Recently I landed a new job working as a Customer Service Rep for Osprey Packs here in Cortez. Great Job Great Benefits and Great People. Osprey is a company that a ton of emphasis on getting outside and doing. But with most new jobs my Brain has been working overtime, and by the time I get home Food, Beer, Bed...
Now that I'm nearly 3 months into my new gig, I'm beginning to settle in a bit, and getting more comfortable with my surroundings. so I'm getting back on the bike little by little.
I was talked into doing this little race in New Mexico, called the Squash Blossom Classic, where I took 1st in my Single Speed Expert class and Second overall Single Speed. Not too bad for being off the couch. but WOW was I tired. this little 30 mile loop put the proverbial Screws to me. but I proudly accepted my medal and propped my eyes open with toothpicks for the 3 hour drive home.
Next up is the Zuni 100. this 96 mile race also in New Mexico will cover 50 miles of single track in the Zuni Mountains, of which we will do two laps.. One clockwise, and one counter clockwise. Ive been looking forward to this one for some time..
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Monday, August 1, 2011
Sneffels Big Friggin Loop
Part of the Colorado Endurance Series, this 75 mile death march began in Ouray on Saturday July 30, and shot straight up Camp Bird road up to Imogine Pass. I knew I was in for a rough day at around mile 3, when my legs began to scream at me, and I couldn't get my breathing under control, pressing on I managed to settle into a type of rhythm.
I knew I hadn't been riding much, so I decided to take my geared bike, a Specialized Stumpjumper Comp with a 2x9 gearing. the gears were nice, but still hiked a-lot on some of those steep climbs heading to Imogene Pass. I hung with TR Larson and Jeff Hemperly from the race team, (both on Single Speeds) but could only manage to keep them within a hundred yards or so. This was not my day.
The ride into Telluride was a blast, and I managed to gain some ground on my two team mates. only to be dropped again on the single track climb out of Telluride and into Deep Creek trail. The climbing was steep, and my legs were beginning to give out on me. While in Telluride we stopped at the county courthouse for a quick bite and a fill up from a hose. I filled up my two water bottles and my 3L Hydration bladder in my Osprey Talon ll Pack.
Once on Last Dollar road I managed to catch up to Jeff and TR again. (I caught them while on a break) Up and up with more hike-a-bike on Last Dollar Road.
We even had a guy in a Ford Pickup (on his way down Last Dollar) give us a water hand out, this was a blessing, because my Talon ll was dry, and I only had around 2 oz left in one bottle. "Thanks Ford Truck Guy!"
The ride down Last dollar was fast and fun, and once on the paved highway I decided to Bail out straight to Ridgeway and on to Ouray along the paved highway. "I have had enough Hike-A-Bike"
When we turned onto Co Rd 9 by Double RL Ranch, (Jeff Had Stashed some food and water here the day before.) TR was now talking me into continuing on. I had been COOKED since Mile 5, It was all I could do to hang on to this point....
Up we went, up Co Rd 9 to Dallas Trail. the climb to Dallas trail head was not too bad, easy gradual climbing, Using my lower gears to save my legs, the two single speeders soon got out of sight.
My team mates were nice enough to mark turns with a skid mark on the ground, even a rock arrow at one point. The left turn and the beginning of Dallas trail was a demoralizing to say the least, it was a WALL, straight up she side of the mountain, " I should have turned around here " TR said there was only a little Hike-a-Bike, this must be it... Wrong again. the next 20 miles were probably the most Agonizing time Ive ever had on a bike, ( when I say on a bike, i mean pushing a bike ) at least 1/3 of the final 20 miles was pushing up incredibly steep trail.
the rain actually felt nice, it was mostly a drizzle, I didn't stop to put on my rain coat, I just pushed on, one small step at a time, My legs screamed at me, My arms and back hurt, and My moral was dropping FAST!. Iv had to dig deep to keep going before, but not like this. this was a real mental ass kicking.
As the rain soaked in the trail got slick and finally I got to a point where it was funny! " oh of course I cant climb this hill because im slipping backwards" " sure, Makes perfect since, i cant roll down this trail cuz the mud wont let my tires roll" Good Times! good times!
Catching up to TR and Jeff, the told me they could hear me talking to myself on some of the steeper switch backs, even yelling for the sake of yelling. They told me later they decided to stay away, figuring i was a little pissed.
by now I was feeling better, knowing we only had about 5 miles to go to the valley floor or Ouray, and this final decent had some pretty sketchy switch back, where a mistake meant a sheer cliff and broken bones, or worse!
