Putah Creek TT

Tonight I rode the Putah Creek TT, or Putah Creek Smack Down as it is alternately named. I was lucky enough to ride this for the first time on a day with a ridiculous headwind! I managed a 28:23 for the 10 mile course, even after having on of my aero bars come loose and rotated down while I was down on it about mile 3. I was very fortunate not to crash when that happened. When I got back to the car I found out my little buddy Braeton is on His way to Children's Hospital there in Texas for an emergency MRI because the numbness in his leg and hip is spreading, and is all the way to his mouth! I will be praying for Braeton, and we will be looking into making some Riding for Braeton bracelets for people who want to ride in support of a young man who can't ride a bike, but has more can do attitude that most people who do.

Riding for Braeton update

Still thinking of the greatest athlete in Texas this morning, and no, it's not Lance Armstrong. My little buddy Braeton in Texas is having more problems. He is still dragging his leg, and now they think it may be a neurological problem. I am keeping him in my prayers, and every time I throw a leg over the bike I'm Riding for Braeton. He never gives up, and he told another kid a while back that"It's ok that I can't ride a bike, Mr. Scotty rides for me!" Braeton, you are ten tons of inspiration in one person. I need to get out today and do another ride for you. Keep going forward, only look back to see how far you've come.

Rockville TT, New Personal Best Time!

Today I was planning on trying out the time trial bike for the first time in a time trial. I was getting ready when I saw that my #1 fan, (and my personal hero) Braeton had fallen and hurt himself. He was hurting, with his legs and tail bone both numb and burning. Ouch. I decided I would shoot for a personal best time tonight and dedicate it to my buddy Braeton. My previous best time was 51:59, not a great time, but the fastest I'd done this course before. As I arrived at the start I could see the trees swaying in the breeze and I knew this one was going to hurt. I decided to shoot for 51 minutes flat. I hammered out of the gate hard, passing my 1 minute man (they have a staggered start where one rider leaves every minute), 3 minutes out of the gate. Uh oh, I think I'm starting out to hard. I don't know if I can sustain this pace with this wind. After 8 miles, my body was trying to tell me to stop, slow down, just stop hurting myself. I looked down at my RoadID bracelet and the last line on it reads Ride For Braeton. That's what I did. I shifted to a harder gear and got back to business. I calculated in my head (not an easy accomplishment when you're in oxygen debt), that I might even beat 50 minutes. Shift again. Think aero. Look up. Head tucked into shoulders. Elbows in. DRIVEON! I could feel it. I knew I could do it. Then when I could see the finish line I glanced down again. WHAT?! That can't be right? Can it? After I passed the finish line I rolled over to the van and thrust my fist in the air. I did it for Braeton! When I went back and got my official time it was 44:52, over 7 minutes faster! It's amazing what you can do when inspired. Thank you, Braeton, for inspiring me day after day. June 6th I race for you again!