Details here.
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Thursday, June 18, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Dirty Kanza 2009 – Persistence!
“Pleasure??, I do it for the pain of it” - Lance Armstrong
Chad read to me the above quote from a Graeme Fife article he had brought along. It stuck in my head for most of the ride.
A long day of driving brought Chad Meinert and myself from the foothills of the Rockies to Emporia. I caught up with Dave Pals, Steve Fuller, and Matt Maxwell for a quick dinner at Planet Sub. Then it was back to the Guest Inn for the pre-race meeting. Jim and Joel give us the run down on the following day’s proceedings.
Off to the room to watch the Nuggets lose, then turn in for restless evening of slumber. The alarms going off a little after 4am made us rise with time to stuff some food in our gullet, drink some coffee, and plenty of water as we readied for the long hot day.
The 6am start brought the group out to some cool temperatures and energy in the air. I was really excited to get the ride going. The plan was simple, keep the pedals turning, keep the food intake high, and keep drinking lots of fluids. After some last minute instructions, 85 brave souls headed into the flints for a grand adventure. We rolled out with the escort of a camera crew until that first right turn onto sweet Kansas Gravel.
A few miles down the road, I got gapped as the pace went up and I spun out. The lead group motored down the road with Chad “the muscle” Meinert along with all the race favorites. I settled in for the day. A few futile attempts on my part to hang with small packs of gravel lovin’ cyclists. The wind was blowing strong and making me become focused on the goal of finishing instead of my more lofty goals.
As I was rolling along Dan Hensley rolled up, we chatted a bit about the ride and he imparted some words that stuck with me for the rest of the ride. I can’t remember the quote but basically said it doesn’t get any better as we are just riding our bikes in a beautiful part of the country. It helped boost my spirit as I was watching my speed decrease.
I rolled into CP1 completely out of water but damn glad I made to Cottonwood Falls. The plan for the checkpoints was to have an idea of what I needed and get in and get out. I slammed a quart of Gatorade, munched on a Payday bar, while filling bottles with water. I slogged on toward Elmdale with a full belly and a little zest in the legs. It was only 42 miles during the heat of the day. I kept telling myself this isn’t as bad as those long rides in the Texas heat.
I spent the next few hours in reflective solace as I pedaled and pedaled toward CP2. At sometime during this period I lost the will to eat and felt the urge to puke every time I brought food to my mouth. I remembered those pesky Shot Blocs jammed in my pocket that ended up saving my day. I limped into CP2 with the same plan to grab and go. As I watched riders inhale pizza, I opted to slam a Gatorade and grab some cheese crackers to eat while riding.
I asked the volunteers where I was sitting in the SS class, she said that about 5 single speeders were ahead of me but only 2 recumbents were up the road. Dennis Grelk said that only Skip and Joel were out on the roads. My hopes of a decent placing seemed possible. I pushed on for the next miles in a trying to force feed dry salty crackers into my mouth. I made it through Little Egypt without incident but did walk two of the hills in order to save the legs. One almost wrong turn brought me off course for about 100 yards when I realized my mistake.
A huge boost came when I made it to CP3 to see Chad sitting near the tent. I was stoked to ride with my friend for the last 62 miles. I ran into the store to stock up before heading back out. Skip was inside and offered up his Shot Blocs, I took them later to find out from Joel that they were pulling the plug. Joel gave me some great words of encouragement and we were off. My pockets were loaded with extra Gatorade and a Red Bull for good measure.
With Chad and Greg Bachman, I was in the company of two good men that made the last section a little more fun. Some conversation helped break up the monotony of miles of gravel. One flat on my bike slowed the CO Crew down but didn’t break our spirit. The miles ticked away as the lights of Emporia lit the sky. A lone skunk caused a slight slow in our pace. Greg was the navigator guiding us through maze of gravel roads. Chad was the muscle just keeping the pace consistent and us moving. I just followed.
When we hit the outskirts of Emporia, the sense of relief and joy rushed through me as the lights grew brighter. Chad and Greg were why I finished the event, I can’t thank them enough. They crossed the line tying for 7th place in a time of 19 hours and 26 minutes! A top ten finish in what was a grueling adventure in which 15 finished. I am so very happy for them.
With the finish line crossed, those hardy souls still awake greeted us like we were winners and that erased the pain of the day. Two out of three goals for the ride were reached, more friends made, and memories to last another year. I am happy to have shared them with my good friend, Chad.
