Weekday training has been packed full of the usual; intervals, suffering, fatigue, chasing strava KOM’s.  But the weekend is a good chance to get out and explore via bike, bust my ass still and have a ton of fun doing so.

I decided I wanted a good long uphill ride, and no better place to go than to Nederland.  I figured I would check out Tin Shed Sports and see how skilled The Powers was at making some coffee.  The plan was to roll up 4 mile Canyon to Switzerland trail and then stop for coffee/lunch and then Shred the DOTs on the way back down.  Below is the story in pictures

Rolling the gentle grade of 4 mile/Wall Street

Wall Street-While this was used back in the gold mining days, I’ve been watching too much Game of Thrones and only could see knights and warriors fighting and scaling the walls  

The Switzerland Trail, a long gentle railroad grade climb with great view  

Getting higher and looking across to the Switz on the East Side 

I was feeling great climbing, had a super fun rhythm and just pushing myself at Sweet Spot, I smiled and was psyched when I turned the bend and there was so much more to climb and keep going  

I made it up to Ned, but the temps up high were really cold!  I was having a bit too much fun riding and enjoying the views and had pushed myself pretty hard and skimped on the food intake.  So I gingerly rolled into Tin Shed for some soup and sandwich (It was delicious!) to accompany my expertly made Mocha.  I was pretty frigid and it took me some time to warm up and fuel up.  In fact, so much time that I didn’t realize how long I had been there and had to back out of most of my ride on the single wide trails…..

I did pop in for a short bit and they were magnificent.  

It was rain-snowing and the dirt was just the best kind you could imagine, so much moisture in the soil, but hard packed.  The tires felt like they had velcro on them the whole time.  If it wasn’t Mother’s Day, I would have spent the whole day up there!  The rest of the ride, I dropped straight down Magnolia and back home.  

 It was a great ride, had loads of fun.  And now onward to the race season with Battle of the Bear 1/2 & Curt Gowdy XC this weekend!

From a certain point onward there is no longer any turning back. That is the point that must be reached

We managed a great day on the bike and just ducked the oncoming snow storms. Perfect trail conditions (except for all the trees that were down). Loads of smiles all day long…

I’ve been to Fruita 2x over the last few weekends.  First time was with my Epic Pro teammates.  Got in some great riding, dodged some shoddy weather and I attempted to race.  I say attempted as I had an asthma attack about a few minutes due to the dust and efforts.  I backed it off and basically rode at zone 2 for the majority of the race.  But Chris took a solid 4th place finish at the race.

Check out that sweet stuff out there

Alders and Baddick Strava Hunting on I-70

Round 2 was back at Fruita, this time with the FasCat camp.  An Awesome gang and some super fun low-key skills riding.  Got to rip so much cool trail and ride lots of stuff that missed the 1st weekend.  Doyle and Hanggi even made it out for year 2.  Super fun to get to ride with them.  I wonder who gets to come next year?  Props to Hanggi, rode all 4 days he was here with a BROKEN THUMB and never complained.  Just got it done and railed the trails.

Western Rim

 Gorgeous but long day out there

Props to Lauren Andre, 16 years old and showing us how it gets done 

 Hanggi showing us how to climb properly in bike shoes

Strava hunting on the Horsethief Bench Trail

Round 3 was the Whiskey 50.  14 hours down there with Baddick, Blake Harlan and Tammy Sadle.  Long drive but worth every minute.  North America’s best pros were on hand to contest for the $30,000 on the line.  Rolled into town, pre rode, raced the crit, chilled saturday, then got to work Sunday.  MORE HERE on Epic Blog.  It was just a great weekend to be out and play pro bike racer against so many other great racers.  I’m really stoked with my result.  Everyone always feels they can do better when it’s over, and I’m sure I could have.  But in the end the result happens when you cross the line and not when you rethink about what you could have or should have done during the race.  41st against a stacked field for first real event of the season.  I set a goal time and smashed it and that makes me happy.  Props though to Baddick who took an awesome 13th place!

