A good start to it...

"Hey Barnes... What are going to do on your year off?"

Started it by throwing a leg over my Madone and following the Never Ending white line that leads to the cottage...

Choices...

Spent some time on the weekend riding with a variety of Training Partners....

Eric Batty puts up a nicer draft....

But Luke is better on the Hills!!!!

Another reason why Trek is the best....

Check out this video on the new Trek Project One bikes... available in both MTB and Road bikes....
amazing the amount of time and energy that they put into the bike that i pound through the trees and fall off of...
Check out the video Here

Sir Slams OCup

Good and bad... But focus on the positive first.
Found my Seated Power again and loved the course - great tempo climb up the front and then a really tough and technical climb on the back.... nothing easy if you weren't on your game....  I started really strong and rode off the front at the start of the 2nd lap... built a lead only to lose it by crashing twice in about 2min... the first time was just an Idiot Fall but the 2nd one was a Gooder... lost a pedal, lost my balance, through a shikane, down a drop, over the rock drop and over the bars.... took a tumble and decided to just close my eyes when i saw gravel and dust going past my vision....

evidence of the Summersault on the helmet, and it shook me up for a bit.... and allowed Holgrem to catch back on.... i lead for most of the last lap but was unable / unwilling to go when he went...

evidence of the Hip First Flop..... also had to figure out my saddle.... found it pointing straight up when i re-mounted and it kept slipping... which was quickly followed by my Bum Bouncing in an attempt to re-level it.... but happy with 2nd - finished over 3min up on 3rd and 1min faster than the winner of the 30-39 category... Fast Old Guys...

and yes... Jake missed the entire race because he was looking for ant hills under the big rocks.... boys....

They call it "Sir"...

Checking out the course at Sir Sams for tomorrow's OCup.... Can you say "Climbing?" 

At least the reward is a nice view from the top...

11's are better than 1+1's

Got to spend some time with Steve Heck and his 600hp Camero. Makes a great sound and the Boys loved being tossed around in the back seat. Got to drive the Beast... Although Steve drove it like it deserves to be driven...  Scared me a little...!!


Showing off for the Batty's




Loving the Orange!!




Mean like a Hammerhead Shark




Tight squeeze to get 600 Horses in there...



Still Smiling...

Spent some time with Steve Heck in Durham Forest chasing Stravas. Sweat, Mud and Blood.... Good times!!

Never caught him...

Started my 40th year by clipping in at 6am to ride to school.... Hit some gravel roads and enjoyed the sunrise...
Nothing says Early Morning Tempo like chasing your shadow....