MNSCS Red Wing Expert Race

Ugly day folks with DNF's & issues. Down & dirty...expert saw Jay, Jesrin Gaier, & Luke 1,2,3. I was in 7th after a lap feeling right, leaders in sight. Excited for good finish as Fisher, Moore, Oftendahl'st ect absent. I flatted near start/finish, ran 1/4mile+ to fix. A huge nail was all the way through like a needle in a pin cushin. Fixed tire & charged to near front of comp class. I lost near 5min with the flat? I started thinking about 35+ age group guys ahead of me. Stupid. I decided with training planned this week, I'd mosey to a finish. So for 2.5 laps just coasted. I stood, coasted & enjoyed the ride. 2hrs 50min later I was top 10. Coulda soulda. Oh well, just goes to show ya, never stop racing!! 5/23 experts dnf'ed due to flats, mechs & heat. Brighter note, Duncan did 2 fine laps in citizen had fun day, got podium. Later! Buck next.

Buck 7/26 SS 29'er, Good n' Not So Much

The Not So Much: Duncan crashed good. It's been a busy week for him including braces put on today. He hit his head on course tonight. Thanks trail patrol guy who was racing that stopped. When mom showed up (she was racing too), Duncan was still asking what happened. He's come around fine & remembers the situation now. Basically he hit a log & went KityWampUs, yah know, OTB. He seems to be ok now. We'll watch for 24hrs. They both dnf'ed. I'm glad everything turned out ok. I heard them cheering for me & later shared I'd have stopped. Mom decided I should keep going so never said anything... The Good: No dust, bit of rain & my race rocked. I went out normal, fast, knowing I had it going-on today. The start was moderate. Brendan was just moving along (pre-9-Mile24 pace). When I cleared traffic & saw Brendan I also saw Guse. Guse yelled out foul words & hammered past Brendan. It was classic. Barry said he'll pay. And he did. At the top of the first hill I was 3rd. The 1st lap was fine (perhaps a little agressive for me). I kept Brendan in sight for 1/2 lap. Regulars Fisher & Oftendahl we're absent, as we're a few other un-regular fast guys. By the time 2nd lap started I was hurting on SS. Same as week before I let John, Barry, & Dave (& even Ed this week) go by. I wouldn't call my technueqe riding up lap 2 hill. Stayed course & recovered catching this group by end of 3 begin of lap 4....my plan. Dave was too far ahead but John, Ed, & Barry, in sight! The guy who was in 2nd on 1st lap dropped, Dave was 2nd. My high HR & output earlier this week gave me hope. Yep, caught'em all. Ed re-surged & countered last half of lap 4 but I stayed on him & passed on switchbacks. I pushed it, it was my night. 3RD overall. Even though a few fast guys we're out, I'll take it!! Who cares about Red Wing. Click results pics on left (I also have previous Buck results in previous posts). Also note link to official Penn/Buck/Race/Results right boarder of webpage.

Leadville Prep

Leadville is 20 days away! Need to beat Floyd & Lance. Expert & Buck races along w/SS have my VO & F just fine. Need the big E more than anything else. Did 5 hrs, 75 mi on MTB this AM (50 road, 25 dirt). Can't beleive other than Horribly Hilly 200km it was my longest 07' ride. Felt weak post Buck SS, took it easy power wise. No cramps. Nice to bike to Leb for two full laps then Theo for a lap before back home. As always packed all my fuel & H20. Good enough. Now what ? Tough choices ahead...

Buck 7/19 w/RESULTS: 29'er SS

Good times last night. 3rd race of 2nd series. My legs felt heavy & actually hurt on warm up. Was a tad worried on single speed yet went out hard as ussual. Was 3rd after 1st climb w/Barry, then Sam flew by. Barry led for a while then by water tower I took over our group. Start of 2nd lap slowed hinting I wasn't leading laps 2-3 again this wk. Barry, John & Dave went by. I chased 2 laps. Crazy Rec spills & traffic run around this week! I finally caught Barry & John last lap didn't have gas to make move. Ended 7th overall! Sweet. Amy raced with Teel 1 lap then did solo lap. Yup, Amy got in 3 if you count pre-ride. Duncan has a sprained foot from restling with friends, he stayed at bottom with sis & bro. Good times!

CONFIRMED. LANCE DOING LEADVILLE 2007 WITH FLOYD & I .

Buck 2-2 "The Beginner Vet"

At 41, sometimes I feel like a beginner still learning. Like tonight. I fell on last lap, well after water tower.. I was gapping a group.. where I wanted to be, fell, blew it, 2 got by. I charged a blind corner on backside in the wrong gear, had to get off & run. Anyway, got top 10 Adv. See "buck" link on right for official results. Best part of tonight was the whole family was there!! Mom did a lap, Duncan did 2, Alta had fun, & wish I had a camera to capture Leo's "mud" look. The kids love water hose-n-mud-damm thing.

MNSCS BLUFF "reckless abandon"

Thanks Jake, skinnyski, Paul's Dad, an Dana for pics. I'm 3rd 1st corner, ha ha. Race was HOT near 100' WOW. Duncan decided no race, sleepover instead. No prob dude. No prolouge due to the heat. I decided to go out full-on. Last year I won comp overall w/strong start to help.. sheeze... Expert is different. I hit first turn 3rd behind Paul & Justin, faded quick. Sketched my rear tire in front of someone on up climb too. Sorry about my traffic guys, fun while it lasted! The race went good for 4 laps, passed 3or4 & stayed on gas convincingly. Finally on start of 5th lap entry climb I faded. Lost 3rd in 35+ age slipping 2 spots. Me lamo! Barry got me later too. I couldn't push anymore. Fell from 13th to 16th OA of 28. Not bad, want more. Priorities. Cheers!

Like Son, Like Father

THOUGHT I'D DIE.....not so bad after all!!

This & That

Haven't done much riding since the 4.5 hour ride 7/4. Amy and I may spin a bit today to losen up. It's getting HOT fast thought. We've been doing other stuff with the kids. Last weekend camping and biking at Devil's lake WI. Thursday rode the river bottoms with my Dad & the kids. They really like the 10mi round trip to the raft and back.. Yesterday threw the canoe on the Ranger, paddled & swam at a local lake. Today kids & I tossed a football around, filled a kiddie pool up w/water & did swingset backflips, yeah, as of today I can do those!

Around Town

On road w/Scalpel at 6:00AM today. First to Ft. Snelling then Leb for a short lap. Then back around Nakomis, Harriet & Calhoun to Theo for lap. I needed more T, so did lap through Brownie, good short hill fun!! Anyway, 4 hrs 33 min on MTB mixed road & dirt this AM. Not sure of miles/speed, who cares. C.U.@.Kato.