Goodbye to all of that

The first blog post of 2011 was about how we ditched satellite TV and instead used the internet and over-the-air signals for content. It was a smashing success — better than we imagined it would be, even.

And the rest of the year? Well, let's check it out ... .

In January I poked the sleeping bear and told everybody I didn't give a crap about their ice beards or epic snowy gravel rides. I still don't care. You don't get faster from riding gravel, you get faster from riding — it doesn't matter where. Now go shave, hippie.

In February the thaw came reasonably early and I got some pretty good miles in. Also, the Trek Store got all ripped up and remodeled and everything. Oh, and we found out a baby was on the way in November.

In March I spent about 30 days coughing constantly. My form in April bore the effects of all of that.

In April, I did OK at Twin Bing and much, much worse at the Tour de Husker. And in between I swatted with futility at Wednesday Night Worlds success, started a shitstorm when I asked if we should have waited longer for Kevin on the same ride and then created a preamble for a fall of cyclocross by saying, "You know, I really want a 'cross bike."

In May I got stung on the forehead by a bee. For the record, I think bees are total assholes. I mean, thanks for the honey and pollinating all of the plants and all, but why so much stinging? Anyway, it was like a damn tumor for, like, a week. That sucked. Elsewhere, we planted a tree in the backyard and then I raced sort-of OK in Lincoln at the end of the month. And then I got a 'cross bike.

In June I finally felt like I was starting to put the pieces together. I don't know what I thought I was building, but I started getting faster. Also, because he's a small boy with lots of energy, Jack jumped over/onto the deck and split his chin wide open. We spent a Sunday night in the ER, which was ... well, it wasn't that bad, really. (For me, I mean.) I got a replacement Dura-Ace 7801 wheel, which was really exciting, and then we saw the Cubs lose in Kansas City. Thanks, Cubs.

July was better.

In July I somehow found my way onto the podium for the first time since 2008. I checked the results a dozen times to make sure it wasn't a mistake. I raced on back-to-back weekends that featured absolutely ridiculous heat and humidity and actually did pretty well. And it was then that Brady finally hit on the reason it took me so long to be halfway decent again: breaking your back is a very traumatic injury that takes a long while to heal.

In August I went to Trek World for what may be the last time for quite a while. I didn't know that at the time, of course. And then Mark and I happened upon an ambush at a ride in KC, which was actually pretty fun. Jack turned 4 on the 20th and then a week later ditched the training wheels. That was easily the best part of the month.

In September I used epoxy to glue on my license plates, won the NCA's Rider of the Year award after they canceled the last two races and then left my job at the bike shop. Or, rather, I decided to leave. And then I signed up for two 60-minute 'cross races. I never said I was smart.

In October I really did leave my bike-shop job, then raced a little 'cross and then watched the Cubs hire Theo Epstein to run the baseball works. Huh? What? The Cubs? Holy crap.

In November we won the game of chance and had a baby born on 11-11-11. My favorite number is 11, by the way. I did my last race of the year — where I won some cash — just two days before she arrived. And after she was born, I finally finished up building my new 'cross bike.

In December ... wait. December is done? Actually, it wasn't that much of a blur. I rode in the snow and then in the warm again. I got winter boots and snow tires and it's been warm ever since. I've done as much gravel as pavement and I still don't feel any faster. Guess I'm not epic enough.

And now it's December 31. Chris has been sick for a few days, meaning our usual New Year's Eve celebration — good beer and not-good-for-you food — is on hold. Two more days until I have to go back to work. I'm sure we'll work in a celebration at some point.

But that's all there is for 2011. It was a good year. The last couple of months were a bit nuts, but it was otherwise pretty entertaining. I don't see 2012 being any less of a thrill ride.