It's getting closer and closer and closer

It's getting closer


and closer


and closer


and closer


and closer


and closer


and closer


and closer


Trip report later....sleep now :)

What???

Not much going on. Getting fat, work on my car, riding my Cross bike and drinking coffee.

I'm going to race track!













Thats it!
OUT

ItS LaTeR nOw!

More Cross then one man should have.

A barrel full of Cross.

See Cross is interchangeable with “FUN” in my Thesaurus and it should be on yours too. It is now become my favorite type of bike racing. Why? It is more laid back then any type other type of racing, but still competitive. It’s tough, more then road or MTB. One hour of Max Heart Rate! It’s cheap, Unlike Road or MTB racing there’s a badge of pride in how cheap you’ve made your steed. The best are under a $100.00. I could go on and on.
This weekend was the first race. Around 150plus racers showed for great weather, Beer primes and one of the largest women’s fields I’ve seen at a cross race. (There’s nothing more sexy then a Cross racing Chic) O-yea there was some cash too. In my field there was about 50 all gunning for beer. So the pace was Hot right from the start. A group of 5 jumped out in front on the opening lap. My plan was not to get in the beginning Beer Rush and pick people off as then popped off the back of the lead group. But at the mid point I was only able to get one putting 4th with 3rd Yo-yoing in front of me. I was getting his wheel in the technical section and then he’d power away though the sandy flats. Then just when I thought I had him “BAM” I stacked it up. Landing in the weeds. Once back up and on the bike the field was blowing by. But I got it back together to finish with a clean set of wheels.

Here I am punching it though for a solid 15th……LOL!

Sandy on the other hand was “Show Me the Money” again. Trading punches with two Pro’s from Boulder though out her race moving from 4th to 2nd and back again. She really was putting the hurt on these girls. Letting them see a wheel at every opportunity. In the end their experience won out over the barriers on the last lap. But she was able to punch it through in 2nd in a stacked field. She’s becoming the talk of the Women’s field. Putting the hurt the pro’s……I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s not on a development team next years for cross or road. Her power development has been amazing sense Superweek.

Well I better go ride if I'm going to keep up!

Blast'n the Downhill skinny

Yesterday I had an epic ride….I was in Vail on the Cross bike so I headed up Vail mountain. On the way up I ran into some DH punks. They were whining about me putting the hurt on them on my Cross Bike. Something about they would “kicking my Ass on the Downhill, if I could even make the downhill on that skinny little thing” That’s all I needed, so I bombed the 94 Downhill course with these knuckle heads. What a bunch of bolt heads. I only wished Karl Hungus would have been there……..I would have pounded him too…….

Aaaa the fresh air

Last night I got sick of a head full of snot. So I took some “Sore No More” and put it on my chest. Not B/C my chest is sore but the way I looked at it the menthol in the greasy slop could loosen up my head. It was just what the doctor order. I can breathe through my nose for the first time in 2 weeks. Aaaaa life’s simple pleasures.
After a couple of Espresso I’m taking the Cross bike up and over Vail pass. I might hang at Copper Mountain for an hour or two. Then take the Two Elks Head trail up an over the back side of backside of Vail Mountain. It’s normally a MTB trail but I’m all Crossed up! There’s no trail I can’t Cross……

I hate being sick….

I’ve been trying to shake a summer cold now for 2-weeks and it not going well. I’m just hoping I’m all clear for the opening Cross Race this weekend in Breckenridge. It’s not a bad cold just a little tweak’r and a head full of snot. One benefit is I’ve perfected my farmer blow.
Yesterday was Sandy’s last tri-athlalon for the year. She totally drilled the women’s field on the bike with the fastest spilt by over a min. But even though she had a better swim she still lost time. Still finishing the top 5 and winning her group and some $500 dollars in cash and prizes. Nice!
I also heard from “The Champ” this weekend. He’s alive and well. Sounds like he’s got some major life changes coming up, all for the better I think. Doesn’t sound like he’s got much biking left in him this season. That's ok just so he doesn’t get fat and out of shape. I'd hate to have to go kick his ass.

A Little of this and That......

A Little of this.....Old School "Snoop Dog" on the MP3, Hill climbing on the cross bike. Whats your Name?

A little of that....In keeping with my ultra smooth, hairless skin. I did the home wax job.

Although not as good as the "Swedish Babe" treatment up in Vail it will tide me over untill I have the full spa work over.

And That? Well not much else going on…..I’ve been watching a lot of Warren Miller films and getting pumped up for skiing. I know it still two months away but it’s very too early to drool over Ski Porn. Hell the Half Pipe at Copper is still there. Maybe I just load the boards on the back of my bike and go HUCK!

Baron got Cross?

Last night I did my first real cross workout. How did it go MitchMan? I puked! That’s how it went. Too many days sick, too many days not running, too many days eating cookies, too many days watching the Playboy channel……..But hell it was still fun even if I rode home with chunks of lunch in my mouth. The bike is fun, and the running is ok, but the remount is killing me. I must be holding my breath or something because the heart rate hits the ceiling upon the leap of faith back on the bike. But wouldn’t you hold your breath too? I think so….it’s something I need to work on.

I wonder if the Baron got his Cross ride on order?

Well, well, well….the nights are getting colder, the days shorter that can only mean one thing. The really cold riding weather is a head. Yes, it’s still get up into the 80’s everyday, but I’m talking about the deep freeze. You know Dec, Jan and Feb. Last year I did have to deal with the deep freeze riding in the Front Range because 70’s were common place. But here in the Canyon it avg.s like 50deg.s……Now that’s cold!

Down an Out……

This weekend was the end of the Road season and to be my last chance for a win, but it was not to be it seems everything was working against me. Was it the bike? No. Was it my fitness? No. What was it? Timing and a Cold. Yes a summer cold whacked me out some, But, that wasn't my biggest bummer. I wasn’t going to let a cold get in the way of racing even though Sat. I was blowing snot balls that looked like Stam’s “No-Tubes” my legs felt good and I was pre-reg’d. Made backing out out of the question. My biggest problem was not getting to the line on time. Yes, I missed my start time by 3 min. s. Thinking the gun was at 9:55am when it was really 9:50am. But not being one to give up easy I went off late giving chase. Knowing it was a long race (85 miles with 8700’ climbing) and the pace would be slow for the first half b/c it was a solid climb for first 25miles. The head went down and I punched it holding 95% of MHR until I tagged the lead group an hour later. Blown a snot ball about every 50 pedal stokes. The whole time chasing I was thinking once in the group I can recover, relax and suck wheel until the end. I underestimated how bad the cold would suck the life out of me. Once in the group the suffering just got worst. I couldn’t relax or recover and yo-yoing off the back just sucked. The reality of not being a force and a couple more hours of suffering didn’t seem worth it. So at the top of the second climb I packed it in and head back to the car. Thinking I would feel better for the Crit for the next day.
About half way back to the car I spied the women’s field coming up the opening climb with Sandy leading the charge. Which was good to see, apparently she pulled the opening 18miles and then was attacked by to girls who got away near the top of the first climb. She was able to bridge up to them at the base of the second climb. The three then stayed away to the finish and Sandy was able to pull out the win with a little brew-ha-ha at the end. One of the girls broke with a group of passing Master racer and drafted them to the finish. After a protest she was disqualified.
Sunday wasn’t much better for me so I bagged the racing and just ran support for Sandy and again she was able to pull out a nice finish the Women’s open class. She out sprinted most of the Cat 3s and even a couple of Pro for a 5th place in a field that include two past national champions. Not a bad way for her to finish the season. I think she missed her calling as the officials may force her to upgrade to a Cat 2 after Sunday beating received by the local hot shots…….Now if I could get only get going. But I’m glad the seasons over as I’m a little burned out.

