WHAT WAS I THINKING?

Semi-Retirement Moves Us South

2012-01-26T21:16:00.003-07:00

Uncle Raul spared no expense in 1st class transportation for our guests.

Over the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's holidays, we will be spending time in Oklahoma, Texas and then jump the puddle to Colombia.
Two weeks in the Sooner State have lead to rides on the Big Top through Post oak singletracks with sandy washes, man-built downhills and rooty switchbacks. Major efforts dodging poison ivy, sand burrs and needle grass thrown in. Thunderbird State Park near Norman showed me a surprising maze of single track that wound endlessly through the Little River drainage basin in central Oklahoma. Trail building skills and efforts here are much appreciated and come at a much greater costs than following a natural fall line in the Rockies.

What the state lacks in elevation is made up by traversing multiple canyons with 2x4 supplemented drops and red dirt landings. The roller-coaster single tracks are a soothing diversion from Front Range babyhead and waterbar dodging trails and high altitude panting.

Back for a family Christmas and south again to Dallas with son Joshua and daughter-in-law Lilly. Next stop, Bogota, Columbia where the couple joined together in a Catholic church sanctioned ceremony. Mountain bike riding there was limited to dirt trails in Simon Bolivar park on a rigid hardtail without clip-in pedals. Was a blast to spin mountain bike rubber on my 3rd continent.

Big city riding means park trails and good company. Daughter-in-law Lilybeth and her sister Laura kept me honest.

Back again in the states and contemplating a serious race season for 2012.

2011 Cross Country Series Ends In 9th Victory

2012-01-26T20:50:00.001-07:00

If you are reading this, you probably know that for the last 5 years, I have had the opportunity to be a part of the COMotion Sports' cross country race team. We mainly concentrated on the Mountain States Cup Series but have made our mark on the 24 Hour scene and Cyclocross venues.

Over the Labor Day weekend, we collected our 9th consecutive series championship and unlike last year, we totally dominated with 20,144 points. The closest runner up team scored 9,006 points. As always, the freshman newbies towed the train.

Katie Sodergren, the Cat 1, 19-29 year old COMotion Sports racer blew out her competitors taking 1st place with an astounding 3,274 points. Katie participated in 16 of the 19 series races. She and her father spent a lot of quality time together preparing for and celebrating her summer wins. Those many wins included a 1st place in the USAC Cross Country National Championships in Sun Valley, Idaho. Her continuing career as a Colorado University racer is one our team can take pride in.

Cool summer blog has been in draft form too long and it's time to move on.

USA Pro Tour Challenge Completed

2011-08-29T10:38:00.001-06:00

Just don't dress like a cycling groupie!

Teresa and I were able to be a part of 4 of the 6 stages of the inaugural USA Pro Tour Challenge and enjoyed every minute of it.

We saw the start of Stage1 in Salida and intercepted the breakaway on Hwy 50 on their way to Monarch Pass..
I crawled up Cottonwood Pass from the east to witness the first Stage 2 KOM race while Teresa instructed the uneducated RV Resort crowd as they flew by on Hwy 24 in Buena Vista.
We welcomed the Stage 5 winner into Breckenridge then climber Hoosier Pass to stay over in Fairplay.
Stage 6 was witnessed from the Civic Center in Denver where we cheered on the racers 12 times as they completed the final downtown Denver laps. Video below.

Colorado did an outstanding job of bringing the highest level of cycling talent in the world to its roadways. The event will no doubt be recorded as a success in every category. Crowds were phenomenal, accidents and interruptions were few and interest in Colorado two-wheeling received a huge boost.

Teresa and Rwanda National Cycling Team members.

In Breckenridge, we shared a gondola ride with two of the visiting Rwanda National Cycling Team riders. The team will be in the US promoting cycling as a way to change the country's image and bring better times to Rwanda through cycling. See their story here.

RACING ACTION IN DOWNTOWN DENVER

The end results for us who already live the Colorado cycling life will be a greater awareness from vehicle drivers, added funding support for off road trails and bike lanes. More folks will accept cycling as a source of fun, fitness, economical transportation and a way of reducing fuel burning alternatives.

PRO TOUR CHALLENGE--COTTONWOOD PASS -STAGE TWO

2011-08-25T21:28:00.000-06:00

We've lived in Colorado 14 years now and everybody knows you start above treeline adventures before 6:00am and finish by 1:00pm to avoid afternoon lightning and thunderstorms.

Everything I own atop Cottonwood Pass trying to stay dry.

TV coverage of the Pro Tour Cycling Challenge did not consider this in the planning. The ride up Cottonwood Pass from Buena Vista was 21 miles of predictive grunt work and 4,000 plus feet climbing but provided a challenge the road legs have not seen this year.

Two and a half hours later I was on top. In the first 20 minutes of the 1 hour long wait for the leaders, we were soaking wet, cold and eye level with thunderbolts.

The sky broke, the rain stopped and the breakaway group and -5 minute peleton flew by. The sun only teased us with a 10 minute warm up. The following descent was slick, cold and the least of my favorite cycling activities. High speed road descent in rain with uncountable switchbacks. Glad to report I am alive and will quit bitch'n soon.

Back at camp, we finished watching the race on the computer and was happy to see Big George land his 33rd pro win. Break time after another slacker day in Buena Vista and we'll pick up the Pro Challenge later.

Teresa got this photograph of BMC racer Cadel Evans, 2011 Tour de France winner , just outside of Buena Vista.

Can Frank and Andy Come Out and Play?

2011-08-23T20:07:00.000-06:00

Frank was glad to see me in Salida.

Good time today following the Pro Tour Challenge Stage #1. So much to see in such a short time, you have to plan carefully and hope for a little luck. The pro team buses were almost an hour late arriving in Salida from Colorado Springs.

One by one they rolled in to the staging area and fans started following their favorite team's logo plastered Ubber $$$ motor coaches. After an uneventful time hanging outside of the Garmin bus, we decided to go back and follow some of the latest arrivers. That's when we spotted the Leopard Trek bikes piled on several team cars. Then there was an unmarked modest motor home sandwiched between a couple of the Trek laden vehicles. We suspected it carried precious cargo so we followed and took residence outside the bus door. The hunch paid off. Both Frank and Andy Schleck, Jens Voigt and the entire team slowly exited the bus one at a time after about a 30 minutes wait. Teresa and I were 6 feet from the door. We shot a few pictures through the bus windows and know Andy was bare chested and peaking out the front side window to build the crowd excitement. That would be the highlight we were looking for.

Andy Schleck emerged from the team bus and grabbed every pen and Sharpie offered.

The start was ceremonial but fast with 3 full laps through the streets of Salida a bike crazy town on any day. We intercepted the breakaway and then the peleton on Hwy 50 on the way back to our RV camp. Organization and participation by staff, volunteers and the Colorado Highway Patrol was phenomenal.

The stage was won by American Levy Leiphmer. Frank podiumed 3rd and Andy finished 45th for the day.

Tomorrow I ride up Cottonwod Pass from Buena Vista to meet the racers under the King of the Mountain banner and then descend back to BV for a little more relaxation.

Mountain Biking An International Experience

2011-08-20T21:49:00.001-06:00

Great thing about cycling is that it knows no geographical boundaries. We've had many opportunities to ride with enthusiasts from all around the globe. We've travel to foreign countries and all across the US to share our passion.

David was amused at the possibility of being eaten by a mountain lion.

Another short but great chapter took place this morning with a visitor from Australia. David Collins planned a cross America holiday that included stops in Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Las Vegas, New York and Boulder, Colorado. The 31 year old website designer was accompanied by his wife, 2 year old son, brother and brother's girlfriend. Boulder made the list based on his professional road cycling brother-in-law's recommendation and web searches of cycling in Colorado.

David contacted the COMotion Sports website asking if any group rides were available that he could join. Word made it to me and I e-mailed David offering local guide service. We hooked up in Boulder early morning and headed for one of my favorite trails, Heil Ranch. See our route and stats at http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=209701417094267827170.0004ab04b4d83a344ba27

The Aussie rider performed flawlessly on a rented Specialized 29er hardtail despite the extremely rocky trails served up by the Boulder County open space. After the ride, we headed back to town and found parking lot fundraising burgers at the local Alfalfa health food store. Yum.

Dave will pay dearly for the few hours of mountain biking in Colorado. Sunday brings a flight to New York city where he will serve as babysitter while the ladies shop the streets of Manhattan.
Hope you enjoyed your time on the Colorado trails.

Breckenridge Yeti Tribe Meet Best Yet

2011-08-05T12:22:00.012-06:00

Yeti Prez, Chris Conroy places the #10 Tribe Meet pint glass into my "Holy Grail" display case.

The 2011 pilgrimage to Yetiland had the group nestled in a unique "pine chip" setting outside the high country city of Breckenridge, Colorado. It was the 10th modern day Tribe Meeting and was enjoyed by Yeti freaks from around the US and the globe.

Seven COMotion Sports team members including Boni Sandavol, Sarge, Evie Calhoun, Jenny Gilkerson, Chris and Megan Taylor, and Ben Truitt attended this year's meeting showing support for our favorite sponsor.
Weather could not have been better with warm temperatures, afternoon cloud cover and light breezes. Nights were cool enough for the hoodies but ground sleepers did not freeze.

Saturday's Epic ride showed 3 busloads of freaks summiting Hoosier Pass, then descending into Southpark (Fairplay) and up again to the Kenosha Pass trailhead. Park County sheriff folks managed to get us across Hwy 285 without fatalities.
Ride options ranged from a 20 mile straight up and over Georgia Pass back to camp to a 40 mile version that added the West Ridge to Hwy 9 section of singletrack. The rocky technical descent into Breck was perfect for my 575. Many tires, rims and derailleurs were wounded on the downside ride.

All the big names with the company were on hand including pro racer Jared Graves, Jared hung out at the RV and signed my recently completed BMX Yeti. The limited edition bikes were release for Jared's 2008 Olympic Games competition.

Good times for sure. Looking forward to the 2012 event and curious how the Yeti planners are going to top this one. Somehow, I think they will.

Silent Summer Is On

2011-07-11T22:33:00.022-06:00

Wow, Teresa and I have been laying low this summer realizing that the retirement age of 68 or whatever number the current administration is able to legislate is a long-time coming. We're taking a 3/4 life-well deserved break from careers.

Salida crew at butt woop'n discussion of competition.....Ziggie hates the camera flash......

Been supporting the COMotion troops at races, camping in RMNP, attending Rockies games and are bringing in grandkids all summer long.

24 Hours of E-Rock winners

Teresa and Meg Taylor clean up the Crested Butte condo damage June 26th.

Tori and Katy and Sugar enjoy faux fireplace at Rocky Mountain National Park

Hiba and Nafe-great week in Peaceful Valley

Spending time watching birds, counting coyote sightings and spoiling the weiner dogs.

Gearing up now for Keystone, THE 10th annual Yeti Tribe meeting in Breckenridge, Snowmass and Sol Vista. Hope your summer has been as fun!

YETI BMX BIKE COMPLETE !!

2011-05-15T11:19:00.002-06:00

I have always propelled myself on 2 wheels.

Two early morning paper routes got delivered on the Sting Ray well, a "Sears knock off version" of the Schwinn original when I was 12. I wheelied that bike block after block and only rode both wheels when I wanted to. Broke the frame 3 times and had nothing but pedal axles. Seventy -one steps dropped on the descent off Raley Chapel on the Oklahoma Baptist University campus six times a week.

When the Sears 20" bike was my ride, the term BMX had not yet been coined. They were just Sting Rays.

Nearly 45 years later, I have returned to the perfect cul de sac bike to test the small bike skills again and re-live the fun stuff kids love. If you know me, you know I have not yet grown up and am not in a hurry to do so.

The Yeti Super X -BMX frame is one of only 200 built for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Australian Yeti factory racer Jared Graves piloted his Yeti Super X BMX to a 6th place finish after crashing off the medals ranking in the finals.

Not likely that I'll be headed for the London Olympic races but it will look cool in the pits of the upcoming cross country race venues. And there's the pump track in Golden and the soon to open Valmont Bike Park in Boulder grandpa will soon be shredding on the mini-Yeti.

Yeti 20er BMX Specs

Handlebars –Blacklabel 8” Turquoise

Grips-ODI Yeti Clamp On- White

Brake Lever- Shimano DXR
Brake Cable Housing-Jagwire-White

Brake-Shimano DXR

Stem-Sinz- 50mm

Top Cap-Yeti-round thing

Fork-Sinz Stealth Carbon

Headset-Chris King-Black

Front Wheel-Answer Aluminite TI Limited Edition Expert 1.5-White

Front Tire-Maxxis Holyroller 2.2

Front Tube-black and holds air

Crankset-Shimano DXR 180mm

Chainring-Shimano DXR 42T
Pedals-Crank Bros Mallet-Custom Yeti Turquoise
Chain-SRAM 971 W/Quicklink
Seatpost-Thompson 31mm Setback
Seatpost Clamp-Salsa 35.0mm
Saddle-SDG Yeti Team Issue Turquoise Stitching-Ti Rails
Rear Wheel-Answer Aluminite TI Limited Edition Expert 1.5-White-16T Cog
Rear Tire- Maxxis Holyroller 2.2
Rear Tube-black and holds air

FIRST 29er TRAIL RIDE FEELS MIGHTY FINE

2011-03-12T18:06:00.001-07:00

Saturday I hauled the new Yeti Big Top 29er to the Doudy Draw trailhead for my first off-road ride.

After a couple of years watching the 29 inch mountain bike gain in popularity. I have to admit I was curious if the bigger hoops really made a difference in how the bike cornered and ironed out rough trails. I found switchbacks were easier and the babyheads floated beneath the Fox fork. Still need to test downhill handling and butt-beat factor on a 4 hour + ride.

The fit set up was copied from the 575 so the feel was very familiar. Cockpit lengths and saddle to pedal height had nothing to do with the fact that the skewers sit 1 1/2" higher than my other bikes. Stand over height was no problem for this 5'9" racer. Even if a small sized Big Top was offered, I probably would have chosen the medium frameset . I opted for the SRAM build kit from Yeti as a matter of value. You simply can not buy all the components individually cheaper than the Yeti build kit.

For the Big Top, only one component level was offered. I found out with the 575 Race level components that you don't have to be at the XTR Pro level to build a solid training/trail bike. What you do see is more weight. The Topeak Prepstand Pro scale tells the story. Who cares? You're training right? The small XTR'ed ASRc will feel like a feather on the Mountain States Cup ski slope climbs in June.

Only custom parts are grey shifter cables, white Yeti SDG saddle and to preserve the clown bike factor, The Big Top sports cheesy "8 Ball" valve stem caps.

And did I mention we're celebrating COMotion Sport's 8th MSC championship? Gonna be a fun year.

