A real 80's rocker!
12/27/09
12/25/09
12/9/09
Growl
I finally gave in to the peer pressure last night and meet some friends at Granite City Brewery at purchased a Growler. Now I have 96 oz of Brother Benedict's Bock in my fridge for the weekend! I hope it makes it to the weekend.
11/15/09
9,998, 9,999, 10,000
Back in mid October we went up to Walker to visit my parents before they headed south for the winter. We got out fishing a couple times before the boat got put away.
I went out by myself one afternoon when everyone else was otherwise occupied. Not 10 minutes in I hooked a small Muskie. I got it to the boat and in the net fine but in my haste to get the hooks out (the air and water temp was about 45 degrees) I did what I knew I shouldn't have and grabbed the crank bait while it was still hooked in the fish. Just then the fish decided to make an escape attempt and flopped around in the net with my middle finger attached to it via a "Bomber long - A" with two sets of treble hooks. Not Fun!
I managed to get the hooks out, measure the fish (36"), get out the camera, get this picture and release the fish all the while bleeding all over myself and the boat.
Yeah that was my biggest fish of the year, still a far cry from my biggest (51") about 8 years ago when I did alot more fishing.
I went out by myself one afternoon when everyone else was otherwise occupied. Not 10 minutes in I hooked a small Muskie. I got it to the boat and in the net fine but in my haste to get the hooks out (the air and water temp was about 45 degrees) I did what I knew I shouldn't have and grabbed the crank bait while it was still hooked in the fish. Just then the fish decided to make an escape attempt and flopped around in the net with my middle finger attached to it via a "Bomber long - A" with two sets of treble hooks. Not Fun!
I managed to get the hooks out, measure the fish (36"), get out the camera, get this picture and release the fish all the while bleeding all over myself and the boat.
Yeah that was my biggest fish of the year, still a far cry from my biggest (51") about 8 years ago when I did alot more fishing.
11/12/09
For Sale
2008 Scalpel (carbon) with 2007 XTR, Crossmax SLR wheels. New in Sept - tires (tubeless), chain and cluster. Size - XL. Let me know soon or it's going on fee-bay.
11/10/09
Colorado Day 2
The second days ride was on the high lonesome trail, a 10 mile trail we did as an out and back. The out seemed all up hill but the return was fun.
One of our creek crossings...
Lonesome, we saw just two hikers on the trail all day...
Charlie, Mike and I in moose country...
Our guide, my brother-in-law Brock, works for the forest service and knows the area well...
I don't know... Kern trying to pet a fish at the turn around, Meadow creek reservoir.
One of our creek crossings...
Lonesome, we saw just two hikers on the trail all day...
Charlie, Mike and I in moose country...
Our guide, my brother-in-law Brock, works for the forest service and knows the area well...
I don't know... Kern trying to pet a fish at the turn around, Meadow creek reservoir.11/7/09
Colorado Day 3
Better late than never, Colorado pics. Day 3, Rogers pass ride. From our condo 15 miles to the top with about 3,000 feet of climbing.
Just over Rogers pass, enough said.
Charlie and I climbing at the treeline...
John riding one of the tougher sections, me walking...
Charlie leading me and Mike with a long way to go...
Mike and I near the top...
Just over Rogers pass, enough said.Photos by CS photography
9/29/09
Future States?
When I got my change from buying lunch I noticed I got a new quarter so iI flipped it over to see what the new state on the back of the quarter was.
American Samoa!?!
American Samoa!?!
I thought they were just doing the 50 states but as it turns out they are doing quarters for American Samoa, DC, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam and The Northern Mariana Islands. Now I have at least heard of Samoa but The Northern Mariana Isalands??? US Mint
Night Rider
First night ride of the year last night. After the weather we have had it was really hard to go out for a ride at 8pm when it is 50 and windy. I had to keep telling myself it is alot warmer then it will be in a couple months. I got to the North Loop a little early and did a partial lap then the six of us did 2 laps, less the expert rock section. Good first night ride, and I wasn't cold at all, actually a little too warm.