What will they think of next???

My good friend from back in Wisco is on TV again. You may remember Tina from the reality show the Bachelor. Well now she’s on another shown “Battle of the network Reality Stars”. I'm not going to go off on a rant about how dumb these shows are and the low brain power of the people watching them. But she is a friend and it’s nice to see her capitalize on the stupidity of others. How is she capitalizing? Well they are paid vary well on these shows. More then I can make in a number of years. But check it out and have a laugh. She a cool chic…….

Window into the future

New Orleans I really don't know what to think. Looting, Riots, Robbery, and Rape. Somehow I believe it's a window to the future. Social breakdown with more and more people and less stuff to go around. It's a great study in humanity.

Live to tell about it

The Baron lives, he’s got Monkey Pox and has been down for the count. Word of advice to all that own them. Get rid of those Prairie Dog's they're filthy rats not pets. Now the question is when will he be back on the bike?
I had a near death experience riding home yesterday. Riding along having a good day (but aren’t they all good when you’re on a bike?). When a county transit bus whizzes by inches from my shoulder. Now when I say inches that’s maybe two, not three, not four TWO. The result shock wave of wind off the bus push’s me on to the gravel shoulder. And in my zeal to stay upright I veer back into traffic. Almost getting mowed down by the on coming traffic. My first near death on a bike in sometime. Getting buzzed by a car or truck but a Frigg’n transit bus that was too much.

Blah, Blah and more Blah, Blah!

Well, it’s like a broken record……Ride to Vail Blah, Blah, Blah. Sunny 80deg, Blue Sky Blah, Blah, Blah. Great Coffee, Y-Fi Blah, Blah, Blah. Watching Beautiful people Blah, Blah, Blah. Drink More Espresso Blah, Blah, Blah.

Its just a rut I’m stuck in, it could be worst. I could be working! Maybe someday I’ll “Grow Up” and get a real job, and gain responsibility (Code for borrow money for a car, house and change credit cards to the MAX. So I can sweat my ass off working overtime to pay bills. Have kids and pay for braces Blah, Blah, Blah). RESPONSIBILITY, forget it! I did that, do I miss the nice house, new cars and fun toys that come with a social climbing, keep up with the Jones life style? Sometimes, but is all that worth putting myself into an early grave to get? No, and for now it works prefect for me. My biggest worry now is what kind of tires I should run on my bike or what wax I should put on my Skis…..Pink or Yellow. Well, I think I’ll have another Espresso and waste my life away dreaming of the up coming Cross and Ski season.

I wounder where is the Baron?

What happen to the BARON?

Well, I start running tonight. I'm going to run over to the Gym, then swim and run back. For some reason I feel like running is going to help my cross. But who knows? Maybe I should run with a Scuba Belt with 25lb.s on it ala “Jack Hammer” the man who knows no pain.
Yesterday I did a recovery ride on the Cross steed….Man that is one comfy bike. I headed up Cottonwood Pass towards Leadville. Just an out and back on smooth jeep road. It’s good for the Soul. This weekend marks the end of the Road season. Saturdays is an 85mile RR, Sunday is a Crit, then a 26 Mile TT to blow out the year….My last chance for a Win…..

What happen to the BARON? is he dead, in the ER, Give up riding???

Trip Report

Well the Goat asked why I didn’t ride up Castle. I wish I could Ride 60deg pitches forever on my bike. So for now I’m stuck hiking them. It’s been along time I went out climbing. The last peak I when up was Hagerman’s Peak skiing in the spring. So this was a great change of pace from the Bike. Plus with next week stage race it was good to get some Altitude under my belt.

This route to Castle starts just passed the ghost town of Ashcroft about 6 miles on the Pearl Pass road (11,200'). From 11,200', we hiked 2 miles up to 12,400' below just below the old Montezuma Mine. Then continue on to the end of the mining road at 12,800' to a large basin. From here, we were looking southwest at steep slopes that had snow through out. Near 13,300', we entered the large basin north of and climbed the rocky slope leading up to the ridge. Following the broken trail along the ridge through minor scrambling sections with some loose rock. But the route was mostly stable. Near 14,000', it drops down to a small saddle and start up the final pitch and suddenly we were on the summit.

Castle Peak

Castle Peak is the 15th highest peak in the lower 48th and it is in the can. Full REPORT LATER

A great quote.....

I plunder this quote from DC's Blog......I change it a little but I still love it!

“Do some good with your talents and not just suck money from the corporate teat for the rest of your days”

I'm thinking of starting a list of my fav Blog quotes. Wait, not another list.......I hate *&%&# lists! Someone slap me!

Today is a Hate DAY!

A List of things I hate today. But just because I hate something today doesn’t not mean I’ll hate it tomorrow. I may love it tomorrow, that’s the way my life works. It always Love/Hate. It's always the one extreme or the other. So maybe this should be a Love/Hate list…….Forget it! Today it is a Hate list.

I hate
My Car
The flat on my road bike that I’ve not fixed
The price of gas
Thorns on the trail
The sun setting earlier
My computer
Having to riding in the rain
Swimming
NPR
Hum V’s
1 ton crew cab pickups
Mini Vans
High Maintenance Chic’s in Mini Vans
Mini Vans
Trailer Houses
Trailer parks
Dumb People
Fast food
This F’n list……

I need to go ride my “Big Wheel” in the mountains and get my Mojo back……

Winter List

Two things I’m not going to do this winter

1) I’m not going to gain the normal 10lb.s as I normally do for ski racing. It’s seems like it doesn’t help me that much in the speed events anyway. I’m naturally built more for SL racing then Super “G” or Downhill. So why fight nature? Yes, I do love the speed events and go mach 1, but hay you can’t fight nature. Plus trying to get ride of that 10plus in the spring is getting tougher and tougher. The motivation to diet is just not in me I guess.

2) Let my need for a new bike (or I should say bikes) get in the way of my need for new set of skis (or I should say Skis). I’m going to blow out some of my bike junk to make this happen. I’ll post a list of stuff 4 sale later.

Now two things I am going to do

1) I’m going to cross train more. With the intent of doing a couple of the X-terra events next year and I’m even toying with the idea of doing a Marathon. But who knows on the Marathon, but the X-terra is on the goaled list for next year. I was told you need to be an athlete before you can be a good cyclist. So that is the purpose for the entire cross training.

2) Ski so much that even my butt hole has a perma grin. I’m even going to try to do more XC skiing as a way to build fitness.

Two flats and a lot of cool rain.

That’s what I was waiting for me on the way home yesterday. I left late so I was going about 90%MHR to make up time when low and behold I pickup a piece of glass. No big deal I whipped out a new tube and Co2 and away I went. Go west young man, it was a beautiful day so not much could bring me down. That was until I hit the mouth of the canyon and the lighting started cracking and the wind whip-up and I was staring down on a hell of a storm. Then as things go, bad to worst. My rear tire go’s flat. Nice, no tube, no pump, no Co2 and no fun. But as things seem to go for me, a couple of very nice girls going the opposite direction as I braving the wind, hail and rain gave me their frame pump. They were my life saver! I wasn’t looking forward to 20 plus miles of rim riding. No questions asked no deposit. Just “here you go, I work at #### in vail drop it off when you can and good luck” and off they pedaled. I was so happy to get it too, as I had to stop and refill 3 times.
So today’s task was to get that pump back with some nice Starbucks attached. Tonight I’m putting my big thick Conti’s back on and stocked up on Co2…….