SORRY FOR THE LAG IN POSTS

2011-03-06T18:21:00.001-07:00

Jeezus, been a crazy busy year so far with so much happening work wise, COMOtion Sports operations, boring health issues and new bike projects.
All normal training cycle steps have gone south with suprise cases of shingles, (that's for old people!) plantar faciitis, a sliced finger and lost nail, and fatigue. Did finished the12th ($40 co-pay ea.) sessions with physical pherapy masochist Shane to re-break the fibroids in the bottom of the foot and stretch them into submission. 80% successful. Sleep in a boot until I tell you different>>>>>>

Otherwise, I'm great!!

With training camp less than 3 weeks away, I'm gonna spend the bulk of the time trailside cheering on my teammates. I make mean Taco Soup.
First 29er ride....? Sidewalk commute to Walgreens for more finger bandages. Go figure. BMX project suspended when I found out SINZ products are "mid-grade". Snob factor sets in.

Full 10 hours this Saturday coaching COMotion recruite Jeremy Miller building his spanking new Yeti ASRc race bike. As usual, curve balls thrown with missing parts, no cable routing instructions and mis-matched components. Left everything long and tall for re-trimming after Retul fit exposes fit issues. See you next weekend Teresa,..Love you!

SIDELINED YETI ARC BACK ON THE TRAIL

2011-01-30T16:56:00.003-07:00

Remember when you were a kid and lost one of your toys under the bed. Then the bed was moved and you found it? It was like a new toy! That's kinda the way it was when I finally got the 2003 Yeti ARC off the basement rafters and back on the trail. I got a new bike!

The ride died when I somehow got talked into selling the Fox fork and rebuilding the original World Cup SID to get her back to fighting weight. I still have 2 World Cups sitting on the bench waiting for the rebuild. But, they are rim brakes only. In the meantime, I got this smok'n deal on Craig's list for a disc wheelset and sold the Mavic Crossmax rim brake wheels to a riding buddy. Don't have a fork to use on the new disc wheelset. Life is complicated.

One of the COMo Bro's had an abandon Manitou Skareb AC/DC fork laying around and I begged long enough until he let me have it for loose change. It's one of the first forks the Manitou engineers (or marketing) geniuses shocked the world by placing the reinforcing bridge behind the axle instead of the front where God had intended. Works great and reduces the number of handicapped frames littering the basement.

Took the bike on the Dry Creek run today and it felt great. Minor adjustments needed here and there but helped my hardtail buttocks get ready for the Big Top being delivery next month. Reminded me too, how good burning quads can feel.

Estes Park Weekend

2011-01-16T18:14:00.237-07:00

We just spent a weekend away from physical therapy pain, work and life with long time hunting buddies Gary Littlepage and Paul Springer. Thankfully, their counter-balances Meg and Rhonda were there to help keep our sanity.

Every couple of years we head off to an excellent hide-a-way cabin above Estes Park.
The goal,,,,,NOTHING.

Rhonda prepares a salad to-die-for on evening one.

Friday was a slow day getting ready for a 7:30am workout with my ASTYM http://www.astym.com/ therapist, Shane of Cornerstone Physical Therapy. Lot's of fun on the journey to a quick recover for the plantar faciitis I whined about in the earlier post. No pain -no gain.

Major "Nook" time for Teresa

The only focal point of the weekend was a gut-filling appointment with the Dunraven Restaurant specializing in Italian cuisine on Saturday night. Mission accomplished

Everyone there is in the medical business besides me so there is the usual talk of current age related issues, Obama-care and the fact that we are all thankfully welcoming Gary into his 7th year of beating prostrate cancer. Pays to be a stubborn Yankee.

Not a lot to do with cycling this week but that may be the point. Winter time will be spent off the bike preparing for the upcoming race season through PT, spin classes and re-building the old body.

Meg and Gary are retired and busier than ever. The couple squeezed in a trip down the Danube River in Germany between an Arkansas relative visit and son's wedding in 2010.

Life, animals and people are good in Colorado.....

Crap! that rowdy old bunch from Denver is here again!!

Winter Is Coming Time to Get Over Being Slow

2010-12-20T22:57:00.012-07:00

I know, train, train train, race, race, race, lighten up, and then Relax. Repeat.

That's the annual cycle for bike racers and the really sophisticated weekend warriors call it "Periodization" . We've all read the books, attended the seminars and paid the coaches. BFD.

Ending the year I'm looking at a mild success in the racing department. I had a whole lot of fun with the 3 roadie events, a Super D Nationals podium, the Winter Park Short Track salvo, a saving grace MSC Fall Classic appearance in Breckenridge and the finale Cyclocross stab in amusement.

I was doing what I wanted, supporting the awesome COMOtion Sports team all year and planning for major commitments in 2011 when "The Foot" came marching in. Not to be the whiner, but the Type 1 Diabetes is under control (pump in 2011?) and overall fitness was good going into my first cyclocross season. Coincidentally, after the Aspen Lodge race, what I though was just a sprained ankle, may be something more. I don't think the body designers planned on humanoids picking up bikes and then jumping up-hill over 14" solid barriers or climbing 1-in-12" steps with a 23 pound aluminum load.

I'm still awaiting the MRI results and treatment recommendations. FLASH NEWS..........Yea!! Cigna insurance just denied my already completed MRI evaluation because it does not meet their independent reviewer's criteria for "necessary treatment".

My freak'n foot hurts people!!!

Whaaaaa!!

I'll get over it and lose the 12 pounds me and Humalog gained since July by sweating with all the other January 1, 2011 fatties in Mountainside Fitness spin classes.

Update and prognosis....

Doc Marzolla reads the MRI and concludes we have a classic case of Fibromatosis, plantar fasciitis. A torn ligamint or possible cyst developing. Mild arthritis on either side of the ankle. TREATMENT: Ice massages 2x daily, orthodics, night splint friend, and Physical Therapy 2X per week for 6 weeks. Steroids and PRT injections if the 6 week plan fails or followup MRI confirms cyst. Told you it would be a short Cyclocross career.

ENOUGH AIR TIME;;;;;;;;;;;COCKPIT CHANGES REQUIRED

2010-11-14T10:09:00.001-07:00

Keep thinking about why I've been over the handlebars twice since starting this Cyclocross stuff. Never did that too often doing downhill, cross country or short track. Gotta be the bike. Although Todd Carver set me up on the Yeti ARC X a couple of years ago with the scifi Retul system, something has changed over time weighting me forward on the bike. Wrists feel strained after riding and sighting down the middle of the front wheel from the handlebars tells me I need to get back. Stem is already a stubby 80mm.

The Salsa Bell Lap handlebars were magnum sized and and forward. Throwing some money at the ARC X by replacing the Salsas with a 44 cm Easton EC70 carbon bar with different geometry might help. Should also go with white cable housings and bar tape to show off mud better.

OK, slow news day.

Cyclocross 2010--Chapter Two

2010-10-18T23:00:00.002-06:00

The second week of the cyclocross career unfolded under the canopy of bright yellow Aspens, Long's Peak and a perfectly set fall weekend at 9,000 feet elevation. Chris and Jason of DBC Events http://dbcevents.com/home/ sought out the perfect venue with on-site cabins and lodge rooms for cheap, an outstanding restaurant and required beer garden.

Megan Taylor warms up on the trainer before the Senior Women Open event

Catherine, Dave and Lisse Attack a Walk Up Section

Aspen Lodge Resort & Conference Center http://www.aspenlodge.net/ pulled out all the stops to accommodate a large group of two-wheeling front rangers and found many new friends seeking a quick and quite get away. We stayed in the Columbine cabin that miraculously was located at the start/finish line and served as COMOtion Sports base camp complete with restrooms, showers, tech support, Isles deep fried french fries and some left over PBR.

Official results show 5 COMOtion racers although I know there were a few not showing up on the roster (uh me and Kris with a K cause we DNFed ). Results below.

Place
6 Stephen Oliver COMotion Sports Denver 3 Single Speed

5 Karin Barclay COMotion Sports Boulder 4 SW 4

5 Megan Taylor COMotion Sports Denver 2 SW Open

17 Cary Dunn COMotion Sports Pine 3 SM 3

9 Scott Gordon COMotion Sports Boulder 3 SM 3

Also not listed are Catherine Chalecki (3rd) and Lisse Daugaard Gordon who I know were there.

Race results for me are brief.

Lap 1-go over handlebars while looking at upcoming technical section.

Lap 2- rear pinch flat in same area I performed the tumbling act for lap 1.

Lap 3- PSYCH!!! There was no lap 3. Back to the pit area for beer. I'm done.

SNAKEBITE!!!

CYCLOCROSS CAREER LAUNCHED-MAY BE SHORT LIVED.....

2010-10-11T21:19:00.000-06:00

Finally made good Saturday on my promise of 2 years ago to race Cyclocross.

Just decided to shut up, get on the bike and have fun ...and that I did. I got that wormy feeling in the gut you get when you don't feel good about something you are about to do but do it anyway. You know, like when you shoplift.

I arrived early at the Interlocken race venue to finish setting up the COMOtion trailer pit area I had dropped the night before. Brother Isles had started the process of dragging out canopies, chairs, bike stands, pumps and ice chests so by 9:00am we were set.

Having been to the site before, I pretty much knew the grounds but took a walk around the course to visualize what was going to be the biggest challenges.

Mountain biking skills would come in handy on the tight switchbacks and short steep climbs but sprinting in the big gears on pavement and running the muddy inclines carrying the bike felt very strange.

Part of the resistance to this type of racing was the right "drop foot". Not confident that I'd be able to leap the barriers and then there is the required dis-mounts and re-mounts without falling flat on my face and permanently destroying my ego.

The practice sessions with teammate Doug D. helped boost my confidence and convinced me to just do what comes natural. I'll be working on being smooth, working on techniques and waiting for speed to come.

Sand pits were no problem, just the carbon wheel busting curbs exposed at the far ends. First smack into the end of sand pit #1 had me visualizing fore end rim cracks and pinch flats but neither materialized.

Had a good feeling on the bell lap as I passed 3 grey beards in the switchbacks and no one was coming as I glanced over my shoulder on the final banner sprint. Left nothing on the table and heard the PBR calling.

Novice showed big time when I checked out the results posting. There I was FIRST ON THE RESULTS POSTING!!

Surprised I told several teamies I'd thought I'd won! Shoplifting again I guess.

Turns out the registration sheet also serves as the finishing order posting only your placing was recorded in the little column "PLC" on the left. Only won the race to register first. Duh!

More accurate placing was 13th out of 20 racers but I'll take it! Had a ball, didn't crash or take out any passing ladies so I guess it was a success. Like I need another bad habit. Thanks to Boni Sandoval for the photos and all the COMOtion team members.who cheered me on.

Cyclocross Season ...Non-Opener

2010-09-26T17:24:00.000-06:00

Finally motivated at the end of the 2010 Cross Country season, I was psyched to start a new adventure and enter my first Cyclocross (CX) race in Longmont Saturday. American Cycling Association racing license # 4897 arrived in the mail Thursday. I had quipped on Facebook that although my good leg had a sprained ankle and my right shoulder separation still needs steroids, I was thinking about doing it anyway.

I didn't. I chickened out deciding the race course might not be the best place to jump my first CX hurdle. Out of the house around 10:00am headed to Longmont, we wound up in Boulder eating lunch at Turley's and cruising the Boulder Creek Trail walking the weiners and enjoying another beautiful day outside in Colorado. Farmer's market was on. Fully ready Yeti ARC CX gets a free ride in the truck bed.

Weekend was not lost though. A trip to Home Depot and I now have my own private barrier practice field hidden behind the privacy fence of the back yard. First aid kit close by and cell phone staged to dial 911.

Even though I've done 5' DH drops and climbed 30" waterbars.... these things freak me out!!!!! A work in progress.

Promise, Interlocken race on October 9th ( http://www.boulderracing.com/cross.asp) start will include the Sarge in the SM55+ Cat 3 class. Just not sure about the finish.

Mountain States Cup Captured Again

2010-09-20T19:39:00.001-06:00

There are still a few inaccuracies in the math and placing for the 2010 seasons but, as I have learned over the years, probably not going to get changed or greatly affect the overall outcome and placing.... so live with it. Yes, Rick, I totally acknowledge you won the Breckenridge Circuit Race and I was second.

After only showing up for the last 2 venues, I somehow managed to end up 4th in the series. My only goal was to help push the COMotion/Yeti team.

Mountain States Cup - Rankings for Cross Country CAT 2 Men 50+ - 2010:

1 MARK HOGAN
2 LES SCHAFER
3 CLINTON CAMPBELL
4 DAVID STROUSE
5 RICK ABBOTT
6 MICHAEL SCHAUB
7 TIM FORBERT
8 FIELD BLEVINS
9 STEVE LOYD
10 BILL MYERS
11 JIM ARNOLD
12 BART INGALLS
13 DENNIS DOBSON
14 WILLIAM CAPRON
15 STEPHEN AUTRY
And blah, blah blah down to Dan Pate at #40,
You get the idea.

Lots of thought needs to go into what I will do for the 2011 season.
Could be I actually have to train for it.

Kenosha Pass Ride 2010-See the Aspens Glow!!

2010-09-19T20:41:00.003-06:00

Marco's Video Version

Required riding in the fall each year, riding buddies, Gary, Dev, Bob, Marco, Kimberly, Linda, Dana and I enjoyed the fall colors of Kenosha Pass on Hwy 285 this weekend.

A competitive group, we all agreed to actually look up from the leader's rear wheel and soak up the changing season's beauty compliments of the Quaking Aspen that dominates the mountainsides only one or two weeks out of the year. Thanks for the experience and fun.

Winter Park MSC Weekend Fun and Easy

2010-09-09T21:38:00.001-06:00

We tripped over Berthoud Pass over the Labor Day Weekend to once again enjoy Winter Park's fantastic cycling opportunities and help the COMOtion Sports team eek closer to the 8th Mountain States Cup title.

I've been bad this year participating in the series. After forking out fees and travel expenses for 16 races last year I'm burned out. Sometimes you just need a break.

But as the end of the season approaches and the team is challenged by a new XC team, it's time to honor the tattoo and help 'em out.

Old fart division usually requires only a show up and completion to pick up some points and the short track is despised by many so cranking out 30 minutes of grunt climb and whheeeee singletrack was easy to capture last place in the 40+ (although the scoring shows me at 5th) and first place in the 50+ category. Boom. 200 maximum points for the team effort.

We hung out with Denver friends Harold and Linda for lunch and then watched the Pond Skimming competition over the WP base pond. Yes, I was tempted to try but even I have sane moments. We took the short longway home through Rocky Mountain National Park and had lunch above tree line in the truck. It was 37 degrees with a northerly wind of 35 mph. Winter is not far off.

Our final leg of the backroad return sent us down the Peak-to-Peak Highway through Ward and Lefthand Canyon. Halfway down, we realized the puffy cloud formations we had been viewing were not all harmless clouds but rising smoke. Not until we were home safe in Broomfield did we learn that we had skirted one of the state's most destructive wildfires now known as the 4 Mile Canyon Fire.

As of the Thursday, over 160 homes or structures have been destroyed and over 5,000 acres charred. The cost of living the mountain life I guess. Teresa's boss, Doc Orent is one of the homeowners in the area. Still no word on the fate of his property.

