Big shoutout to Don for the level-up: Hats off to USA Cycling, folks! They’ve bumped my road racing license from the newbie ranks of category 5 right up to 4. Now, I’m all for the thrill of early-season races, but let me tell you, nothing zaps the fun out of it like being greeted with eyerolls and those “Oh look, another sandbagger” comments at the starting line. You see, I’ve been perpetually stuck in cat 5 purgatory, not because I’m a slouch, but simply because I couldn’t cram enough races into my schedule to climb the ranks. But then, bam! At the state cyclocross championships, I somehow managed to snag third place overall. That’s right, third! Doesn’t exactly scream “novice rider,” does it?
Now, there’s a darn good reason they make sure you’ve got some miles under your belt before they let you race on the road – it’s a whole different beast compared to the forgiving trails of mountain biking. Just the other day, I got this notification from the man, the myth, the legend – Don Russell himself, granting me this upgrade. And while landing in category 4 might not have me doing cartwheels, it’s a step closer to my ultimate goal: category 3.
Why this sudden obsession with road racing, you ask? Well, in the wilds of Montana, bike races are as rare as hen’s teeth, so I grab ’em whenever I can. Feel free to chime in with your thoughts!
Epic Road Rides Alert This Weekend: Just so you know, I’m plotting two epic out-and-back road adventures this weekend, both kicking off at the civilized hour of 1PM from their respective launch pads. Open invitation, folks – join me if you’re game. We usually stick together like a happy little peloton at the start, but eventually, it’s every rider for themselves, cruising at whatever pace doesn’t make your legs scream in protest. I plan on setting a brisk pace, though.
Lost Trail (Saturday): http://tinyurl.com/27ekme
Georgetown Lake (Sunday): http://tinyurl.com/293b2k
I’ll be caffeinating at City Brew each morning, so drop me an email if you’re keen. For those of you who decide everything last minute, give me a ring. If I’m not home, the answering machine will happily listen to your life story.
Hope to see some of you there!
Boneshakerbike 
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