I appreciate all those who made Dirty Kanza an event that make me yearning for more gravel. It is the people that keep me going as they make the event. Thanks again to the promoters, volunteers, Skip, Chad, Greg (or is it Gary), Dan, the Vet from Lincoln, the OK guys, Joel, and many I have forgotten. THANK YOU!
I had many song verses going but the one that really stuck was from that classic Ian Flemming movie – “From the ashes of disaster, grow the roses of success.”
.
Chad read to me the above quote from a Graeme Fife article he had brought along. It stuck in my head for most of the ride.
A long day of driving brought Chad Meinert and myself from the foothills of the Rockies to Emporia. I caught up with Dave Pals, Steve Fuller, and Matt Maxwell for a quick dinner at Planet Sub. Then it was back to the Guest Inn for the pre-race meeting. Jim and Joel give us the run down on the following day’s proceedings.
Off to the room to watch the Nuggets lose, then turn in for restless evening of slumber. The alarms going off a little after 4am made us rise with time to stuff some food in our gullet, drink some coffee, and plenty of water as we readied for the long hot day.
The 6am start brought the group out to some cool temperatures and energy in the air. I was really excited to get the ride going. The plan was simple, keep the pedals turning, keep the food intake high, and keep drinking lots of fluids. After some last minute instructions, 85 brave souls headed into the flints for a grand adventure. We rolled out with the escort of a camera crew until that first right turn onto sweet Kansas Gravel.
A few miles down the road, I got gapped as the pace went up and I spun out. The lead group motored down the road with Chad “the muscle” Meinert along with all the race favorites. I settled in for the day. A few futile attempts on my part to hang with small packs of gravel lovin’ cyclists. The wind was blowing strong and making me become focused on the goal of finishing instead of my more lofty goals.
As I was rolling along Dan Hensley rolled up, we chatted a bit about the ride and he imparted some words that stuck with me for the rest of the ride. I can’t remember the quote but basically said it doesn’t get any better as we are just riding our bikes in a beautiful part of the country. It helped boost my spirit as I was watching my speed decrease.
I rolled into CP1 completely out of water but damn glad I made to Cottonwood Falls. The plan for the checkpoints was to have an idea of what I needed and get in and get out. I slammed a quart of Gatorade, munched on a Payday bar, while filling bottles with water. I slogged on toward Elmdale with a full belly and a little zest in the legs. It was only 42 miles during the heat of the day. I kept telling myself this isn’t as bad as those long rides in the Texas heat.
I spent the next few hours in reflective solace as I pedaled and pedaled toward CP2. At sometime during this period I lost the will to eat and felt the urge to puke every time I brought food to my mouth. I remembered those pesky Shot Blocs jammed in my pocket that ended up saving my day. I limped into CP2 with the same plan to grab and go. As I watched riders inhale pizza, I opted to slam a Gatorade and grab some cheese crackers to eat while riding.
I asked the volunteers where I was sitting in the SS class, she said that about 5 single speeders were ahead of me but only 2 recumbents were up the road. Dennis Grelk said that only Skip and Joel were out on the roads. My hopes of a decent placing seemed possible. I pushed on for the next miles in a trying to force feed dry salty crackers into my mouth. I made it through Little Egypt without incident but did walk two of the hills in order to save the legs. One almost wrong turn brought me off course for about 100 yards when I realized my mistake.
A huge boost came when I made it to CP3 to see Chad sitting near the tent. I was stoked to ride with my friend for the last 62 miles. I ran into the store to stock up before heading back out. Skip was inside and offered up his Shot Blocs, I took them later to find out from Joel that they were pulling the plug. Joel gave me some great words of encouragement and we were off. My pockets were loaded with extra Gatorade and a Red Bull for good measure.
With Chad and Greg Bachman, I was in the company of two good men that made the last section a little more fun. Some conversation helped break up the monotony of miles of gravel. One flat on my bike slowed the CO Crew down but didn’t break our spirit. The miles ticked away as the lights of Emporia lit the sky. A lone skunk caused a slight slow in our pace. Greg was the navigator guiding us through maze of gravel roads. Chad was the muscle just keeping the pace consistent and us moving. I just followed.
When we hit the outskirts of Emporia, the sense of relief and joy rushed through me as the lights grew brighter. Chad and Greg were why I finished the event, I can’t thank them enough. They crossed the line tying for 7th place in a time of 19 hours and 26 minutes! A top ten finish in what was a grueling adventure in which 15 finished. I am so very happy for them.
With the finish line crossed, those hardy souls still awake greeted us like we were winners and that erased the pain of the day. Two out of three goals for the ride were reached, more friends made, and memories to last another year. I am happy to have shared them with my good friend, Chad.