Wish the best for the victims and friends of southwest Boulder. Now we are off to Breckenridge this weekend to put a lid on this Live-Train-Ride Team and apply the number 8 decal on the trailer. Circuit Race and Hill Climb Time Trail for me. Cross Country race the following day would kill me for sure.

9th Official Tribe Meeting and Celebration of Yeti's 25 Years in Business

2010-08-29T16:06:00.000-06:00

Highlight of the Tribe Meet was having Steve Hoogendoorn, Vice-President of Yeti place the 9th Tribe Meet pint glass in my custom display case. I've yet to find a another Yeti freak who can claim attending all 9 and preserving all 9 pint glasses. Amazingly, pint glass #2 rode the Snowmass downhill course in 2003 in the ASR's bottle cage and survived. Tribemeet glasses represent gatherings in Snowmass , Salida, Crested Butte, Steamboat Springs, Fruita, Winter Park and Durango.

Durango was the natural choice for the 25th Anniversary gathering. Part of Yeti's history, http://yeticycles.com/#/company/a_brief_history .

Durango has been the home of many past and present cycling icons including Ned Overend, Shonny Vanlandingham, Juli Furtado, Lisa Muhich, John Tomac, Missy Giove, Jimmy Deaton, Greg Herbold, Todd Wells, Travis Brown and Versus announcer Bob Roll.
The RV parking sucked for such an event but then I've never been 100% happy with many gatherings not under my control. Would have been nice to spread out the awning and set up with friend's

tents nearby. Over it. The food service and quality were tops this year and I did not see anyone going hungry. Keg beer cascaded beautifully all weekend.

Saturday's ride caught us lolly-gaging after my announcement that these thing always run behind time. Not this year. The bikes and buses were loaded on time and Fred and I were lucky to flag down the last outbound bus and stand in the back for the hour plus mountain road ride to the top of Junction Creek. The ride group included the lion's share of the Yeti staff, international racers and Yeti brand distributors from Australia, Spain and the UK. The bulk though, were average "Joes".... Yeti followers from around the world including first time attendees, serious weekend warriors, bike shop owners and at least one honeymooning couple.

The mass start leading us to the 25 mile ride centered around the Colorado Trail was a treat to see. Everyone is confident in their own riding world but now suddenly paired up with riders of many backgrounds... Silently, many questioned if they could keep up with the group or had the wrong outfit on. A little bit like the starting line on any race day. Only a few scab brands present among the sea of Yeti turquoise, white and yellow.

Amazingly, the large group spread out quickly with some not making it 200 feet without pulling out the Kodaks to begin digitally groping the high country scenery. We sped off with the first quarter of the group and never saw most after that. We actually had some "lone time" enjoying the singletrack swoops, ugly baby-head dodging chutes and enduring the quad burning misery climbs you really don't want company for.

We descended into Durango in small groups and immediately sought out food and water. Our group held Dr. Chris a local, who guided us into the best taco joint in town where we filled our bellies and then trudged across town for the Horse Gulch trail leading back to camp. The 4 mile climb in 98 degree weather was as taxing as any climb all day. Tom Fox of Optic Nerve fame was in the group and pulled away on the dusty climb not panting in the least. Pearl Izumi's Ben Molina, Fred and I brough up the rear with beer serious thoughts. Nice to climb out of the canyon and see the monstrous white tops of the Yeti party time canopy and awaiting kegs.

Spending time with other Yeti freaks is always a ball. Hosting our Great Britain friends and rubbing elbows with the company's brass made the trip well worth it. While we were on the road with Fred and Molly, Chris and Megan, COMOtion teammates, newly weds and the whole Yeti scene, I am reminded that none of this would be possible without the 100% support I get from my junior high girlfriend and bride of 37 years.... Teresa. Thanks again honey, I love you.

Huge kudos to all the Yeti staff, especially Sarah Rawley for putting it all together. Think I'll buy her a long sleeve jersey and leg warmers.

For a full official video account of what you missed, plug in to this link

http://www.yeticycles.com/#/features/tribe_gathering/1/
then start planning for next year! Now, I wonder where the 2011 Tribemeet will be? I still have 3 spots left in the pint glass display.

Wholly Mama----What a Cool Week Preparing for The 25th Anniversary of Yeti Cycles and the 9th Annual Tribal Meeting In Durango..>>

2010-08-22T15:54:00.006-06:00

Following the July whirlwind, we geared up for the second week of August getting ready for the 25th Anniversary celebration of Yeti and attending the 9th Annual Tribe Meeting in Durango, Colorado. Durango is the historic home of the bike company.

Expanding the experience was the fact that we had invited our British friends Fred and Molly ( F&M ) to be our guest for the event. We wanted to share some of the things Americans and especially Coloradoans take for granted including endless MTB trails, kinship with the Yeti tribe and the bluest skies in the world.

Fred and Molly helped COMOtion teammate Chris Taylor and me negotiate the 2009 UK Yeti Tribal Meet in Wales last year so it was only proper that we return the favor (or is it favour?). Fred shows up with the Yetiman tattooed to his right calf........ Tribe membership solidified.

Our 10 day adventure began with picking up F&M at DIA on Saturday the 7th.

After re-cooping from the flight, we unpacked "junk bikes" brought over for reasons we may explain later.

Sunday we hooked up with Fred Nolting at Wheatridge Cyclery http://www.ridewrc.com/ to take delivery of 2 brand new Yeti ASR "5s". The 5's would be used for the week long adventure and then returned home to the Queen's Island for pure envy by "junk bike " riders back home.

Monday we toured Yeti in Golden met the crew and then spent 30 miles and a few hours riding getting climatized at 5,300 feet. Riding the Big Dry Creek Trail from east Broomfield around Standley Lake and back, we paced 16 mph proving the lungs still work. Riding strong half way up the elevation ladder.

Tuesday was packing and travel to Monarch Spur RV camp http://monarchspurrvcampground.com/or for the first night away from the Big "D" staging for our high altitude ride at 11,112 feet beginning on Monarch Pass.

We will ride the Monarch Crest Trail Wednesday morning providing views of the Arkansas Valley Collegiate Peaks and spectacular singletrack rides on one of the state's most coveted mountain descents.

Joined by a few COMOtion friends and supporters, we zoomed the CTR but had to bail at Marshall Pass in order to make it back to the camp on time. We were pushing onward to Durango and wanted to complete the dreaded Wolf Creek Pass descent hauling the 4,800 pound Jayco and a truckload of bike stuff by dark.

MCT ride group included Brian, Ryan, Melanie, Sarge, Doug and Fred.

THURSDAY was a no ride day although we were up early to deliver Sugar and Cinnamon to the Happy Hounds and Fat Cats http://healthyhoundsandfatcats.com/ doggie daycare. The rest of the day will be spent enjoying the required Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad trip to Silverton and over-eating.

The following days in Durango rank their own blog posting. Check back soon........

Month of July Full of Ups and Downs

2010-08-02T20:01:00.003-06:00

Whirlwind July with every weekend consumed by an event going up and down or up only and down only. holiday opener shot me 30,000 ft up courtesy of United Airlines to the Windy City for Teresa's Illinois cousins reunion. OK, I only rode Doug's vintage English Racer ,10 speed up the block for him and back to check the brakes and shifting but that counts as a cycling weekend right?

Saturday the 10th had me lining up in Bergan Park for the Team Evergreen sponsored Triple by-Pass Ride. Ultimate up-down-up-down-up-down ride across Colorado. Did it in 2008 but it ranks up there with the must do events in Colorado. The capped 3,500 rider march sold out in 45 minutes on line. Luckily, I had everything ready to go and was able to limbo under the line. Ride went well until the final descent into Vail when cold rain-nearly hail greeted us and the thought of a rain slicked bike path descent shared with comatose roadies had me reaching for the ultimate multi-tool the cell phone. Enough. I'm freezing and Teresa is below in the warm Vail Roost Inn weiner sitting. TAXI !! Hot shower was awesome. Only missed the Avon round-a-bouts and the dried out BBQ sandwich. F&%* It--I'm 50!

Following weekend lead us to the Fraiser River Valley to the USA Cycling National Champioships in Granby. Friday night while in the Snow Mountain YMCA campground, it was impressed upon us once again the bleak future of the Lodgepole pines with the devistated masses of brown, weeping conifers choaked by the pine beetle. Private camp sites were denuded of cover and we felt like we were in the desert camping instead of the Colorado forest lands.

Work buddy Mark Powers assured us by phone that a couple of the big rigs near him had left and we would be able to return to plan A and camp next to the Super D course at Sol Vista and make an 7:00am practice run more doable.

The idea was there is some climbing and I can beat the fat downhillers. Oops, the senior riders were leftover cross country addicts from California and Virginia who thought---what the heck, I'm in Colorado till Tuesday and might have fun with this Super D thing.

The course was nasty as ever on the opening half mile with rocky bottoms and ash like dust covering the best lines. Lower half is made up of 8" deep grooves you're suppose to plant your front wheel in and just hold on

. The ultimate down course in Colorado. Crashed on the practice run and twice during the 13 min descent but still managed to make the podium with a 5th place finish only beating a couple of locals and a DNF or two. You know, take what you can get and be glad you finished without broken bike parts or a ruptured spleen. Always my goal.

The ultimate up-up-up ride in Colorado is Mt. Evans.

Six days later I'm in the parking lot behind Beaujo's Pizza in Idaho Springs preparing for the Bob Cook Memorial Hillclimb up Mt. Evans.

OK it took me 3:28:25 to finish the climb from Idaho Springs to the summit of Mt. Evans. That included 4 stops to check the old glucose level meter and GU up and a Kodak moment with an ornery marmot.

Beginning elevation is around 7,000 ft with a 13 mile climb up Hwy 103 to Echo Lake or mid-point where the next 14 miles climbs to the 14,100 feet above sea level mountain top. Very little oxygen resides here. Although the ride was not a piece of cake, race training paid off and I truly enjoyed slipping by recreational riders and 20-somethings with hangovers.

Descent is not as fun as you would think. Never ending expansion cracks and chug-holes rock the carbon fork and preventing a pinch flat at 40 mph is always in the front of your mind. Final descent into Idaho Springs is a bit smoother but traffic escalates and you just want to get back to the Beaujo's Pizza parking lot. Been there, done that....Off the bucket list.

August started yesterday and planning for the 9 days of Monarch Pass, Durango Yeti Tribe meet and Kenosha Pass rides is well under way.

DREAM OF METRIC CENTURY REALIZED

2010-06-15T21:38:00.002-06:00

Of all the things on the Bucket List, completing a metric century was right up there with kissing Reba McEntire and winning the Mega Lottery.

This year the annual Elephant Rock Ride would present the opportunity. Yea, I've completed many 100 mile training rides, the single day Triple Bypass 120+ mile grunt from Evergreen to Beaver Creek, the 405 mile Ride The Rockies challenge, and the 140 mile Fruita to Moab adventure but I have never set my sights on completing a 100 kilometer (Metric Century).

Sag Wagons

Sag wagons will rove each of the courses with water and road assistance to help riders experiencing mechanical trouble or those who become too fatigued to finish. Please be prepared to handle your own flats and minor repairs. the Colorado State Patrol, The Douglas County Sheriff's Department, the El Paso County Sheriffs Department, and the Castle Rock Police Department will be on hand to make sure your ride is safe and enjoyable.

Returning from Florida with a sinus and chest infection and as the sole provider for the wiener duo of Cinnamon and Sugar for the weekend, the thought of 7 hours and the usual 100 mile E-Rock ride was a little overwhelming. Why not attempt the metric challenge in under 4 hours and beat the heat and wind typical of late afternoon rides along the I-25 region between Castle Rock and the Palmer Divide.

One hundred is also:

The number of years in a century
The number of pounds in an American short hundredweight
The number of tiles in a standard Scrabble set[citation needed]
In Greece, India and Israel, 100 is the police telephone number.
In Belgium, 100 is the ambulance and firefighter telephone number.
In United Kingdom, 100 is the operator telephone number
Hundred Days, aka the Waterloo Campaign
"The First Hundred Days" is an arbitrary benchmark of a President of the United States' performance at the beginning of his or her term.
100 is the HTTP status code indicating that the client should continue with its request
With a 7:30 start, the Yeti Road Project and I rolled out of the start gate with a large wad of Kleenex tucked in the right jersey pocket. Not to get cocky or anything but the the entire first 2 hours was spent bumping slower brain-dead riders off the yellow lane divider line in order to keep the self imposed 15mph average rolling.

Grabbing a package of Pop-Tarts from a volunteer cruising by the first rest station, I continued choking down the cold breakfast with gulps of Powerbar Endurance drink in water bottle number 2.

Wind does not wait for the afternoon and my solo personality does not allow me to bunch in with the amateur rodies clumped together trying to impersonate a TDF peleton. I gear down grab the drops and spin middle ring what seams like for an eternity. Before I know it, the Palmer Lake rest is there and I take a break, pee, fill water bottles, PBJs are great and on to Roller Coaster Road.

Back at the RV at 11:15am, wieners are still sleeping in 61 degree (16.1 celsius) comfort with the 12V fan. I beat the 4 hour goal with an average of 30.2 k/hr and a max speed of 88 k/hr flying down to kilometer 70. Didn't feel like anything other than a 62 mile ride on a Sunday. Metric centuries are over-rated.

The E-Rock Ride was a zerohero event meaning no negative impact on the environment. check it out at

http://www.zeroheroevents.com/

Definitely had a good time again and will be back.

WHAT TO DO WITH A FEW HOURS TO BURN....

2010-05-22T16:09:00.011-06:00

View of Boulder below from Flagstaff Mountain

Fine Saturday morning with only one chore scheduled. Drop off the black pony for a Colorado pothole sponsored front end alignment at Century Chevrolet in Broomfield. Eight AM appointment so I won't bother the bride to pick me up. Weekends are not designed to sit around a waiting room even if there is free coffee. This will be the last chance to road ride before spending a week in Florida with Mickey and Minnie.

Throw the Road Project in the back, check into the dealership wearing Spandex and I'll figure it out from there. "Couple of hours at least". Might be called anti-social in some circles but the beauty of riding on your own means no debates between different mindsets and no limitations other than your own. Throwing the mental dart, it landed on the Flagstaff Mountain climb in Boulder.

About 20 miles of traffic riddled roadways through Louisviille, and Baseline road into Boulder and we're looking at the base of the popular City of Boulder Open Space. Freak'n wind had me in middle ring on the South Boulder Road descent just to stay upright and in the teens.

A collection of Boulder healthy people line up on the mile long entrance climb from Broadway. I passed couples and guys older than me. A dozen 20's something riders dressed in Garmin Transitions jerseys that were sure they are the next Tyler Hamilton pass me.

Three quarters up the climb I pay for shifting to the cheater third front ring/granny combo with a major chain suck. The rear wheel locked up skidding from the sickley 8mph pace to an abrupt stop. Thanks to the 2 old guys I'd past for stopping and helping me wedge the final link from the Ritchey carbon wheel's bladed spokes.

