Tuesday with Lemmy

Im in giving mood..Lets keep it simple today metal heads..

“Born to lose. Live to win.”

Many people think of bacteria as tiny Lone Rangers, paddling their flagellar canoes across the desolate petri dish sea. But in “the wild", bacteria exist as complex, interwoven, constantly competing social communities.
Every scoop of soil is a battlefield of chemical chatter. Species send out molecular messages-in-a-bottle that ride the waves of diffusion to their mates. Some even thread electrical cables between neighboring cells. Now, new research has identified elaborate shared membranes that let single cells swarm as a superorganism …


 No bacterium is an island.

"It’s important to enjoy life while you still can."

out there

former Michigan Natives..Mac B  rides to a top twenty at the U.S. pro crit championship while  coming off an early break Chris Uberti, riding alone, grew his lead to over one minute for approximately 25 minutes of the race, only to be caught with six to go. 

nice...

getting  fifteen from seven

1. The Lion of Leroy rides some of the Midwest best off his wheel In Muscatine Iowa  Memorial day weekend  2012
2.Simonster suffers a mechanical while contesting for Tailwind CX win against the Black Ace at Vets park 2006
3. TimmyF goes nearly uncontested spring 2011 to claim spring flings overall
4. In a Vulgar Display of Power Greg Christain wins the inaugural 100 miles of Kennsington May 2008
5. Das German wins the first of two State Cross titles December 2011
6. the young Mac B wins the tour of Frankenmuths cat 3, May 2009
7. Bashers Corner appears for the first time and is shortly run in the spring summer 09
8. Cry Baby, P2P and Iceman make a fall peak  realistic
9.TOKV 3 stages two days... last one year
10.Barry Ruby gains cult like status in a fortnights time
11.KIDA earns his U23 stars and stripes at USAC Nationals  June 2011
12. Paul Martin destroys Labor day for most 2007
13.Seven yrs later Tms still cant count or produce proper grammar 
14.Bill Gilboe wins his Jersey In Louisville on a hot day in July 2009
15. May 16th 2010 the Holy Diver dies

No Strava Required

 more than yours

Tuesday with Lemmy

I got this warmed over fecal pot on slow simmer this a.m.  not lookin to serve its thoughts and chunks  to anyone but myself .... after last weekends mind crime of senseless late night awakenings and steady sleepwalks over why and how comes and where its going of your crit scene..I got a chance to wonder again..but I didn't lose any sleep over it..I have to think what the outcome would be ..if we had upped the time of a normal miscene 1/2 crit of an avg 1 hr plus to say..90 min...I dunno seems like over the years the time of some our crits have dropped..
From what some say its not like any of the venues are so hard and technical that keeping them at 1 hr is totally separating the fields..and making outcome selections...and what with more and more riders going out of state to NCC events and other harder more demanding places..couldn't hurt...

or maybe it would be just....
"OverKill "

They see me rollin’, they be hatin’…

The tour may be over haters..but gawd dam I miss my 120 pound Italian doper.

another fifteen in seven

1.Bookwalter. nuff said
2.ICEMAN
3.Grand Rapids Host NCC events
4.SIMONSTER wins ICEMAN 2006
5.The WIZ wins the 2008 USGP masters title
6.Jonathon Page comes to Springfield Oaks decimates the field
7.August 2007 Sven Howard laps the 1/2 field at Rockford
8.Robert Sells Tailwind
7.KISSCROSS brings grass roots cyclocross to miscene forefront 
8. DC races more than anyone in 2012
9.KIDA  nuff said
10. Huge controversy hits The Tour of Mount Pleasant and sets an all time TMS hit record
11.The Pony and the Underdog throw em down at Bloomer fall 2010
12.Mad Anthony brings racing to the hood
13.Munson parks ends its CX run with night racing.
14.Gotwald sets a world record summer 2013
15. Tanguy breathes easy for 100 miles while other gasp for air

Not a single solitary fuck was given that day  Not a gotdamn one.