The cost of "Free" time........

(This image was pilfered from juancho)
If only I could get an Expresso this large......

What to do, ride, swim, hike, kayak or nothing? Or maybe all. The big thing here is fly fishing but all they catch are these minnow size trout. It the kind of thing someone would use for bait if they were into fishing. Who wants to wade chest deep in 35deg water for hours and catch a 2 ounce fish? Even if it were a 2 pound fish, maybe if it were 5 pounds. What’s the point if it won’t make a meal? Pointless……

Last night I swam for an hour then flop into the Hot Tub. I felt like a huge noodle after. Still feeling it from Saturday it was just what the Doctor ordered to loosen me up. So this morning I rode up to towards Vail again which is becoming my Tuesday ritual. Ride, Espresso, people watch, play on the Y-fi at Starbucks. Today instead of sitting at the Lions Head in Vail I took a detour up to Beaver Creek. By resort standards BC is right up there; a straight guy can wear a full mink and not get a look like he’s some Rainbow Chaser. It about as posh as they get. Even my Espresso is a premium charge. But "that’s the price for paradise” as the local rich boys say. It’s just nice they let a poor boy like I hang on their doorstep and beg for a few beard crumbs.

Well I think there's another Triple Shot in my future then I need to get riding back to Glenwood. I’m meeting a group to do some kayaking on the Roaring Fork. Something I’ve had little time to do this summer but the next couple weeks look good for hitt’n the river. Plus I’m planning on climbing a couple 14’ers in the coming weeks. There are only a couple of races coming up so I’ve got lots of free time. LOL……Ok so maybe all my time is "free time"……

My new phrase is "Punching a remote is better then Punching a Clock". Now where's that's remote?

Look'n Mean at the Mass

Warming up and sporting the cross look. Riding the big wheel is making my legs huge....

Well I just finished putting the new axel on the trailer I pickup a couple weeks ago. Man it looks nice. I can’t wait to haul some junk on it. Maybe I’ll pickup an old mattress and haul it around for a while…

Yesterday was a blast, and not because it was “Blast the Mass”. It was a little hecktic getting there. It took me untill 1:00 am Saterday to get the Big Wheel in race shape. The broken seatpost was a pain in the ASS to remove and replace. But, I did get it together and with a 9:00am start time it wasn’t looking good. The alarm clock rang at 6:00 and we were on the way. As you can see in the picture I was still jamming breakfast down when I headed up to the line. Little did I know it was also the state championship too so all the hot shot where there. At least the ones that weren’t at Mount Snow.
The men’s Pro’s field went out, then the Women’s Pro’s followed by the Expert and SS class. I down loaded a part of the first lap so you can get idea of the profile. The blue line is Alt. red is my HR.....


















I’ll just say this course is brutal! It took me a 3hours and 18 to cover the 25.5 miles of 3-laps with about 8700’ of climbing. Sandy was a little luckier with only having to do 2-laps. But the gun went off and a way we go. The pace was slow as we headed up the mountain 500 meters from the starting line. Settling into my pace and up, up and up it went. The only problem I had was a Jerrod moment on the first downhill when I thought I was on a full suspension bike when it was fully ridged. Hitting a root at an angle going mock-2, it shot me strait into an aspen tree. Which put me in the back of the field. After pulling myself out of the woods and getting back on the bike. The chase was on. I was able to get it back together and pick up a couple of guys as the popped off the back. Using my cross skills to over take guys was huge advantage. I would run sections when others would try to ride and pop.... The first two laps were super hard but manageable. The third was a constant strugle just to keep the cranks moving. I don’t know how many times I wanted to quit. But as I would ride past someone or get pass someone would say “way to go one-ie” or “Your on a 1x1? Keep it going” They were hurting, so they knew I was smoked! The people in the race and watching were amazing. I'm drilled, But I made it…
After the finish I was able to change and get over to the last climb up to the finish to see the womens field come through. As I counted 1,2,3,4,5,6 then Sandy. She was just behind two and Hammerd by them with 50 meters to go and finished 5th overall 3rd in class. So it was a great showing at the MASS. Close for me and a 3rd place on the steps for Sandy. One day I'll get there on my "ONE-IE"...........

Out...

Blast the Mass

Full race report later....but it was a good race Sandy got 3rd and I just missed the steps with 4th. More on this later.

I got my camera fix! I changed the Batteries....

Ahaaaaaa……

Don’t my biceps look huge? Well I haven’t posted any pic.s lately because my camera was broke or so I thought. But low and behold a set of new batteries and it works perfect. So I took it on my lazy ride up and over Lookout Mountain.

Aspen is just the other side of Mount Sopris in the picture and this is what is normally looks cresting Lookout looking south towards Aspen.

But last night it was impending Doom…….A storm is blown in Dorothy. But hell it was just an easy spin-up and who cares if it get cut short by some rain. Because this weekend all hell is going to break loose at the “Blast the Mass”. So I’m going to need every watt available in my legs. I'm planning to take a page out of the Goat hand book and ride the Big Wheel……6000 feet of climbing over 25 miles. Oooo can you feel the pain? I’m just trying to decide on a gear. 32x17 or 18……..but will it really make a differents? Most likely not.

How do you like this snake? I hate snakes……anybody know what kind it is?

Every man needs a day at the spa.

The Prefect Recovery…….

Next year I’m going to give Xterra a shot, plus I’ve got a great “Club” to workout in with a pool plus, a climbing wall, weight room, and all the amenities. So instead of doing junk miles on my bike I’ve been swimming. It’s a great way to allow my legs to recover. 1000 meter. This takes me around 45 min.s. Yes I know it’s slow but I suck at swimming. Then 15 min.s in the Hot tub and I’m good to go. Next week I’ll be mixing that in with a run for the up coming Cross season. I suck at that also. But I’ve still got to work on it. The benefit of hanging around the pool is I get to show off the pedicure I got the other day. Which, by the why is very relaxing. Chics have been holding out on us men when it comes to this stuff. I may just make this apart of my monthly grooming. Haircut, Leg waxing (I’m working my way up to the chest up. But I’ll just shave that for now), Manicure and Pedicure. Every man needs a day at the spa.
Today it’s a “Blue Sky” day and for lunch I’m heading over to Moe’s Barbeque. He’s a good old boy from the south and serves up some mean “Q”. The Baron would love the Pulled Pork with a side of beans and slaw. Then it’s a post lunch Espresso, catch some rays and maybe a ride up the “Doc Holiday” trail. Or I may just go shopping and watch soap opera’s…………

I wonder what Goats doing right now?

What will the spam'r think of next.....

Thanks for the tip "Goat" Haloscan commenting and trackback have been added to this blog. So some of your pre-post comments have been deleted. Sorry.......

Life Is Good!