Return trip wind fight was worse than the westward route and climb. Battled crosswinds down US 287 back to Broomfield and was glad to roll in the dealership and get in the XM Radio and AC equipped cab. Hot bath, beer and nap. Greek dinner in Golden tonight.
Beat the parking fees on Flagstaff by not driving. Wonder if Mickey and Minnie have a tandem?

Cadence On a MTB Ride?

2010-05-16T20:15:00.001-06:00

Riding the Yeti Road Project with a cadence computer set up allowed me to have a general idea of what the pedals were doing in the RPM department on extended road rides. The spin class Nazis instructor always harped on 120 RPM + efforts.... but what does that mean for an endurance mountain biker?

After a medial meniscus tear surgery in 2007 and daily reminders of aging knees, I was curious about what the Topeak cadence ready computer could tell be about how I was treating the knees when ascending 8-15% grades on training rides and what methods I need to employ to stay ahead of the use vs. pain/damage game.

The 2010 Yeti 575 weighs in at 27.4 pounds with the Conroy approved Race package. While focusing on a respectable Firecracker 50 finish, rides center around continuous climbing and coaxing the quads and hamstrings to getting accustomed to pushing for up to 7 hours at a time.

Sunday's ride starting with a crankset punishing tour of Hall Ranch in Lyons via the "rock garden" and a lazy lap around the Hall homestead lollipop that was a 9 mile warm up. Only 1 rock fight along the nasty trail. Rock won. Knee, elbow and left ass cheek bear evidence of the battle. That will heal and I'm ready for some endurance training.

Returning back to the Hwy. 7 trail head allowed me to drop the empty Powerbar Sun Tea Endurance bottle and do a quick blood glucose level check. 130....good to go. Out on the road to the short 2 mile trip along the Old St. Vrain Road to the Heil Ranch connector trail head and we're climbing single track for the next 45 minutes. Fruita riding comes to mind as you wind through the conifer laden rocky landscapes with limited visibility on the tight turns and switchbacks. Old farmstead and abandoned 1960's jalopy make the ride interesting.

After topping out on the Heil loop, we descend to the Lefthand Canyon trailhead and visit the bio-friendly outhouse, eat a Powerbar and head back up the 2.5-mile Wapiti Trail, the 2.6-mile Ponderosa Loop Trail, the 3.0-mile Wild Turkey Trail, and then on to the 5.2-mile Picture Rock Trail return. Bottom line is that we were doing 4 1/2 hours pedal time and 34 miles of no rest 5,600 ft. elevation climbing.

Mountain bike cadence and endurance.Studies have been done on the subject and Bio-mechanical expert Todd Carver offered the following words of wisdom. "We did a cadence study on Sugarloaf Mtn Road in 1999 and had 15 roadies climb it with 2 different gearing options. 1st trial was with traditional road gearing. 2nd trial we swapped their rear cassette and rear der for a MTB setup. Results: on average, they were the same speed. But there was some variability and some of the larger riders were faster when using the MTB gearing. The climbers seemed to be unaffected. Conclusion was that individual riders need to know their "RPM zones" that work best for them and use them.

The Topeak Panorama V16 cadence indicator coached me to maintain my personal best climbing pace in middle chainring and granny at 90-95 RPMs. I can do this all day.

When asked about effects on knee stress at low RPMs while climbing, Carver said "Conventional wisdom says to spin. But sometimes I see some injuries just from really high cadences just due to the repetition.". As a Quality Assurance professional, I know that you can not manage what you can not measure. The Topeak cadence set-up on the MTB allows you to measure and manage your output for best performance. Cadence is courtesy of the swingarm mounted sensor and its relationship to the crankarm mounted magnet.

The V16 offers data on current speed, average speed, max speed, pace, current RPMs, average RPMs, max RPMs, ambient temperature, ride time, and accumulated ride time. A clock, stopwatch, total distance reading review and the accumulated distance data completes the package. Your choice of metric or English units and a low battery indicator.

The massive 2 foot square instruction sheet gives details in several languages and provides a wheel circumfrence chart for setting the computer to your bike. Always use the method "B" of rolling your wheel 360 degrees and multiplying by Pi to determine this dimension. Wheel speed info is funneled from the wheel mounted magnet through the wireless transmitter.

WRENCHING FOR A CAUSE

2010-05-02T11:51:00.002-06:00

Over the past few years I've found out it's almost as fun working on well built race bikes as it is riding them. Using some really good tools and working on higher level components makes the job easier and usually ends up with better results. Cat 1 team mate Evie had a grocery list of issues with her Race level ASR and I offered to run through it piece by piece and let her concentrate on training (since I'm not).

Overall, the '07 or '08 ride was in good shape. DT Swiss wheels were still running true with no bearing issues but the cassette engagement mechanism shows some hostility later while under big ring load. Likewise the Fox fork and rear shock showed no signs of leakage, serious scratches or wear. Just dropped a little air pressure based on the manufacturer's recommendations and confirmed topside Float Fluid. Headset was well, -set.

Here's what we ended up doing to smooth the ride.

BOTTOM BRACKET NOISES

Bottom bracket was replaced with a brand new XTR level bracket left out of a press in carbon frame build. Teflon taped threads to insure good thread engagement. Bearing adjustment and crankarm bolts set per Dr. Shimano. Theory is the creaking left with the old BB.

SHIFTS LIKE SH&%

Bike shop trick is to buy miles of 5mm cable housing and use it for both brake and shifters. New correctly sized Jagwire 4mm housings full-length coverage installed along with new cables and minor re-routing. High/Low derailleur adjustments were good. Slap on a new SRAM 991 nickel plated chain and we're back to actually having 27 usable gears!

BRAKES=FRICTION......FRICTION=WEAR

Stoppers got a DA sanding on the rotor surfaces, caliper re-centering, new pads and a couple of un-needed inches of front hose removed. Shimano Rotor Locks torque down just like the cassette lock ring and the Topeak D-Torque-DX torque wrench gives an audible "beep" when we hit 40 N/m.

ALL THINGS RUBBER

The DT Swiss XR 4.2D rims have tubeless tire rim strips and and valves installed. Most of the tire sealant had evaporated or squirted out sandburr punctures. A lightly used pair of Mountain King 2.2s were mounted along with a healthy dose of Stan's sealant. Thank god for compressors.

A Topeak bottle cage replaced the generic alloy holder and a new set of Ergon grips have been prescribed before Nathrop. A pair of Crank Brothers SLs replaced the SPD pedals.

Go get'm Evie!!

CAN WE HAVE A LITTLE SUNSHINE HERE?

2010-04-25T20:12:00.002-06:00

Tried really hard to get good rides in this week but mother nature can't make up her mind if it is winter, spring or summer. Rain and cold most of the week limiting fun stuff to a couple of outings. Charlie, Deveroh and I managed to steal 2 hours on Chimney Gulch Wednesday between rain storms.

Training venture on Sunday was made grueling by 30 mph head winds out of the north . Destination was Broomfield, to Left Hand Canyon to Jamestown and back. Prelude to taking the bigger bite up to Ward. Bridge out on Neva Road called for ~~rarely~~ never used shouldering technique ala-cyclocross over the barricades and maintenance foot walk.

Spitting snow up top and bare legs made for a not enjoyable descent.

Then again, shut up you're riding and summer is right around the corner.

TRAINING CAMP ON THE ROCKS

2010-03-29T19:46:00.080-06:00

Yea I know, long time before the training camp update but life got in the way. I'm over yard work, taxes, garage cleaning and backyard fencing and actually have a few road rides under me.

Travel started out a little slow with a 45 min I-70 stall at Idaho Springs due to something called a "roll-over". Made it to Butler's retreat in New Castle for a great dinner, bed and last shower of the weekend.

Moab was as great as ever with the exception of a nasty visit from the hail and snow gods Friday while we were trying to get the COMotion Mothership settled in the Loop D campsite.

The day was salvaged with a quick trip over to pay homage to the great -white -over -rated Slickrock Trail. It's been a few years since I've climbed the beast and with the many wet areas, I quickly recalled how you will crash at -4 MPH backing down a whoop-dee-doo you under estimated. Glad to get the first crash out of the new 575. Sharpie touch up on the awesome lock on grip ends and you're ready to brag NEW again.

Turn out was fantastic with the bulk of the 2010 team attending including some new faces.

Team riders included website guru Javier (freshman), Cris B. and the Jenmiester, Todd-TC with Pro-Stephen I., Catherine, Doug D., Kelly, Scott & Lisse, Monica, Kris with a "K" & Lindsey, Boss Lechner, Felix, Brian and Laura (freshmen), Gary and Devoroh, JD (old-freshman), Boni, Pudge and Coach Brian traveling all the way from Michigan, Chad, Holly and several friend of friends including Melanie and James. The camps were a little scattered throughout the loop but that may have been a good thing. Some people actually sleep on these things.

Plenty of good food between the oriental dishes, taco soup, turkey legs and a couple of trip into town. Eddie McStiff fried stuff and Moab Brewery's porter beer and more fried stuff provided the carbs.

Don't worry, we burned it off on hard rides at Soverign, Porcupine Rim and full-out circles in the parking lot.

We escaped with only a few injuries, a couple of broken bikes and no arrests. Training Camp was good.

OK, ADD AN EIGHTH YETI TO THE STABLE

2010-03-04T20:18:00.016-07:00

With the ASRc dialed for the upcoming cross country/ short track race season, it was time to ready the newest occupant of the downstairs Yeti coral.

The 2010 Yeti 575 will serve as the alpha training ride and make climbs on the Super D course easy. Last year I rode the 41 pound ASX with 2.6" rubber. Way overkill for suspension and traction......definitely not fun for climbing.

Den inventory process. Yip, all there.......
The build kit was Race, mid-way on the kit choices with the 15mm front axle and DT Swiss Ratchet Wheelmounting System (RWS) rear. The bike was built stock with only a few exceptions. I swapped out the Schwalbe 2.25 Fat Alberts for a pair of 2.4 Continential Mountain Kings I had sitting on the shelf.

The Shimano mid-grade chain was replaced with a Sram 991 nickel plated version using the handy quick link. White shifter cable housings and hydraulic brake hoses finished the customization.
No secret that I am a bike snob but I have told myself it's OK to not ride XTR on a training and throw-it-down-the-mountain bike.

A few hours after completion, Todd Carver e-mailed with a Retul bike fit opening. I quickly snatched it up. Demo for some Trek factory brainiacs in town. My set up was based on dimensions from my other bikes so I figured I was pretty close. Just wanted confirmation. All the adjustment needed was to drop the seat 1cm and go ride it.

Time to quite being a "Fred" and start dedicating major hours to the saddle.

COMOtion Team Meets To Plan Season

2010-02-18T19:33:00.009-07:00

The first 2010 team meeting was held at the Retul Fit Studio in lower downtown Denver where master bike fitter Todd Carver offered up an update on the ever evolving Retul Dynamic 3D motion fit system. The system is used by pro teams around the world for precise evaluation of bike fit replacing the carpenter's level and plumb bob with infra-red LEDs and dimension calculating software. Todd recently set up the new Radioshack Team and convinced Lance Armstrong to move his saddle up 1 cm.

Once the correct dimensions, angles and set-up are determined, the rider is given the critical data to use on other bikes or to compare to changes in equipment. If Lance trusts Todd, I imagine I would. Check out the company's site on the sponsor links to the right.

Team owner Stephen Lechner presented the encouraging outlook for the season and surveyed each racer for his/her priorities and commitments for the year. Sponsor support is essential and many of the team supporters have again committed to the 2010 season.

As always, the Mountain States Cup Series http://www.racemsc.com/ will be the focus. COMOtion racers will also compete in the Winter Park Series, http://www.epicsingletrack.com/default.asp, Firecracker 50 http://www.mavsports.com/?id=8 , fall cyclocross events and other competitions throughout the Rocky Mountain region and country.

The team set March 25-28th as the date and Moab, Utah as the site for the annual team training camp. A Sports Illustrated associated action photo shoot will also take place April 7th among the red rocks.

Permission via the hand raise was required prior to excusing one's self to the beer drain facilities.

Lots of work to be done before we test the speeds of rival teams in the many race venues across the region.

ASRc Starting To Come Together.....2010's XC Ride - Brakes ready..

2010-02-12T19:48:00.020-07:00

When you're already riding the greatest brand and model for your riding passion, it's hard to make improvements. The 2010 cross country racing choice once again, is a brand new Yeti ASRc carbon framed lightweight XTR'ed to the hilt. This week we're working on the stoppers and shifting cables.The Shimano system is not the easiest hydraulic brake to bleed. Special tools make the job simpler but patience is required.

What can I add? Viewing custom Yetis on http://www.yetifan.com/ a particular ASX in Europe caught my eye because it looked like a true custom job. One reason. White shifter cabling and hydro hoses. Genius!! Gotta have it.

Cables were easy with Jagwire offering kits through Bike Source in Colorado Springs. Got enough for the ARCx next time I feel like wrapping cables under bar tape.

White hydraulic brake hose proved to be a little tougher. Jagwire had offered a match to the shifter housings but were back ordered or "we'll let you know-maybe status" on the Internet.

First bad experience ordering bike stuff for nearly a decade. A jerk off shop in Michigan, Harbor Country Bike claimed they had them in stock for twice the MSRP. I filled out the order form and gave them a credit card number. My bank account was immediately charged. No auto-acknowledgement or word for 3 days. Suspicious, I Googled the firm. Crap, lots of complaints on this shop. Finally a reply comes from the owner. He doesn't appreciate my insistence on a status update and now I am not going to get my order because of perceived "threats". The Wells Fargo Fraud Division is watching but my refund does come days later. Jerry, you are a bad egg in a good industry.

Part of the 2010 improvements include full shifter cable housings to keep crud from entering through the traditional bare cable split sections.

Friends in the UK vouched for Chain Reactions Cycles at http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ . They had the GOODRIDGE brand of hose and fittings. Shipment was immediate and assembly was dummy proof.

The end results are eye-pleasing......

Are they going to make me faster? I think so.

WINTER LIGHTEN'S UP FOR A NIGHT RIDE

2010-02-04T19:32:00.004-07:00

The COMOtion senior citizen committee broke out the miner's lights Wednesday and made a run up Green Mountain. Gary Peterson and I were actually the only riders to show up. The other guys are full of talk until it's time to hit the trail head and do some PM climbing. They start talking union trash and drinking beer and never seem to shed the suspenders for Spandex.

It was a pleasant 48 degrees with no wind Wednesday and it made for a perfect start to February's ride-when-you-can season. Jackets and leg warmers were required but as always, too much clothes climbing...not enough on the downward fly.

The trails were dry over 90% of the park and I was actually eating dust on the north side descents behind Gary's LARGE ASRc.

Trying to make Wednesdays our regular weekly night ride weather permitting. Come join us.

NFL PLAYOFFS GRAB TRAINING TIME

2010-01-24T20:49:00.009-07:00

ALL I GOT WAS A DAMN CARROT..........