I appreciate all those who made Dirty Kanza an event that make me yearning for more gravel. It is the people that keep me going as they make the event. Thanks again to the promoters, volunteers, Skip, Chad, Greg (or is it Gary), Dan, the Vet from Lincoln, the OK guys, Joel, and many I have forgotten. THANK YOU!
I had many song verses going but the one that really stuck was from that classic Ian Flemming movie – “From the ashes of disaster, grow the roses of success.”
.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Bayou Salado
Due to some other schedule changes and visitations from friends, the Bayou Salado Enduro will be changed to June 27th 2009. We will start in Breckenridge head over Boreas Pass into Como, then across South Park to Hartsel, from there we will leave the Platte watershed and enter the Arkansas watershed for a downhill into Salida. The plan is to grab some camping close to town.
Check out the route here:
Bayou Salado Leg 1
Bayou Salado Leg 2
Since this is an A to B event, please plan on having someone to give support in Salida for transportation and/or hauling of gear.
Logistics will be worked out as we get an idea of number of riders. We will try to ride together as a group.
Please email me or post a comment if interested. Check the website for more details.
On July 25th, we may be riding Breck-Como-Breck.
.
Check out the route here:
Bayou Salado Leg 1
Bayou Salado Leg 2
Since this is an A to B event, please plan on having someone to give support in Salida for transportation and/or hauling of gear.
Logistics will be worked out as we get an idea of number of riders. We will try to ride together as a group.
Please email me or post a comment if interested. Check the website for more details.
On July 25th, we may be riding Breck-Como-Breck.
.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Friday, May 08, 2009
Passing of life
The natural process of life is death.
We meet.
We ride.
Our paths diverge.
They cross.
They move on.
Rest in Peace.
.
We meet.
We ride.
Our paths diverge.
They cross.
They move on.
Rest in Peace.
.
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Family Day
have someone else captain the tandem for a change.
Great job to all those who toed the line at TI. I can't wait for the
race reports. To all the finishers, I am inspired!
Friday, May 01, 2009
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Calibration
The demons awoke me from a slumber a week ago with the message that I am running lean. Sure enough, after doing the required calculations, I am about 40% shy of where I need to be. I will move towards more when I am on and less when I am off.
Now to work on gear ratios.
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Now to work on gear ratios.
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Monday, April 27, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
End of One
Getting some powderThe time has come to hang up the skis and prepare for our summer adventures. This was one of the best ski seasons we have had. To be able to ski over 20 days as a family and not be limited by the terrain made for long days on the slopes. We are very lucky to have a place in Breck to use as a refuge every weekend, which makes skiing the Breck ski resort very easy to do. We did get to Beaver Creek and Keystone for some variety. Unforunately, our plans included Vail, Copper Mtn, and Loveland but a few weekends of head colds and crankiness left us playing Wii in the winter wonderland. The highlights for me this year was my daughters willingness to ski bumps and steeps. She would rather ski the trees on a powder day than hit the terrain park.
The summer is shaping up to be filled with many epic adventures, I hope to join many new and old friends as we travel new roads.
Remember the sunscreen!!!!
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Friday, March 27, 2009
Rest Week
With miles logged, I planned for this coming week to be off the bike. That doesn't mean sitting around. A nine day blitz of telemarking in the mountains should prepare me for the next phase of training.
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Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Erasing Pen
Hard decisions make rubbing holes in the calendar very difficult. After toeing the line twice for Trans Iowa, I was looking forward to adding three starts and two finishes to my name. Due to family issues, I have struck my name from this years start list. I wish it was for my lack of training or some injury, but as it stands I have logged more miles than prior to TIv3 and I am at an all time low for my weight. I wish all good luck as they take on the Iowa gravel!
The focus will now turn to DK at the end of May and maybe another trip in June for my gravel fix.
.
The focus will now turn to DK at the end of May and maybe another trip in June for my gravel fix.
.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Weekend Planning
As the weekend is fast approaching, we better get our events in order.
First off, L-D-L. Meet at Ironworks in Lakewood sometime Friday after putting in your hours for the man. Then slowly ride to the big city for a tour of fine establishments prior to rolling in back to surburbia. (Forecast: Possible rain early in day, clearing up for evening)
Saturday is a day of rest!
The last day of the weekend will provide some much needed crackling of gravel under tire. Load up and head east is the plan for the day. Looking for a moderately long ride. Departure time from the western edge will be 8ish. More details to follow. (Forecast: Perfect)
The time is upon us to find it within ourselves to push our limits beyond where they have been.
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