Top 5 American Patriots of World War II

Top 5 American Patriots of World War II

World War II was a global conflict that forever changed the course of history. Many brave men and women from the United States played critical roles in the war effort, demonstrating their patriotism and dedication to their country. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at the top 5 American patriots of World War II, detailing their contributions and impact on the fight for freedom.

Top 10 American Patriots of the American Revolutionary War

Top 10 American Patriots of the American Revolutionary War

The American Revolutionary War was a pivotal event in the history of the United States. A group of enthusiastic and resolute patriots led the charge for independence from Great Britain, ultimately changing the course of world history. In this blog post, we’ll explore the lives of the top 10 American patriots of the Revolutionary War, detailing their contributions and impact on the fight for freedom.

50 Great American Slogans

50 Great American Slogans

American history is filled with patriotic slogans that have inspired citizens and shaped the nation’s identity. These slogans and quotes serve as a reflection of the country’s values, struggles, and triumphs. In this blog post, we will explore 50 of the most iconic and memorable American patriotic slogans, their origins, and their significance throughout history.

The Pledge of Allegiance and its Significance

The Pledge of Allegiance and its Significance

The Pledge of Allegiance is an essential part of American patriotism, reflecting the nation’s core values and serving as a symbol of unity. Recited by millions of Americans in schools, sporting events, and other public gatherings, the Pledge holds a unique place in the country’s history and culture. In this blog post, we will delve into the significance of the Pledge, its origins, and the controversies that surround it.

The Role of Patriotism in American Society

The Role of Patriotism in American Society

Patriotism is a deeply ingrained aspect of American society, shaping the nation’s culture, values, and identity. Often misunderstood and even politicized, the role of patriotism extends far beyond politics and into the everyday lives of citizens. In this blog post, we will explore the diverse ways in which patriotism influences American society, including culture, unity, and community involvement.

Race 1 – 2012 Charlotte Speedway Time Trial Series – OUCH!!

Race 1 – 2012 Charlotte Speedway Time Trial Series – OUCH!!

Holy Cow,  Wednesday, April 11 was the first race of the Charlotte Speedway Time Trial Series and one word describes the TT – OUCH. 

Sarah and I left the shop around 4 to get to the race and like always, one thing led to another, we had to pick up something we forgot (wheel and timing chip), put gas in the van (as always), school traffic and managed to get to the track around 5 and lost our customary spot near registration and ended up on the backside of the garage.

2012 Dillworth Criterium

2012 Dillworth Criterium

The 2012 Dillworth Criterium was my first road race of the year.   Dillworth isn’t one of my favorite courses.  I find it to be a challenging course with a long, steady climb on the front stretch, plus it’s usually the my first road race of the year so my body isn’t used to the effort required in a criterium.

My race started at 2.  I arrived a little early to catch the end of the Cat 4/5 race to see my friend Mike Levine finish up.  After that, I rode my bike around for about 20 minutes to get the legs going.

2012 NODA Criterium

2012 NODA Criterium

April 15, 2012 was the inaugural NODA Criterium held in NODA (North Davidson) in Charlotte, NC.  Since I had raced the Dillworth Criterium the day before, I slept in and did somethings around the house before heading down to NODA.

I arrived about 45 minutes before my race, got dressed and found Mike Levine of Mills-Levine.  We warmed up for about 20 minutes.  MIke had raced the 4/5 race and was going to race the 3/4 race.  This would be our first chance to race together.  The course in NODA is super fun.  it has 6 turns and is a fast course with a long uphill drag on the back of the course.

2012 I’on Village Criterium Charleston SC

2012 I’on Village Criterium Charleston SC

I headed down to Charleston, SC for the 2012 I’on Village Criterium and the SC State Championship Criterium the following day.  I’ve made this trip the last 3 years with Neal Boyd and several of the Clif-Bar Giordana Brica team members.  We went down Thursday night, woke up early Friday and went Kayak Fishing with Neal, Leah and Shirlene.  Good times.

It’s always a fun trip and the course at I’on Village is a lot of fun.  I wake up, help Neal set up the course and then hang out until my race.  I did the Cat 2/3 race and it didn’t start until 1:50.  So I went back to the house and did a 20 mile ride on the Isle of Palms and Sullivan island with Shirlene, Alison and Leah.  It was a perfect warm up for my race.

Race 2 – 2012 Charlotte Summer Mountain Bike Series

Race 2 – 2012 Charlotte Summer Mountain Bike Series

The first official race of the Charlotte Summer Series Mountain Bike Series hosted by Charlotte Sports Cycling was at North Mecklenburg Park.  I took the Cool Breeze Van down N. Meck and set the tent up.  With this being the first race and at a relatively easy course, the numbers were impressive.  I’m betting Neal had over 150 racers.  The Cool Breeze/Trek Bike Store team had 12 racers!  A great turn out!

I decided to race the Super Sport class for the summer series.  I considered the Expert class but don’t have a USAC expert license so I couldn’t sign up for the extra length required of the expert class.   We had 12 racers in the Super Sport class which is a great turnout for this class.

Race 3 – 2012 Charlotte Summer Mountain Bike Series

Race 3 – 2012 Charlotte Summer Mountain Bike Series

My second race of the Charlotte Summer Mountain Bike Series was at Renaissance Park in Charlotte, NC.  The course at Renni is a lot different from N. Meck.  It’s longer and more technical, a lot more technical.  It also uses most of the Winter Short Track Series Short Track Course.

Andy and I took the Cool Breeze Cyclery van down to the race.  It was hot and we decided a warm up wasn’t necessary!

Race 2 – Charlotte Speedway Time Trial Series – Getting Better (May 9, 2012)

Originally posted May 9, 2022 Last night was TT #2 of the Charlotte Motor Speedway Time Trial Series at the Carolina Speedway.  Sarah, Chester and I left the shop and arrived at the track about 4:30PM to get two bays to warm up in and save one for the Strong and Focused Tri Team.  It…