Tomorrow

Because of the results of my weigh in I am going to head out around 8:30 tomorrow morning for a couple hour MTB ride, starting at the north loop, but this time not so much food after.

How much did you eat?

I weighed myself twice today, after the 2 hour turkey day MTB ride and just recently after eating, drinking, napping, watching football and playing cards with the kids. I don't know if I should be proud or not but there was an 8 lb difference!

Hockey Sunday

I usually don't blog about our Sunday night hockey league games but after getting a tie in a 2-2 game last week our team thought we'd lost it. In the last 3 years the league has exsited we have been league champs twice and second place once and our game were always high scoring. It was not unusual for us to have 10+ goals.

This week (tonight) we got the rest of the off-season rust off and put 9 in. We had enough forwards to have three forward lines wich was nice to get to play with the same guys each shift and know where they are playing. I got two goals myself and my line mates got another 5 so we worked well together. One of these Sundays I'll have my wife come and get some pictures or video to post. Until then this is exactly how we look. Jeffro's Team

I too break shit!

I managed about 1 and 3/4 laps at Monti until a stick ripped of my rear derailer. Great ride until then. Still got almost 3 hours and 25 miles in.

On my last trip there I broke a spoke. I think I have broken more stuf than T recently (cars not included).

Monti MTB

Jim and I are headed to Monti tomorrow morning to ride at 10 am if anyone else is interested, as if anyone will read this...

"2007 Cyclocross Worlds Belgium"

2007 Cyclocross Worlds Belgium Page was second, but still Best race I ever witnessed.
© 2008 YouTube, LLC

Ooooo Reeses

My Kryptonite!

Vasaloppet

That's Right! I am doing the VASA!

Birkibeinervasaloppet?

Price hike tomorrow for both events!

Which to do? Or both?

MILACA YA KNOW

This coming Sunday is the Milaca CX. I love this race (probably because it is the only race I have ever gotten a top 10 in, 8th last year). PROOF

Cat 4 race is at 12:30, coarse opens at 11.

Leaving from my house at 10:30, who's in. AMO's? Pimp Gould? Charles? BIG JIM?

Last year I took my MTN bike and did a lap after the race, ohhhh yeeaaahhh!

Bombing the hill after the RR bridge!

Sunday Morning

8 am - Wake up

8:03 - Check Doom's blog to check the if where and when of the "Sunday Ride" (he had already had a post complaining about his leaves, wich I have yet to touch in my yard)

8:05 - Quick dump

8:10 - Start getting dressed. What do you wear when it is 40 degrees, a good chance of snow and 30 MPH winds from the west? (Oh and that is quick)

8:15 - ride to shop

8:25 - Still riding

8:35 - Still riding

8:40 - Thats right I live east of the shop. Brutal wind!

It was much better when we hit the woods. Mike led us around on the granite outcropping and trails at Quarry park. Fun technical stuff.

That's right I missed the night ride tonight, Bummer.

Full Monti

Saturday I went with all my freinds, ok I went alone, to Monticello to ride the new and revised trails. Sam, Jim and Lance were there working in the morning and Track star Ted joined us for a lap. Amo showed up after working in the morning but pulled out his foot long, sub that is, and said he would eat lunch and wait for Stone who was in route to ride. Sam and Jim lagged behind and marked the new trail and Ted and I were led around by Lance. Monti now boasts around 15 miles of mostly singletrack.
Run reverse from it's previous life it throws the hillier section at you first and the gentler rolling section last.

Great job to Jim, Sam, Lance and who ever else helped work on this old/new trail.

Monti

Headed to Monti tomorrow, Meeting at 10:30 at McStop, anyone?

Tired tires

Rode two laps tonight at the North Loop with Jim. After the rain last night it was a little slick in the corners and the two year old Larson LUST's are shot. The center knobs are almost gone on the rear and I have about 5 spots where Stan's is leaking out between rides. Time for some new rubber.

I will be sad to see them go in the two years I have not had a flat or ever had to add more than a few psi to them. They roll fast, are light and grip well on everything except mud. I would get another set but want to try something different, we'll see. Any suggestions?

And again.

Did another two laps at the No Loop tonight, just because I could.

Saturday will be my Monti day, anyone? No races for me this weekend. Next weekend Milaca CX!

I need more of this...

Just got in from the night ride, ton of fun. No broken chains. 12 riders.

I would like to ride another night of the week also... maybe wednesday or thursday.

Thinking about Monti on sunday... anyone?

Tranny problems

On last nights ride I managed to break my chain 3 times. That sucks!

