LEADVILLE 100 Lance out, Floyd questionable.

Red Bull Skyride 2007

Red Bull is back in the Saint Paul Skyways for a mountain bike thingy in 2007. Just sent my application in. Last year was a blast. I hope there are more challenges this year. Like bring all three logs from Mammoth in. That would be cool!! Not sure what Red Bull is looking for this year, bring it on....

4hr beatdown & boarding

Holiday was real good, activities good too. X-mas eve hooked up w/Mike & Jeff for an LCR beatdown. I was the beat'eee. River Bottoms Minnehaha to Bloomington Ferry & back. Over 4 hours of mixed snow, ice & trail fun w/full studs. I didn't fuel properly and soft from last months ordeal, oh well. Who cares, the 4+hrs on bike was fantastic. Love biking!!!!! Saturday went skiing & boarding w/kids, future rippers yo. Alta snowboarded but got angry cause I wouldn't let her on chairlift straight away(should have brought her ski's). Later Duncan & Leo we're caught on video, I talked Alta into getting in video, below is result.

Who Uses A Bike Trainer

I can't stand the trainer. Haven't been on one more than 1 minute. Duncan gave me a hard time, so I set it up for him per request. When he's done with homework, and band stuff, he pedals and zones out on TV. So far three times. Kids got it good don't ya think?

Floyd, Armstrong, Technorati

Ok, now word is Leadville 100 race directors confirmed Armstrong AND Floyd are both doing the race. I booked my hotel right after the race last year, eager to do it again in 07'. I hope the general feel of the race doesn't change. I have a feeling Merilee and Ken will ensure things remain status quo as much as possible. For more on Leadville google it or go to UltraRob's site. Yeah, I added more training and Ultra Rob links on the side bar. Ultra Rob has a good site with a mix of activities, info. Technorati, that's interesting.

Roadie Marshmellow Dead Frame Crack Training

RECOVERY. Recovering with great progress, most concerns are past. Even after the big black, blue and swollen kahuna's (week 1)....sleeping and getting into a car was still an issue(week2), now all symptoms are almost gone. It's itchy and then there's the finger they sewed in by mistake. Seriously, it looks like a pinky finger was sewn into me. Incision line will be hard & protruded...how was I suppose to know that's normal. Doc wasn't sure how much riding was ok as he put it, "most patents don't ride 10 minutes let alone 2-3 hours, ummmmn , your on the way fitter side of the spectrum, not sure...." So I'm gonna go ride, more on that in a bit. SPONSORSHIP and BROKEN FRAME. Yep, cracked my hardtail the night before surgery at Leb. No impact or crash, just downtube failure. It was more than a hull breach, see pic!! It's all good as the plan includes a 29'er. Yep, 29'er MTB in 07'. At least SS wise. In a crazed drugged up recovery fit of concern, sent off sports resume to 4 bike companies. I threw it together on a whim in 20 minutes. One reply already, "we can offer you a grassroots program, just tell us what you want and then..." Anyway, I'm not sharing with who yet as there's a plan in the works (right P.K.!!). Plus I'll go with one and not abuse the system. No matter what, LCR team stays. Hint...looking at aluminum & scandium 29'ers like.....Voodoo Aizan scandium, On-One scandium, Kona Kula scandium, and Misfit Psycles aluminum. All nice, geometry varies, but will wing it with fork shown in pic. If headtube angle ends up off I may go with 3.3lbs 85mm Reba shock or WhiteBro. Who knows. Oh check out these homey pics.... American Classic ti BB 148gr. On-One carbon ridgid 29er 908gr. TRAINING. As I sit and ponder whether my belly is more like a marshmellow or a waterballon with stitches, thinking bout' training comes easy. Doctor basically says, "I don't know, start base and stop if it hurts." Base training starts today. My development plan is simple. Follow what worked in 2007 but start cycle sooner, incorporate gym leg work and ride a real road bike to work, alot. Road bike and gym work are new for me. The result will be earlier power, endurance and allow second build cycle in 07' (two peaks). The plan includes building endurance on mixed bikes again, gym work, then seated force training and finally more road rides to work with excursions to lengthen M.E. ride times. VO2 is the unknown, will it come around as soon as I want? With PE, race and ride detail data from last year an inward timing shift of periodizational stair step'n is map-able. Last year I didn't get sick or over train and will be caureful not to overdo it. Oh, I'll use menu items more as last year intervals we're loosley incorporated. Race schedule: more buck, more hillside, more out of state, less mnscs and a few epics. On the topic of training, I put a few favorite web links on the blog sidebar. What else, Chuck at Behind Bars bike shop took care of my used roadie. He was able to get out the rusted bottom bracket (overnight acid dunk) and fix up loose ends. Behind Bars bike shop is da bomb! Rode today with my Dad and Todd B. About 2 hours of cruzin. Wow, it's been 16 days off the bike til today...really missed riding......beer taste way better after riding! Bah ha!!! *..-_** Minnesota winter tire choices **-*-.**.

Operation, Owie-Zowie, Pass Out, Back-Up, Ice-On

Who cares! Dec 8th update...what's this about? Hernia op. Dec 1, since May/June had the hereditary pop-out thing in my bell'aay. We'll had the operation, recovering fine now. The title shares some 9-1-1 post op fun. Won't go into it. Anyway, can't ride yet and hate'n it. This weather stinks too, not fair u can ride & I can't...tat always bothers me. Call me stitch!

R0ad bike, whatz dat????

After 20 years without, I finally own my own. I hope it won't make me slower in 2007!!!!!!!

Misfit Psycles & Hat Tricks

Peter from Misfit Psycles came down from Ontario and the locals obliged, we showed him a few trails in record time. The single speed bikes ruled of course. He says he can't but Peter rides just fine. Three trail rides in 18 hours. So nice when things work out. Leb, Theo & Mammoth all ridden between 5pm and 11am. Theo was supertacky, rail fast! You could do no wrong. Otherwise trails we're typical good times. After the Theo ride Eric, Miller, Peter and I swilled crappy beer and ate swell pizza at the local vfw hole. Oh, the trick, me doing a full on tree hug after an log olle. A few marks are gonna stay all good, ride-on.

Mammoth Night w-Duncan

Duncan and I had a great time at Mammoth tonight. Video's of the Ride(good), LOD1(crappy) & LOD2(crappy). Duncan's three quotes/tales of the night: 1. As we trail talked, "This is good technical stuff for me, unlike silly little log piles." 2. Me checking back on him after a section, "did ya get it clean?" "No" "Did you put a foot down?" "No" "Then you got it clean?" "Not really" "So did you put a hand down!?!" "No I was just wobbly" "Then you we're clean cause no foot down" "I got it clean!!!" The rest of the night...I heard, "Clean" "got it Clean"...that a boy! 3. As we saw very interesting projects, after Log of Death 1 he said, "That's the deadest log of them all" I laughed for a long time...

