Is it easier to complain than to rejoice?
Is it easier to be critical than to praise?
Is it easier to put someone down than to build them up?
Is it easier to frown than to smile?
Is it easier to be grumpy than to be cheerful?
::SAdamson
Monthly Archive for September, 2009
The fan cards are being printed as we speak! Finally…
It took me a while to figure out which design I liked best and then it took me even longer to figure out where to get the printed for the best price. I settled on Fast Track Signs in Edmonton. Support local, right.
Get your signed copy! Join the Shaun Adamson Supporters Club! While you’re there, become a $100 member, get a t-shirt! You’ll be helping my season and supporting the Stollery Children’s Hospital!
On another note… Thanks again to Cory and all the United Cycle gang for doing another great race last night. It was a little shorter course, but with lots of great sections. I ended up rolling in third behind Dave and Paul. Not too bad…
Speaking of United Cycle, check out the Grand Opening Sale, starting today!
::SAdamson
What are you doing? What do you want to be doing? What are you working towards?
Are you happy? Do you make other people happy?
Do you enjoy what you’re doing?
What are your priorities? What do you focus on?
Are you enjoying the journey? Do you suffer?
Does the end justify any means?
::SAdamson
I had the brilliant thought that after I got home from Seattle that this week would be a little less hectic…
I guess it started off that way. I felt caught up in anatomy. I wasn’t rushing to build any bikes or glue any tires. I had some good sleeps. But then I realized that I had a paper due this week that I had no idea what I was doing. I had some more bike stuff to do. I wasted most of my Friday. Then I raced both days…
Oops.
But I was ready to race the School of Cross. Aaron had put together a really wicked hard course in Royal Gardens. Thanks to him and Kyle for putting that race together and for all the volunteers! Unfortunately I crashed about 4 times and I couldn’t hold too many wheels. A bobble on the last lap put Kris Dahl in front of me and I couldn’t close it, so I rolled in for 7th.
I was feeling a little better about today and had a solid warmup. The course had a little more pedalling today and more sweeping corners. Another solid course. Thanks Hardcore! I had another good start, putting myself in second wheel. I knew drafting may come into play with the wind out there today. I rode most of the day just dangling on the back of the lead group. It seemed to work pretty well, but I finally got gapped for good on the second last lap. Then I rode hard, trying to hold off P Tich. It just worked! So I hung on for 5th. Not the worst race I’ve ever done…
Thanks to everybody that has helped me get where I’m going. I owe you more than anyone can repay!
And it was good to see J Sparls and Spencer out for a little late-season cross action!
::SAdamson
With a bunch of rain yesterday, the course was looking pretty awesome. We got there in good time, rode the course. I was getting pretty excited. Got to see some people I haven’t seen in a while. Got to see Mike and Carrie. Everything was good.
I started my warmup and felt a little rough, but after a couple efforts I was doing better. Then the rain started to fall. Hmmm…
I couldn’t really see in the dark, but I got to the line with lots of time. Not luck I needed it with a call #69 call up!!! What the heck is that all about?!?!? I just needed to be 2 places better at nationals last year… but life does go on.
I still managed a good start. I felt like I was passing people for the whole first lap almost. I started to settle in. Then I slipped a couple times. I pitted to get my rhynos. Thanks Brad and Norm and everybody else!!
After that I felt like I could ride so much better than everybody else in my group. I was battling with a couple guys on either end. But then I started to slip a couple more times. I have scrapes on my right elbow, knee, and hip, and my left knee is pretty sore.
I just kept pushing as hard as I could. I know I have room for improvement though.
Cleaning up in the dark wasn’t a ton of fun. Then I started shivering. We got packed up and drove around looking for a place to eat. We found a Mexican restaurant/bar and got to eat with Carrie and Mike!!
We got home, settled, and finally asleep by 1:30. Night races are tough! But it was a blast and I would do it again in a second!
Thanks to all my sponsors that make these things possible: Juventus, Transcend Coffee, Mom and Dad, and a few others that I’m still in negotiations with…
::SAdamson
I can’t figure out what to write, even though I missed about 3 good blog posts this week…
The last week or two has been a little bit crazy for me. Trying to balance cycling, school, and work can be tough. Work has been stressful with moving everything and staff changes and just going down to 14 hours a week. You would think that would cause less stress, but actually not really.
School has been really tough as well. There is so much stuff to know!!! I’m only doing 3 classes even! I am learning lots and enjoying it. It’s just tough. I think a few blog posts will roll out of my classes this term…
Training has been going well. I’ve been having fun.
Planning has been a little stressful though. I managed to make it down to Seattle. Aaron decided last week that he wanted to come down earlier. So I booked a plane ticket and packed everything for Tuesday night so he could take it down with him.
As I was waiting for him to pick me up at the airport I was thinking about just how lucky I am to be able to do all the things I do, see I all the places I get to see, and how much I take everything for granted. Thanks to everyone who makes that possible!!!
The Weighall’s house has been awesome. Thanks for taking us in!
We rode the course last night. It was good. Dry and bumpy. But then it rained all last night so it should get wicked!
See you tonight!
::SAdamson
First cross race of the year last night. It might have just been a Tuesday training race, but it was good! Thanks Cory and everybody else for all your hard work!!!
I didn’t give myself quite enough time to get there and I realized that I do have a slow leak in front tyre. It was fun trying to corner on the pavement just before I got there. I signed in and borrowed Gary’s hand pump to put a decent amount of air into my tyre, hoping it would hold for the race.
7:00! No preride for me!
We lined up with most of us on the front row… fun. I had a crappy start when I missed my pedal. But it was ok because I didn’t know where I was going anyway. As I figured out where I was going, I started picking people off. By the second lap I had made my way to the front of the race.
Aaron and Cody were riding really strong; I was having a hard time just holding on to Aaron’s wheel for the next couple laps. On the fourth lap, I was hurting, coasting earlier and not jamming quite as hard. I kept pushing and when Dave passed me coming into the last lap, I knew I had to dig hard to hang onto third. Luckily, the dig I put in held on the last lap.
But man, do I have some sit-ups to do before the real races start in 10 days! My back was hurting so bad! I don’t know how I’m going to last an hour?!?!?
But, that’s cyclocross! Love it!
::SAdamson
I had a good meeting last week with Poul and James at Transcend and we worked out a few details of our new partnership! It’s going to to be good. But the best is yet to come.
Until their new website is ready, please link through this post or their logo on the right for your purchase in order for me to get part of the money you spend. But most importantly, stop by the shop, check out their website, watch their podcasts. Check it out! It’s awesome!
Things are coming together. I just need that big-money sponsor now!
::SAdamson
We had our first Cyclocross Technique, Tactics, and Training session last night.
It was a good success. We had a good number of people out and we got lots of practice with mounting and dismounting, slowly picking up the speed. Then the rain came in just in time to practice some cornering…
After a couple different cornering sections we moved on to a few starts. We practiced a few different styles and got everybody more comfortable.
There was a little blood shed on the night, some rain, and lots of things learned (I hope!). Next week should be good! We do have a few more spots, so if you’re interested, drop me a line or even just show up.
::SAdamson
