Cherries and Bananas. New old danger man Ryan Carlson returned to bike racing after several years away (much like that other big racer guy, come to think of it) with a 7th at the Cherry Pie. Like that other big racer guy, Ryan has graciously agreed to ride without drawing a salary. Ryan’s a good bloke, and he’ll make friends in the group fast. Welcome, Ryan.
Road race reporting is fraught with subjectivity and prone to misinterpretation even when you’re in the race, so about all I can say about last week is that Ryan placed well, Aaron “Sidler” Sander rode aggressively, and the boys started off 2009 in good shape. Have any of you 1/2 guys ever noticed that Sander is often not really there until he needs to be there? Sort of invisible, until BAM, he’s in a little move? That’s the Sidler. He sidles. Low profile.
Our other new rider, Bryan Jorgensen, raced at Cherry Pie in his first outing for the team. Bryan’s another experienced guy who can’t seem to break the bike racing chains. Sound familiar to anyone? We’re glad to have Bryan aboard.
Meanwhile, Folske added his eerie talent to a four-rider squad at the 24 Hours of Old Pueblo, helping them to fourth in their division. When praised for his efforts, he demurred, asserting that the Kona boys must have been drinking to let his team within a lap of their pro-ness. Kidding aside, the guy is fast. If he decided to really race bikes and drop the running, swimming, and bean counting, we’d all be taking more frequent beatings.
Otherwise, the shop is humming, Patrick is using satellites and sophisticated technology to manage a manhunt for Portland’s Most Wanted Scumbag Bike Thief (BOUNTY!), the wounded are recovering from their respective knee surgeries (Nelson, Bravard, and Gant) and we’re all ready to start turning the pedals in sweet, holy anger again.
Stay safe and enjoy another season’s beginning.
