May day

The past week has been busy with family and keeping up with TI happenings. Saturday morning a connection was made as the first song to pop in my head was "Wish You Were Here." Spent most of the day checking for updates from GT's TI Radio. Now it's over I have been reading reports from CornBread (5th), Paul, Snob, JJames, T-Roy, Doc, Dan, SCole, plus many many more. The plans are already set in motion for TIv5 if GT and d.p. are willing to give it another go.

The edginess has crept back in as I ready for this years fun on gravel, Dirty Kanza. In a couple of weeks the FR50 will be the litmus test to check to fitness.

Snows hit the Front Range today just as I headed out for my ride - it was cold and wet.

Rolling out.

Quick stop to add a layer.

Home!

.

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.

.

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.


.

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.


.

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.

.

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.


.

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

In the Mountains

Midway through the spring break adventure. Some early morning roller time with the days spent doing lunges with the kids. A member of the extended family did break his leg which has put the halt to traveling over the pass to ski with the elite. Snow expected today.

Friday, great

The managing of children was left to others this morn, so I took advantage by getting an extra hour plus in of riding. Opted for the Chatfield loop, which with the gusty wind was a wise choice. The winter base served me well after 3 weeks of battling sickness. Tomorrow heading to the refugee for a week of lunges with the kids. May toss in the rollers and cx bike for some added fun.

Chatfield Res

Obey!

Bikes

So European

Today's Choice

Spring Riding

It was good to take to the road with out the cloud of sickness looming, a few Ricola thrown in for the spasmatic coughing. The sky was blue and most of the snow has evaporated.

Pathete season opens today, be ready! Check out Rich's rant.

Do the Test before getting behind the wheel.

Toolin' on the Borthwick

Recovering

I have been battling for the past 4 days with round two of the sickness. The sunny skies and snow cover seem to have perked me up. Another day before I will be able to venture forth on the bike.

The first 'cross race of the year was this past weekend in Eagle, I missed it but plan to make the next one on the 29th (if skiing is bad).

The Burn

The controlled burn on Green Mountain.

I am preparing myself for round two, the first round knocked me around a bit but seemingly recovered. I will be last in line to take on this second bout, at least we can get in over with before spring break.

Vintage VC

I have been looking for something to do with all my old jerseys, maybe vee neck lycra shirts will come back in style. The scary thing is that on a upcoming visit to Austin some of my barmates might just be wearing these.

This vintage Violet Crown Jersey dates my presidency by only a few years.

"Adversity tests whether you are what you thought your were" - unkown

New Kit

Post Kanza Beverage

I was planning on bringing some beer to share from Golden, Colorado but according to this video all I would be bringing was water. Instead I'll bring an assortment from the many Front Range breweries. DK is my spring race as TI conflicts with my wife's endurance running endeavors.

Mail Call

Some coffee roasted in the Big Bend Region of Texas, a big Thanks to my drinking partner from Austin.

A new rim for the Waltworks.

I woke to snow, so heading to the rec center for a sweat session. A good weather outlook for the rest of the week, which may mean some miles on the Borthwick.

It appears that Dirty Kanza is full. Some big names are signed up to ride.

Last week

Last week seemed to fly by with a odd assortment of kid activities, domestic chores, sick bread winner, and a little training. I did managed to bookend it with a 10 mile run and a 50 mile ride, topped off with a family ski day. More later........

Delirium

Libations

Weekend Tools

From the porch in Terlingua:
Hey, I'm on the porch in Terlingua..good race..tres cuevos..Baked Clem some cookies..Koyote radio down to 1 cd on shuffle..Clem changes cd when he wants..2 beers..need more.....

New shoes

Took the new shoes out for a spin in the wee morning hours as the kids have the day off.

Love your Bike

No Mas

Not making the trip to the Big Bend in the Rio Grande this year, a bunch of buddies from Austin are heading out to race and drink tequilla. I am a bit bummed not to be going but the 14 hour drive is a bit more than I want to tackle. Next year the CO contingent will be organizing a midnight naked crit.

Over the past few days the weather has been conducive to getting in some good rides on the Borthwick, snow comes tomorrow (or tonight?)

Weekend Hardware

Myself and the kids took to the Nastar course for some family competition. The little one made it through all the gates to take home the Bronze. I went head-to-head with my daughter who did raced me well til the end, she finished less that 2 seconds behind. She took a Silver while I ended up with a Bronze. Nastar is a weighted/handicaped system based on age and discipline, so mid-aged telemarkers can race against freshed legged younsters on a level slope.

