Chompin at the Bits

Every since I started building frames about 3 years ago I have spent less time putting in miles and more honing my skills as a frame builder.  I haven't raced a bike in probably 2 years and for the most part I thought I was done with it.  But the other night I went to a little motocross race here locally in Mountain Home and every since then that old racing itch has been driving me crazy.  To be truthful, racing a bicycle wasn't what I wanted.  I wanted to get on something really fast, something with a throttle, something that you can only get the feeling from like a 250cc 2-stroke engine, 0-60 in the blink of an eye.  My body can't handle motocross anymore.  My back isn't as strong as it used to be, my hips are uneven, and my right knee is like an old screen door hanging on one hinge in a cold November rain.  Oh no, did I just make a reference to a lame GNR ballad, I do need some action. Visions of shifter karts entered my head through the help of my buddy Yancey.  Yeah man, shifter karts.  Screaming at 70+ mph sitting 4 inches off the ground, pulling Gs through the corners sounded just like what I needed but problem is I don't have one, not yet anyway, and there are no tracks close by if I did. Not sure how the neighbors would feel about me screaming around the local in a go-kart on steroids. So anyway this itch is still there and the only thing I have to race is a bicycle that I threw together this past week, thats a little on the small side, and an upcoming 'cross race in Mempho. I have mentioned that I am a miserable cross racer on several occassions. Jumping off a bicycle and climbing trees with it on my back isn't enjoyable to me in the least and the only time I like sand is when I am laying on it in Ft. Walton Beach, but its a race and I am pysched, ready for the Pain Party.  I have been training for almost a week now.  Every since I finished off that basket of Halloween candy I have been eating sorta healthy and punishing myself on the bicycle with whatever i can handle under 140 bpm.  I have been doing at least 20 push-ups in less than 48 hours for more than 6 days now.  Yep, I have been training Rocky-style, punching chickens and chasing big slabs of meat around, and mind you me I have caught a couple of them. I may not be pulling any Gs on this bicycle but come Sunday in Mempho baby, if there are any chickens in my race they are gonna be going home with some bruised ribs.