Tuesday with Lemmy

It probably comes to no surprise or maybe it does..I am a connoisseur of all things..My love for finely classical in status items as well as the most technologically advanced equipment known to man. have made my life as solid as the metal i worship..My extensive although quiet and often unknown World War II German memorabilia collection speaks rather quite for its self  but connection with a time not to be forgotten nor taken lightly.. just like my Thundering Rickenbacker  and Marshall stack speak unadulterated  for the lust of wanting to be shoved up the arses of every party rocker from Battle Creek to Brazil.....
Well since your all in the house..we might as well bang our heads for a bit...all of this came to me while i had some late night drinking and thinking.. spending sometime brushing up on my TMS history of sorts.That in turn had me rolling over in my sleep Sunday nite... .I kinda answered it for myself..but...do riders prefer industrial park style crit racing over Technical suburban courses?  Stay with me on this..looking over the numbers from last weeks Ohio state crit championship within most peoples radar drew so few Miscene folks? Now i understand the whole National conflict, and human commitment issue..But looking at the BTR turnout seemed considerable larger..a very small contingent from the miscne area seemed to make the short trip south. I know it wasn't Miscenes state championship but it was one all the same..I guess my whole thought behind this potential turd kettle is..throughout Tms history do riders generally seem to like the office park style racing over any other type? or are promoters just creating a more "friendly" environment.. Allen park always seemed to draw more than Rockford for example..Waterford and often Grattan numbers nearly challenge weekend gigs. If this is true maybe promoters job just got easier..Hard ass Technical courses may go the way of the dinosaurs..

"In The Name Of Tragedy"

now

Back to that day again folks good excuse to start with a fresh clear mind..fresh head of steam..good thoughts and positive vibes..all of it will only enhance the time u spread.....ya know?...its glow time don't cha ya know..If you haven't hit update..its that time when you arrive and and let em all know how your two day went..don't wait another second cuz your friends are waiting with a cup of ol joe.an open ear..
If you hung out around here chances are you either stumbled around Brighton Rec area .went long at Boyne..or vied for bragging rights out on the west side..The latter seemed to be the choice for most numbers...Saturday featured the best industrial park crit this side of Lake Michigan and was almost treated to the future with a full dose of RODAGE..and mind you... it was a safe one even with the armored truck in town..but that don't mean no disrespect..The real thirsty fools saved it for Sunday and the only ones of the 2% will remember other TMS..Is DG.. the 2012 crosser of the year earns an upgrade   the masters who already had there chance but its worth noting..Gilboe..wins again.....and whats left of the Lathrup crew won another..dam..doesn't even seem like its half way through July already..but it is...

If you have not already Its time to make your butt scarce and get outta here and start living that dream...

PEACE.

Here and Gone in Seven

1. TDL
2.The Underdog
3.UCI cross
4.Scott Riddle
5.TOKV
6.Bells Beer Team
7.Rockford crit
8. Joe skrocki
9  Bikesport
10.Jeffrey Hamilton
11. The Blue Wave
12. Tour Of Cedar Creek
13. Julie Bellerose
14 Dexter Crit
15. Kachelmeyer

to the gills

yesterday, today, tomorrow

 always

♫ I feel good…♫

Tuesdays with Lemmy

So help me understand this..today marks some form of birthing..seven years ago today..the concept was devised before the whole social networking became so Godzilla like huge..in the midst of the blogging area  folks were content with just keeping and creating a space for thoughts, achievement and sometimes just a dumping ground to spread a little creativity..most where  self centered occasional giving props to friends and such..some where serious, some wacky, some about food, some about what fat people do for food..journals, advice items to be bought and sold..etc..you get the idea..But going back mainly to seven years ago..someone had the idea of promoting Michigan cycling mainly bike racing..keeping track of races, results..people and adding a sense of  a drunk cyclist to a scene that had none..it wasn't overly concerned with the Frankies, or Obee's or the Tour..It was meant to give normal working class Joe's, people with kids, jobs..lives outside of this silly world that cost soo much..a little spot to go vent, speak and just blow shit up without regret...I understand there's alot more to the story....and even a goal that wasn't reached..but I think you get the general idea..

So as your ever Hated  turd stirring dirt bag of the dying metal scene..whats up with it? If you have followed it for 6 months 2 years or 7..How has the scene changed in general, everything...in whole..Its been an interesting fun run and if it gets called a career..hopefully it did what it was intended to do...

