The Slacker has a new post up!
Hey y'all,
Well, the USA racing season is over! Its a bit sad really, but it has been a great year, and i have gained some great experience. It was also nice to finish the season on a high. I have had good form for a while now, so to podium in the last race for the year, and see my mate Eddy Hilger take the win was fantastic!
Glen and I did some PR work the day before the race at the Traverse City Hospital, and this handsome fellow asked us for a photo. I think he is nearly as old as the dude on the right of the photo!
I must just add that this post was originally called "Tour De Leelanau", but after being super slack, having no pictures to post, and then finding internet access a problem, i have just let too much time pass, hence the title "Slacker..." I have good excuses though! I stayed at Keally's before i left the States, so our time was too good together to spend on the computer, and as i am a slow typer, i didn't have the hours i needed to get a post posted! Also, i was waiting on some pictures of the Tour de Leelanau, so i could post them too for y'all to see, and i got them today, courtesy of the main man, Bobarino Hughes. I am now back in Australia too, and using the home computer here means i didn't have my photos stored on this computer, so the laziness issue took over, and the blog update had to wait. Actually, laziness is not the word, i think i am going to use "Jet-lagged"!
Anyway...
So as i was saying, we had a great race up in Leland. To cut a long story short, we had a couple of dudes in a 5 man break, Snake and Sheedy, and then, as planned, we attacked on one of the KOM climbs, Tower Road. The old boy, Glen Mitchell, in his last pro race, really laid down the smack, and tore the race apart really. We got over the climb in a small group, and then just a few small groups came back together, but really, the race was just between the fifteen or twenty left up the front by that stage. The team did a bit of the old one-two-ing of everyone from then on, and eventually i got up the road on my own. Thank goodness another couple of dudes also got across, because i really didn't want to go solo from there on! Of the two who got across, one was a pathetic excuse for a cyclist, and didn't pull through for a single turn.
On the front going uphill! At least that is what story we'll roll with - you never know, i could be chasing the dudes in front, or losing the wheel here!
After a long time out front, we were joined by one other dude, and that was cool. We eventually got to the next KOM, and that was when "the body" Eddy Hilger rode across to our break like we were standing still, and just about straight passed us. I was pretty excited, because here i was in the break, with Eddy out in front, and a strong team behind us. Also, Eddy and I were the go-to guys for the day, so for us both to be sitting in the box seat, and things to be going exactly as planned, well that was perfect for the time being.
Glen and I on the attack early on. We would always get some dude who could chase everything, but not willing to work. Oh well. It would have been nice for this break to have stuck so Glen could have won in his last race...
Out front, "The Body" eventually built up a lead of 2 minutes 50, at the most, which was just huge. back in our small group, where i had the luxury of taking it easy, we had a few shuffles in the members, with two dropping off, and two others making it across. At one stage the main field looked to be catching us, and were only about 200 meters back, so i had a go at another attack. I was cramping like buggery, so i am just glad we never got caught. Before we knew it, we turned up to the finish line, a 500-600m uphill grind, and knowing that Eddy had won, i had to get the quinella and get second. I did - WICKED!
It was a great race, and super hard, relentless course. I was thrilled for Eddy, so happy i could do well for Bob, and felt glad to be able to have been there racing with Glen in his last pro race. I was almost a bit emotional after the race was over, because it was to be my last race in the States for the year, and my last race in America for Priority Health, as i head off to Jittery Joes for season 2007 (more about that in the post next week).
Eddy and I enjoying a bit of a champagne shower. We guzzled the bottle too. Nice one dudes!
The biggest thing i wanted to do in the race was get a good result, not only for myself, but for Bob, as i knew how much it would mean to him. He has just been the best ever this year. A great guy to let me live with him for the year, and a great mate.
After the race we had a feast in the Casino, then headed back to Bob's awesome beach house for a much needed end of racing season unwind, and bit of a drink. It was supposed to be the party to end all parties, but it just ended up being a party. Either way, it was good to have one last night with the dudes from the team, and nice to let the hair down. I am sure everyone there had a great time.
The next day was spent saying our goodbyes, packing up, and heading back to Grand Rapids. It was weird to think that i was about to say goodbye to Bob and Heather for the last time this year, unless they make it out to Australia at some stage. I was due to head off to Georgia on the Monday morning, so we had a last dinner together, and then went to bed.
I must say it was very hard to say bye to Bob, and i was just about tearing up. He has just been so great to Rich and I this year, and for the whole team really. I cant thank him enough for his generosity and support for the whole year, and i have had such a great time.
