Breck-Como-Breck

Did a little solo recon work up near the divide to look check out the climb out of Bayou Salado. I started from the Breckenridge refuge and headed up to Boreas Pass before dropping into the hamlet of Como. A quick loop to check for services, I eyed the Como Mercantile but did pay a visit due to weather moving in. Climbed back up the pass as the clouds builded. The rain held off until the descent back in Breckenridge. Made in back to the refuge a little wet and cold.

Climb to the Pass.

Bayou Salado.

Como.

Looking Back.

Storms.

Fodder

That is what I was last night. I toed the line for the last circle race of the local weekday series. The legs were still feeling the GTDRI efforts from the weekend as I climb the gravel road up to the track. The race was fast from the get go and didn't really let up like in weeks past, that played to my favor as accelerating over and over would have killed me. I did not garner any points during this series but added some much needed confidence as things will begin to hot up soon.

GTDRI

We planned our pilgrimage to Iowa for a random weekend that just happened to coincide with the Mark’s GTDRI. Spending time with the in-laws is enjoyable but grinding some gravel was a much better option. A week before the decision was made to convert the old IRD ‘cross bike to a gravel grinder. The finished product was put to the test with over 100 miles of gravel, dirt, and a bit of pavement.

I left Marshalltown early to meet up at Hickory Hills for a 7:30am departure. The fog on the drive over was the thickest I’ve seen in a good long while. I climbed up to the summit of Hickory Hills to see some familiar faces. The Midwest was well represented with the Iowa contingent made up of Mark “Guitar Ted” Stevenson and David Pals, the Lincoln contingent consisted on Matt Wills, Jeff Bonsall, Matt Gersib with Minnesota represented by Jason Boucher. I was the lone Colorado rider.

We headed out for a 100 mile loop that would take us through Traer, Garwin, back to Traer, and then to Hickory Hills. Considering all the rain that has pummeled the state the roads were in great condition even the B-level roads were good. Ragbrai started this past weekend which lead to confusion with the locals as we rolled into town, we were only seven not 10,000+, but we did have a presence.

Other than sweating profusely my ride was great. Meeting someone new, catching up with others and of course riding my bike. Thanks to Mark for organizing and to the others for making this a most enjoyable way to spend a Saturday in Iowa.

Sunrise.

The Leader - Gted.

Jeff documenting.

Matt, Mark, Jason, and Matt in Traer.

David rockin' a Casseroll.

The leaders.

B-road made easy by Jeff.

Quick stop.

Up the road.

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Support Role

Headed south to Manitou Springs for my Wife to run a little race. It was fun to spectate and cheer the runners up the last climb to the finish.

Almost there.





At Medical.

Only 7 stitches needed.

Parking garage crit

The State of Texas own some sweet parking garages for bike racing.

Back home

Made it safely to and fro with lots of cold local brews in the middle.

Rollin' the long bike......

A quick ride with the kids before life's journey takes us to the "Live Music Capital of the World".






“I dearly love the state of Texas, but I consider that a harmless perversion on my part, and discuss it only with consenting adults."
- Molly Ivins

Comin' Around

Hit the CSP track last night for a little circle racing. It was fun. I rode over with Chad and met up with B.I.L. The winds were howling and the raining was coming down. We huddled in the Jeep waiting for it to pass. Once the cloud heading east, wheels were down and racing began. Legs were good but I held back a little with no aggressive behavior. Rolled back home with Chad. A good night in the saddle.

Might head back over that way tonight for some riding in the dirt.

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Slow lane

The work is getting done at a slower rate than before, but some new adventures have arisen which are keeping things fresh. Enjoying as Aug 12th will come soon enough.

July 26th is a date for a recon into the depths of Bayou Salado. Routes being considered. Stay tuned.

Father's Day Ride

The annual addition of the Father's day ride took the form of a multi-park mountain bike adventure. Four of us braved the trails as wives and children prepared for the post ride festivities.

After a quick spin through William Frederick Hayden Park on Green Mountain, then a mellow warm up ride to the base of the first climb of the day, Chimney Gulch. We climbed up to the Nature Center, making a stop to fill bottles. From there we made our way over to Apex where we did a short loop, descending through the Enchanted Forest and climbed back out the main trail.

We headed west and up over Grapevine making our way to Idledale where we pick up the trail at Little Park. Rode through Lair O' The Bear up into Pence Park. Hopped on the road for a bit stopping for ultra filtered water. Continued on to the top of Mt Falcon, we did the Parmalee loop before the nasty descent into Morrison.

A short loop through BCLP to add a few more miles of single track before ending the ride at Chad's place. Iced PBR, family, great friends, and good food - a great Father's Day.

Rolling it down

SC rocking the climb up Chimney Gulch.

View of the Divide.

Chimney Gulch Trail.

Moots & WaltWorks

Turner.

Gary Fisher.

SC giving props to the great Front Range Trail system.

Notorious and Scott at Apex.

A quick loop before heading on.

Descending Grapevine w/ Hearts & Stars.

Quick Break.

Notorious.

Lair O the Bear.

Water Break.

View from Mt Falcon.

Heading toward Morrison.

Recovery Drink of Champions.

Resting Steads: Moots/WaltWorks/Gary Fisher.

Making Shadows.....

... in the San Juans.

"In the Hands of Hard Men in an Evil Hour"

Research is being done

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The Kanza Experience

I headed east from the foothills to the plains of our great country to partake in yet another gravel adventure.