ETAP 26i

My dad is selling his sailboat, let me know if anyone out there is interested.

Time for the mountain bikes

Friday MTB at the North Loop.

Saturday Same.

Sunday Milaca, 2 laps with Jim, Hard.

Monday night ride, Broke my chain and my kneecap I think.

Tuesday rest.

Weekend pictures

Here are the pics Tami took this past weekend...

I am admiring the new barriers Stone made.

This dude is really getting a kick out of me Cross Racing

Madelyn trying to catch Grace at the kids race Saturday.

Hump day already?

This week is flying by...

Saturday the kids and I raced at the Single Track Escape mountain bike race at the North Loop and Sunday I raced the Pork Chop Cyclocross at Riverside park in St Cloud. Tami took some pictures I will post later.

I missed the night ride on Monday night so I went out last night for two laps at the North Loop.

There was a guy out picking mushrooms last night and I had to give him directions 4 times how to get out of the woods. I think he was eating the shrooms.

How hard can it be?

More on the Fed Ex delema...
So Charlie's bike got to Colorado on 9/2 ( see my 9/2 post for more) my brother in law Brock refused delivery so it would be sent back to the sender, Me!

After calling and complaining about a dozen more times they overnighted his bike back from Denver on thursday the 4th. Not only was the bike box completely destroyed but his bike frame was dented as well.

He managed to ride it at Chequamegeon and I filed a claim for the damage. Over a week has gone by and there is no word.

Tonight I checked my account and Fed Ex had the nerve to charge me $694.15 to overnight his bike back! Needless to say I am on the phone with their "customer service".

At least i am not the only one, there are alot on here...
http://www.pissedconsumer.com/consumer-reviews/shipping.html

Are you ready for cross?

Ive been growing out my hair for Sunday.

Night Rider

Get out your lights the Monday night rides start next week, 9/22. Meet at the SHOP at 8:00 or at the North Loop at 8:30.

Epic Races

I still think the King of the Rockies was harder but the Cheq 40 was no piece of cake, here are the numbers from both...

Race; K.O.R.; Cheq 40

Time; 3:19; 3:03

HR Ave; 158; 161

Exertion; 1,072; 901

Ascent; 3,905; 2,355

Alt. Ave; 9,218; 1,943

Here is a picture from Skinny Ski of me trying to ride up Firetower hill with everyone else walking almost impossible. I managed to ride two of the sections but got bottled up and walked the third.

Get outa my way I'm rollin'. Shoulda had a bell. Ding-Ding.

Cheq 40

Back from Wisconsin and the Cheq 40. As always a great event and a lot of fun. The usual race for me, too hard from the start, forced myself to ease of and settle in to a good pace, Kill myself on firetower hill, ease off again, give it all up and pass a half dozen (sorry John and Mike) at the line. Still unable to break the 3 hour mark(3:03). Tami took some pictures at the start and the finish I may post later otherwise Skinny Ski I am sure has some. (See Links)

The new Scalpel worked and felt great for only having one ride on it before the race.

Stayed at some friends parents cabin by Stone Lake. It was sure nice to be away from the chaos and crowds especially since the weather was crappy after the race. Thanks Erickson's.

Next weekend is the Single track Escape (MNSCS Race) on Saturday and the Pork Chop Cyclocross (MCF) on Sunday. Both are right in St Cloud and are alot of fun, be there!

Artsy Fartsy

Tami and I were invited to attend Merce Cunningham's Ocean last night at Martin Marietta's Rainbow quarry. It was really not at all what I expected. To me the whole thing seemed random and made no sense. I had all I could do to keep from laughing most of the time. It is supposed to be a big deal for those in the know but it was completely wasted on me.

FW: Newest office necessity

I am getting one of these and stamping everything that comes across my desk with it.

Last Day in Colorado

My Brother in law Brock and Ony-Ballony (Owen).

My sister Angela and Owen. I would get a little sleepy after 5 miles too.

Thanks to Brock, Angela, Owen, Juniper and Mojo (their dogs) for having us for the weekend. I hope to do it again soon.

More pics from Colorado.

Me, Brock and Charlie with Winter Park Ski Area in the distance.

At the top of Rogers pass.

Almost there

Where we came from and where we are headed.

Rogers Pass

This is what I look like at 11,000 feet, ugh.
Winter Park Ski area to the right of my head.

After The "King"

Charlie and I after we "Saw through time"

Colorado

Colorado trip summary...