All For You..Motorhead

Modern Man

Its been awhile since T actually sat down and took it slow ya know just sat and drink the black coffee..without the full on Jones to get it rollin. I gotta admit..things have been alittle wacky around here what with Lemmy cookin up turd stew.. and the rumor of TMS goin away kinda had me searchin the net for new gigs..didnt know if should even be checkin the schedule anymore..So I told myself i cant be livin like this..Said fuck the day planner, tossed the Blackberry, and lit that bitch on fire..completely kicked that shit old school freestyle ..funny thing the blood pressure lowered..and fewer fucks were given to how I view this pile..
SO its Monday..the day after you spent two  annihilating seven..in the books it looked to be a quiet one..not alotta going..that is is until you creep deeper into it.. The 4th had people stretching the weekend out over four days..if that was the case maybe USAC Nationals was how you spent it..from rumors abound a few made the trip..I cant confirm any solid results other than one national championship was brought home to the west side..SO maybe you stayed home killed a few days Kidrock style..Maybe went out to Bloomer and felt the new wood..and then hit up the Black Aces race? It was part of the MBRA series..and the Ohio state crit championship..numbers and results aint up yet so time will tell if you all made the big man happy...hope so..

 with that all being said..stick around for maybe results and seven year shit..
For now your free to go and cast that glow.

PEACE.T

Friday July 5th 2013

kwick 1

1. Go With The Flow
2. 3s and 7s
3. Breaking The Law
4. Blue Monday
5. Have Love will Travel
6. Running Free
7.Rocket Queen
8. Expecting
9. Odyssey
10. Mountain Of Mars
11. Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground
12. Gimme Shelter
13.Whiskey In The Jar
14.Ten Seconds To Love
15.Cowgirl In The Sand

Go blow some shit up...

Via the Arm Pit

Romance

 

of dopage

Tuesday with Lemmy

OH BOY! Its Tuesday  again..sure seems like time is flyin..ever time you turn around the kettle of simmering disgust is on the stove gettin ready bubble over again..sure goes by quick..just like summer huh? dam the big 4th is almost upon us..pretty soon its elephant ears and pig balls and phh summers gone..and the only thing you  got left is Tailwind cyclocross and the afterglow party..

The whole time I've been rambling I know what your thinking.. im pretty but i ain't as pretty as a couple of titties.. and via this NSFW  I like the idea of things in twos..just in case one of em fails..which i got me thinking via an anon and it got me thinking about one of the main discussion of disgruntled feelings..theres a certain group of fellas out there in your scene that seem to be center..they seem like good people to me..As far as life goes i understand they have this way about them..but they ain't bad people, they ain't out burning babies, mugging old ladies for there welfare checks and throwing car keys at poodles..but they do inspire somewhat of a anger in some folks..Got to be good people to me.. as someone with a lot of bread is layin it down for em..and eeven better most are married men shepherding children.
the question that comes to my mind..you got this huge group..OK a team of muscle.. and be honest they are fast dudes..the big pile..maybe not alot of tactics.. but power all the same..the whole racing is fueled by competition even rivalry of friends, co-workers brothers....i am curious why don't the big wigs of the big sucking company create two teams..outta the one big one..seems like it would be good for the rep..good for the competition..good for the moral maybe of the lesser (if there is any) on the team already..I know im just some crusty worn out faded rocker..but its a thought all the same double exposure maybe at some different events mix em up change em around....etc..its like doubling your pleasure..

just remember..you can look just..
"please don't touch"

go ahead...count em

1. Anderson
2.Depasse
3.Diekema
4.Doyle
5.Dygert
6.Fowler
7.Graham
8.Lam
9.Luzadder
10 Stange ....(kinda)
11.Stewart
12 Swatlowski
13.Whitehead
14.Wiesler
15.Witte

In this installment of,  stirring the pot to keep our kids on drugs.. I would like to talk about the amount of time it takes for race promoters/organizers/officials to generate results (and yes the payout) after a race.

