Elevation 5330: HIGH PLAINS DRIFTER ON ONE GEAR

What's that smell!

2012-01-26T19:41:00.002-07:00

Not much time on the bike since Sunday. The stress level at work is exhausting! And I am finding myself tired and ready for bed when i get home. Along with scratchy throat that has entered my world I find my gas tank empty. i am the kinda guy who loves life and every day is a gift. I also love my job! BUT! I am ready for the weekend. I have plans for some big hours in the saddle and all around fun. I need a recharge and I can always count on the bike.

In other news my dog got a mouth full of Skunk on Sunday night and we are having a hard time getting the stink out of EVERYTHING! Maybe the skunk was a warning of the week to come. maybe I should have headed to Moab for a few days to ride, maybe I should just go to bed.

All in all life rules! My only question is: When life gives you lemons you make lemonade. What do you do when life gives you a skunk!? I sure the hell can't make perfume!

NOT Down with the Sickness!

2012-01-14T08:35:00.002-07:00

So this weeks training plan went out the window. The Flu did not let go of me yet! All week I was fighting headaches, stomach problems and the fun stuff. Yesterday it's grip started to weaken and today I find myself free!

This is good for me because I have my top secret RETUL fit today. I guess it is not to top secret anymore. Anyway I am bringing in my new top secret SS to TriBella and having Josh V. set me up. Right now you may be saying something like, "What! Fitting a SS, dumb."

Well, that's what I race and when you race 60+ miles on a SS in Rocky CO. you better have the right fit or it becomes a nightmare!

This morning I am thinking of jumping on the bike for a quick spin but really not sure if I have time. Lot's going on today. Ava first dance class is today, I have my fitting, and then there is the RLW team party that has the Denver Broncos game during it. So, maybe I'll ride maybe i wont. I have 20 mins to decide!

I hope everyone is doing well in the mother land and I hope the snow keeps piling up for ya.

I heart cold, snow, and HTFU warriors

2012-01-07T16:31:00.009-07:00

A great ride today, 25 degrees and a slight North breeze kept everyone inside except the HTFU group.
Today I rode the Primus 1X9. It's my current winter bike. I have a 34 on the front to keep me from cheating during by base training. I have to say that you can go pretty fast on a geared bike. I had a blast hitting the dirt fire roads before the snow storm moved in. I know that tomorrow I will have to ride on the tar bike trail or road. With the high of 20 as the forecast I am guessing will will be on the road or tar bike trail. Which is fine the cold weather keeps people in because they know the next day or two it will be 50. The Broncos are also playing so that will limit traffic. What I cant forget is to wear my revolutioncycleandski.com hat. I love that thing!

The good news is that I am still holding my training plan and getting the hours in I need! Ya, it's only been a week, but still I am amped to ride every day and every minute. That is something that I have missed for a few years.
On the way home I found a goat head and rode over it. I fixed the flat but my pump broke and I had to ride very carefully the last 5 miles.
Tonight I am going to Julie's work party at some swank restaurant downtown. The roads are looking pretty wet and may turn to ice but I can't pass up a free meal.

The pics: There are Mtns there somewhere! 10 point Buck, Flats suck!, Storm is coming!

26er? really? Yep!

2012-01-04T16:09:00.002-07:00

Stayed home with Will today and his sickness. Decided that I needed to build up the Primus 26er for the rest of the winter riding. I have not ridden a geared mt in bike in some time so it will be a nice change. I plan on hitting some climbs and i need gears. I don't like walking when its cold!
All the single speeds are hanging and I plan on leaving them for a bit. I have two new top secret bikes in the works but those are going to take a little bit of time before they see the sun. I am super excited about getting fit on the new race bike. Going over to Tribellas and having Josh set up my fit using RETUL!

Tomorrow is going to be 66 degrees! I wonder if I will be able to get out in the dark for a quick spin. Or maybe my top secret bike frame will arrive instead and I will bring it to LIFE!!!!

Stay ahead of the frontloader!

2012-01-03T16:08:00.004-07:00

Family members are sick, but that's okay because it got me out and onto the bike. The boy and wife have the flu so I was able to ride because Julie had to stay home. The plan was to only ride an hour working on cadence. The 39X16 with 34 tires did the trick until I headed North (home). Rocked out an avg of 100 rpm, that's high for me (Kind of a masher).

There was a 20 min window with a headwind that pushed me down to 65-70 rpms and my legs felt it! Tomorrow I go back to work and stress. I have my plan laid out for riding so the test will come later in the week if I can keep up with it. My biggest problem is food consumption. I have a tendency to forget to eat lunch at the right time. When I get home I am in Frontloader mode! Consuming everything I see. Cookies, salmon, chips, my taste buds do not discriminate!

Routine Leg Works, Compression socks, and a New Year

2012-01-01T18:12:00.004-07:00

Today the wind died down and I was able to get the SS cross bike rolling. I was hoping for some dirt, but everything is still just to wet. I don't want to be "that guy" when it comes to ruining trails.
Although the wind was nothing like yesterday, it was present. The wind was coming out of the North which left me with a warm 25 degrees. Knowing it was going to be a bit chilly I broke out a new batch of RLW flahute. I have to give the boys credit! This stuff is amazing. I know they have been working on a great product to make it even better and they did it. I rubbed the Flahute into my toes, feet, quads, hamstrings, and knees and out the door I went.
Not at any moment of the ride did I think about turning for home because of cold toes, feet, or legs. As a matter of fact I kept smiling knowing that I could keep going, even if my face was getting cold.
After getting home I realized that the wind was a little stronger then I thought. My legs were feeling tired. I grabbed the RLW Recovery, pulled on the CEP compression socks and watched the Cross Fit World Championships, those people are ripped! No place for a skinny beer drinking single speeder.

Today I created an Excel spreadsheet to help keep track of training. Ya, I have a powertap and that works great for the road bike but I ride my SS cross and mtn bike so much that I wanted a place to keep track of everything. I color coded it in hopes to keep me motivated. I am so visual that a simple color, say red. Freaks me out! I need to move it from red to green! I think I'm a little OCD.

Today was an amazing day of riding. I love getting back from a ride and look forward to making it happen all over again tomorrow. My overall goal for the year is to have many, many days just like today.

WHAT! it's been like three months!

2011-12-29T15:53:00.008-07:00

Ya ya,

No excuses here.

Let's just jump right into racing. The cross season started out great for me. A few wins some great courses with lots of mud, some super competition, great friends to race, bullshit, and drink beer with, and after getting the Raven Cycle Werks single speed dialed, a solid bike.

So overall a pretty good season. I have to admit that I faded physically this year. I guess I'm getting old and can't hold the fitness or maybe I didn't have the overall fitness I needed. I still finished top single speeder behind the Gates Carbon guys which I think says something (around 8th) but more important is the teamhttp://routinelegworks.wordpress.com/ finished 2nd overall in the team comp! Way to go boys!! The single speed racers are really great guys and fun to heckle and race against. I am really looking forward to next year! Maybe I should Cat up. It might make me faster. Nah!

Speaking of next year. I am planing on racing the Rocky Mt endurance series. Yes, on a single speed. The Breck 100 has me nervous already but when the time comes I'll know if I'm ready. May do the Firecracker 50 as a test. Of course I'm still thinking about a few Winter Park racing. They are always a good vibe and lots of cool people. Maybe this year we can do a race and then ride over the pass home. It's only like 80 miles after a 2 1/2 hour race HTFU!

As of today I built my road bike back up, hung up one of the cross bikes and am in the process of a new ride.

2012 goals will be to ride 7-10 hours a week, race and win, have a blast doing both and drink some Colorado or Minnesota beer in between. Did I mention eating whatever the hell I want!

The above pics are from either the Colorado Cross DEATH ride, Rollins pass, racing, or riding in my backyard.

LeadLegs

2011-09-22T19:12:00.002-06:00

That is what I had at yesterdays race. No warm due to a headset that I was fixing. The race started, about 15 of us, and a way we went. I didn't want to go from the gun to hard because I really wanted to see a few guys chase and then pop.

Well, I state fourth waiting, waiting, waiting. Jesse and Carlos started to go and I could not wait any longer. I got around the guy in front of me and pinned it. I closed the gap to about a 2 seconds and then the lead started to fill in.

I rode hard and felt good but the legs just would not turn over like I wanted. Jesse and Carlos rode away on lap two and I just put my head down and pushed, focusing on smooth corners and attacking every little climb. I finished 3rd, not bad for how I was feeling.

It was an eye opener for this weekend. Tonight I ran earns and taking a break. Tomorrow i will get out for a spin and try to blow out the legs. Saturday is going to be a killer race. Hard with hills, huge sssssssand pits, big barriers on crazy off camber sections and beer.

I may gear down if my legs aren't feeling it. At least that way I can spin like crazy and maybe hold onto a wheel or two.

Boulder Racing #1

2011-09-18T14:16:00.004-06:00

Yesterday we raced at the Valmont Bike Park and when you race a new location in Colorado everyone seems to show up.

As you can see from the picture the clouds were holding rain but it never hit the ground. However the wind was in full effect. I felt it!

The race course was really fun and I would race there again without question. There were hills, awesome sandpits, two stair run ups, power sections, and lots of "pump track" type rollers. Those rollers were a bit hard for a big boy bike but I made it work.

At the start I looked around and felt a little intimidated. Some heavy hitters were lined up next to me, behind, as a matter a fact everywhere I looked I saw power. The wind was blowing straight into our faces at the start. I did not want to be the guy that pulls everyone through the wind I started slow and jumped onto Carlos wheel. Our first trip up the hill I attacked but when I got to the top I was spinning out! Brain came by with Carlos and Joe (who won). They started pulling away while I chased.

Joe and Carlos pulled away and were looking good. Brain and I battled back and forth for a few laps, but when I was

going up a hill with a strong headwind blowing in my face my lower back tightened up and I slowed. Brain gaped me. Soon Ben O. came by, he wanted help chasing but I just could not get the power to the pedals. I chased and kept the two in sight thinking that maybe the final lap I could close.

With 1/2 a lap to go Brain had a mishap and I passed him, leaving me to finish the race in fourth place. Ben finished 30 seconds up on me and Joe and Carlos put a couple minutes into all of us.

A had a blast racing with everyone on a really cool course. It helped me realize that I need to do some lower back exercises.

(The picture is myself racing through some cat 3s, Brain is in blue right behind me. The single speed category starts about 3 minutes behind the 3s. We often get into the middle of the pack 3s quickly, which can be good and bad)

A win is a win!