So P.O.ed at Vikings. Not Farve. He played great. Promise to make up for the lost training time during the next week. Snack food dominated the day's diet. January training going OK, averaging 6 hours per week and a mis-proportioned 143 pounds. Aerobic base stuff on the trainer and 3x25 weight work except for the chronic right shoulder annoyance . One more steroid injection and then we'll look to the knife. We'll see what doc says in early Feb.

DRY CREEK NOT COMPLETELY DRY.......

2010-01-17T19:33:00.007-07:00

STANDLEY LAKE IN WINTERTIME

The first ride of Twenty Ten was a real thriller not knowing what was around the corner in a very familiar training route. Dry Creek Trail runs from I25 through Westminster, Broomfield, Arvada, around Standley Lake (with a little imagination) and back.

This trail is popular with the Black Lab runner crowd but was better suited for Siberian Husky sled crews this Saturday. Weeks of -32 degree weather and a foot of snow left the urban trail in a barely passable condition is some stretches.

Common sporadic higher temperature days in the 50's started the melt presenting a variety of riding conditions including fast steady sections of frozen ice/snow pack, rut producing melting slush cranks and fast dry pavement portions always South facing.

All was going well until I attacked a gummy 1/4 mile of doubletrack below the dam. The YETI ARCx stopped fully when Play Dough consistency muck froze the fore and aft wheels. Sage brush sticks save the day providing poking and scraping utensils. Fifteen minutes later I'm looking over the vacant waterway. Return trip will be off trail (sorry tree-huggers) using available grass for traction. Made a valiant charge up out of the weir road shortcut until traction broke and I collected the first elbow mud of the day.

Garmin stats left us with 29.6 miles, 2 hours and 36 minutes and an average speed if 11 mph. Usually I'm on the 16-21 mph pace for this ride. Mud and snow on this day made the route feel like a constant 8% grade. Great ride ended with a flat and being locked out of the house..... cold, bonked and dripping wet.

Gotta love Colorado winter riding!!!!

2010 EVENT PLANNING BEGINS...

2010-01-13T19:37:00.004-07:00

HA!!!
Got under the wire and am registered for the 2010 Triple Bypass. The ride sold out 3,500 places in less than 45 minutes on-line. Scalpers and wanna "B" riders are already showing up on Craig's List.
Missed out last year but am looking forward to the 120 mile ride from Evergreen to Beaver Creek with 10,000 ft. + elevation gain.

Won't know about the Leadville 100 until February 8th and Firecracker 50 registration not yet open.

"MOTIVATION IS HIGHEST WHEN THE SUCCESS RATE IS 50%"

some smart sucker from my past........

HAPPY FRIGG'N NEW YEAR

2010-01-01T16:10:00.004-07:00

Spent most of the New Year's weekend Pimp'n out the Silverado...Side nerf bars for little people and weiner dogs.
Double walled stainless steel exhaust tip serves no real purpose. Bowtie mud flaps to cut down on snow crap deposited on the no purpose stainless steel exhaust tip.Final touches are the custom chrome YETI and COMOtion sticker for the rear cab window. Give me a mailing address and I'll send you a couple of the COMotion cool stickers.

Winter Time Project Priorities...You can help...

2009-12-14T19:40:00.014-07:00

Break out instruction manual and mini pump for exercise ball..... Rebuild 3 Rp23s

Sort out 30+ jerseys for summer yard sale...naaw..

Replace air freshener cause I share the basement with 2 wiener dogs.....
Change out the Simple Green in the parts washer because I think some of the GREEN is not so simple.

Re-fill flask with Mr. Weller's finest..Christmas gift hint.....

Start at the beginning. 3.5mm, 4mm,5mm,5.5mm,6mm,7mm,8mm,9mm,10mm..Sharpies are for black wheel ding makeup. E-Tape for everything else.

Oh, yea NEW ASRc to reconstruct before the 2010 XC season.

Covidien buddy John Twa donated a twin SID providing parts for my ultra light ARC fork resuscitation. Should do that this year. Winter Park Hillclimb is just around the corner.4 pairs of Cranky Bros. to rebuild.
Sherman big bike fork to re-seal before the spring Moab assault.HOW ABOUT IT, WHAT SHOULD I START FIRST... I'M LEANING TOWARDS THE FLASK REFILL !!!!!

OUT OF RETIREMENT ALREADY-THINKING ABOUT 2010

2009-10-31T20:23:00.012-06:00

After a month off and acting like I don't care, the local Cyclocross scene has me semi-motivated about actually getting off my duff and returning to competition.

Attending the 2009 Blue Sky Xilinx CX in neighboring Longmont was a methadone treatment into the addictive world of cycling competition.

Sugar and I just hung out with COMO buddies and fellow workers to enjoy the great Colorado outdoor recovery from a recent snow storm. Sun and mud were plentiful for a perfect Halloween Saturday in Colorado.

My personal pick for the win was Georgia Gould who took the Silver in Longmont

Women's Results:
1. Katherine Compton Planet Bike
2. Georgia Gould Luna Chix
3. Alison Dunlap Luna Chix
4. Meredith Miller Cal Giant Strawberry
5. Kelli Emmett Giant Bicycles
6. Amy Dombroski Webcor Builders
7. Heather Irmiger Subaru/gary Fisher
8. Barbara Howe Vanderkitten
9. Alison Powers Team Fuji
10. Lisa Matlock Strong Natural Grocers P/b

CT managed a respectable finish and spent 45 minutes waiting to power wash the muck from the drivetrain of his Yeti CX steed.

Oliver went silently by barely recognizable with the "red beard" removed. Something about getting married the week before. I don't get it.

Motivation had me riding the Yeti CX from B'field to the Boulder Cup race Sunday at the Boulder Reservoir. The 45 mile, 2K foot elevation gain road ride was not hard but I'll need to catch up over the winter months and pay for the Whoppers and fries.

Yeah, that's the ticket-snow mud and sunshine.

Still In De-Training Mode

2009-10-08T20:56:00.003-06:00

Wedding done.
Since the season ended I've riden the Yeti CX 25 miles on the Dry Creek trail and one clumsy climb up Mt. Falcon. Studying what to do next while the weight piles on..Any suggestions? Just don't say Cros racing..

Final Weekend Split Between Friends and Team

2009-09-14T19:43:00.020-06:00

The middle week of September was split between long-time friends Martha Spaulding and Dr. Paul Fournier and the 2009 COMOtion Sports team both celebrating monumental events. Friday's get-out-of-town scramble took us to the tunnel, then a hard right at Silverthorn up to Kremling and on to Steamboat Springs after ascending Rabbit Ears Pass. We were there for Paul and Martha's wedding atop the Steamboat Springs Ski Resort. An awesome event highlighted by a high altitude sunsetthat got more spectacular by the minute as we watched the evening retire over the golden Yampa River Valley. We were 10,568 feet above sea level.

After an evening of dancing with my bride of 36 years and a couple or six adult beverages later, we enjoyed the final weekend at a Colorado ski resort without having to switch number plates, lube chains or calculate glucose levels, warm up or start times. NICE!!!!

Sunday noonish we headed south to Breckenridge to celebrate with the team who made the 7th consecutive Mountain States Cup Series championship a reality.The series awards came late but as predicted, I managed to survive for a silver medallion second place in the Cat 2 50+ men's division. Elephant Rock century and Copper Triangle plus sixteen races including the Super "D" series is a long and (+$) summer sport.

The Team laid cool as ever passing time before the final series announcements with an impromptu Nerf football game under the stage.
After category awards, we took our rightful place center stage announcing once again that we were the most organized, talented and serious team in the series. Credit to the freshmen for carrying the alumni through- Margie, Evie, Cary, Holly and Ryan spot lighted the podiums and kept even the oldest of the group enthused about the year's outcome. Thanks guys, proud to call you teammates.

2009 Mountain States Cup Series ChampionsLANCE DID NOT DO 8

Sol Survivor Now Understood

2009-09-10T18:27:00.033-06:00

Teammate Cary Dunn and I enjoyed the reasonable way to ascend Sol Vista's climb..................................
The next to last stop on the 2009 Mountain States Cup Series ( http://www.racemsc.com/ ) was held at Sol Vista Ski Resort and titled "Sol Survivor. I'm not sure if I was the only one, but survivor describes the 3 day stay accurately.
Having broken every training, diet and race preparation rule this year I should not have been surprised that my performance sucked. I've been run down now for the last 2 months evident with high blood glucose readings, respiratory infections, constant sinus drainage and multiple fever blisters.
Enough excuses.

I wanted to cement a podium for the series final in Breckenridge next weekend without having to endure the 3 -event stage race final.

Mission accomplished!!
Adding 344 points for the series through the XC and STXC gruel, I'm in for a second place finish in the Cat 2, 50+ series. My apologies to cheering COMotion Sports teammates embarrassed by my double-lapped short track run during the 30 + youngsters race.

The XC course included never ending climbs and the most technical descents ever encountered in 7 years of XC racing. Riders attempted to stay clipped but somewhere between the first drop and the pass beside the EMT hammock, you died. If you made that descent...your eyes were closed and you smoke dope. The terrain mimicked a badly cleaned, 15 degree fireplace pit that was littered with baby heads, momma heads, daddy heads and dinosaur heads. Add on that airborne dust eliminated any visibility. The same section was used in the Super Downhill and qualified for the pure Downhill route. The emergency vehicles streaming past our resort room all weekend was a reminder of just how tough the conditions were at the Sol Survivor.

Monday's Super D race was as always, a fun ride. Knowing what was in store from the XC drop, I was sure to purposely line up in the second squadron and I just grabbed the ASX by the horns and tried to ride the 41 pound bucking bronc to the bottom. The over 50 trio of me, Woody and Frenchie have had fun all season long and politely assembled at the rear, grinned and grunted downward. I elected to toss the Yeti down the drop and slide on my butt until we were reunited at the bottom.

Sol Vista hosted the team's annual feed and sponsor appreciation event. Thanks to Felix, Marcy and crew for rustling up the grub for stinky and hungry COMotion racers and friends.

To get an idea of a typical SV DH run, check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bo1LIAUpKwk&feature=relatedt

COPPER CUP COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE....

2009-09-02T18:52:00.010-06:00

Last place in the XC, next to last in the Super D and a two in a row DNF in the Short Track left me wishing this season was over. In reality, it all but cemented a second place attendance award for the 2009 Mountain States Cup XC Endurance Series with the +144 points awarded for 7th.

Youngster teammate Carry Dunn performed the hat trick this weekend winning all three events but may have pushing me off the podium in the 30+ Super D series.... All good!!!

The second ever DNF was caused by an over enthusiastic team member who pushed me faster than the tiny little 1.95 Kenda tires have ever gone on the ARC hardtail. The push was so violent that the jolt caused the tire bead to spin off the rim exposing the under-inflated road tube to the jagged rocks on the downhill section. My neck has also been stiff stince the incident.

Next week we wrap it up at Sol Vista with a laid back holiday weekend racing all three disciplines celebrating the 7th COMOtion Sports Team win with the wieners in attendance and the BBQ and beer a priority.

Yeti Tribe Meet-Wales 2009

2009-08-26T14:45:00.033-06:00

COMotion teammate Chris Taylor and I took the plunge unsupported and represented the US at the 2009 Yetifan Gathering in Wales. Having attended all 8 US Yeti Tribe Meetings, I decided this year to go across the pond and attending one of the similar events there coordinated by Great Britain resident and http://www.yetifan.com/ creator Andrew. The 2009 event was held in Glyncorrwg, Wales.

Through the website forums, we got to know several of the Yeti devoted and arranged some assistance from tribe members there. Comotion team mate Chris Taylor has roots in the country and agreed to come along and share his left-sided driving skills.

Hosting us through the weekend were Fred and Melisa who treated us like rock stars and filled in the blanks when we were clueless. Fred designed a killer jersey to commemorate the meeting and is an avid mountain biker, rock climber, rugby player and golfer.

The organized rides began at the awesome Glyncorrwg ride center where many of the 35 meeting attendees were camping. Saturday's venture lasted a full 5 hours and had plenty of climbing and obstacles on the perpetually wet mountainside trails above the center. Sunday's ride was a shorter but at a quicker pace with fewer riders. They wore this old man out.

The riding might be compared to North Shore, or Northeastern US riding since rain was an everyday occurance. We were lucky and managed to get almost all the riding we could stand without be caught in any major rains storms.

The challenges of keeping drivetrains and bearing parts from rusting up is something we never worry about in 12% humidity Colorado. I dropped one very orange -nickle plated SRAM chain in the trash can after returning to the states.

I'll just let the photos speak for themselves and encourage anyone interested in more details to give me a shout.

A special thanks to all who helped put on the event and especially Fred and Melisa. We hope to repay the favor during a trip to ride Colorado's mountains.

STILES !!!!

More photos are on http://www.yetifan.com/ and CT's photo site at http://www.mtcolorado.com/raceday/thumbnails.php?album=43

DNFed

2009-08-09T21:36:00.015-06:00

After 7 years of racing without a single mechanical failure, and DNF, Snowmass 2009 was the one. The same race 2 years ago forced an 8 mile bike push to finish but this was a plain ole DNF. Climbing out of the sawtoothed singletrack on the first lap, I found myself in a way too big front chainring and instead of calming down and downshifting, I stood up on the pedals and "CLINK" broke a power link barely missing the nut rupture associated with no-chaindrive-syndrome (NCS).

Confidence has been so high this year with the top level Yeti, Shimano and Continental trail-ware, I abandoned tools, spare parts and inflators altogether for the 2 hour ride. Gambled and lost.

There was little sympathy from team members as I whined about my mis-fortune and complete stupidity for not carying a single 2 oz. power-link.

Snake-eyes....you lose.

Highlight of the weekend was seeing the man..Lance Armstrong in the flesh and sweating like the rest of us. Turns out he looks like every other skinny racer on the start line but early on in the contest, he proved there was little competition for the Texan now sporting the Colorado State Championship jersey.

While I was licking my wounds at the top of the Short/Long lap divide, Lance came by me on his second lap through a choppy technical section and basically flew over the trail debris, across the service road and on to the lower section in a smooth flow making it look easy.

But he had a chain.

Just another day at work for L A.

Following day's Super D was a little better considering I finished without a mechanical, gained 1 spot in the series competition and beat Frenchie because he crashed. I did not break any bones or loose any flesh. I also did not suffered a position loss in the MSC Series XC competition since the locals beat everyone up.

Maybe I'm a lucky guy after all.

Thanks to Papa Taylor for the cool Snowmass photos.

Non-Stop August Starts With Copper Triangle Ride

2009-08-03T21:22:00.016-06:00

August will be the month we did not stay home and pull weeds. Friday found us heading for Silverthorn where we would camp out at the Luxury Inn and I would be set for the 6:30am start of my first Copper Triangle road ride. Donations benefit the Davis Phinney Foundation http://www.davisphinneyfoundation.org/ and since the ride is on the Bucket List, this year seemed logical.