The first fifty were just plain fun. I managed to stay with the main group for about 15 miles until the rolling hills. Then I just settled in for a long day grinding some sweet flint hills gravel. I made it to the first CP feeling rather good. I headed out solo for CP2.

We had a re-route which brought a bit of navigational confusion as I was unsure where I was on the map. Another SS rider straightened me out and we rolled into Cottonwood Falls together picking up another SS on the way. Another quick stop and I headed out for the third leg. About half way through this leg, I came upon Skip and Jeff.

At this point I was glad to have someone to ride with. At this point it was a struggle to hold a somewhat intelligent conversation. The three of us stayed together until the end, A quick stop at CP3 then we headed onward to the last big climb and the finish.

Darkness came outside of Americus, there is nothing better than cruising gravel under the power of lights. We rolled into the Guest Inn parking lot just under 17hrs.

The ride back to Denver gave me time to digest the ride and weekend. To sum up the weekend: I drove 17hrs, biked 17hrs, enjoyed the company I kept, had no mechanicals, pushed a perfect gear, and plan to be back next year. Now all I need to do start assembling a Denver gravel grinding contingent.

Check out Corey's write up and pictures.




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Check Point 2

Cottonwood Falls, KS

Check Point 1

Madison, KS

Start of Race

First of my phone blogging.

6 am

Dirty Kanza Weapon

WaltWorks.

New Kit!

With Short Track racing to the north and south, the options for weekday pain is racing in a circle with the really fast old guys (meaning Cat 1 racers that are 30+). It was good training as i was blown off wheels as the winds were fierce. Today, I spun the legs on the mountain.

Pinned the new Kit!

My Backyard.

Todays trail choice.

One week until I am off to Kansas.

Marathoner

Congrats to my wife of 19yrs in completing the Colfax Marathon.

FR50 Race Report

Saturday brought the start to my 2008 racing season at the Front Range 50. Compared to the past week, it was one of those picture perfect days in Colorado. I choose the WaltWorks with a 32 up front and an 18 aft. In an effort to meet the designated daily plan, I rode to the start leaving at 7:00am. I took a quick jaunt thru the lower section of Green Mountain before rolling on the road to Bear Creek Lake Park. I was met with long lines for both the number placard and timing chip. I setup my backpack in the feed area which held 3 bottles, 1 Red Bull, food, and 1 small CamelBak.

I rode down to the start, which the Ergon FJ was strategically placed nearby, and met up with Notorious B.I.L. The start of the race was at the base of the climb up to the Start/Finish and expo area. They staged all the male categories together. I found myself toward the back as we were given the signal to race.

Lap 1 – I found myself early on wheel to wheel with the pack grinding up the first incline, I settled in knowing that early placement was vital but not necessary. The climbs were clogged with riders grinding methodically up. I finished the lap in about 49 minutes.

Lap 2 – Things finally thinned out and I found my rhythm as things began to flow. The climbs seemed a bit easier when I could climb at my own pace. I was feeling really good at the end of this lap, which was done in about 40 minutes, and my plan for getting bottles at the end of laps 2 and 4 were thrown out the window. I made a decision to stop at the end of lap 3 to pick up two bottles for the last push to the finish.

Lap 3 – The first part of this lap I felt awesome, I was sticking to my nutrition plan and things were absolutely flowing. I made it through the serious of climbs fine until the last little up then things started to take that turn. I felt that little twinge in my lower quads, not so much a cramp as muscle seizure. I was through my two bottles with a mile until the feed area. I still finished the lap still around 40 minutes and still had hopes of holding it together.

Lap 4 – I decided to throttle it back a tad through the first bit and let the liquids I consumed do there trick. As I made it to the climbs, I felt like things were coming back around. I easily made the first two climbs without much incident, though I was a marked difference in my speed. The next two little ups brought back those twinges on the steeper sections. I kept plugging away and finished the lap in about 50 minutes.

Lap 5 – I tried to push the pace but the damage had been done, I rode at a comfortable pace conserving for the final climbing of the race. I ended up running the last steep sections to avoid full muscle seizure. I rolled across the finish feeling strong but a bit disappointed.

I finished in 4:08 which was good enough for 30th place in the geared Veteran 40-49 division where I was scored. My placing in the SS division could be 11th. The daily plan was met as I took the slow ride home.

FR50

I finished the 50 miler in just over 4hrs. I suffered a couple laps but I was glad with the gearing that I choose. Now I have to get the tandem ready to support the Wife's marathon endeavor tomorrow. More on the race later.

Starting Slow.......

A decision was made early on to put off racing until May. Initially that was going to be the end of May with Dirty Kanza, but as luck has it the FR50 is right down from the house. It was a difficult choice to postpone as nowadays my mindset is focused racing but Fall goals need to be realized.

When this May rolled around the notices slapped me into the reality that I am starting to age. The Udder School reminded me that 20 years ago I received my degree. Also, it coincides with the fact I graduated HS 25 years ago. Add an anniversary into the mix and my mind spins with what has and has not been accomplished.

No more time wallow, race on!


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Long week over

Regretfully missed Dave's Fundraiser last evening due to the Wife's travel delays. I rolled the road today under some clear blue skies. It felt good to stretch the legs out after a couple of days of lounging and running.

FR50 Course Marked

Across the Parking lot

Fixed Friday Fun

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