9/24/09
9/21/09
Cheq after thoughts
I felt way better yesterday and today than the previous 4 Cheq 40's I've done. That brings up the question that popped into my head around the 1/2 way point of the race, could I have gone faster. Usually after the race all I can do is sit on the ground and sip my drink for about an hour, this year I was showered, and had two bottles of water, a burger and a beer in me before the hour mark.
During the race I downed 4 - 20 oz bottles of energy drink, a pack of shot blocks, 4 gels, two bananas, and 3 cups of water. Although I did start to cramp with 7 miles to go, I slowed down for a few minutes and avoided anything major.
The cold, or what my doctor told me today was probably a case of walking pneumonia, didn't hurt me too bad until after the race, then I couldn't stop hacking. My average heart rate was 165 bpm for the 2:49 minutes, high for me for that duration.
I was 575th out of 1,778 starters. The winning time of Brian Matter was 2:02, for an average speed of a whopping 19.9 mph. The slowest time was 6:15, now that takes guts.
Well off to take my anti-biotics and put ointment in my daughters eye.
During the race I downed 4 - 20 oz bottles of energy drink, a pack of shot blocks, 4 gels, two bananas, and 3 cups of water. Although I did start to cramp with 7 miles to go, I slowed down for a few minutes and avoided anything major.
The cold, or what my doctor told me today was probably a case of walking pneumonia, didn't hurt me too bad until after the race, then I couldn't stop hacking. My average heart rate was 165 bpm for the 2:49 minutes, high for me for that duration.
I was 575th out of 1,778 starters. The winning time of Brian Matter was 2:02, for an average speed of a whopping 19.9 mph. The slowest time was 6:15, now that takes guts.
Well off to take my anti-biotics and put ointment in my daughters eye.
9/20/09
Fat Tire & the E.R.
Chequamegon 40 wne well. I finished in 2:49, my best time, so I am happy with that. Everyone from St Cloud did well also.
At Erickson's cabin before the start.
Ben finishing.
Me crossing the line.
Mike and Angela. Not a great pic but Mike won the dirtiest face award.
Jim and I.
Bryon and Matt.
Me giving Tami a big sweaty, dusty one for helping me out.
No crashes for me during the race, I only unclipped once when I spun out on fire tower, but we did have to take Madelyn to the E.R. later that evening to stitch up her eyebrow.
She's going to have a nice shiner too.
Next weekend the St Cloud double. Single track escape mountain bike race on Saturday and the Pork Chop cyclocross on Sunday. Throw in my parents, my sister, Brock and Owen coming to stay with us, Octoberfest at Mi Familia, a wedding and my 20 year class reunion.
9/17/09
How did I get into this?
Jim always talked about some big race in Wisconsin and though that I should do it but I always blew it off.
In March of 2005 my neighbor Doc, with some coaxing from Jim I'm sure, brought over an entry form and told me if I got in I was going with him. I got in. I started riding my Mountain bike, a late 90's Specialized hard tail I bought from Jim a couple years earlier, on the road.
In May MDU (parent company of Knife River, where I work) annonced a team weight loss contest. 20 person teams of employees had 9 months to lose as much weight as they could and the first three teams would split $100,000! $60k for 1st, $30k for 2nd and $10k for 3rd place.
It wasn't long and I bought a road bike, a Trek 1500, and started riding longer and even a few group rides. I managed to get out 2-3 time per week and logged a whole 67 hours of riding from April until Cheq.
I had lost over 30 pounds before Cheq finished in 3 hours and 21 minutes. By the time February rolled around I had another 60 hours riding (mostly indoors on the trainer), lost 45 pounds total and had an extra $3,000 in my pocket.
Spent most of my winnings on a used Trek Fuel from one of the Sovas and in the 2006 Cheq clocked a 3:01, my best ever.
