as i mentioned earlier.. this was my favorite part of the trip.. the churrasco. here's a small excerpt..

a little under the weather today.. that's what traveling will do to ya. a little theraflu and a few days rest and i'll be good as new. i was reflecting on my trip a little this morning and i have to say.. the people in brazil are the most generous, kindest, people on earth. i mean seriously.. i've traveled through something like 20 countries, over four continents, and i've never come across a culture (as a whole) who comes close to comparing. case in point.. on my flight from sao paulo to goiania i sat and listened to my ipod the entire flight. as we were descending to goiania, the gentleman in the aisle seat pulled a pack of chewing gum out of his pocket and took a piece. he then looked over at me, and without hesitation, offered me a stick. this was without speaking a word to him, or anyone for that matter, the entire flight. a simple gesture like that tells you alot.. i've gone through most of the pictures and posted about 500 of them.. you can find them here. here's some that i thought would be of interest.. and you thought we had it bad. that's for a litre of gas = about $10 a gallon acai.. this is suppose to the a wonder fruit. it's served with granola and sliced bananas. a typical brazilian breakfast.. some fruit, breads, eggs, cheese, and ham. this is how the meat is prepared for the churrasco.. marinated with rock salt cooked. caipirinha.. the national drink. ummmm.. good. out for now.. surFy

home.. sweet.. home. i made it back in one piece : ) somewhat bittersweet though.. on one hand, i couldn't go another day without seeing my girls - gawd i missed them. on the other, i'll miss my brazilian friends and their way of life tremendously. it was the kind of trip that made me reevaluate certain aspects of my life.. a trip i needed. i have a ton of pictures to go through (thanks marcio) but here are a few of my favorites.. a few artistic photos.. all taken in goiania. goiania at night.. i think this one is my favorite. i thought the lighting was cool on this one. great grandpa magalhaes.. he also celebrated 60 years of marriage on this day. a random street.. another goiania night shot.. a little closer up. the magalhaes family.. dreaming : ) my favorite part of the trip.. the churrasco (brazilian bbq) surFy

i came up a little short.. about 12 places short : ) finishing 13th. that´s not bad for a uci 1.2 race but still.. i really wanted to step up on the podium. things just didn´t go my way.. that´s racing. i CAN say that i´ve never ridden with a much heart and determination as i did yesterday.. for that, i am proud. the course didn´t favor me at all.. it was basically up a big hill for 1.5km and then back down.. at, about, 55mph. early on, i realized that i didn´t really have any friends so i decided to stay rested and pray for a miracle. for the most part, i took a page from the master himself, stephen cate, and tail-gunned for 80% of the race. the final three laps i was stuck out in the wind.. this way i could stay near the front. coming into the final turn, with 6oo meters to go, i was fifth. maybe a little too far up but i thought i could handle it. coming out of the turn, i was abruptly taken to the curb.. i should have anticipated it but didn´t. with two feet to spare.. i had no choice but to jump. it was still 500m to go and all uphill. as i stomped on the pedals i noticed a rider attacking up the right hand side of the road. i dug deep but all i could do is watch the guy, who eventually won, rafael andriatto, ride away. i kept a small gap on the rest of the field until the final 100 meters.. and then i ran out of gas : ( even more disappointing was watching the other 11 riders rage past me as i was gasping for air. i rode 110%.. i guess that´s all i could do. here´s a few pics.. on the attack.. a few laps to go.. my friends, and brazil´s top team, memorial-santos i have lots of other pictures.. but my camera has to be charged. i´ll post them when i get back. i better run.. surFy

a sad day today.. said my goodbyes to a good friend.. rest in piece wanderley magalhaes. a bit on the brighter side.. colonels go global : ) i´ve had to fight everybody off of my scott cr1. the cyclists down here go CRAZY for both it and my oakleys! i was having lunch and one of the waiters pointed out that i was on tv.. the pictures are a little blurry though.. it´s pretty wierd hearing yourself speak english on a portuguese tv channel - tv globo. i made sure that i wore my new super pimp oakley radar shades.. thanks kc! side note: you´re not seeing things.. they do have surfer engraved on the lenses : ) a little bit better picture i´ve been on the go all day today so time to head up to the room and take a little nap. i only have one channel in english so i´ll be watching reruns of heros all day. -out surFy

i just found out that the race isn´t going to be held at the autodrome. it´s going to be downtown.. the same place it was in 2003. the course is very tough but the atmosphere will definitely make it worthwile. they´re expecting over 12,000 crazy fans on a course that´s a little over 1.5mi´s. i have a buddy coming over from brasilia to take some photos.. a couple more post ride pictures.. a little natural water.. this was dinner.. yum! but i´m still hungry.. maybe i´ll have a little ice cream. we have a full day ahead of us tomorrow so i better get some rest. surFy