Rolling out with team Jamis for a pre-ride

Uh! Chris, there’s a snake coming for your snake?!

Whiskey Fat Tire Crit, that shit was hard

In search of trails for some fun on saturday 

 Found Yuki from Ergon out there and got to shred some super fun stuff

Finishing the Whiskey 50

All in all had a boatload of fun the past few weekends, gotta to see some old friends, make new friends and just have a blast riding the bike. Now it’s time to spend some time with the Family though!!

Saturday was spend with Scott Upton and John G.  Rolled a bunch of dirt roads that I had never been up before.  Logan Mill was a great climb and really want to go back and do that one again for sure.  Got high above Boulder and dropped down the snowy Switzerland trail.  Managed to meet up with a huge group of riders at the bottom of the climb.  Alders was there along with a bunch of other friends.  Unfortunately I flatted right away and Scott and I had to chase all the way up the climb.  Regrouped and dropped into gold hill and then back down into Boulder.  Where I subsequently flatted again.  Guess I need to go NoTubes all the time!  Pics below:

Chasing Scott up the steep on Logan Mill

First taste of Colorado Singletrack this year

Snow on the Switzerland

Great view from up high on the Switzerland Trail

Hey, look who we ran into, pfffft flat tire, time to chase

Rolling with a few leaving Gold hill

Sunday Keller, put out the call for a group ride on the Heil/Hall Double.  Great go to route for sure and we had some good company.  Unfortunately rolled up about 2 minutes late and the group was gone.  Gave chase on the road, and luckily they were only at the stoplight where Allen Lim was selling his famous rice cakes on the side of the road!  Caught up with everyone and rolled out.  My legs were definitely feeling saturdays efforts but was able to work through it.  Was just awesome to hit up some killer singletrack and shred.  Heil/Hall is a super fun route and even more fun to do with a great group of people.  Rolling back over Picture rock, I had to swing into town and get water, but the group decided to keep rolling .  Meant I had to go into town, get water and then re-bridge.  Funny enough I was just riding solid tempo, caught the group and managed to set a 2nd best time up PR without really going all that hard, but still was hard enough.  Then we dropped down and laid the wood to each other over Olde Stage.  All together was just great to get 2 days in a row of dirt!!

The crew, wondering if anyone knows where to go…

Hall Ranch Rock Garden

Keller leading the charge at Hall

Dig this photo with Longs Peak in the Background

All together stoked to hit some dirt this past weekend.  Temps are staying great here and it’s bone dry (need some rain for sure!), but will be heading home this weekend to visit the family.  Bringing the road bike, to hit some Naples Hills!!

Rolled out of town with Kelly, Greg & Bill from Epic Endurance.  Wasn’t looking for a hard day by any means, just a chance to enjoy the weather and have some fun.  Bill broke a spoke rolling north on 36 and ended his day… The rest of us trudged onwards towards Estes Park.

Below is the ride in pictures…

Rolling up Big Thompson Canyon, Massive Canyon walls surround for most of the trip

Busting out of the Canyon and Heading to Glenn Haven then to those white peaks

Glen Haven General Store, time for some world class cinnamon rolls

Mother f@ck$ng, son of b*t(h, this was the sole reason for riding up here

Ah well, the views into Estes Park made up for it

Food and Fuel while enjoying the sunshine in Estes Park

Greg and Kelly Climbing out of Estes

Not sure what mountain this is, but looks like a photo from the 1800′s

Looking back on Estes Park

All in all it was a grand day for a trip to the park.  117 miles of riding and we even caught back up with Bill as he rolled up South St. Vrain Canyon on his mountain bike to catch us.

Sunday ended up being crazy windy, and I managed a short quick trip over to the famous Morgul-Bismarck course for a trip up the wall.  Never fell over or had to carry my bike to secure the final spot in the race, I probably didn’t even impress Marcus with my climbing.  It was crazy damn windy though and decided to bail on the ride after I stretched my legs.