The next two years I finished with a 3:09 and a 3:03, both were disappointing and way off of my goals.
So now I am thinking about it way too much, reviewing spilts from the past 4 years, recalling where I started, what I ate for breakfast (McDonalds in 2007, Yuck) and how much I ate and drank during the race. It's really wirthless for me to be at work, I can't get anything done.
After cutting 40 minutes off of last year's time at the King of the Rockies a couple weeks ago I was thinking Cheq was going to be a breeze, then I came to my senses.
After all that my goals are pretty much the same as the last two years, I am going to be really bummed with over three hours, happy with a 2:5x, and ecstatic with a 2:4x.
There, now I can put it out of my mind until Saturday. Right.
In March of 2005 my neighbor Doc, with some coaxing from Jim I'm sure, brought over an entry form and told me if I got in I was going with him. I got in. I started riding my Mountain bike, a late 90's Specialized hard tail I bought from Jim a couple years earlier, on the road.
In May MDU (parent company of Knife River, where I work) annonced a team weight loss contest. 20 person teams of employees had 9 months to lose as much weight as they could and the first three teams would split $100,000! $60k for 1st, $30k for 2nd and $10k for 3rd place.
It wasn't long and I bought a road bike, a Trek 1500, and started riding longer and even a few group rides. I managed to get out 2-3 time per week and logged a whole 67 hours of riding from April until Cheq.
I had lost over 30 pounds before Cheq finished in 3 hours and 21 minutes. By the time February rolled around I had another 60 hours riding (mostly indoors on the trainer), lost 45 pounds total and had an extra $3,000 in my pocket.
Spent most of my winnings on a used Trek Fuel from one of the Sovas and in the 2006 Cheq clocked a 3:01, my best ever.
The next two years I finished with a 3:09 and a 3:03, both were disappointing and way off of my goals.
So now I am thinking about it way too much, reviewing spilts from the past 4 years, recalling where I started, what I ate for breakfast (McDonalds in 2007, Yuck) and how much I ate and drank during the race. It's really wirthless for me to be at work, I can't get anything done.
After cutting 40 minutes off of last year's time at the King of the Rockies a couple weeks ago I was thinking Cheq was going to be a breeze, then I came to my senses.
After all that my goals are pretty much the same as the last two years, I am going to be really bummed with over three hours, happy with a 2:5x, and ecstatic with a 2:4x.
There, now I can put it out of my mind until Saturday. Right.
9/16/09
9/8/09
North, South, East and West
My crazy last two week in summary.
8/27 After work loaded up the Kern Cruiser and John, Charlie and I headed west.
8/28 We drove until 1 am then got a room and crashed for 5 hours. Had the worst continental breakfast ever then hit the road again. Got to Fraser Colorado at 3:30, met up with Mike, loaded up on groceries, checked into our condo, went for a hour ride and went out for some pasta.
8/29 After our morning rituals we went to the race HQ for King of the Rockies at Winter park got checked in for the race, went back to the condo, got suited up and rode to the start line. John had a great race beating Charlie by only seconds. I felt good all race and shaved almost 40 min off last year’s time. Mike had chain trouble on the first climb and crashed on a decent but still finished and even took second in the “Road Rash” competition. My Sister Angela and her husband Brock, were at the finish so we made plans and met the for a Crazy Donkey burrito and margaritas at Azteca after the awards and a short and fast ride back to Frazier. Then on to the Crooked Creek for Jack Daniels and pool.
8/30 Met Brock at the bike shop as he and Mike, whose bike suffered some damage the day before, were going to rent rides. We then drove up to the Devils Thumb trailhead and rode the High Lonesome trail up to Junco lake. A tough technical trail littered with rocks, roots and short steep climbs. During our 20 mile ride (10 out and 10 back) we saw a few hikers and no other bikes. After a late lunch we checked out the pool/hot tub, went for an hour ride, saw two moose not 10 yards off the trail, ordered two pizzas and crashed.