Let's take, for example, the untidy events that occurred following the Cherry-Roubaix road race this year.  And last year.  And the year before that.  (Let's be clear that the Cherry-Roubaix people aren't the only ones, just the most recent).  Despite the fact that each rider had a satellite antenna affixed to his/her helmet, the results took over 2 hours to compile.  How is this possible with an uphill finish and most of the fields had less than 25 riders?  The riders could have sorted it out in 10min.  To make matters worse, by the time the announcers were allowed to do the podium showings, most of the crowd had left, along with some of the riders that should have been standing on the steps.

Let's be honest here...bike racing is an infinitely time consuming sport.  We spend HOURS upon HOURS training and racing, so the last thing we want to do is sit around after a race, in the middle of nowhere.  Sure, I understand that you need to wait for the last rider in the field to finish and there is the mandatory protest period for people to figure out if they were 35 or 36th.  But I, for one, would like to get home at a reasonable hour.  This is especially true when you are driving from 4+ hours away.  

Maybe there is something I'm missing?  Yes, I've put on a race, but it was 10 years ago and we hand scored the finishes.  Maybe something has changed that I don't know about, but it seems like it would be easier with the digital cameras and timing chips.  I would encourage the promoters and officials to give their side to this story. 

MADRID — Brent Bookwalter (BMC Racing) knows the next three weeks are going to be pure hell, but he couldn’t be happier.
The American was tapped to return to the Tour de France this week by BMC, a relief for the all-rounder who missed out on racing the Tour in 2012 after starting the previous two editions.
A strong start to the 2013 season, including his first European-level win with a stage and podium at the Tour of Qatar, helped him regain his spot on BMC’s Tour Nine.
VeloNews caught up with Bookwalter at his European base in Girona on Tuesday by telephone to talk BMC’s strategy, the tricky Corsican roads, and what makes the Tour so bloody hard. Here are excerpts from the interview:

VeloNews.com: First off, congratulations on being selected for BMC’s Tour Nine. When did you find out?

Brent Bookwalter: Not too long before you did. I got the call a few hours before the press release went out. I was very excited. It’s always an honor to go to the Tour. And looking back at last season, and where I’ve come from this season, I made up some serious spots. In January, I was maybe 14 or 15 on the Tour long list. I had to work hard to prove to the team that I deserved it and that I am capable of being there. It all just worked out in the nick of time. I was up an altitude camp with Cadel and [Steve] Morabito. We went there [in Switzerland] straight after the Dauphiné. I didn’t know if I was going to the Tour, but Cadel gave me an opportunity to go. Regardless of if I was going to the Tour or not, it’s always good to have a training camp to stay focused on the game. I am really happy I went. It paid some dividends.

VN: There are some big names not going to the Tour, including Thor Hushovd, that must make you feel pretty good …

BB: There is so much that goes into the selection process for the Tour. I have respect for the management’s decisions, and for the guys who are on the list, and for the ones who didn’t make it. After missing the Tour last year, I know how that is.

VN: You said it was difficult to miss the Tour last year, how did that affect you?

BB: I have a new appreciation and respect for the Tour, for getting selected, for having the opportunity to go, to represent our team and our sport. It’s also important for “my team,” by which I mean my family, my wife, my coach, my friends, all those people who are always behind me and supporting me, no matter what. This is the most tangible race for them. Not being there last year left me with an empty feeling. I’ve realized what an honor it was and is to be in the Tour.

VN: You rode two Tours, including helping Evans win the 20
11 Tour, how big of a surprise or disappointment was it last year when you were not selected?

BB: The first Tour, I really didn’t have a grasp of what it meant to be in the Tour. I got on the Tour team in the last minute. And then it just seemed like it would be a logical progression to be on the Tour team every year after that. After seeing the race from the outside last year, I realize what an honor it is to go back and to represent all those ‘shareholders’ that I talked about.

VN: What are the marching orders for you from the team? Purely a support role for Cadel and Tejay?

BB: Without a doubt, I am there to support Cadel and also Tejay. We’re going there for a good overall for Cadel. For me, it’s a question of doing whatever I am asked of from the team on the day. I don’t fit into the pure climber’s role or the flat-lander specialist guy. I am more of a broad skillset-type rider, and that can be a good thing and a bad thing at the Tour. Personally for me, I take it day by day, and not get too far ahead of myself. Each day is a challenge enough. You try to get through each day as best you can, then hit the reset button.

