Who knew our Russian Bear could write as well as ride? Here is an article he wrote on Ally that was published yesterday in the Siskiyou Daily News.

http://www.siskiyoudaily.com/sports/x547386314/Ally-s-incredible-ride

Nice job, Scott!

Well, after some serious poking and proding from our local business owners, city officials and cycling fans, I am pleased to say that we are moving ahead with plans for the Golden City Criterium 2009 in downtown Yreka again. The trials of last year seem to be behind me and the momentum with the race is quickly building thanks to all the people stepping up to help. I will be acting as race director, once again, and many of the other duties have been taken on by the Chamber of Commerce and our team members. The official date of the race, at this point, is Sunday May 31, 2009 Sunday June 14, 2009. We should have online registration set up soon to speed things up. I will post more info as things progress,

I always dread it, like most, that first really hard ride in the wind. Like dreading a visit to the dentist for that root canal you've needed but keep putting off. Like sending off that check to the IRS that you really can't afford to part with. Like.... well, you know. But I did it! Well not so much "I" as "we" did it.  Five of us started out of Yreka at 1:00 with sunnny 54 degrees and light winds from the south. The group included 3 of the DeSalvo boys, "Major Pain" Hilsenberg, and myself. The Plan was to take the back route up to Hwy. 97, down to Lake Shastina and back to Yreka, 65+ miles and maybe 3 1/2 hours. About 35 minutes in that plan , for some, began to change. Wind!! Lots of it came at us as we turned towards Little Shasta. Out in the flats, exposed, the wind became brutal! We tried to work together but two of the group were just barely hanging on at the blistering pace we we setting, 16.5 mph! An hour and a half into this windfest and it was decision time , turn right and brave the crosswinds and hopfully get a reprieve on the way home, or continue on the 11 miles of rolling climbing to Hwy. 97, into the wind! Well, two of us pushed on into Purgatory, and i'm proud to say I wasn't one of them! I pussed out and turned right, but there was no reprieve. The weather was quickly moving in and the winds seemed to be picking up. Pretty soon we hooked up Kristi, who rode backwards to meet us. What a stud she is. We were whining about how hard it was for us in a small group. She did it alone!! So, the four of us made for home with me on the front. A funny thing happened along the way, though. With all the wind, cold, and now light drizzle, I noticed something. I was in MY element. In some twisted way I was enjoying the punishment that nature was dishing out. I was taking long pulls and liking it! Pain is good! So, at 2 hours 45 minutes we finished the ride. Not the 3 1/2 we set out to do but it didn't matter, we were spent!  My hips and legs we pounding, but I was smiling. I hadn't worked that  hard since I got worked over by Baumann down in Sac-a-tomatoe last month. It was like those early season Dutch rides I used to do before getting tossed into the Spring Classics. This is what I relish, what I miss, why I race. Some of you can time trial. Some can climb like goats and leave me far behind. But when things are cliking the wind, rain and brutality are mine! So,the question is why do I dread this first ride so much? Hmmm.

For those of you who don't feel like having your asses kicked at Paskenta tomorrow (like me) we are doing a ride in Redding tomorrow, Sunday. About 9 of us so far are meeting at the Mountain Gate store, just north of Redding on th e  east side of the exit, at 10:00. The terrain will be rolling to hilly and the weather should be a scorching 70 and sunny. We plan on riding for 4 hours and then head for home. Be there if you can!