Season Race Summary

Here's a recap of 2006 racing goals with results. It may seem bit braggish however it's my personal family race diary & a learning tool. So here goes. My goals this year we're: Goal: Road training earlier build solid base: done, started in January and stayed at it. Goal: More F training, include SS: SS on road after base gave great force ability, SS on dirt is so fun!! Raced SS alot. Goal: Do not overtrain/avoid getting hurt, have fun: had a ball, did not overtrain or get sick, however I did race a little soon after Leadville, not good mentally or recovery wise(learning)... I did get a hernia in May/June.....hereditary, not sure if bike related. Raced all season with it, op Dec 1. Fun, are you kidding, it was blast, Levis, Rock Lake, Leadville, all the racing! Goal: Support family balance, and them to enjoy racing: Duncan, 17 races, 15 podiums and 5 wins, 2nd overall mnscs age. Amy got hurt but recovered and met season goals finishing 2 races and 1 podium Alta broke leg and couldn't race this year! Leo got a great taste and wants to race more. I'm still happily married, I call it a family balance success story. Goal: Figure out fuel rel. to Leadville: I know my fuel needs, happy w/knowlegde gains. No cramps at Leadville. Goal: MNSCS Comp class, some top 5 overalls, top 3 age series:

24 races(8 mnscs), 11 podiums(6mnscs, 3hillside, 2buck), 6 age wins, 1 overall ages win (Kato Comp Class), 2 3rd place overall ages (Red Wing/DuLac Comp class), 1st place Comp overall MNSCS age group

Goal: Leadville 100(dream 9hrs, realistic finish, expected 10hrs): 9hrs 44minutes, very happy, next year sub 9 Goal: Afton solo (top 3 result): abandon goal, too close to Leadville Goal: Race more this year, race Buck races for fun : 24 races, raced Buck 9 times(one Rec Men win and a sweet top 10 Expert result) Ride on Duncan!!!

Levis Trow Weekend

(VIDEO click-it) October 21-22 with LCR, Farm, Riccoh team. MORC was there too. My first time there. Coolest trail around here for scenery and variety no doubt. Really nice. I took off Friday night at 9:45pm, got there at 12:20am. I went without a geary bike, went single speed only!!! DARN-IT!!! It was a little much for 32x17, and a little much for 32x18 too. I think 32x19 or 20 would be a good non-race gearing. "Lot's of climbing" is a true statement. Just let me say SS was ok Saturday am w/MORC out to Goat Dance. It was do-able with LCR gang mid-day up toad road. For the night ride to Goat again and Sidwinder I switched to 18. However, by Sunday after a few hours I was really slowing. Oh well. So in conclusion SS is A'ok out to Goat Dance once but the second time, and after multiple rides, it was harder. On the fourth 2 hour plus ride in two days it was pretty brutal. Oh well. I kept up and had a great time. The party, camping, campfire, food, cool weather and riding was absolutley fab. It's been a long time since I had such a good camping trip. It's my best non-race bike trip by far. I included a few pictures of Sidewinder. It was an easier than other edgy rides there. Some other edgy rides has rock hops, stair like and crack features to deal with. Really nice!

Mad Weenie

My secret int'l agent dealer dude maan scored these for me, regardless, I best stay in grad school to support my sickness. 100gr - near 1/4 lbs poof, gone, off da bike(brake levers). When your not sponsored you build your bikes part by loving part. Signed mad wt. weenie..... ba ha hah...

Here's another issue. I promise to not buy this year....

Night Up

Another fine Hillside race and after ride fire last night. Single speed again. The first road section was, well, talk about spin out! Went into woods 4th, a few seconds off everyone else. Caught the 2nd - 3rd pl guys then 2nd fell, both let me by. The rest of the course goes fine on ss (32x17). One section adjacent to front lot, the section with lots of hills, kinda makes ya suffer. Otherwise all good, quite nice on a SS. 2nd in expert (of 4), 2nd out of all (maybe 15 peeps.) Who cares. The fire, beer, laughs and pizza was a gas. Darn, wish there we're more this year. Levi's here I come!!

Stealth Night Race!

Hillside, SS 32x17. 2nd in expert, 15 secs off Tom Miller. Night riding, & racing at night is the coolest!! Roots, rocks & sticks were hidden by leaves and light shadows. The rain earlier left plenty of moisture. It was slip slidding motor'n fun. I was yelling, hoot'n and a hollerin, did ya hear me?? Stealth, ha ha ha.

Seasonal Stress

Ok, yesterday I couldn't ride. As I carpooled kids to b-day party's did domestic chores etc, I scorned at every rider out enjoying!! I was mad at everyone on a bike, any bike, any person. How dare they be so happy like that...I wasn't. With revenge this am, biked to work, 13:28 theo lap too. I'm already having nightmares about summer biking ending...had a dream Sat. night my crank arm stripped when I overtightended pedal...these nightmares will last until my first epic powder dream, happens every year. I'll plan winter trip after 1st pow pow huck fest dream occurs.

Misfit Psycles SS Love

Love my SS Misfit Psycles , it re-kindled the fun at Theo Monday night. I forgot how cool night riding is too!!! After Leadville & Comp Class all year, the SS in ripp'n good. Did Mammoth this am w/Eric, SS 32x17. Love da Misfit Psycles , so smooth & light feeling compared to the scalpel. Even though it's a hard tail, it's ripping smooth to pedal. If you have a SS you know what I mean. The Misfit frames are getting good reviews on mtbr for the 29'er coming out, I like Peter the owner too, he's treated me well and a nice kook. Ok I'm on the plug Misfit topic so I'll keep going. I've used my SS at Buck & many rides this year. It's near 21lbs with the light wheelset / discs on, it's bomber. Can't say enought good things about the feel, geom & performance. Will be racing hillside Tuesday night on it. Later, going riding again this afternoon w/my Dad & boy Dunc.

New to Hillside

Last night I raced Hillside. It was my first time there. The course is Buck Hill like and fast. The sand holes, sticks and debris on trail made it mayham. I was sliding all over for a bit. Then I got my act together. Loved it. Other than the road sections its a SS course for sure (more on SS in a bit). The experts went out in two waves. Tom Miller, Luke Nelson and others we're in my wave. The first section was about a 1/3 mile road out and back to start line, then into woods. I took off and noticed myself and Luke in front. For a second I think he wanted me to lead, no way. Ha in that split second I had a strategy, follow at the start. Me with a strategy, ha ha ha. It ended up Luke, Tom and I racing for the gate turn around. I was on Tom's wheel with little effort was able to hang on, drafting. At the turn around Luke (1st) asked if this was the turn around. The whole wave was there by now and we all skidded, 180'ed and headed back. It was me and some other guy heading back first. I was leading and not happy about it. Then Tom reved up, I tried to pre-gas to enable hang on but he had it gunned before I could respond. I never caught him, I tried! As Tom and I headed for the start line woods entry Tom got into a head-on. Seriously, we we're going 20 easy and little did we know, the sport guys we're heading right at us. We couldn't see them until on the corner. BAM. I saw Tom fan tail out and Clayton (on-coming) go OTB. It was car crash crunch sounds, tire pop'n air fizzzzzlin out w/peeps on the ground type sceene. All riders we're deer in headlights with jaws a hanging open. Freak'n crazy high speed head-on. It looked like every one was ok, so I started pedaling again. Tom was just getting back on his bike and chased. Luke was in third. dang Charlie Brown. I lead for a half lap with many trailing close enough I could see'em on switchbacks (hearing them coming too). Fun stuff. Soon enough Luke and Tom passed. I couldn't hold on. The rest of the race (for a lap and a half) I held off a sqeaky brake, super tall guy on a SS. Yeah, every time I gapped him he came back!! Just me and him racing for third. Great race, he was on me the whole time, finally near the end I passed many sport riders and really pounded hard. Third in the wave was mine. It wasn't until the final awards did I find out my wave third was good enough for third overall. Wahoo. Side notes: it's been 5 weeks since Leadville 100, last night was the first time I could push AND then felt sore/worked afterward. I drained my deep reserves, it was a feeling I haven't had since early season races. I think that means I've weakened over the last 5 lazy weeks, and/or finally recovered and/or ready to build again. Transition over....we'll too bad, not building anymore, season almost over, it's just fun now. Hernia op Dec 1. Looking forward to mammoth joy rides, night races and murphy? Not doing St. Cloud. C-YA