Well after banking 2 metric century yesterday my leg are a little worked. The skies were a blissful blue all the way home. I was drilled it for the first fifty miles and was holding a 24 mph avg. Then the wheels came off and creeping along at 15mph was an effort. I was riding with a backpack, which is a mistake. I knew that leaving yesterday, but the pending weather, the need for extra clothing, Plus I was picking up some bike parts in Vail so it was required. Man I have know idea how people can ride with a camel-pak. With all that weight it just kills your back. By the time I hit the mouth of the Canyon my back was screaming. So I had to ride the last 20 miles Baron style (that would be no handed). Just putting my hands on the drops for more then 30 seconds was impossible. But hell it was a good day. It gave me time to sight see a little instead of having VO max tunnel vision.

Got a trick Kelly Cross fork, some really cool rim plugs for my road bike. It replaces the rim tape for 50 grams savings. Speaking of Cross, I was thinking of signing up for the “Wells Cyclocross Camp” how cool would that be? Or is that like trying to buy a Golf swing?

Now it’s time for a rant. One thing I HATE about Colorado is all the 1 ton, crew cab, dually pick-ups. What the hell do you need that for? Because or dicks is too small? Because you’re a redneck, white trash, NASCAR watching bastard? I call them “Colorado Mini Vans” It seems like every other car on the road here is a road hog gas guzzling pieces of junk. The people that own them live in an $8000.00 trailer house and drive a $40,000.00 truck. What the F……! I guess you need them to pull your trailer houses around. And then you see these Redman Chewing, Levi style pecker heads with their pie plate size belt buckles. I would bet it’s oppositely proportional to the size of their brain. I can only hope that with gas at $2.75 a gallon some of these pea-brain haul’n junk heaps get repo’d by their finance company’s and there a less of them on the road.

Out!

Sometime you play the cards as thier dealt......

Tuesday came and blew me out again…….I rode up to Vail this morning and damm the luck it started raining. So now I’m stuck here, hold up in a Starbuck slugging down Espresso, eating cookies and playing on the computer. I hate riding in the rain! It gets my bike all dirty and its cold, it just sucks. Call me a girlie man if you like. I don't care, riding in the rain sucks. So I'm going to hold up here all day if I have too (maybe all night). There are worse places to be stuck. It’s not like South Chicago or east Texas; this is Vail with all its polish, shopping and High Maintenance Girls. So, after another Espresso I may buy myself something nice; maybe get a pedicure or massage. Then get my legs waxed. Hopefully by then the rain will have stop and then I can make the 75 miles trek back home. But until then I’ll be sitting here taking it all in……..I wonder what Goats doing right now?

More fun then a

Two days of solid climbing, a little over 11,000’ for a total. My new HR monitor has an altimeter on it and the best thing it’s down loadable to my PC. I’ve got more workout information then anyone man should know. Between my PowerTap and HR monitor I have at my finger tips; Power output in watts, Cadence, Speed, Heart rate, all in Average, Current and Maximum. Plus Altitude, Total descent and ascent. Temp Average and Current. Now WHY would anyone need to know all this information? I don’t know but it’s pretty cool. I get home from riding and an elevation print out is at my finger tips.

Saturday I rode out to the Hubbard Caves and yesterday the Transfer trail. It starts out in-town with a gravel road climb for about 3 miles then converges to ATV double track then Climbs, Climbs and Climbs. This one hurt covering some 6000’ over 14’ miles until you get to “No Name” creek. Definitely some of the toughest climbing I’ve done to date. Even Goat would think this one hurts! As a mater of fact I think this one would make him cry for mommy! Once at the top it's rolling single track for a mile or two. Then a screaming decent into “No Name’. I guess it wouldn’t be so bad but two days of climbing and I feel like I’ve been pulled through a knot hole.

The bike is shifting a little better. I change the rear derailleur. I think the other one was bent. Plus the new 1x1 fork is on the way and should be here for “Blast the Mass” this weekend. Which should be a blow out. Last year all the big pros were there. Deadly Ned, Wells and the “D” town boyz. It’s great to see these guys just tear up the course. But more on this later……….

Sound like the Wisco boyz did well at the WORS race………Good Job.

LSD.......What's that?

Got the bike rack back in order on the Explorer.......One thing off the list. Then it was a MTB ride out to Hubber Caves and Back. 5 hours later and I was worked. There was 5000 ver of climbing so much for a recovery ride. For some reason the MTB was miss shifting. Damm gears! Can't wait till I get the new fork for the Big Wheel......

Sleep now! Good luck to the Wisco Boys this weekends WORS race.

OUT!

The Total

And the total is

Fork $ 80.00
Carbon Seatpost $100.00
Rack Towers $ 54.00
Roof Rack Rail $ 66.00
Total $300.00

Look of horror on my face priceless

Shit Happens

Ok, I’m worked today…….
First a little race recap. It was just like being back in the Midwest. Raining, muddy and did I say rainy? There were about 200 plus racers, not bad for Midweek. With about 15 in the Pro/Half Pro class and maybe 50 in the Expert/1x1 class. I got there a little late so I didn’t get much of a warm-up in before the line-up. I counted 10 plus 1x1’s in the field. But I wasn't here to win. My priorities were to first finish, second not be last and third not to get lapped by the Pro’s. O-yea and something about having fun. I did manage all of the above so it was a “Great MTB Race” for Mitch Man.
The Pro wave went off 5 min.s ahead of mine, so I got a little extra time with the MP3 and the old school Hip-Hop that has become part of my pre-race mojo. At the gun the pace was mild so I took the opportunity to move up and grab the wheel of another 1x1. The course didn’t waste anytime and headed up the mountain. I was able to pace the other 1x1’s as we picked our way though the field on the first climb. It was fun climbing and grinding our way pass these guys spinning the butts off…..near the top I was sitting in a good spot with a group of 4, but I was about to blow. Lucky for me it flattened out and I hung through the rollers on top. There was a wicked decent at the end of loop and I got gap’d (Damm Rigid) but was able to pull it back about halfway up the second climb. Then the wheels fell off at the top of the second climb and dudes were blown by me as I was look'n for my leg’s in the woods. Once I got thing back together they were gone. So I just put my head down for some work as I had another lap an a half to go. I was able to pull one guy back and pass him but then the rain started coming down hard so really drilling it became impossible, Plus I was smoked. By the end the trail was like riding on grease, but fun……I think I’ll be racing the “Big Wheel” at Snowmass next week if I can get it back together.

Now why would I need to get it back together? Because I managed to rip the thing off the top of my truck along with the rack and factory mounting rails on my way home……
1-broken seat post
1-bent fork
2-broken rack mounts
1-missing factory mounting rail
Plus a list of dents and scratches to the Exploder.

Bummer…….the good news the bike is in better shape then the car. But more on this later……….

I NEED IT NOW!

One thing I hate about the mountain life is I can’t get the instant gratification I require when it comes to purchasing bike parts. The bike shops around here keep nothing in stock and it drives me nuts. For example today I would love to Gear up the Big Wheel for some climbing. I’m running a 33x16 and would love to run a 33x18 today. No big deal right? Just change out the BMX freewheel and you are set……Well trying to buy one is impossible, this is the standard answer “We don’t have it, but we can order it for you” Witch doesn’t help because I NEED IT NOW. If I wanted to order it Mr. bike shop moron why would I come to you? I’d just order it on-line! Somehow I need to fix that, it’s not the American way! We need instant gratification and anything less in not acceptable ……You can buy Pot, Coke, Crack, Crystal Meth and any other kind of dope instantly. But you can’t get a Frick’n Freewheel!