On the valley floor. Now the gears feel good, nice slow cadence along a 1% Grade... Heaven!
finishing up at 7:30 with 13 hours of overall time, over 15,000 of climbing, Legs Sore, Arms Sore, Back hurting, Might lose two toe nails, wet, muddy. all with a huge Grin! Happy to make it.
Beer - Pasta - Bed
I knew I hadn't been riding much, so I decided to take my geared bike, a Specialized Stumpjumper Comp with a 2x9 gearing. the gears were nice, but still hiked a-lot on some of those steep climbs heading to Imogene Pass. I hung with TR Larson and Jeff Hemperly from the race team, (both on Single Speeds) but could only manage to keep them within a hundred yards or so. This was not my day.
The ride into Telluride was a blast, and I managed to gain some ground on my two team mates. only to be dropped again on the single track climb out of Telluride and into Deep Creek trail. The climbing was steep, and my legs were beginning to give out on me. While in Telluride we stopped at the county courthouse for a quick bite and a fill up from a hose. I filled up my two water bottles and my 3L Hydration bladder in my Osprey Talon ll Pack.
Once on Last Dollar road I managed to catch up to Jeff and TR again. (I caught them while on a break) Up and up with more hike-a-bike on Last Dollar Road.
We even had a guy in a Ford Pickup (on his way down Last Dollar) give us a water hand out, this was a blessing, because my Talon ll was dry, and I only had around 2 oz left in one bottle. "Thanks Ford Truck Guy!"
The ride down Last dollar was fast and fun, and once on the paved highway I decided to Bail out straight to Ridgeway and on to Ouray along the paved highway. "I have had enough Hike-A-Bike"
When we turned onto Co Rd 9 by Double RL Ranch, (Jeff Had Stashed some food and water here the day before.) TR was now talking me into continuing on. I had been COOKED since Mile 5, It was all I could do to hang on to this point....
Up we went, up Co Rd 9 to Dallas Trail. the climb to Dallas trail head was not too bad, easy gradual climbing, Using my lower gears to save my legs, the two single speeders soon got out of sight.
My team mates were nice enough to mark turns with a skid mark on the ground, even a rock arrow at one point. The left turn and the beginning of Dallas trail was a demoralizing to say the least, it was a WALL, straight up she side of the mountain, " I should have turned around here " TR said there was only a little Hike-a-Bike, this must be it... Wrong again. the next 20 miles were probably the most Agonizing time Ive ever had on a bike, ( when I say on a bike, i mean pushing a bike ) at least 1/3 of the final 20 miles was pushing up incredibly steep trail.
the rain actually felt nice, it was mostly a drizzle, I didn't stop to put on my rain coat, I just pushed on, one small step at a time, My legs screamed at me, My arms and back hurt, and My moral was dropping FAST!. Iv had to dig deep to keep going before, but not like this. this was a real mental ass kicking.
As the rain soaked in the trail got slick and finally I got to a point where it was funny! " oh of course I cant climb this hill because im slipping backwards" " sure, Makes perfect since, i cant roll down this trail cuz the mud wont let my tires roll" Good Times! good times!
Catching up to TR and Jeff, the told me they could hear me talking to myself on some of the steeper switch backs, even yelling for the sake of yelling. They told me later they decided to stay away, figuring i was a little pissed.
by now I was feeling better, knowing we only had about 5 miles to go to the valley floor or Ouray, and this final decent had some pretty sketchy switch back, where a mistake meant a sheer cliff and broken bones, or worse!
On the valley floor. Now the gears feel good, nice slow cadence along a 1% Grade... Heaven!
finishing up at 7:30 with 13 hours of overall time, over 15,000 of climbing, Legs Sore, Arms Sore, Back hurting, Might lose two toe nails, wet, muddy. all with a huge Grin! Happy to make it.
Beer - Pasta - Bed
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
24 Hours in the Enchanted Forest
I didnt sleep well and woke up early with the sun, I turned on the heater in the camper and started to get ready, Spare helmet with headlamp, batteries, warm clothes just incase, all pilled in a Tupperware bin.
The start was fast, it was myself, Kiviok, and Hemperly, in the front, the three of us are on the same team and same category, but definitely competitive, by the Single Track, i was third of the three. and held that through this lap.
The trail is fun and fast and Silty, and the first lap was very dusty, I had not pre ridden, and petty much just watched the wheel in front of me trying not to breath all the dust.
I held my position and on lap two or 3, Kiviok decides to turn it up pulling a big gap on jeff and I. Jeff took the bait and started to put it down. I was trying to ride smart and kept my pace,
During the day you hope for night, because it means your getting closer to being done, and once night gets here all you want is the light, 24 hour racing is all about survival. when its only 4pm and your on your 3rd lap, the task of riding all night seems impossible, somehow you keep going, one lap at a time one hour at a time.