This weekend is looking great again, another perfect one and thus some more time on the road bike is in the forecast, but all likely to be a lil bit short in the end compared to the last few weeks.  But nonetheless will still be some good fun.

Then…. Drumroll… Coming home from 3-29 to 4-2.  Plans are to hook up with the GBC crew on Friday am for some Hartman Ranch shredding and then get MEGA on saturday down in Naples with the MtnJet and a few others.  Will be nice to bring some high altitude lungs to sea level and maybe take some of those Strava KOM’s from a few of the locals . The main focus of the trip will be to see my sister and her big ol preggo belly and Peyton and Reagan; but since it was unplanned I’ve got lots of leeway to have some fun on my bike.  It just better not rain or snow!!

Rossetti Vertigo

Now, I realize, it’s not quite all that in the road cycling world, I mean look at it, where’s the carbon deep dish wheels?!  But it’s new to me and it’s been about 3 years since I’ve had a new road bike.  My road bikes tend to stick around on average about 3 years and are more workhorses than anything for me.  It would take me a while to list all the mountain bikes I’ve had but only a few lines to list the road bikes.

The bike isn’t anything special, open-mold Taiwanese frame, but it does have an integrated seat post.  Built up with SRAM Rival and currently some crappy shimano wheels (hopefully to be replaced with NoTubes soon).  I’ve also got a Quarq on it’s way, so for first time in a while I’m without power for a bit.  But with the low end gruppo, it comes in about 16.8 lbs  I’ll drop some weight swapping to the Quarq & also lose about a pound swapping wheels.

Not that the parts, name brand, etc are the big deal.  The fact is it just makes me excited to ride my bike again and get out there and train.  Now, this might be common place, but after riding a 7 model years old trek 5200; this thing just jumps when I pedal.  It actually feels like it goes forward and 1 out of every 3 pedal strokes aren’t wasted just pushing through the drivetrain.  So it makes me excited to climb hills, go on group rides, go for long MEGA* rides (*trademark/copyright of HeyoBH).

In fact got out this weekend with my Epic Teammates for the Gateway ride.  It was pretty much a regular NRC race this past weekend on the front group.  All the famous colors of teams and riders you see at the front of the big races were on the front of the group ride.  With the warmer weather it brought out loads of riders to test themselves against them up the infamous Carter Lake climb.

Regrouping at the top

It was good fun hard race to the top and I straggled in not too far behind, at least better than I have been.  So fitness is slowly climbing.  Aftereward turned around with Chris, Sam & Bryan and headed out on our own.  Our small group fought the wind to Lefthhand Canyon, then fought our fatigue and selves up to the top of Jamestown.

Bryan, Sam & Chris

I was dispatched about mile 7 of 9 and just couldn’t hold the pace any longer uphill.  By the time we rode up Lee Hill, I considered walking as it seemed a bit faster.  But all together it was a good ride with teamies.  The bad news is I found out why I was struggling and came down with a full blown cold.  Thought I had salvaged myself and fought it off, but ah well.  Nothing to do now but pop pills and try to recover in time to do it all over again this weekend.

Hopefully can get out today before the 80 mph gusts come and keep logging some new miles on the Newness!

I’ve been hitting the rollers steadily this past week.  Steady diet of Sweet Spot Bursts, Tempo work.  Even a few Sufferfest videos to mix in some intensity to prep of the upcoming race.  Coupla days here and there on the skate skis & even ran into Mr. Baddick on Saturday at South Boulder park turning some laps.  I ‘attempted’ to follow on the skinny skis as much as I could, but don’t let him fool you he’s pretty quick on them.  I only managed to catch up to him when he took a tumble down the big hill , but naturally I fell flat on my face on the flats when I was trying to put some time into him.  It was all in good fun and is still hard as shit no matter how many times I try to get out there and practice.  I still need to get up to Eldora and take a lesson from Peter.