Out.....

This Just In

I'm going to race the "Big Wheel" tomarow at the Beaver Creek MTB race. It's part of the Vail Rec Dept series. 16 miles with 4000 vert of climbing. Should be a good time.....LOL

The lists are in

Well I've started making my lists and checking them twice.....Have you been naughty or nice? I need to work on the spacing and other modifications but it's a start.

Plus I started on my X-terra training. Let’s just say my swimming is like my spelling.......Very bad, it took my 45 min.s to do 9 lengths of the pool. But the best part there's room for improvement. But I really think the swimming will help with recovery on my off days. Plus I've started running for the Cross season. So what’s the big deal?

More on this later.....

OUT!

Suffer-O-rama

One thing that is not a good idea is to spend two week off you road bike and then do back to back races, But that’s what I did. After spending 5 days off the bike complete and then only 1x1 MTBing my legs were feeling fresh but my Lugs weren’t. The Fed Center circuit racing is very cool. It covered about six miles a lap with about 12 tight turns over the Denver Federal Center Campus. I would have loved to have HRM readout. I spend the entire time 98 to 102% of max. Just suffering. Just sitting in I would be 98%, so naturally I didn’t do anything. I set the sprint up prefect both times. Sitting about tenth on the outside. But just didn’t have anything left in the tank for the sprint. I don’t why I couldn’t relax, the heat, the time off the bike, maybe be a combonation of everthing. But I still managed a top 20 and 25 with fields around a 100. For my first 35+ (123) race I was very happy with that but there are still lots of room for improvement. Maybe next year will be my breakout year or maybe I’ll just get fat…

Sandy on the other hand continues to improve and just got pimped at the line for 2nd in her race in the 3/4 Women’s field it was very close at the line. I couldn’t see it from where I was standing. But the film doesn’t lie. Another girl drafter her to the line and just had enough to swing by. It was a great race, but she was still a little disappointed not getting the win. It will come with a little more racing experience.

Well, I’m going to eat something and head out for a recover ride. I’m not going to spend that much time lying around again. It hurts too much….

OUT!

The "A" List......

First, I caused a woman to blow her gasket last night. I was just starting to head up Red Canyon and suffering like a dog on the Big Wheel when this Woman pull along side me and screams that the top of her lugs “Move the ‘F’ over ‘A’-hole” Then drillers the gas. Spraying gravel all over the place. I just smiled and waved. Got to love it when you’re the basis for someone losing it……..

Well the rain has been falling the last few days. So I guess the rollers will get a workout today. Plus I’ll be tinkering with the Cross bike again. Saturday I’m heading to the Front Range for the “Fed-Center” race. I hope my upgrade comes through before then. Well I guess it’s more important to have it for the Swanky Classic on the 14th. That’s the Cats of races. The “Haul’N’Ass” boy’z put it on and they know how to party. Then it's a push to the Vail Stage race. The best part about the Vail race is I’ll get to ride the Pink “TT” twice. Once in the opening prologue and then in the close Time Trail. Man it’s funny how fast the season has gone by. With only 5 road and 3 Mountain bike races left. Man where did it go? But hay that just means the REAL bike racing starts………


I'm thing of make a list A, B and C. This will be the grading scale. The “A” list will be Blog’s that are updated 4 plus time a week; The “B” list will be Blog’s that are update 3-2 time a week and then there will be the “C” list……….

Where do you fall????

The paramount score!

Last night it was raining so riding was OUT of the QUESTION! But that’s not the story. I was driving down I-70 they other day and spied a trailer broke down on the side of the highway. Now a week later and it was still there. So I rented a U-haul and snap it up. Sweet! Got a new spinal on order to fix it and I’ll have they prefect equipment trailer to haul my TAXI’s around on……….YES! Anybody want to drive for me?

“X-terra”

Well I have to tip my hat to all those Tri-nuts that do an Xterra event. They are a far cry from those G-string, tank top wearing whinnies doing the normal road Tri’s….These guy and gal’s are as tough as nail’s. Have to battle each other over a series of off road events. Swimming, bike and running off road, doing battle with rivers, creeks, mountains and animals……Yes animals! The different between 1st and 2nd was decided by a wayward bull at the second river crossing (about 40’ a crossed and 3’ deep) It seams that a bull would not let the leader cross for a couple of min.s allowing the 2nd place guy to close the gap and pass on the run……After a slow start in the swim Sandy was able to put the hammer down on the bike and run to finish a very nice 16th overall. I would really love to try one once.
That was the second best thing of the week-end. The first was reconnecting with my 1x1. I’d forget how much fun and WORK they are. After getting home yesterday I took the Big Wheel out for a ride up and around red canyon. It was a brutal 1 hour climb to upper loop but once to the top it was loads of fun. Until I stacked it up coming down the “Doc Holiday” trail. It was the hardest cash season. One of those went you just lay there after and assess the damage for a minute or two. Need-less to say I’m worked. But really had a gas. I may even run it in the up coming MSC race………..

I wonder if Goats woke up yet?

Ready to go.....

Four shots for expresso and I'm ready to go......go the Big Wheel 1x1 loaded up along with all the other tri-Nazi stuff. This X-terra stuff is pretty cool. I'm just glad I'm only running support.
I really like ride the Big Wheel. I've not own a MTB 1x1 in a couple of years and forgot how much fun they are. I can't wait to pre-ride the course today.....

I wonder how Goats doing in his 24hour race?

Feeling like Vino!

Well something I won’t recommend doing after 5 days of not ride is getting into a group ride dog fight……plus doing it on a 18 mile jeep trail mountain climb. After a lot of talk about what route to ride yesterday. Sandy and I headed out for a loop up Red Canyon on the MTB’s. Did that happen? No, we run into a group heading up to “The Cross”. There is a Cross at the top on Red Mountain (much to Eyre of the devil worshipers) and it has a jeep service road to it. Which makes for a great mountain grind up There a 4 mile road ride from my place to the jeep road and then the pain train leaves the station. I was feeling pretty good at the base, but I will say again “I NOT A CLIMBER” knowing that these guys are it was going hurt. For the first 30 min.s I was hanging tough I even lay down a couple of attacks. But that didn’t last, and then I was feeling like Vino. I was determined not to get drop. So for the next hour I was Yo-Yoing off the back and fighting backing to the group but I didn’t get drop and the other plus I never dropped into Granny…..But today I’m paying for it.

Day "5" and 4 pounds.......

I’m kind’ a lik’n this do nothing eat anything lifestyle....and I don’t feel guilty at all! Today I’ve had:
2-Dounuts
6-Cookies
1-Baggel
1-Brownie (Not the female kind)
And the day is only half over. Well I’m going to break the streak today and ride. I was thinking of doing “Lookout Mountain” Loop on my Cross Bike. But it’s not finish yet. So it looks like a mountain bike ride. This shouldn’t really count because it’s just a mountain bike ride. So I guess the streak is still on. I’m thinking about selling off the mountain bike gear and making the total transformation to go all “Euro”, Road and Cross only. The next MTB race I’m thinking about running my Cross bike. If that goes well all the MTB crap is gone! But they do make good backup bikes, so maybe I’ll keep the Big Wheel 1x1……when you think about it, it’s got 700c wheels so is it a MTB or just a Cross bike with goofy bars? Mmmmmm

A new Empella Bonfire SL or a Ridley Supercross May be on tap for this seasons work. I've been lusting after one or the other! Their so Sleek and Sexy! I must have one! It a sickness I tell you……

Day "4"

Four days equal "0" miles........