VN: After having ridden two Tours, do you have new respect for the riders who can actually manage to challenge for the yellow jersey?

BB: The stars have to align in so many ways to win the Tour. And some of those stars need to line up weeks and months before the Tour even starts. There are a number of guys who have a realistic chance of winning the Tour, and Cadel is one of them. We have a good team. We have six guys who were there in 2011. To be back with the same group of guys, to know how it unfolded, and that we won, we can take strength from that.

VN: You’ve spent plenty of time around Evans over the past few years, what’s his mood and confidence coming into this Tour?

BB: It’s hard for me to even provide commentary on that, because over the past few years, my field of vision has changed and broadened in a big way. I see Cadel in a completely different light. He’s a Tour winner. Not many people can say that. To think back in 2011, at that point, we knew he was capable of winning the Tour, but he hadn’t done it yet. I wasn’t really aware of the meticulous preparation, of the things that have to go right, avoiding the things that can go wrong. As far as I can see, he’s in a good place. He’s motivated, excited, content and happy. He’s on good form and healthy. The roads will tell the story.

VN: Do you think some fans, media or the peloton might be overlooking Evans?

BB: We just try to focus on what we’re doing, to keep chipping away. We have our plan and strategy. Whether the journalists or public hype a certain guy, we don’t get too worried about that. [Chris] Froome is the favorite on paper. Sky is bringing a strong team and they are going to have more responsibility than other teams. We are going to ride our race and adapt as best we can. It’s 21 grueling days. Just about anything can happen at any moment.

VN: That sounds cliché, but what is it that makes the Tour so demanding compared to other races?

BB: It does sound like a cliché, but the Tour is so much harder and bigger than any race during the whole year. I wish there was some way to show what goes on in every kilometer during each stage. There is never a dull moment. From your legs, to your heart, to your mind, the Tour tests everyone in the race to the maximum. You cannot put it into words.

VN: What is it about the Tour that makes it that way?

BB: That’s a good question, because at the end of the day, we’re still lining up and racing our bikes, we’re on open roads, just like every other race of the year. The stakes are higher. All the eyes of the world are on the Tour. For the team and for the sponsor, it’s the most important race of the year. Historically, it’s the most important. Everyone shows up with their A-game. There’s a lot to gain, and a lot to lose. No one backs down, not even for an instant. Everyone is on edge. Everyone’s fighting for every millimeter. To do that for three weeks straight, there’s no other race like it in the world.
VN: What do you do after the Tour to unwind?

BB: I just relax. I try not to fight anyone for anything for a while! It’s just taking off a huge load. First, I gotta get to Paris. After that, we’ll see. I’d like to go back to do some of the North American races, then coming back to Europe to finish off the season.

VN: And where does Tejay fit in? From the outside, it seems like BMC is riding fully for Cadel, but is the team also thinking of promoting Tejay as well?

BB: What you’re hearing is the same thing we’re hearing. For Tejay, his ride last year was a result of him being there to help Cadel, and rising to the occasion. It’s a similar situation this year. It’s a privilege to have two guys. Sky has Froome and [Richie] Porte. The Tour is 21 days and anything can happen, so having two guys for GC is a big advantage. I haven’t seen Tejay since California, but there, we were rooming together, and he’s super-motivated for the Tour. What you see is what you get with Tejay. He’s excited to get another [Tour] under his belt, and take the opportunities when they come. With Cadel, we have a proven winner of the race.

VN: So it’s the same scenario as last year for Van Garderen? To help Evans, but make a move if it’s opportune?

BB: It’s the same situation as last year. He didn’t go into the Tour to race to drop Cadel and finish higher than him. There are so many variables in the Tour. One day you’re up, the next day you can be down. We are going to protect Tejay for the critical moments, and that’s when he can help Cadel.
VN: What’s your big picture view on the GC?

BB: It’s a different Tour than last year. With the heavy distances of time trials, with [Bradley] Wiggins being so good, it was set up to be more controlled and scripted. This year, there are more mountain days. A super-hard first week. The team time trial. A brutal final week. Anything can happen. I am just looking forward to getting to Corsica, to getting the show on the road. I want to get through the first few days and settle into the rhythm of racing the Tour.