I MADE IT! beautiful goiania for those who have never seen a bike case i´ll post some other photos later.. time to go ride. surFy

i made it.. barely. when i called to check my travel info yesterday i found that my flight left two hours earlier than i was told. so my main man, donman, had to put the peddle to the metal to get me to the aeropuerto on time. he´s the only dude in the world i would trust driving like that.. in addition to jr and dangeruss walker.. but that´s a given. i walked up to the gate just as they were closing the doors : ) the flight sucked.. 10:30 to sao paulo and then transfer airports and catch a flight to goiania five hours later.. total flying time is 12:30. not only was the flight long.. during the flight my powerbook decided to drink a glass of wine.. courtesy of the ahole in front of me. now my powerbook won´t boot up. maybe it was time for a new macbook pro anyway : ) i also managed to knock a glass over on myself while i was fast asleep.. thanks ambien! ambien + wine = comatose (i don´t think many dr´s would recommend it). next time i´m going to bring one of emry´s sippy cups.. and maybe one less pill. other than that.. all is well. i´m a little groggy (duh) but after a few brazilian coffees, i fell pretty good. i´m not sure if i´ll have an internet connection where i´m staying.. if not, i´ll try and find one. lena´s best friend, iris, is getting married today.. so iris (or paul) if you read this.. CONGRATULATIONS! also, if you´re kicking it in dfw this weekend.. be sure to go out to the time trial on saturday. they´ve put alot of work into getting it setup.. so you better represent. i miss my girls! - out for now surFy

still here.. i was suppose to leave for goiania, brazil today but it looks like i won't be leaving until thursday. i'll believe it when i'm on the plane : ) i had everything packed.. including my bike! oh well.. i'm pretty excited about the trip. it's been a couple of years since i've been there.. though it probably hasn't changed much.. but i'm still anxious. goiania skyline a view from one of my hotels the event is first class.. they put me up in 4 and 5 star hotels.. we eat at great restaurants.. it's very well put together. the race itself is held on the autodromo de goiania. the circuit isn't too tough but it's the competition that makes it.. well.. unique. we'll probably have 300 people start our race.. everything from weekend warriors to the top pros in south america. the teams down there are VERY well organized and funded.. similar to healthnet or navigators here. even though 300 will start.. there will be less than 60 finishers. one thing is for sure.. it'll be fun! i'm going to try and update my blog as much as possible while i'm there.. so stay tuned. - surFy

man.. slept like total crap. i guess i have alot on my mind. it looks like i'm going back to brazil on tuesday. i wasn't sure if i was going to be able to go but it looks like i have the "green light" now - i have the greatest wife in the world! this trip will be a little different though.. i will be racing but, most importantly, i'm going to pay tribute to a good friend who passed away last year - wanderley magalhaes. wanderley was one of brazil's greatest cyclists.. he rode for several top european teams - including lotto in which he rode the tour. he was a great cyclist and friend.. he will be truly missed. p.s. if you have any old bike parts lying around that you'd like to get ride of.. let me know because the cyclists in brazil would greatly appreciate them. trust me.. anything is better than what they have : ) - surFy

my new kicks.. note the kick a$$ socks : )

i just found out that the tenzing rider below (crash pictures) was christian williams.. but he's doing alright i hear. the other riders involved were my buddies adam wilk and rich miller. damn.. i hope it doesn't mess wilk up for his tri's. the photos look scary! get well soon guys.. - surFY