2011-09-15T20:15:00.002-06:00

Wednesday night's "Back to Basic cyclocross series" started yesterday. It was truly back to Basics. The heavy clouds opened up and started raining about 5PM. The dry dirt/clay quickly turned into slime and puddles and forced everyone to really pay attention to how they were riding.

There were 100 souls that stayed and raced through it all and I have to say that I am proud of all of them. I know many here in Colorado only want to race when the sun is out, but I feel the opposite. I love the cold, the rain, and hopefully the snow.
In Colorado you have a lot of racers who have, what I call, "straight away wattage". These are the people that can't really handle a bike but sure as hell can drop you on a straight. We have a lot of people like that here. What do you expect? We 300 plus days of sun and 400 plus miles of concrete bike trail.
Anyway the race was great. I was smiling the whole time, even when the mud was going in my mouth and eyes. We were the last race of the day, 6:40, 30 seconds behind the category 3 racers.
A great race. I hope it rains every cross race this year. It helps even the playing field and helped me with the first win of the year!

First CX race of the year!

2011-09-11T08:08:00.002-06:00

Went something like this:

Good warm, call up, GO! DOG!!!!!! (a kid let his dog go and ran out in the front of 20 single speeders sprinting into the first 180 degree corner). Hit the first hill in 1st, hit the first gopher hole, bike blows up! Everyone passes me while I wait for tools to fix a triple mech.

The 3's started 2 mins behind us and by the time I had the bike fixed (thanks Brian Gary) they were 30 secs ahead of me.

The new plan was to catch as many 3s as possible and maybe some single speeders. I knew I would have to dig deep and this would be my first true test of where I stand physically and mentally.

Long painful story short. I finished 12th in the SS cat and passed a few cat 3's. I am happy with my effort and feel confident that I could have finished much higher if I would not have had the problems.

My thoughts are that now I have all the mechanicals out of the way for the season. I also need to buy a few new bike items!

I cannot wait until next weeks races. One in Boulder at the new Valmont park, the other is up at elevation. Both should be AWESOME!

Deep Breathing

2011-09-05T16:53:00.002-06:00

Today I found my lungs! Since June I have been working on my base. I wanted to go slow and easy and peak during cross season. So far, everything is working out as planned. I started this base training back in June. Ya, I know that is a long time but like I said I have a plan.

The last three days of riding have opened my lungs. Saturdays ride was a 2 hour jaunt around with a few 1 min blasts on the gravel hills (no snakes this time). Yesterdays 50 mile cyclocross ride that lasted 5 hour and had us climbing to a total of 4200 feet was great for getting the legs cleared out.

Today I hit Buffalo Creek for 4 hours. Started the ride with a really nice climb out of Pine Valley. Needed it because it was 40 degrees and I had no jacket. Overall the ride was RAD, but it was really "sandy" more like ball bearing so I had to focus on positioning and power distribution. Once to the top it is a bunch of rollers and power climbs. As the ride went on I hit every climb with a little more power. By mid ride I was all out attacking everything. It reminded me of the old days (about 4 years ago).

The best part was my breathing. It was there! No whimpering, no pain, just deep breathing.

Cross season starts soon. Saturday there is a race but the real racing starts in 3 weeks. I cant wait to see how the legs, lungs, and pain shake out. HTFU!!

Get your ASS over the PASS

2011-08-16T19:03:00.005-06:00

Killer weekend! Went to Winter Park for a night of fun and then rode the single speed home. Here is how it all laid out.

The ride started out rough. We started late, within 5 mins of leaving we had a flat tire. After we fixed it and got going we realized that no land speed records were going to be broken.

The total ride time was somewhere around 8 hours and pedal time was like 6 1/2 hours.

Overall a killer ride that I would do again.

Back to the story. After reaching the top, we felt a bit of rain and at 12000 feet that's not good. We booked out of there and found a few small snow fields to cross and some trusstles that made your testicles crawl all the way up into your body cavity. On the first trestle I rode close to the edge to get a good look. It was a few thousand feet of drop so I refocused on the middle. The pic is the second trestle (see facebook fro this one). I know you can't tell how far up we were, but if you notice there are no trees.

If anyone wants to ride this let me know. I'm in! Just make sure that it is not your second ride of the year. One of the riders that was with us was named Chad and it was his second ride. Long story short, his wife picked him up on the other side of the pass.

The ride was fantastic until we hit the bottom of the pass. As we turned on to the dirt road it started to pour! Lighting and thunder was abundant and my heart was racing. I was running a 32 X20 and found myself spinning 100 RPMs for the next 10 miles.

It felt like I was in Hell of the North. The rain was warm and I have to say I was having a great time.

We made it Rollinsville and took a break while the storm pushed away from us. We decided to push on, due to more climbing ahead of us. By the time we were done climbing we were dried out and ready to go down hill.

We rode into Golden Gate State Park and had some wicked fast descending on our fat tires. After weaving around we ran into Drew Hill which is 1.5 miles of crazy steepness! I made it about 1/2 way and had to walk. Travis was a beast and rode the whole thing!

The rest of the way home the skis became darker and as we hit Golden the rain started coming down.

I headed for home and raced the rain (I won).

Some great riding with great friends!

Routine Leg Works has a new product for "rear" and it worked very well! I would recommend it in a sec! I think they should call it "taint nothing". Because there was never a thought or pain that crossed my mind while riding 80 miles on rocky trails.

Rounding up Bunnies

2011-08-09T09:09:00.003-06:00

School is fast approaching and I find myself jumping out of bed in the morning to get the last of the morning rides in. Today, just like every morning, I found peace, warmth, and a smile on my face as the sun rose over the plains.
I have been doing a lot of road riding and today I decided to hit the dirt again. My gravel rides around here are not all gravel. I have to hook up bike trails, roads, and horse paths. We have had a ton of rain and all of the grasses and plants are to tall to ride some of the horse paths so today I was mostly on the bike paths. I even went out onto the roads and rode the gravel sides.

As the sun was coming up, bunnies were waking up and sunning themselves. I have never seen so many rabbits in my life. I guess the mild winter helped out. The good about all the bunnies is that there are no large kitty cats around, so when I hit those trails early in the A.M. I am not worried about running into one (not that I have yet, that I know of). The bad is that I am dodging, or they are dodging me,them and it can make it a little sketchy. I really do not like bunny blood on my frame. Um, Bunny Blood? Could be a new band name.

School starts back up on Monday and I am not that excited about losing my morning rides. I am going to have to move to evening rides, which is not going to be easy for me.
My biggest fear is that I am going to lose my base. Cross season starts in 5 weeks and I have goals this year! My evening rides are going to be short and intense!
I have thought that maybe I could get up really early and ride but that has only been a thought. Riding in the early morning darkness intrigues me but training for cross is more then just riding on the trail. I kinda need to see.

This weekend I am going to Winter Park with friends and we are going to ride from Winter Park back to Golden over Rollins Pass. We are doing this on cross bikes or MTB. I am going to ride my GF SS. I am hoping that I am not making a critical mistake by not bringing gears.
Oh well, live and learn!

Focus

2011-07-28T09:53:00.004-06:00

It has been about 9 months since I posted anything. That's because I have lost focus. I lost focus on biking, on blogging, on just about everything. Looking back over the past few years I have found that it makes since to have lost my focus. Let me explain:

About 3 years ago I saw God. Ya, I know what you are thinking but I really did. I was racing in a crit in downtown with 4 laps to go. We had a team train going and everything looked poised for the win. On one of the 90 degree corners, at about 35 mph, my teammates blew both tires off his rims. Needless to say extreme carnage was expected. Bodies started flying, and power skids were in force.

My teammates bike pushed me to the outside as he slide past me on the ground. Another rider was fling backwards and we locked eyes. He was headed for a HUGE Elm tree and neither of us had any control over his or my future. As I was skidding towards the 10inch curb (in my head I knew I was in trouble) with large building just feet from the curb. I thought about this guy heading toward the tree.

Seconds before impact something strange happened. As if someone reached out and grabbed him he seemed to stop in mid air. He literally sat down against the tree unhurt. I found myself doing a track stand next to the curb. We both looked at each other and then simultaneously said, " what just happened?"

We rode our bikes to the pit and had a good talk about how no one was hurt, no bikes were broke, and of course how the Hell did he not hit that tree. That was phase one of loosing focus.

Phase two came when my dad told me he had cancer and that it was terminal. I lost focus on everything except the fact that my dad was dieing and there was nothing anyone could do about it. Every time I tried to do something relaxing, like biking, I would think of him. I quit riding my bike and just worked, worked, worked. Anything but think about my dad was my plan.

So, I have not raced a crit or a MTB race since, I have ridden my bike less them a 1500 miles in three years, and yes I am physically out of shape.

The good news is that I have found FOCUS. The focus that I once had is now back when I ride my bike. I no longer day dream of what's to come or what has happened. I focus on the pain, the watts, the threshold. I now find myself smiling on the bike instead of crying. I find myself enjoying every pedal stroke, every bug that hits my face, every smile from other riders.

Am I going to race crits again? NO! Right now I am enjoying life and all the great things it gives me as well as the bad.

Open Apology

2010-11-03T17:34:00.002-06:00

This is a quick apology to anyone that raced Sunday and was placed behind me in the standings. Most know that I blew a tire off, fixed it and jumped back in. Most know that I was a lap down. I tried to make this clear to the refs but to no avail they got it wrong. The main ref put it like this, "We have three races going on at the same time. The place is the place." So, long story short, I should have finished 15th instead of 8th. Maybe this will get cleared up but doubtful. Remember boys, we are racing single speed not open pro. See me at the next few races and I'll make sure you get enough beer to cover the few points difference.
See ya all out there and great racing this year!

Pain Cave!

2010-10-24T20:31:00.001-06:00

This weekend I found my way to the Pain Cave, and entered. I have to say that it was a well spent time. After the past few weeks of traveling, high stress, sickness and no exercise I found myself yearning for the cave. Yesterday I found it but it wasn’t so bad; I was running a 42x17 and that was a bit steep for where I am with my fitness so I didn’t reach the pain cave fully. I finished sixth on a really fast and fun course, but I expect better. Today I really found the entrance to the cave and entered . I stayed there for 45 mins.

The race was out at Louisville rec center and the promoters built it to cause pain. The race course was very flowy with two BIG run ups, actually three but you could ride it if you could carry your speed, and BUMMMPPPYYYY sections.

The start was fast, Colin drilled it and we all followed. I let Carlos pull me around a bit. On the run ups I buried myself and made the boys feel the pain of the “Long legs”. I sat third for a while and then I crashed in the sand pit. I landed on my left side and I knew I was going to have a problem holding third. Long story short, I sat in the back of the pain cave and tried to hold Carlos off but he got me at the end. My body is in a world of hurt right now but the good news is that the legs and lungs are coming around.