Friday - worked the morning then off to St Cloud airport then MSP to meet Charlie. My bike made it to my sisters house Thursday but Charlie's is still MIA thanks to Fed Ex. It took about 2 hours to get our rental car in Denver. Called Fed Ex about Charlie's bike but no news. Traffic was horrible heading west. Arrived in Tabernash Colorado at my sister Angela's and got settled in. Called Fed Ex, they promised to overnight Charlie's bike out.

Saturday - Got up and assembled my bike. Called Fed Ex, no news. Went to Winter Park (about 12 miles from Tabernash) to get our race numbers (oh yeah we signed up for a race called King of the Rockies). Called Fed Ex, no news. Found a bike shop for Charlie to rent a bike so he can race. Raced. Died. Got to the top of the first climb. Bombed the downhill, what a blast! Died a couple more times. Thought about dropping out. Cramped bad on the last climb. Finally finished. Way harder than Cheq. 26 miles and over 3,200 feet of climbing. Didn't win the spot so went back to Ang's and chowed on Lasagna and chilled with Ony-Baloney. Got a message from Fed Ex Charlie's bike is still in St Paul.

Sunday - Had breakfast then Charlie, Brock (Angela's Husband) and I headed out for an epic ride up Rogers pass from 9,200 feet up to about 11,600 feet. Really hard to climb at that altitude. Fun ride back down. Three hours and 20 minutes to climb up and just over an hour to get down. Charlie and I went to have lunch and then to Trestle. Brock hooked us up with free passes for the lift and we managed two runs before it started to rain. 3,100 feet of decending in an hour and a half with only 350 feet of climbing (not counting riding the lift up). Went back and ate Mexican and watched Talledega Nights with Brock and Ang.

Monday - Packed up the bike to ship home then we all went to the Mountain Rose Cafe for their mountain man breakfast taco. OH YEAH! Then we went back and grabbed the dogs and went for a hike to work off breakfast. Headed to the airport and home.

Tuesday - Charlie's bike arrives in Tabernash.

August Weddings

I got invited to two weddings in August. The first was Mike and Angela's up on the north shore last weekend. I wish we could have gone because I am sure it was a blast.

The second one was a last minute one that I got invited to today.

I wish the best to both couples but have to warn Ken that his new bride is kind of a flusie, she spends alot of time just laying around my house naked!

Did I miss August?

Wow August 3rd seems like a long time since my post, here was my last three weeks...

My brother Brad, his wife Kim and their daughter Addison came to Walker to visit my parents from Toronto on the 7th for 10 days. My siter Angela, her husband Brock and their son Owen (who was born last April the same day as Addison) came the next weekend for a week. We were up north both weekends and it was nice to have everyone together, even if it was only for a couple days.

The Leech Lake Regatta was the weekend of the 9th so my brothers Phil (who lives in Walker aslo), Brad, my dad and myself gave that a try. Phil bought a badmiten set and the next weekend we played that all weekend.

Yesterday was state road race and I awoke with my cold acting up and skipped the race for a short mountain bike ride at the north loop.

I packed up my mountain bike yesterday afternoon to send it out to Winter Park so it is there by Friday when Charlie and I fly out for the long weekend to visit my sister and do some riding. There is a race out there next saturday we may do but it is named "King of the Rockies" and us being flat landers we will more than likely wimp out.

The kids start school on Tuesday already, man did summer fly by.

Sure!

I had all day to ride and needed to get 3 hours to stay on track to go into Chequamegon where I want to be fitness wise (CTL 100, TSB +10). So after it rained all morning and looked to do so all afternoon at 3:00 I decided to bring my bike in the basement and spin on the trainer. I managed two hours and that was it. The only thing that kept me going that long was the X-Games Rally car races - fun stuff, but that was only an hour. Bored, hot and hungry I had enough. Sure enough after I got done, put the bike away, changed and made a Mojito the sun came out. Oh well the 2 hours got my CTL up to 82, TSB -25 with 6 weeks to go until Cheq so I just have to keep at it.

What doesn't kill you will make you stronger.

My legs are still a little heavy from this past weekends riding. Saturday went on Jim's hill ride, see HERE for the details and a map from Doc's GPS.
Saturday evening got a Massage from Larry from "the Fix".
Sunday Jim and I got in three laps at the north loop in about 1 hour and 40 min.
Today I took off to rest for the Tuesday night ride which is always fast.

TOGC

I raced the 2^nd annual Tour of Granite country this past weekend. After the rain delay and start time mix up Saturday morning it went good and the weather cooperated for the most part.

The circuit race was the most fun. The pace yo-yoed from a nice easy ride to all out just to keep up. It was a hard weekend and I haven’t been feeling to strong the last few weeks.