8/31 Had a plan to ride up to Rogers pass from the condo, about a 14 mile ride starting out at 8,700 feet and climbing up to just shy of 12,000. Charlie, Brock and I rode it last year but started about 1/3 of the way up. I really struggled to keep going but made it to the top after about 3 hours. Way too much work for the fun down-hill that followed. We took a different route back to hit the Broken Thumb trail and extend the ride to over 30 miles. Then after Mike left for the airport to head home John, Charlie and I went to Winter Park’s Trestle bike park for some chair lift assisted down-hill runs. Way easier! Then the Cheeky Monk for some 9% AC Belgium brews and an encore at Azteca followed by Hot Tub and Steam Room.
9/1 Moring ride out on Creekside, Broken Spade, Chainsaw, D2 and Upper Elk Creek trails. The latter of which has a Way too Hard climb followed by a very scary steep descent. Then Bombed the Forest roads back to town for lunch and to pack up. My sister had us over for dinner then we headed eat toward home.
9/2 Still driving. Fortunately Charlie had too much coffee (2 cups?) and drove all night so when I woke up we were in Iowa already. I drove to the cities and JK got us home tired but happy.
9/3 & 9/4 A blur of work, trying to catch up on sleep and fighting off some kind of Flu.
9/5 Madelyn’s 9th birthday after taking her, her sister and two friends bowling the night before and the friends sleeping over I made them breakfast, went for a ride (thought I was going to die), had lunch and headed north to some friends cabin in Hackensack. Then after Beer, BBQ Ribs and Birthday cake we drove to my parents house in Walker.
9/6 Managed to sleep in until 9:00 and would have slept longer but had to get ready for Church and brunch. Then we went for a bike ride, sailing and tubing. Ate more Ribs and Birthday cake.
9/7 I got up early and went for a couple hour MTB ride in the Chippewa National Forest by Walker, then another bike ride with the family, lunch at the “502” and more tubing for Madelyn. Then packed up and headed South home.
Yes that was the summary.
8/24/09
Spunk Lake RR
I rocked the Spunk Lake Road Race, for about 10 minutes. At the end of the first lap (of three) I got antsy, went to the front, worked too hard and popped. I lost contact with the group and finished the last two laps on my own.
As it turned out the winner of group (cat 4,5) averaged 24 mph, faster than any other group. Although the Masters 35+ and Cat 1,2,3 groups did 1 and 2 more 17 mile laps.
I was at the Shop yesterday and got the scoop on the 2010 mountain bikes. Both Jamis and Cannondale have a new carbon fiber 29er coming out and Jamis has a 650b (1/2 way between the old standard 26” mountain wheel and a 29er).
Thursday I leave for Winter Park for real mountain biking, I can’t wait!
Bernie and I trying to catch our respective groups. Picture from Skinnyski.com
8/20/09
Time to start racing
On Saturday is the Spunk lake Road Race in Avon. I haven’t been too into road races this year but this one is close to home and with my upcoming schedule I’d like to see where my fitness is at, so I am in. I rode the course Tuesday night for a refresher and felt really good doing the loop in about 45 min.
Next weekend I am headed to Winter Park Colorado to ride in the King of the Rockies mountain bike race. Then spending a few days riding in the area.
Labor day weekend is the Mountain bike stage race at Maplelag, if I go I will probably just do the X-country race Sunday as Saturday is Madelyn’s birthday.
Then the 19th is the Chequamegon 40 in Heyward WI and the 27th is the Jail trail race in St. Cloud followed by the Pork Chop Cyclocross race the next day.
During the rest of September, all of October and most of November there are 2 cross races every weekend around the twin cities area I hope to do a few but we’ll see.
The weather has me thinking about the upcoming winter and Skiing. I noticed the Mora Vassaloppet has a price hike from $65 to $80 on September 1st. I should wait until I know there is going to be good snow but by the time you know for sure the price is up to $110. I really liked the race last year so I think I’ll register now. Besides if I do that for 3 years and not have good snow and miss one year I am still money ahead of paying $110 each year for two years. That’s my story.
