ECCC Season: Done

I have decided to end my tangible involvement with the ECCC for the remainder of the season.

I should watch the Beanpot 2.0 weekend, but I won't. When my facebook profile says my interests are "Massachusetts in the morning and cobblestones," I mean it literally. I have to feel it, not watch it. It's been fun spectating, but this would be too hard to watch but not compete. I get the pins out of my hand tomorrow, but I still won't be able to move a good part of my hand for at least a few more weeks (if the hope of recovering full movement is achieved), and that's damn sketchy racing with 1.5 hands. And Penn State is a real long drive away.

Nationals: If SHopengarten believes that he is in the running for Nationals, then if I was motivated and reckless I would come out the next two weekends and try to blast for D.2 points as well (after all I think 2 years ago one of the Brown A's qualified for D.2 Nationals with only 2 ECCC points). I do live in Colorado, would love to race in front of family and many friends there on courses that I know, but the risk is not worth it. I have nothing at stake. What: risk the progress my hand made in the past month all to get dropped on a few semi-high-altitude climbs? The doctor says to stay off the road for at least another week, and away from racing for two more weeks. I trust an M.D. - at least this time. A whole summer of Colorado-based racing looms so beautifully.

If anybody needs moral/logistical/physical support at Nationals, I'd be willing and happy to come down to help within my means. I do live about 200 miles away from the course, but if Priscilla qualifies for Nationals I do plan on going down to the RR and crit anyway to help her out. Just let me know a good while ahead of time, and I'll see what I can do to help, my pleasure.

In the meantime, good-bye to the ECCC for the 2009 Road Season. It has been fun, strange, weird, and frustrating - familiar and perfect. I'm going to take a break from writing here until I'm back on the road riding/racing, which will either be during my last days in Providence this semester or in the high-altitudes of Colorado pavement.

Good luck. Good-bye.
Don't stick your hand in your wheel. Ever.