Mad props to Routine Legs Work today. Pretty gusty wind today and the temp was flexing heavily. At one point I thought it was going to snow. I rubbed in the Flahute and layered up. It didn’t take long for it to kick in and before I knew it I was only wearing my kit. I was super warm (pre race and post) the whole race and it really helped maintain body temp. Tonight I will be rubbing Flahute on my back (all week actually). If you have not used RLW products you better get on board soon. That stuff is AWESOME and is a great price compared to other products out there. As a matter of fact I think that they may be the cheapest.

2010-10-03T19:29:00.002-06:00

Went to the high country this weekend to do a little sadistic single speed racing at 10,000 feet! The course layout was similar to past courses there. They started us out up a nice wide dirt road to drag race to the first corner that dropped us into a twisty fast downhill that was covered in wood chips. There were a few Midwest twists to this race such as multiple chicane in the little bit of grass that was there, as well as, sand and a nasty little (not so little) run up (that Jake Wells rode EVERY time).

It was 32 degree when we arrived at the venue so I headed over to the RLW table and worked in some embrocation. I have to say that the makers of this stuff go this one right! By the time my race started I was only wearing my kit. No need for extra clothes when the RLW Flahute is working.

At the start I got the call up, second row, I looked around at all the serious racers and shaking cold legs. The whistle blew and everyone gunned it. I was running a 42X17 so I spun up quickly. Half way up the hill people started dropping. By the top of the hill I was sitting on the tail of the lead group (maybe 15). We dropped in to the wood chips and railed. I sat around 15th for the first couple of laps and then I noticed that my seat was low (about an inch). Again the boys at RLW came through. They were in the pits waiting with the tools. I fixed the seat and went back out. I didn't lose much time, but in a 35 open race a second can be a life time.

I drilled it up the hills and then started day dreaming about the single speed race that I was going to do in 6 hours. I knew that I wasn't going to catch any more rides so i sat up a bit and just pedaled. I didn't win but I wasn't DFL either.

I rubbed in some post RLW, sat down and cheered for the rest of the day. As the day went on I realized that i pushed too hard in the open race and the fear of racing in the single speed race and doing well was creeping into my head.

At 3:46 I was racing again. It was a pretty stacked field, mostly cat 1-2 guys. The ref blew his whistle and everyone pinned it in to a head wind. Somehow I was leading up the hill. About 1/2 way up I slowed to let people block the headwind for me. As I slowed, 5 guys pinned it.

The course was a bit different because of all the riding throughout the day. It was very flowy and pretty fun. I knew that I wasn't going to bridge the gap because of the gear ratio and how I felt. The race of the race was me trying to flow and not use any brakes. I have to say it was pretty awesome to ride and only focus on flow instead of race leaders. I finished the day in 10th (out of 20 plus starters).

When it was all said and done I was pretty satisfied with 10th. Two a day's hurt!!!! Mad props to the Crossniacs who all doubled up at 10k feet! And thanks to RLW for the pre, post and flahute (and the hand ups) that helped me keep my legs and knees warm and helped me cool down.

New computer and new cross tires

2010-09-20T19:36:00.001-06:00

So, I bought a few new toys over the past week. The first being a new lap top that is amazing! the second was a new cross tire, which I have to say is amazing as well. I have a few new job opportunities in the works so that is why the new computer is here. And the cross tire you ask? Well, that was needed from washing out in the corners and losing seconds to Belt Drive bikes! This is really just me wasting time and seeing if I like the new key board. Work hard, Play hard, drink PBR!

Cross is here!

2010-09-07T18:59:00.002-06:00

The bike is ready!
The rider is almost ready!
I need new bearings in my wheels and then all will fall into place!
To all those that are racing cross this year with disc brakes or BELT DRIVES, you SUCK!!!!
Just kidding, kinda
See ya all soon!

Ode to the WALL

2010-08-15T13:30:00.003-06:00

Wall, you are able to bring tears of happiness to my eyes.
The joy you place in my heart as I race your down your steep grade is almost unbearable!
The fear of you creeps into my soul as I ride away knowing that within hours I will be back climbing that same grade with blood in my eyes and the sun on my back is almost to much!
Wall, you are an emotional roller coaster that I love to be part of every week!

On to other more important things. Yesterday I found the joy of riding. I have been in a pretty big slump the last 18 months (for good reason) but now it has cleared. I have the drive to wake up and ride,the snap in my legs is back (not racing yet) . Yesterday was my first 60 mile ride in almost two years. I have to say that it felt good the whole time. Not one time did I find myself asking, "Why the hell am I out here again?"
The tide has changed! Now I need to try and get into shape so I can race cross and really enjoy the pain locker (which I found today).

Racing!!!

2010-07-25T20:50:00.002-06:00

The plan is to race on Sat. after I get my stitches out of my hand. I have not ridden for a long time! The summer fishing trip, work, kids, and my hand have all caused me to stall out. However, that will not stop me from looking like a fool this coming weekend. I am going to race the sport race on my SS. I do not care if I come in last. I am going to have fun and ride in a race atmosphere.Cross is coming and I need to get motivated to ride and race. I want to race but the training time is hard. I have a few things up my sleeve that may open up some time for me. We will have to wait and see.
Overall life is great. I am busy with stuff just like everyone out there. Nothing new to report but I am hoping that I will have some new things soon. Cross bikes are being built, and parts are being fixed.

Where have I been?

2010-06-19T16:02:00.004-06:00

All over the place! When school ended we headed to Florida for a week (see facebook pics It will not let me load them right now). That was a great week. We relaxed and had a ton of fun! Will started to grow gills and Ava was all about chasing waves and chilling under the umbrella.
After that we we were home for a bit and then I was off to Washington State (Methow Valley area) to work with a few teachers about the standards based movement. It was a great time, got a lot done, and worked with some great teachers.
One of the teachers sons rides cross for villina bikes (Solomon) and I was able to hang out and talk bikes with him. I think we both loved it (there are only two racer type riders in that area). Any of you gravel grinder guys would be in heaven there. Tons of trails, dirt roads, and amazing views and nobody to bother you. To give you an idea of how remote this place was, the pass thqt connects to the coast closes for the winter and that limits people taveling about. I was wishing that I had another day there because I would have been able to get out and ride with him, or at least behind him as he dropped me like a bad habit.

As I type this I am sitting in Seattle Tacoma airport waiting for a plane to show up. Once back in ColoRADo, Will and I will be packing and heading to Wisconson to visit family and do a whole lot of fishing with my mom. That looks like a three week trip so that should be pretty relaxing.
After that I will be back in CO and I hope that I can start to train for cross season, but I have a feeling that I will be off to California to help out some teachers there. I start district work the first week of Aug with training for two weeks and then back into the school after that.

The hunger to get back on the bike is building quickly and I find myself motivated to find the pain cave stay awhile. My cross season and late mountain bike race season is going to be dependant on how many fish I catch, how much sunburn I may get, and how many PBRs I consume over the next three weeks, oh, and how much travel I have in the near future.

For all those guys and girls that are out there riding their bikes, smiling, and finding the pain cave, greaet job!

Look what I found!

2010-05-22T07:30:00.003-06:00

MY LUNGS!!!!
Yesterday was the last day of school and I was able to cut out early. I rode my bike for 2 hours around the neighborhood. Most of it was climbing, not heavy climbing, just slight false flat stuff.
I noticed right away that the watts were up and heart rate down, couldn't really figure that out until I realized that I could take a deep breath and it didn't hurt and I didn't cough, not once! I have had a upper lung infection since early April and I really cannot believe it has taken this long to get rid of. It really kicked my ass! I had a hard time breathing vacuuming the house! (I'm not kidding)

So, am I ready for the tour you ask. NO! But I am ready to start building for late race season. I have a serious plan mapped out and if I can stick to it I should be ready to race hard come Aug.
I have been running bike through my head nonstop. I am looking at a new road bike, or a new 29er geared bike. Right now I am leaning hard toward a new road bike.

Why all the gears!
Another great question.
I am not getting rid of my SS, however I feel that I may want to race MTB on a geared bike because of the speed and a nice squishy fork would be kinda nice for a change.
Feel free to give me some feedback on what to do.

Thank you very much

2010-05-15T15:19:00.002-06:00

It has been over 4 weeks sense I picked up this upper respiratory infection and it is destroying me! The weather opened for a few hours which let me get out on the bike. I knew that I would not be able to go hard and I really wanted to make sure that i didn't. I really cannot breath well so I focused on cadence, heart rate, and low wattage. I am very happy that I have a powertap that can keep me focused on not over doing it. I think without it I would have pushed to hard.

I think that I was spitting Flem every 50 yards. I have to say that it wasn't the most fun ride have had, but it was great to get out between the rain storms. I am hoping that tomorrow will bring better weather.

I hooked up my powertap when I got home and it said that I had not ridden the road bike sense Aug. which I can believe. It is going to be a very long and slow process to get back some of the power that I have lost (even though I don't have much). I hope that I will be able to enjoy riding more and have a little free time from work, and beat Brian during cross season even if he has a mech. that I have induced (Just Kidding Hulk).

Today was a whopping 30 miles in 2 hours. Do the math. That's wicked FAST!

The itch has returned but the rain has too

2010-05-11T17:43:00.002-06:00

After getting my ass handed to me on Saturday by Chad and Scott I have decided that I cannot sit back and get fat! On Sunday I hung out with the wife and fam, but I did find time to put the road bike back together. I wanted to take it out but mothers day just wasn't a good day for that. I have been waiting for the sun to come out and the wind to go below 20 mph.
I have a very full plate this week but I am really hoping to get out Friday and the weekend. I need to start riding for cyclocross and a few late mt bike races. Cross seems so far away but the last few years I have felt burnt out when it gets here. So not riding may help me race in December. I am putting the wheels into motion to buy a few new bits this summer so I may even race 35+ on a new geared bike. I know, I know, gears? Maybe not!

When will I ride again?

2010-05-06T19:08:00.002-06:00

This question has been in my head for just about a year. When I found out my dad was sick I stopped riding. My reason? Riding is a stress reliever and it is my time to think. So, thinking is the problem. Every time I strapped on a shoe my brain would shift to my mom and dad and the impact that they have both had on me. I worried about eh pain, the love, the "why?" question that comes with cancer.
My father passed away about a month ago and I find myself asking if I should get back on the bike. I cannot seem to find an answer so I am posting this for advice. I think that I am afraid to ride because painful memories may cloud my brain and I don't want to go there. I love my bike, I look at them daily, I think about riding while I am at work. So why I cannot get one leg over the top tube is beyond me. I thought that I was burned out, I thought I would get over it, I thought that I would feel the urge, but I don't.
HELP!! I do not know what to do!

