Indecisive Regrets???

The Tour de Leelanau has by far been my favorite event Michigan has to offer for the past two years. After finding out that the event was becoming a stop on the USA Cycling ProTour for 2007, I was a bit skeptical whether or not I was ever going to be able to race the event again. I spent most of the season assuming I would be watching from the sidelines. However, after receiving an invite just weeks before the event, I somewhat reluctantly accepted. Just days after my acceptance (and $90 for a UCI upgrade later), I was informed that it was the same day as my High School ten-year reunion. This was a day I always looked forward to. I very much valued my education at Lutheran High School North and feel it was an integral part in shaping the person I have become today. Don't get me wrong, I am not some dude trying to relive his glory days of when he could throw a football a 1/4 mile. However, I had made many lasting bonds that although I may not frequently associate with, still have many roots with that run deep.

So do I regret my decision to race Leelanau? I will let you know on Monday.

Undercover Runner

After several weeks of training for the big day I get to pop my marathon cherry I have learned a few things.
1. At first, when I started my training as soon as I would begin my runs I would perseverate on when my run would end and I could stop running.
2. Eventually running became tolerable and then I was simply bored.
3. As my fitness progressed I found that running was a great time to plan out my life (i.e. short term goals, long term goals, what I would eat for dinner, what I would wear to work the next day, etc.). In essence, I found a cure for boredom. However, I still questioned why anyone would run when you could ride a bike.

I found myself constantly comparing the two sports. All the while, I stuck to my grounds of “not being a runner”…I ride a bike, not run. However, I began to view myself as sort of undercover endurance runner. I sought after training tips as if I was a running anthropologist living amongst tribal jogging junkies.

After weeks of logging miles and studying this two-legged culture, I have come to the following conclusions:

1. Endurance running is merely training yourself to physically and mentally endure an annoying level of discomfort. Similar to blocking out the noise of a crying baby or a persistent clicking pen cap. The days I manage to escape this annoyance and block it out, I am locked in and in the zone, I feel the rhythm.
2. Bike racing, on the other hand, is a game of offensive and defensive moves. At times the rhythmic, effortless, fluid pedal cadence can make you feel one with the road and with your machine; enhancing your comfort.
However, at times the suffering I endure on a bike is like nothing short of child birth (so I’ve heard). It’s the up and downs that appeal to me.
3. Many times, during a bike race, I have been shoved face first with an atomic wedgie into the pain locker. So far in my running experiences, I have never even entered the room the pain locker is kept. I have simply stood outside the door blocking out a crying baby, some nails on a chalkboard, a siren in the distance, and an alarm clock that won’t go off.

The unfortunate side of all of this is that I have a bad case of “cycling burn out”. It seems this plague has struck harder than any other end of the season. Currently, I am most excited about the marathon and the extremely mediocre result I plan on posting rather than the Tour de Leelenau, a UCI Pro Cycling event. Rest easy, winter months coupled with the W.R.C.S. are proven medicines for this tragic illness.

I wish I could teach you…I really do!

Ever since I can remember I have had jonz in my bonz! I really do wish I could teach the world the moves the good Lord blessed me with. But unfortunately…you can’t teach what I got. Kid n Play quicksteppin…roger rabbit…da wop…running man…the list goes on.

The Last Hoorah!

Driven by anxiety of work return, I ventured up to Marquette, MI this weekend for the union of arguably the best kickball couple since Patches O’hullihan and Kate Veatch.

The ride up was pleasant…good views…good roads…and great pasties (I ate two within the first hour of crossing the bridge)!


When we finally arrived we were greeted by a family bar-b-que in progress with a kickball game to follow. This was quite fun but the real excitement began at Flannigan’s; Marquette’s premier Karaoke bar. This place was chalked full of Slack Jawed Marquette Local Yokels who piled into the hole in the wall once a week with dreams and aspirations of “getting discovered”.

I was fortunate enough to make some bride to be’s night. After consuming four beverages that rhymed with bager jombs…a full figured cast of bachelorette partiers (not affiliated with our party) piled in. Perhaps it was my lean physique, or my clean cut city look, or just the glimmer in my eye but as soon as this party walked in, one of the bride’s entourage became infatuated with the idea of me “making the brides night” by singing Marvin Gaye’s acclaimed hit “Let’s get it on” while I danced with her on stage. After getting Angela’s consent, I agreed to the proposal for the colossal fee of $17. I will let the pictures do the talking of where it went from there.




Shortly after the exhibition of provocative moves in the rawest form, my cousin and I kicked it VIP style as shots rang out like a bell and we busted out the best rendition of Ice Ice Baby Marquette had ever seen!


Angela even made a friend and won the fancy of a Marquette local!



In an effort to get further in touch with the roots of The Brother’s Chase, we had arranged to stay with the lovely Chase family Friday night. Shortly after stumbling into our accommodations around 3:30 am, I received a text message from Topher Chase himself reading: Riding at 9:00am…100 miles…be there.

The alarm seemed as if it had rang as soon as my head had hit the pillow. I clumsily arose and threw on some lycra and rolled out the door with nothing but my barley juice from the previous night as ride fuel. As I pedaled I knew this ride would not be pretty unless I got some kind of fuel in me…if not for fuel, at least to absorb some of last night’s liquids.

Although the first hour of the five hour ride was pure misery, the trip ended up being very scenic, detoxifying, and beautiful. Topher was a great guide and thankfully maintained a gentle pace as I rode my previous evenings toxins out.

That night we attended the wedding of Shannon Gleesing and Brian Bonsall. Their love was spawned on the kickball diamonds of Oak Park two years ago and had proven to be as strong as Bonsall’s throw from third to first. The ceremony was great…the reception was even better…and the DJ even gave me the Mic for a few songs to have another crack at some Karaoke.

We left the hall at 3:00 in the morning with a serious yearning for a Fourth Meal at good ole T-Bell.

The next morning we arose, drove back to the D and ate more pasties. After a double feature at the Stein Theatre, I settled into bed excited to race the Rock City Crit the next day.

Cadieux/Rock City Criterium Race Report.

I’m not sure what happened? I just remember kissing the pavement early, the blur of Paul Martin and a battle of epic proportions. Although I did not win or even post a decent result, I had the largest cheering squad containing Angela’s Mom and Dad, Grandma, and three kickball teammates. Next time I have such a crowd, I will try and keep the rubber side downn and ride faster. Can you guess what battered body part is pictured?

Sky Rockets in Flight…It was not the Sprinters Delight!

Congrats to Tom Markley of the WSC for snagging a well deserved win last week at Ciaciaro and finally ending the “The Sprinter’s Domination”. Tom snuck away early, resulting in a lapping of the field. Just before the end of the race he again had at it and the field watched unaware that he was a lap up as he rode away again to victory.

A Looooong Weekend: The Last Hoorah!

Reports to soon follow. Highlights include my first sexy dance for monetary compensation...100 miles of beauty...gratuitous pastie consumption...the marriage of two beautiful kickballers...a late night fourth meal...and a bike crash. Stay tuned for details.