Peak to Peak Highway

South St. Vrain… Raced the river on the way down

Strava Route

Afterwards grabbed the whole family and rolled out to the Eagle Trail in Boulder.  Even got Bridget out there on her Giant 29er.  Still learning the ropes and would be a good chance to run the dogs.  It’s one of the few trails that dogs & bikes can both be on in Boulder.  We just rolled down to the reservoir, let the dogs get in and rolled back.  Too warm to go fast for the dogs and a little too much uphill on the way back for Lake.  Poor Lulu was so cooked by the end she was running zig-zags and I don’t think she knew where she was.  Lizzy was barely panting and asking for more!

Lizzy and Lake heading out on the Eagle Trail

Wrapped up the day with some steaks on the grill and beers in the backyard,

West Magnolia

Sunday, headed out to the West Magnolia trails with Frank and Von.  Had heard about these, but never had ridden them.  Drove up to get some extra time on the dirt.  Rolled into the lot, hooked up with Scott Upton & Randall.  They were both sporting some singlespeeds and wanted to romp around a bit on the dirt and check out the SSUSA course that had occurred on the trails the prior day.

Frank was on the gas from the go

Frank took off like a rocket and we chased him around for a bit on the super dry and super fun trails and decided to make our way up to the “Toilet Bowl’, no idea what it was, but I was just following

Wonder if Chris is home?

Went up the trail known as ‘schoolbus’ and soon found out why.  So we decided to explore a bit and check things out.

Boarding the bus

Well, if it got dark we’d have shelter

Seem like we’re on the right bus

We kept chugging upwards and onwards and found some even cooler stuff.  An old abandoned mine & equipment.  I could’ve spent hours checking this stuff out and.  Was super cool to see

Frank the Tank

Built to Last, well over 100 years old I’m thinking..

No thanks, good with plain old dirt

As we went up higher, started running into snow

We kept creeping upwards and were continually running into snow drifts that were a few feet deep.  This was a first for me.  75+ degrees and deep snow on the trail.  We made a bunch of crossings and then reached a point around 9500′ ft where the snow just made the trail unpassable.  We jumped up to the road and tried to make our way up via alternate routes, but the road was just wet and muddy.  Got up a ways to where we needed to access the trails and I believe the quote was ‘There’s a waterfall on the trail there!’ so that turned us around and we just ripped around the trails down lower.  We lost Scott and Randy to a whole bunch of flat tires and rolled on for some more over to the DOT trails.

Gorgeous view of the high country were abound

Strava Route

Ended up with just shy of 3 hours of bike time.  Trails were awesome and by far some of my favorite trails I’ve ridden around locally.  I’ll definitely have to head back.  It’s a pretty intricate network and gonna have to learn those for sure!  All together was a great way to finish of a nice solid block of training and prepare for the Bailey Hundo!

We ended up driving through Big Thompson Canyon into Estes Park.  Along the way we stopped for some lunch along the river.  Decided it would be fun as hell to play in the stream, throw some rocks, climb on the Boulders and basically just be 6 year old boys.  It was a blast and we both had tons of fun.

Immediately as we rolled into Estes Park, there was a whole herd of Elk that crossed the road.  So it was super cool to see!

Once we got inside the Park, both of us were really awed by the vistas and the surrounding landscape.  I think Lake wanted to play on the rocks a bit more.  Don’t tell mom, but a few feet back is a big drop off!

My favorite picture from the day.  We played on this rock for a long time.  Even got to pretend it was the surface of the moon and bounce around and jump on it like were astronauts.

At the day’s end we went to the museum where Lake earned his Junior Ranger badge.  He was pretty dang excited for this and I was super proud of him for earning it and answering the Rangers questions.  I think now we have to go to a few more parks for him to earn more.

Nothing is better than hearing him say “Best Day Ever” when we got home.  Full pics here on facebook .  All in All, super fun day and glad that got to spend the day with Lake!

Saturday-FoCo Fun

Managed to get out Saturday with Sonya and Jeff of Team Green (Ergon)  Go there, they have some cool pictures too!.  They are both prepping for the Julian Death March next weekend in Cali and needed a good ride with some climbing.  Temps were up near 80 for the day and I made a mistake opting for just bottles.  I really loathe carrying a pack, especially when wanting to ride at a solid clip.  The Superfly only has 1 bottle mount and I guess I just need to suck it up and carry it.  It ended up costing me big time.  I played it conservative with the water bottles as I wasn’t totally sure where/when we would get water and by the time I needed it, I had barely drank half a bottle 2 hours into the ride and was already in the whole.  We scored some before the climb up Horsetooth, but damage was done.  I started to cramp a little bit coming up the long climb, hamstrings were just not happy at that point.

Rolling out along HorseTooth Reservoir

Climbing up the big Climb to the Towers

I’m on top of the World!!

