Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas!!! Today has changed my life forever! I wish I would have taken pics of all the happy kids and parents today.

Before I say any more I will tell you what I am soooo Happy about.

Last night my Wife, Caylin and I helped load 400 or more bikes into 2 28 foot trailers. Well Caylin was there to test out the tricycles and I got some riding time in on a few BMX bikes. Becky helped bring the bikes to the dock doors with the others, while I got dirty stuffing bikes in the semi trailers. I had a great time helping Elves and More NEO, I hope they want my help next year? Most of the workers for Elves & More race bikes. So we had a great time talking about racing too. Stark Velo racers sure are awesome! Also 3 other guys came together to make Elves & More NEO what it is today. Thanks to Brian, Tim and Jim.

When I woke up today I knew it was going to be a great day! I know God looked at us and smiled today. I think God was happy with what we all did today. As we all prayed together before we headed out to surprise little kids. We all knew we were going to have a blessing at some point today.

This started out like a big Road race event. We had 5 or 6 cop cars stop traffic for us every where we went. Sort of like the Pres. has going to any event. We were in a bus and we had the semi trailor in front of us and Santa in a cop car behind us. The noise from the cop cars woke everyone up this morning. So much fun!!!

On the way to our stops we would share stories of what we witnessed and kids faces when they saw us. How some kids broke down and cried in front of us. It brings tears to my eyes seeing how happy it makes someone with a small gift. The gifts we all gave today will make a difference! It may not change the world but it sure has made A big difference in someones life today.

Mine!

Elves & More NEO

Please Check out Elves & More NEO. I spent all day Saturday with some great people putting together bikes for children that can't afford anything for Christmas. I had a great time working with others and I still have sore muscles.
I was very happy to be a part of something great!
Thanks to all that made Elves & More NEO possible.
Jeremy Grimm
www.elvesandmoreneo.org

I LOVE YA

A very close friend sent this to me and I LOVE THEM for sending it to me. I don't have any one that I know of that has personally came up to me and said they don't like me because..... such and such. I do know that I am not perfect but right now I can honestly say that I Love everyone that I have ever come in contact with. I had one friend that I had battles with in high school and we are still friends to this day. I have not seen him in a long time but I know that we are cool. Sometimes I joke around and things get turned around real quick but I am easy to get a long with and am here if you need to talk, until God decides it is my time.

I LOVE YA

One morning you will never wake up. Do all your friends know you love them?

I was thinking...I could die today, tomorrow or next week, and I wondered if I had any wounds needing to be healed, friendships that needed rekindling or three words needing to be said.

Let every one of your friends know you love them. Even if you think they don't love you back, you would be amazed at what those three little words and a smile can do.

And just in case GOD calls me home before I see you again.......

I LOVE YA!!!

My Prayer

Father you are so strong and miraculous. You are the Creator of everything. You can do all Things. Father you are a Mountain Mover!

Father forgive me for my sins Lord. I have sins that I am not proud of Lord... Just take all of my sins. Carry them for me Lord... Forgive me Now...

LORD I thank you for sending Jesus to die on the cross for all of us that accept your Son Jesus Christ into our lives. So that we may be forgiven through Jesus Christ as long as we take Him as our LORD and Savior. I thank you Lord that you are always with us even when we think you aren't. I thank you for listening to my prayer and forgiving me. Thank you for my life that I have. Thank you for the blessings of all I can do.

Lord please be with me, help me to focus more on you LORD. I pray that you help me to lose at least 17 more pounds in the next 3 months LORD if it be your will. Please Lord give me your strength at this time Lord. I pray Lord that others come to know you as I do, a Loving, Forgiving God that will always be with us. Even in times like these when I am struggling to do your will. I pray all these things in your name... Amen.

What I feel is the Right Choice

"Ok before you read this I have to say that I am not a Pro Racer. As a matter of my opinion I should be a cat 3 due to me being 200 pounds. The USCF should have a Crit and Road license. I however have been blessed by God to beat some of the best Pro racers. If it be The LORD'S will I hope to be ready by the end of May for my first NRC event in a Team GodSpeed uniform. I just Thank The LORD and Team GodSpeed for this chance in my life to do more than one thing I love to do. The next 3 sentences are from Team GodSpeed, this is on Team GodSpeed's website."

Team GodSpeed has come to an agreement with Jeremy Grimm to race for Team GodSpeed for the 2007 year.
Jeremy is a seasoned Cat 1 pro cyclist who most recently raced for Abercrombie and Fitch Cycling Team.
Jeremy describes his decision to race for Team GodSpeed :
"As I typed in http://www.teamgodspeed.org/ my heart was pounding and my eyes were open as big as they could be. It was the same feeling you get when you know you’re getting or going to do something great. You still have chills talking about it after it has happened. For example; when I got my first road bike at the age of six. Spending time with family you only get to see once a year. Getting baptized at the age of 12. Watching a DC Talk concert with thousands of other kids your age. Getting my first car, a green Dodge Omni with manual transmission, I wish I still had it today. The first time I saw Becky. Our Wedding Day, seeing her in the wedding dress and the feeling of no one else in the church but us. Any day without Lyme Disease. The day our daughter Caylin was born. Giving something to someone that you know they will like. Friends that do something for you that you could never do. I can now add Team GodSpeed to the list of things I am excited about.
Times like these are things we will never forget. I am excited to meet everyone on Team GodSpeed just as I was before and after I met Russ. My decision was made with ease just by reading what Team GodSpeed does for others on the website. I pray that the Lord will guide me in what He wants me to do for Team GodSpeed and I pray the same for you."
GodSpeed,
JC

New Start cont. # 1

Today has been a lazy day for me. I have done nothing all day but eat. I feel stuffed and most of it has been from eating to much of the cookies Becky made. Hope I can work hard tonight or this coming week. It will be very hard to ride the bike this week.

On the bright side Caylin has had a great day thus far. Daddy's home she said to me as I got her out of bed today. Then she said Church, I had to tell her she couldn't go cause she would get the other kids sick. She and my wife have had a cold for two weeks now. They both have gone through tissue boxes and I have been blessed not to get anything yet.

Looking foward to next year but don't want to rush it. I will be on a new Team come Jan 1st. Team Godspeed, www.teamgodspeed.org I hope to be introduced to the Team soon. I had a great year with A&F and am happy to see they are moving in a positive direction for a Pro Team. I will miss the guys but will see them next year at some point in time.

New Start update, I have lost some weight and have been reading books. Something I haven't done in years. Getting better at a lot of things but have a long way to go before I get to my goals.

Father... You are great... You are wonderful... You can do all things.

Father forgive me for my sins Lord... I am quick to fail, but with a true and faithful heart to you Lord. Sometimes I make mistakes and don't think about them at that time. Father forgive me for my sins.

I thank you Lord for all the blessings you have provided. I thank you for my health and ability to do what I enjoy doing.

Lord I pray that I get up and start using all the abilities you have given me and use them to glorify you Lord. Amen...

Prayer with Thanks

Lord you are my Rock! You are my everything. You move Mountains! You are totally Awesome!

I come to you and ask for forgiveness of my sins. You know my sins and you know that I need you to help lift those from my shoulders and out of my mind. Forgive me for I am a sinner! Father it is through your son Jesus that we have forgiveness of our sins.

