Crit Racing is our version of the Hurt Locker

You gotta love crit racing. It's a bit harrowing as it's happening. When you watch the video, you can hear the nervousness in people's voices/profanity and also sense the tension build as the finish line approaches. As a crit rider, you relish these moments. When you're in the zone, everything is in slow motion. You can see the gaps opening, your breathing is heavy but not labored, and you're cool under pressure. Then when you cross the line, hopefully in one piece, everything suddenly starts to speed up again. You get this rush and you have to yell to release that tension. It's a sigh of relief that you survived. Personally, I prefer to pound my chest like king kong. It's so much fun that I usually sign up for a 2nd race and take the risk again. Unfortunately, this weekend, the 2nd race didn't turn out so well. I crashed and had a flat. Despite whiplash and road rash, I can't wait to line up again next week.

PS. I thought I had the accident videod but my camera battery ran out. I was hoping to see who plowed into me.

Wente Criterium 4.25.10 from Steve Pelaez on Vimeo.

Back on the Saddle, Again

Easter came 2 weeks late for me, but now I'm certainly feeling alive again after 2 rounds of antibiotics and lots of rest. Interestingly, you know you're feeling normal simply b/c you enjoy riding the bike again. And you enjoy it most, when you're making yourself hurt. The enthusiam to suffer is back. Time to race again.