Today's post was going to be awesome, you see, as yesterday we had an awesome gravel grinderI mean, you know, on an awesome scale of 1-10 I'm pretty sure we dialed it up to 11. Great group, laughs, toughness of wind and hills and 30 psi tires and first metric of the year.. yeah. 11. But that has to wait until tomorrow, or maybe the next day.
Above, it's hard to tell, is a Turdus Tire. See the smooth surface? It's not supposed to be like that. And the cracking/peeling? Not supposed to be like that either. It's supposed to have tread, lots of it, but that apparently isn't on the books today. That all really doesn't matter, what does matter is that it sealed the deal: I'm pulling out of the Dirty Kanza 200.
That was really hard to type.
Truth be told I'd basically made my mind up last night. As a family, we've gotten hit pretty hard lately with stuff in the "unexpected expenses" category. Van decided it no longer liked it's transmission about a month ago. Unexpected trip well out of town for my wife. Now, of course, this.
It's a real letdown on more levels than one, espescially considering yesterday really went dang well. I'm going to make something of it, definitely will get a nice gravel grinder in that day, and definitely am still in for GLGA.
It's also a real letdown knowing how many people were looking - from the outside - at this. To the Kansas Guys, commenters on this blog, Cycle Works guys, and all those who send support: Thank You. I'm not done cycling, this event just isn't in the works. My wife and I have already begun thinking/planning for Dk200/2010 but we'll see what happens in January.
Also, if you know someone who'd like a DK spot, I'm giving mine up for free*.
The asterisk means: 1.) you gotta actually ride it, 2.) You can't be a douchebag, and 3.) You gotta smile during it. If you, or someone you know fits these criteria and wants to ride Kanza, shoot an email to bdinger at gmail.com, and I'll somehow pass it on to the race folks. I also have a hotel reservation I'm going to cancel this week, unless someone wants it - it's on the inside of the Guesthouse Inn (Where DK is starting) - but you gotta pay for your own room, amigo.
Really, I hope there's some lemonade to be made here, and I know there is, I just gotta work to find it.
8 comments:
Bummer about not doing the "DK". Keep on bikin', though and you'll be in fantastic shape for next year.
Hang in there. Things have to get better soon! Shoot for next year.
Sorry to hear it son, but makes sense.
Next year, it's on.
That sucks, but in the big picture it's just a small rut in the road.
Since you have a lemon: Take advantage of your furlough and do your own epic ride. Good luck!
That really stinks but some things just have to take precedence over cycling. Darn it!
Disappointing. Been following your blog for going on a year and can guess this one's bitter in the mouth. Sorry.
Hey Ben -- Sorry to hear you won't be making it down to the Kanza this year. I'm actually not going to make it down either, as I'll be at JP and Frankie's wedding.
Hope to be able to roll with ya' soon.
Cheers,
MG
You were also home for your son's birthday that weekend (you didn't mention that was a big part of it), which turned out to be a great time and very special to him. Thank you for that.
We love you very much and are so proud of you!
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