I had to take a 45 minute brake at around 4:30 am, because my right knee had been bothering me since midnight, and I had fallen off my bike because I fell a-sleep.. I figured a break was in order, I was still in 3rd place and 4th place was two laps behind me, I felt safe.
when I came in for my break, I noticed Jeff Hemperly's bike was on the bike stand, so I knocked on the van door, and he was inside with a stomach ache. Had I been thinking clearly, I would have taken advantage of this and gone out for one more lap, to get into 2nd place, but my cloudy head took my right back to my camper for a quick nap.
Sunlight came quickly, and I could Hear Lenny, (Solo SS) talking to Dan Durland about how he just checked the standings and if he could get out for a couple laps to maybe get into second place passing me and Jeff, "What!!!" well My helmet was no sooner clicked when Jeff tears out of the van suited up and jumps on his Airborn and halls ass out on the course. me hot on his heels!
Lenny had 8 laps and I had 10. all Ive got to do is get in two more laps and Lenny has no way of catching, Two laps were painful, and once they were done I checked the standings and found that Tim from Back of the Pack Racing was on his 11th lap and probably due any time now, I'm still safe because its only 10am, there is no time for two more laps. 3rd Place Podium.
I roll into the pits to find Kiviok, clean and in street clothes, grabbing the lube, shouting, you've got time, get out there for one more... WHAT? ARE YOU INSANE! Im Cooked! and Im set 3rd is locked up, I'm a happy camper.
Then Kiviok starts spouting some BS about youve got to do it for yourself, to push yoursef to see what your capable of.. Bla Bla Bla! Well it would be cool to get 200 miles in.. out I went with only a bottle of water.... cursing Kiv on the way out of the Pits.
Feeling Great I tore up the first clime and smoothly sailed down the twisty single track, up another climb, then a false flat.. "this may be my fastest lap yet" I thought to myself. Mile 3, Mile 4, Mile 5.... Uh oh! somethings wrong, Im slowing down, Im feeling a bit hungry... with no food I drink water to try to help, but within 1/2 mile Im completely tanked and the following climb of maybe 2% i'm off the bike, head hanging, and walking slowly... completely Bonked! and wondering how Im gonna get out of here.
A rider comes up, She saw me from a ways back and could tell I was in a world of hurt, and yells, "you need Water?.. Food?" "Yes" I shout in my raspy voice, She reaches in her jersey pocket and tosses a Tigers milk bar on the ground, "Thanks" I yell, and she says " Lets Go!, You can Do it" That Damn Tigers Milk Bar was F-ing AWESOME! I walked a bit more then got on the bike, managing to make it to the next feed zone about 4 miles further where I ate an apple, got a bottle of water and tossed a miller extra in my jersey pocket, (celebration for later)
45 minutes to go 6 miles, I think I can do it. 30 minutes later I finished.. Kathryn Grohusky was waiting at the finish line to make sure that half dead guy got the bar she threw on the ground. Kathryn seriously saved my ass.
Final Tally.. For the Solo Single Speed Catagory. Jeff Wood in First, Jeff Hemperly in Second, and Paul Adams in 3rd.
Awesome Race and a great time, I
The start was fast, it was myself, Kiviok, and Hemperly, in the front, the three of us are on the same team and same category, but definitely competitive, by the Single Track, i was third of the three. and held that through this lap.
The trail is fun and fast and Silty, and the first lap was very dusty, I had not pre ridden, and petty much just watched the wheel in front of me trying not to breath all the dust.
I held my position and on lap two or 3, Kiviok decides to turn it up pulling a big gap on jeff and I. Jeff took the bait and started to put it down. I was trying to ride smart and kept my pace,
During the day you hope for night, because it means your getting closer to being done, and once night gets here all you want is the light, 24 hour racing is all about survival. when its only 4pm and your on your 3rd lap, the task of riding all night seems impossible, somehow you keep going, one lap at a time one hour at a time.
I had to take a 45 minute brake at around 4:30 am, because my right knee had been bothering me since midnight, and I had fallen off my bike because I fell a-sleep.. I figured a break was in order, I was still in 3rd place and 4th place was two laps behind me, I felt safe.
when I came in for my break, I noticed Jeff Hemperly's bike was on the bike stand, so I knocked on the van door, and he was inside with a stomach ache. Had I been thinking clearly, I would have taken advantage of this and gone out for one more lap, to get into 2nd place, but my cloudy head took my right back to my camper for a quick nap.