Most would doubt the intelligence of a guy who would leave his wife, 13 year old granddaughter and a friend all day in Silverthorn to shop the Outlet Malls but hey, you do what you gotta do.

The course ran me backwards on routes I have previously ridden during Ride The Rockies and the Triple Bypass. It also covered the awesome Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway between Leadville and Minturn I had not cycled. The Triangle consist of Freemont,Tennesee and Vail Passes.

The starting third of the course was a cold 36 degrees when we started the ascent up Highway 91 from Copper Resort to Freemont Pass at 11,318 feet above sea level then on to Leadville. I was 45 minutes into the climb before I ever used the big ring and an hour before the Dura Ace brakes were asked to participate. Once I could feel my fingers again in Pbville, thing got fun. Hwy 24 and Tennessee Pass is probably one of the most beautiful rides in Colorado with a 30 mile long stretch of conifer forest relatively unaffected by the pine beetle kill. We passed Ski Cooper and the famed Camp Hale on our way to the ultimate yuppie town of Minturn. After a parade through Vail's round-a-bouts it was on to the final climb of the day on the popular I-70 bike trail connecting Vail to Copper.

If you've traveled Interstate 70 in Colorado, you have seen the trail as it runs between the east and westbound lanes of the interstate after the Vail Pass rest area.

That single file bike path descent back to the starting line was our ceremonial final stage. The cheering crowds lining the corridored route through the resort base made everyone forget the climbs. For just a moment, we thought we were one of the hero finishers of the Tour de France. The event was flawless from my eyes. Well organized, supported throughout and a spectacular route. And the coolest thing on Vail pass..... Someone thought to have Cracker Jacks at the final aid station!

8th Annual Yeti Tribe Meet in Winter Park

2009-07-27T19:52:00.008-06:00

WIENER DOG LIMBO TRICKS

Once a year the dedicated Yeti Tribe gets together to show off their latest Yeti builds, get re-acquainted, go for epic rides and m a y b e, have a brew or two. This year was no exception.

The group was 250 strong and met in an uncut stream side field at the edge of Winter Park, Colorado to continue the tradition. The Sarge has attended every official tribe meeting held since 2002. For this event, I loaded up a total of 10 bikes, 3 kin folks, 2 wiener dogs and all the camp gear to test the aging Silverado over Berthod Pass. All 7 Yetis were assembled front line in camp for drooling eyes.

Yeti freaks from all over the US and a couple of foreign countries assembled in the Beaver Village Lodge meadow to celebrate our brand.

Group 8:30 am mounted up for a 30 mile trek through Tipparary Creek and other Grand County singletracks while Taylor and I chose to cruise over to the WP Resort for chair rides up and super sweet downhill bombs on the long travel heavyweights.
"Lets make one more run before the 4:00pm lift deadline". One too many, the wind bounced us around on the lift line and cold wet gusts welcomed us to the summit. By the time we streaked down to treeline, it was pouring down hard on the final descent making the downhill course slick, nasty and cold.

Icky ride back to camp...seems like we were laughing though.

Cudos to Sarah Rawley, Chris Conroy, Steve Hoogendoorn, Big Joe Hendrickson and all of the Yeti crew that made the happening. Death to the coffee delivery boy.

See you next year in Durango.

Sol Vista National Championship Races Just Another Good Time

2009-07-19T20:17:00.020-06:00

Just hated to stay home on a summer weekend so we tripped over to Sol Vista Resort for the 2009 National Championship Races.

SV is not the prettiest ski resort in Colorado and it does not have great facilities or many runs. What it did have this weekend is sun, loose powder sand and over 800 competitors in 5 disciplines. Race winners here took home a Stars & Stripes Jersey.

While I definitely just showed up for a good time, it turned out to be a fun course with high-walled berms, powdery turns and a short uphill climb where I could spin the XC legs and take advantage of the pure downhill competitors.

SOL VISTA NATIONAL SUPER D
CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS
Men 50+
1-Paul Zarubin (Northstar at Tahoe)
0:07:12
2-Robert Bevard (Horns Hill Hucksters / God / Bike Doctor)
0:00:08
3-David Strouse (COMotion Sports / Yeti)
0:01:59
4-Woody Harris (Mojo Wheels)0:02:13
5-Michael Kast
0:02:48

Much needed brownie points were gained when we pulled up at the Winter Park Chateau instead of the Super 8 I had mentioned earlier. The next 7 weekends are spoken for in the name of ME and my cycling. Love You Terri!!

(http://www.winterparkchateau.com/index.html)

FIRECRACKER 97 - NO-WHERE COLORADO

2009-07-05T20:12:00.015-06:00

While most mountain bikers were heading for Breckenridge, Durango or Winter Park, I loaded up the Jayco and Silverado and beelined to wonderful Sterling, Colorado in the northeastern part of the state to enjoy the 4th of July celebrations.

Actually, we did not see any fireworks and forgot to put the flags out at the dilapidated Buffalo Hills RV Park off I-76 at the Sterling exit. Use to be a Jellystone Park campground in the '70s with a few signs of Yogi bear still around. Only there for the monthly elder-care trip spying on the 79 year old father-in-law since he never writes and let the phone thing lapse a couple of weeks ago. Long story.

I did managed to salvage the weekend by loading up the Yeti Road Project with dual water bottles and the road jersey with Powerbars and gel packs before proceeding northeast for beautiful Julesburg Reservoir (AKA Jumbo Lake) via State Highway 138 that parallels I-76. My work buddy, Brad Case was camped there with 87 relatives and various clan members so I thought I'd make a surprise appearance and bum water bottle refills.

After 40 miles of flat highway I was greeted with 5 miles of muddy country roads before topping out at the reservoir. I was so impressed with the local town of CROOK I passed through, I thought I'd share some stats with you in case you are looking for that perfect place to retire:

CROOK, COLORADO

Population in July 2007: 126.

Population change since 2000: -0.8%
Males: 65
(52.3%)
Females: 61
(47.7%)
Median resident age:
50.0 years
Colorado median age:
34.3 years
Zip code: 80726

Estimated median household income in 2007: $44,278 (it was $32,500 in 2000)
Estimated median house or condo value in 2007: $78,647 (it was $48,500 in 2000)
Mean prices in 2007: All housing units: $81,511; Detached houses: $82,721;

Mobile homes: $41,750

Since the males outnumber the females, I'd shy away from Crook if I were a widower.

The real thrill of the day was trying to outrun the ominous clouds and pending thunderstorms predicted for the area. I managed to made it back to ex-Jellystone world about 1:00 pm just in time to beat the T-storms.

Oh yeah, another wonderful biking weekend on the road in Colorado..and yip, the ole' man's doing fine.

Although I thought a lap around the lake would make the ride a century, I finished up with a total of 97 miles round trip. Close enough.

Crested Butte Challenge Too Much...

2009-06-22T19:48:00.014-06:00

What a change a couple of weeks and 3,000 foot elevation gain can make!

The Shimano XTR Cross Country race at Crested Butte Resort threw me to the ground, stomped me and took away any cockiness Angel Fire and my fastest century ride may have planted. I came with nothing to offer the mountain and was anaerobic 200 yards from the starting line. Two laps with 1,600 feet of gain per lap threw me into the hunch-back survival mode and brought up the question again-- "WHY THE HELL DO YOU DO THIS? "

I'm just glad I'm not paying a cycling coach this year to tell me how bad I prepared for a particular race. I could list the variables but in reality, sometime you feel good and are happy with the outcome and sometimes you just suck and die. This was one of the races I sucked and died.

Finished 10th out of 10 on this one but still ranked 2nd in the series.

What I will always do despite the pain and results, is have fun!!

The best part of the weekend had to be the Sunday morning 8:00am start of the Super Downhill race. COMOtion chums Cris Taylor, Cary Dunn and I shared a chilly and wet chairlift ride to the top of the mountain for a mud slopped downward hurl. We pretended we were going to beat somebody to the finish line. Mission accomplished!
Yeti "Bossman" Chris Conroy was right there beside us on the SD startline proving the adage "practice what you preach" .

Crested Butte trails are like no others in Colorado with really dark organically rich soils that suck up moisture and produce spectacular wildflower carpets . The off-camber singletrack trails are deep and just waiting for you to bang a rim side into them so they can toss you over the handlebars like a rag doll.

With racing done, we enjoyed the beautiful scenery and reminders we we live in ( and never leave) Colorado.

A picnic lunch along the Taylor River on our way to Cottonwood Pass and home ended another memorable MTBing race weekend.

A Ride With 7,500 of my Colorado Cycling Friends

2009-06-09T19:48:00.016-06:00

The Elephant Rock Ride is not popular among the cross country race crew but, I still enjoy seeing families, "chubbies", old geezers and ex-high school jocks head out together on the open plains of central Colorado with one common goal FINISH!

The event was the first chance to try out some of the magnificent prodeal sponsor stuff. The Ritchey carbon wheelset contributed greatly to my best time ever with an average speed of 17.2 mph for the wind riddled 100 miler. A top speed of 46.2 mph was recorded 5 1/2 hours into the ride. Total crank time was 5 hours and 50 minutes. The borrowed Topeak Prepstand Max grabs all bikes by the downtube and serves as a stable rack for last minute chain lubes and shifter adjustments. Continental 4000S tires had more air in them when I finished than when I started.

Colorado headquartered and potential 2010 sponsor, Pearl Izumi made the ride extremely comfortable with their new Octane series bib shorts. A hundred miles in the saddle is no time to have your panties in a wad. The PRO series chamois kept me comfy throughout the ride and drew at least a couple of whistles from (bluehaired) ladies as I sprinted by out of the saddle.

E-Rock has definitely grown over the 7 years we've been riding it. The RV parking lot was 20% full when we snuck in a few minutes before the 3pm check in time.

Still the way to beat the massive Sunday morning traffic jams, camping at the Douglas County Fairgrounds lets you relax before the morning frenzy and shower a couple of hundred yard from the finish line.Munching on cedar plank grilled salmon the night before the ride helped provide needed protein and yumness.

Throwing in off weekend century road rides is a good way to keep the drumsticks from going flabby. Another weekend off then we climb the 10,000 foot Crested Butte cross country course. Next road ride-Copper Triangle http://coppertriangle.com/ August 1st.

NOT LIKELY TO HAPPEN AGAIN SOON-ANGEL FIRE -MSC#3 =STXC XC & SD

2009-05-27T19:56:00.018-06:00

...not quite the hat trick....

WOW, what a great Memorial Day weekend in New Mexico. We used the 5 day vacation to combine the best of interests in family and racing into a neat package under the conifers and clouds of Angel Fire Resort, New Mexico.

Strouse clan L to R, papa, Tori, Bethany, Shyala, Joshua, Anthony, Chris, Teresa and Kaitlyn.

I've finally figured out the formula to actually end up on the top wrung of the podium... Leave your series competition in Denver and beat one local and a no-show.
Sarge's first Super Downhill (SD) race was a bit more intense than expected. The volcano trash deposited a million years ago was daunting enough as it formed a trail of jagged ridges you were suppose to race over. But the start line mentality was bizarre. These guys ARE SERIOUS about SD and the start line reminded me of scenes from Braveheart as they raced on foot from the start line to the bikes. Part of the ritual included a starting position of one knee and one elbow on the ground, facing the opposite direction of the waiting overweight steeds 50 yards away.

Grandson Anthony and I were way too laid back for the super downhill crowd so I was happy to finish 20th out of 22 starters.

Scoring a 2nd place victory in the 40+ Short Track Cross Country race behind fellow teammate Carry Dunn was another highlight of the weekend. And I HATE Short Track!! COMotion dominated the Cat 2 30-40 yr. old class and the weekend bringing home a near perfect 972 & 986 score extending the lead on the way to the 7th championship year.

Crested Butte- here we come!

SHORT BREAK FROM BIKING CHASING GOBBLERS

2009-05-12T20:56:00.015-06:00

Just spent four days of solo brain-drain turkey hunting along the Purgatoire River in Southeastern Colorado. The hunt site was about as far away from civilization in Colorado as I could find. Twenty five miles south of La Junta, then 23 miles of dirt road to the ranch headquarters, 4 more miles into the ranch to the campsite and a final 2 1/2 mile mountain bike ride each morning to the roost area.

I wasn't entirely off the bike. Days before the hunt were spent outfitting the race retired 2007 ASR with a shotgun rack, GPS mount and hiking boot friendly platform pedals. The head strap mounted Petzel provided enough light to follow cattle trails on the pre-dawn rides in.
I believe I'm safe in declaring that I'm the first person ever to baptise an XTR crankset in the Purgatoire River crossing it twice a day to get to the roost areas.

Continental Mountain King tubeless 2.4's worked great in the land if prickly pear and cholla catus, sandburrs and yucca. Evidence of many punctures were present but the Stan's did its job every time.

In 1982 the Sarge was living in Oklahoma and feverishly involved in the out-of-doors. Before the passion was mountain bikes, I was chasing wild turkeys and slaying monster large-mouth bass every chance I had. I'm twenty seven years old in the photo above with one of my first birds.

During the last 27 years, the birds have gotten smarter. I evidently have not. After setting up on the same lone gobbler and his hens three mornings in a row, the closest I could call him in was about 75 yards. Just out of shotgun range. God bless him!

SECOND INSTALLMENT ON THE MSC TOUR COMPLETE

2009-05-03T20:47:00.014-06:00

Back in 2006 when I competed in the cow pattie XC race at Nathrop, I ran the 3 laps in 2 hours and 6 minutes to finish 7th.. This year, the identical course (log jump #3 worn down from crank strikes considerably) took 2 hours and 8 minutes to finish 4 out of 5. Three years older and only added 2 minutes? Could be worse.

The course was a blast with long flat road sections, off camber sandy technical drops and twisty turny singletrack avenues along the banks of Chalk Creek. Mount Princeton served as a spectacular backdrop for the second race of the season.

Sunday morning quiet time with the girls, biscuits, eggs, bacon and coffee proved too tempting to roll out for the early AM short track race.

We did make it over to the venue to watch a bit of the gravity events on Sunday. Pretty cool. These kids ride on adreneline and spikes of testestrone to beat the other guy to the timer.

Cat 1 COMotion racer Matt Juth saw heavy competition on the short track.

Still early in the series, I have time to knuckle down and get serious about training 3-4 days a week, spending time in the weight room and cutting down on junk food and brewskis. It could happen.

SEASON OPENER ...MEMORABLE

2009-04-21T20:51:00.018-06:00

The 2009 MSC opener had some very ominous signs to say the least. Lets go over the time line:
FRIDAY
2:20pm-Me and Charlie E. sneek out early from work (Big boss riding horses in Houston or something).

2:45pm-Meet Chris Taylor at the Yeti Park & Ride to load up 3 bikes, gear, team Continental tires, Smartwool duds, Crank Bros. backorders and provisions. Off to Fruita! Snow never hurt anybody!

4:15pm-CSP's finest wave us off I-70 at Georgetown with somber options. Go back to Idaho Spring for a shelter being set up there or wait it out in Georgetown.

