Suffer like a DOG!

Tour of Utah wrap up! Well I didn’t manage a good GC showing but still had a great time. The opening race was a 45 mile road race with the last 6 up the nastiest climb. The avg. grade was 10% with last 1 K up 14% for a total of 2000’ plus. It was by far the toughest climbing I’ve done on a road bike. There was a field of 75 at the start which was nice to see. Knowing that I’m not the best climber, my strategy was to go for the 3 Time bonus primes and work for an early break. That way I’d have an advantage going into the climb. I quickly hammer off the front and managed to solo for the 12 miles but was chased back just before the 1st sprint. I couldn’t get good position in the field and roll a crossed about 10th. After the sprint I counter attached with another guy and it looked like we were going to get away but the teams were doing a good job of reeling in the breaks to setup thier sprinters. The next two sprints I just missed the time bonus by taking 4th in each….so that killed my hopes of getting a time edge and getting break. All I could do is sit in and watch the teams setup there Climbers! The lead group work its way down to about 15 as we hit the bottom of the last climb and “bam” the hammer was dropped and the climbers took off! I try to hang but all it did was make me suffer like a dog. All the early work made it worst and people were slamming left and right. I don’t know exactly where I finished but I do know I was 10 mins. Off the GC leader.
I made it back from my suffering to watch Sandy come though in good position at the bottom of the climb. She’s a good climber. Os I knew if she could hang with the group up that point she be in great position. I drove up to the finish and she rolling through 8th overall with the Masters and Cat 3 women and into the GC spot. We couldn't find the time gap, but she was sitting good going into the Crit. I on the other hand need Devin intervention
The Crit was flat, fast, six corners and a small down hill finish. Just my kind of course. I felt great and the pace was plastering. The big teams hammered and did a great job of keeping there GC punk boys protected by hammering the front and controlling the race. It had to be one of the fastest crits I’ve been in. The pace never let up and pounded nails the whole 60min's. The sprinters never could setup or rest, but I did stay in a good position a couple guys back the whole race. Which was perfect B/C I didn’t have to do much work. But again, in prefect team work with 2 to go the pace slowed and teams started setting up there sprinters. I pick a team force my way into their lineup. This did make them happy but hell I didn’t care. They can bitch all they want I’m in this to stay. The Last corner, the sprint and it nothing but daylight between me and the finish line and everybody fading back. Until the right side swarmed around and I rolled a crossed 10th. I guess I pick the wrong wheel to grab. But I was very happy with my finish. My ego was saved from the beating I took in the road race. Sandy race wasn’t as good but she managed to hold on to the GC, but got worked over good and had to chase hard to do it. We both were feeling pretty worked the next the day was going to tough. A 60 mile road race with 9000’ of climbing. Ouch!
My plan was much the same, get a break and lead into the climb. I'd give it to shots. One I thought was going to work. With two other guys, we went on a flier and build up over 3 mins over an hour but were reeled back when the teams cranked it up for the GC guys. That left me crying the blues on the Climb. I just gave up at that point and limped in 30th or somethimg like that. I did have much time to sit around and recover B/C I need to get over to the feed zone to help Sandy out at the base of the last climb and when I say Climb, I mean climb! 4000’ of vert over 9 miles! I got there as she came through in great position. Sitting on the Wheel of the second GC and looking strong. Made the hand up and yell some encouragement. Thought it was in the bag, but she drop a chain and couldn’t reel it back in and ended up losing 8 mins and the GC.
But over all We had a great time…..

The Tour

So this is how I feel after four days for racing.......Who knows how many miles and close to 12,000 feet of climbing. I'm COOKED!

More race reports later, but just a quick note. I give it 110%, made the Climbers pay in the flats, came close to a couple primes and a win. Cracked in the end....This being my 1st stage race. I've got a lot to learn, but had a Great Time.....

