"Hey what's up dude?, haven't talked to you in a while whatcha up to?"
"I am watching the convention, Obama is supposed to speak in an hour."
"Come on, it's all the same BS, politicians doing their thing, promises blah blah they just wanna get elected and then it's all the same. Let's watch the game!"
This is a conversation I had with my buddy, myself being the one watching the convention.
I am neither young and naive to be starstruck by Barack Obama or old and cynical to be indifferent to the upcoming election. I, and noone else in their right frame of mind can afford not paying attention. What has happened to this country in the last 8 years is scary, on all fronts and time is running out if we want to preserve what is left of the great dream and source of hope that my family saw in America when we moved here in 1994. We had a choice to move to any other European country after my native Bosnia-Herzegovina was englufed in a horrible war. Instead, we came to the USA. The Star Spangled Banner that I used to see being raised a lot in the Olympics and the flag that Rocky wrapped himself in when he beat the crap out of Drago - was now my flag. Not to get into the last 14 years of my life here, but I have become a citizen of this country not just for the fact that I carry a US Passport, but that I care about the direction this country is going in and the well being of its citizens.
After last night's speech at the DNC, I am excited about a possibilty that this nation has produced a leader who can revive the dream and hope I want my kids to have living in this country. It has nothing to do with Obama's race that made last night's speech historical, it was its content. He said everything that I wanted to hear, from the social issues I am passionate about and the foreign policy strategy that has caused so much travesty in the last 8 years.
Throw all the media hype and great oratory skills away, this man is for real (just like the first time I saw him speaking at the Daley Plaza at an anti war rally during my college days when the rest of the Dems were scared to stand up) and millions of American people see that. If it took 8 years of misery to bring this about, I would say that it was almost worthed - but I know better.
Swiftboat that Karl Rove!!!!!!!!
Friday, August 29, 2008
Saturday, August 23, 2008
TOOBRRRR
A lesson I simply fail to learn.
Staying in the back is not a good position in a race when you do not have fitness to match any accelerations needed to bridge and jump across bad wheels. Truth be told, I was second to last Cat 5 racer to get his bib number/chip so had to squeeze myself in at the back as the directions were being read (well I gotta have an excuse, the list is getting shorter and I was left to blaming quality of air in Oak Brook)...but still. I lasted 3 laps out of 6 with the pack and when that moment of weakness came, there was noone behind me (by that point the other dozen or so riders who started got dropped). The guy in front of me started jerking his bike around as we rode up the incline and coming down on the descent, when the gap was forming, I seriously thought he was gonna pass out and crash. I was too afraid to jump around him with open traffic in the other lane. I also made some bad nutritional choices - just too many energy food flavors (berry pomegranate vitamin drink on the drive up, odwalla bar, mocha clifshot, lemon lime gatorade in a race bottle) in a stomach that was cramping up and I almost puked. I am still washing away the taste in my mouth as I am writing this, yuck.
The gap was there and that was that. Due to a short course, many overlapping fields and registration problems (chips and all) that delayed and shortened the race, I was asked to hang it up by the official on the motorbike. The pack was no more than 50 m ahead of me but at that point I was gonna take myself out.
I clocked the max speed of 57.4 km/hr (35 something mph), on the 31st St. straightaway, in an attempt to move up a few positions. With that wind, I wanna see what the final sprints looked like for the higher categories.
And so the season pretty much ended. I have undeperformed but at least I raced enough to identify my mistakes and realize that I need to find and follow a training program and learn more about my body and its limits. I am not a high school athlete stressing over his results and performances, but with all the monies going into this I might as well go the extra mile. My HRM is still in the box never been used, so this winter it's time to get hooked up. I plan to learn how to fix/maintain bikes over the winter so I can be self sufficient for repairs and adjustments. Other than than, it's almost fall time, I have 5 days off in a row this week so I think I am going to get out of town and hit the beach to show off my tan lines.
Oh, judging by the Beckham's football kick and that horrible rendition of "Whole Lotta Love" during the closing ceremony, the English better start working on those opening ceremonies right now, because that just sucked.