Chequamegon

Great time at Chawmie. I didn't race cause last year I met my goal, still say'n all done with dat der race eh. After 6 years in Cheq fest I'm all about new venue's. It was fun to scream, cheer and yell at my mnscs competitors and family racers. My pop's did the 16 mi. He did great, 11th of 28 in his age, 1hr 28min. He's 65. He has stories of being passed by teenagers on the downhills then smok'n them on the up's. Great job pop's!

Amy and friend Teel did the 16 mile. They both finished and had a swell time. I named the team 146 candles, my Dad said it shoulda been 147. Idon't think Amy knows I did that name thang. Duncan was bummed he wasn't old enough to race. He says he's doing the 40 with me next year on tandem. What, uh huh, sure my little dozen candles boy. "we'll see" . Me and the kids camped and drank our favorite beverages, at the appropriate times of course, ha! We caused trouble at the KOA. Next year we stay at the LCR, Ricco lake side camp. Can you spot Little Leo by Grandpa's bike? Other two kiddo's? click da pic Sunday after barking instructions to Amy how-to pop-down the pop-up, I left for Rock Lake. It was drizzling, rocks & sceene were CO like, w/o climbs. Super trail. I raced through outer loop, w/new loop in about 1 hour. Later...

MNSCS#9 Maplelag

First off just let me say, Maplelag is a blast. The job Jay and the Maplelag family do is awesome. The resort makes everyone feel welcome. The main lodge, fire pit, lake, country setting, home cook'n and all make it easy going and just plain fun. Dogs, cats, kids, adults, and other critters all have huge smiles on their faces all the time. We did the pop-up camper for all 5 of us. It was a weekend to be part of, Jeff Hall, Brendan, da Swanson's, Justin, Fisher, Jenna and all the fast folks we're there. The stage races we're great fun to watch. The TT was about three miles and fast. I went red line the whole time and placed 6th in comp. Maybe I should only red line on the hills. I never caught my breath! The short track was very painful for me(mental awakening). It was small lap with many slippery turns and a 40ft steep sprint up climb thingy. I led the comp class out of the gate but after a few laps was near last place!! Honestly I should have been dead last but two guys forgot to do the last lap, once they realized it, it was too late they couldn't catch me. Hmmm, time to buy a road bike? Still, I guess I'm "not baaaack" or I just stink at ST. Perhaps I used it all up on Tuesday when I was "Baaack". Oh well, it was fun to watch the experts on the short track. Doug led then gave it up to Jeff hall, in the end, Doug took it over Jeff in last lap. XC race, I go out too fast!!!!!! I'm old, I should save it. A pre-ride would have been smart here...some strategy, hello!!! The main XC race was typical Maplelag. Toughest course in the series, it's about 9 miles long now. Comp did 1.5, expert did 2 laps. Yup, tougher than Afton and Duluth for technical. Hill climbs not the hardest, but the non-stop roots, steep ups and downs kill ya alot more than a simple uphill grind. I led out the comp race hoping to stay strong until the first single track(earlier at Mankato & Dulac, I let others lead out, how quickly I forget my learnings... maybe...confused on strategy here..!!). I knew it was a good mile or so but, I can't seem to ease up out of the gate...so I went for it. For a while no one challenged, then little Scottie B from Canada flew by. He's the ka-nuck that kicked my butt last year in sport. Both he(15yrs) and his dad(53yrs) cleaned house in this year in comp. So I let jr canadian go by then later Jenna, then Tom, Wallace and Petoir all before first hill (pre-riders!). I held fast onto Jenna, she's been my target ever since I kept ahead of her at one (1) Buck race. She just got back from Worlds, placed 12th. Anyway we hit suicide hill and I hoped to gain back top 3 position but everyone was standing and cranking!! Nice. I followed and held my spot behind Jenna. 6th. Soon enough in the woods I went past her as she went down and out, dnf, too bad. She said she was ok, but...kinda bummed me out. The rest of the race went, I held on for 7th overall, 4th in old guys 40+. The 1st place OA was the 15yr old cdn, 2nd OA 53 yr old cnd pops, then three 40+s, a 30+, then me. The course was very rooty, wet, mucky in spots and full of pain. Hardest mnscs course no doubt. I have all kinds of excuses. Like about 20, some legit, but excuses make ya weak, so I won't dwell. Yet I'll stick with one....my year ended a few weeks ago at Leadville. What ever huh? Not complaining, every race has been fab and fun!! Love mtb. Anyway, this race sealed the deal. I won my mnscs comp class overall for the year!! My goal was top three age with a few top 5 OA finishes, I superceeded. yehaw! Duncan had the best race of the year being only a few minutes off Shea instead of 10. Duncan actually beat mom. That's right mom raced citizen!! She did great. This was her first attempt since the dulac shoulder injury incident. Mom will race Cheq 16 with my Dad in few weeks. I can't wait to see them enjoy those hills. I'm not racing, just enjoying the scene with kids. I also look forward to riding the local non-cheq trails for the first time. Last note on Maplelag, the dirt jumping on Sunday afternoon was rad. Duncan was clearing the gap jump. The Canada boys we're ripp'n it up doing no foot one handers! Most Maplelag pics and vids avail are below, check my previous blog posts for other race video's. Chow! My Maplelag cit Start Video My Maplelag kids Start Video My Maplelag Pictures " Laddies Loppet "Skinnyski.com Pics Dirt Jump Rich's Pics XC pics Dann'a Pics Adam's Grizzlyadam pics

Red Line Again (Finally!!)

I'm baaaack. Today I got on my new old best friend. My Single. Road to work. Road around lakes and home after work. The single is set at 38 x 14. It's been a while but this AM I noticed power coming back. This afternoon the pain soon disapeared, then bam!!! I got a read. I had everything, power, long intervals at high HR, endless speed/rpms, huge sustainability at mph, it was the best I felt since Mankato. If it was race day it would be performance galore. I may have finally worked out the Lead. The feeling of racing again was sweet. I wanted to ride all night....but couldn't, Maplelag is this weekend. Pumped!!