Time to slow down

2010-04-24T13:24:00.002-06:00

It has been a very busy 4 months. I am sitting in Nashville right now waiting to board the plan and enjoying the last day of hectic movement around the country (until June that is). Over the past 4 months I have been really busy with work and family business. I have not ridden my bike in a very long time, and i 'm okay with that. I am hoping that I will get back on the bike tomorrow and come up with some schedule of frequent riding.
The school year has been great and I have learned a lot but I am ready to take a summer off for once and just enjoy life. I have plans to go to Washington in June and teach a group of teachers there and then the plan is to go to the Midwest and go fishing and visit family. I am hoping to get around Mn and Wis. and take time to catch up with friends. I am not sure if I will bring a bike with because Will is going to be with me so it may not work. I will bring a bottle opener!
The up coming school year may get in the way of all this due to the fact that we are getting a new principal and the district has a lot going on. I am hoping that this business won't kick in until Aug.
The kids and wife are doing great and we are looking forward to their summer vacation. We are lucky enough to be going to Florida late May to see teh ocean and an alligator farm (Will's idea). Right after that I may drive out to Dirty Kanza as a support crew for the rock stars riding/racing those 200 miles. And then FISH FISH FISH!!!
I know this wasn't to exciting but I wanted everyone to know that we are alive and doing well.

The year ends on a 34 X 18

2009-12-31T08:54:00.003-07:00

Just as a 34 X 18 on SS 29er can be fast and fun on the twisty single track it can be a real pain in the knees. This was how the year went. Sometimes cruising with smiles and giggles and sometimes walking and asking myself, "What the hell am I doing?"

This year the bikes have hung quietly in a corner, only coming down for a race on the weekend or a quick ride around the neighborhood. Looking back over the year it really didn't seem to bother me that I could not ride my bike. I had way to many other things to work on or worry about.

My job took me in new directions. Summer Standard Based symposiums to Maine for a week. It has taken me into new responsibilities and new challenges. I love what I do and I don't want to change anything, but I do miss having a classroom full of smiling kids.

In my personal life my dad is pretty sick and I have to say I really don't know how to handle it. It was tough finding out bad news but my mom and dad are great and have kept everything open and straight forward. That's helps me understand and be supportive in any way that I can. Sometimes the German-Swede comes out of me and I don't show emotion to the situation. I'm trying to change that but it's hard.

I am looking forward to the new year for many reasons:

1) Watching my kids grow.

2)I will be finishing my 2nd masters up.

3) We have a fishing trip planned around June with my mom, Dad, Will, and myself.

4) I am excited about riding my bike.

5) I have a ski pass and I plan on using it a lot (both xc and downhill).

I know the list could go on but there is no need.

I hope the year to come will be a good one. I can't remember ever having a bad year now that I think about it. Everything happens for a reason on the path of life.

If you see me on the trail grinding out my 34X18, or watching the sunrise or sunset take a moment to join me. Happy New Year to all!

On the radar

2009-12-20T15:23:00.002-07:00

Dusk til Dawn (12 hrs) April 9th
Battle of the Bear (50 miles) May
Dirty Kanza (200 miles) June 5th
Fire Cracker 50 (July 4th)
Winter Park races (?)

Just a few that I am looking at. There is a lot up in the air this year so I may not do any of them. Who knows, I may not even ride my bike.

Dear Santa, if you read this. I would love a pair of new Sidi Dragons, size 44, and time pedals to go along with them. While you are at it, could you add a 29er fork, 80 mm is fine, nothing fancy.

The bike hangs

2009-12-16T17:57:00.002-07:00

The bike hangs collecting dust as I gear up for a new season. This weekend I am planning on doing a bit of skiing. First some DH around Eldora and then some XC skiing. I have a feeling that I may not be able to move much on Monday. The plan is to go everyday that I have break. My neighbor girl needs some $$ and i need to ski. It seems to work well.
To anyone that reads this. Make sure you enjoy yourself in life and take time to slow down and look at everything from the sink that's dripping to the sunset. Enjoy it all.

HTFU! Crossniacs 09

2009-12-06T09:40:00.000-07:00

HTFU! Crossniacs 09

Road trippin and sick kids

2009-11-30T09:43:00.002-07:00

The Great Thanksgiving road trip went well. Great weather, fantastic food, great family, and a laid back atmosphere. Not one disagreement about anything. We even all agreed that the Packers suck and Minnesota is the best team that Farve has ever played on, even the 96 packers team! Even the Miller lite tasted good! It must have been the alignment tasted good!

The drive back was a one day 13 hour drive that went pretty well. Will was watching movies, Ava was reading books and Julie drove and slept while I rocked the Zune. We had a good day yesterday of just chilling out and getting ready for the up coming week. All was good until 2:15 a.m., that was when i heard the pitter patter of footsteps running and then "AAARRGGRGG!!!" Will picked up the South Dakota Flu. A mixture of Bird Flu, Swine Flu, McDonald's Flu, Candy flu, and Hot Dog Flu. A wicked combination that has him sitting on the couch as I write this. Anything that goes in, comes right back out.

So, what does this mean for me? Well, i stay home while Julie has important work to do and I get to pay bills, finish power points, work on a few things for school, and surf the Internet. I forgot about drinking coffee and making muffins. If Will id feeling better I may even work on a bike or two.

Now that I'm in the "off season"HAHAHAHA, Sorry. I need to start working on my BS See example A

2009-11-19T17:44:00.004-07:00

Example A (Thanks Singlespeedmindset)

Minnesota strong! DON'T listen to this around little kids. If you know Erik, you know why.

2009-11-17T20:01:00.004-07:00

Peacock Groove - Erik Noren, the world's most misunderstood bike builder from Bill Palladino on Vimeo.

ANNOYED!

2009-11-08T19:07:00.003-07:00

Disclaimer: I don't rant much but I have to.

So yesterday, I went to a little cross race near my house. I was there early because I was interested in the course and wanted to cheer for random people. I paid my dues, suited up , and hit the course.
I am very careful about getting out of the way of anyone that is racing. I even pull over for other warm up people. You may be able to figure out where this is going.
Okay, I am riding around and I catch up to two women racing and a guy warming up. I stop and let them go head while I check out the mud pit. I catch back up to them on a long straight, and I decide that I can go around them without any problem. I passed the three of them far to their left. I came into a s bend where I pulled over to see what the better line was. I am standing there turned around watching them come around the corner. The three ride up and the first lady slips her front tire and jams the brakes. I am well off the line and I just watch. The lady behind her runs her front tire into the derailleur side of the first lady bike and then hits her brakes and pulls back while the first lady falls over. I watch the whole thing and say to myself out loud, "note to self" talking about the line. The lady gets up ,says nothing not even a look that she's mad, nothing. The three are back together after the very short run up. I roll of to my Jeep to drink some water. I roll the course a bit more and settle down somewhere to cheer people on.
The women's race ends, the 4 go off and then end. I am getting ready to line up and the official walks up to me and asks me, "Do we have something to talk about?" I look at him puzzled, and ask I didn't cross the line or something did I?" He says, "You tell me?" This goes on for a bit and then he tells me that a women told him that I crashed into her.
Appalled, I respond "NO, I saw her fall but I wasn't even close." I give him the run down I tell him there was a Marshall there. I rode over to the Marshall but he didn't remember anything like that.
And so on, and so on...I told the official it's a dichotomy her word versus my word, In my head I'm thinking innocent until proven guilty, but I respect the rules. He decided to let me race because I had a good attitude and took blame for sprinting past them, but there's a catch. He tells me I can race as long as I pull out before the finish. I thought about that long and hard and decided although it wasn't fare, I paid my money for this sadistic course and I really wanted to conquer those hills with my 42*17 combo and should still be allowed to punish myself into the ground. I told a few off the guys that I was racing with, not to mark me because it didn't matter. They all agreed that it sucked but who cares it's fun, right.
The race went something like this. Oliver got the hole shot, which for once I didn't care about. I rode his wheel for the first lap. Chris decided to put in an effort and started to ride away from us. I pulled through and told Oliver and Lew I would pull for them to hold Chris is sight. I went hard and then cracked, they came around. I caught back on after a bit. Did a huge effort to pull Lew and another guy around to close the gap. Oliver had a mech. problem and he was out for a bit and then I sat up. I decided that I should sit up so i drilled it some more and set my sight on passing "3's". The dirt hill was a killer and the last lap up it was a bit slow but still faster then a couple a "3's" I passed. One of my friends, Drew, was right in front of me and I wanted to catch him but i ran out of time and had to "pull" out! Chris took the day, with ? in second, and Lew third. I would have held onto fourth if I'd finished the last lap. Overall, a great race. It was fun trying to help the guys out but my racing motivation wasn't there after the confrontation.
I really hate when someone blames others for something they clearly didn't do! The good news is that I believe in Karma and I know who the lady was, so maybe someone will complain to the officials about a lady getting in the way of the women's open race, or juniors, or just in the way!

P.S. Earlier in the day a rider ran into someone walking the course. I didn't' here if they were pulled but I'm guessing not.

SNOW DAY!!!!

2009-10-28T09:51:00.003-06:00

So school was cancelled today. It's been a while since that's happened and I have to say I'm really okay with it. I am a little disappointed because I had to sleep in and enjoy the quite.
Over the past few weeks there really hasn't been much going on. Finishing papers for school, working with Will on his homework, cooking dinners, watching T.V., and racing on the weekends.
On the bike scene: I took the Gary Fisher apart and I am going to sell it. It is a fantastic commuter bike or weekend warrior type racer bike, but it rides a bit to soft for my taste. What that means is that I do not have one single geared bike available to ride on the trainer. I may have time today to build one back up or I'll swap some tires and the mt bike and ride that, so I can try to get in shape for the rest of the season. The wattage has been dropping quickly over the past few weeks and it is really showing it's ugly head during racing. Overall I feel great, but when you are only putting out a few hundred watts during a race, that's bad.
Onto important things. It looks like we may be trying to drive to South Dakota for the Thanksgiving weekend. It could be painful, but worth it. We are playing it all by ear, because the weather is just to unpredictable. If we do go, that means that most likely we will not go back for Christmas. Last years drive was one for the books and I really do NOT want to do that again! Well, I have to go and eat some food, get dressed in some toasty snow gear, and head outside to play with the kids.

