Winter Ride

I have been lucky enough to get some riding in before the feasting begins. The IRD is the bike that is getting ridden the most. I am thinking of an ENO rear hub and a front rack for TI.

Motivation

I went to 9 Ball Diaries/Zero Traction with Chad, Bil, and Gerry up in Boulder. I was inspired to get back on the bike and ride. With the temps in the teens yesterday, I opted for a sweat session at spin class and some weights. Today, the sun was shinning melting the snow on the roads. I headed out to Red Rocks and had a great day. Two eyes, two wheels, and two helpings of HTFU.

Climbing up Red Rocks

Rooney Road

If you want to see some pictures of the eye, look here.

.

Two

Finally, complete vision out of both eyes. I do have to wear a patch today until the swelling goes down and the bleeding stops. After that I can resume normal activities, basically get my out of shape legs ready for May. I will have one more procedure to do some cosmetic cleanup in a couple weeks.



Remember, just because it is winter you still need to apply sunscreen.

Beginnings

November is over and what a sedintary month it has been. I am glad it is over and ready to start getting ready for a spring of gravel adventures. I am tired of long walks with the dog and ready for long rides.

Ski season kicked off for us this past weekend. The kids got in two days while I only went once. The ground in Breck went from brown to white in the three days we were camped out at the refuge. With 20 inches of snow and more forcasted this week, next weekend should be great.

My brother will be relocating to M'town. He will be working for the company I started with when I graduated from Iowa State, my wife worked for in Austin/Denver, and my father-in-law worked for over 30 years. If your out riding in central Iowa and see a bright orange Hoo Koo e Koo rolling on the gravel, that would be my bro.



.

Recovery Road.

The journey back has been slower than anticipated. I did spend come time in the saddle last week tooling around the park. With limited peripheral vision to the left, I find myself riding very far to the right. Plus I have found out that depth perception is very helpful when on the bike. In a week I head in for another procedure that I believe will be the last. Stitches will come out and hopefully the use of two eyes.

The process has begun in the development of a small non-profit that will promote the prevention of skin cancer in cyclist. I am toying with naming it the - Domestique Foundation. More work will be done over the next few weeks.



.

Boulder CX #4 - Louisville, CO

Instead of racing last weekend, I stood on the sidelines and snapped a few pictures.

Only Mr. Bristol.

Preparing of an apocalyptic ride.

Crossniacs' in action.

Style!

Our racing backdrop.

Finishing Stretch.

Almost done.

Patch

came off today! Two more weeks until the eye is unstitched shut.

Back to Normal

Well, somewhat. The cancer has been removed! The reconstruction is complete. Now I just rest and try mono vision for a week. No driving or cycling until the patch comes off, so that means much planning for 2009 will be taking place.

The postcard is ready to mail for TIv5. I'll be checking the DK site regularly. Planning on running this with Rene in June (maybe). I'll be working on the Bayou Salado Enduro site and firming up a date. The GLGA will be placed on calendar.

Work will begin on putting together a non-profit to promote skin cancer awareness amongst cyclists. My dermatologist is going to assist with directing me towards some grant money.



.

Are you Ready?

Success!

Michael 1, Cancer 0


.

Cancer Sucks

I know that my cancer worries are nothing in comparison to many others out there. Those people will be in my thoughts as my journey toward ridding myself of this disease starts this afternoon. Mohs surgery is 99% effective in the removal of Basal cell carcinoma. My cancer is located on the eyelid which adds some minor issues as plastic surgery will follow on Thursday.

Remember to wear sunscreen, a hat, and visit your dermatologist.



.

More Boulder Cup

We headed north to the Republic to watch the goings on in Harlow Park. The Boulder Cup is always a joy to spectate and cheer on some of the best CX racers in the US. Georgia Gould took the women's race while Tim Johnson took the men's race.


Some images from the Men's Open Race.

Boulder Cup

Pictures from the Women's Open race in Boulder's Harlow Park.

Things Change

The ride for this weekend has had to change. No meeting at Pelican Point in Bear Creek Lake Park. Looks like the big ride is going to be in Golden at the Juvi Center. I am sticking close to home.

Enjoy eating candy and other assorted sweets.

The knife is near. More later.
.

Looking toward the weekend

Prepare yourself for another immersion into bicycle culture this weekend with the Boulder Cup and the Rocky Mountain Bicycle Show.


If your not racing and would like to get some 'cross practice, join in the fun.

Beach Cx

Boulder Racing put on yet another great day of racing, this time up at the Boulder Res. I actually got called up to be in the third row, which is better than normal. A decent start and I was comfortably sitting in a good position to start moving up when I realized my front was a little squishy. A flat - ran up stream to get a lightening fast wheel change. Lost many positions and just tried not to come in dfl. After some food and family time, I re-upped for the SS race. I ended up dfl with absolutely nothing in the legs. A great day with family and friends.