Road to Gumer's

This weekend we we're invited to Gumer's cabin. It's out there past Buffalo. Anyway Amy and the kid's we're driving and 7 of us biked. 3rd ride since Leadville....I borrowed my Dad's road bike again, that makes 6 times on a road bike this year!! I must say, it's still a scary thing....skinny tires, cars, riding so close to each other and all. It was a nice ride. 67 miles in just under 3.5hrs. We averaged 19.1 miles an hour. Basically Ned and then Zab led the whole way. Ned for 20 then Zab for about 50 straight. Seriously. These guys are strong. To lead at that speed for that long.... I felt ok, my HR was below normal mtb road efforts, however I still feel Leadville(Aug.12th). It's either Leadville or the OTB at Spirit or both. I have a bruise or recovery going on, I hope it heals before Maplelag. The cabin was a blast. We surfed behind a boat, wake boarded and jet skied. Little Leo got up and going on water skiis. Maan that was cool. I shrimpy little 7 year old going across the water on skiis!! Alta went tubing and Duncan did the water fun too. Typical cabin stuff I suppose, lot's of fun. Oh, I must mention that I was woken up by Gumer asking for help to get a hook out of a huge muske's mouth. Yeah, this thing was 4ft long and 30+ lbs, not kidding!! Story for another day...

MNSCS#8 Powder

Not a bad race day considering lacking performance. Let's look at the bright side, a week prior I did Leadville 100. My goal this week was to finish for series points enabling one extra race for dnf surprise. Mission accomplished. My race was nice and hard. Not cause I was Leadville beat but it was just a tough course. I liked it. Off the start I followed Thornquest up. By 3/4 mark up the first hill I started to fade...already!! Tyler then Bart, and Cory and another all passed me. Before the woods I was able to pass all but Thorn, Bart and Tyler. That left me in 4th. Thornquest dropped a chain or something and dnf'ed, Afton deja-vu... Anyway, I chased Bart and Tyler in 3rd with Joel behind me. Joel followed close and eventually was able to go by. Mike caught me by mid-lap as I faded more. Mike passed and the rest was history. I held onto 5th until the end of lap one. Cory caught and passed me on the service road. I was able to pass him before the top of the hill (above start), then we cat and moused all of lap two. Once I went OTB good when my bars caught a tree. An off day for me no doubt. Jeff (LCR) team mate was bridging the gap too. My last hurrah came on the 4 wheeler paths. It was Cory, Myself and Jeff in 5th, 6th and 7th OA. We caught Hollywood and another Hollywood rider. We we're going fast but I could take'em before the tight woodsy downhills. So I hammered on and yelled on your left three times. I passed Cory, Holywood and the other Hollywood guy. Cory and Jeff chased. We dusted Hollywood, later he dnf'ed instead of finishing the expert last lap, pattern? The last climb up was too much for my lead legs. Cory and Jeff went on to finish at pace, I bid them well. 7th for me. 1st in 40+ age, good enough. Jeff did a good job of taking Cory for 5th overall & 4th in 30-39age. Duncan's race started off ok but by lap two he was pushing his bike up the complete entry hill. He said he overestimated the 1st lap speed. I think summer break and our 2 1/2 week vacation caught up to him. I ran up and asked if he wanted to quit, cause he could, he still said no!! Then he got bit by a huge bumble bee in the woods. I found this out when I got worried and tracked him down in the woods. He was off the bike not happy. I cheered him back on the bike and again he decided to finish.....that's the good news, he kept going. Last place all around for him, oh well. Way to finish D!! I have Video's & photo's below, also check Skinny Ski website other photo's. Powder Mnkey Photo's Citzen Start VIDEO SS start VIDEO 30-39 sport start VIDIEO Women Sport Start VIDEO Horner Crew Water Bottle Hand-Off VIDEO Rich Race Wheelie VIDEO

Why I don't own a road bike yet..

temptation to compete for the big rasberry..

