Its been a long time since we have updated our blog.  Everyday I say I'm going to do it but then something comes up and I forget it for another day. Have to get better with this.  Since Aleksandra has come back from Colorado we have done a few races around home.  One of my favorites is Pats Peak which seems to have endless climbing and a really cool Mt Snow type downhill.  I went with just Scotty this year because Matt and Aleks were still on there way back from Colorado.  The field was pretty stacked like always there.  Pats Peak seems to attract some really fast guys for some reason.  With fast guys you have fast starts and this was no exception.  I pushed super hard on the first hill hoping to gain some time on Jonathan Page, who was right behind me from the start.  Trying to keep myself from blowing up I gained some time and had a nice gap.    I stayed away for the rest of the race to take the W.  It was a great day in New Hampshire.

           The next race was Mount Snow 2 weeks later and we headed over with Matt as our driver.  The weather was beautiful and the place was busy.  For a local event the place had a lot of people and even a venue area.   Chris and Jill that run the series do such a great job making sure these races entertain everyone.  My parents came to watch with their new puppy and they were there for a total of about 20 minutes and some jerk off kicked them out because Mt Snow has "a strict policy on no pets allowed on the premises"  FU Mt Snow.  Your mountain sucks.  Everything sucks about Mt Snow.  Okemo, Stratton, Bromley, Magic and Killington blow that place away.  Even the national MTB races have sucked the last few years.  Anyway enough bad mouthing crappy ass mt snow.  Aleksandra won the womens field, Matt got 5th, and I flatted twice and ended up 8th. 

    Somewhere in there we had the Powell family over for dinner.  Seamus and his parents came to saratoga for a big dinner and we had such a good time.  They are such easy going friendly people who have become our really good friends.  Except when John forgot my feed at the Domarski Farm race.  (no I haven't forgot)  
 I did have a few drinks but I didn't make them ride in the Land Rover, it was raining damn it.

    The next race was the Mass state championships at the Hodges Dam venue in Oxford Mass.  The race was long, flat but really bumpy.  I was having daydreams about full suspension at this one.  There was one section that bounced you around like a pinball machine.  Seamus took off in the beginning and a few of us chased but couldn't catch him.  I battled it out with mike Bartlett and Jon Foley until Foley faded and it was just Mike and I.  With a lap and a half to go I had a nice crash which has been a typical thing for me this year.  The same type of crash very frequently is my front end washing out.  I have no idea why this happens but it happens before you know it.  Anyway I crashed and ripped my rear brake off which sucked.  I couldn't catch Mike who was only about 15 secs ahead of me by the time the race was over.  It was a real sufferfest but always a good time racing against "famous Seamus"  and the rest of the locals.   My brother ended up 3rd as well and Aleksandra won again.  Fun day.
 
      The next weekend we had plans to do the Norcross Scurry race in Ashford CT but decided to stay home and do some training.  I really liked that race last year but I am tired.  Work has really picked up and with that and racing I have become a bit burned out.  So we did some intervals on Lake D, rode some cool mtb trails and relaxed.  A nice little rest that was much needed.

     Bromont Canada was the next race this month and we headed up with Matt and Bryna on Saturday morning.  This is our third trip to Canada this year together and this course was right on par with the other two.  Awesome.  Short punchy climbs and a really long downhill.  In previous years this is the same course the World Cups were raced on.  For me there is no better course and everyone else was really excited.  We parked next to Mike and Mary who are always so friendly.  They are travelling around until the World Championships with their camper loving life.   Pretty low key though.  No logos, decals, nothing.  Both in their late 30's and still kicking ass.  And ass kicking is what Mary did.  I think she passed most of the men's field.  Unreal.  Aleksandra ended up 6th which she was not to pleased but I know she raced well with a really tough field.  Both the Austalian, and New Zealand national champs were there as well as a bunch of fast Canadians.  Bryna did awesome finishing 12th out of 30 starters which gives her even more UCI points (Terry will be really proud)  I however dropped out due to sickness.  I felt so bad.  Thats about all that I can say about it.  Puking and a disgusting feeling.  I was in a pretty good position by lap 4 in the low 20's but I just pulled the plug.  Its such a bittersweet feeling to drop out of a race.  Maybe not bittersweet but a relief that your not suffering anymore but a mental overload of feeling like a failure.  Sitting there getting myself together thinking I should of stayed in the race.  Its funny that the 3 best courses of the year were in canada and they were my 3 worst days racing.  Matt also had a bad day crashing so bad his rotor was mangled.  You would never know it though.  He is about the most positive person I know.  Nothing gets him down.  I appreciate that.  All in all its really fun going to Canada and I enjoy going with our crew.   

      Now its time to get ready for the big one.  Windham World Cup.  Marek Galinski, who is currently the Polish National champion, is staying with us this week and riding the local trails.  He has finished on the podium at several World Cups and once at World Championships.  Racing professionally for 20 years on the mountain bike, road bike as well as the cyclocross bike he has tons of cool stories and loads of experience.  I'll have some pics of our local rides this week.  
       See you on the Dam Trail or maybe the Blue Trail.

         Mike & Aleks