Hi everyone,

For those of you who dont know, I`m not at cornell, duh. I am in sunny
Gunnison, CO, so I have the advantage of spying on your rocky mtn
competition for you. I took advantage of this to antagonize Ft Lewis at
their home race weekend. Sadly, I was relegated to the Pro-3 race rather
than collegiate A`s, but there was enough wearing of the Cornell kit to
be noticed. I skipped the TTT in the morning and instead focused on the
Hill Climb and RR.

Being that I was in the Pro-3, I was happy that the team of me myself and
I skipped the TTT. Reason being...a team I will refer to as "durango
all-stars" decided to come out and lay down a whooping that will not be
seen again until the cornell ttt`s at eastern`s. This team consisted of
Tom Danielson, Chris Wherry, Mike Creed, and I believe Tony Colby.
Needless to say, no one was close and I don`t think any of the four got
their HR`s over 155. I roll up to the registration and am greeted with
the fact that I am the only 3 in the field and this dynamic foursome is
also signed up for the RR.

On to the HC. While a 30k tt seemed to fit into said all-stars training
ride, the HC did not. This became a race between me and local home-boys
Rocky Mtn Choc Factory. I mananged to upset their plans for a sweep of
the podium by taking 3rd place with a time that would`ve have won
Collegiate A`s. All in Cornell kit I might add. It is worth noting that
the RMCF rider I knocked into 4th place happened to be my minute man, Ned
Overend.

Finally, the RR. Disappointingly, none of the hometown allstars decided
to butcher the field on their home turf. Instead, it turned out to be a
battle between me and a full 9 man RMCF team. In a 9 lap race up around
the campus and down for about 60 miles, seems pretty straightforward.
Until you see the climb into Ft Lewis campus. The only thing I can think
of to compare it to is 1.5 miles of the bottom section of Kline Hill as
you come up from lake, i think.

The first 2 laps were pretty tranquil, I sat in comfortable and struck up
a conversation with Ned. at lap 3, the fireworks began. RMCF used their
strength of numbers to send out sucide riders that pulled off after they
finished their job. Unfortunately, myself being young and stupid got
suckered by one of these riders right before the start of the 5th lap. As
we hit the climb for the 4th time, the RMCF rider who was 2nd in the HC
launched an attack leading into the steepest section. I made the mistake
of thinking that because he was one of the stronger riders, this might
stick, and I would not have the 6 other RMCF riders chasing me down. I
guessed wrong, I barely hold his wheel until it starts flattening out.
Suddenly, he pulls into the feedzone and I am left gasping for air as the
next teammate in line takes over for the poor health-fx rider who tried to
chase us and launches another suicide attack. I almost get back on, but
after my effort on the steeper sections, i just dont have the gas to stick
myself to the group. I watch them hover at about 5 to 10 seconds for
about a 1/4 of a lap, before 2 more counter attacks go off and I am stuck
by my 1sy. Just to give you an idea of what I mean by suicide attack, i
was doing around 27 down the back stretch watching them hover in front of
me, people really haul ass when its their last lap. After about 1.5 laps,
I am caught by what is left of the field. It is now a leading group of 6
and my caboose of 8. We work well, no one really has aspirations of
catching back on, being that there are still 2 RMCF riders policing this
group, but the Health-FX rider decides he needs some exercise, and for the
next 2 laps, at the flatter section where the split has been made,
launches an absolutely nausaeting attack. When asked why he did it, he
responded, "i wanted to see if I could make myself puke." to each there
own. Coming into the hill for 1 lap to go, I miscalculate in my head and
think its the last lap. This was amplified by the fact a RMCF rider
decides he wants to attack on the hill. I cover his attack, but when I
catch him, he tell me he`s cooked and sits up. I know have 15 secs on my
chase group, and being that I think its the last lap, i proceed to
increase the amount of space between us. I really didnt want to sprint
against the health-fx guy, or risk being unhinged on the false flat again.
I thought if I had space I could at least sit up and let them come up and
then contest the sprint. Ironically, I get to the feed zone and realize
its 1 lap to go. On the bright side, I`m up to 30 secs. So, TTT time.
me myself and I go for broke and finish in 7th place 47 secs ahead of the
chasers.

So, to everyone out there, if your not going to be smart, uve gotta be
strong, and I`m not quite that strong.

OH YEA, in case you were wondering. I cant think of a race ft lewis didnt
sweep. They fielded 18 men`s A riders and had everyone else ready to cry.
Needless to say, they swept the men`s A podium as well as the B 1 and 2.
I don`t know if it makes you feel any better, but its the truth. Bring
your A games, and get ready for some fun.

And I need to thank ryan for salvaging my trash talking efforts with a
strong performance after getting beat by a rider in PINK kit. I was
worried at the hill climb, what was I going to say, you`re screwed because
ur kit isnt pink. Thats the only color ryan looses to because its
pretty???

Anyway, Sorry about the long report, If you got this far, good job. Im
pulling for everyone at Easterns. Keep the rubber side down.

-Rickey