The Bobbin Brook Posse was upset about being left out of my last video, so in order to get back on good terms I made them a video. I hope my server can hold up under the strain…. their fans are rabid!

Bigger version here. Photos by John Kalin.

About 30 feet from the watch out for alligators sign. It came down from the woods, crossed the double track and continued toward the lake. It’s length was slightly more than the width of the trail… or about 6 feet long. When it got about halfway between the trail and the lake it stopped and laid on it’s belly.

Of course I didn’t have my camera so I hauled tail to the house, got the camera and hauled tail back. It only took a few minutes. I hoped it would still be laying there but it was gone.

That’s kind of freaky because we have a family walk we do called “to the alligator sign and back”. Sometimes the kids get pretty far ahead. A 30 pound girl might be a tasty treat? I guess the good thing is in all the years I’ve been riding that trail, that’s the first gator I’ve seen.

A short one. I’ll do another one when I get video and photos from the posse.

A bigger version here.

Most of the photos and videos were taken by John Kalin.

Woooo weeeee! What a race I had Sunday. It was probably the most fun I’ve ever had racing and probably my best performance ever as well. The Bikechain.com crew was in full effect with a huge support team. Good memories were made.

Lap 1
I wanted a good start so I could exploit the speed of the Cadillac trail but I didn’t expect to get the holeshot. There was a weird lull in the pedaling just before the first corner but I kept cranking and there I was. Shawn found my wheel pretty quick and I kept the pace high enough on the way out that nobody passed but not so high I blew my wad. At the turnaround Shawn and I had maybe a 5 second gap. I pushed my tires hard and we stretched that out to maybe 15 or 20 at the bridge. I led to the first grassy hill where Shawn took over. He toned down the pace a bit which was probably a good thing. Even this early in the race he implies that it is going to be a race between the two of us and that nobody will bridge up. He led it to the end of the lap.

Lap 2
We’re already catching riders from Pro/EX 19-29. Shawn leads all of Cadillac and I come by after the bridge. I dab on the tricky rooty uphill and then get knocked to the ground by the almost last place EX19-29 guy. That was unnecessary. When we get to the hills I try to keep the pace high, hoping I can wear Shawn down. He is a big strong guy and I don’t want it to be decided at the line. We chit chat a little about his competition in the series and why I don’t do the whole series. I throw down some surges on the hills but I get no separation. After the second time through the start finish Shawn comments on the loud and rowdy BC crew and I replied, “You’re playin’ the home team baby!”.

Photo by John Kalin.

Lap 3
Now we’re starting to get down to business. The first hard attack comes after I dab again (dagnabbit) on the little rooty uphill. Shaw throws down pretty hard and gets a good gap. I come around the corner at the bottom of the first big hill and see him standing on the pedals digging. I know he means business because he hasn’t stood on the pedals all race. I chase down through the gun range and up the oak tree climb finally catching him at the top. I go right around him and throw down a surge hoping he has over committed on his attack. I push hard up the weems singletrack hoping for a gap that never comes.

Lap 4
This is my last chance for a gap. I ride hard through the start finish and turn down a feed. I must get a gap. When we get to the hills I push very hard… but he holds. A lapped rider incident allows him to get the lead before we enter the final bit of singletrack. We’re even as we enter the BMX track but he exits first. I am on his wheel around the last corner but he is to strong and I cannot come around… even with my tongue out. Shawn wins by a bike length.

Second again. We bump knuckles and agree it was an epic race. How can I be unhappy? My form was blowing my mind, my time was 3rd fastest of the day and the course was as fast and fun as it’s ever been. That’s 100% fun.

It was awesome having all the support around the course especially through the start finish. The BC crew was one raucous bunch. It was incredible to get that pump every lap. Thanks to everyone who hollered at me. Especially Kent and Mark for making the party happen. Racing is always fun but it’s more fun with a party.

Tonight’s a good night for cheesy inspiration. This one goes out to the Ball boys… Little and Wrecking.

I was just thinking… I may never do another race at Tom Brown Park with the big hills. That’s kind of crazy. I’ve been riding and racing there since 1993 and this thought makes me sad.

So many of the FSC course are very similar with the short ups and downs. Those hills at Tom Brown made for a unique course in the series. I’ve heard many of the FSC racers call Tom Brown Park their favorite in the series. Me included.

Sure, they say new trail will be built but it just won’t be the same without that elevation change.

Make way for the new 911 call center red cross thingymabob.

Juancho posted a link to a youtube video from Alafia. I was curious if there was any from our local trails. None from the northside or southside trails but many from Tom Brown.

Here are two made by a couple of Tallahassee’s most hardcore.

Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!