so this morning i decided to forgo starbucks. that's right.. kick the caffeine habit. i haven't been a junkie for too long now.. about three years. actually, almost three years to the day. i didn't start drinking coffee (espresso) until philly (uspro) week in 2004. i'm not even sure why i started.. boredom i guess. we didn't due crap but ride a little in the morning and then i would sit in starbucks ALL day and wi-fi. those were the days : ) here's a picture from trenton.. i'm in a break with my good friend jonny sundt and dave mccook.. we were later caught with about 20mi's remaining. reliving my glory days. but i figure it's probably time to quit caffeine. it makes me a little irritable sometimes. everything was going according to plan. right turn off of midway.. due south to 183 and eastbound to work. no problem.. right? wrong. i'm sooo weak.. five minutes later i've got my $2.27 grande americano and a huge smile on my face. i'll quit tomorrow : ) or not. i rode my scott plasma for a solid 1.5 hr's tonight.. that thing is a rocket. seriously, it's unreal. i had to hold myself back towards the end of my ride so i didn't blow my knees out.. gettin' old is a bitch. damn.. i just got a call from richey miller. he crashed at the tuesday nighter and needed some road rash advice.. vicodin. road rash sucks. get well soon richey. U P D A T E pics.. about to make contact.. but if you look closely you can clearly see the dude in white (tenzing) just after his helmet came off. over the bars.. and the tenzing rider without the helmet is hitting his head on the pavment.. i hope he's alright! next time you're in the hood.. stop by. - out surFy

lots of ups and downs this weekend.. first and foremost.. i had to say my final goodbyes to my beloved grandma. she lived a good life so i guess it was time. it was nice seeing all my family that i haven't seen in years.. but it made me feel kind of old : ) the transmission went out in the trooper this weekend as well.. nothing $3k won't fix : ) so now all we have is the jetta for "reliable" transportation.. ghetto! my little angel turned four.. i can't believe it's been four years. we had her birthday party at pump it up.. that sheit was off the chain! i could barely move this morning. i think i had more fun than the kids. i was catching up on cycling news and found that one of the guys i raced with in brazil, pierre herinne, was detained by the belgian police for alleged drug dealing.. what! i couldn't believe it.. actually, i guess i can. here's a picture of us having a good time deep in the heart of brazil. i was also stoked to read that my boy, andrew dahliem, won the texas state road race championship. he's really coming into his own this year.. keeps tabs on him cause i'm sure he's going places. last.. but not least. i'd like to share another photo. lena snapped this one today while the girLs where watching the tele (please excuse the mess). it's pretty cute. p.s. if you know a good mechanic.. let me know : ) - out surFy

damn.. time flies. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELLA 4 years old today.. she's gonna be a heart breaker : ( my favorite pic of the day.. contemplating life.. a well deserved break. my little girl is growing up.. - surFy

no racing for me this weekend.. i'll be in kansas. my grandmother passed away and i'm one of the pall bearers. she was about 90 so she lived a good life.. rip grandma. not much else is going on. i've ridden my bike once since tulsa.. for 1:45. felt pretty good though.. i guess i'm rested. not sure when i'm going to start "training" again. it doesn't look like i'll be in austin on he 16th either. lena has some type of "function" to attend so i'll be at home with the girLs. ohh well.. maybe next year. not sure who to put my $$$ on this weekend.. if chopper rides aggressively i think he'll surprise some people. i think the other contenders are: rothe, wenger, seagrave, dalhiem, gandara, and, my favorite, bret : ) one thing i do know.. at only 80mi's, it's going to be an epic battle. good luck to all! watch out for my boy, tim cook, in the 3's.. he's been rippin' lately. out.. surFy

step up.. and that's what they did. even though my weekend was a complete disappointment.. i still left with a smile on my face. this weekend was the rise of the young guns.. trying to find their place in the peleton.. starting to make a name for themselves. it was an impressive sight.. something to be proud of. first and foremost was the squad from team hotel san jose.. several riders under the age of 23. you have: fawley dalhiem jewell tokarski (he's still a junior) you also had the compliance depot duo of: densmore koch (one of my favorites) these guys were killing it! i love to see that they're not scared to attack and willing to put their neck on the line. it's not something that you see very often.. especially in younger riders. as for us old hacks.. it's time to step aside and let gen X take over : ) surFy