I thank you Lord for listening to my cry for your help. Without you I am nothing. I feel your presence in my life now Lord, and I thank you. I thank you for my Wife. I thank you for Caylin. Thank you for my Family. Thank you for my friends. Thank you for my trials. Thank you for my Freedom. Thank you for my health. Thank you for the miracles you have created in my life. Thank you for my job. Thank you for all the materialistic things. Thank you for food. Thank you for water.

I pray for you to control my thoughts and actions. I pray that you will mold me to become a better Christian. I pray that you protect My family and friends. I pray that you will protect me. I pray that you will help those come to know you as I do. I pray in all these things unto your will Lord. Amen.

This is definitely a good demonstration to be able to see how Christ died for us.

DON'T LEAVE IT ON THE DESK

There was a certain Professor of Religion named Dr. Christianson, a studious man who taught at a small college in the western United States.Dr. Christianson taught the required survey course in Christianity at this particular institution. Every student was required to take this course his or her freshman year, regardless of his or her major.Although Dr. Christianson tried hard to communicate the essence of the gospel in his class, he found that most of his students looked upon the course as nothing but required drudgery. Despite his best efforts, most students refused to take Christianity seriously.This year, Dr. Christianson had a special student named Steve. Steve was only a freshman, but was studying with the intent of going onto seminary for the ministry. Steve was popular, he was well liked, and he was an imposing physical specimen. He was now the starting center on the school football team, and was the best student in the professor's class.

One day, Dr. Christianson asked Steve to stay after class so he could talk with him."How many push-ups can you do?"Steve said, "I do about 200 every night""200? That's pretty good, Steve," Dr. Christianson said. "Do you think you could do 300?"Steve replied, "I don't know... I've never done 300 at a time.""Do you think you could?" again asked Dr. Christianson."Well, I can try," said Steve."Can you do 300 in sets of 10? I have a class project in mind and I need you to do about 300 push-ups in sets of ten for this to work. Can you do it?I need you to tell me you can do it," said the professor.Steve said, "Well... I think I can...yeah, I can do it."Dr. Christianson said, "Good. I need you to do this on Friday. Let me explain what I have in mind.

"Friday came and Steve got to class early and sat in the front of the room.When class started, the professor pulled out a big box of donuts. No, these weren't the normal kinds of donuts, they were the extra! A fancy BIG kind, with cream centers and frosting swirls. Everyone was pretty excited it was Friday, the last class of the day, and they were going to get an early start on the weekend with a party in Dr. Christianson's class.Dr. Christianson went to the first girl in the first row and asked,"Cynthia, do you want to have one of these donuts?"Cynthia said, "Yes."Dr. Christianson then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups! so that Cynthia can have a donut?""Sure." Steve jumped down from his desk to do a quick ten. Then Steve again sat in his desk. Dr. Christianson put a donut on Cynthia's desk.Dr. Christianson then went to Joe, the next person, and asked, "Joe, do you want a donut?"Joe said, "Yes." Dr. Christianson asked, "Steve would you do ten push-ups so Joe can have a donut?"Steve did ten push-ups, Joe got a donut. And so it went, down the first aisle, Steve did ten push ups for every person before they got their donut.Walking down the second aisle, Dr. Christianson came to Scott. Scott was on the basketball team, and in as good condition as Steve. He was very popular and never lacking for female companionship.When the professor asked, "Scott do you want a donut?"Scott's reply was, "Well, can I do my own push ups?"Dr. Christianson said, "No, Steve has to do them."Then Scott said, "Well, I don't want one then.

"Dr. Christianson shrugged and then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push ups so Scott can have a donut he doesn't want?"With perfect obedience Steve started to do ten push ups.Scott said, "Hey, I said I didn't want one"Dr. Christianson said, "Look, this is my classroom, my class, my desks, and these are my donuts. Just leave it on the desk if you don't want it."And he put a donut on Scott's desk.Now by this time, Steve had begun to slow down a little. He just stayed on the floor between sets because it took too much effort to be getting up and down.

You could start to see a little perspiration coming out around his brow.Dr. Christianson started down the third row. Now the students were beginning to get a little angry. Dr. Christianson asked Jenny, "Jenny, do you want a donut?"Sternly, Jenny said, "No."Then Dr. Christianson asked Steve, "Steve, would you do ten more push-ups so Jenny can have a donut that she doesn't want?" Steve did ten....Jenny got a donut.By now, a growing sense of uneasiness filled the room.

The students were beginning to say "No" and there were all these uneaten donuts on the desks. Steve also had to really put forth a lot of extra effort to get these push ups done for each donut. There began to be a small pool of sweat on the floor beneath his face, his arms and brow were beginning to get red because of the physical effort involved.Dr. Christianson asked Robert, who was the most vocal unbeliever in the class, to watch Steve do each push up to make sure he did the full ten push ups in a set because he couldn't bear to watch all of Steve's work for all of those uneaten donuts. He sent Robert over to where Steve was so Robert could count the set and watch Steve closely. Dr. Christianson started down the fourth row. During his class, however, some students from other classes had wandered in and sat down on the steps along the radiators that ran down the sides of the room. When the professor realized this, he did a quick count and saw that now there were students in the room. He started to worry if Steve would be able to make it. Dr. Christianson went on to the next person and the next and the next. Near the end of that row, Steve was really having a rough time. He was taking a lot more time to complete each set.

Steve asked Dr. Christianson, "Do I have to make my nose touch on each one?"Dr. Christianson thought for a moment, "Well, they're your push ups. You are in charge now. You can do them any way that you want."And Dr. Christianson went on.A few moments later, Jason, a recent transfer student, came to the room and was about to come in when all the students yelled in one voice, "NO, don't come in Stay out!"Jason didn't know what was going on. Steve picked up his head and said, "No, let him come.

"Professor Christianson said, "You realize that if Jason comes in you will have to do ten push ups for him?"Steve said, "Yes, let him come in. Give him a donut."Dr. Christianson said, "Okay, Steve, I'll let you get Jason's out of the way right now. Jason, do you want a donut?"Jason, new to the room, hardly knew what was going on. "Yes," he said give me a donut.""Steve, will you do ten push-ups so that Jason can have a donut?" Steve did ten push ups very slowly and with great effort. Jason, bewildered, was handed a donut and sat down. Dr. Christianson finished the fourth row, and then started on those visitors seated by the heaters. Steve's arms were now shaking with each push-up in a struggle to lift himself against the force of gravity.

By this time sweat was profusely dropping off of his face, there was no sound except his heavy breathing; there was not a dry eye in the room.The very last two students in the room were two young women, both cheerleaders, and very popular.

Dr. Christianson went to Linda, the second to last, and asked, "Linda, do you want a doughnut?"Linda said, very sadly, "No, thank you."Professor Christianson quietly asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Linda can have a donut she doesn't want?" Grunting from the effort, Steve did ten very slow push ups for Linda.

Then Dr. Christianson turned to the last girl, Susan. "Susan, do you want a donut?"Susan, with tears flowing down her face, began to cry. "Dr. Christianson, why can't I help him?"Dr. Christianson, with tears of his own, said, "No, Steve has to do it alone, I have given him this task and he is in charge of seeing that everyone has an opportunity for a donut whether they want it or not.

When I decided to have a party this last day of class, I looked at my grade book.Steve here is the only student with a perfect grade. Everyone else has failed a test, skipped class, or offered me inferior work. Steve told me that in football practice, when a player messes up he must do push-ups.I told Steve that none of you could come to my party unless he paid the price by doing your push ups. He and I made a deal for your sakes.""Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Susan can have a donut?" As Steve very slowly finished his last pushup, with the understanding that he had accomplished all that was required of him, having done 350 push ups, his arms buckled beneath him and he fell to the floor.