The sprint

The Pay Out!
Sandy held the" Yellow" in the women's open by 10 seconds going into Mondays race and got gaped on the final climb when she dropped a chain and couldn't reel it back......But No.2 isn't bad. I should be so good.....More on everything later.....

lots to do

Well I’ve hacked up more dust, I’ve developed Black Lug. For a Town race it was well put together and the venue was awesome. Plus free beer afterwards. Now that right after my Milwaukee heart. There were about 350 racers signed up at the start and the course had a 2 mile road lead out with a 5 mile loop. One kill short steep climb of about 800’ and two others a little longer but not as steep with lots of killer single track The only thing I’ve got to complain about is the dust, my MTB skills and my bikes inability to run in the middle of the cog set without mystery shifting. I guess I’ll have to give it a tune up. It was a little disheartening spinning my butt off as others powered away up the climbs. But hell it was good train and tune up for the up coming tour. The next race I’ll have the bike running on all cylinders. I’ll have too so I don’t get my door blown off by Sandy. Man, she is really getting strong as a rider.
Well tomorrow I travel to Utah so there is lots to do…..I wonder what Goats doing right now?

But what the hell is a recovery ride?

Just a quick note tonight, it was so DUSTY and I need to take a shower. Very cool race! I suffer like a dog, but did better then I expected. BC I did a heavy hill work out on Tuesday and was scheduled to do a recovery to night. But what the hell is a recovery ride? Why can’t it be a race? Lets just say I wasn’t first and not last ether, so I was happy with that. My MTB skills suck, but hell I hammered it home hard. Sandy on the other hand dominated the women’s sport field and would have placed 20 second out of first in the women’s expert field. I think she’ll be race expert next time. Which I’m NOT looking forward to BC a guy shouldn't be getting dropped by his Girlfriend.........I need SLEEP.

This Just In

They've got a “Town Mountain Bike Race” series in Vail…..So it looks like I’ll be racing on dirt tomorrow. Sweet Action. Can't wait to dust off the Specialized. I'm just going to replace my hill intervals with a race. As Goat would say "There no training Like a Race"

Me, Lance and Bode!

Do you want to go RAFTING? Well some dude try it this week, he’s dead! I can’t believe someone would try it. 45 years old from Ill. I’m positive he was an expert river man from North Chicago….Yea right. With all the hot weather the snow pack is melting and the rivers are raging. Even the small creeks look like the Colorado.



Well last night I did 2 hours on the TT bike, tempo work and tweaking the fit. It fits well and rolls like a train. It doesn’t climb well or accelerate fast but once it rolling it holds speed without much effort. With the two tempo efforts 20 min.s each 23 mph avg. each without much sweating. I’m going to lower my hand position a little at this point but that’s about it. I’m hoping to cover the 35k in a couple of min.s under an hour(23.5 avg). That’s my target. But if I could get it close to the double nickel I would be happy as Goat riding Look Out Mountain. BC it’s my first real “TT” I’m not banking on a lot just want to have a good effort and know I give it 101%.





So back to the Casting call the team might get some great exposure. After the Aspen race Sandy and I were approached by a producer shooting a Subaru commercial. They are looking for Bike and Ski Racers to be in it. We both did a prelim video shot and interview.We should know if we'll get a “Call back” by the end of the week. Maybe it will be with Lance or Bode, wouldn’t that be a gas. Maybe my ticket to Hollywood! Goat will be so jealous……me and Lance Hang’n in Aspen. Now that’s liv’n

