On the Road(bike)

Making the unfamiliar familiar again. Drug the De Rosa out from the depths of the basement where it has been relegated to that trainer bike. It felt as responsive as the first day I rode it out of Freewheeling in Austin. I love the feel of ferrous between my legs. Time will be spent on the De Rosa over the next month in preparation for a road race or two before the gravel season. A trip to Ft Davis for Hammerfest in very intriguing but the drive is not. A race out east has some possibilities.

Looking to mid-March for a eastern Colorado gravel ride, maybe 60-80 miles. I'll be trying to nail down a route over the next few weeks.



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Decisions

Life goes by with all the complicate choices that need to be made. I was discussing my choices for a new phone. I compared the two to Shimano and Campagnolo. Shimano being the slick new innovative line with battery power and Campy being that old school technology that will be around for ever. My 1989 Campy stuff is powering the Borthwick as well as it has for the past 20 years. The Shimano on my 10 year old De Rosa is starting to show wear and tear. Back to the phones. Touch screen cool, hip new technology or stodgy and corporate. I should break out of my engineer mentality and embrace the new, first I'll convert everything back to 5 speed.

At least this decision doesn't leave me standing in the garage ready for a ride and having a hard time choosing that perfect bike.

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Into the Thick Air

The miles and days seem to just click by. The inspiration is lacking but the methodical effort in which the work is getting done keeps me going. Mentally overcoming is the struggle, always something, tweak in back, too windy, or not enough coffee. Watching the Euro season unfold gives hope to my aging body as the CO season kicks off soon. Clear roads are the daily draw. Snows will be back soon, so for now I log the miles and think about better times with some gravel under my tyres.

Books have been filling the evenings with adventure. So much to do! Summer trips are coming together but more winter travel will take place first.

Work will begin on the fleet. May is coming quickly!


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Odds

There are may variables that can alter ones expected outcome. Preparation and planning are keys to decreasing the likelihood of failure. Don't dream dreams, KILL THEM!

With good weather and clear roads, the early year foundation has been fun to set. The odds are the snow will come again, I'll be ready.


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Random Quotes

Lite Reading at the Refuge

"Don't take life seriously because you can't come out of it alive." Anon

"Your children will ski as well as you do for one day in your life. The next day, they'll be better."-Warren Miller

"If you don't do it this year, you'll be one year older when you do."-Warren Miller

"We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time." -- T.S. Eliot

"I can accept failure, but I can't accept not trying."- Michael Jordan

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Adapt

The news came earlier in the week that I am one category closer to hitting the pro cyclocross circuit. The fall campaign just got a little harder.

Riding during this time of the year can vary from day to day. My biggest opponent normally beats me on a regular basis. No matter the preparation, once the door is open an epic battle ensues. With a regiment to get accomplished, the focused mind has much work to do. Still I must wallow in the past to help lay the way to the future. Twenty years of toeing the line can give much incite.

Filling the weekends with alternative methods has helped keep the weekday grind fresh. Much has to be said about rethinking your approach and making the changes needed.

Train hard, live life, and those dust bunnies will take care of themselves.

Purge

From time to time one has to divest, whether that be the toxins holed up in your fat cells or those unwanted trinkets collecting dust. The questions are hard but the answers come easy.

Room is being made to be filled with more.


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The Flow

The ebbs of life sometimes come when the timing isn't perfect. Things happen for a reason and the renewed energy that you emerge with is always greater. This January has brought much vigor to building the base. The addition of a daily WOD from Crossniac Syndicate HQ will add painful twists.

My passion for crayons has paid off. The usual September visit to the SW of CO will be a bit south of Ouray this year.

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The other Adventure

This is the season that leads to our weekly migration to Breckenridge seeking short lines and good snow. I bring my children up to the refuge to re-live my childhood of traveling to ski with family and friends. During these jaunts, the kids memories are being built with white powdery adventures.

2009

As we move into the year of 2009, remember to wear sunscreen, a hat, and please seek out a dermatologist. I was very lucky to have a great team of doctors that took exceptional care of me. The process has begun to get my non-profit organization together, more information by the end of the month.