Leadville 100 Mtn Bike Story 2006

Here's my road to 2006 Leadville 100 and race day story(2007 story here). It's a personal recollection for future use, if you stumbled on this, it's your fault. Read at your own risk of boredom. Warning, I tend to geek. P.S. if your looking for start video it's in the next post below...here's the video link to make it easy.. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6643894786836444867 January 2006, Train On: Where to start. I started training in January for comp class races and the Leadville 100. The local Chequamegon 40mi race beat me 5 years, then in 2005 I finally broke the 3 hr mark (2hrs 37m) and I'm done. Leadville was/is the new yearly carrot, perhaps Durango 100 next. In 2005 I finally started training on the road with a mtn bike, slick tires. This gave me the base endurance to win the sport divison for my age and meet my Cheq 40 goals. This year I began training earlier, tracking all activity on a speadsheet again. I don't own a gym membership and don't lift. In 2005 also found Joel Friel's training bible and incorpated PE, my mass, and volume periods etc. I track everything in excel via charts, tables and comments. This has worked to my advantage as I'm winning my age in comp class, I've won one comp race overall and placed 3rd overall twice. Data tracking helps me trend right and learn. As mentioned an early base enabled big growth this year. Specifically, I began building up to longer rides with semi intervals included. I say intervals because at times on long rides, if I felt good, at times I'd push it. Mainly I focused on building up to 6 hrs non-stop (8spd) and force training on SS (road and dirt). This year I borrowed my Dad's road bike and did my first century race in April. I can clear lactate. I've done as many local MTB races as possible to incease LT & VO2. I learned alot more this year about F, E, ME and FUEL. I got my Fuel and Hydration needs down before Leadville!! One more point in the category of training. I read every single article and post on topic of Leadville. I printed topo's and course maps then posted in my work cube. The only surprises left were weather of the day, physical performance perceptions and pace. The Week Before Race Day: Family vacation in Sandpoint Idaho. Spent a week chasing kids, beers and rest. Basically drank a six a night, ate lots of food and played at the beach. Oh yeah, did 4 rides all over 2 hours in the foothills around town. Low elevation stuff 2k-4k el. just because that's all that was near by, no acclimation. Last long ride was Tuesday before race day. Last booze day was Wednesday night. Packed and planned my luggage Thursday am. I had my crew, fuel and inventory plan completed weeks prior. The Day Before: Flew to Denver Thursday. Slept in Denver Thursday night then Leadville Friday & Saturday. Ate normal Thursday. Ate normal light Friday. No carb load, that's stupid. My liver and muscles are topped off from the last post ride fuel. No need for extra weight!! Went over crew "to-do's" Friday night with my pops. I created a list of questions he would ask at each station and supplies to hand off. The Morning Of: Alarm at 4:00am. Walked around near start line and hotel until 4:30am. What, nobody's up 2 hrs before gun? What a weird race. Other big races people we're up early. I put my bike down in first row behind preferred starters. Next year the preferred is mine :). I wore a long sleeve light poly under a jersey. A fleece hat, regular gloves and regular race shorts. No jacket or vest for racing, it was 40 degrees at 6:30am. I carried a rain jacket the whole race except when I needed it, ha ha. I did wear a winter hat & jacket until 5 min before start, then handed to pops(crew). The Gun: Bang. I quickly found outside lanes to move up and competent riders were all around me, whew. However, the escort controlled speed sucked(I suppose for the greater good). 15 mph, sometimes faster or slower. I don't carry a speedo but the off and on again lead foot was disturbing. Soooo glad I was near 50-100th instead of 200-300th++. The first 3 miles are paved downhill torward Turquise lake, then dirt road by cows and fields. To Mile 25: Ok, race on!! It's cold, but not bad. The cows are grazing and the pace is brisk. My heart rate was 85% of max but I was breathing like the 40yr old Minnesotian I am. I maintained at 155bpm. Soon the rolling flats turned to up. We we're on our way up torward Haggerman pass. this section went from 9.6k to about 10.8k. It was steep in spots, granny gear was used and nobody was in my way walking. I can see where being 300th would cause traffic issue. The downhill after topping out was a three mile paved road. It was crazy fast, seriously. After the huge downhill, a paved climb, then around the lake torward Sugarloaf. Jason caught me just before the downhill section and said, "let's catch the tandem and draft", we passed them at the bottom of huge hill. By the way Jason flatted twice and and had major chain suck, even so his time was only 10 minutes off mine even with all the issues! Back on track. Sugarloaf. This was a climb that started on pavement at 10k el. then went up to about 11.2k el. on dirt roads. Again, not bad. I paced myself at 155bpm/85% and used what ever gear needed. I was breathing but not heavey. I looked at numbers of racers and saw anything from 25 to 200(and 1/2 new numbers too). I saw number 82 and paced with him. I kept thinking about powerline on the way back at mile 80...Columbine was not really a thought. We topped out and proceeded to motor down a steep loose dirt road with turns, then a minefield of hellisch mounds of jeep road. No really it was like stacking 4ft high pitcher mounds side by side with water run-off gullys betwen. It went like this for a half mile+. I remember missing the line and having to bunny hop to the next mogul hoping to not go OTB....all while going between 15-30mph. Then a flat and up hill, then in seconds more down, it went like this for 20 minuts. I saw one taco wheel and many flats. I was feeling a bit worked, but not too bad. I noticed a few false summits for the way back. It was going to suck at mile 80 as it was steep. Hal la lu ya to disc brakes! No surprises really, I read about all this, I saw the topo. After powerline decent it was some pavement and forest road in the 9k el. range with few rollers. Yeah, pace work. Then the mile 25 aid station. I instructed my Dad to ask if "ate bars, drank and have goo?" I didn't stop to listen, told him I was good and kept rolling. My remaining sustained in camel, "water" bottle with endurolytes, goo container and half a bar was all good. No stop. I later found out I was in 88th of 800 position feeling good & bound for 40 mile check at twin lakes dam. To Mile 40: From mile 25 to mile 40 I concentrated on holding my pace, fueling up and reflecting on the day ahead. I led a group for 5 miles then let up a bit nervious about the rest of the day. This section was relitivily flat, almost all dirt, a memorable paved downhill, and one 400ft down of steep and loose(I think it's called the north face). I actually went off course once, then quickly realized the paint on dirt was on way out too, not just the way back... No big loss, my fault, over focused on day ahead I guess, DORK. One older guy and I chatted as we motored down torward twin lakes on pavement. He was very good at stretching while going 30+mph, I kept distance. At the damn I saw other buddies crews and it seemed like eveyone, not just them were cheering for me, coolest. A few waves, a hand off of fuel, the questions, and off....later found out I was in 118th position of 800 (2hrs 58min). On to the Top: Ok, the dam was cool. It was so crowded, and the energy was on. Riders we're still all about go go going. This section from mile 40 to 50 climbs from 9.2k to 12.4k el. It was a few miles of ups and downs on dirt then 6 miles of forest road up and one mile of sky high above tree line up. I settled in, on the first few miles felt a transition. That is, I had more than 50 miles to go and I was working... I think i checked out for a good two hours. I decided to fall off the 155bpm and go at my long distance trained road rate...146-148bpm HR. Why, I don't know. I think it was a "this race is long, ease up for saftey". I was thinking about powerline return. So I went up Columbine forest road at a slow pace being passed by many. It was work. When I got to the last mile and saw the distance up and over to summit I freaked. It looked like a good 1500ft el. Which ussually was an hour and a half hike. Ok maybe it was 1k up el.. Anyway, leaders we're flying down on the rocky road right next to us bike pushers. I summited at 5hrs instead of 4.5hrs. Oh well, sub-9 next year. I wanted to ensure a finish... I was off the 9 hr mark and questioning what it would take to finish. 165th place at summit. Off the Top to Mile 60: The thought of finish efforts soon left my head, as this downhill was rad. The line of people pushing their bikes up went forever!! The way back off the top (it's an out andf back course) was to fly down, next to tons of hike-a-bikers over granite boulders and top of the world scree. The path down was not a path, pushers had the path, if you call it that. Down was granite boulders, pot holes and bike pushers on the left. Brakes, shakes and wobbles at high speed for a mile, wahoo. It was a blast for a while, then it became work, then it really hurt!! It took 40 minutes to fly down upper scree, 6 miles of forest road and roll back to twin lakes damn. My neck was killing. My disc rotors literally changed color from heat. My wrist and fingers became numb from the vibration & cold. My back and neck hurts thinking about it. Don't get me wrong, it was awesome flying down, but it really hurt too. I must share there we're people pushing bikes multiple hours behind me, I was hoping they got there goal. It was painful to see them. At dam in 165th place. 5:40. To Mile 75: Ok, at this point I listened to my Dad's questions, goo? Water? Sustained? Rain jacket? Butt butter? Feel ok? More lube for chain, yes!! And off I go. This section was fairly isolated. The paved road back up from twin lakes was long. Others we're contemplating there journey too. Even tho my Dad said 9hrs was still do-able, I knew better. Still two major climbs after pipeline and I was feeling new stuff here. I felt ok, but started to go into cruise control. I held my position. Rode up out of twin lakes on pavement, walked most of the north face and pedaled to mile 75 on the dirt roads concentrating on fuel and pace. I wanted to save for powerline, why, because I heard it was hellish. Hit mile 75, still around 165th. Felling ok for what I've been though. Or was I delerious. I swapped out fuel with my Dad. Listened to questions about rain jackets, goo, accelerade etc... I thought I said yes to rain jacket, but I'm told I actually threw off tubes and extra weight. I was carring two tubes the whole way (in camel and in jersey). I'll do this again...but anyway, the point is I left without a rain jacket. Stupid. Mile 80 up Powerline & Torward Haggerman: ok, 25 miles left....just powerline 9.5k to 11k and then Haggerman pass 10k to 11k. I knew it would be long. I wanted lightness yet shoulda kept my rain jacket!! This section starts out fast, flat and team roadie style. I hooked up with three other guys and we pounded trading leads. It was fun but I was pushing it past 155bpm - 160bpm at times. I was revived. I noticed powerline way off in the distance and noted the false summits. Off pavement crossed that creek and headed up powerline. Once into powerline accent the loose ups, and canyons between the moguls if you will started to wear me down. The conversation and commeradre was cool. We all we're on a mission and helped each other in different ways....hard to explain this race in so many ways..dig deep brotha. Walk, ride, push fast, ride, puuussh. Ok, to sum it up powerline was long. It started to rain halfway up. I will say I walked way too much, and when it started raining, I bummed. The false summits didn't phase me cause i saw them coming, but the rain... I had my rain jacket on my camel(not), but when I looked, no go. I was sure it fell off. I pulled my fleece hat out and put it on, this saved me big time!!! Anyway, I didn't see lightning but the rollllling thunnn-der and big booms while the powerlines zipped & zapped was freaky. I got back on and pedaled, then walked, then pedaled, walked then pedaled then finally summited. I made sure to eat and drink per training. I was cold, but kept telling myself the fleece keeps most heat in. Still many miles left in race. On the way down it was muddy, glasses screwed, rain in my shirts, cold and mud everywhere, feet starting to get wet. Muddy rivers starting, squshy starting, gettinmg nervious about finishing. How long would I be out here...hypothemia? On really fast crappy downhills now, can't see, fast!! Passing people. I pounded every small up to enable roll overs. I thought about the next uphill, haggerman. I was way way cold but determined to finish...flying downhill on dirt in the rain. Haggeman to Boulevard to Finish: Once finally down and off that powerline thunderdome Sugarloaf thingy I felt lower elevation warmth. Ok maybe i didn't but talked myself into warth. I was way cold up there (poly long sleeve, fleece hat and jersey was not enough). I was still pissed about no rain jacket but knew I could finish if stuck with it. Still I was numb in many places, I was worried about black spots, deleriousness and hypothermia. But I stayed awake, diagnosing and pressed on. I was hoping for a climb(for warmth) and it came. Haggerman Pass. The paved road turned up hill. It said 3 miles to pass. What seemed like no big deal was huge at this milage. Yet, the climb went well I felt warm with no mud flying in eyes. I was passing, and passing alot. I was revived again. Still a few people caught me including a cute girl. Ok, seriously, every woman who challenges at this point rules in my book. Anyway I motored up and basically gapped everyone. At the top Abba was playing on a boom box (just stitting on the side of the road), civilization? Abba was awesome, not sure why, I stood up and pounded the top of the pass. An aid station. I asked if it was downhill and a volunteer said, "not until you have hot soup", that sounded so good. I stopped and drank a cup. Damn warm and goooood!!! Next I asked if they could clean my glasses. This is what makes the race great. They obliged and did what I couldn't, they cleaned my glasses lickety split. YES!! Best move of the race for me. I was off down St. Kevens with clean glases, this made all the difference. I could see!!! I flew. I passed. I had more cold, numbing fun! Ok, once off St Kevins it was big ring past the cows again. The route back was different and bypassed the direct to town route, it went through backyards to a 700ft climb on dirt road. The big boulder section was short, but the then the soggy dirt road slog seemed long, it was probaly 2 miles false flat. Then pavement back into town, back up a short road climb and the screeming yelling crowd finish. Felt awesome. Yes it was still raining. 9 hrs 44min. 36 seconds. Post Race PE & Data (my base, short race LT172, Max HR 184): I ran the race at sub 9 for 3 hrs, then finished @ 9 hrs 44min Ave HR 146 Max 167 10,417 kcal, standard results against my training ave's per my HR watch anyhow 12,400 vert gain?, all @ 9.2k to 12.4k El. +22% of time was over 155HR or near my Z3 3 hrs of rain Much pain Broken water btl cage Some shifting issues Much numbness from cold/rain/long vibrating downs Serious effort at times....11 of 10 pe :) First effort, got the Silver Buckle....happy!! Results: My results:-FINISHED 133rd of 802 total riders (9hrs, 44minutes, 38 seconds) -86th place at mile 25 -118th at mile 40 (2hrs 56min after near 4,500ft gains) -163rd at mile 50 (5hrs after near 7700ft gains) -165th at mile 60 (5hrs 37min all down, it hurt my neck & hands!!) -165th at mile 76 (6hrs 45min) -133rd finish at mile 103 (after two more summits near 4,500ft gains and more screaming downhills in the rain!!!) 455 made the 12hr prize goal, 509 got an official time of less than 13hours, the remaining 293 dnf'ed, dns or we're pulled off. So anyhow. I scored the Silver Buckle, Sweatshirt with my name and time on it, and a finisher medal for completion within time cut off. Neat stuff and adds to the prize of just plain finishing!!! Reflection: I can break 9 hours. Need to race the tops, that is, when near tops, push it then rest on downhills. At some point up Columbine need to push hard &/or suffer for an hour, forget comfort level. Must remember my training enables lactate burn off, fuel is dialed. I need to ride up powerline & more of Col., this will cut lots o time. More push bike training (reduce LT buildup). Need more F training, stairs, leg presses? Been there knowledge will help, confidence! Same pace on way out to 40 miles if as fit. Again, faster pace on tops and climbs (ME & F training...) I learned alot this year, next year.....

