike was upset about was the incredible amount of negative heckling that he endured.  He didn’t know these people and he said they were extremely nasty to him the whole weekend.  I won't repeat some of the things said, but this is where I wonder, is negative heckling necessary?  The only thing that it accomplished was to fire Mike up more to make sure that he won.  Maybe it's just me.  Maybe I'm just getting old.  Maybe everyone else thinks it's totally acceptable.  If so, in addition to hard training for Mike and ADMIN tasks for me, it's time to grow some thick skin.

Nationals are still a question for Mike.  He is trying to stiff-arm work right now so that he can be there.  Worlds aren’t even in discussion yet.  He is registered, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.  All we want to do right now is celebrate.  Goal #1 for the season is complete and Mike's luck continues.

Thank you Joe Collins.

Layers of Lucky - The Last Stop of the USGP

Mike is headed to Bend, Oregon this afternoon to compete in the last stop of the USGP of Cyclocross this weekend.  He is in the lead of the 45+ Category by a mere 2 points over Tim Butler.  Real life sometimes just gets in the way of the things we do for fun - We've all seen Mike's results and riding recently and we know he'll be lucky to pull out the series win. 

But Mike was lucky already.  Mike was lucky to hold onto that 2 point lead going into Bend.  Mike is lucky that he is able to get off a few days work to even go to Bend.  Mike is lucky that he has an understanding wife that will let him jet off to Oregon to race his bike.  Mike is lucky to have had a really successful early season to set him up with enough points to be competing at the end.  Mike is lucky enough to race for a great team that has set him up with equipment and support.  Mike is lucky enough to have had 6 great moments on the podium this season putting that leaders jersey on.  Mike's luck goes on and on and in my heart and mind, he has won already.

As you've read several times this season, our family has been in major transition.  After 10 months on the market, we sold our house in June and moved into an apartment for what we thought would be a short time.  We were primed and ready to pull the trigger on our next dream house.  Well the months went by and nothing.  It was an adventure at first and we thought it wouldn't be hard because we had done it before when the kids were 3 and 5.  Not so much. 

I'll spare you the gory details, but 4 grown people, 2 dogs and 5 cyclocross bikes, 2 mountain bikes and 3 road bikes in 1000 square feet that was also serving as Mike's office was either going to make us or break us.  And it nearly has broken us a few times, I will admit.

This week we were lucky enough to find our next house.  Working out of this apartment while dealing with all of the issues, weather and bikes involved with cyclocross has been hard.  Our life has been like that sliding piece game where you have 9 slots with one empty and you have to slide the pieces around until you get them all in the right order.  You have to move this bike to open the front door, you have to move this bike to open the sliding glass door, you have to climb over this bike to get to the table, etc.   It has added an extra layer of stress on the season.

But again, layers of lucky.  We were lucky to have a roof over our heads these past few months.  I know our problems in comparison to so many others are miniscule, so I am not complaining at all, but am very thankful for the outcome.

So, here we are back at the series finale.  And it doesn't matter how it all comes out in the wash, Mike has been very lucky this season.  Please don't tell him that I am proud of him already.  I can type it here because I know Mike doesn't read my blog.  And you can't tell him yet because I am Mike's biggest critic as well as biggest fan.  On the one hand, I very proud of him.  On the other, I expect the most out of him (and Ian) every time they get on the bike.  Some may perceive this as anger as I'm yelling at them in the race, but I know what they are both capable of and I expect 100% effort every time.  If I just told them "Oh, it's okay.  Just go out there and see how it goes", it's like giving them permission to go at 70%.  And that wouldn't be fair to them.  When I expect 100% out of them, I in turn give them 100%.  This includes being hard on them when it is needed.  So what I'll tell Mike when he leaves today is that I expect him to come home the USGP series winner.  I know he can do it!!  That if he doesn't win he'll have to find another ride home from the airport...Just Kidding!!

After the USGP finale I can't say what will happen for my racer.  Right now he is fighting for days off from work for Nationals.  It may happen for him, it may not.  And if it doesn't happen, Worlds may not happen either.  A major deadline at work and thus a paycheck and health insurance ranks above cycling.  Some may think this is sad, but how lucky are we?  A job!  A paycheck!  Health Insurance!

Predicting Mike's work schedule has been like listening to the weather 10 days in advance, we won't count him out until he's out.  If his luck continues, we'll see him on the start line for both!

NOTE:  Ian and I are headed to Wisconsin with Ray Smith for Badger Cross.  I'm itching to get my eyes and Ian's tires on that Natz venue.  I'm breaking the winter coat and heavy boots for the first time this season.  It's put up or shut up time!