Only in Aspen

Aspen was the plan and a perfect setting for a race. Great weather (90 deg and not a cloud the Colorado blue sky), very cool course for a Crit. In and out the streets of Aspen. The only gripe I have it started so damm early. I like, no I love to sleep in on the weekends. One thing I hate about racing here is ALL the race start early. Wisco mountain bike racing was awesome with there 1:30 start times…Why can’t all races get on that program.
Well I guess "you can’t have everything". Unless you live on the side of Aspen mountain. I’ve never seen so many custom bikes in a race and it seem every other guy was sporting a CTS kit. But hay that won’t make you fast. Sandy’s race went off without much delay. There wasn’t a big woman’s field (8 total) so they combined it with the 45, 55 plus. Which made for a good field of about 25. They took off in a mass start and thee girl ripped off the front in the second lap. I thought these girls are strong. but, Sandy remained clam and worked with a couple of strong guys and one by one they came back. Then one by one they blew out the back. She learned a lot from last week’s race. Work’n hard and pull those dudes. In the sprint she held her own and end up just outside the top ten (12th) and 1st in the Woman’s field. What great ride! The best part was I was set to race next and standing there in my Team kit and all these guys are coming up to me and saying “Great ride, Nice pull, etc.” They were a little surprised to learn a Girl was spanking them…
My first race starts out in typical Mitch Man style, hammering off the front. Until I’m about to puke. I was going to change my race plan but after talking to my “Sport Psychologist” He instilled a great piece of wisdom too me. It go’s something like this “Its better to go down swing then to wheel suck and hang on like some girlie punk”. After pounding nails for three laps I looked back, there’s a dude with me. Sweet. I thought I was alone. I pulled to let him by and yell “I got the gap, now lets make it hurt” For the next 15 min we take turns pull’n. But for some reason he wasn't hit’n it and two dudes bridged to us. “More the merrier I thought, I’ll just out sprint them” Little did I know one the guys was a “Half Pro” sissy punk mountain biker and put on a huge attack, so now I’m chasing. I let him pull me around for a lap and like the “Half Punk” he was died and off the back he go’s. The train of three paced in at the halfway mark (30 mins) I started eyeing up my comp like steaks on a grill. These guys are toast! I was feeling like the “Lion King” setting up the kill. Just then the scrappy “Half Puke” claws his way back and lays down another attack. This time we let he go knowing "He’ll crack". The three of us let him go fry. With 5 to go we start a hard chase and pull him back to with in 50’ and he gives us the “Lance Look” and pounds nails again. Jesse! What’s this guy eating? So I start the chase to run this bastard in. The other two guys tell me to wait and let them cook. But I say “ lets get him closer” It take me two laps to pull him in with the two wheel suckers and there’s only two to go and I just laid down a huge effort. No recovery time for the sprint, so its going to be gut check time. One of the Wheel Suckers attacks, and I couldn’t respond, no power left and gets 50’ feet on me in the back stretch so, I’m left sprinting for second. Last turn hammer down. First loser I am! Then the Bastard didn’t even thank me for coving the gap and giving him the win. But I guess that’s how it go’s. My second race didn't fair as well but Hay "you can’t have everything!"
Plus Sandy and I got interviewed for a casting call after the race. More on the later…only in Aspen.

Sweet and Mean

Here she is…..Pretty in pink! Mean, Lean and Fast. Kicks Ass on Goats little shinny half punk sissy machine.

Whats on TAP?

It's going to be HOT, HOT, HOT this weekend, so I was thinking on heading over to Aspen. It's a little higher there so it should be a little there cooler and they are having a Cirt in downtown. Plus downtown Aspen is a Classic mountain town. Or I could head to the front range for the Wheels-of-Thunder Classic with its every other laps primes and the Coal Miners Circuit race. I really like the Coal Miner, but it’s going to be Hot down there and who whats to get al sweaty? Not me….Why race in 90degs went 70’s will work.

I’ve tuned the TT bike up for Utah…….Speaking of the I’ll go take some pic’s and post them….Stay tune for that……BRB!

Bike selection is like dating because:

Get the wrong one and you can end up with a sore crotch.
Even when you're tired of an old one, they can be hard to get rid of.
You always end up spending a lot more on them over time than you thought you would.
Just when you think you've found the perfect one, your buddy shows up with one you'd rather have.