End of week ride

I braved the wind today and headed out to get a short ride in. The roads/paths are good except for a few areas.

Some drifting off the lake.

Path a little iced over.

The mountains have gotten some good snow over the past week. Breckenridge has received 34 inches since we were up last weekend. So, if CDOT keeps I70 open we will be heading to the mountian refuge for some family ski time. The temps in Denver will be in the 50s over the weekend, I'll pick skiing over biking for now.

Viable Wednesday

I was undecided whether to don the running shoes or brave the slick roads. I took the Waltworks and headed over to Red Rocks, it started out chilly and slick but ended up warm and slushy. The running shoes are going to have to wait.

A balmy 29 at the race track

The climb up Red Rocks

At the top

Waltworks

Slog up Rooney

Caucus'd

Joined the masses to partake in the democratic process last night. Quiz yourself to find your candidate.

Just looking

Went to a LBS today to start the search for the next bike to add to the stable. I had to nix the Cannondale due to standover height. The next step is to bring the IRD in to look at geometry and see what might be available for me without going custom. They offer DEAN which has the ability to make a custon frame. No impulse purchases.

In other news:
Ex-Violet Crown junior, Kristian House, has found another team to race for this coming year - Rapha-Condor-Recycling.co.uk. He raced for Navigators last year but is back in his native land of Great Britain. I wish him good luck.

Family time

Spent the day skiing with the family. For me it is nice to have an activity that the whole family can participate. The kids are getting good enough that the whole mountain is our realm, the only thing we are not skiing is the t-bar. It is so much fun to blast from top to bottom with no stopping. We ski the trees, powder, and terrain parks. No more steeps and bumps but still plenty of knee dropping fun.

January. .

The first month of the year is in the books, it has been filled with base work and skiing. The edginess has subsided as I ready the body and legs for a full year of cycling adventures. I may be adding a weekend of fun in Leadville during the month of July (depends on a trip south to sample the some live music). The pressure has been applied to visit the borderlands in 15 days but 14 hours of travel are not appealing.

I have been getting some inspiration from the trail running set, she makes me want to start hammering out miles and get some ink.

Kansas Recon

Spent the weekend around the Mount Hope area of Kansas checking out just how flat it is, the only contour of notice were the overpasses. The Dirty Kanza course is to the east and I do believe it will seem mountainous compared to where we were. Check out who is participating here. Any Front Rangers interested?

Harden Up

I just got this in the mail from Mr Roy, the leader of the Crossniac revolution.

Cowboy Up

I did some cross-training today at the National Western Stock Show.

Spin of the Edge

I took advantage of the weather on Sunday and knocked out an easy ride on the Waltworks. I have left the CX setup on it which works well for snowy paths and loose gravel on the roads. STP seemed to have been playing loudly in the head, all things are good.

The Waltworks with Grn Mtn looming in the distance.

A snowy trail along Bear Creek.

View of Mt Carbon in BCLP.

Playing catch-up

With a break from the weekend lunge sessions at altitude, spent to today catching up on those unfinished tasks lingering from before cx season. I did sneak in a short run to clear the mind. Tomorrow looks to be yet another perfect day so I plan to steal some time in the afternoon to get a nice ride in.

Dark sky causes

The edginess has begun to creep back into the legs, my mood is anxious for the upcoming year, the general feeling of restlessness has taken over. Their is no off-season for those whose legs have grown weary with age. Time to start spinning, even though the cold air has settled on the Front Range.

Berating has become the new motivating message being preached at the Anti-Gym, an old wrestling coach preferred this method and it had little affect on my motivation. Maybe this is my resistance to having a coach, I do hear the little voice in my head pushing me forward.

The bike search will take a slight detour as I check out the Cannondale line cross bikes. The Crossniacs have picked them up as a new sponsor. If the sizing doesn't work out, I will check our Dean and then PM.

Batteries Full

I spent the last two weeks living high in the mountains amongst the snow and vacationers. The experience reinforced whats important and served as a vital recharge for 2008. As I head into my 15th season of racing, I can look back proudly while looking forward to the challenges that await. My goals for 2008 are simple: continue to enjoy riding my bike and stay as motivated as I did in 2007.

With TransIowa off the calendar for 2008, I am planning on Cultcross, 18hrs of Fruita and Dirty Kanza as my spring races. Other races of interest include the New Mexico Endurance Series, 12hrs at Steamboat, and 24hrs in the Sage. Plus a full calendar of 'Cross in the fall with a tentatively planned visit to Portland.

The new cx bike decision is being mulled over but it looks like I'll go with local custom builder.