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.

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.