Next stop for me was Athens, Georgia, home of Keally! We got the chance to spend a couple of weeks together before i had to take off home to Australia. It was great to be down in Georgia, and it was nice that the temerature had dropped a little bit compared to my last visit. We had a great time together, and had heaps of fun. On the Saturday, the Dawgs played Colorado, so i was lucky enough to be able to go to my second game! This time i got to be able to experience tailgating properly - although that might be debatable, seeing as most of my time was spent trying to get my football down from a roof after i kicked it up there, trying to show Americans how a football is meant to be kicked!
Here is a picture from Rockford that i finally got a hold of. It shows Rich and I drilling it on the front. I needed to chuck it on the blog so y'all can see how ripped/cut I am (not 'buff' though, as Keally told me)!
The game was a ripper, and after a pretty quiet first half, the Dawgs came back and scored a touchdown to level the score with just a minute to go, then converted for the win! I must say, the football is becoming very addictive for me!
Down in Georgia i got to do a fair few miles, while Keally was in class, so i was fighting fit for my return to Australia! Unfortunately though, a Sun Tour start is looking less and less likely, so that could spell the end of my season - it will be bloody hard to stay focussed all the way through to the Melbourne to Warrnambool, the 299km epic.
I also need to add, before winding this blog up, in fear of sending y'all to sleep with boredom, that this update has been a nightmare! After the stuff i said up the top of this page, i have just had a terrible time getting the pictures to load on. I ended up plugging my laptop into the home computer, and using my pictures from that, and it has taken me three hours to get all the pictures on today! The post has been written for a week, but i needed the pictures, because plain old text can be boring. All i am saying, is please appreciate the pictures, and hard work that has gone into this blog update, and look forward to more regular updates now that i am home! There should(!) be another one done this week i hope!
Hope everyone is well back in the States, and for anyone here in Oz, i hope to catch up with y'all soon!
Wicked dudes, laterz!
Well, the USA racing season is over! Its a bit sad really, but it has been a great year, and i have gained some great experience. It was also nice to finish the season on a high. I have had good form for a while now, so to podium in the last race for the year, and see my mate Eddy Hilger take the win was fantastic!
Glen and I did some PR work the day before the race at the Traverse City Hospital, and this handsome fellow asked us for a photo. I think he is nearly as old as the dude on the right of the photo!
I must just add that this post was originally called "Tour De Leelanau", but after being super slack, having no pictures to post, and then finding internet access a problem, i have just let too much time pass, hence the title "Slacker..." I have good excuses though! I stayed at Keally's before i left the States, so our time was too good together to spend on the computer, and as i am a slow typer, i didn't have the hours i needed to get a post posted! Also, i was waiting on some pictures of the Tour de Leelanau, so i could post them too for y'all to see, and i got them today, courtesy of the main man, Bobarino Hughes. I am now back in Australia too, and using the home computer here means i didn't have my photos stored on this computer, so the laziness issue took over, and the blog update had to wait. Actually, laziness is not the word, i think i am going to use "Jet-lagged"!
Anyway...
So as i was saying, we had a great race up in Leland. To cut a long story short, we had a couple of dudes in a 5 man break, Snake and Sheedy, and then, as planned, we attacked on one of the KOM climbs, Tower Road. The old boy, Glen Mitchell, in his last pro race, really laid down the smack, and tore the race apart really. We got over the climb in a small group, and then just a few small groups came back together, but really, the race was just between the fifteen or twenty left up the front by that stage. The team did a bit of the old one-two-ing of everyone from then on, and eventually i got up the road on my own. Thank goodness another couple of dudes also got across, because i really didn't want to go solo from there on! Of the two who got across, one was a pathetic excuse for a cyclist, and didn't pull through for a single turn.
On the front going uphill! At least that is what story we'll roll with - you never know, i could be chasing the dudes in front, or losing the wheel here!
After a long time out front, we were joined by one other dude, and that was cool. We eventually got to the next KOM, and that was when "the body" Eddy Hilger rode across to our break like we were standing still, and just about straight passed us. I was pretty excited, because here i was in the break, with Eddy out in front, and a strong team behind us. Also, Eddy and I were the go-to guys for the day, so for us both to be sitting in the box seat, and things to be going exactly as planned, well that was perfect for the time being.
Glen and I on the attack early on. We would always get some dude who could chase everything, but not willing to work. Oh well. It would have been nice for this break to have stuck so Glen could have won in his last race...
