i cut my teeth

Some people go to church on Sunday mornings. I race.

Start Line

The beginning of my glorious feeling hole shot. Knowing that everyone is chasing you changes the game.

First place was wicked fast. 3minutes and 10seconds ahead of me. Too many mistakes, but no excuses.

These past few Sundays I have learned a lot about myself. What am I willing to put into something? What am I willing to take away from it? How deep can I dig? How much suffering can I endure before I down shift? How do I feel about myself?

How many more races until I have it all figured out?

When I went home for the holidays to RVA the weather was beautiful. I went on a solo ‘Cross adventure that started in the east end down route 5 to Church Hill, then to Libby Hill for the cobble stone climb, down to the Slave Trail, then to the canal walk, then to the flood wall, onto Belle Isle, out near the governor’s mansion, then onto the North Bank trails, ended up popping out in River View cemetery which then had me wanting to loop around to head into Hollywood Cemetery, and then out through Oregon Hill to downtown, back out to the east end to meet my parents. 

Heading to the South. Maggie is ready!

Interstate sights…

More interstate traffic sights…

Heading towards Libby Hill I made a detour to see my sign…

One view from atop Libby Hill

Looking onto Richmond from Libby Hill

They moved the Richmond Braves Indian from the baseball stadium to the lucky strike factory while I was away.

Part of the VA Capital Trail

Canal Walk

Canal boats

Big ol’ flood wall

Riding on the flood wall along the James

Train view from the flood wall

Part of Belle Isle along the James with Hollywood Cemetery in the background

Belle isle foot bridge under the highway

The Governor’s Mansion in the background

Hollywood Cemetery Monument 

I can not wait to do this loop again at the end of the month when I head home to foolishly participate in MONSTER CROSS

The Ice Weasels Cometh

“Course Description:

 Four dismounts per lap:  flyover, runup, barriers, small barriers.

A mix of wide-open power sections in a farm field and super-tight foolishness around a farmhouse.

Total radness.”

Total RADness was right on.