Dr. Christianson turned to the room and said. "And so it was, that our Savior, Jesus Christ, on the cross, plead to the Father, 'into thy hands I commend my spirit.' With the understanding that He had done everything that was required of Him, He yielded up His life. And like some of those in this room, many of us leave the gift on the desk, uneaten."

Two students helped Steve up off the floor and to a seat, physically exhausted, but wearing a thin smile. "Well done, good and faithful servant," said the professor, adding, "Not all sermons are preached in words."

Turning to his class, the professor said, "My wish is that you might understand and fully comprehend all the riches of grace and mercy that have been given to you through the sacrifice! of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He spared not only His Begotten Son, but gave Him up for us all, for the whole Church, now and forever.

Whether or not we choose to accept His gift to us, THE PRICE has been paid."

"Wouldn't you be foolish and ungrateful to leave it lying on the desk?"

Happy Fall To You

From one pumpkin to another!!!!!!!

A woman was asked by a coworker, "What is it like to be a Christian?"

The coworker replied, "It is like being a pumpkin."

God picks you from the patch, brings you in, and washes all the dirt off of you.

Then He cuts off the top and scoops out all the yucky stuff.He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, and greed.

Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see."

Truth Patrol

Thanks to my cousin he said I could put his words of wisdom on my blogspot. Thanks Ryan I thank you for all your wisdom and being a leader for Christ!

To Be Like Jesus
A Christ follower needs to follow the example of Jesus Christ daily. He or she must without hesitation take up the cross and follow Him each day.Character of ChristHumble service (John 13:1-5)Holiness (I Peter 1:15-16)Righteousness (I John 3:7)Purity (I John 3:3)Love (Ephesians 5:1-2)Forgiveness (Colossians 3:13)Compassion (Ephesians 4:32)Endurance (Hebrews 12:2-4)Submission (I Peter 2:21-4)Humility, obedience (Philippians 2:5-8)Kindness (Luke 6:35)Generous giving (II Corinthians 8:1-9)What a responsibility the church of Jesus Christ has to be an example to those inside the church and outside the church. May you seek to always glorify Him in the church and out.“A man’s life is always more forcible than his speech. When men take stock of him they reckon his deeds as dollars and his words as pennies. If his life and doctrine disagree the mass of onlookers accept his practice and reject his preaching.” C.H. SpurgeonAs one seeks to live a Christ-like life each day, he or she must do so with a thankful heart to God. Praise His dear name for what He did for us while we were dead in our sins and trespasses. Romans 5:8 tells us that God demonstrates or shows His own love for us in this that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.RepaymentThou the Cross didst bear: What bear I? Thou the Thorn didst wear: What wear I? Thou to death didst dare: What dare I? Thou for me dost care: What care I?
posted by Ryan Carpenter

Labor Day Weekend Final

Last race for me, I told myself before the race started today. I felt good during the warm up and felt like I could hang with the group today. It did have a hill on the backside of the course, and it was a little to long for me at 210 pounds.

With my Grandparents at the race, my Parents, my Wife and Caylin, I wanted to do real good.
The first 15 mins of the race were fast.... real fast. Lots of racers, 141 was a number I heard today due to crashes. 80 riders had gone home due to crashes for all the races. Well... we are coming down the hill at 40+ mph at the start finish line and guys start going down in the front of the 141 rider field. I start to go to the left to avoid everything and so do others infront of me. At that same time I am sliding the rear wheel and have to turn even more to avoid them. As my leg is burning from the asphalt I try to push myself up off the ground with my left hand. It almost worked like a pop up slide but failed. My leg continued to burn as it hit the ground again.

It took 4 laps on a one mile course to get all 50 riders back into the race. Of course with my wrist hurt maybe broke, more on that later, I was last to go back in. Big mistake, the longer I waited the more my wrist hurt and when we jumped back into the field it took my legs 5 more laps to feel better. I made a few moves and was feeling great other than the wrist. Once I got into a break with 3 others the field pulled us back after 3 laps. Then I stayed at the back of the field and watched more wrecks unfold infront of me, which I went around them with ease since I was so far back. With ten to go I moved up to the front slowly but with ease. Then I wanted to attack and when I tried my chain went off the bike! I went in for a mechanical. They worked on it and I was debating whether to go back in or not.

I got back in and it seemed to be working better so I went to the front 15 and when the hill came riders wanted to move up so I got stuck behind somemore crash dummies with 7 laps to go. I went down again but this time I almost stopped before I hit the pavement. Sounds so much better, but I took the fall with my left wrist more than my right.

I called it a day instead of taking a free lap went to go get cleaned up early and headed home wanting to get ready for next year.

Update on the wrist: has hurt ever since and continues as I type this. To late to go to the Doc's and won't go due to how much it will cost. I will go next year if it still hurts by then. I have been doing great on my spiritual growth and mentally. I haven't started to do anything physically but plan to in Oct.

I still ride my bike to work more than I drive to work so that's good.

Labor Day Weekend Part 2

After I ? my race tactics, I thought I should have worked in that situation. After all worse case would have been 8 place maybe better. I wasn't to sore and the bike looked good after the crash at 11:30 at night. So Dad drove me back to the hotel and on the way back he told me Brad was in a bad crash. My little Brother Brad who is 6'5" 250 and can bench almost twice my weight. He was with his girl friend Jessie and 3 others. Jessie is such a sweet person I pray for the best for both of them. Some guy cut off there car and they hit the concrete wall... at or around 60 mph. People stopped to help them right away and the car that cut them off never stopped. All are doing better now but still need prayers.

Woke up the next day thanking God Brad and Jessie are alive. My race will be at 7:30 tonight so it will be dark again at the finish. Had a good time at the Zoo with Family and that took up most of the day. It was free at St. Louis and Parking is free also. Also it was a beautiful day so there was traffic! Caylin loved the animals all of them!

Becky, Dad, Caylin and I went to my race that night. I was tired but managed. I go to warm up and I got about half a mile from the van and the saddle breaks. O....No I used my quick thinking and go straight for my Dad. The rails broke clean off on both sides so what he do? He pushed the saddle back about a 1/4 of an inch and we tightend it. It worked, thanks Dad now I can suffer for an hour and a half.

The race had 2 hills in it that I knew would slow me down. It was fun but I knew I wouldn't last.
I couldn't hang on with only 4 laps to go. At least I wasn't in the race on the last lap. Guys went down in the last turn and one rider broke his hip.

Please Lord help heal all we mentioned and others. We will never know when our time hear on earth will end. I pray that you help to use us as your servants to help others come to know you more. I thank you Lord for Brad and Jessie. Continue to let there lights shine for you Lord as well as mine.

More to come...

Labor Day Weekend

Ok so I took some time off from Nationals, and thought I would be rested up. Well I was sick during that rest and didn't ride hard for the whole time since. I was hoping I would be ready for four days of racing in St. Louis. This trip would be great no matter what happened in the races, but it would be nice to bring home some money? Mom, Dad, Chris, Amanda, GG, KK, Becky and I all made it to St. Louis safely. There was Grandpa, and Grandma waiting with open arms, so great to see them again. We all got into the hotel for the next 3 nights and went to eat. By that time Friday night Dad and I went to the race at 7:15 for my 9:30 pm start.

