Gateway Cup Part Two Finale

So today concluded the 2006 Gateway Cup in St. Louis. It was a kick ass weekend to say the least. I thrashed myself in every way possible with the exception of losing skin. I am extremely grateful that didn't happen. To go through four races in four days of extreme efforts and being exhausted and not laying it down is something to say for myself and everyone else I think. There were a few crashes in almost every race every day, which is a bummer, but I've been there and am not looking forward to going back.

I improved on my results everyday, which was nice, but I never did crack the top 20. I totally thought I was ready for this onslaught everyday, but I wasn't quite. A few weeks ago I raced the state championship crit in Jefferson City and practically controlled a lazy field at low average speeds. It was mostly just boring to tell the truth. Not the case at Gateway. People came from California, Germany, Holland, Texas, New York and other midwestern states to do the 3's! It was amazing. The german dudes kicked total ass, but the 3's were mostly dominated by Carlitos Jones, of Team Gateway, who won 2/4 races and took second and fifth in the other two. His sprint is pretty nice, but I imagine he'll have a difficult time next year in the 1's and 2's races. We'll see, but good luck to him. Super nice guy. Always smiling, which says something about a person if you ask me.

Anyways, here is me today on the Delmar circuit. I was absolutely toast from the start to the finish from four days of consecutive fast racing. I think the first night we averaged 28.5 mph, the second night about 28.7, the third day around 25 and today around 26.6. The tour of the hill was crazy as hell because of the long 4 block drag uphill (THE hill) and left tons of dudes begging for their mommies.

Last night there was a party for the premiere of the tour de donut, starring Gateway Organizer Tim Ranek, who is almost MIzzou Alum. I think Tim had something to do with starting the Mizzou team along with matt smith and josh johnson, but I'm probably mistaken about that because I think it was actualy founded in the mid 80's, maybe by Ethan. Hmm.....someone clarify this.

So, overall fun weekend, tour de donut movie is funny as hell, and i'm sitting here in my room and i'm not planning on moving anytime soon. Later.