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.

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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

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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!



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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.

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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!

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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!
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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.

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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!

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Continue to apply sunscreen liberally like a good democrat.

Skin Cancer Sucks!

Hoegaard Good!

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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.

Finally!

After putting in some time assisting at Brecktobercross with Chad, a little good karma came my way. I picked it up my new frame from the shop today and now I will start the build. With the help of Golden Bike Shop, the build should go easy. Needless to say, I am stoked.

No race on Saturday this week, so if your up for a little ride at BCLP to hone those 'cross skills let me know and I'll set a time for fun. I plan to race a little BMX style 'cross with the raw sewage pit on Sunday.



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But it was fun

The season has officially kicked-off! I traveled south to Colo Springs to get that first start under my belt. The course was a good one with lots of mud from the past two days of rain. I got the call up to the front, which was unexpected. A starting loop on a gravel path made a fast hard start. I got the hole shot up and lead to about the top when a few powered past. Then the pack zipped by as I was spun out on the downhill. Hit the mud and things slowed up a bit and I was able to pick off a few riders. By lap two, I knew my gear selection was not conservative. My legs got zapped lap after lap until I could barely turn the cranks over. Lesson learned. I had a blast and caught up with a lot of folks. Time to start pestering the shop to get my new frame.

With my surgery now scheduled, the season may be shorten by a month. Which makes me even more anxious to get my new bike built.

IRD..

Ready to Race

Banner Day

Opener...

The bike is ready, but am I. I never really know how I going to race until after the first one. On Saturday a trip to the land of the Family Focus will test my form. Then its up to Breck to lend a hand at Brecktobercross - not sure if I'll be racing, depends on what kind of influence my brother is on me.

I am dealing with pre-op scheduling and coordination between doctors to get me all fixed up. Hopefully soon, I am getting antsy.

I'm getting some killer banners made for the team, look for them at a Front Range race near you.


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Cross fun

With 'cross season approaching rather rapidly, I decided to head out for an epic 'cross ride tying together 3 local parks. I started with the lower section of Green Mountain, then head up over Dino Ridge into Red Rocks. Quick little loop in Red Rocks (I almost ran the stairs but thought better of it) before heading to Bear Creek Lake Park for a couple laps. I worked on some skills but mainly just rode and enjoyed myself. Roughly 3 hours of cross bike fun!

The CO season starts in a week and a half! Then we race every weekend until Nationals. I am looking forward to getting back into the racing groove.

My mind has been racing with the tribulations of life, so with that (adult content):
FUCK YOU SKIN CANCER IT'S 'CROSS SEASON!!!!!!

Remember to always apply sunscreen and wear a hat (a Snappy one).

PSA

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Ebbs

The plans are in motion for the fall, a minor blimp may delay the start, but the focus is still on December. If things go south, I may turn into uber cowbell beer drinking fat guy, which would be just fine.

The Crossniacs are co-promoting Brecktobercross on Septemeber 14th. We are joining Great Adventure Sports to put on a great event. Brecktoberfest is also that weekend - beer and 'cross.

The plan for the Bayou Salado Enduro is coming together. The plan is to hold it in late July 2009 with the route just over 120 miles. The event will be mostly on gravel starting in Breckenridge and passing through Jefferson, Hartsel, and Como.



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LBS = GBS

At a caffeinated meeting in the bustle of the Windy Saddle, the Colorado Contingent of the Crossniacs came to an understanding with the Golden Bike Shop. They will acknowledge us on the streets of Golden if we occasionally roll bikes in and out of the shop for them. I assisted this morning in the bike rolling ritual, which now gains me one week of waves. Thanks again for GBS in supporting the Colorado Crossniacs.

Breaks

Over.
Challenges are being set.
Plans are in place.
Time to HTFU!

More to come.

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.