Trails were in Primo conditions

We came off the Towers climb on a pretty crazy fast wide-open descent (was really fun and felt like descending the ol Bristol Mt. Ski Slopes).  Grabbed some more water and headed over to Blue Sky/Indian Summer.  Climbing up Indian summer was total suckage for me.  Legs had no go and just had to back off a bit and let the 2 go in hopes I’d have some thing to finish the ride off with.  Started to come around a bit rolling back home on Blue Sky and back out, but there wasn’t any need to go after that.  All together though was a great day of riding and had some awesome fun with the Green Gang and got to ride some new trails that haven’t ridden before.

Don’t want to sound like a downer on the ride, cause it was hellacious fun and we ripped the trails.  Had some good times and now I’m looking forward to pinning on my first number plate this coming weekend at the first Mountain States Cup of the season down in Colorado Springs at the Cheyenne Mt. Explosion.  Will be a good chance to get some high intensity work and just toe the line after a long off-season.  Still have tons of fitness to build and looking forward to a long race season!

Lesson learned this weekend though, in that heat and dryness need to drink alot more!  I slammed 2 x 32 oz of Cola on the way home and grabbed a full meal and was still 4 lbs under my morning starting weight!  Ouch, I know better than to do that for sure

Did what any good mountain biker would do! Headed out for some more trails. I rallied compared to Saturday. As much as I felt like crud on Saturday, I felt like a million bucks on sunday. Climbed up the uber rocky trails at the beginning and made my way towards Indian Summer and Blue Sky Trails

It was just one of those great days on the bike. Felt like a perfect extension of the bike, cleaned nearly everything that was put in front of me in the techy rocks to start with. Railed the lines and if I though it, the bike did it

Once I made my way over to Indain Summer Trail, I rocketed up the switchback climb and headed over to Blue Sky. Wasn’t that many people on the trail and was just able to open it up! Blue Sky flows like no other trail around. Most of my speed on the trail was 20+ mph with a few 30mph sections of rolling singletrack! Was absolutely floating out there, the legs had all kinds of snap & the bike hooked up awesomely

Was soo much fun, I did a few laps on Indian Summer, 2 more laps in both directions and then headed back to Blue Sky for another out and back again. Just rippingly fast & feel good day on the bike

It was a great extension from yesterday’s “Play” on the bike, pretty much exactly what Sunday was. Just some more ‘playing’ on the bike. One of my top 5 rides on my bike ever

Uploaded with Skitch!

This week obviously is another great one. Trails will be in stellar conditions & time to rip again!

On a side note, super stoked to hear that my great friends Mark & Suzanne Hartman from Geneva Bicycle Center are coming out here for the Fruita MTB Camp! Gonna come in a few days early to ride some cool trails (like this one above) and then head to the camp for some even more killer riding!! Cannot wait to Shred with them again!

Just digging this photo, Plains/Mountains/Big Sky/Horses

Look back on Left Hand Canyon as I climb to Olde Stage

Heil Ranch

Today, needed some good dirt fixin’!  Busted out the Superfly 100 and rolled from the base of Lefthand to the trails for a little warmup.  I put the original Bontrager rims back on the Superfly and needed to break em in a bit.  Couldn’t ask for a better day & place to do it.

Rolling to the trailhead

Climbing up Wapiti, they don’t call it the Rocky Mountains for nothing!

Finally had some legs climbing up Wapiti, though I kept it tame and really wanted to have fun on the downhills.  Shredded it around Wild Turkey and just had fun ripping it up on the trails and enjoying the day.

Overlook from Wild Turkey Trail

Rolled back down the Wapiti, then back up again and looped it on the Ponderosa trail.  I absolutely lvoe the Superfly 100.  The bike just seems to be a natural extension of myself.  Flying down the Ponderosa, was completely on the wrong line heading into a nice chunky sections of rocks.  Just aired it out over the rocks, landed right in the midst and let the bike take it all in.  Chewed it up and spit it out without issue.  On the hardtail would have had to scrub tons of speed as the bike would have easily bucked around off the rocks.

The rocky Ponderosa Trail

After Ponderosa trail, rolled it back down the Wapiti trail.  Super fun descent to finish the ride on.  Just rolling it down the trail and having some fun, even hit a few of the jumps on the way down to keep it fun.

No Complaints when a ride ends with a view like this!

Weather look crazy next few days, hoping that the snow keeps away as some of the trails are a still a few days from being fully open & could use some more time drying out.

Regardless, Loveland is super close, so rolled over there for a gorgeous day on the mtb.  I’ll keep it short and sweet  and let the pictures do the talking.

The Devils Backbone

View of the whole Devils Backbone from the opposite ridge looking west

Last time I was here, was on the hardtail superfly, Loved having the 110mm of suspension in the rear on the nasty rocks

Awesome view of the Valley and the aptly named ‘Blue Sky Trail’

Down in the Valley by the Cottonwoods

The Nasty rocks, I get a chuckle when the east coasters say Colorado isn’t technical, this isn’t a section, this is the entire trail!

Since I was out nice and early and got back home with loads of time, Bridget and Lake where a bit antsy and looking to have some fun, so I took em back for a nice family hike.

