- Bad Idea Racing - HAS LEFT THE BUILDING

Today was the first day of the Winter Short Track Series. The Boy is already mentally committed to doing the series, but I wasn’t to sure about my plan. I decided to ride over to the course early in the day and try my big wheels on the banked and graveled course. I decided to race “casually” and try to have fun. I dressed appropriately for a fun day in the woods. If I suit up in the full scaries I might slip back into race mode and do something stupid (and painful). I ended up sleeping in and leaving late because I was up most of the night listening to the new foster puppy complain about it’s sleeping quarters. It was yelping pretty much every other hour all night long. Sure is cute though.

The Boy’s race was first and he had a decent amount of competition. There were 11 juniors in the 14-18 class, but The Boy was the only one rocking the SS. Unfortunately cool points don’t count towards the final.

The Boy was smart enough to leave the hoodie in the car. It’s hard to get a kid to leave the hoodie behind.

Keeping the wheels on the ground, and moving fast.

The Boy worked it pretty well today and ended up 6th out of 11. Not too shabby. The competition gets better every year. Used to be that his class only had about 3-5 riders.

Conveniently this year my race went off as soon as The Boy finished. He used to go off first thing in the morning and then I would stand around in the cold rain for hours waiting for my race to start. We had a large field of 15 SS’ers, inlcuding a guy who would go out later to crush the expert men, and last year’s overall champ Ross Dowswell.

I was very excited to be lined up right next to “The” Patrick Swayze.

I had to make sure I didn’t have on my X-ray specs. It looked like Mr Swayze was racing in his Underoos.

I decided to go all in at the start and get the hole-shot for good old time’s sake. I sat up as soon as I hit the first turn. It was worth it.

Arleigh was racing in the 93% male single speed class.

I ended up getting a little too into the race. I was back in about 3rd or 4th place when I had to get by one of the super-sport women. I made a rather unsafe pass on a sweeping turn in the woods. It was kind of a reality check. I realized I was giving a shit about an XC race, so I decided to sit up at the top of the climb. It was time to turn off the asshole mode and go back to the business of pissing away $13 in the name of fun.

The Pie saw me backing off the pace, so she screamed “Don’t come home unless you win!” I let her know how I felt about that.

Screwing around beats the pants off giving a shit.

Here’s Swayze rocking it out and looking all “Velonews”. I can see his wiener.

Arleigh needs Twin Six to make her some argyle shoe covers to match her jersey. She can’t be riding around in fifty degree weather with cold feet, for crying out loud.

Mmmmmmmm Skittles bike. Taste the rainbow!!!!

Good Lord! Cylingnews.com really needs to give this guy some coverage. I mean, he looks sooooo Euro it’s just sick.

ALLEZ ALLEZ Monsieur Swayze!!!!!!

Here’s Singletrack Jack Crouch, the Godfather of Mountain Biking in Charlotte, NC.

Here’s Drew “The Great Pumpkin” Hager working his way up the final climb. Drew’s representing Lucky Cycles in fine fashion. Thanks for the “I Love PBR” patch I found on my stem.

What are you smiling at you piece of poop? Oh yeah, the race is over, and you don’t have to do anymore. Sweet.

A big thanks to The Pie and The Boy for snagging some photos.

All yinz in the photos can click on ‘em and get the big versions so you can print them off and make big vanity posters for your personal shrines.

Late edit:  Just in case you’re keeping score at home The Boy and I are both children of Zion.