After a week on the rollers and the only outside time on the skis, today I’d had enough.  Dry Roads was all that was needed to motivate me.  20 degree temps, dealt with them plenty.  I’ve got all the gear, didn’t even have to really HTFU.  It was just due time to get outside and ride.  I mean if I didn’t know how can I justify myself when B-House is pulling off 6 hour rides in those temps and laughing his way to the top of the podium.  Gotten a little soft out here in the 45 degree winter temps.  Manned up, layered up, sent out the texts and was joined by Carson and fellow Epic teammate Brian Sells.

21 degrees, been a while

In a way it was kinda nice and exhilarating.  It was peaceful for sure.  My legs were blown from the skiing and hitting the rollers hard the past few.  But it was all damn worthwhile. …..And I figured out why I was struggling so hard to catch up and go forward > my damn bottom bracket is hosed/was frozen.  Would barely turn 1/12 of a stroke when I pushed it forward.  200 watts felt like 400 as all my energy was being wasted pushing through.  Whoopsie, should’ve fixed that a bit ago, but no need a new road bike is en route (tomorrow/tuesday??).

It was as cold as it looks

In the end, was far better to be outside than inside.  Here’s to 70 degree temps, dodging cacti and kicking some ass next weekend at OP!

I’ve downhilled a few times & classic skied tons, but never have I ever skate skied.  Met the crew at the gate for my first foray.  AP, MT, Tupa, Bob & Josh were there to ‘help’ me learn.  They showed me a few things and then just went really really fast and I was forced to bust my ass with everything I had to keep up.

This is what I felt like out there skiing

I could go fine on the flats, better than I though on the down and totally sucked going uphill.  And there was lots and lots of uphill.  I can’t remember the last time I went that hard.  Legs were burning, arms were burning, it was dark, 9000ft elevation and I simply fell over a few times going uphill as I was just going so hard trying to keep up.

I’m pretty certain this is what my technique looked like to everyone else

Needless to say it was both the most fun and hardest thing I’ve ever done exercise wise.  HUGE thanks to Powers for lending me the skate skis and boots.  I’m super hooked on the sport and I need to get up to Ned and get a good lesson from the Brit.

Well the snow came down in bunches Thursday/Friday night and made for a good fun day this past Saturday.  I elected for my first Winter Triathlon.

Rolled out to North Boulder Park for some am skate skiing

Then jumped on the trainer for 90 minutes of Sufferfest videos with Bill & Kelly

Then home for 90 minutes of Snowshoe time with Bridget & Lake

I was pretty crushed when I finished up all 3 workouts, but damn it was a ton of fun.

I didn’t get to bust out the skis on Sunday, but instead took Bridget and Lake and the pups for some more snowshoeing up in Nederland

This tells you how deep the snow is when Lizzy was swimming in it

It was a gorgeous day out there and far warmer than you can imagine

And of course the dogs had so much fun!

Training is rolling along nicely and I’ll work on bringing everyone up to speed quite a bit more on this blog and getting some more updates up much much quicker than I have been in the past few months.  New Bikes are coming and racing is less than 2 weeks away!!

Anyways the gist of this blog post was meant to be about my focus & motivation for 2012 & outline my goals.  Sometimes making things public can force you to never back down & push yourself to new levels.  As I posted earlier, going to be racing with Epic Pro cycling team p/b The Gear Movement.  New team, new teammates & some awesome new sponsors for 2012.  I’m excited to be back on Cannondale bikes, been a long time since I’ve ridden one, but I truly loved those bikes.  From my F2000SL (that I worked my ass off in college at Pizza Hut to pay for > Hell yes I rocked the blue Volvo logo’d frame & those crappy CODA discs, but got those swapped.  I think I only broke 2 of these frames!) to the Scalpel that took home off the demo truck, they were fast bikes.  2012, hoping to be on a Flash 29.