20 degrees and a new bike frame

2009-10-10T16:14:00.004-06:00

I went out to ICCC Carbon cross this morning. Looking to give my money to a good cause, feel the 20 degree coolness, ride around for 20 miles, and have fun doing it. I raced the SS B race, because Julie needed the afternoon and I know that I'm out of shape when it comes to distance, the A race was 30 miles.
I knew it was going to be a good day, when they told me that the price dropped to 20 bucks instead of 25.
It seemed to take forever to get ready, by the time I rode up the hill to the start people were lining up. I jumped in and looked around. The regular hardcores where there, SS Mike, Curious George, Rob Love (his real name), and a few others.
My plan was to ride, that's it. Just ride. The gun sounded and we were off. With the new snow on the ground it was a bit tacky, I kept the RPM's high and hoped it was enough to okay. The night before Chad M (Routine Leg Works) told me I should run a 19 instead of a 18 or 17 tooth, I took his advice. At first I was pissed because this guy was running a 16 and just riding away. Two more guys came around me and I started getting more pissed. I was spinning 95 RPM's and there was nothing I could do.
We rolled to the back side of the course where the climbing started. I passed the two guys on the climb, they had to walk. I tried to drop the hammer here because I was sure they would catch on the flats. All the way up that climb I was praising Chad for the advice. Thanks Chad, well done. I saw the leader in my sights about 30 seconds up and he was hurting on the second climb. I passed him after a downhill of the third climb, but not because I was faster. His drive train fell apart. Oh well, good for me.
At this point there didn't seem to be anyone around me. So I settled in at 90-95 RPM's rode. One break problem, multiple clip in problems (snow and mud), two quads stating to cramp (water was frozen so I had none), letting two SSers catch me and then sprinting to the line for the win. PRICELESS.
1st place was a bike frame. Origin 8 track bike, size 56. To small for me so I'm selling it. Let me know in the next day if you are interested. $150.00

Tonight I sit

2009-09-29T20:01:00.004-06:00

I sit here after a hard day of work and more work. I am starting to feel physically better from whatever I had. I was just plain run down, maybe sick but I will not commit to that word.
I drove home and planned on riding the trainer and watch a little T.V. but as I opened the frig I found seasonal brew looking me in the mouth. I quickly closed the door and ignored the calling, but it became overwhelming. I could here it call, "Never more, never more..." I ran to the radio and turned it to a station that would guarantee to drown out the calling, but there I found it again, "never more, never more...". I ate my food and played songs in my head, I put the children to bed, it was time to be fed, but then it came stronger then before, 'NEVER MORE, NEVER MORE..." I screamed in pain! And reached for the refrigerator door, when I heard the scream, "NEVER MORE, NEVER MORE..."

My parody of the Raven by Edgar Allen Poe

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten beer,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of someone gently rapping, rapping at my refrigerator door.
`'Tis some visitor,' I muttered, `tapping at my refrigerator door -
Only this and nothing more.'

And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each white carbonated curtain
Thrilled me - filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating
`'Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my refrigerator door -
Some late visitor entreating entrance at my refrigerator door; -
This it is, and nothing more,'

Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
`Sir,' said I, `or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,
And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my refrigerator door,
That I scarce was sure I heard you' - here I opened wide the door; -
Darkness there, and nothing more.

Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream of PBR
But the silence was unbroken, and the darkness gave no token,
And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, `PBR!'
This I whispered and an echo murmured back the word, `PBR!'
Merely this and nothing more.

Back into the kitchen turning, all my soul within me burning,
Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.
`Surely,' said I, `surely that is something at my sliding door;
Let me see then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore -
Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore; -
'Tis the wind and not PBR!'

Open here I flung the sliding door, when, with many a flirt and flutter,
In there stepped a stately dog of the saintly days of smore.
Not the least obeisance made she; not a minute stopped or stayed she;
But, with mien of lord or lady, laid below my refrigerator door -
Laid upon a rug of color just above my refrigerator door
Laid still, and nothing more.

Much I marveled this ungainly mutt to hear discourse so plainly,
Though its answer little meaning - little relevancy bore;
For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being
Ever yet was blessed with seeing dogs below his refrigerator door -
Dog or beast above the sculptured bust above his refrigerator door,
With such name as `Nevermore.'

But the dog, sitting lonely on the colored rug, spoke only,
That one word, as if her soul in that one word he did outpour.
Nothing further then he uttered - not a hair then she fluttered -
Till I scarcely more than muttered `Other friends have flown before -
On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before.'
Then the dog said, `PBR.'

Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,
`Doubtless,' said I, `what it utters is its only stock and store,
Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful disaster
Followed fast and followed faster till her songs one burden bore -
Till the dirges of her hope that melancholy burden bore
Of "PBR-PBR."'

But the dog still beguiling all my sad soul into smiling,
Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of dog and bust and door;
Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking
Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous dog of yore -
What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous dog of yore
Meant in barking `PBR.'

This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing
To the dog whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom's core;
This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining
On the cushion's velvet lining that the lamp-light gloated o'er,
But whose velvet violet lining with the lamp-light gloating o'er,
She shall press, ah, nevermore!

Then, me thought, the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer
Swung by Seraphim whose foot-falls tinkled on the tufted floor.
`Wretch,' I cried, `thy God hath lent thee - by these angels he has sent thee
Respite - respite and nepenthe from thy memories of PBR!
Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe, and forget this lost PBR!'
Quoth the dog, `PBR.'

`Prophet!' said I, `thing of evil! - prophet still, if dog or devil! -
Whether tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,
Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted -
On this home by horror haunted - tell me truly, I implore -
Is there - is there balm in Gilead? - tell me - tell me, I implore!'
Quoth the dog, `PBR.'

`Prophet!' said I, `thing of evil! - prophet still, if dog or devil!
By that Heaven that bends above us - by that God we both adore -
Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,
It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels named PBR -
Clasp a rare and radiant maiden, whom the angels named PBR?'
Quoth the dog, `PBR.'

`Be that word our sign of parting, dog or fiend!' I shrieked upstarting -
`Get thee back into the tempest and the Night's Plutonian shore!
Leave no black hair as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!
Leave my loneliness unbroken! - quit the bust below my door!
Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!'
Quoth the dog, `PBR.'

And the dog, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the colored rug just below my refrigerator door;
And her eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming,
And the lamp-light o'er her streaming throws her shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted - nevermore!

I know, this is what happens when you are trying to decide if I should ride my trainer or drink a beer? Yes! This is exactly what happens! It drives me insane! Tonight PBR won!
Remember, I teach your kids! Makes you pretty happy don't it?

OVER HEATED!

2009-09-26T21:26:00.003-06:00

I don't really know what happened today but I imploded! I went out to Louisville to race the 35 open this morning. Everything felt great. I wasn't nervous, I had time to get set up, rode the course a bit, and then, hell broke loose!
The race started and I just sat around 20th not pushing it and watching the front. My goal was to just ride and finish top 20. I hit the sand pit and then a jackass decided to turn right and have about 4 guys t bone him. I jumped off the bike and ran around it, when I dropped the bike to remount my bike wouldn't move. Somebody decided that their handle bars belonged in my wheel. After a battle of pulling and pushing they unlocked and we were free. By this time everyone except 10 guys were ahead of me. I panicked and hit it hard, which is what I shouldn't have done. I over heated quickly and couldn't cool down. I slowed way down, but still nothing. I didn't like the way my body was acting so I stopped racing and rode around trying to cool off. I pulled out of the race and went home to take a cool shower. I have had a headache all day, and a bit rundown.
I didn't really care about the race or the results, but I do care that I missed the SS race this afternoon. As I sit here I can tell that I am running hot, I can only hope that I am not sick and I can ride tomorrow. This coming weekend holds Cross, Scraper bikes, and good friends. I don't want to miss it!!!

Ready to race...kinda

2009-09-18T19:54:00.003-06:00

Well boys and girls, tomorrow will be my first cross race this year. Am I excited? Hell ya! I am going into it pretty relaxed. I have been off the bike a week and my stress level was higher then normal over the past 2 weeks. I plan on riding my own race and knocking people off the course so I can place higher! (not really, unless it's Derek, Brian, or Charlie or any other really fast guys and I will only do it if they lap me)

I scored some new tires that I am going to run tomorrow and I need to switch the rear cog to a something a bit faster. I plan on getting out there early enough to ride the course and get my thoughts together. To all that are racing tomorrow, good luck!

Let the games begin!

What a great day!

2009-09-05T20:17:00.002-06:00

Started out at Chad's place drinking a bit of espresso and then we rode to Bear Creek to meet up with SS Mike to stretch the legs on the cross bikes. It was a great morning with lots of warm sun, cool trails, and tight turns. Then back to Chad's place for an iced coffee and a little conversation as the Buckeyes were beating up on Navy.

Went home and then off to buy my season ski pass. I didn't really plan on getting one because of the price, but Eldora put out a price form the early 80's and I couldn't pass it up. I cant wait to get the down hill skis ready and the XC skis ready. I haven't XC skied in 6 years!) I don't see me skiing every weekend or anything but I am going to try and get up there a few times a month. Will is also really excited about skiing this year so that will be an extra bonus of enjoyment . I may even try an XC ski race if I feel capable to compete above 8000 feet (ouch!).

Tomorrows plan is to clean the house, clean the bike, replace bike parts, ride the bike and hang out with the family and good friends. Should be a fantastic day!

It's 9:10! Do you know where your cross bike is?

2009-08-26T21:08:00.002-06:00

Mine is in the bike shop/shed recovering from a fantastic leg speed work out at Bear Creek. I am sure that it is fast a sleep dreaming of the corners it railed through and the hills it rocketed up. Giggling in its sleep about passing the geared cross bikes and then giving "Lance look back" and dropping them up the climbs. And of course the day it will come out to play again. " Soon my pet, soon."
As my bike rests and I drink my recovery drink, Buffalo Gold from Boulder Beer. I would like to know what the slackers of Colorado did tonight (mom joke here). So I can remind you of that when you are giving me PBR handups on my parade lap, I didn't say last lap, I said parade lap. I can heckle you for not coming to Wednesday Worlds of Bear Creek.

Disclaimer: If you rode at 6:30 this morning in Boulder disregard and take it easy on me during the cross season. Thanks.

Kona Major one/ Gary Fisher Presidio

2009-08-24T17:18:00.006-06:00

So, over the summer I saved a few dollars, scored a new cross sponsorship, and drank beer. All of this together means that I am ready for cross season, as well as SS Worlds. I rode the Kona last Weds. and I have to say it is really nice! The 60cm frame feels like a rocket and corners on rails.

Now, to be far this is not stock. I have an Origin 8 full carbon fork, race lite wheel set, and Dura Ace cranks. It weighs in at a scant 15 lbs! (not official) It is way lighter then the Surly but still has that fun aspect of the Surly. I think I am in love!