Sunlight came quickly, and I could Hear Lenny, (Solo SS) talking to Dan Durland about how he just checked the standings and if he could get out for a couple laps to maybe get into second place passing me and Jeff, "What!!!" well My helmet was no sooner clicked when Jeff tears out of the van suited up and jumps on his Airborn and halls ass out on the course. me hot on his heels!
Lenny had 8 laps and I had 10. all Ive got to do is get in two more laps and Lenny has no way of catching, Two laps were painful, and once they were done I checked the standings and found that Tim from Back of the Pack Racing was on his 11th lap and probably due any time now, I'm still safe because its only 10am, there is no time for two more laps. 3rd Place Podium.
I roll into the pits to find Kiviok, clean and in street clothes, grabbing the lube, shouting, you've got time, get out there for one more... WHAT? ARE YOU INSANE! Im Cooked! and Im set 3rd is locked up, I'm a happy camper.
Then Kiviok starts spouting some BS about youve got to do it for yourself, to push yoursef to see what your capable of.. Bla Bla Bla! Well it would be cool to get 200 miles in.. out I went with only a bottle of water.... cursing Kiv on the way out of the Pits.
Feeling Great I tore up the first clime and smoothly sailed down the twisty single track, up another climb, then a false flat.. "this may be my fastest lap yet" I thought to myself. Mile 3, Mile 4, Mile 5.... Uh oh! somethings wrong, Im slowing down, Im feeling a bit hungry... with no food I drink water to try to help, but within 1/2 mile Im completely tanked and the following climb of maybe 2% i'm off the bike, head hanging, and walking slowly... completely Bonked! and wondering how Im gonna get out of here.
A rider comes up, She saw me from a ways back and could tell I was in a world of hurt, and yells, "you need Water?.. Food?" "Yes" I shout in my raspy voice, She reaches in her jersey pocket and tosses a Tigers milk bar on the ground, "Thanks" I yell, and she says " Lets Go!, You can Do it" That Damn Tigers Milk Bar was F-ing AWESOME! I walked a bit more then got on the bike, managing to make it to the next feed zone about 4 miles further where I ate an apple, got a bottle of water and tossed a miller extra in my jersey pocket, (celebration for later)
45 minutes to go 6 miles, I think I can do it. 30 minutes later I finished.. Kathryn Grohusky was waiting at the finish line to make sure that half dead guy got the bar she threw on the ground. Kathryn seriously saved my ass.
Final Tally.. For the Solo Single Speed Catagory. Jeff Wood in First, Jeff Hemperly in Second, and Paul Adams in 3rd.
Awesome Race and a great time, I
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Iron Horse 2011
I finally did an Iron Horse, I signed up through the LiveStrong Team and raised over 400 dollars for Cancer research. Usually im not the type to go for donations, but for some reason I decided to give this one a go, and thank you so much for everyone who helped me to reach my goal.
The ride began with the whistle blow of the Steam Powered Locomotive in Durango at 8:30am on Saturday morning. the air was brisk, and our challenge is to beat the train to the small town of Silverton Colorado, just 50 miles and 5000 feet of climbing to the north.
There must have been thousands of people on bikes taking advantage of the traffic free ride to Silverton, it began fast, as most fun rides do for some of us, and I quickly made my way to the front pack for some easy pack riding until the first of the many climbs.
As the weather warmed up, I became pretty glad that Kari had convinced me to bring two full water bottles, because around the half way point I realized my ration of water was nearly half gone,, Thanks Kari!
The few gusts of wind made for challenging descents, and I finished with Pete Eschelere in just under 3 hours, which beats the train by about 20 minutes.
Silverton was a party, Main Street was lined with people cheering on the riders as they came off of Molas Pass into town. the one mile stretch to the finish was a well deserved parade.
The ride began with the whistle blow of the Steam Powered Locomotive in Durango at 8:30am on Saturday morning. the air was brisk, and our challenge is to beat the train to the small town of Silverton Colorado, just 50 miles and 5000 feet of climbing to the north.
There must have been thousands of people on bikes taking advantage of the traffic free ride to Silverton, it began fast, as most fun rides do for some of us, and I quickly made my way to the front pack for some easy pack riding until the first of the many climbs.
As the weather warmed up, I became pretty glad that Kari had convinced me to bring two full water bottles, because around the half way point I realized my ration of water was nearly half gone,, Thanks Kari!
The few gusts of wind made for challenging descents, and I finished with Pete Eschelere in just under 3 hours, which beats the train by about 20 minutes.
Silverton was a party, Main Street was lined with people cheering on the riders as they came off of Molas Pass into town. the one mile stretch to the finish was a well deserved parade.
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