8/18/09
Drug Test
I have worked at the same place for 22 years and until last November have never been picked for a random drug test. I just got picked again, twice now in 9 months. Any of you who ride with me know I am not on drugs but if it is truly random I should have a long time before I get popped again…
Nah, I like being slow.
8/16/09
Nuts & Bolts
Last weekend my dad, brother Brad (from Toronto eh), brother Phil and I sailed in the Leech Lake regatta for the second year in a row. There was about 50 boats in 7 divisions with prizes going to the top three in each division. The boats are ranked by complex rating system and grouped into the divisions based on the rating. We were surprised Friday night when we learned we were in division 6, the second fastest in the race.
We sailed all three days in light winds and finished in the group each day (unlike last year) but ended up last in the division.
After looking at the results and the ratings of each boat it seemed clear we were put in the wrong division and there was even a boat in division 5 that had a lower (lower = faster) rating than us.
My dad talked to the race official and although it probably wouldn’t change for this race he was assured we would be in Division 5 next year.
Looking at the corrected time of each leg we would have been third.
A sailing trophy would be cool!
6/29/09
6/1/09
Up Nort'
The Family and I went to Walker this past weekend. The weather wasn't the best, Windy and cold on Saturday and the same with some rain sprinkles on Sunday. I went out for a good 3 hour mountain bike ride Saturday morning in the Paul bunyan state forest. The more I explore the trails the more I enjoy riding there. I rode a 26 mile loop this weekend and two weekends ago rode about the same distance with only the first 6 miles being on the same section of trail.
I've been pondering putting together a race up there but struggle with the time commitment necessary to pull it off. It would be a great fall race and there are plenty of trails to get a 30-50 mile loop. We'll see.
I Squeezed in a lap at the north loop last night, Tami and I plan on going for a ride tonight and I plan to do the Tuesday group ride if life doesn't get in the way.
I've been pondering putting together a race up there but struggle with the time commitment necessary to pull it off. It would be a great fall race and there are plenty of trails to get a 30-50 mile loop. We'll see.
I Squeezed in a lap at the north loop last night, Tami and I plan on going for a ride tonight and I plan to do the Tuesday group ride if life doesn't get in the way.
Here is a porcupine I rode by Saturday, he really didn't care that I was there at all he just stuck up his quills and kept munching on his snack.
5/4/09
Marty
On the first lap of 3 Saturday I got caught out in the brutal cross wind and popped off the back of the pack. Mark slowed up on the hill and together we caught a Loon State rider right before the end of the lap. The Loonie and I continued to pick up a couple riders on lap two including Kern. I gave up after two laps and Kern and the Loonie continued.
I hate quitting races, I can only remember quitting one other race. It felt so good to quit the second I let up but I have been regretting it since. As I read the restults I realized there were 5 riders behind so if I would have finished I would have been 34th out of 39 finishers instead of a DNF. Bummer.
The Xenith felt fast. I am not comfortable on it yet but that will come. I was still adjusting the seat right up untill race time and could tell after the race and yesterday my position is different. The deeper rims threw me a few times in the cross winds right away but I really like the way they feel and sound.
I hate quitting races, I can only remember quitting one other race. It felt so good to quit the second I let up but I have been regretting it since. As I read the restults I realized there were 5 riders behind so if I would have finished I would have been 34th out of 39 finishers instead of a DNF. Bummer.
The Xenith felt fast. I am not comfortable on it yet but that will come. I was still adjusting the seat right up untill race time and could tell after the race and yesterday my position is different. The deeper rims threw me a few times in the cross winds right away but I really like the way they feel and sound.
5/2/09
4/27/09
4/7/09
Workin' hard or...
