I am Back!

And I am going to start with a rant. I have a lot to talk about. The last year has been absolutely crazy and there is a lot to tell of you (maybe 2 people who will read this?). But before I go in to all the shit about surgery, how it was messed up, what I am going to do, and what everyone should learn from my experience, I have to rant about something that has been pissing me of all season - Upgrade Hypocricy.

Before I had my surgery back in May '07, I had the requried points to upgrade to Cat 2. Then I had surgery and spent the whole season recovering, so I didn't think about upgrading. Then this season I start racing again and realize I had the points and was getting sick of the stupid shit that goes on in Cat 3 races so I requested my uprade based on the fact that I had the points the season before and I have placed top 10 in a couple 1/2/3 races. 

I was denied. Even though I had the points a year earlier. Even though I had more than adequate experience racing at a Cat 2 or higher level. Even though I had raced Men's A in College the year before and gone to Nationals. 

Also, my surgery got messed up. I developed more of the problem they went into fix, so now when I ride at anything above a tempo pace, I have a 50% reduction of blood flow to my legs. So when I got in the break at the 1/2/3 in Marlton with Mike Miller and his Alliance boys and when I soloed off the front for 4th at Iron Hill and when I took 2nd in the Road Race, Crit and Overall at Tour De Millersburg, I did it all with 50% LESS BLOOD TO MY LEGS THAN I SHOULD HAVE.

Think about it - thats 50% less oxygen, nutrients and acid-clearing fresh blood.

That means I am doing well based off racing ability, experience, bike handling, and smarts.

Below are the links to 3 riders who got their 2 upgrades who clearly did not have anywhere near the points. I know of many more, but these are good examples. I am not angry these riders got their 2, I am angry that I was denied for "not having enough points". The process is corrupt. It's all about who know or who ass you kiss. 

https://www.usacycling.org/results/index.php?compid=196716&all=1

https://www.usacycling.org/results/index.php?compid=223905

https://www.usacycling.org/results/index.php?compid=80336&all=1

If you are going to not follow the rules you claim to uphold, then at least have the decency to break them for everyone.