We get to the race and look for parking, Wow no parking at all. We go up next to the course and the guy working there says you can park it here. We made the course a little smaller but no one would notice. warming up in the dark without a trainer, how do ya do that. I found 20 guys warming up together on the main streets with lights for the sidewalks. Kind of cool riding behind some of the big Pro racers warming up.

The Race is about to start and we all line up, all 151 riders. Big field! The race starts off at 30 + mph and does not let up until 70 of us hit the pavement less than 10 miles into the race. Maybe it was only 5 miles into the race, things can be quite a Blurr in pitch darkness trying to stay close to the racers wheel inches in front of yours. Back to the crash, it was coming across the finish line with over 500 people in that area. Fun to watch, but not to be in it. I had no where to go, I slid my rear wheel for over 60 feet. I almost came to a stop when the racers in front of me went down hard. Thanks to them going down it was my turn. I hit someones body and flipped over onto my back. I just can't stop as some of the other racers, after all I am 40 to even 70 pounds more than them. The one guy may not have liked that I was behind him when I fell onto his $1,500 wheels. That's bike racing for ya! Thank the Lord I have sponsorship!

It took me 4 laps to get back in the race due to my Helmet broke, shoes needed fixed bike shifting was off and oh yea I'm bleeding. When a racer is bleeding they let you back into the race after everyone else is out of the way, and it helps to have a cool sponsor. I think pictures of me are at www.stlbiking.com gateway cup photos I am in there for a couple of races.

Back on the bike and here we go. I stay at the back until we are close to the end. Another break goes up the road I am feeling good so I go with it. We are still avg around 30+ mph but I feel good right? Well I get out there and start to work in the break, not good! 8 of us have a big gap and it does stick till the end. But only 3 of those guys make it. While 8 of us are in the break Steve Tilford, an awesome rider who is 46 years old pulls off letting 3 other riders go while I am stuck at the back. Great, good job Steve! I was hurting really bad at that point and if I jumped across who knows what would have happend but I sat back waiting. Chad Cagle worked hard and another ABD rider pulled through but not as hard as us. Steve sat at the back not working the whole time, good job Steve! We got caught within the last 5 miles of the race and I didn't have enough for the finish.

Thank you Lord for keeping me safe and no broken bones, help heal the others that went to the hospital.

More to come.....

Service For US!

I read this and I believe in asking friends to do this. All it asks is a few minutes of your time. See the 5-day forecast from CNN.
5 DAY FORECAST
Saturday 113°F (45°C) 81°F (27°C)

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Sunday 111°F (44°C) 81°F (27°C)

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Monday 111°F (44°C) 81°F (27°C)

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Tuesday 113°F (45°C) 82°F (28°C)

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Wednesday 113°F (45°C) 82°F (28°C)

Politics aside -- PRAYER REQUEST According to the weather reports, it is 122 degrees in Iraq right now - and the low will be 111! Our troops need our prayers for strength, endurance, and safety. If it be God's will, give these men and women the strength they need to prevail. I am sorry but I am not breaking this one.....Let us pray. Prayer chain for our Military...please don't break it...<>Please send this on after a short prayer.
Pray for our soldiers... Prayer "Dear Father in Heaven, Holy is your name, we come to you, petitioning for your grace upon the troops that are in Iraq. We ask that you keep them in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Please help them to make it thru the weather extremes. We pray also that you will give each leader wisdom. Lead them not into temptation but deliver them from evil. Please heal the broken hearted and encourage the down cast. Please bring this war to a quick resolve. I ask this in the name of our Lord . Amen." Prayer Request: When you receive this, please stop for a moment and sa y a prayer for our troops around the world. There is nothing attached.... . Just send this to all the people in your address book. Do not let it stop with you, please.... Of all the gifts you could give a US Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine & others deployed in harm's way, Prayer is the very best one!!!

Thanks Leslie!

Written by Leslie Pearce-Keating

Thank you Leslie...

I pray that all will read this and help inform our medical field. Please pass this along to every one you know or come in contact with. For more info. please call me or e-mail me 330-683-5303 JCGrimm7@aol.com

Thank you!
Sincerely,
Jeremy Curtis Grimm

Jeremy's victory over lyme by Leslie Pearce-Keating


If you saw him today, you'd never believe where he has been. For he appears to be an athlete in top form, with movie star good looks to boot. But Jeremy is someone who has endured the toughest physical challenges that can face a young man, and he has emerged triumphant. This is his story.

For those of you who have read my recent series on Lyme Disease, you know that my 10-year-old daughter was diagnosed in November after a three-year search for answers. When Jeremy and his mom read those columns, they called to lend a helping hand. It was a blessing from God. I asked to write their story.

It all started when Jeremy was a student at Orrville High School in 1991. He actually remembers the day he first took ill...on a white water rafting trip with his church youth group in Pennsylvania. One day, Jeremy was a happy, healthy teen who excelled in every sport. The next, he was bedridden with a high temp and countless ailments. The problem was that those symptoms didn't abate in the months or even years ahead. In fact, they increased. The star pitcher who once threw 89 mph was rendered too ill to lift his head from his pillow.

Like any devoted mom, Rickey wanted answers. Over the next three years, in fact, she and her son consulted 27 doctors about his worsening health, none of whom had answers. Rickey recently shared her son's medical chart and hospital records with me. There was documented proof in black and white of the ER treatment and hospitalization for myriad conditions that plagued her son. Some of the more serious conditions were: loss of consciousness, excessive pulse rates, vomiting blood, blinking uncontrollably, severe dizziness, relentless fatigue, blinding migraine headaches, twitching, dehydration and horrific nose bleeds. Rickey's worst nightmare was happening right before her eyes: her eldest son was terribly ill, and no one could explain why. She confided," More than one doctor accused me of simply wanting attention." But no matter what steps they took, Jeremy's health deteriorated.

However, when Jeremy went to Youngstown State for college, doctors began to listen. Because Jeremy was getting worse, and ambulances were being called to the freshman's dorm on a regular basis. Oftentimes, Jeremy awakened in a pool of his own blood. Or his friends found him unconscious. As Rickey told it, " people started to listen when I wasn't the only one calling for help. Everyone around my son realized just how sick he was."

But it was Jeremy's grandmother who helped put the pieces of the puzzle together. At a routine physical, the caring women told her doctor in Missouri about her grandson's failing health. The doctor asked one magical question: "Has your grandson ever been tested for Lyme Disease?" Rickey's mom immediately researched the disease online and found Dr. Joseph T. Joseph, a Lyme specialist, in Hermitage, PA.

Although Jeremy's initial tests were negative, as Lyme tests often are, Dr. Joseph felt sure of the diagnosis and put the young man on 4000 mg of Amoxicillin a day. He was certain that Jeremy was in the final stages of the disease. One year later, the veil of illness finally began to lift from Jeremy.

As Jeremy, now 30, related, " I often wondered why this happened to me. I prayed and asked God for answers. But now I know, I was meant to help people, people like your daughter, to find her way." And tears clouded the young man's eyes.

Today, Jeremy is still a star athlete. He is an elite bike racer, in fact, who has won many events. But his greatest joy is his marriage to his high school sweetheart, Becky, and his baby girl, Caylin. Jeremy said, "Dr. Joseph always told me, "You can't live in fear." And so I have chosen to live my life fully. And I thank God every day for the second chance He has given me. I am truly blessed."