First impression: Fantastic ride and the root beer brown paint looks nice. Overall ride: I really had no trouble riding with the geared boys around a very bumpy course. It climbs well and I could feel the power go to the rear wheel. I cannot wait to race it!

On the geared side of the shop I will be riding a GF this season. That's right STEEL! As soon as I saw Fisher had this out I bought a frame. I think that I bought the last one in stock from WI (thanks Jamie). I will be riding the stock fork with the frame because it looks nice and the weight isn't that much more compared to a all Carbon (maybe I'll switch later).

The frame size is a 59 and seems to fit well. I haven't been able to ride it yet but I am sure it will be close to perfect. I am running DT Swiss R1.1 wheels and Dura Ace drive train, EC 90 bars, Chris King Headset, and Origin 8 brakes. As it stands it may be 19 lbs. ( I think lighter, but not sure). I am also running a 46 chain ring and a 12-25 cass. That will have to change in a week or two. I plan on a 42 or 44 and a 12-27 or 12-25 cass.

Better pics when it isn't raining.

LET THE RACING BEGIN!

Cross training has begun

2009-08-20T16:52:00.003-06:00

Yesterday a few of us went out it to the very bumpy juvi. center. Lee had invited us out to check out the course and try to ride the bumps out of it. The course is about a 8-10 minute loop with lots of pain and not much recovery. I rode the new Kona (pics later) and I have to say it is SWEET! I went out there with two purposes. The first to ride the bike and check the fit, the second was to see how tight the bike would corner. I went down once in a very tight corner but it really wasn't the bike it was more of the bumps in the middle of the corner.
Needless to say I am very happy with how fast and twitchy the frame is. I am also very happy with the weight. Not really sure how much it weighs, but I think it is under 17 lbs. Not bad for a 60cm frame! Today my neck is a bit sore from the crash but overall I feel good. We put in a few big efforts and the geared boys weren't real happy that they couldn't shake me.
All I have left to do is build up the geared bike and we'll be ready to find the pain cave!

One Month

2009-08-13T21:19:00.003-06:00

That is the amount of time before cross season starts. The good news is that I have two new rides almost completely built. The bad news is that I am not training like I should be. I hit it hard today and almost puked! Coming back from sea level for a week did not help my cause. However, on a positive note. I kept a solid wattage output and my heart wasn't pounding to bad. I am looking forward to next months racing and SS world championships in D town.
Between now and then I am hoping to get some awesome SS riding in and up the cross training.
When I have the bikes built up I will post then so you can see them, because I know that when I am calling out, "Race leader, race leader!" All you will see is a blur!

Performance! Is that Seth?

2009-08-11T18:29:00.000-06:00

The Hulks?

2009-07-30T17:35:00.003-06:00

So, today Will and I are driving around doing "stuff" We are listiening to the radio and he tells me that it isn't heavy enough. I ask him, 'what do ya mean?" He replies, "you know, like the Hulks we were listening to the other day."

I put in my White Zombie CD and say, "This one?" He says, "NO! Not heavy enough!" I know that this is the CD he was talking about, so I went through every song and asked, "this one?" "NO" was his reply. I get to Black Sunshine and he starts head banging in the back seat and says, "Okay daad, this will be okay!"

What have I created? Do I introduce him to heavier music? He laughed at Matalica! Kids now days!

my compulsive disorder is changing directions

2009-07-26T20:21:00.002-06:00

The compulsive disorder that seems to drive me is again changing directions. Today was the first time in 8 months that the bike won between the internal battle of riding and work. I have been so busy and focused with work that some of my bikes have collected dust. But today that dust was blown off and the haze cleared to a vision of cyclocross, training on going faster then ever, and Wednesday night practice races.
Since December the job of education was my compulsion (it still is, but less). I have not raced since December and it doesn't bother me. For one I don't have the $$ to pay for races and I didn't want to take the time for training. To put it into context, work, work, ride, work. I have been riding a bit (once a week if I was lucky) but with no real angst toward racing. Yesterdays SS ride started the competitive juices and dreaming of drilling it for an hour on a single speed (or gears) with your eyes crossed, your heart in your throat keeping your stomach contents in check, and sweat rolling down your dusty face.
There isn't much time left before the season starts ladies and gentlemen, it is time to start your training. When you get that feeling like, "I don't want to train today". Remember, that I am out training, as well as, some other really fast Mother F**&^ERS that read this blog. And as we are doing our intervals and dismounts we are hoping that your weak will power is low enough to keep you off your bike, which will insure us one step closer to the top of the podium!

P.S. If you are one of the really fast guys that reads this i was just kidding about training, so don't worry about me. Just sit back, eat your cup cakes, and watch the '09 Tour' for the 9th time.

The pic is of my new SS, should be fast and LIGHT!!!! To quote SS Mike, "Race leader, race leader!!!!!!"

New Beginnings

2009-07-20T20:48:00.002-06:00

Today I got a call to tell me that I have a new job, I am now a coach in the district. What does that mean? A lot! A lot more work, a lot more responsibility, a lot more things to do that I don't even know about yet. Why would I do this you ask. Because I needed a change. I have been at the same school for 6 years, I accomplished everything that I wanted to while I was there. I want to accomplish more, so the door opened and I jumped through it.
Am I scared? Hell YES!!!! But as a good friend told me, " "you can learn how to be a great coach?, you can't learn the drive that gets you there, which you have".
Am I going to miss everyone at Skyline Vista? Of course, they're family! But no one died and I will see everyone around so we will all be okay.
In just a few short weeks I will be starting a new job in a new building with a bunch of new people. It reminds me of signing up for the Navy. My stomach kinda hurts, my mind is racing and I'm excited, I think.

Some pics

2009-07-16T12:55:00.003-06:00

Jack Daniels, Wild Turkey, Humidity, and High Wattage

2009-07-02T12:49:00.002-06:00

These are all the things that I have seen this week in MN. The Jack D. came in my drinks last night, the wild Turkey was on the mountain bike trail, the humidity is everywhere, and riding at 600 feet above sea level versus 5600 feet, is a lot different when it comes to sustained wattage. Almost makes me think I can go pro! Ya right!
This morning the sun came out and the wind slowed down, so I was able to get out this morning and ride the road bike. I stayed on roads that had some type of shoulder because there are a lot of people moving boats and jet skis today. I wanted to make sure that I wasn't put under a tire.
I have to say that it is nice riding with so much green, but the roads around the area that I am staying are really, and I mean REALLY, bad! A ton of frost heaves and pot holes but I guess it could be worse, well maybe not. We are leaving for the cabin today and I may bring my road bike because there is a bike trail that is pretty nice. Northern MN is not a good place to ride your bike on the road. Big trucks, beer cans, dogs, and really big deer flies. Last time I rode there I saw a bear, a hand full of four wheelers, and a huge snapping turtle.
I may just forget about the bike and hang out in the lake. I hope everyone has a happy fourth and don't lose any fingers.

No RAIN here!

2009-06-30T17:48:00.004-06:00

We have been in MN since Saturday night and no rain. I left the rain in CO and came here in hopes of finding some time to ride my bike and see the sun. Well,I have ridden my bike two days in a row but I haven't really seen much of the sun. There is a cold front holding the clouds over our heads and keeping the temps in the high 60's, I actually like it. The wind has been blowing so I'm staying off the road and staying in the woods. No bugs, great trails, and humidity. What else could I ask for.
Heading up to the cabin for the weekend with no bike, just a swim suit and some beer. I hope everyone has a safe 4th.

A new focus

2009-06-26T09:35:00.002-06:00

Do to the rain chasing me around I have decided to move away from outside activity where the weather can affect me, and work on something inside where it cannot reach me. I started my new hobby / responsibility today. I have decided that to many people are taking advantage of donuts! I am sick and tried of hearing all the negative and racial slurs about them, it's time for change! I must protect the future of donuts and the people that take their time to put flour, sugar and love into a mixing bowl to create these delicious circles of love. I am calling all of you to join me!
"Tour de Dough" starts tonight at 3 a.m. The exact time that donuts across America are coming alive. I will be traveling the United States to get the word out. I will not settle until every donut is protected by my stomach wall or other caring peoples stomach walls.
Feel free to join me in my quest and if you are interested and have a video camera we should get together and make a documentary and make millions. But remember it's not about the money, it's about the love of donuts!

HHHHHHHMMMMMMM? I wonder.

2009-06-24T18:42:00.003-06:00

So if you have not noticed it has been raining a lot over the past few months. At first I thought that it was a coincidence that it rains when I wanted to ride my bike. Then I thought it was just those afternoon storms that happen at 12:15 here on the front range. But than they moved to 2 pm storms and know they have moved to 5:00 and then today 5:21. No big deal right? Oh yes it is!!! These times are all the exact time that I have been down with work or school. I have decided to let everyone know that i work until around5 or 6 pm tomorrow and Friday and then I will be leaving this state on Saturday, so just that may clear up the weather for a bit. I hope everyone enjoys the sun while I am not!

Lesson of the day

2009-06-19T16:42:00.003-06:00

Burly trialers will flip over at speed, while corering, with a 45 pound boy in it!

Good news: Nobody was hurt but the trailer (nothing to bad). As Will said, "Well, we learned a lesson today didn't we dad?"

Someone or something was watching

2009-06-03T17:49:00.003-06:00

The whole ride I felt like someone or something was watching. I kept a close eye on the thunderheads and the path. I felt that maybe a rattle snake was going take a shot at me. Or maybe a fluffy little bunny was going to jump into my spokes. I just felt eyes watching! I think that it may have been the PDA, Prairie Dog Army. I have seen many of their troops over the past few weeks, hundreds if not thousands. Watching, talking, planning their attack as they sit next to the road or on their safe little mounds of dirt. I think that it, the attack on mankind, may have occurred today, but the weather stood in their way. Be careful out there riders. They, PDA, have an eye on you! Watch and listen, not just to your ipod, but to the sound of Prairie dog rumblings. Take notice of the signals. The smoke signals, the flairs, the snickering as you ride by them. Be careful, be very careful!

June 2: What happens when it rains?

2009-06-02T10:15:00.003-06:00

The worms come out. Will and I spotted this earthworm under one of the trees this morning. It is about 10 inches long. One of the longest I have ever seen here, but no where near the world record of 22 feet!It has been raining nonstop since last night and the worms are looking for high ground.

Today we are done cleaning the house and have decided to go the movies and a few stores. I am really starting to get use to this "stay at home dad" stuff. I think Will is liking the fact that he doesn't have school as well.

I am sure that the sun will be out tomorrow and the roads will dry up. I went riding Sunday before the rain and had a really good threshold ride. I am not ready to compete yet, but when cross season is here, I will be ready!