6:10pm-Crackberry e-mails with other COMOtion team members confirm that yeah, you're screwed! Doug D. headed back as instructed and (eventually made it back to Golden at 3am Saturday morning.) Hang out at the Visitor Center. They love travelers. Motels.....ha sold out at 3:00pm.
7:00pm- Lovely Chinese dinner within walking distance. Two employees, 37 hungry, pissed-off traveler. WHERE'S MY POTSTICKERS!!....an hour later we were served our meal. Very good (always good with a 68 glucose reading)

9:30pm- Potstickers arrived after the meal. Kelli E. shows up after learning from e-mails we were there. Stares at potstickers.......Can we have some hot tea please?

11:30pm- Bar drunks and solo waiter give us dirty looks wondering if we were going to apply for residency. Kelli's cousin (one of 6,000 in CO) rescues her from the night. There's only 7 in their motel room so far.

11:40pm-Back to the WELCOME CENTER...more brochure reading.

SATURDAY

12:00pm-WELCOME CENTER becomes the UN-WELCOME CENTER. CT is booted out while Charlie and I sip coffee at the gas station. Seems he fits the profile of a vagrant. He's called a liar by the brassy broad locking up when he explains that "the nice man at the center had told us earlier that they would be opened all night." Strong letter to follow.

1:00pm: Warm up the Silverado Hotel get ready for a cramped 5 hour on/off sleep cycle. Charlie is 6' 3" and settles in horizontally in the extended cab's rear seat....kinda. Knees bent. Chris and I lean the seats back 45 degrees and stare at the ceiling....kinda. Every half hour I crank up the engine (driving lights go on and blind poor souls trying to sleep in the Subaru in front of us. Sorry) get warm and shut it off.

6:00am: Gotta pee..off to the gas station and hot coffee. Other survivors are starting to stir and all have horror stories about car napping with puking dogs, wet babies and dead batteries. Maybe it wasn't that bad after all.

8:15am: Official word is we're still shut down but the west bound gates are up and a lot of the trucks have disappeared. We're finally off to Fruita. Time Trial starts at 10:00am. $40 donation to Darner's retirement.

12:00 Noon: Arrive in Grand Junkyard after white knuckle drive between Georgetown and Vail. Just wet through the canyon and sunshine greeted us at Rifle. That was fun....After checking in at the Super 8, a shower and lunch we headed over to Rabbit Valley to pick up number plates and honor the BLM with a $5 donation to straighten out the sand once we're through. Charlie and I salvage the day with a short ride from the Tabeguache trailhead south of town towards the Ribbon Trail. Dinner with COMOtion team and a couple of Breckenridge brews and we're out for the night. Real beds with a pillow!

Sunday

With an 8:00am Cross Country race start time we set the alarms and arranged a wake up call for 5:30am. Load em up, Continental breakfast and off to race.

Lucy keeps watch over the COMOtion pit in case unwelcome competitors want to use our tire pump.

The opener results started out just like the last season had ended. Last place. I knew I was not ready to compete but I didn't think a was going to suffer that much. The legs were there but the lungs and heart went in shut-down mode about a half mile from the finish and I seriously thought I was looking at my first DNF ever.

The cheers from the vulture crowd on the last climb surged me through 12 minutes behind ex-Team Evergreen teammate Steve Como's win.

Disaster number 3 for the weekend started on the way back with a melted transmission as we left the Colorado River valley. Nice way to finale.

Thanks to COMOtion teammate Chris Butler, we continued eastbound in his sweet ride and backed the team trailer in the driveway at 10:30pm. A weekend adventure for sure. Race turned out to be the small part. Above and beyond, Chis nursed the sick Chevy to Rifle Transmission and another teammate Ryan Schultz brought it back to the front range Friday. Do I have great teammates or what?

POP GOES THE WIESEL!!!

2009-04-04T20:34:00.011-06:00

OK, Larry Green blew the big storm prediction again but I still had enough faith to plan a bachelor's weekend of basement bike work, Internet cruising, Turbo-tax, and wiener dog play. Factory screw just freaked me out.

For no good reason, my metallurgical and engineering education and background kicked in and I decided to do a major re-vamp of a Vaison Elite bike travel bike box I just purchase at The Pro's Closet http://www.theproscloset.com/Shop/Control/fp/SFV/32625 in Boulder. The guys there get first dibs on several of the world's fastest team's left over cycling equipment and clothing.

My bitch was that all the hardware (bolts) pointed inward and posed threats to the content. Some had become loose and generally did not meet my quality standards. Other than that, the case was perfect. Drill and pop rivet was the prescription.

The box is for an August trip planned with COMo Bro. Chris Taylor to Wales to attend the UK Yeti Tribe Meeting. More on that later.

Now I feel better. Domed aluminum rivet heads greet my carbon parts instead of a stupid loose, false cap over a menacing M2.5 bolt steel shank.

So that my bike case doesn't get mixed up with the dozens of other elephant sized bike bags, I've cleverly attached COMOtion and Yeti stickers so I can pick them out on the 87 RPM baggage claim carousel.

Ipod updated. Better go to the fitness club Sunday to burn off beer and pasta ingested from the boring day inside.

2009 COMOTION SPORTS TRAINING CAMP HUGE SUCCESS

2009-03-17T20:18:00.017-06:00

Boasting a 90% plus attendance, the 2009 Training Camp in Fruita was a great time and stoked the folks for the upcoming Mountain States Cup quest for an unheard of 7th consecutive team category championship. The roster is at the maximum allowable 30 racers strong with nearly every category represented.

Perfect weather greeting team members the entire 6 days in Fruita. Nights were chilly (I just turned up the heater at the Super 8) but 10:00 am, the sun was shining and outer appendage warmers were discarded like empty gel packs.

Saturday night was spent with team members and friends stuffing carb-deprived bellies with delicious Mexican food at Ryan & Autumn's GJ home.

Cervezas and Margaritas were toasted high when CT revealed the purpose and spirit of BIG JIM and why this season is dedicated to him and his daughter.... star Cat 1 racer, Megan Taylor. Big Jim passed a way June 23rd 2008.

A total of 28 riders counted off mid-ride Saturday during the big Rabbit Valley loop. Almost 35 team members and support folks started the I70/Exit 2 trailhead gathering. Some got lost.

The term "Herding Cats" was repeated several times by ride leaders. Not sure what that means.

Satellite image of Sunday's Road 18 route looks more like moonscape scenery than earth. Welcome to BLM's finest. What was really cool was to watch the reaction of weekend Trek riders when they watched the COMOtion team kitted peleton cruise through the main trailhead parking lot on killer Yetis. You would have thought we were rock stars. You know, I think we ARE rock and sand stars!! We sure looked fast and organized.
Rides were organized by locals Ryan Schultz and Chris Butler with volunteer leaders Kris Lathrop and Scott Gordon offering alternate routes on the Rabbit Valley and Road 18 expeditions.

Monday presented a great morning to grunt the uphill Colorado National Monument ride from the Fruita side. No traffic, cool in the shade, hot in the sun and desert scenery Moab can't out do.

Friday's dirty dozen............................................Another one in the book and a great start to the upcoming race season. First stop. Yip, Rabbit Valley.

NOW WER'E MOUNTAIN BIKING!!!

2009-03-01T20:52:00.007-07:00

Great ride today with friends and teammates over on Buffalo Creek. Only took me twice to figure out why they call that trail "SANDY WASH". Let the blood and the good times roll!

Devora Peterson and Charlie Ellsworth roll through the burned and open hillsides of Buffalo Creek. My first trip there after hearing about it for 3 years. I was not disappointed.

Local BC resident and tour organizer Carry Dunn, left along with Gary Peterson, Megan and Chris Taylor, Rob Sousa and the Sarge rounded out the COMotion team riders.

Where's that antibiodic gunk............

Too Much Information!!!!

2009-02-25T19:50:00.019-07:00

Gearing up for the Sunday Boulder way road ride I once again marvel at how complicated it is to ride a bicycle. The actual riding part is pretty much like I remembered as a kid but the technology to verify,measure and record your effort is nearing ridiculous.
1. Heart Rate monitor-Polar Gizmo gives me max heart rate, average heart rate, time in zones, total time and hopefuly an alarm if my heart quits beating altogether.

2. Flight Deck cycling computer- Mr. Shimano tells me speed, mileage, cadence, highest speed, average speed and what gear I'm in. Lap and odometer stuff too.

3. Garmin GPS- Tracks route, time, speed, elevation, pace, total elevation gain and loss and more. Sunrise and sunset info also available.

4. Ipod-Lonely sections of county roads fly by jamm'n to Alicia Keyes, Eagles and Eric Clapton. Tempo quickens for hill approaches with Van Halen.

Overlaying GPS maps on Sunday's ride shows a casual 58 mile route from Broomfield to Niwot, NW to Nelson Road and Hwy 36 and back via Hwy 7.

The start and stop of the route is etched in digital history. Except I did NOT run over that car in the coul de sac on the cool down!!

Despite these gadgets...my younger team racers will brand me as "techno-retarded" because I don't use the $3,000 Cycle Ops watt-o-meters!

Not yet..

COMPETITIVE CYCLING GROUPS PROMISING IMPROVEMENTS FOR 2009

2009-02-15T08:34:00.012-07:00

The great thing about being over 50 is you've probably already accomplished or are content with your life goals. Your spare time is more important to you and you like to know that you control how it is spent.

When the old school NORBA organization became pretty much useless as organizers and provided no real benefits for your license fees, I said "F@&# it"...I'm 50 and don't have to deal with it. Same attitude when the regional mountain bike racing promoters showed little interest in XC racer's complaints during the 2007 season. Now I'm being positive.

USA Cycling has come full circle since the NORBA days and promises an excellent racing season in 2009. More focused membership support, useful race scene notifications and a newly structured points system are just some of the changes.

https://www.usacycling.org/news/user/story.php?id=2589

USAC membership includes discounts for almost 3 dozen sponsor companies and the opportunity to follow your race results and national rankings. Check out the link and join or support USA Cycling.

Like the USA Cycling changes, I'm confident we will see a great year racing with the folks running the Mountain States Cup Series in 2009. With venues including Fruita, Nathrop, Angel Fire,NM, Crested Butte, Sol Vista, Snowmass and Breckenridge, travel will still be a big part of the challenge but hey....sometimes half the fun is getting there!

http://racemsc.com/

Visit the upcoming season schedule and mark your calendar. Rabbit Valley is less than 8 weeks away!

Training Begins to Kick In

2009-02-06T20:08:00.005-07:00

After skipping the AM spin class Monday with Super Bowl blahs, I decided to get serious with the training program and cram everything in to Thursday.

5:30 am- 1 Hour 85-90% MHR with Kim

12:00 Noon Boulder lunch ride with close friends.

6:15pm Green Mountain night ride with Gary Peterson

Think I'll take Friday off.

Time To Get Out of the Snow Cave

2009-01-18T15:18:00.014-07:00

Saturday's 58+ degree day spurred COMOtion team members to get out of the house and start the annual Front Range ritual of hitting the open roads and bike trails of Jefferson County. Considered by most to be "base mile building", everyone enjoyed being outside with team members after tolerating holiday relatives and hectic year end travel schedules.

About a dozen racers met at the YETI factory and assembled predictably, 10 minutes later than the scheduled 11:30 am start time. Still better than some groups I ride with.

Racers from as far away as Silverthorn traveled the Eisenhower Tunnel backwards to be in the "Low Country" on a Saturday morning in January.

The group started a warmup lap running eastward along Rooney Road, south on Alameda, up and over Hogback Ridge and back on to the Hwy. 6 bike path.

Obvious was the other competing race teams we met along the ride. Feedback Sports, Adventure Racing, Vitamin Cottage and Rocky Mountain Racing jerseys were plentiful along the routes funneling to Lookout Mountain.

The peleton split at the base of Lookout for individual training goals (glucose check and feed time for me) and knocked out the year's first group ride. Even the COMOtion Team owner and grand wizard Stephen Lechner showed for the inaugural event. It's going to be a good year.

Minor Progress on Varsity Rebuild

2009-01-11T11:25:00.009-07:00

Finally got around to starting the Schwinn Varsity rebuild project. Easy part is tearing down....hope I can find the other 2 springs on the floor.

This is not XTR.

Series of springs and drive blocks engage each gear. Grease has pretty much turned to hard wax. Coupe of days soaking in Simple Green and a stiff brush should clean off the gunk.

Back to the minus Broncos play-off games.

Take time right now to renew your IMBA membership. http://www.imba.com/

2008 A Busy and Intentionally Un-productive Year

2008-12-31T18:40:00.014-07:00

Wow...'08 is gone and it's on to a new year with different goals and directions.

Flipping through the calendar:

I rode semi-serious team rides in January, visited the grandson in Dallas in February, crashed the trailer and truck on the Vail Pass skating rink on the way to training camp in March, spent our 35th wedding anniversary in Italy in April, camped at the Yeti Tribal Meeting and Elephant Rock ride in May, started the Winter Park series in June, finished my first Triple By Pass with more WP races in July, rode 5 events over every weekend in August, followed the COMotion crew through the final wins in Breckenridge and visited the old homestead in Phoenix in September, rode a 5 day Fruita to Moab MTB holiday in October, tripped out to San Andreas, CA and Oklahoma to perform family duties and scoped out winnable MTB race series in November,

and gained 6 pounds in

December while feeding visiting relatives.

Along the way, logged a total of 31 nights in the Jayco motor hotel, caught zero fish and killed nothing on hooves.

Not a bad year.

Local Cyclocross With Statewide Titles

2008-12-08T18:38:00.006-07:00

Last decent Sunday in 2008 was spent shaking cowbells and screaming at fellow COMOtion team members as they extended the racing season with cyclocross action in Boulder. The event named Colorado State Champions with our own Megan Tayor taking gold in the Cat 2 women's group.

Boulder cool guy Timmy B. shows what these tired and damaged legs will never do. The sport requires full athletic abilities including running, hurdles and upper body strength. No down hill rests. All while you pedal like hell for 45 minutes or until you drop.

Inspiring none the less. Think I'll curl the 5 pound dumbells by the fireplace tonight.

Addiction Takes Over Again....Yeti # 7

2008-11-22T17:21:00.014-07:00

The nasty economy is forcing a lot of folks to part with the unnecessary transportation to make auto payments, buy fuel and send in insurance premiums for the necessary transports. So sad. Not normally an opportunist, a recent under valued Yeti ASX showed up on Craig's list and I had to pounce on it. Call it protection of the species.
It needs a loving home.

Besides, in my efforts to remain "cool" at 53, I figured the DH community would be more accepting if I owned a 35 pound+ bike and worn baggies with my beenie. The DH weighted Mountain States Cup series will surely be more entertaining if I throw in just one SD or 4X at the ski resorts. I promise to work on my knucke bump-handskake over the winter....bro...

The first owner was basically my height and reach so nothing drastic on the fit change yet. (Don't worry Todd, don't think fit matters much on these as long as as you can hang your arse over the rear axle)

Felt OK on the way over for a haircut today. Little creaking going on standing on the bottom bracket but I think DH rigs are suppose to creak, whine, grunt and bang like a diesel.