I've been doing nothing and I mean nothing! I've put on two pounds in four days and lov'n it. I should be a stout plus 5 at the end of this do nothing phase. Just got a load of new cross parts. It's Christmas in July.....Now I just need to build it.

I'm going to take the big wheel 1x1 to CB this weekend. I'm just going to run support for Sandy so I'll just be taking it easy.

I've got a great business idea I'm working on. "VeloTaxi" how cool is that? It would shuttle people about Vail and Aspen. I'm working on a business plan right now and will be ready to meet with the town VIP's next month. I would like to get four cab's up and running before the ski season. This means I need to get Cab’s by September to get them fitted ski racks. Well more on this later…..

Now were did I put the TV remote?

This Just In

The Eagle Cross Races are Back........I love cross racing, and this will be the perfect setup for the State Race. Maybe I can be just like the Baron.

Day "3"

Day "3" of zero miles and it feels good.......
I started building or I should say re-bluiding my cross bike. Can't wait to ride it this weekend. We are heading down to Crested Butte this weekend for a Tri-race....should be fun. I'm going to 4x4 it over Electric Pass Via Aspen......hope I don't roll the Truck over.

What time is it???

Race Recap……

1-Blown Shifter
4-Blown Tires
1-Smashed Wheel
1-Hammered Body
No Great finishes, but lots of good ones and with some fun mixed in……Need one more good finish for my upgrade, but that will come.

I’m not going to look at my road bike this week!

The ride home was brutal, topped off with a little engine trouble in Nebraska under 106 deg blazing sun!!!!

Guess What?
It’s Cross time! The best time of the year……I’m going to do 2 more road races and the last 2 MTB races and then “Full Tilt” into CROSS!!!!!!!

Thank to all that let me FreeLoad back in WISCO!

Rac,n

Well the rac'n hasn't been going as good as I'd like but hay it's been getting better then the first day......I'm hop'n this week brings me better luck and stronger legs.....

On The Road...

ETA 8:00am Whitnal Park.........I just hope I can get some sleep. If not there's alway COFFEE.

Hitt'n It

Well I’m load’n up for the big drive. I’ve decided to leave a little early a try to make the race a Whitnal Park. I’ll just make it, with no sleep but I just want to get some points. The RR are worth double points so even a top ten is better then a Crit win. So I think it’s worth it…15 hours and a gallon of Starbucks…

Legs Shaved (Actually I Waxed this time) CHECK
Kit packed CHECK
Shoes CHECK
Bike CHECK
Hammer Gel CHECK

Well back to packing………..

What The????

Two things today...

1st.
I can't stand SandBagger's! I know someone's need to win is great, but com'on! A quick look at the race results from superweek. And it became apparent that the winner of the 4's is really a 3.....Com'on dude. If he's still racing later this week, I'll be calling him out! Plus the 2's racing in the 3's.....wtf!

2nd.
Did you catch the Tour today? And yesterday? A little chink in the armor I would say! You LA fans must be nervous......

Out!!

Get a good look!

Champ, get a good look at this, next week that's all you and Crew will be viewing....

Talk, Talk, Talk, Talk!

The Champ has been talk’n trash…..But all his chest thumping is for nothing. It’s just a mask for all the Donut, Cake and Ice cream eating he’s been doing. He’s nervous and scared. All the insecurities are showing through. I hope he's not to crushed when I stomp him like a bug and spit him out like a used piece of gum. Yes he’s a strong Mountain Biker and can hammer, but that’s not all you need to win on the road……..I’ll break him and his little crew, then sink them like a 3 foot putt!
Now I need to tune up my sprinting…….”ARMY OF ONE” out!

Down Time

Well no miles today it was a great rest day (THANK GOD) I so happy to do nothing today. Well maybe not nothing, but no a lot. I did clean the MASI. And get it race ready. It’s so clean and looking fast. The new wheelset is so nice. I can’t wait to put the hammer down on them. Just to recap on an old post…..Did you catch the Tour today? Who was up front? All the “Old Dudes” (That’s according to “The Champ”)………Man they are fast.

You got to Lov'm Him

King Tommy, Man that guy can Drill it! I watch the tour and it just makes me want to go out and do a spint work out..........I think I will.....SeeYa.

PS happy 4th......isn't freedom great!

Killer Loop

The Champ was on my case about the fire road pic's. So today Sandy and I headed out for a Big Single Track loop. It's about 30 plus miles in length and has maybe 3000 ver of climbing with lots of rolling single track.




































The trail hugs the side of the Canyon wall about 2000' above the Bear Creek. It gets a little nerve racking knowing if you lean to far to the left you are DEAD!











Last year there was a Mountain Lion roaming this area of the trail. We didn't see it today, that a good thing because I was having enough trouble just managing the trail. Let alone coming a crossed a Lion.



















A fast road descent back home......













I've done a little more riding on the MTB lately, exploring these trails is a lot of fun.......

I wonder what Goats doing right now?

I can always count on my Mountain Bike and the......

Champ to make me laugh. Well and of course the Goat too. I was bore and need to spin out my legs so I took the Mountain bike up the "Doc Holiday" Trail it goes up and over Lookout Mountain and runs right through the grave yard passing Doc Holiday grave. One of the many famous people to reside in Glenwood. Including Olympian and CSC strongman Bobby Julich.

Starts out on a jeep trail which climbing about 2000 ver over Glenwood and then switch to single track ounce you crest the first ridge.

One thing I've learn fast is most of the single track is a killer. When I say killer I'm if you stack it up you are dead or hurt badly.

Once you crest the top you can get a view of the bustling city of Glenwood. I live up the valley to the right on the side of Red Mountain.

Two things that are off the rain of terror list. The thing that left this track (yes that a Bear track)

And these things. Somehow Even if I wanted to run them over I'd end up on the short end of the stick.

About half way down the backside of Lookout you get dump out on to a clay rode. Then its Big Ring, Little Cog hammer fest for 15 miles down a to Bear Creek.


That’s where the Train derailed. This is as close as I could get. Joe rent a cop kept bust'n my chops..........

Running on all cylinders……..

It’s amazing what a couple (well more like 12) of hours of sleep will do. I feel so much better. Went out for my work out today and felt like I had another engine. It was a total speed work out. 2 hours in length (so a little shorter then normal) consisting of 9 sprints and (2) 15 min spin sets. My sprinting feels good but, I would like to build it just a little more. I’ve been averaging to pull 8.87 W/Kg (or 650W avg. with a 970W peak @ 130rpm) throughout the sprint which is getting there just not were I’d like it. My first set is really strong and then drops off about 20% percent after that, but still has a nice avg. I don’t think I need more power just more leg speed (I’d like to pull 140’s thought-out) and then just push through the pain. Which tell me I won’t be doing much preim hunting in Wisco. The setup and saving it for the end are going to be key. Because my ability to just hammer it and ride off the front is limited. Maybe tomorrow’s fitness test will have a different story. Because I know I’ll be up against those 65Kg weenie that can TT out there till their little bung whole puckers. I’ll be playing the position game and hoping for a good wheel and a great sprint……

Or I could be over thinking it! Maybe I should just let the chips fall where the do. I’ll just put the hammer down. Drill it till my eye balls fall out and I puke…….