Highlights and Lowlights

Highlights and Lowlights
Couldn’t manage the Boulder-Roubaix, I have a list of excuse but lets just say I ran out of time. But that’s ok because there still was the “Andy Finch” down in Castle Rock. So I sat on the sidelines for the “Queen of the West” If you haven’t read about the finish of the Pro1/2 you missed a good one. Vitamin Cottage and TIAA-CREF were out front the whole race (76miles of it) and got pimp’d in the last quarter mile. They say timing is everything. The two leaders had pounded nails all day building up a 3 or 4 min lead a one point on but had slowed and allowed a small chase group to close the gap. With about a mile to go in this circuit race the leaders lap a “Haul’n Ass” guy. Little did they know another “Haul’n” Dude was less then 150 yards behind chasing. On the last climb (you could see the finish banner) The “Haul’n Ass” guy attacks strong pass the leader. They think he’s the lap rider they just passed! I can’t imagine how pissed they were when his hands went up in victory! What a finish…….
As for my first race of the year it had its up’s and downs. I felt good; I had forgotten how much racing hurts. But it was nice to get it roll’n again. The race started out as most of my races. Me doing way to much work in the beginning. I guess my dream of just hammering away from the group and driving away is just too strong. So in what has become my style I line up in the back and attack about a min in and pound nails out front in some kind of “I’m a bigger man the you” statement. It’s about as dumb a thing you can do, why do I do it? I’ve got no idea! I tell myself I’m not; “I’m sitting today” for the first half is the pre-race plan. But my heart rate at the line is too high and the pace is too slow. So I manage to lay down three really good attacks and it felt really good and it blew the field in half and strung it out good. But there was no way I was going to make it out front all day so com’n in to the third climb of the day I sat up and slip/slide through the pack and grab a wheel about ten back for a little rest. I lay in another attack in the same bad timing. Why you ask? It never fails I take a big pull and the prime bell rings “fifty on the next lap” WHAT! I’m gas’d. Knowing I’ll never recover for the impending sprint I grab a wheel and try to hang on (we’ve all been there). As we come to the line for the prime. The now small lead group (about 10) splitters like a 2x4 from Home depot. The chase is now on! I’m hurting but not dying. Just as the lead group settles in, to reel in the lone rider from the prime. I look down and the head for my Power-Tap head is gone! What-the! That blew the race for me. There was no way I was going to waste my Power-Tap for a race. I stop racing and stated looking for my computer total dejected! I guess my goaled didn't include equipment failure. On the plus side I did get some good training in extra racing was only a .25 so I ran the 1, 2, 3 and the 35 open. There was no way for me to have an affect in, but some great training none the less.
Sandy did her first road race which was great fun. She was very nervus about it, but did an incredible job. The more veteran races work her early in the race but she hung in there and put the hammer down and end up in a small chase group of three with three up the road. It looked like they were going to reel them in a one point. But there was one in her group that wouldn’t work. So the every time they would close it in, the leaders would put the wood to it and string it out again. She sprinted in for 5th spot and some cash to boot!
So it was a Great weekend of racing and now I’m thrashed……Yesterday was Bad today is better and tomorrow will be GREAT!

Trashed

I'm too trashed to update!
Later

More Translation.......

The Goat himself asked me to translate the following for you…

This is the last climb; it maybe the last climb, but it will make Mount Evans look like a ride with your mother through Central Park. You better hope you have a triple and a good Heart Surgeon. You’re going to need a triple by-pass after this one.

It's not going to rain; there’s going to be a typhoon that makes the imagine of the great biblical flood look like lawn sprinkler.

It's not that muddy; if you live in the swamps of Louisiana

Goats Sandbaging Secret

he'll say anything to soften you up for the kill. Don't let this
happen to you. Study this handy phrasebook to find out what
he really means when he says:

"I'm out of shape"
Translation: I ride 400 miles a week and haven't missed a day since the Ford administration. I replace my 11-tooth cog more often than you wash your shorts. My body fat percentage is lower than your mortgage rate.

"I'm not into competition. I'm just riding to stay in shape"
Translation: I will attack until you collapse in the gutter, babbling
and whimpering. I will win the line sprint if I have to force you into
oncoming traffic. I will crest this hill first if I have to grab your
seat post, and spray energy drink in your eyes.

"I'm on my beater bike"
Translation: I had this baby custom-made in Tuscany using titanium
blessed by the Pope. I took it to a wind tunnel and it disappeared. It
weighs less than a fart and costs more than a divorce.

"It's not that hilly"
Translation: This climb lasts longer than a presidential campaign. Be
careful on the steep sections or you'll fall over backward. You have a
39x23 low gear? Here's the name of my knee surgeon.

"This is a no-drop ride"
Translation: I'll need an article of your clothing for the
search-and-rescue dogs.

"It's not that far"
Translation: Bring your passport

A weekend of suffering ahead

Well I’ve hit the wall! I can’t decide what to do….should I build the TT bike with Campy or Shimo? I’ve got some parts of each but not a complete groupo. I’m leaning to the Campy, but it just come down to price and what’s available.
I’m heading down to the Front Range this weekend for the “Boulder Stage Race” and grueling “Boulder-Roubaix”. It is billed to be the toughest race in the state. I’ll let you know. I’m going to have a hard time making the TT start time on Friday, if I miss that the “Andy Hack” is on tap. It’s a tough circuit race in its own right with a 1000’ climb about 3 miles from the start/finish with about 4000’ plus for the race and a crit on Sunday. It should be a weekend of suffering ahead.

