Saturday, September 13, 2008

For your cinematic enjoyment.

After weeks of frustration trying to find a way to get this movie to upload, I have finally done it...I hope you enjoy. I apologize for the significant reduction in quality from the HD version...it's the only way I could get it to upload.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

The Denouement: The End of the Beginning…

I’m finding that when you set a monumental goal and achieve it, it is a bit tough to move on from that point. If you don’t achieve the goal at least you can ask yourself what you can do to change the outcome in the future and then begin working on those preparations immediately. Essentially, your failure can serve as a catalyst for future efforts. However, when you achieve what you presumed as unachievable and the elation fades with time, you are left asking, “what’s next”?

I had conceded weeks back that after the 24hr race I most likely would not be able to race many road races for the rest of the year. That was a sacrifice I was willing to make in order to attempt this feat. However, although I am definitely not firing on all cylinders yet, I have been recovering faster than I planned.

As a result, I decided to make this past week the denouement or conclusion if you will for my season. Sure there will be a few races from here on out (perhaps dust of the cyclocross legs, and Iceman) but these events are more notoriously noted for their propensity for over consumption of cider, little donuts, and of course…the almighty, all healing, always fun and tasty loud mouth oat soda cowboy elixir.

Frankly since I’ve gone back to work I have been a bit tired and lackadaisical, so allow me to entertain you with the cliff notes version of last week; free from rich and expressive literary ramblings.

Finkelstein wins the Nation’s Longest Stage Race:

Yes, it’s true folks…after a hard fought battle beginning in January I have toppled my competition and deservingly won the first ever annual 10,000 mile challenge. It was Wednesday at 7:38 when I rolled my ten thousandth mile of the year in the pouring rain and thus receiving my crown and this prestigious award.

Bon Voyage Waterford:
Thursday marked the final Waterford training series race. In true DK form he snagged the final win at Waterford earning him the title of the most Winn ingest and celebrated Jew on two wheels at Waterford for the 2008 season…hat’s off Daniel!!! I myself took 5th after being chased down by a fellow WSC team mate, who will remain nameless, on the second from last lap.




Priority Health Cycling Classic:
This cobble stoned, rattle your brains course served as an excellent venue for none other than the WSC’s finest and loyal member John Coyle to snag his first ever “Who Cares? I’m Flying Award”. Sure the guy has a silver Olympic medal stashed away somewhere in his abode but everyone knows you haven’t hit the big time until you are honored with the W.C.I.F. award. John sat in the Cat. 2/3 race hidden like a stealth ninja ready to attack his adversaries and at the most optimal moment unleashed the fury snagging the field sprint and a well-played victory. In a virtual repeat performance, John hoped right into the Master’s race immediately following the 2/3 and grabbed up another podium spot at 2nd. Let’s all raise our camera equipped helmets to John; he is this week’s recipient of the prestigious W.C.I.F. award.

*It is also worth noting that Mr. Coyle forgot about the time change for the Windy City to Grand Rapids and was literally being pinned on the line after mad scramble to get ready in time.

“I really can only go fast on my bike for about 5-6 seconds…so I have to be very calculated as to when I choose to do that”
-John Coyle

The highlight of my day: Having John Coyle, a man who achieved what I regard as being unfathomable (winning an Olympic medal) ask me about my 24hr race in astonishment and comment, “I can barely finish a 2hr race…I could NEVER fathom doing what you did”.



A return to the careless wonderment of college keggers:
Angela and I headed out early Saturday evening to stay with some friends in Ann Arbor and prepare for the Ann Arbor Priority Health Cycling Classic the following day. I remember sushi…a martini…shots of sake…a walk across U of M’s campus to observe young adolescents having the time of their life, and finally landing at Angela’s cousin Bobby’s house for a raging keg party that offered much diversity!

The next morning I awoke to rain and was excuse fishing to not buck up and throw my leg over my skinny tired bike for one last race. We headed out to Angelo’s restaurant for a gorging and I conceded to simply watch the race for the day after coming to the realization that my lolly gagging had caused me to arrive at the race too late anyway. However, after being informed that the race was running behind 15 minutes, I suited up and rolled to the line with absolutely no awareness of the course and approximately 0.3 miles of warm up. The impulsiveness was actually a bit refreshing I must admit. After hanging in for a half an hour and praising God that my obnoxiously large breakfast remained in my stomach, a cash prime was called of which I snagged. From there on out, my seat post slipped down about three inches and I sat up calling it a day and a season.


So is the end of the beginning? What's next?