What Jeremy may not realize is that he has already won the toughest race of his life...against the most daunting opponent he will ever face... Lyme Disease.



To Laura: You are a beautiful young girl, very intelligent, artistic and I am so happy we met. Things will get better soon, continue to be strong and I will always be there for you.

Jeremy



Thank you Jesus for each and every person that has been there for me. I pray that you heal Laura and take away all the pain and suffering she has endured. Give her strength each day to continue to live for you Lord. Amen...

Thanks Stark Velo!

Join Stark Velo, Feb 24-Mar 4
Energizer Batke Brian Batke Interview
Into the Inferno Shawn Adams interview







An interview with Jeremy Grimm, December 29, 2005
Everything is Permissible
Runner-up at the USCF Masters 30+ Criterium in 2005, Jeremy Grimm aims his sights on more success with his ambitious new team, Abercrombie & Fitch Cycling p/b Inferno Racing, in 2006. He also works to spread the word about Lyme disease, after his own 4-year struggle with the illness.
Jeremy Grimm
Jeremy on the attack
Residence: Orrville, OH Height: 5' 11" Race Weight: 197 lbs Race Age: 32USCF Cat: 1Specialty:
Teams: Orrville Cycling (2002), Team Akron (2003), Savage Hill (2004), Inferno Racing (2006)
Jeremy Grimm is no stranger to racing at a national level. He raced as a junior between ages 6 and 12. "My dad injured his knee while playing semi-pro football, and started cycling for rehab. He got me involved in the sport", Jeremy recalls. "I remember racing against George Hincapie frequently [as a junior]."
But Jeremy left cycling for 10-11 years, getting involved in more mainstream sports like baseball and football. He had success on the diamond, throwing an 89 mph fastball and hitting a few 450 ft home runs.
In 1991, however, Jeremy became ill. He struggled with serious illness for 4 years, before finally being diagnosed with Lyme disease, a tick borne illness more common on the East Coast of the United States, but less well known in Ohio. A previous article by Leslie Pearce-Keating describes in more detail this four-year ordeal. Eventually, with treatment, and much help from his family, friends and faith, Jeremy recovered from Lyme disease. Today, Jeremy works to inform people about Lyme disease. See the following link to the CDC for more information.
CDC Website on Lyme Disease: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/lyme/
In 2000, Jeremy's father returned to cycling. "My brother started riding in 2001, and I couldn't let him beat me", Jeremy says, betraying his competitive drive. In 2002, he started racing with the Orrville Cycling Club. In 2003, Jeremy moved to Team Akron. He was recruited by Savage Hill Racing the following year and was competing as an Elite amateur. In 2005, he was runner-up in the USCF Masters 30+ Criterium while racing for Savage Hill. In 2006, he'll join Inferno Racing, a new team with high ambitions - the team hopes to eventually attain UCI Continental Pro status. [See also a previous interview with Shawn Adams for more about Inferno Racing. -ed]
Inferno, which is already supported by Masi bicycles, recently reached a title sponsorship agreement with Abercrombie & Fitch, a major milestone on their quest for UCI Continental Pro status. (See a brief Dec 21 release at Cyclingnews about the deal, 8th news item.)
About a few of his new teammates on Abercrombie & Fitch Cycling p/b Inferno Racing, Jeremy says, " Todd Shaker is going to impress a lot of people next year. He's also putting in some big training hours. Chad Thompson is very good - he's been racing for 19+ years."
Jeremy explains that together, Chad Thompson, team director of Abercrombie & Fitch Cycling p/b Inferno Racing, and Ryan Rish, Elite rider for Savage Hill Racing, approached the other riders on Savage Hill's Elite team about the possibility of joining Inferno. "I'm really excited about the new team", he says. "But I feel like the low man on the totem pole. There's a lot of talent on the team. I'm anxious to lose some weight and help the guys any way I can."
Jeremy admits that his weight has been a struggle. When he returned to cycling in 2001, He says he weighed around 280 lbs. More recently his, race weight has been closer to 195, and his target is 185 lbs. "I'm now really focused on diet. I've made a big change to organic foods - it's difficult and a bit expensive. I try to get whole wheat bread, eggs, chicken, a protein drink. It's hard to eat enough vegetables. I really like chocolate, pizza and ice cream. But I have to avoid them."
"'Everything is permissible', but not everything is constructive", Jeremy says, quoting Corinthians, and hinting at how important his faith is to his cycling and life in general. "The way I eat is a sin. People may laugh at that but deep inside I know I need to quit!"
Faith and family are the first priority for Jeremy. He met his wife, Becky, while he was ill with Lyme disease. They have 1-1/2-year-old daughter, Caylin. Today, Jeremy still often trains with his father, Bob, who now races for the Summit Freewheelers of Akron. "I ride with dad this time of year. We try to ride together as much as we can. He rides 12-14 hrs per week on average."
"There's just a time when you have to [attack] - when the pace drops for just that second... I've even ridden off the road to attack"
- Jeremy on his racing tactics
Regarding his own strengths, Jeremy says "my decision making ability, tactical skills, are probably my greatest strength. There's just a time when you have to go - when the pace drops for just that second and you have to attack. I've taken chances, even ridden off the road, to attack if I have to."
Many would probably mention his sprinting ability. "I can't really call myself a sprinter", he says, "because I don't feel that I've proven myself yet." We might disagree with his assessment, but Jeremy obviously has more he'd like to accomplish.
"When I feel good, I go hard."
- Jeremy on his training methods
Jeremy's training is relatively unstructured. "When I feel good, I go hard. There's not a lot of structure. For me, the best recovery is off the bike totally. I can't go day in day out with back to back intensity in training. But I can race that way, if I'm motivated." He averaged around 7-8 hours of weekly volume last season, although this average includes a significant period that was interrupted by illness.
"I'll target 12-14 hours weeks in the next three months to focus on my base fitness and weight loss. I know the fitness will come back. It might take 4-5 NRC races before it comes back, but I'll stick with it."
"Last year the longer road races killed me. I lacked the endurance. This year, I'm a little overweight, but not like previous years. We have a number of guys on the new team who can train a lot. I just want to help them. I want to lead-out guys when I can and to race smart. I usually know what to do in the last lap, probably because of my experience racing as a youth."
"Robbie [Ventura] described the move as 'kind of dicey'"
- Describing a key move at Crit Masters 30+
In 2005, Jeremy was runner-up in the USCF Masters 30+ Criterium, at Downer's Grove, IL. His tactics during that race apparently made the highlight reel. "Robbie Ventura made a training video out of this year's race. My move in the second to last turn, on the last lap, shows up in the video. I passed 15-20 guys before the corner, and came into the turn pretty fast. To keep from laying hard on the brakes, I had to pass Robbie on the inside. Robbie described the move as 'kind of dicey' in his video." [Robbie Ventura's "Race Day" video is available at this link. -ed.]
Regarding risks, Jeremy says, "I do think about them ahead of time." About his move at Maters Nationals, he says, " I tried to stay out of the wrestling match [near the front during the last lap]. It was so fast, you had to use a lot of energy just to stay in position. The whole last lap was over 32 mph. That's why I had to come from so far back - I was sitting 15-20 guys back in the pack. I passed a lot of guys into that turn. I knew I wasn't going to crash, but I was worried about wrecking someone else. I'm typically more afraid of crashing someone else than actually going down myself." He added, "there are some guys who are deliberately physical. I try to avoid that. Although, I have bumped elbows occasionally with friends at the Westlake training series."
Ironically, he says "I hate criteriums. I love road races." One highlight from last season came during a road stage of the Tour Ohio. "There were five guys ahead of the pack, including [new teammate] Andy Applegate and Caleb Manion [Jelly Belly]. They were 50 yards ahead of the chase group the whole time. I was in the field and didn't realize they were so close. I decided to do something with 2 laps to go, and tried my hardest to bring back the move. Eventually, I get up to the break, and there were two riders just ahead of us. Caleb and Rozdilsky finished 17 seconds ahead of the pack." Jeremy was 7th at the finish.
"I wish I could do more races like that. I kept getting stronger through the season - probably because I wasn't getting much training volume. I could race into fitness."
Jeremy tries to train outdoors as much as possible this time of year. When training indoors, he likes to listen to Christian hard rock - Toby Mac and Skillet - or to watch the "Race Day" video by Robbie Ventura.
Our interview was coming to an end, and we were grateful for Jeremy's time. But before we concluded we had to know… had he ever actually broken the cranks off a bicycle? "No, never the cranks. I broke apart a bottom bracket. I've also snapped a steer tube, and broke a fork while attacking on a climb during [the] Wilkesville [stage of the Tour Ohio]."
Before we parted, Jeremy added the following comments " I want to give special thanks to Ryan Rish, Abercrombie & Fitch, Masi Bikes, and Chad Thompson. Also, to every racer who gave me some advice when I was sick this year, [Stark Velo] teammate Jim Flesher who is my brother - he prayed with me and for my family. But most importantly God, [his wife] Becky, our daughter, Caylin, [father] Bob, [mother] Rickey, they all have helped me do what I love to do."
"I would also like to thank [Stark Velo] for writing about Lyme Disease, it means more than anyone will know, please help spread the good news about Jesus and [information about] Lyme Disease. 'Everything is permissible' — but not everything is beneficial. 'Everything is permissible'— but not everything is constructive. 1 Corinthians 10:23 (NIV)"
Thanks, Jeremy! And best of luck to you and your teammates in 2006.