Mad props to Mike and Chad for riding across Kansas and finishing a wicked hard race. Well done!!

WHAT!!!!!

2009-05-29T11:09:00.003-06:00

Saw a guy riding one of these up Golden Gate Canyon, not on the easy part either. Up (10% grade or more) by the entrance to Centennial Cone, after the first high point. Dude was killing it! I was wondering what it would be like going down hill.

Cross season is coming! Must, Get, Ready!

2009-05-27T09:12:00.002-06:00

Between the rain drops...

2009-05-26T10:25:00.004-06:00

we went hiking, I went out on an active recovery ride on the single speed (got a flat tire, firsdt of the year), out ran the rain and lightning, made a cake, and rhubarb crisp. Over all a good Monday. Today Will and I are waiting for the sun to come out so we can go outside and play. We may have to go to the rec. center instead. I love summer!

93% humidity?

2009-05-24T17:41:00.002-06:00

Reminded me of the old days in MN. Hit the hills today working on low rpm higher watts (WOB) it was interesting starting out today. I was soaked within 10 minutes and had to shed the jacket. Breathing started out hard, due to that extra stuff in the air they call water vapor, but I settled in and quickly became use to it. Took the long route to Golden Gate Canyon today, not many peopel out, something about bad weather. Anyway I only climbed for 30 minutes due to really load thunder over head. The wind really picked up and I decided to head for home and fast! About 5 miles from home I jumped on the bike trail for some extra cover from the wind and ligthning. The weather really hit when I got home; it started dumping and lightning was everywhere. Overall a great day to watch the grass grow. Tomorrow looks like the same, so I will hit the road early and beat the rain.
Don't forget to rember the ones that have fallen for us as you are out riding your bike on the open roads.

School's Out!

2009-05-21T15:30:00.001-06:00

NEWS FLASH!!!!!

2009-05-10T20:13:00.001-06:00

I rode my bike! On the trainer, but I still rode it!

Kokanee The Canandain PBR? Or just a name of a landlocked sockeye

2009-04-30T19:06:00.006-06:00

So, a friend of mine who travels north to ski every year in BC brought this is beer to my attention. It comes in a 16 oz can and is made from pure glacier! At the moment that I found out that it came from a glacier I decided that I would do my part on trying to save the earth. You ask, "How is that going to save the earth?" Let me explain, there is a scientific theory, global warming, that all the ice caps are going to melt along with the all the ice flows, icebergs, and yes, glaciers. And than the sea level will rise and everyone will DIE!

You may see where I'm going here. I have decided that if i drink one of their beers once in a while I will save the earth from being completely flooded by a few nanoseconds. Although one may think, " a nanosecond, that's nothing?" Let me assure you that something can happen in a nanosecond (place mom joke here). For example, light can travel 1 foot in a nanosecond, so think of the endless possibilities of that nanosecond that I have given billions of people. Now that I really think about this, everyone should be very grateful! As a matter of fact next time we are out a bar you should buy me a Kokanee, as a matter of fact, two!

What's new?

2009-04-27T20:17:00.003-06:00

The snow for one!!!!! 8 more inches on the deck when I woke up. I had a funny feeling about it last night when I went to bed. The rain felt like it was going to stay and the temp dropped. I am no weatherman, but I should have called the news and gave them a heads up.
After last weekend bust to go west. I have done nothing but work with other teachers. Wednesday through Saturday was tough, but really fun. teachers are always the worst students, especially when there are 400 hundred of them looking at you. I had people from New York and Washington state this time around. It is always fun to here what is going on in different states. The next couple of days I have people coming to the classroom to see what all the hype is about with SBS (standard based system) http://www.sbsadams50.org teaching. Rumor has it that the president of the National Education Association is coming out from Washington DC and may stop by. I would normally get nervous about things like that, but I'm not. I cant explain why or why not, I just know that I'm not worried. There are doors opening and I am very excited about what is behind them. I feel like a kid at X-mas. Until next time have a great day and ride your bike for me. All I have time for right now is to stare and remember the good times from last summer.

If you cant ride it, watch it on YouTube

2009-04-18T18:27:00.001-06:00

Are you there?????

2009-04-16T18:26:00.002-06:00

Fruita, are you there? Are you covered with snow? Can I still come and visit? I promise to be nice to your trails. I will make sure not to litter or disrespect road 18 or any other areas. Please call off mother nature and let us enjoy your single track along the river. Please, PLEASE, PLEASE!!!!!! Let us make it over the snow filled passes. I promise that we'll behave!

Weird

2009-04-06T19:32:00.002-06:00

Something came in the mail today. I unpacked it and found a few odd numbers. Than I look out side and see these vultures( about 50 of them) over my house. It must be good luck!

More...

2009-04-05T19:22:00.000-06:00

SNOW!

18 inches my A**

2009-04-04T19:41:00.003-06:00

Went up the hill today chasing powder. Well... it wasn't much. The drive was fine, the snow was fine but it wasn't 18 inches as the news said it would be. It was more like 1.8 inches on top of "worked" snow from the day before. It was good to get back on the skis out. Toward the end of the day I started to feel normal. We stayed on care 4 and 8 and never went to 9. I found a few really narrow tree runs that were deep powder because no one wanted to risk it, the risk-reward factor was in place and I had the upper hand. I have skied those trees so much that I know just about every bad line. I only had to ditch it once when a knee level branch was calling my name. Out of the trees some of the "worked" snow started creating little hits, it was fun bridging gaps between them. It wore me out, but really fun. I wanted to just out some tricks but the landings weren't made for that. I think it was what was needed to get me excited about next year. I also found myself wanting a wider underfoot ski. I'll have to work some angles and see what I can come up with over the summer. Overall it was fun. Larry and I were both tired when we finished the day. Tomorrows line up? School work! I almost forgot the drink of the night.

POWDER?

2009-04-02T19:20:00.002-06:00

The weather people are saying that it is going to snow this weekend. Heavy, wet, powder! Maybe skiing will happen. Larry wants to go on Saturday with the big sticks and some sun screen. I figure I'll go if we can get up the hill. I need to do something because Fruita is in 2 weeks and I am out of shape! However, I am pretty good at drinking jack and coke or red bull and vodka. Maybe I'll ride a geared bike? .....Na!

What's this? New Steel! Cross starts soon!!!!

2009-03-31T18:20:00.003-06:00

The goal will be to make this steel beast into a mean cross machine. I cant wait to get it and build it up! I am sure it will lighter than the Surly SS, which weighs in at 19 lbs even. I thought this one over a bunch. Steel just fits the bill and is so nice. I am sure that many would disagree and say, "It's heavy!" But when you ride a big bike frame like I do they are all heavy. I had a Salsa two years ago and that limo still weighed almost 18 lbs with light parts. When it gets here I will post new pics of my new baby.

I don't like to talk shop, but the President says it well.

2009-03-27T13:44:00.002-06:00

Obama: Bad teachers must be taken out of classroom
1 day ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — If the nation's schools are going to see improvement, President Barack Obama says there has to be a way to ease bad teachers out of the classroom.
Obama was responding Thursday to a question from a Philadelphia-area schoolteacher. The woman looked away and refused to answer when Obama asked if she'd seen any teachers whose work was so bad she wouldn't want her own children in that class.
Obama said some people just aren't meant to be teachers.
He also said there needs to be other ways to evaluate teachers besides standardized tests. He said those tests can't measure progress in a struggling school, and that they represent the biggest flaw in the No Child Left Behind program.
Obama said that if teachers are forced to teach based solely on a test, fewer students will be inspired to learn.
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

SNOW!

2009-03-26T09:47:00.002-06:00

Well it is here! I have been watching it pile up since 7 this morning. It seems to be about 1 inch an hour. They are telling us that we may get two feet. Last night i bought gas and oil for the snow blower and I am ready to go. I have been drinking coffee all morning and I am getting a bit fidgety. I hope everyone in CO is enjoying the snow. The weekend looks like upper 50's, so maybe, just maybe there will be a race.

So...Spring Break...

2009-03-24T16:08:00.003-06:00

So, it's Tuesday. What have I done so far, you ask. Well, I rode 50 miles on Sat and received a nice sun burn to my arms. I rode Sunday and matched the ride and the sun burn, but on my legs. Yesterday I destroyed the 2nd bathroom and preped it for new tile. I vacuumed the entire house, did all the dishes, went to the nursery and ordered and received new planting soil for the garden, and made dinner.

Today I have been working on my paper all day. I took a break to play Frisbee golf but it was WAY to windy. I went to Home Depot and picked up all the supplies I needed for the bathroom. And now I am back in front of the computer drinking iced coffee and getting ready for more reading and writing. The goal is to have this paper done by the weekend. It is looking like it may happen. Tomorrow I am having the sprinkler system fixed and working on the paper. Thursday I am hoping to ski but we'll see.

The weekend is always crazy. I want to race on Sunday but again I never know. I would complain about this paper that I am writing but when the President of the U.S. is paying for your masters program you don't cry about it. I am glad that the weather isn't so good, because if it was I would be riding my bike like crazy and not getting anything else done.

I may go and haul some dirt instead of write more. I need a break from thinking so much!

SPRING BREAK!!!!

2009-03-20T19:37:00.002-06:00

Today is the start of spring break. I ran out of school, came home and took a nap! Ya!!!! I didn't bring any work home even though I really should have. I figured I would be to busy writing up a research design around CLD learners (for my masters class at CU Boulder).
The plan for the next week is simple. Write a paper that is about 20 pages long, no big deal. Then there is the bike. I plan on riding my SS in the dirt, and taking the road bike out every day. The last two years of s.b. I have put over 350 miles on the bike in the week. I also plan on skiing if it snows, like they say it might. I plan on taking naps without the kids around, and eating my lunch slowly, instead of the normal 10-15 minutes during school.
Oh, and watch basketball and work on, and finish the second bathroom. Should be relaxing week. If anyone wants to ride in the afternoon let me know. I think I can work it into my schedule.

70 plus

2009-03-16T19:57:00.002-06:00

That was today temp! I busted out of school and headed to pick Will up. Drove home, put the bike gear on and out the door we went. Hammer the 1X9 Primus (I cant pull him like I use to on my single) up the Mesa and back. Will is a lot heavier then before and the legs were feeling it, but in a good way. We rode for an hour and a half. I am sure there is some way to calculate energy used when pulling 70 extra pounds on two wheels vs just riding. I kept picturing football players running with a parachute connected to them running down the field. I don't know if pulling Will is going to help, but I have to believe or I'll stop doing it.

