Playing catch up

Hey guys.

Sorry I took a few weeks off.  I needed to step back from riding, racing and pretty much everything moto for a week or so.  I am feeling better now, and ready to start back up where I left off.

To catch everyone up, I had a really early flight back from Minneapolis two weeks back and ended up getting rundown, which may have been a catalyst for the flu that has been going around.  After a week in bed (on my one week off since SX started) I was feeling better.  I did some riding last week to get ready for Toronto, but felt pretty sub-par to say the least.  By the time the race came I was feeling good and riding pretty well.

The weekend started off fun.  I had a direct flight from PHX to Buffalo where my friend Danny Nappy picked me up.  He is staying in Buffalo long term for work and had a hotel right downtown.  That night we went to a Buffalo Sabres/Montreal Canadiens hockey game.  It was really fun, but the Canadiens ended up winning which was kind of a bummer.  The highlight of the night was not the fights at the game (unfortunately there were very few) but the fisticuffs flying on the street outside the stadium between rival hockey fans.  With cops on every corner, these guys brawled for a good five minutes without any intervention.  I LIKE NY.  The next morning we loaded up the Toyota FJ with a few pink Ogio bags, destination Toronto.

At the race, I had a good start in the heat and was running solid until the last lap.  I had Reed behind me and Marsack in front and tried to get by Jake in a tough rhythm section.  I cross-rutted and threw away an easy transfer.  In the LCQ I crashed in the first turn and never game myself a chance.  End of race for me.  So I went out with the crew, including my old friends Rojay, Kevin Strickwerda, Jiri Dostal, Nappi and my mechanic Jesse black.  We had some drinks and kicked back before returning to Buffalo, NY late Saturday night/early Sunday morning.  I slept in for my late flight (learned from Minneapolis) and got home around 9 PM Sunday night.  

Today I had the guys (Jesse and Eric the Intern) help me dig ditches.  Literally.  We had to clear out an irrigation canal so I can get water to the new MX track I am constructing a few miles from Casa Clark.  It should be great fun to ride, but digging ditches is absolute hell.  Need some laborers on the crew next season.

That is pretty much it.  I am riding with my old teammate Justin Buckelew tomorrow at my SX track.  He is coming out of retirement for Dallas this weekend, riding for Chaplin Kawasaki in place of the injured Robbie Marshall.  I am interested to see how he is riding SX having taken well over a year off.  I will let you know after the ride how things are stacking up.  All the best!  RC

Sick Boy

Sorry I have been out for a bit.  I am battling the Flu right now and it is winning.  I will get back to you when I can see the keys on my computer.

RC

Wednesday

This week has been a little rough.  I have been battling sickness back, basically just a sore throat and feeling a bit lethargic.  Monday and Tuesday were rough, but this morning I got up early to meet my friend Cody for a mountain bike ride before he had to go to work.  All was going well, until about 1/2 way I lost my front end and high-sided.  I am good with the exception of a sore elbow and some cactus in my @$$.  That sucked...

I am hoping to have a good day tomorrow riding and swimming.  I look forward to Minneapolis this weekend and even more so to a much needed weekend  off.  

On the home front, the bathroom is coming together nicely.  It is completely gutted right now, but I have the electrician and drywall guy coming out next week to get things going.  The wife is getting impatient.  I am also locked into battle with my son about our sleeping arrangements.  He has decided that he is not sleeping in his bed anymore, and this is a point of conflict.  My two-year-old has a strong will, but he gets it from me...so I will win this one.

Peace on Earth,

RC

Daytona SX

Tonight was wet.  One of the wettest nights of racing I have ever been a part of.  I wouldn't put it on par with "The Rain in Spain" fiasco of 2004, but worse than anything we have had here on the continent of North America for a while.

My night was a bit frustrating.  I had an off-track excursion in the first corner of the heat race and thus started near the tail end of the pack.  I moved up slowly at first, but started getting a grove near halfway and closed the gap on the transfer position.  On the final lap Andrew Short was about six seconds ahead, and although I was able to close up to around two seconds, I fell short of the transfer and moved on to the LCQ.

In the LCQ I thought I had the holeshot but just couldn't stop in the first turn.  I came out sixth, moved immediately into fifth where I would stay.  I battled with Troy Adams to the checkered.  

I am off to sleep.  Early flight in the morning...

RC

Travel Daze

It seems like a broken record anymore.  Not that I dislike travel days, as they are pretty relaxing when compared to the rest of the week.  Last night was especially trying with my two-year-old deciding to beat his old man at staying up the latest.  I don't know where he gets his persistence.  Anyway, a little sleep deprivation is nothing a strong cup of joe can't cure.  

This morning, before I was herded on the my airplane, I did a workout with my wife.  She teaches an exercise class that helps mom's get back in shape after having children.  It also incorporates the kids, as they sit in their strollers while the moms push them around and do all kinds of squats, dips, runs and whatnot.  I think I am the first male in the history of the Stroller Strides program to partake.  I have to say, though, it was a good workout.  

I have noticed lately that I am not that social anymore.  I used to talk to people on the airplane or strike up conversation in the gate area, but now I just avoid eye contact and listen to my iPod or work on my computer.  Technology isn't really helping the social aspects of our society, and it is making us (myself included) more dummerer.  

The weather report for Daytona is calling for 50% chance of precipitation.  What is Daytona if not a dirty, gritty battle to the death that pits man and machine against Gary Bailey.  Wait, thankfully he doesn't build the track anymore.  Rain or shine, I look forward to riding here again.  It is one of the few Supercross races that offers up something different.

Well, I best get some rest.  Tomorrow is going to be a long day regardless of the weather.  Don't forget to check back after the race for a summary of the day's events.  Thanks for the good time.  RC

INDYnial

Just before the final turn of the LCQ. Photo: vitalmx.com

My weekend in coming to a close as I sit on my couch and punch keys late Sunday night.  To get things started, here is a quick recap of my race at Indy.  

The heat started poor and just got worse.  My start was dismal, and although I worked through some guys quickly it all ended when Cole Siebler and I collided and I broke my toe.  His bike and mine just kind of crushed my foot and it immediately went numb.  I don't know what you call toes, but it is the one next to my pinkie toe on my right foot.  Anyway, not a necessary digit for riding a dirt bike, so after a few choice words and rolling two straight-aways of obstacles I tucked in my skirt and rode the rest of the race.  My earlier antics put me too far back to make an impact so I was headed to the LCQ.

I gated decent in the LCQ, probably fifth (although I think there were only 12 or 13 guys in it).  I moved into third on the opening lap and hounded Antonio Balbi for the next several laps.  On the final lap I made the pass in the sand section and pulled out a couple of bike-lengths.  In the next turn, however, Balbi decided to go for the blatant take out move on me.  We collided hard, though I somehow managed to stay upright while he lay in a heap on the ground.  The impact, however, snapped my clutch cable in two and rendered my clutch useless for the remaining two corners.  Unfortunately, Jake Marsack was right there behind me.  I tried to ride a super-wide bike, but with no clutch I had no ability to pivot for the corner and Jake made the pass look easy.  I ran off the track trying to keep him at bay and crossed the finish line in third.  RacerX Gas Cards are piling up here...

So the race was not so good, but my flight home had Direct TV.  And when I got home my wife, Jesse (my mechanic) and I drove to Chandler to pick up a claw-foot cast iron freestanding tub that she bought on Craigslist - so long gas card money.  I did get a date with my wife tonight as well, so all in all it was a good weekend.  I can walk (with a limp) and my feet are now about as attractive as Lisa Lampanelli, but the gate will drop again in Daytona...and I will be there.

RC