There was a great de-railment in the Canyon. A coal train jumped the rail and piled up about 20 cars. I’m going to ride up there later and see if I can get some good pic’s to post. See what my life a degraded too…..

Sometime you just need to lay it down……..

Or I should say, sometime you just need to LAY DOWN! I got home yesterday with a full plate. Too full, what did I do? Laid down and went to sleep. I’ve been riding hard for Seven days strait and could get up to go. Not even for a recovery ride. I was schedule to do 2 hours with 2/3 sprint set. But I’m just broke down. I actually thought I was getting an ulcer because the last couple of days I’ve had stomach pain. So, when I say broke down, I mean Broke Down! But at this point my coach (Katie Compton @ CTS) says I should be broke down and a day off is good. I could barely get off the couch to eat dinner. Which I didn’t get to until 7:30 and promptly fell asleep until 6:00 today. I didn’t even pickup my dinner plate until this morning. But the engine is running good today. I’ve got 5 more speed workouts and then taper to Super-week. I can’t wait until the fourth week of July. I’m not even going to look at my bike!

The ugly truth will be told

Two things are on the Plate today….

One: I’ve instituted war on all animals (excluding humans) while riding my bike. This is retribution for the “Eck” deer take down. I will go out of my way to run over any mammal, reptile, bird, vermin even bug’s are fair game in the war. It’s not only fun but feels like I’m revenging a wrong. What’s my count today you ask? 2-snakes, 1-frog, 1-mouse…..I even ran over a bird that’s was already dead just for the hell of it.

Two: The Baron is talk’n smack, so he must be knock down to size….Mr. “No Hander”….Ha-ha I’m going to sink him like a 3 foot putt in this “No Hander Man’s Race” Why do I think this, B/C he’s a boy among men in the “No Hander” arena.

Look no Hands

Well I was bored last night so I decided to take the Mountain Bike out for a spin. Yes, the Mountain Bike! A short road ride and you can get to some pretty nice trails.



On my way out of town I rode right by the great trailer park. Now some would ask why I would take this picture? Well as you can see this is no ordinary white trash trailer park. This is a “Baron” quantity trailer park. Please note the Euro cars parked under the sign. Some of the finest German engineering. Also take note of the name and park insignia. A prefect new home for the Baron and his German ride.



The ride starts with about 10 miles of brutal road climbing then to some jeep trail and more climbing. This is called the Transfer Trail. Once on to the Trail you got a short single-track (maybe 700 vert) climb and then it is rolling single track a crossed Lookout Mountain for 12 miles.

I almost forgot all of these pictures were taken “NO HANDED” I’m throwing down! Anytime the “Champ” wants to have a no hands trail race he is on!



The trail intersects “The Boy Scout” tail were its a 5-mile decent into town and a short 2 miles back home. The whole loop is about 30 miles with 3000 vert of climbing. It was going to be a recovery ride and I ended up drilling it and now I’m trashed.



Well I need to run to the bike shop for some goodies and to drool over a Scott CR-1 team frame. I wonder what Goat is doing right now?

It’s like chopping Wood

I just chop’d another 66 grams out of the MASI….Some will ask, How’d you do that? Well young Grasshopper, just a little tweak here and twist there.
New “AC” Ti wheel skewers (-42g)
Al Crank Bolts (-10g)
Al Chain Ring Bolts (-10g)
Al Water Bottle Bolts (-4g)
Now back to the calibrating my scale

International Cycling (Super Week) Races

Just sign up for my International Cycling (Super Week) Races. I’m pumped, the next two weeks I’m going to put the hammer down on the legs……Lighten the bike and take the last couple of pounds off the body. Things are coming together nicely.

Thu, July 14 Humboldt Park Criterium Milwaukee, WI
Fri, July 15 Brewers Hill Criterium Milwaukee, WI
Sat, July 16 Carl Zach Cycling Classic Waukesha, WI
Sun, July 17 Bensenville Criterium Bensenville, IL
Mon, July 18 Ciao Café Tour of Holy Hill Hartford, WI
Tue, July 19 Lake Front Road Race Milwaukee, WI
Wed, July 20 De Pere Cycling Classic De Pere, WI
Thu, July 21 PCW Cycling Heritage Square Criterium Sheboygan, WI
Fri, July 22 Chase Food Folks & Spokes Kenosha, WI
Sat, July 23 Global Communications Lake Front Road Race Milwaukee, WI
Sun, July 24 Bodyworks by Concours Whitefish Bay Classic Whitefish Bay, WI

I'm looking forward to the "Tour of Holy Hell".....I need to prove to myself I can road race......

Just a side note, the dirt bag that bought “Goats” old Trek has skip out on me…..Loser!

Men among boys

These are my top five “ERO” pro-bike racers...

Mario Cipollini
Tom Boonen
Erik Zabel
Thor Hushovd
Alessandro Petacchi

I could watch these guys put the hammer down anytime. I love sprints, why? Because they are exciting and their power is just incredible. Yes a solo breaks and mountain top finishes are cool and it is an incredible feat to pull one out. But they are never as cool as watching 10 plus guys pounding it down to the line. I guess that’s why I’ve never been much of a Lance fan. Some will say these guys can’t hang when the going get tough. Reminder King “T” in Paris-Roubaix or Mairo setting the speed record in “The Tour”. Covering a huge gap and running down a break to do it. These guys are Big and Strong, men among boys.

Whats your MAX baby!

Erik Zabel style, that what I call it! Yesterday it was a preim hunt…Yes I didn’t win the race, but I won more cash then the winner. And yes it would have been nice to win, but at this point I’ll take what I can get. My fitness is right on track and my sprint is stronger then every. Setting a new Max HR on two of them. There’s something about looking down at your heart rate monitor after a sprint and it reads 102 or 103% (my Polar reads in percent of MHR) you know you’ve give it everything. Including one were a guy try to lean on me that the line. But I give him an elbow in total Zabel fashion and opened the cash draw for another $25.00. One thing I’ve learn from MTB racing is how not to let guys intimate you with bumping and leaning. So why didn’t I pull out the win? Well timing is everything and on the last lap mine wasn’t good. I happened to get behind a guy who tried to pedal through a corner. Ganked it, and unhooked me. And a 25 meter gap was too much to recover. But that’s racing. I was happy with pounding out the preims though and 11th in a field of 78 guys.
There was a big woman’s field of 30 plus. Which made Sandy very nervous but once the race started she steataled into the lead group of ten. Which blew out the remainder of the field in the first half of the race. She was able to sit-in and not do too much work and sprint for 2 second. Get pimped at the line by a half a wheel.
I’m still amazed that Dave got hit by a Deer at the Big Ring Classic! What do you tell your boss?
Aaaa, Bill I won’t be in to day I got hit by a deer. You hit a deer? How’s your car? No, I got hit by a deer! What? You got hit by a deer? Yep, I got hit by a deer!
It’s just amazing!
Besides that it sounds like the Wisco boy kicked some major butt…..the only thing that worries me is “The Champ” is going to be unbearable……

Drilled

So much to talk about and so little time

1) A Deer hits Dave at a mountain bike…what? That’s right, gets hit by a Deer!
2) Goats get it the money again.
3) The “Champ” rings the cash register again
4) Sandy drills the woman’s field.
5) I rang the prime bell not once, not twice, not three times, but four baby! Ding’a’ling. Then get jack out of the State championship by a dude jamming a pedal in front of me ….
Now I’m trashed…….More on everytime later!