A great weekend

2009-03-14T18:27:00.002-06:00

Yesterday was the LDL ride See single speed mike's blog for pics). Went great, no flats, green beer, and plenty of false flat (slight incline of the road for all you non bike riders out there). Today was a sunny day full of playing outside with the kids. Julie went and had her hair done this afternoon so I sat in the backyard and read articles for school while the two rock stars (the kids) played until exhaustion. I also found out today that a good friend bought a new house and is having a baby. Congrats Tony! Other good news is that the kids are not sick. I didn't post last week because Ava was throwing up everything and everywhere.
Tomorrow I am hoping to have a nice long road ride. I want to work on my tan and stretch out the legs. It is going to be another busy week, but spring break is on the horizon and will keep me going.

Chuck Norris...It's his birthday!!!

2009-03-10T20:24:00.000-06:00

When the Boogeyman goes to sleep every night, he checks his closet for Chuck Norris.
Chuck Norris doesn't read books. He stares them down until he gets the information he wants.
There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of creatures Chuck Norris has allowed to live.
Outer space exists because it's afraid to be on the same planet with Chuck Norris.
Chuck Norris does not sleep. He waits.
Chuck Norris is currently suing NBC, claiming Law and Order are trademarked names for his left and right legs.
Chuck Norris is the reason why Waldo is hiding.
Chuck Norris counted to infinity - twice.
There is no chin behind Chuck Norris’ beard. There is only another fist.
When Chuck Norris does a pushup, he isn’t lifting himself up, he’s pushing the Earth down.
Chuck Norris is so fast, he can run around the world and punch himself in the back of the head.
Chuck Norris’ hand is the only hand that can beat a Royal Flush.
Chuck Norris can lead a horse to water AND make it drink.
Chuck Norris doesn’t wear a watch, HE decides what time it is.
Chuck Norris can slam a revolving door.
Chuck Norris does not get frostbite. Chuck Norris bites frost
Remember the Soviet Union? They decided to quit after watching a DeltaForce marathon on Satellite TV.
Contrary to popular belief, America is not a democracy, it is a Chucktatorship.

The 30 pack!

2009-03-09T18:43:00.003-06:00

It is the first 30 pack of the new year. Being under the weather took it out of me.

I know, some are thinking, "What a slacker! I have already had six 30 packs and are none for the worse".

Well, it doesn't matter because I started training today. You see, the LDL (Lakewood Denver Lakewood ) ride will be held this Friday. I have to remove blood and food from my body and replace it with "Only the finest hops and grains..." a.k.a. PBR. After LDL there is that little trip to Fruita that I must continue to train for. I look at my lifestyle and wonder why I put up with all the hardships. Why must I drink this PBR, why must I eat burritos, and drink so much coffee. The answer is simple. I do it for the fans. I do it so I can go fast on my fixie, so I can brag about my victories on the pro circuit, but most important... I do it for me!

I'm back!!!!!!!!

2009-03-01T20:15:00.002-07:00

It has been about 8 or 9 weeks with sickness in the house. I had something that held on for ever. Something like 4 or 5 weeks of sickness for me. The good news is that I rode today with my coach, a.k.a. Will. He was driving me like an old John Deere Tractor. "GO,GO,GO,GO, crunch, crunch, crunch..."is all I heard. He seems to enjoy watching pain while stuffing his mouth full of cookies.
It was the first day that I felt good. No real pain, no soreness after the ride. Just normal! I even passed a few really slow roadies on the trail. One guy didn't really like it. I think that it had to do with me passing him on a 15 degree rise on the dirt part of the trail. When we got to the top he passed me and left his wife or girlfriend to ride by herself. She didn't sound to happy about him flexing his muscles. Anyway, it is great to feel normal. Now all I have to get the kids better so I can sleep and find some time to ride instead of cleaning throw up.
It looks like a great week coming up. I am really hoping to ride to work a few of the days. Racing starts SOON.

SPIT

2009-02-22T19:08:00.003-07:00

I went over to Green Mt. today to try and ride this sickness out of my body and start teh long journey to get into shape. I decided to change my rear cog to a 20 and left the 34 up front. I figured that I didn't want to walk up any hills, and without really riding for almost two months, it would keep me from being embarrassed. I got to the lot about 1pm, to find it completely full. Well, almost I got the last spot. I put everything together and started up the hill. On a side note I bought a new pair of Peral Izumi shoes last fall but they weren't cross compatible. They are AWESOME! I could feel the power transfer instantly. My Sidi are awesome but old and flexible. I could really tell the difference.

Anyway for the first 40 minutes I was spitting every 20 seconds. My mouth just kept getting slimy, it was kinda gross. After the spitting died done, probably because I was getting dehydrated, the ride started feeling pretty good. I rode at a lower heart rate and less speed ( I don't want to hurt myself right away). I have to say that it wasn't my smoothest ride. By the end of two hours I had felt that I had gotten in a pretty good work out. I came home and ate pizza. I can't just start training and then start eating right. I have to work into it.

I am excited to say that riding brought back some motivation. I'm still having a hard time this year with the trainer and time. I may try to start riding to work in a week or so.

Colorado racing starts in a few weeks and I will not be involved. I am looking to really start racing in May or late April and carry it into Dec.. So much going on that training and racing have to take a backseat.

I hope everyone in CO. got to get out and enjoy the weather this weekend.

Guess what?

2009-02-18T09:53:00.001-07:00

Kids are sick AGAIN!!! Julie stayed home yesterday and today is my turn. Will it ever end?

WOW

2009-02-15T10:09:00.002-07:00

It has been over a week and I am getting better. This "sickness" has really held on and it hasn't been fun. really bad headaches and no hunger. Yesterday I only had one headache in the evening, but that's better then the whole day. Today has started out much better. I moved my trainer into the basement, which means that I also have to put a bike on it, or cover it and pretend it isn't there. Today will be warm enough to get outside and ride or just walk the dog. But I am not sure I have the energy for it. This is just a weird sickness!

The weekend

2009-02-07T16:27:00.001-07:00

and I'm sick! This sucks!!!!

I'm IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN

2009-01-28T18:27:00.004-07:00

be-ach-ess.ss-ss-ss-ss-ss-ss-sss-ss-ss-ss-ss-ss-ss-ss-ss-ss-ss-ss-ss-ss-ss-ss-ss-ss-ss-ss-ss!!!!!!!!!

STILL WAITING!!!!

2009-01-28T13:23:00.002-07:00

It looks like my fifth grade coloring skills are not going help me get to D09! I don't CARE!!!!!! I am going no matter what. Hay Mike, did you get a room yet? Anyone else going that I can crash with? I'll buy the first round!

Waiting!!!

2009-01-24T11:04:00.002-07:00

Still waiting to see if I get to ride in the SSWC 09. SSmike is in so at least I drink beer with someone I know that is ridin it. I am going even if I don't get in. The question is where do I sleep. Maybe under the car, or in a wheel barrel, or maybe just not sleep.

Where's B.I.L.

2009-01-13T19:44:00.003-07:00

I know that my fan club has been wondering. I have been very busy coloring! I have also been working in the shower and bathroom. re tile and complete overhaul. The BIKE is collecting dust and I feel FAT. Actually, I have gained a few pounds. Every day I want to ride, but the drive isn't there. I just want to work at school and on home projects. i am sure the itch will come back. I've been feeling like a homebody and i kinda like it. Masters class started today and state testing is right around the corner. I am sure that the stress will drive me to the trainer...or...the fridge! All you people riding the bike, do an extra mile for me...and make it a hard one!

Last day of freedom

2009-01-04T12:08:00.002-07:00

Tomorrow I go back to the grind. School starts, then masters class start, I have district training starting up on Tuesday. And I have some people coming to video tape the class and talk to me. We also have a lot of work to do in class. This time of the year always equals long days.
It has been nice having time off and relaxing, but I am ready to get back to it.
I really don't think I could handle not being busy. I decided yesterday that I didn't like the tile in the bathroom and ripped it out. It isn't the biggest job but it has to be done. I can now add that to the list. I have never tiled before but I have helped others and watched. Should be fun.

SORE

2009-01-03T10:19:00.004-07:00

Wednesday, Will and I went skating. It was fun but I worked much harder then Will. It was his first time so he didn't understand what was going on. I was bent down most of the time holding him up.
New Years day was playing at home and doing a little work and I rode 40 miles on the fixie. Yesterday Will and I headed up to Loveland for his first skiing experience. Again I worked much harder than Will. The lines were crazy so Will and I did some back country hiking up the bunny hill and skied down. It was really fun but wore me out.
Today Will woke up with sore legs, another first for him. I woke up with a sore lower back and legs. We have to bring his skis back and I need to get out and do something.
Sunday may be a trip back to Loveland to chase the powder that is coming today and tonight.
It's been a great break and I am ready to get back to work. It is going to be a crazy month and I am happy that I am rested.

100! HAPPY NEW YEAR

2008-12-31T16:13:00.003-07:00

Ya ,I know that posting 8 times in one day is cheating but I don't care! New goal for 2009....1 post! That way this doesn't happen again.
To all those SSers out there. Jan 4 is the reg date for SSWC 09. Even if you cant get in come down and poach it. It is going to be Sept 16- 20th.
Tomorrow is a new day and new year. Temps. going to be around 60. So what to ride? SS fixed, SS mtn., SS cross?? So many choices!
See ya on the trails! And HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008 in review

2008-12-31T16:07:00.002-07:00

Looking back at 2008 I feel pretty good. No bike crashes, no kid crashes. A few Epic Mt. Bike ss races. A few Crits., A pretty good ss cross season, Will got to go skating (today), I bought a new Surly! Everything went just the way I like it. I know this is pretty lame but the one goal that I didn't reach was one hundred posts so this is one way I will do it. Sorry you had to read this!

This evening

2008-12-31T15:56:00.003-07:00

looks something like this

Dreaming for 09

2008-12-31T13:20:00.001-07:00

The Boulder Velodrome is open!!

Skating

2008-12-31T13:17:00.001-07:00

No pics, had my hands full not letting Will hit the deck. Not a bad way to spend 10 bucks. I think I have found a new way to tire Will out.

6 to go

2008-12-31T11:25:00.002-07:00

Here are a few more picks of the blizzard, and of a Rhino in Neb. I had no idea that they live in Nebraska! Almost lost Julie to the wind!

Ava taking the wheel

Blizzard pics

2008-12-31T10:50:00.002-07:00

MUST..MAKE...IT...

2008-12-31T10:24:00.002-07:00

to 100 posts! This is the first one. Went to Mn for a very quick X mas. Drove in a Blizzard. Pics to come. Time to go skating! Check back soon only 8 more posts today.