Leadville Pics Video

If you we're there you'll get the idea... A Few Photo's (mainly me, oh and the winner trophy..) http://new.photos.yahoo.com/heath4143/album/576460762305201785#page1 VIDEO'S LT100bike Start http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6643894786836444867 LT100 pre-start video front 200 http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8579257482190264761 Heath'sMinnesotaGuyFinish (boring) http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6548221845805833027

Leadville 100 Results ( LT100 MTB )

Wow, what a race.

103 miles, 12,400ft total elevation gain all above 9,200ft!!! The three high points included, two summits near 11,000ft and one 12,400ft summit turn around (took me 2 hrs to climb the big summit).

All in all that's 5 summits and many other mini's climbs to suffer through. People there are awesome. The course beats you down. It rained on me nearly 3 hours. I was numb, cold, hot, ache'd, tired, fast, slow, ready to quit and all good all in the same day. My results: -FINISH 133rd over 802 total riders (9hrs, 44minutes, 38 seconds) -86th place at mile 25 -118th at mile 40 (2hrs 56min after near 4,500ft gain) -163rd at mile 50 (5hrs after near 7700ft gain) -165th at mile 60 (5hrs 37min all down, it hurt my neck & hands!!) -165th at mile 76 (6hrs 45min) -133rd finish at mile 103 (after two more summits near 4,500ft gain and more screaming downhills in the rain!!!)

455 made the 12hr prize goal, 509 got an official time with less than 13hours, the remaining 293 dnf'ed or we're pulled off. Leadville 100 site with all results.. http://www.leadvilletrail100.com/racereportlist.ihtml?race=51

http://www.leadvilletrail100.com

So anyhow. I scored the Silver Buckle, Sweatshirt with my name and time on it, and a finisher medal for completion within time cut off. Neat stuff and adds to the prize of just plain finishing!!!

I plan to do a full write up of all the pain and glory of my race for personal record. It was an un-real learning. I'll update here later. My Dad (my crew) has pictures and start video's I'll link them in later too.

Afton to Leadville

Leadville here I come!!! Climbed near 6k today. Only few weeks remain of short high intensity and climbing taper, then Leadville Aug 12. Can't wait. Here's an elevation graph of Afton today (lame, the things you gotta do in MN to get elevation). Repeats of Whister/Manhandler and others!!! Felt fine....ready as can be....

