Mayo’s father is a pretty amazing photographer. The family gallery’s website is currently unnavigable, but here it is anyway: www.TheVillageGreenGallery.com.

Mayo and her parents came out to Binghamton, NY for the Chris Thater Criterium, as well as our good friends the Noakes, Mayo, and friend/Terry coworker Abby. Nobu took a whole bunch of pictures of the entire day; here’s one that is particularly good since it has so much going on: in the foreground, there’s the five of us in the breakaway going up the hill. On the sidewalk, there’s my entire cheering squad: Abby, Pattie, Mayo, Annie, and David. Notice me going to the back of the line with a big smile on my face, taking it all in!

Mayo is a former quasi employee of the team, so she knows her stuff when it comes to the feed zone. This handoff is particularly smooth and easy.And sadly, here’s the rest of the field that is ramping up the speed that will eventually spell my race winning move’s demise. What a bunch of party poopers.

At lovely Elk Grove and then in Downers Grove, my deft bike handling skills were put to the test and sadly snapped to record two crashes in consecutive weekends. I crash less often than most people and take pride in the fact that my skin remains relatively intact throughout the bike racing season. So the two crashes pretty much stunk. I even wore my new SRAM socks, which I liked to think were going to be my lucky socks. Apparently not. My good luck (err… good skill, rather) returned yesterday in Binghamton, NY for the Chris Thater Criterium. It’s a tougher than average criterium featuring some screaming fast, off camber corners, and a lengthy hill every lap. I started the breakaway of the day which stayed away for 2/3 of the race, but was unfortunately caught with a mere 3 laps to go. Kyle Walmsly rode like a fiend and attacked for the win with a half lap to go; this is especially impressive since he was in the break with me all day. Sheesh, well done.

That’s my first real race update in about 18 months, so I hope it satiated your race report needs.

Peace out.

Hello friends of iamtedking.blogspot.com,

Nothing terribly earth shattering to report. Tour of Elk Grove has come and gone and if racing three consecutive races (two of them abnormally lengthy) on the nearly the exact same course as one another is your type of thing, then come on out to Elk Grove, IL! I don’t mean to be flippantly negative towards this race, but the promoters really need to be open and accepting of riders’ input if they want to hold a race worthwhile. Basically, it was 110 pro cyclists all with their inner monologue saying, “Thisisstupid,thisisstupid,thisisstupid,

thisisstupid,thisisstupid,thisisstupid…” for 48 hours. Whatever.

Robbie and I are now in Milwaukee between races in Chicago marking my second trip to the lovely state of Wisconsin. The beer seems to flow like, well, beer. The highlights include a great stay at our friends Matt and Jen’s house, the food, and a trip to Miller Park for a Brewers game.

That was a particularly good time, although the Brew Crew got pumped. Frankly I’m not a fan of the NL and couldn’t really care less who won or lost. Although I had a good time getting Matt riled up with my editorial comments in regards to the Brewers particularly unskilled play and then watching Robbie (rightfully) flip his lid on this giant toolbag who was throwing sunflower seeds in our general direction.
So it’s off to Downers Grove, IL to contest the US Professional Criterium Championships on Sunday. I don’t pride myself on being a criterium expert, but today’s horoscope lead me to believe that I have something positive coming my way in my line of work that will lead to an increase in pay. Sounds good.