Shoe Fetish...

My liking is usually it's reserved for pumps, flashy colors, strappy shoes, and high heels. A good set of ankles and some hot shoes shoes - One of my favorite things about wedding photography. It's sad that the shoes are hidden by the dress most of the day.

I usually reserve the shoe fetish for my eyes only, but when a really good deal comes along, I can't pass up the hot performance gains of high end full-soled stiff as hell carbon fiber, heat moldable pro-level cycling shoes. Sure, they aren't sexy or fashionable (in most peeps eyes). They actually make me look like I belong on a space station. But holy guacamole, they feel good and transfer power in a very businesslike fashion. Oh boy oh boy oh boy. They are my bicycle dancing shoes.

Plus, my mountain shoes smell like cat urine from racing in the rain.

Last weekend found me at the Big Creek Road Race outside of Des Moines. Perfect temperatures and just enough wind to notice made for a fun race day. I signed up for CAT4 but wish I would have opted for 3s. As it would end up, I spent too much time trying to get the stronger riders out on a breakaway, but in the end it proved to be futile.

With about 1.5 laps left (8 laps, About 6+ mile a lap) suddenly all these riders came out of the woodwork to race. Very annoying. I had spent too much energy fooling around, trying to not get bored with the race earlier. On the last lap, I sat in and kept my heart rate as low as I could (Mid-140s) while still staying within 10 places of the leader. A mile left, things picked up. I felt fine, but could tell I was fatigued. There was a box that marked the Quarter Mile mark from the finish. Nearing the end I had a small opening in front of me and I took it, flying off the front I broke away with no one on my wheels when I checked between my legs.

Big Creek RR

Time Trial Earlier this Summer

Unfortunately, I was too far out. I misjudged my position and knew I could not hold my pace. After some language that is only fit for late-night stand up comedy, I slowed down and rested for a brief second.

Catching sprinters rolling up the left side (this was supposed to be a double line enforced race) I crunched down on my pedals again and gave it everything I had left. Managed to sit-sprint it into 5th. There wasn't a way I would have been able to stand up. Kinda blew it.

On that note, that's the definite end of 4s road racing for me.