Going Some Distance

Last really long ride before Leadville today. 6 hrs 25min. 70 degrees when started this am, 91 degrees when done. No mileage as I don't carry a speedo. Rode from St Louis Park to State Capital, back to SLP, then down to Mammoth on LRT from Hopkins. Nice group ride @ Mammoth with local boys. LOD 1 twice, LOD 2 once. I was a bit tired perhaps, went OTB on new teeter!! After Mammoth rode back to St Louis Park via Pioneer and LRT to Hopkins. No Cramps or issues. DA MENU 6 gels 1 salted nut roll 1 bananna 3 endurolyte pills 2 energy bars 8 scoops of sustained 1 krispy cream for breakfast 1/2 cup of coffee for breakfast 165 oz of water (carried 180 oz) Carried all fuel and water with me in heavey back pack!! REALLY HEAVEY, The thought of emptying the bottles from pack back was a motivator to drink!! Really sucessful day. Might post once more before Leadville.....

BEST BUCK - BUCK BEST

No coughing, sneezing, weezing, stomach cramps, dizzyness, blurryness, or any adverse side affects. No seriously, Buck was fab last night. The recent rain held down dust. Humidity was nill. Competition was plentiful. The post party was fab! Duncan did 4th or 5th of 13. My results in adjacent pic. WOW! I'm still learning my limits and how hard to push per race duration......

MNSCS #6 Red Wing

It was a fine day for a HOT and HUMID race. Temps we're in the 90's, there was a mix of clouds, sun and little rain. I could say the Wednesday ride of 5 hours in 90' weather affected me, but not so much....been working up to 5 hrs all year. My strategy for Comp race was to get to the woods first to enable expert passing opps before others. Once in woods, pedal at a reasonable pace then determine heat and competition factors. Getting to the woods first, mission accomplished. The heat was scream'n. I decided to lay off sooner than later. Lap one I saw Bart, Corey and many others 30 seconds off or right on my butt for a while. Cool, it was a race!!! Lap 1, a third complete, Corey passed with a convincing speed, actually took me by surprise. I caught him bit later and decided to counter right away, didn't see Corey again but he finished strong. On the second lap, just before the quarry Truman snuck in fast. He must have been flying through that meadow to catch me and time the pass. I chased but as we exited the quarry climb he was gone. Very fast, very nice move. Bart caught me and stuck with me most of lap three and passed middle of lap 3, I gave a weak attempt to chase. From there it was a lonley lap 3. Mark caught me middle of lap 4. I was cheering him at the start of lap 4 as I saw him coming for a while. Funny thing was when he caught me on the big hill, he passed then slowed up. I think the cruise control paid off. I stood up, flew by and was off again. The rest of lap 4 went quite easily. Now I know why the water folks we're cheering me to go go go, I was withing seconds of Bart. I pedaled slowly to the finish with Duncan running beside me. I told the water guy, spray him! Done. 3rd overall at 1 hour 50 minutes. Can't complain. Duncan had a great race. He was in second most of the race and didn't know it until he was passed by an age groupie. Once that happened he countered and drove home second in convicing fashion. Right on. Nice work in the heat little man!! Next Buck Hill - then Leadville. Later!!! Red Wing Citizen start video: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3071845262592617138 Red Wing Start Pictures: http://new.photos.yahoo.com/heath4143/albums/

HOT TREATMENT

Yesterday was HOT, near 95 degrees. But Leadville is calling & I plotted to ride distance, again, & that's what I did. All to satisfy my spreadsheet (I mean goals). Ride time of 5 hours, road & dirt on my MTN Bike. To Lebanon, multiple laps then back home with a few lakes. Damn HOT! I stopped pedaling 4 times (8 minutes tl.) to eat bananna & refill camelbacks. No lie. Although I consumed 120 oz of water, it wasn't enough. I lost over 3lbs!! How will I ever complete Leadville 100? Perhaps not carring all my food and water for duration will ease things a bit, HOWEVER, the altitude.....

Below is the fuel synopsis for Wednesday's ride. Next a few secret pre-race rides, then Red Wing.

MNSCS #5 Mt. Kato "WIN"

Start of Mt. Kato Comp Race Duncan and I headed out Saturday afternoon and headed to Mt. Kato. We pulled the pop-up camper, camped, had a campfire and a swell time Saturday eve. Oh, and Wal-Mart saved the day with $8.48 sleeping bags!! First, let's recap Duncan's race day. He placed 2nd again behind Shea. He said he felt better & thinks he's getting closer... His chain came off twice over the cassette top, into the spokes, and once in front. Hmmm, I better get the hammer out again and fix. One time it was really bad where an adult rider helped untangle for him. Thanks. Also, Duncan was bragging about his over-the-bars, land on his feet trick. Glad it all worked out, no injury, another race completion!! The Comp race was, well, I won it. That's right!! 1st place overall Comp. Unreal. Since this is my race log and diary of sorts I'll do a play by play. I went hard out of the gate but not for gold. This is starting to work for me. I was 2nd and then 4th but forced myself back into 2nd again at top of first climb. Then through prolouge and up again remained 2nd behind Tom T. By mid lap two I caught/passed Tom at the top & headed down torward backside lifts. Both Mike & Tom we're reeling me in on the bottom flats. On the climb up we were 1,2,3. I was leading & rolling up slow, thinking about the two more laps ahead. Neither of them challenged. Once above the staircase I noticed Tom & Mike started to fall off, so I pushed it hard. At the start of lap three it was Mike & I. Mike challenged and took the lead, but I caught him & passed him at the top. Mike & I stayed 1,2 all the way back to the staircase. At the staircase Mike said he had hamstring issues & had to fall off. I told him 3rd place was coming and then proceeded to hammer it up feeling darn good. On the start of lap 4 both Mike & Tom were in sight below. With that, I went a bit harder and started to gap them more. I finished 1st overall w/ Tom about 30 seconds behind. Mike had more cramping & ended 4th. I'm thinking the endurance training for Leadville is paying dividends in overall strength and fuel smarts. I have a whole new ability to recover during the race. Perhaps race strategy changes are helping too, hmmm need to evaluate all of this for a few days....still evaluating... Red Wing is next.

Buck #10

Great race tonight. The whole clan was out tonight, all five of us. Even Alta with her broken leg said she had fun!! Leo was tooling all over and having fun. Duncan did the ride-the-bike-skid to the podium for his award, freak-a-zoid kid. The crowd loved it. Mom is itch'n to race I just know it. She had a good time talking to peeps she knew. Duncan, Mua, Todd, Joel, Deb, and others made it a good spectator race for her. Duncan placed second in beginner and said he was racing fast. Great job! Although I was coming off two near 70 mile days this week I actuallty warmed into the advanced race ok. I thought I'd drag like a dead minow, but actually came on strong enough. Only 34 racers in advanced tonight, I placed 12th of 34, not bad. Should be fresh and ready for Kato Sunday.

Bonk Training

Ok, today I went for the bonk train method. I wanted to see how long I could go before bonk. Call it mid-season change-up, 6 weeks to Leadville experiment. Left the house with 60oz of water, of which the camelback(from fridge) had remnants of sustained left over. I'd say maybe one scoop worth was in the camel before I topped off with water. To make a long story short I biked to Leb, did a lap and was on my way home before the brick hit. I felt it coming. I thought maybe it was a mental game or two days after a 70 mile ride...nope...bonk. I was pretty close to major slowdown at 2.5 hours in. I squished a single goo in and felt actually good at times for the remaining hour. 3.5 hours on mtn bike, on one gel....perhaps a scoop of sustained too....not bad. Good learning. I was never so happy to drink endurox when I got home!! Buck on Thursday may hurt a bit. Hope to recover by Sunday for Kato.