VN: You’ve raced before on Corsica at Critérium International, we hear the roads are quite narrow, how are they?

BB: A lot of the roads are very narrow. At Critérium, the peloton is pretty small compared to the Tour, and the roads are small for that race. A lot of the roads are rough, there was a lot of dirt and rocks on the roads. There are quite a few exposed cliffs. There is not a lot of infrastructure. It’s not the roads we typically see at the Tour, but you’re seeing more and more lately, they’re putting us on some pretty rough roads in all the races.

VN: They say it’s the hardest opening weekend in more than 20 years, what are your expectations?

BB: It’s definitely going to be hard. From my perspective, I’ve only done two Tours, but it’s by far the hardest opening weekend of the Tours I’ve done. From a GC perspective, it’s a risky start. There are more places to miss out or lose time. The terrain will make it even more so. It’s the riders who always make the race. Even on flatter, more open roads, crazy carnage can happen at any time. It’s business as usual, trying to get through the first week in one piece, even more so because of the twisty, small Corsican roads.

The Romance

of the innocence

Tuesday with Lemmy

Having been around multiple facets of multiple activity's in multiple places in my life..I have been wondering a thing or two about a thing or two.. Before i speak..I am in no mood today to stir the Iron Kettle of turd stew..but In the opinions of the ever fun loving loyal readers of this boring ass disgusting place....would you say..do you think.. the state of Michigan in a whole, that being race choices, venues, disciplines caliber of riders, (IE skill level personalty's, and yes..over all humans)  field depth and general quality of this somewhat isolated peninsula  is as good, or better, or worse.. than say seven years ago? Don't over think it.. but opinions, gripes, two cents and just quickies are valued in order to keep sometime keen eye readers on top of there game....

Love Me Forever..

Another Useless time killing shit post for the moments between the updates

Thats right...Its Monday... and ya all goin back to work...its ok to be a little to slow roll..unless your livin the dream..and then well it aint work..its life..so god dam let that ultra rare passion take you away....but for those that just go and grind it out...grab your brown.. cop the glow..and prepare your list .. for the later see the above and take heed.you aint the only one lovin life this 24th of the 6th  month of this 2013th year...The balance of passion and existence starts with those simple treasure often missed by the gloopy ones...too much over thinking, too much TSS, OPP and LT....and just planning your normal existence will probably leave ya wondering where the time went and rot your mind  with details....Useless BS T banter aside..
Time..even livin it..you can never have enough of it...and since where on that subject..a few things come to mind that have alittle to do with time..The RoadKing is really really good at racing against time..last years cross Upstart Beebe is pretty dam good too..The Germans time here seems to be long..The two man team of the Williams bros did a nice brotherhood Team Time trial..to put some time into a pile of 1/2's at the Capitol..while others couldnt close the time but it did allow Cross who lost time with the Willy bros early on but still managed to put mere spits of seconds of time on 5th place....out there.. Danny healed up in a short time, BIGRAY raced a bunch of times this weekend..and Simonster can change multiple flats in no time..all of it makes T think he just might miss this time....

that being said...you cant waste it squandering.. hanging around this dead end joint..
yesterday is gone and  tomorrow might  not come...so get out of here and enjoy it for what it is..
right now..

enjoy your Monday...

PEACE fools

Who cares Im...

1.KIDA the future...
2.Cross, Nice form
3.Gottwald impressive prep
4.Korienek nice guys are good too
5.Hess Master of disaster
6.SIMONSTER reinvented
7.York and now a win
8.Catlin rollin
9.Burke, can he?
10.Hoffner all around
11. Sven quietly
12.Roddage
13.Anderson always
14.Diekema next
15.Wiz cant figure that guy out


flyin..

When teams are racing negatively, you just have to get creative.  If they block the whole road, attack on the dirt.  If they screw up your pace line, box them out.  Haters will always hate.  But to me, the hate means I am doing something right.

