Here we go again

I've Been Lifting Weights This Off-Season

A LOT!!!

Overdue Foto Dump

Well I'll Be...

A buddy of mine is into hunting. Down here in MS that is the BIG thing to do.

Anyway - a member of his club shot a wild boar...and then noticed a baby. Knowing that members of the pig family are easily domesticated and just as easily released back into the wild - reverting very quickly to their natural ways - he decided to raise the baby so it would survive.

Presumably to then be shot.

Alanis Morrissette wrote a song about that.

Good story.

Calgon....we need you

Baby girl's teeth are coming in and while we'd like to have some of the above...we're actually getting...

Season Wrap-Up

Well, I was tied for first place in the regional series going into the finale - The McGee Lungbuster at my home trails. 8 mile loop with ~780ft. of climbing per lap. This is a bit deceiving as all but about 100ft. are slammed into 3 brutal climbs that all come between miles 3 and 5. This is hands down my favorite trail of the series. Brutal rocky uphill switchbacks, the infamous log bridge, berms aplenty, tight and twisty.

The series is made up of 7 races - 6 count toward your final point total. The guy I was tied with had beat me in soundly in 4 of the first 5 races: first race of the year I had a major mechanical issue, but ran 4 miles back to the staging area to repair it and complete the race - good for 54 points since I didn't DNF (did not finish). Going into the 6th race of the year I was 12 points down and, presumably, all but eliminated from contention. However, in the 6th race, 1st place man had a mechanical and decided to DNF rather than run it out. Major point swing - I earned 56 points that race and he only got 2. 54 point swing right? Not exactly - remember we have one race that doesn't count. This 2 point effort was his 'drop' race and the one race I missed - Attack on Swayback - 0 points - was my drop race. The only egg my competition laid all year? The Attack on Swayback - he earned 44 points. 56-44 = 12 = all square baby! The DNF really hurt him.

I heard through the grapevine that my compo came to try out our trails the weekend before the race was to take place...and broke his steel frame!! Can you say panic time?!

So - going into the finale I had these things going for me (which were nice):

1. Momentum - getting caught is demoralizing

2. He was going to be on a new bike - takes a bit of getting used to

3. These were my trails & I know them very well - no blind turns for me

4. I'm McWeSSon!! Suckas can't see me or be me!

We had a TT (time trial) scheduled for Saturday and I knew my compo would decline to participate thinking that the effort might hurt him the next day...I was right. I, however, ultimately, am just looking to have fun - and what could be more fun than a max effort, lactic acid accumulating 12min and 23sec effort 18 hours before the biggest race of my life?

Following the TT I spotted the comp and had to go check out his new ride, assess his mindset, and mark him with my mojo...

Oh yeah - he sensed it.

Awesome evening ensued - Popi and KK were in town and staying with us, Johnny DiVola crashed as well. The pasta dinner was PERFECT! The bike was running well. I got a decent night's rest. KR and Lolly played it cool but I could tell that they were ready for me to bring it home.

Race day dawned COLD! Got to the venue with a couple hours to spare, found a sunny spot, and chilled for a bit.

Slowly got prepped, did a little warmup with B-Rad A., B-Rad C., DiVola, and Jo-Jo Dancer...feeling good...ish.

9 people showed up for the SS race - excellent - biggest regional field of the year for me. The start...well, at least I was on the singletrack.

Hit the woods about 7th place...genetics...what can you do? Fast twitch muscle fibres for Christmas please.

Johnny Compo was is 5th and I had him marked...as he moved around folks I followed and right about here:

I buried myself to close what had become a 60 second, or so, gap. The remaining 3 miles of the first lap was the TT course from the day before and I let'er rip...closing to within about 1 second as we came out of the woods for the 30mph downhill leading to the start of the 2nd lap.

Now, we had made eye contact no less than 10 times in that last section...he knew I was there...and, yet, he pulled off the trail and flipped his bike upside down.

I did the only gentlemanly thing I could...and attacked like CRAZY!! Now was carrot time!

He was back on pretty quick as I had him at about 15 secs back 1 mile into the second lap. But he wasn't gonna catch me. I nailed all the brutal climbs. Can you say flying? Hell, I even allowed myself some fun...catching air on this super whoop-dee-do:

With about 4 miles to go in the 2nd (and last) lap I bridged up to 2nd place...and he immediately attacked me...no can do for me...couldn't match the effort.

Wound up 3rd place in the race - crazy that cousin Jeff got first...I didn't realize he raced?!

1st overall in the State Championship:

1st in the Region: (does 2nd look a bit dejected? Throw those arms up!)

And, due to a very strong showing by the Mobile Velo squad at the finale, Indian Cycle/Malt Racing lost the overall team comp on the final day. We weren't upset about it...

Next up - the 24 Hours of Clear Springs this weekend - 24 hours, 4 man relay - last year we won and did ~240 miles. This year should be no different.

After that, a long off-season and some quality time with KR who has teeth!! She is growing up FAST! Can't wait for each new day...always brings something new and exciting. She is my BABY GIRL!!

GOOD GRIEF!!

FIRST CONTEST!!

I've said it before and it bears repeating: The McWessons are always on the g-o.

Can't stop. Won't Stop. Un-uh! Un-uh!

So, ever onward, we march toward a new weekend. It's why we do what we do.

Everybody's working for the weekend!

This weekend should be epic. Popi and KK are coming to visit.

It's a family affair-air.

Foods will be consumed.

A t-bone steak, cheese eggs, and Welch's grape.

Titles are on the line.

Facing up to the challenge of our rival.

There is an MTB Festival for our final series race. Friends will be there & family too.

Tonight we gonna party like it's 1999.

Kate Ridley will experience her first race day activities.

Jimmy was a racecar driver.

