RIDE......RACE...AND..RACE AGAIN

So here it is my new ride the Scott CR1 and I gotta tell ya ....I love it, it is a very smooth riding bike and stiff on the climbs which means it does not feel like you are riding a piece of 1" PVC pipe.
Well training continues as does racing..I raced in the Rockhill Omnium this past weekend . It was a 45 mile road race the route was nice.... but the road was terrible pot holes and gravel everywhere. I managed to bridge 1minute 20second gap on the peloton in a 3 man breakaway that I felt very comfortable with ...I really thought we could widen the gap and bring it home but all of a sudden POW!! I flatted leaving me standing on the side of the road having words with my tire as the break moved on and the peloton caught up, but that's racing and it's time to get back to training for the next one. So yesterday my teammates Matt, Ronnie Dean and myself decided to join one of the group rides a 31 miler through the Catawba County country side, around 70 degree's or so, everything was going good at first were staying together 24/25 avg then the hills came and the group broke up and I blew up did not take in enough water... the heat had zapped me my left calve and quad started to cramp...needless to say probably the worst ride I have had this season. But anyway the team is headed to Spartanburg this Sunday for a 50 mile road race. I hope my performance is pays off this time. Later!!

Life.......In the blink of an eye!!!

Whew!!! Where has the time gone? It seems like I was just breaking the news about my child day or two ago, but as you can see above he's only about 4 weeks away, it's been an awesome experience the doctors visits and the ultrasounds watching him grow it has been truly amazing....I just can't wait to hold him. Let's see what else has happened my bro Rob ditched me....again......I 'm supposedly an elitist or something.....my record for friends is pretty bad I guess. Anyway I joined the MotoVelo cycling team a great group of guy's and sweet bike shop. Hopefully I will be racing this Sunday in Rock Hill South Carolina in a 40 mile road race. I really want to make something of this....I think I have the ability but convincing yourself is the hardest part. I'll continue to train my butt off to achieve my goals. Being a good husband and father comes first and making a good showing as a cyclist second. Oh yeah riding a new steed...we'll talk about that next time! Later.....gotta train!

Hey Rob , that's for the "TRI Geek " Comment

LIFE, BABIES AND BIKES

Life: The period during which someone or something exists. Would it not be great if it were that simple, fill it with all the joy's and leave out all of the complexities. Well my life in general is going great there have been a couple small set backs in the past day or so....but hopefully they will work themselves out without having to use too much time or energy.

Anyway....Sullivan is doing great I got to go back this past Thursday to hear his tiny heart 151bpms holding strong. I am just ready for the little rascal to get here. He is where my mind is at these days, I rush home daily just to rub my wife's belly in hopes of feeling him kick or pedal. And I really don't like getting to far from home... It's one of those feelings I have been waiting for for a long time. If that didn't get you teary eyed then ur not human!!

Bikes.... Well that's the butte up above finished except for some Black Carbon Fiber bottle cages and a tune up. Great bike porn!!! I am not sure how long I will have it so drool now!! Well training is coming along, Rob and I did 45min on the trainer Saturday while rocking out, 15 miler on Sunday in the 38 degree "Rainy" weather and I did another 15 miler yesterday. Rob and i have picked out some rides/ races for our 08 calendar which will be goals for the year to include Rob does not know yet "The Assault on Mt. Mitchell" and "Bridge to Bridge Incredible Challenge" so we have some pretty big events coming up. Training will differ this year, last year I had two training partners....one of whom bailed on me after Brett's Ride so I guess it will be just me and Rob this season, which is better anyway. If your training partner is not dedicated or goal oriented then you are setting yourself up for disaster trust me i know.

It's a BOY

Wow, what a year... But the year with the Best ending of all time. On January 31st at 11:43 I got to look at my son up close for the first time Sullivan Norfleet Hogan what a moment, it was at that moment i felt like I was on top of the world. It's funny how life works you spend half of your life searching for the real reason you are here. But it was at this particular moment while I holding my wife's hand that I realized that these two beautiful people, my family, friends (yeah Rob this means you and Nancy) are the reasons for living, not to be a millionaire or famous but to simply make a difference in each of their lives. I guess I have my wife & son to thank for that, so thanks Missy and Sully. OK enough of the tear jerkers. This past year was a constant roller coaster for me, I achieved some major goals and did not quite finish others, I worried constantly about my job , what people thought of me about being accepted and all the baggage. This year all of this is going to change. As I said before i have a wonderful wife a child on the way a supportive family and a couple of great friends and a new set of wheels for my bike, what more could you ask for.... that's a perfect life time to appreciate it for what it is !! So that's basically my New Year's Resolution or better yet evolution is to be Healthy, Wonderful father and friend and Hero to my wife and child.

Yesterday was another great day Rob and I did a 2o some miler in the high wind and 40 degree temperatures it was great to be on the bike again and we also got to share a brew in the "Man Cave" felt like old times again. Oh yeah thanks for the beers and company on New Years Rob. Hopefully we will be ready to conquer some big Cycling events this year and keep the "Man Cave" busy.