Out front, "The Body" eventually built up a lead of 2 minutes 50, at the most, which was just huge. back in our small group, where i had the luxury of taking it easy, we had a few shuffles in the members, with two dropping off, and two others making it across. At one stage the main field looked to be catching us, and were only about 200 meters back, so i had a go at another attack. I was cramping like buggery, so i am just glad we never got caught. Before we knew it, we turned up to the finish line, a 500-600m uphill grind, and knowing that Eddy had won, i had to get the quinella and get second. I did - WICKED!
It was a great race, and super hard, relentless course. I was thrilled for Eddy, so happy i could do well for Bob, and felt glad to be able to have been there racing with Glen in his last pro race. I was almost a bit emotional after the race was over, because it was to be my last race in the States for the year, and my last race in America for Priority Health, as i head off to Jittery Joes for season 2007 (more about that in the post next week).
Eddy and I enjoying a bit of a champagne shower. We guzzled the bottle too. Nice one dudes!
The biggest thing i wanted to do in the race was get a good result, not only for myself, but for Bob, as i knew how much it would mean to him. He has just been the best ever this year. A great guy to let me live with him for the year, and a great mate.
After the race we had a feast in the Casino, then headed back to Bob's awesome beach house for a much needed end of racing season unwind, and bit of a drink. It was supposed to be the party to end all parties, but it just ended up being a party. Either way, it was good to have one last night with the dudes from the team, and nice to let the hair down. I am sure everyone there had a great time.
The next day was spent saying our goodbyes, packing up, and heading back to Grand Rapids. It was weird to think that i was about to say goodbye to Bob and Heather for the last time this year, unless they make it out to Australia at some stage. I was due to head off to Georgia on the Monday morning, so we had a last dinner together, and then went to bed.
I must say it was very hard to say bye to Bob, and i was just about tearing up. He has just been so great to Rich and I this year, and for the whole team really. I cant thank him enough for his generosity and support for the whole year, and i have had such a great time.
Next stop for me was Athens, Georgia, home of Keally! We got the chance to spend a couple of weeks together before i had to take off home to Australia. It was great to be down in Georgia, and it was nice that the temerature had dropped a little bit compared to my last visit. We had a great time together, and had heaps of fun. On the Saturday, the Dawgs played Colorado, so i was lucky enough to be able to go to my second game! This time i got to be able to experience tailgating properly - although that might be debatable, seeing as most of my time was spent trying to get my football down from a roof after i kicked it up there, trying to show Americans how a football is meant to be kicked!
Here is a picture from Rockford that i finally got a hold of. It shows Rich and I drilling it on the front. I needed to chuck it on the blog so y'all can see how ripped/cut I am (not 'buff' though, as Keally told me)!
The game was a ripper, and after a pretty quiet first half, the Dawgs came back and scored a touchdown to level the score with just a minute to go, then converted for the win! I must say, the football is becoming very addictive for me!
Down in Georgia i got to do a fair few miles, while Keally was in class, so i was fighting fit for my return to Australia! Unfortunately though, a Sun Tour start is looking less and less likely, so that could spell the end of my season - it will be bloody hard to stay focussed all the way through to the Melbourne to Warrnambool, the 299km epic.
I also need to add, before winding this blog up, in fear of sending y'all to sleep with boredom, that this update has been a nightmare! After the stuff i said up the top of this page, i have just had a terrible time getting the pictures to load on. I ended up plugging my laptop into the home computer, and using my pictures from that, and it has taken me three hours to get all the pictures on today! The post has been written for a week, but i needed the pictures, because plain old text can be boring. All i am saying, is please appreciate the pictures, and hard work that has gone into this blog update, and look forward to more regular updates now that i am home! There should(!) be another one done this week i hope!
Hope everyone is well back in the States, and for anyone here in Oz, i hope to catch up with y'all soon!
Wicked dudes, laterz!
posted by Huck at 9:22 PM
7 Comments:
ur fat!!!!! lose the weight and stop with the cakes
America misses you!!! I think I miss you the most though. Hope all is well back at home! Dont get too comfortable, you will be back (living in Athens) before you know it!
XOXO
Keally
(im about to go to the game-this will be the first home game without you here)
you are a homo ow
Keally says she misses you the most. That's bogus... I miss you the most. Enjoy Oz. See you around.
It's snowing here so enjoy your 2nd summer of the year, jerk. But honestly, I miss you too and I can't wait to see you next year - so I can put you in the gutter and ride you off my wheel.
Dreamer! Dude, do you have any idea how strong i am gonna be?!
The word is typist not typer but we get the gist. Good to read your news, love Mum xxxx
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