Staying in the back is not a good position in a race when you do not have fitness to match any accelerations needed to bridge and jump across bad wheels. Truth be told, I was second to last Cat 5 racer to get his bib number/chip so had to squeeze myself in at the back as the directions were being read (well I gotta have an excuse, the list is getting shorter and I was left to blaming quality of air in Oak Brook)...but still. I lasted 3 laps out of 6 with the pack and when that moment of weakness came, there was noone behind me (by that point the other dozen or so riders who started got dropped). The guy in front of me started jerking his bike around as we rode up the incline and coming down on the descent, when the gap was forming, I seriously thought he was gonna pass out and crash. I was too afraid to jump around him with open traffic in the other lane. I also made some bad nutritional choices - just too many energy food flavors (berry pomegranate vitamin drink on the drive up, odwalla bar, mocha clifshot, lemon lime gatorade in a race bottle) in a stomach that was cramping up and I almost puked. I am still washing away the taste in my mouth as I am writing this, yuck.
The gap was there and that was that. Due to a short course, many overlapping fields and registration problems (chips and all) that delayed and shortened the race, I was asked to hang it up by the official on the motorbike. The pack was no more than 50 m ahead of me but at that point I was gonna take myself out.
I clocked the max speed of 57.4 km/hr (35 something mph), on the 31st St. straightaway, in an attempt to move up a few positions. With that wind, I wanna see what the final sprints looked like for the higher categories.
And so the season pretty much ended. I have undeperformed but at least I raced enough to identify my mistakes and realize that I need to find and follow a training program and learn more about my body and its limits. I am not a high school athlete stressing over his results and performances, but with all the monies going into this I might as well go the extra mile. My HRM is still in the box never been used, so this winter it's time to get hooked up. I plan to learn how to fix/maintain bikes over the winter so I can be self sufficient for repairs and adjustments. Other than than, it's almost fall time, I have 5 days off in a row this week so I think I am going to get out of town and hit the beach to show off my tan lines.
Oh, judging by the Beckham's football kick and that horrible rendition of "Whole Lotta Love" during the closing ceremony, the English better start working on those opening ceremonies right now, because that just sucked.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Tickets for cyclists.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-bike-laws-crackdown-webaug22,0,3716423.story
Hey!
Here is an article from yesterday's Tribune. As much as I sympathize with the lack of respect we as cyclists get on the roads, especially when training, I do feel that it is getting kinda congested on the city streets. I drove to Wicker Park last weekend on a friday night and the number of irresponsible cyclists (and those walking their bikes as if though they were fashion accesssories) is disturbing. No helmets, no lights....no brakes in some cases, wearing dark clothes, weaving through traffic......come on. Lakeview/Lincoln Park area is no different, other than they are riding mountain bikes shirtless wearing Cubs hats. More effort needs to go into education of urban cyclists/commuters on proper behaviour in traffic and raise awarness of dangers of urban cycling. It is admirable that more people are getting out and riding but WE SHARE THE ROAD, and there are rules to follow.
I stop at red lights, I try to be a safe defensive cyclist if not for anything but for my own good.
As much as it would suck to get pulled over, I think some people will not get a clue until they have to pay up. Better than losing a life or carrying a burden of taking a life because of someone's lack of good judgement.
Hey!
Here is an article from yesterday's Tribune. As much as I sympathize with the lack of respect we as cyclists get on the roads, especially when training, I do feel that it is getting kinda congested on the city streets. I drove to Wicker Park last weekend on a friday night and the number of irresponsible cyclists (and those walking their bikes as if though they were fashion accesssories) is disturbing. No helmets, no lights....no brakes in some cases, wearing dark clothes, weaving through traffic......come on. Lakeview/Lincoln Park area is no different, other than they are riding mountain bikes shirtless wearing Cubs hats. More effort needs to go into education of urban cyclists/commuters on proper behaviour in traffic and raise awarness of dangers of urban cycling. It is admirable that more people are getting out and riding but WE SHARE THE ROAD, and there are rules to follow.
I stop at red lights, I try to be a safe defensive cyclist if not for anything but for my own good.
