Yeah, the cheesy jokes aside I have geared up for this coming cyclocross season.  And at this point I am starting to feel like I am under a little pressure to live up the the hype that has been built around me and the gear I have bought.  And then I get a phone call from Dan asking if I want to go for a road ride late on a Monday night.  Last week, Sam came over and made sure all the pieces we installed correctly and my bike was set up with SRAM's Force component group.  Last night was its' first ride.  And let me say I am very impressed both with the group and my legs.  All this mountain bike riding and racing is making me strong.  I really feel ready for the coming 12 weeks of pain that is only 12 weeks away.  The SRAM stuff is so very smooth and spot on.  Shifting up hill under stress was no problem.  I am comfortable riding it.  And light was shed on exactly how much punishment those wheels can take and I no longer have any worries about racing them.  My mind is slowly being consumed about thoughts of cyclocross.  Anyone want to take an Amtrak ride with me to Kansas City in mid-December?