New Start!

I need to change the way I eat! So as of yesterday I started my diet. I will not race another race until I feel I am mentally, physically and spiritually sound. Yes I may not be the next Ohio State Road Race Champ but I will try to fight for that one!

These goals need to be met before my next race: Pray every day. Read the Bible at least once a week, should be every day. Once a month Bible study with wife and or friends. Go to Church more.

185 pounds or less. Don't worry Mom I have been there before in the last 5 years and I can gain weight back very easily. I won't tell anyone what I am shooting for but here is a hint: it is below my high school weight just before junior year. Again Don't worry Mom I know what I am doing and I still need to keep my power and find more somewhere.

That brings me to my next Goal, do some different exercise like jump rope, swim, golf, run, cycle cross, mountain bike, lift weights, sit ups, push ups and or all of the above. Or my other secret trainning method. Notice I didn't say walking that will happen more than I hope with wife and Caylin.

Beat all my secret times other than Deerfield hill. Deerfield hill is more like a 1 min and 30 sec sprint up an 18 % climb. I will try and do it but not full out cause of the weather.

Stupid stuff! Don't ever climb any mountain in the months of Dec-Feb unless it is warmer than 50 degrees at the bottom of the mountain.

Last years racing season was not the best year for me. On the fun scale as a matter of fact it was the least fun I have had out of the last 5 years of cycling. It was because I put to much pressure on myself and going away from home to much. Also it was a new year because of the level I raced at. I want to race at the National level again but in order to do that I need to have all my goals met before I do. I know that if I accomplish these goals God, Family, Friends, Teammates and myself will be rewarded.

So that said I have a lot of work to do, I may give a progress report once a month. If I stick to my goals 2007 will be my best year all around as long as my family, friends, teammates and I are all happy and healthy.

So good luck to all in 2007 and may all the other riders in the area come back stronger than me!

Choices!

Something to think about. Life is all about the choices we make every day of our life's.



John is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, "If I were any better, I would be twins!" He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, John was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.

Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up and asked him, "I don't get it! You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?" He replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or ... you can choose to be in a bad mood. I choose to be in a good mood." Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or...I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or... I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life. "Yeah, right, it's not that easy," I protested. "Yes, it is," he said. "Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood.

The bottom line: It's your choice how you live your life." I reflected on what he said. Soon hereafter, I left the Tower Industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it. Several years later, I heard that he was involved in a serious accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications tower. After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, he was released from the hospital with rods placed in his back.

I saw him about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was, he replied, "If I were any better, I'd be twins...Wanna see my scars?" I declined to see his wounds, but I did ask him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place. "The first thing that went through my mind was the well-being of my soon-to-be born daughter," he replied. "Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or...I could choose to die. I chose to live." "Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?" I asked. He continued, "..the paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared.

In their eyes, I read 'he's a dead man'. I knew I needed to take action." "What did you do?" I asked. "Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me," said John. "She asked if I was allergic to anything. 'Yes, I replied.' The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, 'Gravity'." Over their laughter, I told them, "I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead." He lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude... I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully. Attitude, after all, is everything . Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34. After all today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.

Elite Nationals wekend!

I think I e-mailed rish on a Tuesday telling him I may go to Chicago with him. Caylin was sick and Becky may need to stay home with her. Friday came along and Caylin seemed back to her self in no time at all. Becky had a little bit of a cold and I was feeling run down a bit. We all made it out there Sat. night. Becky's Mom and Grandma went as well. Saturday's race was at 4:30 so we enjoyed staying in bed till 7:00 am. Caylin got up early as she always does on the weekends away from home.

Today I woke up in horrible shape! Bathroom all day! no joke it was not pretty. Biggest race of the year and I felt bad real bad. I didn't want to share it with my teammates so I tried to keep quiet about it. Lord has other things for me to do until another day. In sat race Jim lead me out for a 50 dollar prime and some guy came around us before the last turn. I tried to get him but couldn't. I blew up after that and couldn't do anything in the race. My legs didn't recover at all after a short effort.

So Shawn asked me if I wanted to move up I said no... then Yes.... then noooo... but it was to late Shawn took off so I jumped on his wheel and he passed half the field fast but by the time we did that I couldn't go anymore so I told Shawn I can't go anymore. I felt horrible I couldn't do anything, nothing hard at all. I was mad!

Sunday I went to the bathroom once today and felt ok. Got ready for the big race and everything was going good this morning. Race started and I had 4 bottles with E-Load and 2 bananas ready for the race. While we were in the race I heard someone mention how is he going to eat that banana? The other guy said I don't know. SO I took the banana and put it in my mouth went around the last corner of the race stood up and pealed the banana and stuffed half of it in my mouth. Later on I ate the other half and Marco asked me how I was doing? I told him ok, then started to choke on the banana. He said you ok I said no I am choking on the banana, as we laughed. I drank some E-Load and was doing good and said I am ok now.

Later on in the race I saw Marco move up. With about 17 to go I felt like I couldn't do anything. I would move up and then get passed cause I couldn't recover at all. I kept trying all the 2nd half to mave up but nothing was working. 8 laps to go and I moved to the top 20 and then nothing. I was done. I thought I had a chance and it was all taken away in less than a lap. I had nothing left in my body and finally got dropped with 4 to go. I saw Hekman, Harper and Marco on the front behind another team. I told Becky they had to make the move on the downhill as hard as they could. Hoping they would lead Marco out. Sometimes in races the pressure is so high and hard all you can do is just go with the flow. The race went good we did finish 3 riders in the top 15. But everyone at the race knows we had the best chance to win that one! Next year will be different and I hope that all will work out better which I am sure it will.