Yesterday and today I did a weeks worth of work so I could get out of town for a few days with Tami and the girls and go to Florida over Easter. Ok so I didn't get it all done but enough so I can work on the plane and a couple hours by the pool and keep my job. Strange how things are so doom and gloom and I have more to do than ever.
I sent my bike down yesterday, not on Fed Ex but UPS, so I hope to ride some while there. The fishing should be great this time of year also so I will be all over that.
I had to get my social planner (Tami) my summer race scedule already so she could plan the rest of our weekends. I think I am booked through the Pork Chop Cyclocross? Don't worry Amo and Charlie I have the Paul Bunyan Ride and the King of the Rockies weekends free!
I sent my bike down yesterday, not on Fed Ex but UPS, so I hope to ride some while there. The fishing should be great this time of year also so I will be all over that.
I had to get my social planner (Tami) my summer race scedule already so she could plan the rest of our weekends. I think I am booked through the Pork Chop Cyclocross? Don't worry Amo and Charlie I have the Paul Bunyan Ride and the King of the Rockies weekends free!
3/30/09
Thank you sir may I have another
I went out Saturday with Jim and Steve on their Hill ride. 5 hills (4-hors only counts as one) 75 mile loop. By the end I was toast and had all I could do just to keep going.
Yesterday was supposed to be easy but wasn't and they drug me around for almost 60 miles more. Easy for who? I was able to follow ok but when I took a turn at the front it didn't last long and I was hurting. After a couple beers, a hot shower and most of a meat loaf it was sleepy time.
Easy (my easy) spin tonight and tomorrow night I am headed down to see if the Wild can sneak into a playoff spot in person.
Yesterday was supposed to be easy but wasn't and they drug me around for almost 60 miles more. Easy for who? I was able to follow ok but when I took a turn at the front it didn't last long and I was hurting. After a couple beers, a hot shower and most of a meat loaf it was sleepy time.
Easy (my easy) spin tonight and tomorrow night I am headed down to see if the Wild can sneak into a playoff spot in person.
3/27/09
Looking for something in a after workout burrito
I only managed 1 hour on the trainer last night, man am I sick of riding indoors.
Working my way through the 2007 Tour de France and I'm to the point that Astana just got booted out and they are questioning Rassmuson's missed anti doping test. I feel bad for Menchov and Boogard killing themselves every day in the mountains for the Chicken knowing what is coming. It's like a soup opera on two wheels.
Tami was supposed to bring home Bravo last night for us for dinner but forgot they don't accept credit cards, No Bravo for you! Qdoba instead.
Looking forward to getting out and riding Saturday and Sunday.
Working my way through the 2007 Tour de France and I'm to the point that Astana just got booted out and they are questioning Rassmuson's missed anti doping test. I feel bad for Menchov and Boogard killing themselves every day in the mountains for the Chicken knowing what is coming. It's like a soup opera on two wheels.
Tami was supposed to bring home Bravo last night for us for dinner but forgot they don't accept credit cards, No Bravo for you! Qdoba instead.
Looking forward to getting out and riding Saturday and Sunday.
3/26/09
Day 178
Tough! When I got home last night Tami had a baked chicken done and it smelled soooo good, but I managed to ignore it and go ride the trainer for 1:15 before I ate.
Broke 1,000 miles this year on my rode bike, so I got that going for me, which is nice.
3/25/09
178 days left
Time to get serious. I've been really slacking off the past few days but news of my Cheq Check going through has got me motivated to work hard. A little less than 6 months.
3/24/09
3/9/09
Uncle Jeffro, again.
My brother Phil and his wife Laurie were due to have their first baby on March 1st so this past weekend we had planned to go to Walker and stay with my parents, who came home earlier in the week, and see baby Sora. Friday night when we got up there they still hadn't had her yet but we couldn't get ahold of them. Phil finally called us Saturday evening with the good news. They had gone in around midnight Friday and she was born at 4:36 Saturday afternoon. I'll post some pictures when I get them.