As much as it would suck to get pulled over, I think some people will not get a clue until they have to pay up. Better than losing a life or carrying a burden of taking a life because of someone's lack of good judgement.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Not so lucky this time.
It was gonna happen anytime now for sure. Woke up late Saturday morning and skipped the race in Grayslake, enjoyed a nice breakfast at The Grind, and then dressed up for a late morning ride on the lakefront path. By 11 am it was already busy and I rode slowly to avoid any trouble. Just before the Navy Pier on the banked section of the path, I was passing people up above the southbound lane when some kid made a sudden U-turn into me and after a little balancing act I ended up falling over. Scraped my elbow and thigh, but nothing too major. The lifeguard gave me some alcohol pads and gauze and I administered first aid to myself, reminiscing with her about my 3 summers as a Chicago Park District guard. The good old times!
I raced on Sunday in Glencoe, chip timing and all. Thirty plus lined up. Nice course with two narrow turns (#2 and final turn), basically 90 degree on small side streets. You hade to make the turn precisely or you're on the grass. Very first lap, turn #2, guys in front of me go into the turn too fast/wide one hitting the curb and falling on the grass, the other braking in panic and falling over sideways-right in front of me.
I unclipped, stuck my foot out and came to a stop. The speed was low and I kept it up, but had no way to go around as the field sped away. Now, the rule says if you get stuck behind a crash, you chase. So I chased, not succesfully though. This was not what I needed considering all my crappy performances but that's life. I came close to bridging up on the 3rd lap, but at that point I was getting gassed and settled into my own pace riding to finish. Anyway, I finished the race, getting lapped after 26-27 mins of riding solo. They gave me 26th place finish. It sucks but it's all part of the experience.
My evening went much better as I watched Jeepers Creepers (I and II) on Ch.50, had some delicious lentil soup my friend made, and saw Meat Puppets play at the West Fest. Serenity Now!
I raced on Sunday in Glencoe, chip timing and all. Thirty plus lined up. Nice course with two narrow turns (#2 and final turn), basically 90 degree on small side streets. You hade to make the turn precisely or you're on the grass. Very first lap, turn #2, guys in front of me go into the turn too fast/wide one hitting the curb and falling on the grass, the other braking in panic and falling over sideways-right in front of me.
I unclipped, stuck my foot out and came to a stop. The speed was low and I kept it up, but had no way to go around as the field sped away. Now, the rule says if you get stuck behind a crash, you chase. So I chased, not succesfully though. This was not what I needed considering all my crappy performances but that's life. I came close to bridging up on the 3rd lap, but at that point I was getting gassed and settled into my own pace riding to finish. Anyway, I finished the race, getting lapped after 26-27 mins of riding solo. They gave me 26th place finish. It sucks but it's all part of the experience.
My evening went much better as I watched Jeepers Creepers (I and II) on Ch.50, had some delicious lentil soup my friend made, and saw Meat Puppets play at the West Fest. Serenity Now!
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Race before the race
So,
here we go again. Another race report.
After being spanked at the Chicago Crit, I signed up for the first heat of the Tour of(de) Elk Grove Village the same evening. I actually took my bike to work and did interval sessions very close to my Skokie workplace (a stretch of Lehigh going northbound from Dempster). I got a few good sessions Mon-Wed and was still able to get home before 8 pm - something I could not do training on the lakefront path averaging 16-17 mph.
Anyway, Saturday comes around and for some reason I estimate that it would take me half hour to get to Elk Grove from my Lincoln Square apartment. Left my place at quarter to 8, and by 8 found myself stuck on I-90 moving snail pace, screaming and shouting with my windows down. Apparently, the bridge at Lawrence Ave. was falling apart and the crews were cleaning up the debris - reducing the traffic to one lane. After that it cleared up and I stepped on the gas pedal. I parked my car at 8:35 (my race starts at 9:00 am), scrambled to pump up my tires while putting on my shoes and gloves and a helmet. Picked up my bib number at 8:54 and procedeed to put my number on MY right side. Erik was giving me advice to stay up front but I was focused on getting to the line in time that it seemed I was blowing him off. I hear a first call to the line and I had not even gotten a lap around the course, let alone a warmup. This was going to be a disaster! At the line, I realize that MY RIGHT side is everyone else's LEFT side, so I tell the official to let me switch my number. As they were reading the instructions, I put my jersey on ready to go, lined up third row or so. I pulled a sneaky move when the pace car was getting through and moved to the first row. Everyone was slow to get back to their position, I just took the open slots. But, as always, I missed a clip in and ended up mid pack as the race started.