Flash 29

Serious team & serious goals for 2012

• PRO XCT Racing!! Texas, Colorado Springs & Missoula (will miss Wisco though as I’ll be back home for my mother’s wedding)
• Nationals!! XCO Nationals in Idaho
• Winter Park Series as I can hit them
• Steamboat Stinger (need some redemption from last years finish)

My goals are for some good finishes at the front of the pack  (race how I know I can race).  Perhaps crack the top 10 for the big races or pull some podiums up high at Winter Park/Steamboat.  Big time, hugest goal, holy crap maybe?  Get into the World Cup at Windham.  That’s not as easy as one thinks.  Need some solid UCI points for the season & not too many races will I get to hit to chase down those points, but if you’re going to dream, better dream big.  I’ll have the bike, the support & the team to do it.  I just need to bring the training into the right spots.

Yes, it’s completely true.  I’m actually training this season with a purpose & goal (see above).  The last 2-3 years have seen me mostly focused on family (getting married, moving, etc), making other people fast, & plain old having fun.  I got fit, but never truly race fit.  Did some intervals sparingly, rode my bike tons but lapsed when it came to the true dedication.  What most people call ‘soft’, didn’t push myself beyond the normal comforts of general riding.  It showed in my race results & my power numbers & even my mentality (at least according to my wife).  I would do just enough to get by & it worked for me then. It no longer will.

Not so this season, I’ve been cracking the whip at the gym.  Late evening or early morning gym sessions, crushing the core work.  Going the extra bit to get myself fit.  Riding is slowly up-ticking as well as my overall strength & general fitness.  I’m leaps & bounds ahead of the past few seasons in January & truly ready to get it on.  I’m feeling strong & it’s a great time to be alive & training hard.

Rolling with Coach Carson

First racing of the season kicks off with the Team at 24 hours of Old Pueblo.  Racing as part of a 5 person mixed team & looking to mix it up a bit. Obviously won’t be anywhere near mid-season race form, but will be nice to get some intensity in, particularly with Mellow Johnny PRO XCT only 2 weeks after.  Good chance to really integrate myself with the team & hopefully give Sam & Chris a run for their money on lap times

Clear roads & Mild temps have made for good training

That’s it for now.  Temps are looking great to load up the miles for this weekend & hopefully the snow melts.  #getsome, set some goals & get yourself focused for this season.  I am!

In case you didn’t know we got dumped on with snow this past Thursday. Not your typical w inches, but more like a foot or more.

As such have had to think outside the box when it comes to training. Road cycling was out for a bit as they really suck at plowing around here.

Thus, put some extra time in at the gym. Legs are getting sore from the hypertrophy phase, but definitely feeling strong. Friday with the day off for work, pulled out the classic skis & hit the local trail down the road. Was quite fun & peaceful. Will make for a great place to do recovery rides this summer.

Since I had already been skiing the day prior, busted out the snowshoes, grabbed the dogs & headed in the opposite direction on Saturday. Ended up being super warm & was crazily overdressed. The dogs sure enjoyed it, but had Lake along & he hated every minute of it. But we did have fun throwing snow balls at each other.

Finally was able to get out on the road bike today. Was enjoyable & nice to get out for some fun, but my legs were jacked from doing everything but cycling. Was a crazy temperature fluctuating day. Was 45 when I left, then would hit cold pockets and dip to 30, then back to 45-50 a few miles later.

And they still suck at taking care of the roads around here. Seriously with these temps, one thing I can say is every upstate road would be clear of snow. Around here the plows rarely come out & as such loads of drifts & icy sections on a few roads. Don’t even try to ride a side road… but alas, I’ve got mad skills from many a days of negotiating upstate roads & ice (while we had plenty of plows, colder temps made it tougher). Always fun to dive in to snow/ ice at 20+ & see if you’re gonna hit the deck or make it through.

Solidly warm temps are here for a bit & hopefully can get in some more great time playing this week & weekend!