Thank you Lord for a very hard and dissappointing weekend. Things could have been alot worse and I thank you for all the exciting times out there and I pray that you will continue to change my life more each day. I pray that you heal all that were hurt this weekend. Thanks for keeping me safe and help me to recover from this sickness I have in time for this next weekend if it be your will.
Amen.

Somedays are out of sorts but God is there!

Sometimes we all are wanting other things or have something different on our minds. It's a good thing God puts people in our lives to knock some since back into our worldly minds. When my Christian brother wrote this to me I felt like I should be writing these things to help get me back on track. What am I doing I asked myself? Be happy do what God wants you to do not what I want to do. I am so far away from doing things right but I am trying. Trying to let people know that there will always be someone there for you, someone to pick you up when things are going the wrong way and you don't see it right away. God is there always and He will help you even when you don't know you need it. Do not ask to receive ask how can you use me God to help others come to know you more. God Is Love!

This is what my Chrisitan Brother wrote, Thanks Brother:

Hey, maybe it's just me, but you seemed out of sorts Saturday. I'm
guessing you were just a bit frazzled from being so busy, but I wanted
to check and for sure let you know that I was thinking about you.
-----------
I don't know if this applies, but I was just thinking about this so I'll
share it with you. Take what you will from it... Mostly, I like to
type out my thoughts from time to time. You happen to be the "lucky"
recipient. These exercises mainly help me refocus, but I like to email
them just in case they become meaningful for others. Put it in the "for
what it's worth" bin. Unfortunately, I also happen to be a fairly fast
typist, so these things get lengthy. Feel no need to reply, unless you
just can't help yourself.
You know, it's so easy for us to unconsciously protect ourselves from
the outside world. We don't want them to know that we're weak or frail
or broken or suffering. It's particularly bad for males, but even worse
for cyclists. We're used to pushing ourselves up to and beyond our
limits all the time, day after day. Even when our bodies break down, we
don't want to admit it and recover. Well, when we don't face up to our
frailties, when we always "need" to be in control, to have things
figured out, to stay on top of things, "be a man", we miss a golden
opportunity to trust God.
Now, I'm not talking about giving up or doing nothing, but the first
(and I believe most important) step is to put God in control of our
lives. Many times when we talk to God, we ask him to do this for us or make that clear or fix this situation. But, not as often do we put a situation in his hands and just trust him with it. How do you do that? Well, I think that means that if we are trusting him with the situation, we act like it. We don't walk in worry, we don't fret, we don't lose sleep, we don't keep begging God for something that we really, really, really want. Yes, we're supposed to present our requests to God. And, I'm very thankful that God gives me wonderful and precious gifts and that he loves doing it. I just think sometimes we're too focused on what we want and not enough focused on what God may be trying to do at the time.That's a really hard lesson to learn. We go to God and we feel pretty good that we asked God for what we wanted. But many times, we're simply treating God like a credit card or a bottomless bank account. Oh God, work this situation out in this exact way and make everybody involved happy to be doing such a great thing for me. I'm exaggerating a bit, but is it so far from the truth?So what should we do? First, go right ahead and tell God what you "think" you want. I say "think" in quotes for a good reason. Realize that what you think you want, may not be best for you. So, the next thing you do is look to see what God is actually doing. If something about what you want seems to be frustrated, search your heart through listening to God to see if maybe God is in that frustration. Maybe he's trying to redirect you a bit. If you are trusting that he wants to give you good gifts, he's probably trying to protect you or bring you to a deeper level of trust or provide you something completely different that will be even better.
Now, when I use the word "better", don't necessarily think I mean a better material blessing. Sometimes "better" is discipline. Sometimes God wants to refocus us, to sharpen us, to change us. That's OK. Go with it, baby. If you need changin', resisting it will only set you back. There's that thing you really want, but God knows your motives. He wants to soften you, to prepare you for good works. He wants to give you good things, but he so much more wants to use you, to make your life count, to see you live out his plan for your life. Don't miss the great things God wants to do in you and through you just to seek out those temporal things, those things that will fade away and won't ever be remembered.As I said, these are my ramblings from what God has placed on my heart. If you find something of value to you, fantastic. Pass it on, if appropriate.Jimbo

Painful Weekend

This past weekend was the Ohio State Criterium Championships. Friday was the first race at Worthington. Kirk Albers from Jelly Belly was there and a couple others. This course looked like it was hard as I warmed up on it. My legs felt good going into the race. The race started out hard and fast, it seemed like everyone was going to gang up on A&F. Tim and Jim from A&F were also there. Nate Z. took off and Tim went after him. Those two road together for a couple of laps. Tim had a mechanical running over a cat on the course. From then on Nate was out there alone until the last 5 laps. Kirk and Jeff bridged up to Nate with 5 to go. Kirk won the race, Jeff was 2nd, and Nate was 3rd. I barely hung on for 9th. I pushed myself really hard the whole race. I felt like I was going to die. Caylin made it all better she said, "Good job Daddy!" as she patted me on the back.

Saturday's race was at Hilliard. This was the Ohio State Criterium Championship for elite riders. We had 5 A&F riders there, Todd, Jimmy, Tim, Shawn, and myself. My legs felt horrible going into the race. That hill payed its toll on me yesterday. Today we had 2 180 turns and a round about. The race started out pretty quick. I sat in for a little bit and I then decided to make a go at it. I felt like I had a little bit more power than I thought I would have. Once the field caught me, Nate took off. I rested while Todd pulled the field along to keep Nate in check. Once I felt better I went after Nate. It took me 2 laps to catch him and it hurt BAD! I felt a sigh of relief when I caught Nate. So I rested on Nate's wheel for a lap, then I started to work with him. We had a great gap from the field until Shawn and Dan came up. After that it was ballgame. Once those 2 caught up with us it didn't take long to move away from the field. We almost ended up lapping the field. I am glad we didn't though because I was hurting the whole time those 3 were pulling. Since my teammate was in the break with me I didn't pull as hard as the other 3. My legs were getting weaker and weaker as the race went on. With 3 laps left, Nate attacked and fortunately Shawn jumped up to his wheel and I followed. Dan caught back on after one lap. If Shawn wouldn't of got Nate's wheel Nate would of won. Shawn road a perfect race and we won because of his hard efforts and perfect decision making. I waited on Nate's wheel til the last 100 meters to come around him. I beat him by only a half a wheel. Great job to Shawn, Nate, and Dan. Great racing boys! Caylin wanted to come up on the podium with me. I told her to raise her hands like Daddy! If I can figure out how to download pictures on this blog without taking so long I would do it.