First two laps went fine, U-turns were slow enough and there were no crashes. On the third lap I was towards the back of the pack chatting with teammate Matt. I tried to move up on the straight sections but couldn't gain more than 4-5 wheels and I again found myself at the back going through the last turn. I guess my lack of warmup finally kicked me in the ass and I couldn't accelerate to move up. Slowly, I started fading but it was a bit of good luck because there was a big crash in the pack (one rider flipping over his bars), and I was able to ride through the mess. Ended up riding the last lap and a half with 3 more riders that popped off the back and came in 27th on the day.
Can't complain considering that I almost missed the race.
Back to training on Lehigh. I hope to get to know the people who leave on that stretch of road, the kids are waving at me as I go up and down. It's pretty cool.
A big thanks to the Mayor of EGV, who's put on a phenomenal event 30 mins (well, depending on traffic conditions) from my home.
here we go again. Another race report.
After being spanked at the Chicago Crit, I signed up for the first heat of the Tour of(de) Elk Grove Village the same evening. I actually took my bike to work and did interval sessions very close to my Skokie workplace (a stretch of Lehigh going northbound from Dempster). I got a few good sessions Mon-Wed and was still able to get home before 8 pm - something I could not do training on the lakefront path averaging 16-17 mph.
Anyway, Saturday comes around and for some reason I estimate that it would take me half hour to get to Elk Grove from my Lincoln Square apartment. Left my place at quarter to 8, and by 8 found myself stuck on I-90 moving snail pace, screaming and shouting with my windows down. Apparently, the bridge at Lawrence Ave. was falling apart and the crews were cleaning up the debris - reducing the traffic to one lane. After that it cleared up and I stepped on the gas pedal. I parked my car at 8:35 (my race starts at 9:00 am), scrambled to pump up my tires while putting on my shoes and gloves and a helmet. Picked up my bib number at 8:54 and procedeed to put my number on MY right side. Erik was giving me advice to stay up front but I was focused on getting to the line in time that it seemed I was blowing him off. I hear a first call to the line and I had not even gotten a lap around the course, let alone a warmup. This was going to be a disaster! At the line, I realize that MY RIGHT side is everyone else's LEFT side, so I tell the official to let me switch my number. As they were reading the instructions, I put my jersey on ready to go, lined up third row or so. I pulled a sneaky move when the pace car was getting through and moved to the first row. Everyone was slow to get back to their position, I just took the open slots. But, as always, I missed a clip in and ended up mid pack as the race started.
First two laps went fine, U-turns were slow enough and there were no crashes. On the third lap I was towards the back of the pack chatting with teammate Matt. I tried to move up on the straight sections but couldn't gain more than 4-5 wheels and I again found myself at the back going through the last turn. I guess my lack of warmup finally kicked me in the ass and I couldn't accelerate to move up. Slowly, I started fading but it was a bit of good luck because there was a big crash in the pack (one rider flipping over his bars), and I was able to ride through the mess. Ended up riding the last lap and a half with 3 more riders that popped off the back and came in 27th on the day.
Can't complain considering that I almost missed the race.
Back to training on Lehigh. I hope to get to know the people who leave on that stretch of road, the kids are waving at me as I go up and down. It's pretty cool.
A big thanks to the Mayor of EGV, who's put on a phenomenal event 30 mins (well, depending on traffic conditions) from my home.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Chicago Criterium.
Oh Boy!
The reality of crit racing sinks in again.
