Decision

Or

Good Luck

This coming weekend is Trans Iowa, this year I will not be toeing the line like the previous two.

I wish all those in attendance the best of luck and hope they come away with as many memories as I have. It is about the journey and not the destination (although it is always nice to finish).

One of my best memories of last years TI was climbing up to the finish line seeing my brother standing there and Snob handing me the last beer (he was planning on drinking it ) and a handy wipe. The pain and suffering endured are just a faded memory as I'll be toeing the line next year in Iowa. Thanks to GT and d.p. for providing us with such a demented event.



"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go" - T.S Eliot

Western CO - day 2

Day two brought a tired bunch, so while they were still tucked in, I rolled north out of town. After a nice bit on the pavement, four grueling miles of gravel, I arrived at the trail head. A couple of sweet loops, my ride to food and a shower appeared.

Pavement on 18 Rd.

Gravel on 18 Rd.

Single Track.

Zippty Do Da!

A ribbon of Trail.

Western CO

We headed in mass to the Western Slope to support my Wife in her trail running endeavors. She knocked out an easy 25 miles along the Colorado River. I took the kids for a quick ride down a gravel road that led to Rustlers Loop, after a loop we trudged back to the S/F to watch my Wife finish her run. The kids are ready for the next mtn bike adventure.

Out on Rustler's Loop

How we rolled.

After I made sure the Wife was conscience and had plenty of nutrition, I took off to ride a quick loop before rolling back to town. The legs were a bit lack luster as I headed out. A quick climb and some rocks had me second guessing the decision to ride, but after a few miles all was good. The views of the Colorado River and the snow capped mountains to the east made the perfect back drop to end out the day. Spun back to town, then ate pizza and relaxed.

From Troy Built looking down on the Kokopelli Trail.

The bike. The Views.

Looking down on Horsethief Bench Loop.

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Westward

Taking off for a little support of the wife as she pounds the trails to the west.

Good wishes go out to Chris and his driver after their unforunate incident on the way to the AZT300.


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April Tracks

Snowed!

The ride(s)

Recap of the past few days:

Sunday took me out on a ride with "The Rivet" and Notorious, rolled from the house and met TR on the way to Golden. Notorious rolled from home to the designated meeting place. Climbed up Golden Gate Canyon to the Peak-to-Peak over through Rollinsville then down Coal Creek Canyon. Check out part of the route here. Saw a moose, eagle, and a moron during the descent back to Golden. An all around great day. I did get home just it time to assist in grouting tile.

Yesterday, took the youngin' to Green Mountain on the back of tandem. It felt like I was driving a semi down an alley in a wind storm. The plan is to take the older one out soon. Took a bunch of pictures but the camera has reached its lifespan and all I got was blur.

I struggled with wind and motivation today as I was trying to execute my daily plan. Luckily I read this last night and couldn't muster a good argument against painful repeats. "I had 10 reasons to quit but I had 15 reason to keep going." - Dirt Diva I need to remember to keep my glass half full on every ride.


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Sightings

We saw a moose on the ride today, he/she is hard to see.

More on the ride tomorrow.

Cobbles

Paris-Roubaix is this weekend, which by far is one of my favorite races. This course is one of those I need to ride before I die. Should be a good one this year with lots of riders on some early form.

Trans-Iowa B-Level road or just another cobbled road in the Arenberg Forest.

Lovely Cobbles!

Hope to get in some good miles this weekend as the forcast looks promising. I might try and hang with the two hammers on Sunday as they big ring it up Golden Gate Canyon.

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No Fresh Tracks

The weather has once again descended upon us with a nice spring snow storm. Off the bike for today, which is okay as it was late start at school and I am preparing to present in front of the school board this evening. Tomorrow will bring a completely different day.

Crooked Trails

"May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. May your rivers flow without end, meandering through pastoral valleys tinkling with bells, past temples and castles and poets' towers into a dark primeval forest where tigers belch and monkeys howl, through miasmal and mysterious swamps and down into a desert of red rock, blue mesas, domes and pinnacles and grottoes of endless stone, and down again into a deep vast ancient unknown chasm where bars of sunlight blaze on profiled cliffs, where deer walk across the white sand beaches, where storms come and go as lightning clangs upon the high crags, where something strange and more beautiful and more full of wonder than your deepest dreams waits for you --- beyond that next turning of the canyon walls." Edward Abbey


Look for your inspiration in the most unexpected places.


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New Route

Yesterday's plan was executed. Much pain was inflicted into the legs as the climb was long and the summit winds were howling. The gears were put to there fullest use . Map became a place holder in center pocket. The loop brought spectacular views and a happen chance to meet a teacher slogging up the same grade. The camera was left home, but will be stuffed in for the next adventure.

Kids home today, a hike or ride was on the docket but the snows have changed the plan. So instead, I'll be task master on domestic chores

Plans and projects

Coffee and waffles to start the day, a little project prep whilst the wife was pounding the pavement, then off for a short ride to wake up the legs. The plan for tomorrow is set; pain, gears, and a map will be my companion. The afternoon will be spent honing the plan and completing a long overdue project.

I like these smart socks from Harlot.

Blue Skies

Today brought blue skies to the Front Range, yesterday's snow long since melted. Spun the legs out after a rough week of getting back into a training routine. March was a dismal month as I spent more days battling sickness as I did training. Things are looking better for April.

Blue Sky and no snow

Straight chainin' it

Down from the Mountain

Back from refuge, skis hung up. Spring Break on the slopes with the kids, a great way to end the season. Missed the last Cultcross race to ski with the elite at BC, met an old friend from my skiing days in Michigan. Now I am back to the grind of chores, projects, and training.

Lunges