SC and me.

Post wheel change.

Halloween? Gene!

DFL for the skirts.

Check out the Portland scene here or the Des Moines scene here, they know how to lighten up. The Front Range racers are wound a little tight, its Halloween soon for crying out loud.

Surgery near, no more cx racing for a while.

Gravet season is upon us, are you ready!

Trans Iowa version 5 recon pictures here. Ragnarok 105 registration open.

.

New Barrier Size

After last weekends racing, the barriers seemed this high each time I tried to lift my short legs over them.

Tripel?


UCI Legal?

Racing at the Boulder Res tomorrow, should be a sandy good time. Maybe some costumes?

Poached

Images taken by Mark Wolcott Photography at the Xylinx Race.

Have a Ball

.

2fer

Paid for two races, did two races only one of the races wasn't 'cross. Saturday, I took the kids to run the last mile of the Denver Marathon instead of racing at Xylinx - hopefully Blue Sky Velo will do some good with my pre-registration money. It was a welcome change to run with the kids from the morning school running club. It inspired me to continue to mentor them next spring.


Sunday, I drove to Fort Fun for some 'cross racing. It was a great wide open course, that brought small fields but some really fun racing.


The unknown is now known. Only two weeks of moderate activity after the extraction, which is going to take place on Nov 4th. The rest of 'cross season will be re-evaluated after post surgery healing.

Plans are being made for next year and beyond. I can't wait!



.

Mental Distraction

The first real day of 'Cross racing happen up in Longmont this morning. A drizzle accompanied me from Lakewood north to the Xylinx. The course was wide open with some twist through the trees and a trip into a field which brought some mud. I raced okay, but nothing special. That is the way the season has been going. It was a good way to clear the head from a Doctor visit to have yet another biopsy done on a mole, three pre-cancer spots frozen off, and more treatment needed for pre-cancer on my face. Nothing like some suffering to rid your mind of life's problems.

.

A little dirty.

Framed!

Tomorrow the race is down at BCLP, which should make for a fun day. Rumors abound that PBRs will be handed up and maybe some whiskey. My goals for the season are shot, it is time to have some fun.

LDL? Maybe soon.

FYSC!

Frisco Weekend

A good weekend of 'Cross was had as we headed up the high country for some racing in the thin air. The Aspen leaves made the back drop just stunning. My races went well, still dialing in some mental issues that could have me moving up a few more places. Sunday was the first race of the season that the kids got to ring cowbell and yell at dad. My son would belt out each lap "Hup, Hup, Buttercup".

Rolling it through.

Some barrier work.

The dismount.

Last lap.

Notorious, SC, and me.

Five more days of racing until the Doc extracates the evil cancer from my eyelid!

.

Crossniacs Syndicate

Received a care package from the mothership that included some nice artistic pieces.

Crossniac Kick-off Package.

Back-o-Shirt.

Packaging?

IRD.

Colors changing at BCLP.

Kick'n it back a notch

After a couple good hard days of racing over the weekend, a week of easy rides and rest is in order. I raced in Boulder on Saturday with a field pushing 80 guys. It was the typical Interlocken course with lots of grass and the bowl of pain. On Sunday, headed towards the Kansas border with Chad and Scott for the second stop on the tour of Juvi Centers. The course had a little of everything, but mostly small inclines that made the quads quiver. The races this weekend are up in Summit County, so time to suffer at altitude.





Wear Sunscreen!

Found it

"You seek escape from pain. We seek the achievement of happiness. You exist for the sake of avoiding punishment. We exist for the sake of earning rewards. Threats will not make us function; fear is not our incentive. It is not death that we wish to avoid, but life that we wish to live." - Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged


Mind is clear. Focus is steady. Legs are sore. Hup!
.

Where it is or isn't

Introspection was made in the early hours of the morn as those pesky race demons invaded my slumber. Thoughts swirled as I tossed. Changes will be made. Short season means more focus. Cancer messes with my head. The new ride helps but tension is building. The neck is constricted with the stress. I've been praticing my zen breathing and relaxation. I need to HTFU and race like there is no tomorrow.

.

Must be Fall

Another 'cross race in the books, rode the new bike to a decent finish. A little evaluation and introspection over the next week should help to bring the desired results. The legs are good but is the mind?

Backyard harvest - time to make some beer.

The New Bike!

.

Continue to apply sunscreen liberally like a good democrat.

Skin Cancer Sucks!

Hoegaard Good!

.

Gettin' the Build on

Started getting the new 'cross frame together, just in time for the second week of the season. If all goes well, it will be ready for the 'cross race in Golden on Sunday.

GBS installed the Headset (I owe them a box of Little Debbies)

Added a few parts late last evening.