Mammoth

Nice ride this am. Picked up Joel at 6:00am and hit the trail shortly after. First we did a full lap of all loops except final stuff after RR tracks. Then we did an extra skull loop and exit climb to highpoint intersection. 1hr 45min of pure fun. Love that place. From now on it's SS there. I'm taking Monday off.

House to Leb & Back

Today after the early storm cell passed, I was pave trails bound for Leb. I left at 6:00am instead of the 5:00am plan...but all worked out. The paved path from St. Louis Park around the lakes was nice, even though a bit wet from morning storm. Once on Minnehaha it was dry as was Mendota to 494 and South on Pilot Knob. Leb was dry for lap 1 then it rained hard for 3 minutes making lap two a bit slippy sliddy. All good. It took 4 hours total ride time compared to 4.5 hrs earlier this year(says the sreadsheet log). Nice progress toward Leadville.... Too bad I couldn't leave at 5:00am as planned cause that extra hour was so in me. I did the Mendota route there and back. Mammoth tommorow.

BUCK#9

Last night was a fun race. I missed the last two and was excited to get on the new traverse across the hill stuff. The trail was packed better as recent rains kept sand and loose in check. With hopes high post Du Lac, my goal was top 30% again. Not tonight. My start was fast enough as I tailed Paul & Jesse, in line with Dave O. Brendan was off in the grass on the right as we all rallied. I moved onto middle of road as soon as I could to allow Brendan on. Once on gravel road he flew. I managed to hit woods near 12th? My goal was top 15 & to finish top 15. Once in the woods I felt the legs say, hold on bucko. The business travel this week & not being on bike since Du Lac called foul. I let up a bit & traffic was not pushing me so I carried on. Once out of the woods & onto the first real "S" climb I felt ok, but was lacking full on power. The push up to the water tower was ok, yet still wasn't motor'n. I settled in & so went the race. I was holding off Jeff for lap 2 & 3 but eventually he got me. Just didn't have the fight. 19th of 47 I think. Not bad, next time.

MNSCS #4 Du Lac

Leading the charge off the start... rolling home 3rd overall in comp class... Ah dude, I had the doo first maan We pulled the pop-up camper to Du Lac and proceeded to find trouble. Another mixed weekend. Mom-prerode Sat eve after rain slickened up the course, bonked her shoulder, has the "right of passage" knot on her shoulder. She didn't ride the race, bummer. She should be ok. Alta-stayed at cuz'n over the weekend and didn't participate this year. Darn broken leg, she's NOT happy. Duncan-4th in citizen, another successful day. He had fun. Leo-scored big with the trials guys, did some riding, and scored shwag/prize. Did kids race, scored a metal for 2nd. Dad's Comp Race Report -1st out of gate and up to ridge, eased off accross ridge and was passed by three(then 4th). At top of ridge snuk past two and kept leader in good view(in 2nd). 4th place guy was yellling at us to catch 1st guy, "get moving!" I wasn't breathing too hard, 3rd place was big time huff'n. The early lap pace was good to me, and the 1st place guy wasn't going anywhere as he was looking sketchy. So I kept it cool. After a bit of settling I hammered on past 1st place guy. Not sure what happened behind me but twice a guy came close then lost control or momentum (strange skids and noises) eventually I lost everyone passing a few tail end experts for distance. I was sitting 1st overall after one lap. Felt good, perhaps eased up too much on lap 2/3, let one go by on both laps, hmmm could have pushed it more. Lap 4 with plenty of gas brought her home fast for 3rd overall, and 1st in age (1 minute behind Bart). All in all besides Mom's boo boo we all had a great time camping, cheering, chatting & cranking!! Oh, by the way....more pictures of Du Lac/Afton racers can be found here. http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/heath4143/my_photos And here are start video's of Comp and Expert races, Duncan took the shaky vids, strap in. http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=1360471704356652028 "EXPERT" http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2620937740453995056 "COMP" Til next post, cheers.

AFTON MNSCS #3

Today was a hot day with plenty of action. A sport rider crashed bad, a single speeder took 1st in sport, and many dnf'ed in the comp race. I hope all turns out well for the crash victim.... I took over 50 pictures of Citizen riders because they never get press. Now I need to figure out how to post. Duncan did great in the Citizen race, he was 4th, then 3rd, then stopped and rested. Ended up 4th. He though he was 2nd and still 3rd across the line after his rest. Silly goon. I gave him a high five and said good job. If he needs a rest he can have it! He did that at Buck a few times too (potty breaks). He's 11, did two C laps at Afton, 8 miles, and I'm proud. He's having fun, that's all that matters. I'll let him decide what works for him and how hard to push. The Comp race was a burner. Before the race my plan was to utilize my stength and hit single track in first. It worked, I led the whole class from the start through bridge loop and halfway up to the club house. I was feeling good. The second place guy said "nice pace, keep it up." I could see sepration as I pounded. Not sure who was second, I think it was a Kenwood cycle guy who races adv each week at Buck, I think he dnf'ed. Regardless Lonnie passed me near the top, then later another. I finished lap one in third. My decision to lay off the gas was good!! I fell back a few more each lap and survived lap 4. Other than the slow fade, I know I put the hurt on many who tried to keep up out of the chute. Sweet, I did what I could to fend off rivals and faired well. The result, 9th of 55 overall and 2nd place in 40+ class (2hrs 6min). See you at Buck Thursday.

BUCK #7

Duncan really enjoys the banked turns at Buck. So did his little brother Leo. This week two bank turns we're in the race. Duncan placed 4th after he fell and said his gears we're skipping. I'll get the hammer out and fix that.

Duncan received his 1st place overall for series 1 at Buck, wahoo! I sat out this week as my legs needed a rest before Afton. It was fun to watch (and easy!) MORC peeps, Mara 3rd and Shad 2nd Rec, did really well. Chow.

Buck #6

Duncan's annual school's out for summer Mo-HAWK

Good race tonight. Smaller adv. field but I'll take it. This time I held back unlike last race, hit congestion area in 20th? instead of 5th.. Last race went out super fast then let Jay, Luke, Dave O and way too many pass as I tried to get in realistic position. VIDEO: I'm the guy in black/grey, by Brendan 3rd or 4th before berm, passing all the nature valley green jersey guys, ha ha (perhaps I'll learn someday) BUCK ADV START VIDEO

Perhaps more road & more musc endo/cruise ints...?? Maybe I can compete w-faster freaks if I lose 10 & gain strength.... hmm..maybe next year, or later this year. I can dream...horizon goals are good. Anyway tonight I held my own & knocked off a few each lap. I ended 17th of 47. Near my 33% best. Happy!

Duncan ended up first tonight in beginner, he edged out his competitor by seconds after a spill. Wahoo! Duncan won & showed off his seasonal MoHawk!! Grandpa even came out for the fun. Mom, Leo & Alta would have come out but Alta's broken leg needs rest.