Realizations

2016 Road Season started off slow as usual. Louisville Crit was a dud but did what it always seems to do "get you butt in gear" and we met a Canadian Olympian. By the time Rio RR came along I was hitting my stride and getting prepared for my 1st of 3 "A" races with Superior in my sights. Last year I raced the Lafayette Crit so when Kasey mentioned we could use it as a warmer for Mogul I was all in. With only 12 in the field, cool weather and pre-ride 2 days before, I felt great! As I handed of my jacket to EMT's I actually joked "hope to not see you soon"...well as with any race, discipline and high speed equate risk. At 20mph I didn't have but a millisecond before my Kask helmet bounced off cement and skid me head and shoulder into the curb, Sidis released immediately and I was staring at an overcast sky. Thankfully Jen and Doug had come to cheer me on and we quickly got to Bo. Community. AC4 separation assured that if I worked hard on recovering the rest of my 2016 Road season would be Crits; BRAC road races seemed few and far between this year. I told myself (mind gaming) that I could do well in Crits, so I did, snagging a few podiums.
Kask , hands down is the ONLY reason I was able to rehab as quickly as I did; I just can't say enough about how safe I feel with this gear! The ER Doc was so impressed that I was not concussed badly after looking at my helmet, torn jersey from back neck down and scraped up Sidis. The cradle and dial never disengaged so my head was secured until ER staff took it off.
OK, on to better news: Inighten now has an employee who commutes 3 days a week. I'm going to try a CX race, Gran Fondo Road looks be a series I will do in 2017 and I conquered 103miles in Ashville, AL muggy and humid but beautiful terrain. Tour De Cure on books for end of September and then hit the Fall/Winter training...Oh, Rhonda and I are off on a Viking Ocean Cruise in mid October to celebrate the big 52.

BIG thanks to Kask, Sidi, Champion Systems kits, Treads Bicycle Outfitters, Dietz & Davis PC, Crazy Mountain Brewing Co., my supportive Bike Ambassador team, coach Kasey Clark for keeping my goals on track and the gal that makes this all possible, TheCyclist-Lawyer.com, Megan Hottman!