When the big MAN talks!

When the big MAN talks! You got have too go! Well it has been raining here the last two day, plus snow above 9,000’. So, I’ve been piloting my couch and building my TT bike for the Tour of Utah. I was going to build one but Hell it’s only money. The thing is awesome. I ‘ve got this pearls pink Bianchi that I’m converting over to a TT bike. Which great timing, because everybody knows I want to be just like Cipollini. I’ll post some pictures when its finished…Well I’m off to play in the rain. I wonder what Goat doing right now!

Dudes it's a BODY!

I come home and get ready to ride, Wednesdays an off day so I’m planning a hard effort. The need to fuel up is important. Should I “A” eat like the Goat and have power like a Freight Train or “B” eat like the Baron and have the zeal of a pissed off cheetah?

First let compare the two! See meal plan “A” you start with a factory made Bagel. Which feels like you could drive a 16-penny nail into a 2x6 with it. Then you add some kind of highly processed meat. The label says Turkey on it, but who really knows. Then you top the meat with some Cheese “Food”. They can’t call it cheese because it not. I don’t think it’s even got a dairy component. Slap it together and jam it into your pie hole and ride!



See meal plan “B” you start with the purest water you can get that is supplemented with electrolytes. Yes, that’s pediatric water. This stuff is so clean I don’t think you could see a bug in it under an electron microscope. Then get some of the finest organic fruit bars money can buy. These can have no MSG, and most definitely no GMO’s. What are GMO’s? Not the Granter Milwaukee Open, but Genetically Modified Organisms. The gain for these bars comes from the heartland of America. Only the “Amber Waves of Grain” are used and virgins in Napa Valley nurture the Whole Fruit. Then you can step back for some good old Sun kissed Raisins. Have someone hand you your bike at the front door and ride.


Well I did a little of both, it’s like hedging your bets….



As I was riding out of town tonight, so I snap some pic’s of what Glenwood Springs is famous for “Hot Springs” It the home of the worlds largest natural hot springs pool. This thing is huge. It’s got to be at less a 100 yards long. One end to a 120deg and the other is 100deg. It’s hotter then hell when you first get in, but you get used to it. Very nice after a hard ride on a cold rainy day.



I rode out the Canyon again today there is a short steep hill in No Name (Yes that is a Town name. Well it’s not much of a Town. Maybe 10 people still live there. These old mining town have the best names) to do some intervals. After doing a couple sets (around 20 min.s worth) I headed east up around Hanging Lake and what did I find? A DEAD BODY! Dude,


I’m telling you it’s a Dead Body! Yea, I know it looks a lot like a deer carcass, but I swear it a Body!

Hitt'n it! Climbing with Kitties!

Mario Cipollini, Boom Boom Boonen or G Hincapie ain't got nothing on me, yes these guys are bad but I'm so much better looking! I can’t lose enough weight to be a climber and don’t have the leg speed to be a sprinter. So, I’ve taken a page from the goat training system. The key for me to win is to get strong. I’ve been climbing, climbing and climbing some more. I’ve been doing two climbing work out a week. One up to Sunlight Ski Area and the other up Run Mountain and take about a hour 15 to the high point. I just put my MP3 player on, crank it up and ride. I really into this Germen Techno stuff. Check it out, this stuff is great for climbing and who wouldn’t love to climb with Kitties? They have some song that last for 18 min.s and all at a prefect 90bmp. For legs speed there's always these guys! (this is not for kids) You can get lots of thier stuff on http://www.mp3search.ru/

The Goat would “so punk” with this stuff coming out the XB.......

NASCAR sucks!

Another one bites the dust! First it's a BMW (Bought My Wife) then its “White Trash” car racing! My world is crashing down around me. The person I could count on not to swirl around in the septic pool, has now been tainted. I can only hope he scrubs himself clean, drinks some fine wine and watches many hours of the Giro or Real car racing (F-1).
Well I sign up to do the “Tour of Utah” over the Memorial Day weekend. It should be fun. Plus it will give my time to change my schedule if needed. Today I lost my camera out riding. I have no idea were, but it was a sprint ride, so it might have flown out any time. Dam, It liked that thing! I guess tomorrow I’ll be a Wal-Mart buying a new one…