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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Stylin.....

That's one Snappy Cap!

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Denver Trail Antics

teammate and friend

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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!

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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.