While we were waiting I realized my mountain bike had stowed away in the Avalanche so I went out for a ride. I found some snowmobile tracks in Chippewa National forest that were nice and firm to ride...
and some that had a crust on top but just couldn't hold me up and I broke through a couple inches...
I found enough hardpack to ride out about 1.5 hours and could have gone further but it was getting late so I headed back.
Check out that spoke pattern...
3/5/09
Happy Birthday Grace!
It was Grace's birthday yesterday, 7 years already!
I took her to the shop for a new bike.
A little too icy to ride but it won't be long.
I took her to the shop for a new bike.
A little too icy to ride but it won't be long.
3/1/09
February 29th
February can't be over yet?
Not much going on. March is here, next weekend is daylight savings time already, maybe time to start riding outdoors on the week nights?
Madelyn and I went downhill skiing yesterday at Powder Ridge. It was a little cold but she didn't want to quit even after 4 hours. Before last weekend I hadn't downhill skied in about 10 years but I got back in the groove right away and Maddie is picking it up really quickly.
Still working on the basement room project running wires for the TV and speakers. Next insulate and put the sheet rock up then it will look like something.
Not much going on. March is here, next weekend is daylight savings time already, maybe time to start riding outdoors on the week nights?
Madelyn and I went downhill skiing yesterday at Powder Ridge. It was a little cold but she didn't want to quit even after 4 hours. Before last weekend I hadn't downhill skied in about 10 years but I got back in the groove right away and Maddie is picking it up really quickly.
Still working on the basement room project running wires for the TV and speakers. Next insulate and put the sheet rock up then it will look like something.
2/21/09
Winter is still here.
I really wanted to ride outside today but wimped out with 4.2 inches of snow overnight and cold wind out of the NW. Instead I went and bought an Avalanche full of lumber to finish off the one room in our house that isn't finished.
Origianally we were going to make it a scrap book room for Tami so she could leave her stuff out and be able to work on it more but decided to make it into a workout room to keep us motivated to stay (get) in shape.
I wonder how the Birkie goers did?
Origianally we were going to make it a scrap book room for Tami so she could leave her stuff out and be able to work on it more but decided to make it into a workout room to keep us motivated to stay (get) in shape.
I wonder how the Birkie goers did?
2/15/09
I got for a ride yesterday afternoon and I felt really fast until I realized I had gone out with the wind and had to buck it back. The first few rides outside every year the wind always throws me off, it seems like I need time to get used to it.
I never can drink enough water when it's cold out, it seems like I just have to piss all the time, so I managed to dehydrate myself and had a headache by the time I got back.
It was good to get out on the bike after almost 500 miles on the trainer this year indoors.
I never can drink enough water when it's cold out, it seems like I just have to piss all the time, so I managed to dehydrate myself and had a headache by the time I got back.
It was good to get out on the bike after almost 500 miles on the trainer this year indoors.
2/13/09
Friday Afternoon Blahs.
I want to ride OUTSIDE tomorrow, anyone else?
It's only going to be 20 degrees but I need to get out of the house and the Skiing doesn't look to be that great. Besides I still have a sore on my foot from my ski boots.
It's only going to be 20 degrees but I need to get out of the house and the Skiing doesn't look to be that great. Besides I still have a sore on my foot from my ski boots.
2/8/09
Vassa Fasta
What a fun race! Great weather and Fast snow made it a really great race. My goal going in was to do the 35k race in about 3.5 hours, about 6 minutes per k. That is a little slower than I knew I could ski but I still had a sore on my right arch from a blister from skiing last weeked and the most I had skied at one time this year was 20k so I knew the end of the race would be tough.
The first 10k was really fast and I tried to keep pace with those around me. I checked my time at the 25k to go mark, 37 minutes, I thought it was way too fast but felt good so I kept it up.
At about 15k to go I started dragging a little so I stopped at the next rest stop and got some Gatorade and something to eat and that helped for a while.