Line up in the second row - miss a clip in - slow down for the second turn down Jackson Ave. - watch the leaders go bye bye down Michigan as you're trying to sprint out of a turn. After sprinting down Michigan finally caught the leading group, but took the uphill turn on Balbo way wide, didn't downshift enough for the kicker, and basically started the chase all over again. The pack was really moving down Columbus and the second time down Jackson, the front 15 already gapped the rest of the field leaving the rest of us to try and form groups. After a lap I found 2 partners in crime- or should I say despair- and we tried working for a few laps wanting to finish the race. I've been dropped after the first 10 minutes of intense riding before but I typically find some rythm to ride it out, but the Ref. was having none of that in the first Cat.5 heat and eventually pulled us even though we were not even half a lap down. Most of the dropped riders got pulled leading to a total of 17 riders finishing the race. Anyway, it was a fast lead group containing 4 teammates whom I knew were prime contenders to win the race. Tom won it in a powerful sprint and Kyle got 3rd. Amazing results. In the second heat things were a lot more compact as the speed was just bit slower according to the announcers, not to blow the race apart from the start. Another 1-3 finish for XXX. So much praise in the awards ceremony was given to the team for its work on the new racer development, and one could not agree more, even if it takes a year or two or three :).
I returned to watch the races after a shower and breakfast. In general everyone was moving freakin' fast from the start hoping to win in the first ever Chicago Crit. Some fields were nearly halved by the end of it, highlighting the discrepancy in the physical preparation needed to compete with the big boys. But I am sure everyone enjoyed having an opportunity to just take a lap on this awesome course.
Hats off to my MS-150 riding buddy Ed Ekstrom of Tower Racing who in his second race ever managed to take 3rd in a highly contested Masters 4/5 race. I didn't see the finish, but when I ran into him and was told about the result, I can tell there is a new star in the works.
I will race the rest of the August events, which is a change in plans. So far this year I have done 2 (two) intervals training sessions, including one on Saturday.
I have gotten lazy and less motivated to ride on the lakefront path after work because of all the dangers that it entails, which leaves me to weekend rides and half hour trainer sessions to keep me in shape. Just on Saturday morning, I almost crashed full speed into a runner (listening to his ipod-but of course) on the south side who in his infinite wisdom decided to JUST turn around in the middle of the path. Now, I've had this happen to me before and even though noone else was near, I went into the opposite lane to give myself enough space in a case the sudden turn happened. It's a good thing I am bilingual and people generally don't understand when I swear but even without that I probably scared the crap out of the guy.
The reality of crit racing sinks in again.
Line up in the second row - miss a clip in - slow down for the second turn down Jackson Ave. - watch the leaders go bye bye down Michigan as you're trying to sprint out of a turn. After sprinting down Michigan finally caught the leading group, but took the uphill turn on Balbo way wide, didn't downshift enough for the kicker, and basically started the chase all over again. The pack was really moving down Columbus and the second time down Jackson, the front 15 already gapped the rest of the field leaving the rest of us to try and form groups. After a lap I found 2 partners in crime- or should I say despair- and we tried working for a few laps wanting to finish the race. I've been dropped after the first 10 minutes of intense riding before but I typically find some rythm to ride it out, but the Ref. was having none of that in the first Cat.5 heat and eventually pulled us even though we were not even half a lap down. Most of the dropped riders got pulled leading to a total of 17 riders finishing the race. Anyway, it was a fast lead group containing 4 teammates whom I knew were prime contenders to win the race. Tom won it in a powerful sprint and Kyle got 3rd. Amazing results. In the second heat things were a lot more compact as the speed was just bit slower according to the announcers, not to blow the race apart from the start. Another 1-3 finish for XXX. So much praise in the awards ceremony was given to the team for its work on the new racer development, and one could not agree more, even if it takes a year or two or three :).
I returned to watch the races after a shower and breakfast. In general everyone was moving freakin' fast from the start hoping to win in the first ever Chicago Crit. Some fields were nearly halved by the end of it, highlighting the discrepancy in the physical preparation needed to compete with the big boys. But I am sure everyone enjoyed having an opportunity to just take a lap on this awesome course.
Hats off to my MS-150 riding buddy Ed Ekstrom of Tower Racing who in his second race ever managed to take 3rd in a highly contested Masters 4/5 race. I didn't see the finish, but when I ran into him and was told about the result, I can tell there is a new star in the works.