And when all is said and done we'll sleep the sleep of champions.

Exit light...enter night...take my hand...off to never-never land.

***************************

First person to correctly identify all my musical references (artist and song) gets a prize. Leave your answers in the comments section.

Alliteration Anyone?

Fun, Football, Fishing, Family, Friends, Friday...

The fam is taking a break from all things mandatory this weekend and heading up to the Veg for the MSU-Vandy game. Awjeah! Vandy has a chance to become bowl eligible for the first time since 1982. With 7 games left to play. While I'm optimistic - nothing surprises me with the 'Dores.
I plan on wetting a line a little bit as well. Bought myself a rod and spinning reel about a month ago and have only had one chance to use it. Should be nice.
The fam is excited about meeting up with the Chandizzles from GA. Should be good times with KR maintaining the center of attention she so rightly deserves.
Friday? Thank goodness!

Shakespeare Schmakespeare!

One of the funniest things I have ever read:


BUFFALO GAP CHILI COOK OFF............... If you can read this whole story without laughing, then there's no hope for you. I was crying by the end. This is an actual account as relayed to paramedics at a chili cook-off in Buffalo Gap, TX.
Note: Please take time to read this slowly. If you pay attention to the first two judges, the reaction of the third judge is even better. For those of you who have lived in West Texas , you know how true this is.
They actually have a Chili Cook-off about the time Halloween comes around. It takes up a major portion of a parking lot at the Old Settlers Reunion Grounds. Judge #3 was an inexperienced Chili taster named Frank, who was visiting from Springfield , IL .
Frank: 'Recently, I was honored to be selected as a judge at a Chilicook-off. The original person called in sick at the last moment and I happened to be standing there at the judge's table, asking for directions to the Coors Light truck, when the call came in. I was assured by the other two judges (Native Texans) that the chili wouldn't be all that spicy; and, besides, they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I accepted and became Judge 3.'
Here are the scorecard notes from the event:
CHILI # 1 - MIKE'S MANIAC MONSTER CHILI Judge # 1 -- A little too heavy on the tomato. Amusing kick. Judge # 2 -- Nice, smooth tomato flavor. Very mild. Judge # 3 (Frank) -- Holy crap, what the hell is this stuff? You could remove dried paint from your driveway. Took me two beers to put the flames out. I hope that's the worst one. These Texans are crazy.
CHILI # 2 - EL RANCHO'S AFTERBURNER CHILI Judge # 1 -- Smoky, with a hint of pork .. Slight jala peno tang. Judge # 2 -- Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be takenseriously. Judge # 3 -- Keep this out of the reach of children. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people who wanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver. They had to rush in more beer when they saw the look on my face.
CHILI # 3 - ALFREDO'S FAMOUS BURN DOWN THE BARN CHILIJudge # 1 -- Excellent firehouse Chili. Great kick. Judge # 2 -- A bit salty, good use of peppers. Judge # 3 -- Call the EPA. I've located a uranium spill. My nose feels like I have been snorting Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now. Get me more beer before I ignite. Barmaid pounded me on the back, now my backbone is in the front part of my chest. I'm getting sh*t-faced from all of the beer. CHILI # 4 - BUBBA'S BLACK MAGIC Judge # 1 -- Black bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing. Judge # 2 -- Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or other mild foods, not much of a chili. Judge # 3 -- I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to taste it. Is it possible to burn out taste buds? Sally, the beer maid, was standing behind me with fresh refills. This 300 lb. woman is starting to look HOT .. just like this nuclear waste I'm eating! Is chili an aphrodisiac?
CHILI # 5 - LISA'S LEGAL LIP RE MOVER Judge # 1 -- Meaty, strong chili. Jalapeno peppers freshly ground, adding considerable kick. Very impressive. Judge # 2 -- Chili using shredded beef, could use more tomato. Must admit the jalapeno peppers make a strong statement. Judge # 3 -- My ears are ringing, sweat is pouring off my forehead and I can no longer focus my eyes. I farted, and four people behind me needed paramedics. The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chili had given me brain damage. Sally saved my tongue from bleeding by pouring beer directly on it from the pitcher. I wonder if I'm burning my lips off. It really ticks me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming. Screw them.
CHILI # 6 - VARGA'S VERY VEGETARIAN VARIETY Judge # 1 -- Thin yet bold vegetarian variety chili. Good balance of spices and peppers. Judge # 2 -- The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, garlic. Superb. Judge # 3 -- My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous, sulfuric flames. I crapped on myself when I farted, and I'm worried it will eat through the chair. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except that Sally. Can't feel my lips anymore. I need to wipe my buttwith a snow cone.
CHILI # 7 - SUSAN'S SCREAMING SENSATION CHILI Judge # 1 -- A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers. Judge # 2 -- Ho hum, tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of chili peppers at the last moment. **I should take note that I am worried about judge number 3. He appears to be in a bit of distress as he is cursing uncontrollably. Judge # 3 -- You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I wouldn't feel a thing. I've lost sight in one eye, and the world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with chili, which slid unnoticed out of my mouth. My pants are full of lava to match my shirt. At least during the autopsy, they'll know what killed me. I've decided to stop breathing. It's too painful. Screw it; I'm not getting any oxygen anyway. If I need air, I'll just suck it in through the 4-inch hole in my stomach.
CHILI # 8 - BIG TOM'S TOENAIL CURLING CHILIJudge # 1 -- The perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili. Not too bold but spicy enough to declare its existence. Judge # 2 -- This final entry is a good, balanced chili. Neither mild nor hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge #3 farted, passed out, fell over and pulled the chili pot down on top of himself. Not sure if he's going to make it. Poor feller, wonder how he'd have reacted to really hot chili? Judge # 3 - No Report

So Many Pics!!!