JigSaw Puzzle by Radiohead

Buechel In CabbageTown - Part 1

As I had mentioned in an earlier email, I will attempt to write some stories about the season as it progresses for the entertainment of all the men in orange. This is my inaugural posting. So sit back, clear your mind, wrap your lips around that beer in your hand and prepare yourself for a journey into which the eyes will have to see to believe.

Ah, springtime in Georgia! Sunny, warm the trees are starting to blossom, sweet smells in the air and people escaping to the outdoors from their long, harsh winter retreat (that is my attempt at sarcasm). It’s Sunday the 15th of March around oh, 4:20 in the afternoon and Ali and I are lounging in the street in front of my house in Cabbagetown. As I sit there relaxing I mull over the last 48 hours and how crazy they have been……

Friday afternoon began innocently enough, some rain showers and sprinkles on occasion and in the mid 50’s. Not an altogether bad afternoon. Ricky “Aquaman” Fuqua (whom you will all meet as he will be joining us for a few summer months on the team in Wisco) and I are going for an easy ride to spin the legs and talk about the upcoming races during the weekend. We ride for about an hour and get rained on, nothing to severe. We go home and decide that we will be leaving for the race at 5:30 in the morning. Yes that’s right; I am getting up in the dark to ride my bike. Something is definitely amiss in the universe. Little did I know that that wouldn’t be the last time I saw Rick that day.

After the ride, I have a few leftovers and take the dog out for a walk to find some beers. I walk the neighborhood searching high and low for someone, anyone that will give me some beer and conversation. I end up seeing my friend Grant and we sit on his porch watching the day end as a true southerner would on a late Friday afternoon. After much sitting and a little bit of drinking, Ali and I head to Carroll St. Cafe. It is the lounge, brunch, bohemian cafe in Cabbagetown. There I tie Ali up outside and step in for another with my friend Jay and my old neighbor Dave. Its about 8:30 and the place is filled with fine things to see. After a beer Jay and I step out for a cigarette and then head home for the evening. Little did I know that this would hardly be the end of my evening.

Ali and I get home about quarter after 9pm and I head directly to bed. Now mind you it had been raining off and on for most of the day and there were more severe storms expected for the evening so I wasn’t that surprised when I woke up around 10pm to the sound of thunder and Ali pacing around downstairs. I get up and climb down from the loft and grab his 80lb ass, sling him over my shoulder to carry him up into the loft. We made it about half way up the ladder when we heard a loud crack and the power went out. Upstairs I get Ali into the bed and try to calm him down; he was shaking like a leaf. In the loft I have one double hung window that faces due west about 5ft from my bed. I look and can see the rain coming down and the wind blowing, I close my eyes and realize that all I can hear is the sound of the wind. The sound is getting louder, I open my eyes, the trees are really moving, close my eyes, the wind is getting louder, holy shit. “Ali, come on!” I grab the dog, get him back over my shoulder, and down the ladder as fast as we can, it sure sounds like a tornado, and it’s on its way and soon. Downstairs I have only one interior room, the laundry closet which is about 3×5. I pull the washer/dryer out of the way and sneak behind with the dog in tow. Not more than 10 seconds later it’s over. I call my neighbor to see what the hell happened.

2007 Wisconsin State Cyclocross Champion

This past Sunday12/2, Team Hollander scored another State Championship. Tim Theobald is the 2007 Wisconsin State Cyclocross Champion. In addition to the impressive win, Tim also placed first in the 40+ Wisconsin Cup by winning an impressive five races throughout the season. Congratulations to Tim on his awesome cyclocross season!!

Unoffical Cross Race (11/11)

First things first: If you aren’t in this picture, YOU MISSED IT! Ten guys, a case a PBR and bikes. What better a way to spend your Sunday morning?

Steve R. set up a sweet, short course in Washington Park that used part of the Halloween course, some of it backwards and some new stuff. One of the benefits of a sanctioned by nobody race is that you get to do whatever you want. Like going full speed down the big hill straight at a tree, and having a concrete path dismount with a concrete stair run up.

The set up: Two 3 lap heats, five guys each. At the end of laps one and two, the last rider gets pulled leaving three to duke it out for the finish. The winner moves on to the ‘angel’ race, the 2nd and 3rd place riders move on to the ‘mere mortal’ race and the pulled riders move on to the ‘devil’ race. Next heats work the same way with pulled riders on laps 1 and 2, and the remaining riders fighting for the finish, except the angel race which only had two riders.

Not being an ‘official race’, we couldn’t exactly close the course. This led to an interesting situation of cars driving on the walking paths throughout the time we were there. WTF is up with that? I can’t say I’ve seen that before….
I won’t give a 1FSRR except to say that Tim and I went on to the angel race and he whupped me again. That’s ok, by now I’m used to it. The PBR was cold and it was a fun day all in all. It gives me some ideas for next season.
Thanks again to Steve for setting this up. I think some of the attendees were pretty happy to be able to race in an unofficial event for their first race ever, and for the rest of us who race regularly, it was a good way to stay in shape on an off weekend.
Post Race Report courtesy of Pat Janish

2007/2008 Cafe Hollander RDC (Royal Dutch Cycling)

Team Director: Steve Roeder
Director Sportif: Tim Theobald
Technical Director: Brian Janssen
‘08 Race Director: Corey Dempski
Partners: Mike Eitel, Eric Wagner

2007-08 Cycling Squad:

Jim Broennimann-Cat 4
Mike Buechel-Cat 1
Patrick Callahan-Cat 3
Corey Demski-Cat 4
Michael Drout-Cat 3
Ben Folsom-Cat 5
Hans Higdon-Cat 2
Brian Janssen-Cat 3
Damian Keckeisen-TBD
David Lex-Cat 4
Jeff Lex-Cat 3
Steve Roeder-Cat 3
Kent Savitt-Cat 2
Steve Smith-Cat 3
Tim Theobald-Cat 4
Alan Ziolkowski Cat-3