I haven’t seen the results yet but I am quite sure I was DFL after two stages. I pulled out of the road race ½ way through, first time I have ever quit a race.

The next few weeks before the State road race I am going to switch my training to a little different approach to see if I can make some progress. Chequamegon is less than 8 weeks away and I need to really work hard if I am going to break the elusive, for me, 3 hour mark. Let the Quest begin!

 

Bull Fights

I have been getting a bunch of Bull Fighting pictures sent to me lately, must be the season. Here are the best or worst two.

One the road again

I have been getting some road miles in the last two weeks, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday each week. Before that my last road ride was the Marty road race on May 3^rd. 5 weeks! So my fitness was really down and I struggled but I am getting there.

The new Super 6 is riding great, still tweaking position a little.

I rode with the Tuesday group again tonight. Good ride. 12 guys, 55 miles, 3 hours, 1 flat, 1 wipeout.

We went down and rode the upcoming Sprinters Classic road race course. It has one small and one medium (for around here) climb, a few rollers and a long slight down hill to the finish in Marty.

I didn’t really notice that is was warm during the ride but I was very dehydrated after the ride.

I set a new PR for 1 minute max power going up the Alp last night, it must have been on the first part of the climb because I cracked about ½ way up and had to slow way down.

The bruise on my leg from Saturday is getting bigger and more colorful, sorry no pictures, losts of purple and greenish yellow.

Think it didn't hurt?

Here is the bruise the "hidden branch" left on my leg saturday when it pushed me into the river.
Yes it is where the sun doesn't shine much.

Mountain bike/swim

I went for a MTB ride today along the river. The water was high and covered the trail in one spot. I new it was a narrow section and hugged the bushes on the right side of the trail. I didn't see the tree branch hiding in the leaves and ran into it. It pushed me off my bike to the left right into the river. The next thing I know I am under water laying on the bottom of the river on my side with my left foot still clipped in. I quickly stood up (the water was waist deep) climbed up the bank and took inventory. Glasses, computer, bottle and cell phone (in a baggy of coarse) all intact. I had to try my phone to make sure it still worked and took a picture.



Here is the scene of the crime. The bush on the right with the hidden branch. The water isn't very deep on the trail where my bike is but about one foot to the left it drops to about three feet deep... a nice little spot for a dip.

Cruisin'

Riding around St Cloud.

Greener pastures

Rode about three more hours west of Walker in Chippewa national and Paul Bunyan state forests this morning.
The picture show how much it has greened up in the area compared to two weeks ago.

The mosquitoes are out in force also but as long as you don't stop your ok.

The new Scalpel

That's right the pictures you see in the previous entry show the new ride, for now. I managed to break the frame on my old Scalpel and since a replacement is not ready yet they sent me this frame to use until my Scalpel 1 comes. Very nice ride! This one (Scalpel 3) is about 1/2 lb lighter than my old Scalpel 1 but has more rear end travel. The new Scalpel 1 should cut another 1/2 lb as it is all carbon.

At first it felt a little bouncy in the rear but with the longer travel I needed to set the shock a little stiffer to get it to feel right. It feels lighter and climbs better. One down side is the seat tube is shorter that the old one so I have to run my seat post all the way up to the limit, not sure if that is good to do being as heavy as I am I could snap it off. I have about 6 hours on it now and no issues so that worry is going away.

I rode the North Loop tonight and got in two laps. The trail is in great shape (what is open) and is riding fast for spring.

I looked up in my Polar software last years Mountain biking and I rode 53 laps at the North loop. Only 51 to go after a slow start.

I got done with my lab tests yesterday at SCSU. Got a nice bag of schwag and hopefully a check soon. All togther I spent almost 7 hours riding on the lab bikes, 5 finger prick blood tests, 5 VO2 tests, 14 viles of blood donated, one 40k and 2-60k time trials on a computer course that has a nasty hill every 20k and about 4 liters of two different sports drinks.

Mountain biking rules!

Today was my first mtb ride since Thanksgiving, I forgot how much fun it is. I spent a couple hours on logging roads, forest roads and 4-wheeler trails in Chippewa national forest and Paul Buyan state forest.

Dynamic duo

Tami and I teamed up to do the relay at the Apple Duathlon yesterday.
Tami did the running legs and I did the bike. We finished the 5k run, 33k bike, 5k run in 1 hour 56 min, good enough for 9th in the coed relay and 17th overall in relay, pretty good for our first time.