It's so sweet to be free

I'm wireless! Life is prefect now. I can watch cycling TV and surf the Net........or ride my rollers and download porn. Take my PC into the bathroom to do my business while I look for light bike parts. How did I get through life without it? Life in this beautiful country is so great. Where else can one over indulge in everything and not feel guilty about it? Unless you are a lefty, then you feel guilty about everything.

Well, I hope Goat chops the "Champ" down a few pegs, makes him suffer like the dog he is this weekend. Lets some air out of that over inflated head.

Good Luck this weekend Bro's!

My side hurts......

Life is funny. It looks like Goats old trek is going to out bid my Gunnar frame on eBay. How or better yet WHY would someone even pay $1.00 for that piece of junk? And not pay anything for my beautiful piece of art?

And then there’s “The Champ” (the rider formerly known as The Baron) He says “Steel is Real” and “There is no point to all of it” worrying about your bike weight that is. Well I’ve got news for him Steel is not Real. It’s old heavy technology. Yes, in road racing and TT’s where being quick isn’t important old technology can be overcome. By that logic F1 cars would be running cast iron engine blocks. I know it hard to give up on old technology. We all know guys who have an old 486 laptop with a dialup modem and bellow about “how it works just fine” well it may, but at want cost? How many “Steel” frames do you see ridden on the ProTour? Now someone may beat my ass on an old steel rig. But there is no drought I’m faster on a Light/Quick bike. I love new technology for bike parts. I road a Gunnar it was ok, but it sprinted like a pig! And that’s my best game. Acceleration and Sprinting that’s it and an old heavy pig like a Waterford, Serotta or Gunnar doesn’t fit into that plan. So “Champ” you stick with those 486 laptop running windows 3.1. I’ll opt for the latest in technology. Like the newCarbon Scott frame I’ll be riding next year at 853grams.

Now I need to get online and order my new alloy chain ring and bottle cage bolts. For another 14gram savings.

Life is so hard!

Well I’ve been infected with the weight weenie bug. The way I look at it, I can’t lose much weight so the bike HAS TO GET LIGHTER! I’ve managed to trim more then 700 grams off my bike…..Now it wasn’t very heavy to being with, at 7528grams any budding weight weenie would love to own. Here is a list of things I’ve done to lop off some more un-needed “Fat”……

Changed out My Campy Running gear to Dura-Ace -80 grams
Replaced my Mavic Elites to Amer. Classic 350’s -519 g
Changed to a Ritchey WCS crank -21 g
Dura-Ace 10 speed chain -22g
Changed my Dura-Ace Cass to an Amer. Classic -55 g
Changed Water bottle holder -11g

Add it up! -708 grams, now that’s getting light……..6820 grams or 15.03 lb but that’s without a water bottle. My big dilemma is should I get a set of American Classic Carbon Wheels and shave another 200g off! Now that would be sweet! 6650grams, doesn’t that sound beautiful? That would put me under 15lb.s…….but I’ve got some Ritchey Carbon Wheel on order. Getting these would put me over the top for wheel investment this year! But their so LIGHT how could I not get them? Life is so hard sometimes.

Rain, Rain and more Rain

I did nothing to today; got up call “The Champ” (my new name for the Baron) went and got some breakfast. List some bike crap on ebay (including Goats old Trek. I’m going to get big bucks for it) bought some stuff on ebay (It didn’t look like my Ritchey wheel are going to make it for Superweek. So I got some American Classic Sprint 350’s and some other goodies to light’n up the Steed. Shooting for 15.5 lb….) Road the rollers for and 1.5 hours. Watched “Breaking Away” and the Discovery Team on cycling TV. I think I’m going to by more light crap for my bike and then go to sleep (I'll be dreaming of “The Champ) I wonder what goats is doing right now?

Dry Creek!

It starts out bumpy, but then truns into miles of smooth


red clay roads over Rolling hills.......97% MHR and its Heaven!


Just keep an eye out for the speed bumps.........


Then is smooth pavement all the way home! Sweet.....

Total Roubaix Espoirs style!

I’ve found a new training route. It’s by far the coolest loop today. The start is 2 miles of flat road to a 1000’ of climbing. Then 10 miles of a Roubaix style mountain road with views that will blow you away. It traverses Lookout Mountain and is in a high mountain meadow. There are about ten rolling climbs on it and crest out at 7500’. Then best part is you end up on another road where you can add 10 plus miles of rolling hills for a total loop of 50 miles or descend into the town of Carbondale. Where there are about ten other routes of varying lengths. I’ve ridden it twice now and send a total of 2 cars! My legs a totally trash. I’ll have to take some pic.s the next time I’m on it (Most likely tonight) it’s like a post card!.........Plus it’s a total Mans Route not one of these half pro sissy routes….

A word to the wise!

This one going out to my Bro's in Wisco! They are planning to lay it down this weekend at the "State" race. Don't count your chickens before they are hatched and don't count your races before they are won! Unlike this Dumba$$

Beer anyone?

Well after stopping off at the TEVA games on Friday and having a brush with greatness. We head down to the Front Range for some racing. Which didn’t turn out as planned, but fun nu-the-less. A quick stop at Vail Mountain for lunch on Friday turned into a couple of hour. Checking out all the white water Kayaking, Rock Climbing and Mountain Biking. The Kayak Redo was pretty cool; I wish I could do some for those tricks. I have a hard time just surfing a wave. After lunch Sandy and I took the Dog for a run up Vail Mountain to freshen the legs up a little and who do we run into? The Olympian himself, Todd Wells. He was in town for the Mountain Bike race. What a nice guy.
Half way to Denver the rain started and never let up. I woke up on Saturday to 50deg and rain. Not very good racing conditions. But what the hell its just rain. I won the first four Beer sprints and then the lighting came. They stop the race and canceled the rest of the races for the day. But hay I got a case of Beer, you can’t beat that. So we decide to bag the circuit race on Sunday and go check out the TEVA mountain bike race. Guess what? They cancel that too! There was 6” of snow and lighting high up on the mountain, so they cancel that race too. So there wasn’t too much racing to be had in Colorado this weekend. But hay I’ve got a case of Beer!

Got to love a Clean Bike

I there is nothing like a clean bike! I’ve can’t stand a speck of mud or brake dust on it. Lately I’ve been able to keep it so clean you could eat off the cassette. Shinny piece of beautiful machinery. The only thing I don’t like about cleaning is I find more nicks in the finish. Aaaaaa not another one……One day I’m going to have a breakdown! But then again I could just get that new Merckx’s I’ve been jones’n for…..Now that would be so Nice!

Has any body read the CXKing Blog lately? He’s been call all “Wisco bike riders Dorks” This from a guy who thinks he's a Pro and sleeps in a tent! A complete Jack-off! Hope he move back to MN! Well its time to hit the road……

Rig is clean

The rig is clean and loaded! Loaded for bear......Just got done loading all the bike crap for this weekends Hammer-fest. I'm heading down to the Front Range for the "Sara Kay Memorial" in Golden. It's a Circuit race and Crit rolled in to a weekend. Whats the big deal? The world famous 1st lap BEER priem thats what! But more on that later......Sleep now. I wounder what Gaots doing right now?