I will race the rest of the August events, which is a change in plans. So far this year I have done 2 (two) intervals training sessions, including one on Saturday.
I have gotten lazy and less motivated to ride on the lakefront path after work because of all the dangers that it entails, which leaves me to weekend rides and half hour trainer sessions to keep me in shape. Just on Saturday morning, I almost crashed full speed into a runner (listening to his ipod-but of course) on the south side who in his infinite wisdom decided to JUST turn around in the middle of the path. Now, I've had this happen to me before and even though noone else was near, I went into the opposite lane to give myself enough space in a case the sudden turn happened. It's a good thing I am bilingual and people generally don't understand when I swear but even without that I probably scared the crap out of the guy.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Reckless Driving!!!!?????
I am copying a story from VeloNews about a "doctor" who intentionally stepped on the breakes in front of a group of cyclists. This person should be put away for a long time (longer that 7 years), because these incidents are not just a case of reckless driving but an attempted MURDER.
Doctor charged in one road-rage case, linked to another
By VeloNews.com
Posted Jul. 13, 2008
A California physician alleged to have braked suddenly in front of two cyclists has been charged with four felony counts and could face more than seven years in prison if convicted, according to The Los Angeles Times.
Christopher Thomas Thompson, 59, was charged Friday with two felony counts each of reckless driving causing injury and battery with serious bodily injury in connection with a July 4 incident that sent one cyclist flying through his car’s rear window and the other to the asphalt.
The cyclists, Ron Peterson and Christian Stoehr, alleged that Thompson deliberately bit the brakes in front of them after they exchanged words while descending Mandeville Canyon Road.
Peterson, 40, suffered broken teeth, a broken nose and serious cuts on his face that required 90 stitches to close. Stoehr, 29, had a shoulder separation that he said would require surgery.
Thompson has not spoken to the press about the crash. His lawyer, Peter Swarth, has called it “an unfortunate accident.”
But the Times report quotes a Los Angeles Police Department spokesman as saying that Thompson was involved in a similar encounter with cyclists on March 11, also on Mandeville Canyon Road.
According to LAPD Capt. William Eaton, another pair of cyclists riding on Mandeville Canyon Road accused Thompson of running them off the road and then shouting at them. The Los Angeles city attorney's office declined to file charges, according to the Times.
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Thompson, who is free on $30,000 bail, is to be arraigned Aug. 1 at the airport branch of Los Angeles County Superior Court, the Times reported. If found guilty on all counts, he could face up to seven years and eight months in state prison.
Doctor charged in one road-rage case, linked to another
By VeloNews.com
Posted Jul. 13, 2008
A California physician alleged to have braked suddenly in front of two cyclists has been charged with four felony counts and could face more than seven years in prison if convicted, according to The Los Angeles Times.
Christopher Thomas Thompson, 59, was charged Friday with two felony counts each of reckless driving causing injury and battery with serious bodily injury in connection with a July 4 incident that sent one cyclist flying through his car’s rear window and the other to the asphalt.
The cyclists, Ron Peterson and Christian Stoehr, alleged that Thompson deliberately bit the brakes in front of them after they exchanged words while descending Mandeville Canyon Road.
Peterson, 40, suffered broken teeth, a broken nose and serious cuts on his face that required 90 stitches to close. Stoehr, 29, had a shoulder separation that he said would require surgery.
Thompson has not spoken to the press about the crash. His lawyer, Peter Swarth, has called it “an unfortunate accident.”
But the Times report quotes a Los Angeles Police Department spokesman as saying that Thompson was involved in a similar encounter with cyclists on March 11, also on Mandeville Canyon Road.
According to LAPD Capt. William Eaton, another pair of cyclists riding on Mandeville Canyon Road accused Thompson of running them off the road and then shouting at them. The Los Angeles city attorney's office declined to file charges, according to the Times.
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Thompson, who is free on $30,000 bail, is to be arraigned Aug. 1 at the airport branch of Los Angeles County Superior Court, the Times reported. If found guilty on all counts, he could face up to seven years and eight months in state prison.
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