With 10k to go I caught Sheila while she stopped to put some wax on her skis.
At 7 to go I really hit the wall. I had to slow way down to just keep moving. I had a balance issue at one point and must have gone 40 yards down the trail on one ski or the other with my arms flailing all directions to keep from going down. I did manage to stay up and got alot of cheers for a "nice Save".
I finally hit the lake and I knew it was almost over. Up the hill off the lake and around the corner to the finish in 2hours 15 minutes and 57 seconds. 322nd overall and 9th in my age group.
A big thanks to the guys at Revolution Cycle and Ski for preping my skis as they were wicked fast.
Pictures soon.
The first 10k was really fast and I tried to keep pace with those around me. I checked my time at the 25k to go mark, 37 minutes, I thought it was way too fast but felt good so I kept it up.
At about 15k to go I started dragging a little so I stopped at the next rest stop and got some Gatorade and something to eat and that helped for a while.
With 10k to go I caught Sheila while she stopped to put some wax on her skis.
At 7 to go I really hit the wall. I had to slow way down to just keep moving. I had a balance issue at one point and must have gone 40 yards down the trail on one ski or the other with my arms flailing all directions to keep from going down. I did manage to stay up and got alot of cheers for a "nice Save".
I finally hit the lake and I knew it was almost over. Up the hill off the lake and around the corner to the finish in 2hours 15 minutes and 57 seconds. 322nd overall and 9th in my age group.
A big thanks to the guys at Revolution Cycle and Ski for preping my skis as they were wicked fast.
Pictures soon.
2/5/09
38 years.
I got out for a two hour ski last night at Quarry Park. I always feel fast when I ski at night. The trail was fast and a little icy.
I took the day off tomorrow, it’s my birthday, going to go for a ski with Tami then head to St Paul for dinner and the Wild game. I’ll post a picture from the game. They shut out Anaheim last night so hopefully the are on a roll.
2/1/09
Crappy!
The skiing was tough yesterday. In the shaded areas the snow was still frozen and fast but when you hit the sunny spots the snow was soft and it felt like you put the brakes on. I managed 2 hours and 15 minutes before I had to stop with a big blister on my foot, and other issues.
In the last week Tami and the kids have had a 24 hour stomach bug and 3 nights this past week someone was up throwing up. I think it hit me yesterday but on the other end... if you know what I mean. I had to make a dash for the Biffy while skiing yesterday and haven't felt well since. Not fun but it's better than puking, I never did like that.
In the last week Tami and the kids have had a 24 hour stomach bug and 3 nights this past week someone was up throwing up. I think it hit me yesterday but on the other end... if you know what I mean. I had to make a dash for the Biffy while skiing yesterday and haven't felt well since. Not fun but it's better than puking, I never did like that.
1/31/09
Who is Booger Butt?
Yeah it been a while.
I just read the comments from my last post over two months ago and I figured if my sister is willing to give up her secret identity (Booger Butt) then I can at least ablidge her and blog more.
I still plan to ski the Vassaloppet next Sunday but I kind of wimped out and changed from the 58k to the 35k. I have only skied 4 times this year and probably don't have much more than 58k in all.
Going to ski this afternoon with the Amo's, so I got that going for me, wich is nice.
I also ordered up my new Super Six road bike for this year so my 2008 Super Six will be for sale soon if anyone is interested. Here is the new one... yes white is cool!
I just read the comments from my last post over two months ago and I figured if my sister is willing to give up her secret identity (Booger Butt) then I can at least ablidge her and blog more.
I still plan to ski the Vassaloppet next Sunday but I kind of wimped out and changed from the 58k to the 35k. I have only skied 4 times this year and probably don't have much more than 58k in all.
Going to ski this afternoon with the Amo's, so I got that going for me, wich is nice.
I also ordered up my new Super Six road bike for this year so my 2008 Super Six will be for sale soon if anyone is interested. Here is the new one... yes white is cool!
And the old one for sale...
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