Sunday's race was in Grove City. This was the Master's 30+ Ohio State Criterium Championship. This is the best course I have ever done. Thanks to Ten Speed Production for putting on this great racing series. This was a very technical course with 8 turns and it was all flat. My favorite! My legs didn't hurt at all. I just didn't have any power all day. I tried to get away at least 3 times. Everytime it seemed like I blew myself up where as my legs could go for at least 3 or 4 minutes at a time. Also my jumps were slow so I used the corners to accelerate. I got to race with Dave Tingler and he gave me words of encouragement while we were racing. Thanks Dave for believing in me. I wanted to beat that one guy, Joe Whitlock, Andy wish you would have taken 2nd instead. Or I wish Tingler could have won instead cause he is the Man! Joe seems like a nice guy off the bike, but when we were racing I clipped my pedal in the turn when I attacked and my rear wheel came up off the ground. I told Joe, "I clipped my pedal there." Joe said, "Yeah, next time go down." I thought about it after the race and I wished I would of said, " Well with you behind me the whole race I would of taken you down with me." You see Joe was a wheel sucker that day and he never did any work at all, that I saw. But, that's how some people play the game. It just wasn't my strategy that day. My strategy worked I ended up winning. Nice guys do finish first. It is amazing how well the bike handles compared to other bikes I have ridden. I clipped my pedal pretty hard that day. It must of scared Joe pretty bad so he must of thought I was going to wreck. Not once all weekend did I think that. My problem is I take chances when other riders don't. I am sure there will be a day when that happens to me. Thanks to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for keeping me safe again and also to my Mom, Dad, Becky and Caylin for being there with me all weekend. Love all

Harvesyburg Race

I have been very busy getting ready for Nationals and I hope I find a new pair of legs in the next 4 days. Caylin just went down for a nap so I have some time, she is the greatest gift of all thank you Lord. Becky is also, she went shopping cause I am always hungry and also we only have a few days left to fill up with cheap gas for our car. I think we get 50 cents off for each gallon, I love Becky so much she is the Best.

So my Mom drives, Dad, Becky, Caylin and I to the race. Thanks to my brother and his wife we stayed only 35 mins away from the race. They are the best, I think we owe them like for a whole years payment for there home, thank you guys so much. Dad is already at the race out in the heat, we dropped him off so he could race and I could go eat at Wendy's with our family. It's all about the food for me. It's been a long time, since like yesterday, but I think I had a Chocolate Frosty cause they didn't have vanilla, I thought I was going to do horrible.

Mom, Becky and Caylin dropped me off at the race after we ate and went shopping. I told them not to come back till the end of the race since it was so hot! It had to be over 100 and no shade trees. Abercrombie & Fitch had great success today! From the start of the race Hekman took off and we went around the first turn going 30+ mph. Everyone got clipped in finally and then I took off, they caught me then Rish took off! Wow we were flying! Bell rang and Rish set me up perfectly for the prime. I went flying around Rish in the turn and took whatever they had to give me and my teammates. So then I kept going and blew up.

At one point in the race our team (Abercrombie & Fitch) had 3 riders up front and I was praying we could keep it that way. Can't remember when the bell rang the 2nd time but I got that one too, more stuff for the Team. I remember I took off before we heard the bell at the line. So I was attacking and I kept going . Mike Busa grabbed my wheel and we took off from there. He worked real hard and I sat on him for the prime. He wanted to work together so we did for almost the rest of the race. We headed into turn 3 and I came up on the outside of Mike, at this point the field is 30 sec. behind us. I thought I had enough room on the road so I didn't hit my brakes. I slid out on the old grass clippings on the side of the road. I bounced up off the pavement like a bouncy ball and grabbed a water bottle that fell out. The other bottle was 30 feet behind me. I made it into the field and Hekman said take a free lap. There was my Dad waving me down with his bike in hands just in case, thanks Dad. I got a free lap and felt so stupid for wrecking just because I didn't want to hit my brakes, and I was also overlapping his wheel.

Mike kept the break alive and I joined him again. Since he was out there for one lap pulling I said to myself I better give him a break. So I pulled for a whole lap as well. I think we did that twice and we had over a min on the field, we gianed 30 sec in 2 laps. Next thing we know one of each of our teammates were coming up to join us. So we just slowed down a little and the gap was closing fast. Going up the little knoll I was breathing really hard and Mike looked over at me. The next time we went up the knoll he attacked me. I jumped up to him and then went around him leaving a big gap between us. Mike kept closing the gap so I slowed. I knew I was stronger then so I attacked again before the knoll, this time Mike was dropped for good.

Then I had to keep going cause Mike's teammate was right behind us. So I have about 20 sec ahead of Mike, Jeff and my teammate Hekman. Hekman is waving his arm at me yelling go go go... I tried hard to hold off Mike and Jeff that I blew up and my lead was now down to 8 sec with 2 laps to go. 2 Very long Laps left, I dug down deep and Prayed that I would make it across the line first. One to go and the gap is still 8 sec I can do it, maybe... I gave it everything I had and it worked Thank You Jesus! Hekman finished right beside me almost taking the win.

Hekman won a prime when Jeff and him were closing in on Mike and I. I told Hekman thanks for letting me win. We took 1st, 2nd and 9th that day, and it was a great day for A&F.

Thank you again Lord for no broken bones and my wounds are almost healed now. Thanks for a fun day in the heat. Also thanks for cooling it down at the start time of our race, a couple of clouds came out to hide the sun and the wind was blowing nicely. Mom, Becky and Caylin missed my wreck thank the Lord for that and they saw the finish, perfect timing. Thanks to all yelling at me to go harder when I had nothing left, that kept me going. Hope this will hold you over for awhile Dave? Your the Man! Thanks for pushing me to type this down, what's it been 3 weeks?
Later....

Restful Weekend!

Hi, all! I decided to join the Blog bandwagon. I created this blog to keep family and friends updated on my race reports and how I am growing spiritually. So bear with me while I experiment with this, as I am computer illiterate.

This past Thursday I went to Pennsylvania for the Master's National Championship criterium, ages 30-34. Last year's winner was Scottie Weiss. I was glad to see him get 3rd in the 35-39 age group. More to come later.

It's Later... much later... and I have some free time to jot down what happened at the Crit. This race started out hard and fast. We had to be going over 35mph some of the time. The pace slowed and attacks started. Rish was pulling back everything, no joke! I tried to make a break happen a couple of times and no one wanted to work. I kept on trying to make something work but nothing. Rish kept on pulling back the big riders when I needed a rest. With about seven to go I felt like my chances of winning were over. I tried to conserve my energy and sit in. Two laps to go Rish pulled me to the front and worked hard. He was perfect, wish we could have came through in the end.

I made my way to the front and let some riders pass me. I stayed in the top 10 and waited till we made our way into the infield. Big mistake! Riders went for the first turn and I was pushed off the track and lost more than 5 positions. Going into the grass had to slow me down 10mph or more, it felt like someone hit the brakes. The next turn I had to sprint too, which I had planned to do ahead of time. I made it through the turn passing more than five riders, my legs felt tired and so I eased up a little. I ran out of time, at this point I am 10 riders back and need to make another big move. Someone did and almost took us all out, close one. That held me up again. Then I had only one more turn to go. I passed a couple of riders, and then someone shut the door in front of me and I heard bikes crashing behind me and beside me. Somehow I managed to not wreck the whole race and I ended up getting 5th out of 100.

The reason I didn't wreck is because God kept me safe and out of harms way. One of my friends ended up wrecking twice but no broken bones praise the Lord! If I would race this race again I would do alot of things different. First off don't work so hard when you have a guy on your team stronger than everyone else. Next, jump into the first turn into the fieldhouse,first position only and don't look back.

Things I did right, I didn't wreck, and I did get 5th which was a bitter sweet moment. Thank you Lord for a great day and I pray next time I will be ready if there will be a next time!