last nights results.. check out #7.. very impressive - first amateur in a stacked field. if he keeps it up.. i have a feeling he'll be making the jump. three texans in the top 10.. not bad. 1. Michael Grabinger 2. Daniel Schmatz 3. Ricardo Escuela 4. Jeff Hopkins 5. Alexi Martinez 6. Alessandro Bazzana 7. Andrew Dalhiem 8. Steve Tilford 9. Philip Wikoff 10. Carlos Vargas

it's late.. and once again, i can't sleep. i miss my girls : ( tonight was a different animal.. dry and fast. side note.. shannon koch is my new favorite racer.. well, tied with patrick mccarty and THE cagle. i've always liked her tough spirit and aggression. go get em girl! finishing 3rd tonight! our race started off.. well, hard. i started on the front line and before i knew it, i was away with two (chuck coyle (successful living) and carlos vargas (thsj superstar)) for 4 laps. we had a pretty good size gap but damn.. i didn't even warm up and these guys were sprinting out of every corner. needless to say, when we got caught, i was stuck in the smoking section (back) for the next 45 min's trying to recover and flush the latic acid from my system : ) if it wasn't for my buddy, bill marshall, i would have been dropped. he saw the desperation in my pedal stroke and gave me a helping hand to keep me in touch with the peleton.. after i finally recovered, it was back to work. with about 25 mins to go.. a break was dangling off the front. i decided it looked like it could be the move to stick so i jumped on the backside and bridged across solo. as soon as i made contact, they rang the bell for a prime. three of the riders immediately put their heads down and motored away while the other three of us looked at each other like idiots. i really couldn't have been of any help as i had just made a big effort to get there. the three stayed away.. well, kind of. on the last lap, they were playing games and two of the riders were caught leaving the one successful living guy to take the win in fine style.. alone. stefan tried desperately to make it across but came up a little shy.. i tried my best to get to the front with 5 laps to go but couldn't.. leaving cagle to fight it out on his own. i'm not sure where he finished, but it was somewhere up there. tomorrow race is tough.. tulsa tough : ) super hilly and super fast.. it's going to take an act of god for me to pull something out.. heading to bed.. sleep tight and don't let the bedbugs bite! surFy

a solid five hours.. damn. nothing this won't fix.. a five shot americano and a medio litro.. for those who've never had a medio litro coke (a product of mexico), you're missing out. it's made with pure sugar cane.. yum. here's a pic of cagle's pad.. my host home. it has some kind of thermonuclear conductor beneath it.. his heating and cooling bill last month was $9.. what! yea.. it's insanely nice. we race tonight at 6:45.. and the radar is looking clear! time to gear up to get down.. stay tuned. surFy

in the car 4 hr's today driving up to stay a cagles. the drive wasn't soo bad though. i watched one of my favorite movies on my dvd player (i need something to watch while my ghetto ass car is broken down on the side of the road) .. the thin red line. probably not a great movie to watch before a race (debbie downer) but, oh well, i still loved it. i also stopped to pee on the side of the road and thought this was pretty.. with the way the wind was blowing it looked like water.. surreal. after arriving at chads place, which is SUPER PIMP, we checked the weather radar. 100% chance of rain and thunderstorms.. two of my favorite things. but we suited up and headed out anyway.. rained the entire time. the officials even had to delay the start due to the lightning in the area.. needless to say, by the time the race did start, i was not very enthusiastic. surFy and water without waves don't mix : ) i started at the back and stayed there until i decided it was time for me to pull the plug. i actually did try for a little bit but it was just a little too sketchy for me.. me no likey the rain. in the end it was the successful living team lining it up and taking 1 - 2 in the field sprint.. with jeff hopkins (jittery joes) taking a solid third. i have a feeling this is going to be a prelude of things to come. the successful living guys are riding ridiculously strong right now.. they'll be tough to beat. tomorrow (later today) is a new day.. i'm looking forward to it! if it's dry : ) i'm going to bed.. it's 2am. sweet dreams. surFy

i've lost practice.. it's been soo long since i've had to pack for a race : ) i'm slow.. heading out to tulsa in about an hour. i'm actually looking forward to the racing.. it's been a while since i've been this excited. for all my super fans out there.. i've made up some core surfernick.com decals. whatcha think?? if you want one.. let me know and i'll hook it up. - out surFy