My cycling events are solidifying daily. TI and DK are anchoring the spring season. I haven't yet convinced myself it is a good idea to head to Tejas for Mas O Menos in February. I'll be keeping watch out for a PCL event as well as hitting a MSC race. I did some coloring for a little race in September. It looks like Bayou Salado Enduro will go off on July 25th with a tentative route of 125 miles.

The CO Posse of Crossniac Syndicate has secured Golden Bike Shop as a sponsor. We are hoping to add a few more riders to the roster this year. I am already thinking Bend.

I am hoping for a great 2009! I am starting the year at my lowest weight is as many years (okay Highschool). The 2008 training plan will be the basis for 2009.

Just say WTH and HTFU in 2009!

What the Hell

Words uttered by my 5 yr old during the ripping of paper off packages that had no value to him. The motto for the year is now etched.

A brief visit to the desert land filled with midwestern retired folks and sagura cactus brought a muched needed break from cold and snow. A little hiking at Usary Peak, some comedy in Scottsdale, and too much holiday cheer made it easy to scramble back to CO for some much needed RnR in the mountains.

The plan for the year is set, mostly in pen.

WTH! It is going to be a great year.

Winter Ride

I have been lucky enough to get some riding in before the feasting begins. The IRD is the bike that is getting ridden the most. I am thinking of an ENO rear hub and a front rack for TI.

Motivation

I went to 9 Ball Diaries/Zero Traction with Chad, Bil, and Gerry up in Boulder. I was inspired to get back on the bike and ride. With the temps in the teens yesterday, I opted for a sweat session at spin class and some weights. Today, the sun was shinning melting the snow on the roads. I headed out to Red Rocks and had a great day. Two eyes, two wheels, and two helpings of HTFU.

Climbing up Red Rocks

Rooney Road

If you want to see some pictures of the eye, look here.

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Two

Finally, complete vision out of both eyes. I do have to wear a patch today until the swelling goes down and the bleeding stops. After that I can resume normal activities, basically get my out of shape legs ready for May. I will have one more procedure to do some cosmetic cleanup in a couple weeks.



Remember, just because it is winter you still need to apply sunscreen.

Beginnings

November is over and what a sedintary month it has been. I am glad it is over and ready to start getting ready for a spring of gravel adventures. I am tired of long walks with the dog and ready for long rides.

Ski season kicked off for us this past weekend. The kids got in two days while I only went once. The ground in Breck went from brown to white in the three days we were camped out at the refuge. With 20 inches of snow and more forcasted this week, next weekend should be great.

My brother will be relocating to M'town. He will be working for the company I started with when I graduated from Iowa State, my wife worked for in Austin/Denver, and my father-in-law worked for over 30 years. If your out riding in central Iowa and see a bright orange Hoo Koo e Koo rolling on the gravel, that would be my bro.



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Recovery Road.

The journey back has been slower than anticipated. I did spend come time in the saddle last week tooling around the park. With limited peripheral vision to the left, I find myself riding very far to the right. Plus I have found out that depth perception is very helpful when on the bike. In a week I head in for another procedure that I believe will be the last. Stitches will come out and hopefully the use of two eyes.

The process has begun in the development of a small non-profit that will promote the prevention of skin cancer in cyclist. I am toying with naming it the - Domestique Foundation. More work will be done over the next few weeks.



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Boulder CX #4 - Louisville, CO

Instead of racing last weekend, I stood on the sidelines and snapped a few pictures.

Only Mr. Bristol.

Preparing of an apocalyptic ride.

Crossniacs' in action.

Style!

Our racing backdrop.

Finishing Stretch.

Almost done.

Patch

came off today! Two more weeks until the eye is unstitched shut.

Back to Normal

Well, somewhat. The cancer has been removed! The reconstruction is complete. Now I just rest and try mono vision for a week. No driving or cycling until the patch comes off, so that means much planning for 2009 will be taking place.

The postcard is ready to mail for TIv5. I'll be checking the DK site regularly. Planning on running this with Rene in June (maybe). I'll be working on the Bayou Salado Enduro site and firming up a date. The GLGA will be placed on calendar.

Work will begin on putting together a non-profit to promote skin cancer awareness amongst cyclists. My dermatologist is going to assist with directing me towards some grant money.



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Are you Ready?