203mm Rotors look like the daily special at IHOP!!

Great. Four years ago I lived on Avid mechanical brakes and Rockshox forks). The stable now contains Fox (favorite), Rockshox, Manitou & 5th Element boinkers and Shimano, Avid mechanical, Avid hydraulic, Avid rim and Hayes brakes. DOT 3 or mineral oil. Keep it straight!

Look at me!! I are a free-ride, down-hiller ready to "Pin-It" what ever that means.

KOKOPELLI RIDE A PLEASURE

2008-10-16T17:45:00.025-06:00

The 145 mile trek from Fruita to Moab was a ball. The group was 5 small and provided the perfect mental let down I was looking for. Our group was made up of a trio of business buddies from New Hampshire, a TV commercial director from London, England and myself.

A bloke, 3 Yankees and a redneck PERFECT!! All great guys.
Check out the almost 200 photo long slide show from the trip at:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=8njcnx5.11h4iaw5&Uy=264l53&Ux=0

Then hit your back arrow twice to finish the blog.
We were spoiled rotten all week long by 2 experienced MTBing guides from Escape Adventures Tours. Mark was a real North Dakota born cowboy-gentleman kept busy maintaining the other 4 rent-a-bike Santa Cruz Blur phillies in the bike corral.

Anne was a twenty-something power house always positive and supportive regardless what the situation was and a darn good roadside chef.

The Dave's were quickly re-named as to not cause confusion on the the trail. I was referred to as Yeti Dave for obvious reasons, while my English counterpart had to earn his name of "Bloody Dave".

David Jones is an excellent downhill, wet, rooty, single U track rider but the un-clipped adventurer on foreign soil soon learned that the loose graveled downhill road off of the Kokopelli Trailhead before the Fruita Loops has a sharp left hand turn. Results. Broken sunglasses, numerous facial bacon spots and a burning desire to prove to the group that he is not easily deterred. Still, the name "Bloody Dave" remained throughout the week long pleasure ride.

I could spend hours trying to recreate the trip but I'll just hit on a couple of highlights.. The weather cooperated marvelously up until Friday morning. Wind not rain. That's the preferred sequence. The ride through Onion Creek Trail was maxi-awesome. The late afternoon heat was tempered by periods of cool canyon wall shaded coasting and the over 20 creek crossing splashes keep us evaporation-cooled while sucking dry chain lube off the bikes. Small price.

Everyone wanted to take time for a side trip to see dinosaur tracks in the area. Very cool.

The stinker of the trip was an uninvited abscessed tooth that drained my race kit of Vicodin and caused major concern when it ruptured on Friday morning. Thanks to reassurance by in-group Dr. Bob, I held on through the weekend and am alive to file this report. New root canal scheduled for October 26. Yeah!!

As, predicted, I WOULD crash. The promise was fulfilled less than a mile from the truck and epic 145 mile finish. On an extremely technical portion of the Porcupine Rim Trail, a triple 45 degree raised plate rock section offered the obstacle. I cleared 2 out of the 3 and as one observer noted "you executed the perfect tuck and roll on the rock slab below". Thanks. Took my mind off the toothache for a while.
The 23 pound carbon Yeti ASRc performed flawlessly all week and was a real joy on the hike-a-bike-sections. XTR tubeless rims and Maxxis Crossmark tires, Stan's Sealant and 38psi tire pressure resulted in zero downtime in the land of goat heads and pinch flats.

The finale of the trip was hanging out with COMotion teammates at the grandmother of them all, the 24 Hours of Moab endurance race the following Saturday. Given my physical condition after the ride, I did good to lube a few chains and re-gas the generator at 2;30 am.

Thanks to Cris Butler, Jen and Ryan & Autumn Schultz for the accommodations and transportation on both ends of the adventure.

Check out all the Escape Adventure opportunities at http://www.escapeadventures.com/

Fall Motivator Realized

2008-09-21T18:33:00.015-06:00

Last blog left me wondering what I could do to get my mojo back.
Think I've got it! Browsing the net, I fell back to one of the trips I've always wanted to do since first visiting Moab in 2002. The Kokopelli trail from Fruita to Moab, Utah.
October 6th, I'll be leaving Grand Junction with Escape Adventures www.escapeadventures.com for the Do-B4-U-Die-140 mile Kokopelli Trail. Probably not the hardest cycling task I've endured, but it will surely be one of the most memorable and hard earned brain-draining ride in recent years. The 5 day, 4 night experience will be full of breathtaking views of the Colorado River, desert vegetation and no doubt, the beginning of a couple of long term friendships with folks who love the out-of -doors and cycling like me.
The week long sabbatical might have ended on Friday in Moab but.....what a coincidence.....The 24 Hours of Moab Endurance Race starts on Saturday. COMO buddy Chris Butler will pick me up on Friday afternoon in Moab and I'll continue the desert lifestyle wrenching and cheering fellow racers on through the dark desert night.
Hell, I might even slip in a ghost lap for some weary team member suffering from owlkeehaul poisoning!!
Training begins in the morning at 5:30am.
MOJO is back.

SEASON ENDS....WHAT TO DO NOW....

2008-09-16T19:19:00.001-06:00

The summer race wrap up is over with COMOtion Sports dealing out another 1st place win in the Mountain States Cup Championship climaxing in Breckenridge.

Although I did not contribute points to the team this year, I rallied for the the last 3 events to provide liquid courage, wrenches and support for the team. A mear 28 points separated COMO and Feedback Sports after the Sunday finale. Good jobs guys and gals.

The Winter Park Series ended for me with a tie for 6th place in the over 50 Expert class. I'll have to remember '08 as the year of last places and just trying to finish. See the final tally at
http://www.epicsingletrack.com/default.asp?page=/Results2008/Points/M2F.html

Maybe a trip to Moab or an epic Colorado Trail weekend will wake me up and get me in gear again.

Tour de Cure Efforts Rewarded

2008-08-27T20:42:00.000-06:00

The time spent begging and efforts expended preparing for the American Diabetes Association's 2008 Tour de Cure was well worth it. Many of my best friends and supporters chipped in to let me exceed my fund-raising goal of $750. They contributed a total of $850 to diabetes research in my name. Thank you guys...you're great!!

Chris Butler

Josh Strouse

Stacey Dominguez
Doug Dupuie

Andy Gordon
Gary and Meg Littlepage
Zach Littlepage
Anonymous
Gary Petersen
Cal Rickard
Doug Roberts & Family
Cindy Routon
Boni Sandoval
Teresa Strouse
Bethany and Chris Wilson

Terry and Kathy Wilson

Camping at the Boulder County Fairgrounds was an experience in it's self. Between mooing cattle, barking dogs, whinnying horses, and a motorcycle short track race 200 yards away, sleeping was a challenge.

Having breakfast and a post ride shower 150 yards from the Start/Finish line was nice and worth the minor irritations.

Time to get ready for this Saturday's Winter Park Series finale..Tipperary Creek race. Profile hurts just looking at it. UGHHH...

WHY YOU LOVE COLORADO !!

2008-08-16T11:03:00.000-06:00

August 16th and snow atop Mary Jane....Raining cats and dogs in Broomfield. No racing today. Postponed date of next Saturday's not going to work either.....Last chance sounds like Tipperary Creek course August 30th. Wonder if there's a spin class today.

Summer Race Wrap Up Can Begin Now..Grandpa's Done

2008-08-09T19:23:00.000-06:00

Weiner power provided by Cinnamon and Sugar help Kaitlyn, 5 , negotiate uphills at

Garden of The Gods Campground.

Last 2 weeks have been consumed doing the annual "grandpa" thing entertaining 3 granddaughters and 1 inseparable cousin.
Yea it's been fun spending money at all the Colorado Springs tourist traps and time with the kids in the woods. BUT...serious training and race prep became non-existent at a time when we need to accumulate as many Winter Park Series points as possible.

Bailing on the August 2nd Crankworks XC dropped my standing from second to fourth. With only two races remaining and 2 drops to deduct, I'm thinking that finishing last in 5 of 7 events is not worthy of an end of series podium stand even if the numbers remain weird.

Not totally off the bikes, Tori, Baley and I tore up the trails behind Peaceful Valley Campground and had fun watching an un-named riders get dunked in the mud boggs like a chocolate covered Dairy Queen cone.

August 16th brings the 6th Winter Park XC Loop followed by the long awaited Tour de Cure century ride on the 23rd

http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR?pg=personal&fr_id=5190&px=4233240 and then the August 30th King of the Rockies series finale. Better do a ton of work during the weekdays just to guarantee a finish of the remining trio of calendar commitments.

Shyala accepts congratulation on a

NO-CRASH week in Colorado Springs

Double Duty Weekends Good for the Cycling Soul

2008-07-21T20:35:00.000-06:00

The 2008 Triple Bypass was not what I would call a piece of cake but it was very manageable utilizing one of my only two cycling skills. Pacing myself. (the other one would be the tried and true tuck-n-roll over the handlebars without breaking bones maneuver). Weather was perfect, wind manageable and no need for the rain gear.

The roughest part of the ride was the 7:00am Squaw Peak descent through the frigid, bumpy turns of Hwy 103 leading into Idaho Springs past the Mt. Evans turnoff. No feeling in the fingers, wrists, arms and shoulders were numb after about 30 minutes of tense squeeze time.. PLEASE don't do that speed wobble thing...No real good place to pull off and surely this will be over soon!

The rest of the cruise was a short but noisy trek after Silver Plume up I-70 to the Loveland Ski Area rest stop, a steady crank-crank up and over Loveland Pass, enjoyable descent past Arapahoe and Keystone ski resorts and on into Dillion and Frisco.

Then the -you've-seen-it-from-the-interstate paved bike trail ride through Copper and the final climb up Vail Pass. I don't believe this is the steepest part of the ride, but by now, the 6:00am start, 90 miles in the saddle and distaste for rest stop give-away food is starting to wear.

Still another 30 miles down the scenic south backside, through Vail complete with an escort by their Saab mounted police snobs then on into Avon where the really cool cops stopped all vehicle traffic to let cyclist swoop through the round-a-bouts like Lance through the Champs-Élysées.

Nearly 10 hours from start to finish with 81/2 hours pedaling time confirmed by both the Yeti Road Project's Flight Deck and Garmin GPS. --Total mileage 119.7 miles, 14.3 average MPH and a max descent speed of 41.2 MPH. Check the Triple Bypass off the Bucket List. Thanks Team Evergreen!

Following weekend was just as memorable with dual races at Winter Park. Saturday's XC was the typical "I hate this f%$^&%$@$%ing start road, watch the pelleton disappear and then enjoy a 10% above my head ride through the single track and mountain roads to the Frasier campground finish. Yep dead last again. Still a lot of fun no mechanicals only one near disaster off the surprising creek to your right and small wooden bridge hairpin. Talkative cruise back to the base and maybe I'll win a door prize.

The hoot of the weekend wound up being the first ever Winter Park Super Downhill race on Sunday. COMotion teammate Gary Peterson wound up sharing accomodations Saturday night and talking me into a pre-ride which I would normally blow off. Your going down hill right?

We both did it and were giggling like freshmen girls at the base. What fun. The bike choice was critical here. Some showed up with full blown 40+ pounder DH rigs, most were straddling "all mountain 6-7"travel bikes.

My not-thinking clear Craig's List effort to come up with an ASX Friday night did not pan out so I plucked the 2002 ASR from the wall and started rebuilding an abused Rock Shox Psylo 125mm fork for the umpteenth time. Thank god Fox has stepped in as the premiere MTB fork supplier. But for the night, the Psylo would have to do. Where's those rebuild kits?

60+ Competitors Gary Peterson and

Pete Rockwood..both good friends of mine and cycling competitors finished 1 & 2 all weekend long.

Here's how the numbers go.

I've competed in 4 of 4- 50+ Expert races this year. I've finished dead last every race.

Check out who's #2 in the Series ranking below. Quick, it will all dissapear with my miss next race and when we start dropping points.

http://www.epicsingletrack.com/default.asp?page=/Results2008/Points/M2F.html

DAMN I'M HAVING FUN!!

Triple By-Pass .......Next Hurdle

2008-07-07T19:35:00.000-06:00

While the Winter Park results have been disappointing,

TOP 1 REASON this week...I SUCK!!

I used the 4 day long holiday weekend to spend some big time on the Road Project preparing for the 10,000 ft. plus Triple By-Pass ride sponsored by Team Evergreen http://www.teamevergreen.org/.

Having missed out on the 3,500 rider capped registration deadline, I did as all PC savvy users do and answered a Craig's List posting offering the missed opportunity for $125 including an XL jersey and coveted armband. Might benefit the MTB performance or kill me.

Thursday's 7 hour ride included a Broomfield start, on to Lefthand Canyon, up to Ward, burger and beer atop Hwy 74, long descent into Lyons, back to Hwy 36, Niwot, Erie, Louisville and back to B'field for 105 miles and a ridiculous number of vertical feet climbing. I won't repeat the Garmin report until some other confirmation.

After 48 hours recovery, Sunday's ride was a moderate sprint up to Boulder, on up to circle the Flagstaff mountain amphitheater, wicked descent behind a slow Hummer H2, over to 3 bike shops hunting down hydraulic hose parts and back up South Boulder Road for 53 miles and 4K vert gain. Charlie and I will do Mt. Falcon/Lair O'the Bear jaunt Tuesday and I'm ready for a 6:00am start Saturday in Evergreen.

The TBP will celebrate 20 years on the 12th and I'm glad to be a part of it.
Read about how it went here or in my obituary next week.

ASRc Comes in Small Package

2008-06-23T22:05:00.003-06:00

Friday I stop in to see the Bubster at Yeti and pick up my new Optic Nerve team glasses. After a couple of minutes of "cardboard alley" games, we stroll back through the racks of Yeti frames and stop at a single team turquoise ASRc hanging like a diamond necklace. "Any word on when my medium will be in? Nope.

I had previously solicited the team's bike fit guru Todd Carver to review my dimensions from the ARCx and Road Project data and make a size recommendation for the new '08 carbon racer. NO doubt , you need a medium. According to the Yeti height stats I was right at the top of the small and bottom of the medium chart.

Like an 8 year old on Christmas eve, I really was tired of waiting and made a quick call and plead to Todd to help me make the small frame fit. He agreed and Bubba started writing. Quick trip to the LBS for a 120mm stem and I was ready to get started.

Leaving an extra measure of cables, hoses and steerer length, I christened the beast Tuesday at Mt. Falcon complete with a waterbar dismount. The bike felt good going up and great coming down.

The next day Todd fine tuned the seatmast length by discarding the 10mm spacer, flipped the stem over, shuffled some fork tube spacers and rotated the bars and controls. A huge improvement in comfort, weight distribution and getting the legs squarely over the pedals.

I always have fun building a bike and try to capture the delightful task with a few funky photos. take a look at: http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=8njcnx5.17nzziwh&x=0&y=-qkh1i5&localeid=en_US

Remove excuse #12 from the list.