Testing 1 2 3

I had my first of two 60 km time trials last night at SCSU's human performance lab. It was hard, almost two hours as hard as I could ride. I felt ok after but today it really hit me. Not really sore, just really tired.
They have a computrainer that runs a course on the computer and it varies the resistance based on the terrain and your speed. Really a cool toy for indoor training.
I am going to bed now I am achy all over and getting chills.

It seemed like a good idea at the time.

I pretty much felt like crap all day today. I am pretty sure it wasn't the 12 New Castles but the 1/2 bottle of pre-mixed Margaritas I drank when the 12 pack was gone and Amo and I were still thirsty.

My partner in crime.

My evening

Here is what I did tonight, polished of 12 of these babies.

Spring Doldrums

Tonights group ride really fits in with the way my cycling season has gone thus far.

I left work late and hurried home, quick changed, mixed up some Accelerade, grabbed the bike and sped out the door. I rode hard to get to the shop by 5:30 as I hate to keep everyone waiting. Well I made it on time but we ended up waiting for someone else anyway.

I managed to get 9 miles and broke my chain. I patched it together and rode back to the Shop for a new one.

A few days ago I headed east into a hard headwind. I really pushed it into the wind really looking forward to the big push home. Well right after I turned around I double flatted and had to call for a ride.

It seems a little early to be sick of road riding but it is setting in. Adding to my frustration is not getting my new road bike yet and riding a demo (nice bike but a to small for me) and being without my mountain bike for going on 6 months now. Hopefully one of those will spark my interest again otherwise I may take up golf this summer.

Value

I am a value minded bicycle racer. Take Saturady's Synergy time trial. Everyone paid the same entry fee but some did the 40k fast and some did it slow. I like to think of it this way, I was near the top in regards to cheapest dollars per minute of ride time.
I use the same rationale when I golf, cheapest $ per stroke.

Lab Rat

I wasn't going to do testing that they usually have at SCSU every summer but they upped the anty to $125 plus bonuses for fastest 60k time trial. It's really hard but you get free lactate test and VO2 test plus the cash so I am in. It will probably similar to a Tuesday night ride but indoors, nose plugged, breathing through a tube and constatly getting your finger pricked. Wow, is it too late to back out...

After the ride last night I was surprised to see I am starting to get a nice tan line on my legs already, after only 2 rides in shorts this year!

Every spring when I start riding out side I lose a few pounds of winter weight. Why is it the extra weight goes quicker in my legs, arms and neck and I can't lose any in my torso?

Here is a picture from the Pork Chop Cyclocross last fall I had to pay a handsome ransom for. Taken right after I fell going into a set of barriers (note bloody left knee) and almost got pulled for taking a beer hand-up (who knew?).

I am getting used to getting shelled

A good hard tuesday night ride again. I got my but kicked.

I did manage to set new average power output personal records for 5 and 10 minutes though, and no it wasn't when I let Jim ride my bike.

Marty road race summary

I hate wind.

Fun

Ride #2 on the BMC, pretty nice bike. here are some pics from my ride. See if you can guess what I am doing while sending this.

oh yeah the Power Tap works on this bike too...

I am going so fast the cranks are bent...

Made in Switzerland... like my knife...

Glass is like Kryptonite...

Alright who forgot to close my water bottle?

Tuesday's gone... with the wind.

I have managed to get in on the Tuesday evening group rides from Revolution cycle and ski the last couple weeks. I had forgotten how hard they are.

Tonights was no different. We went south into the wind, I hate the wind, around Powder Ridge and back with the wind, I love the wind, although it never seems to help you riding with it as much as it hurts you going into it. I guess it's a love-hate thing.

217 average watts for 2 hours and 40 min. I also set new season high average power outputs for 30, 60 and 120 minutes so it was my hardest ride this year so far... until Marty Saturday.

Comments

I have resorted to moderating my comments. There seems to be a few poeple out there that are posting comments with links to site that load viruses on your computer and I would go for that.

So if you post a comment and it doesn't go up right away that is why.

If anyone know a good way to stop them from doing this let me know.

Nailed!

How many nails were holding this trim on?

Nice weather, no time

Beautiful weather friday, saturday and sunday morning. The loonies and grandies are at their training camps getting lots of hours in. I rode one hour all weekend.

Tuesday night rides

Riding with all my friends... Me, myself and i.

I skipped out on work this afternoon to ride...

That picture doesn't do the view justice.

2nd time up the Alp in 48 hours, almost 1 minute faster than Wednesday, lower ave wattage though, must have been a tail-wind.

I wish I could shake this chest cold. It's fine when I ride but I cough for 3 hours when I am done.

On top of the world...

Well top of Stearns county at least.