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So I have had a few really great, but slightly whirl-wind final weeks in Clermont FL. The last 2.5 being with some great people rocking out solid training camps.

A few Tuesdays ago there was a spring road race in Lake Louisa. Sean and Epic Cycles, were converting my TT Bike to a Road Racing machine while I was mailing e-bay stuff. It was tight, no time for frills like bar tape.
Gear for Multisports has been helping me out, family dinners, and the likes. So if you need sneakers at lower (US) dollar rates, and less tax, talk to them about the shipping to Canada Options.

Also thanking my close Clermont friends, Epic Cycles for Race wheels, and much more. I can’t emphasize how great these guys are. Even if you don’t like bikes, just sit on the leather couch, watch TV and enjoy a beverage.

Otherwise. I couldn’t resist the urge and have relapsed, and raced a few times on the sly. Of course not having two nickels to rub together, and having what some may call a competitive nature … well here are some brief race reports, and pictures:

Florida Spring Series Bike Race: Oh bike racing is fun, eh? Made a break of 7 - then a break of 3 (prize money three deep). Attacked solo for 4km, and … was caught.. second in a sprint of 2.
Lake Louisa Super Sprint Triathlon: A fun race. The elites pooled their entry fees for the event, and guys had to beat women by 2 minutes in a no holds barred disc wheel, tt-bar draft legal event. My plan was simple - out bike, and hold on the run. And I did. But geez the start of the run hurt (km one of two), but I hung on and WON. Sean was cheering, KK was racing, and afterwards we ran home showered, and headed out to…
Cirque du Soliel: and OMG. This was awesome and fun. Thanks to the Epic guys and Nicole (HUGE thanks). We had top row tickets looking down on everything. Really awesome night, getting in 2 of my 3 favorite things in life.

Sugarloaf Race Weekend Road Race: 7 times up the highest hill and over hilliest road in Florida. They said I couldn’t do it (eh?). So I chilled. Got a chase group of 9 going… split it to 5, bridged. Broke away solo (started the final climb with 4 seconds… sprinted.. got 2nd (hey this is getting annoying). At least team Epic got a decent Debut race. Thanks for some really fast Rapide Star Wheels. Also thanks for my all-star feeder, Kram!
Then a day on the beach, went Kayaking, and swam the surreal Rainbow River… packed bike bags, and flew off to Newport Beach CA for a quick 1.5 days with Chris & Melanie. Riding the waterfront there to San Clemente never gets old.

Trains are a great way to travel. Relaxing lots of room… up to Bakersfield CA where Action Sports (der Mega Store) was hosting the:

Southern California / Nevada Championships. Just so that I was sure I knew I was old, I entered the 30+ race. Early break. I couldn’t really get it to split up so with 6km to go I broke away, and then there was one, and that day I didn’t get caught. It’s nice to be Champion of something.
The next day was the elite race. I actually had great legs, but at 150km and no team mates, I opted to skip the early break, which ultimately was the winning one. I actually got away on the last time up the 4 mile round mt. climb, but with 10 more miles to go in a headwind I was really hoping to start a break away rather than going it solo. Overall I was really happy with my cycling fitness, even if I ended up getting 5th in in the sprint (9th place on the day, but still in the prize money… keeping the streak alive).
Welcome to breathing earth Air Owen, Hayden, happy mothers day to the most understanding, and undeserving of her stress mother on the planet.

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