Starting a garage band

Bob Kiniry holeshot the main event!

Just kidding.  But the idea crossed my mind several times being in Seattle, the birthplace of so many grunge mega-bands.  Kurt Kabang is alive as ever on the airwaves of radio stations throughout Seattle.

Being an uncovered stadium, in year's passed this would be the point where I explained just how bad the mud was and how miserable the relentless rainfall felt.  But this year was different.  The weather was absolutely beautiful, and the track was actually a little hard-packed in spots.  

The event was great for Redux Beverages/Brawndo Honda.  Bob Kiniry was riding better than he has all year, battling for the lead in both his heat race and the main event.  He ended up crashing in the whoops about halfway through the main event, but he provided some great moments before he hit the deck.  I also had a solid weekend, qualifying ninth in my heat and finishing 12th in the main event.  

I am waiting at the airport now for my flight home.  When I get there, I have to pick up a new (to me) swing set for the kids.  Everett is going to be pleased.

Thanks for reading and here is wishing you a great end the weekend.  RC

Thursday Update

RACERX Wallpaper by "the" Steve Cox

I got back on the bike today for the first time since my crash on Saturday.  I felt so-so, just a little tentative.  My knee wasn't so bad, but my hit wouldn't take much before succumbing to the pressure.  I think that when the gate falls, I will be fine.  The adrenaline cures most wounds, so we will have to see how things go.

If you are in the Seattle area on Friday, be sure to come by Lynnwood Cycle Barn for an autograph signing with Bob and I, along with the Cernic's Kawasaki riders.  We will have the Brawndo girls there, along with plenty of tasty lime green goodness to drink.  If you want to try some yourself, you can order it at drinkbrawndo.com.  

Talk to you soon.  RC

Living in the airport

I am back at Sky Harbor Airport (PHX) today, just heading out on a day trip to California to meet with some sponsors.  My realization this morning is that I spend entirely too much time at the airport.  I don't know them all by name, but for sure by location.  You know the guy at El Bravo that sings your order back to you?  You should, that is some good shit.  Plus the repeat flight attendants get a little odd after a while.  I think I should help out with the drink service and enjoy some of the employee benefits.  Travel is good, but too much of a good thing is, well, taxing.

I am feeling pretty good today.  My hip and my knee are much better, not 100% by any stretch of the imagination, but good enough to ride a dirt bike on Saturday.  I am planning on riding tomorrow, so I will post an update after I get back from that.

Have a great day!

RC

Hit the wall

I literally did tonight.  I am laying in bed, but having a tough time sleeping as my knee/hip are very sore.  In the LCQ, on the final lap, I was trying to catch Voss and Vuillemin when I clipped a table-to-single and rode my front wheel over the berm.  Fortunately, aside from the soreness, I am okay.  Considering I hit the cement and slid into the wall I am very fortunate.  

Vital Photograph

From the Navy Moto X World Championships.  

Check out the new graphics.

Something New Forum

The Team Solitaire forum is no longer linked, as you have probably already noticed.  Due to not that much activity and the fact that I just can't moderate or take the time to post on there much anymore, we have combined our forum with AZDirt.com.  Austin White, a fantastic designer, web master and dirt bike rider, runs the azdirt.com website as well as the Team Solitaire website.  He will do a much better job keeping you informed and running contests than I could do.  So I encourage you to take the time to join up over at www.azdirt.com and get active in a positive way.  The team is growing, and we are looking for marketing ideas, street teams, volunteers, etc. to spread the gospel of Team Solitaire.  

For those of you that already had screen names, you will have to sign up for AZdirt but you should be able to keep your screen name the same as on the previous board.  Sorry for the inconvenience and I hope you sign up again and continue supporting the cause.

RC

Stay Classy San Diego

View from the cheap seats at Jack Murphy.

Practice was great today.  The track was amazing, leaps and bounds better than anything I have ridden on this season.  The attention to detail was second to none, the layout was continuous and flowing and the obstacles were just fun.  I rode pretty well, logging fast lap times and feeling comfortable on the new bike I broke out for this weekend.

Dostal prepares to unleash a 3 iron.

After riding, Jesse, Jiri Dostal and I hit up Wahoo's for some world famous fish tacos.  Actually, only Jesse had fish.  Dostal and I worked in nine holes this afternoon on the golf course in Murietta.  I shot ten over on nine, which isn't bad considering I haven't played golf since last May.

Tonight I am staying with Steve Cox of MXi/Racer X fame.  I have some meetings in the morning before heading back to PHX mid-day.

Not a Morning Person

At least not a 4 AM person.  I am sitting in the boarding area at gate D3 heading to San Diego for the day.  I have practice at Jack Murphy Stadium (okay, Qualcomm - but I like the pre-corporate stadium era) for the Navy Moto X World Championships.  Practice goes from 8 AM to noon, and I want to take advantage of this not only in preparation for the race on Sunday, but also just a chance to get on an unfamiliar SX track.  I will be making the flight home later, so it is just a quick, but taxing, day trip.

I bought a new digital camera in hopes of getting you some more visual aids to my ranting.  I hope to post some later today of the practice session and event set-up.  

Make it an okay day.  RC

Family Ties

Today was such a great day.  I was on wake-up duty, so my day started around 6:15 AM when my daughter was ready to wake the house up.  Around 45 minutes later my son joined us, and we played guitar, ate breakfast, watched Sesame Street.  Just the normal routine.

My wife joined us a few hours later and my son, Everett, and I embarked on a father/son day.  We ran a few errands while we were out, but the day centered around lunch at the park and just playing on the playground.  I feel guilty for not having as much one-on-one time as I used to with him now that training and travel consume most of my week.  But today was just a blast.  I also ride him around the front yard on my motorcycle, which is as much for me as it is for him.  I guess the "trying to steer him away from motorcycles" plan has some gaping holes in it.

Tomorrow I am back on the bike riding motocross.  I am looking forward to the change as SX has not been so good to me this season.  The outdoors will be a fresh start.

All the best,

RC

Thirst Mutilation

Thirst Mutilation Begins

This weekend will mark the maiden voyage of Team Solitaire with our new title sponsor.  It has been a lot of fun putting things together, and I am looking forward to this weekend so I can see the fruits of all of our labor.  

Redux Beverages and Brawndo: The Thirst Mutilator have signed on as primary marketing partner in our racing efforts for the remainder of 2008 and on into 2009.  The great thing about this company is that they are anything but typical.  They have a great attitude that fits right in with our program.  We are looking forward to a long and prosporous relationship.  If you are looking for some background on how this came about, rent a movie called Idiocracy.  You can also check out their websites at drinkbrawndo.com and drinkredux.com.  

The other thing I am looking forward to at Dallas is getting the monkey off my back and putting in a solid top ten.  I had a great week, aided in part by Eric the intern and Jesse the mechanic.  Thanks guys for all of your help at the track, in the trenches and at the shop.

RC