Full On

Past futures

BMC Racing Team's Brent Bookwalter makes his living as a worker bee, riding in support of a team goal. But this season he's also made the most of his rare opportunities to shine.
Bookwalter, 29, won the opening stage of the Tour of Qatar by edging two other breakaway riders at the finish line just as the peloton caught them. At the U.S. Championships earlier this spring, Bookwalter was runner-up in both the time trial and the road race. He was outsprinted by veteran Freddie Rodriguez in the latter, an outcome Bookwalter has re-lived a few times. The weekend was notable for another reason: the first-ever joint men's and women's national championships meant Bookwalter and wife Jamie (Colavita Racing) competed in the same place on alternate days.
Raised in Grand Rapids, Mich., Bookwalter was a multiple collegiate road and mountain biking champion and honors biology graduate at Lees-McRae (N.C.) College. Bookwalter took second place in the opening time trial prologue of the 2010 Giro d'Italia and has twice finished the Tour de France, riding for 2011 winner Cadel Evans. He was also part of Tejay van Garderen's first pro stage race victory last month at the Tour of California.
Bookwalter recently spoke to ESPN.com by telephone from Europe. The following are excerpts from the conversation:

Ford: What did your two podiums at the U.S. Championships mean for you going forward?
Bookwalter:
 For me, it was a little bit of a transition. The past few years, I've felt like there was a possibility for me to win either title, I had the potential, but still felt like I needed a lot of circumstances and needed to get a little bit lucky. And of course that's still the case, as we saw from last weekend. The biggest thing I took away from it was confidence that I'm right there and capable of winning one of those titles. Hopefully I can make it happen before the end of my career. It was disappointing to come away with two seconds, especially in the road race, being the only rider there from our team. So many things had to come together, and I had to ride in a real particular way to get a shot at the win. And then to have it and miss it by such a small margin was frustrating. I've been kind of replaying it a lot, trying to make peace with it and move on.

Are you getting better at making that mental shift from being a domestique to going after your own chances in races now and then?

That's a huge challenge. Ninety to 95 percent of the race days I do out of the year with this team, I have a very explicit and demanding role, which is using every ounce of energy to help for a common team goal and help other leaders. I'm happy and honored to be in that position on this team with such a talented roster. But at the same time, I'm a competitor, and I still do have a drive to win. It takes a different mental training and approach to be able to switch into those moments and see them and seize them and actually be prepared to capitalize on them. I've been trying to work on that, and I feel like making good on those moments is more realistic the older I get and the more depth I get. A couple of years back, I kind of felt like I was always racing a little over my head, and with such a stacked team you think, 'If I ever do get an opportunity, what are the chances of me actually having what it takes to convert on this?' But now, I'm starting to get the experience, and everything's coming together so I can be a little closer.

How much has it helped your overall mindset to be strong and grounded in the time trial, even though you can't always go for broke there either?

Even that's been a learning experience in terms of what's realistic. I'm finding more and more that to do a good time trial at this level, I really need a course that's suited for me. There aren't many time trialists out there who can be good and obtain a result on every course at any distance -- there are very few of those guys, and unfortunately, I'm not one of them. I do think it's an asset and a strength of mine. I need the right course, the right distance and the green light from the team and the right circumstances in the race for the team to be able to go for it. It's something I still take pride in and train on and am still trying to improve at. It's nice to have a little facet of the sport where I have a little more control. I like the one-on-one effort of it and just racing myself.

As the husband of an elite racer, do you think the men's peloton has a role to play in helping boost women's cycling?

Without a doubt, they do. That's a question we have the responsibility of asking ourselves. In a sense, we're sort of all on the same team. Bike racing isn't a big enough world that we're able to draw a line. We all need to try to be as unified as we can. A victory for them is also a victory for us, because we're out there doing the same thing and it's a small niche. For now, I'm just trying to be as much of an advocate for women's cycling as I can. Jamie getting into racing at a little bit higher level has definitely given me a new appreciation for that. Getting to know some of her teammates and listening to her stories from the road and working with the women's national team a little bit, I feel more connected to it and more behind it than ever. I think guys are becoming more sympathetic to their plight and more behind the movement for greater and more powerful women's cycling. I'd like to see the governing body of our sport give them a little more attention and try to find solutions. If you're going to have a men's event and all the infrastructure is there, and you have these world-class women athletes available, why not include them and give it more substantial impact on the sport or the community we're in? It makes it a more evolved and more well-rounded event.

The Romance