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

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 19^th is the Chequamegon 40 in Heyward WI and the 27^th 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 1^st. 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.

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.

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!