Lake showing us how it’s done

I love this picture with the awesome colors….. I also can’t imagine how much one of these homes would cost with a view of the Devil’s Backbone…

All in all a really awesome day on the bike and with the family.  Felt great to get my dirt fix on and definitely looking to head back to the trails again and again.  The rocks are definitely tough and I have a few dabs I’d like to get back!

Probably too much for one post… But here it goes. Short simple and sweet version:

Bought a new Superfly 100 Elite. Super stoked to be back on a dualie (HUGE THANKS TO THE CREW AT GENEVA BICYCLE CENTER!!). The thing is so cushy, but as snappy as my hardtail was. Also only 8oz heavier!! I’ve only got one ride on it but as I get more under my belt I’ll do a review.

I’m back in Colorado!!! Working full time out of the new FasCat Performance Center in North Boulder. Super stoked to be back! Lotta good things to be coming soon!

Since I was here I checked out the USGP cyclocross race in Ft. Collins. Hooked up with a few athletes that I coach (thanks for the pedals Amanda!) and cheered em on.

See 2 videos below. Start if the race and check the second one, the dude crushes the post with his chest. Not as good as Todd Wells crash on the barriers, but still a good one nonetheless.

Dude crushes the post at about 20 sec into the video!

Stay tuned for more as i settle in.

Now for the short and pissed off version.
Managed 5th overall and 3rd age at the Singletrack stampede. Broke my chain on the 1st lap & then next lap, busted up my front derailleur. After a few adjustments, was forced to stay in the small ring. So congrats to J Bixby who won by a few minutes, while I spent triple his advantage on the side of the trail.

Saturday was 126 miles on the road bike with Brendan, Staffo and Barney. Hosed completely after that ride. Brendan broke a shift cable in Italy Valley and drove it 18+ miles in the 53×12. I was gassed a bit from the race still and when we got to CDGA decided to roll the last 30 miles home. Frick, my legs were cooked after that ride.

Last night was Farmall #2. Was sitting pretty till I burped a tire at the end of the 2nd lap. Was dumfounded for a second, the realized there was a floor pump in the trailer as I was right near the finish line. Rolled over and pumped it up. Had fallen into about 6/7th place. Lost pretty close to a full minute on that. Damn near impossible to make up on that course. Drilled it the next few laps and brought the gap down to under 30 secs (EDIT: gap to 2nd place not 1st) and made my way up into 3rd. I wasn’t gonna close 30 secs on the final lap, so kinda sat up a bit. Was a little frustrated at my luck again, but oh well that will happen. All part of racing.

Next week is Farmall #3. Gonna be a shootout for the overall! Then no races till Shenandoah 100!

At the start we rolled off the grass and onto the paved climb, I just basically jammed it here to string everyone out.  I knew the 40 seconds of climbing wouldn’t take too much and all it would do is really give me the lead into the singletrack.  From there it was mostly just rolling and keeping the pace high.  Right away, Rob was on my wheel and Doug Rusho was in 3rd (not sure who was in 4th).  There’s not too many opportunities to make a move in the early singletrack, so I stayed tight and let things be.

As we crossed the road and hit the sidehill climb, I really gassed it.  I knew this climb well, practiced attacking here and practiced the roll-out at the top where I would have to keep the effort up as it was still climbing and it was new trail so it’d be nice and loamy.  Didn’t really get any separation from Rob on the climb, but managed to get some separation from 3rd & 4th.  Descending the orange trail I was able to get a few seconds between us, & tried to gas it coming up the Brown trail rooty climb, but Rob was hanging on with everything he had and clawed his way onto my wheel.  Some harder efforts on the Brown trail, but never really shook him at all.

Click Here for the Big Version: Flickr resized it tiny

Coming off the Brown Trail onto the more open Orange Trail, I hit the gas on the slight climb.  Was actually able to get a few seconds of separation here and even more again on the descent.  As we bombed the trail, they rerouted us through a new section I hadn’t ridden and it was quite wet.  My front wheel slipped in the mud as I caught big air coming into it and he quickly pulled the gap right back.  Bummer for sure.  Railed the purple trail with everything I had and still, he was right there at every section.  My last shot was to drill it up the grassy open climb and get some separation.  I didn’t really attack but turned the screws on him for the whole long minute up the climb.  We were both gassed and still no separation, but still had a little bit of climbing left.  I heard him breathing pretty heavy and hit him with the knockout punch.  Drilled it again immediately and finally got the separation I needed.  I had about 8-10 seconds heading down the final descent and knew I just had to get back across the road and keep it together.

Bombed the descent and got a few extra seconds, but coming off the descent, the course was rerouted onto the red trail.  I was set up to make a left turn and cross the road.  But we had to go right on a greasy corner.  I had to pull up, and head down the red trail.  Super tight trail with zero visibility, off-camber, etc and I’d not ridden it in a long time (they actually removed it when the rain came).  As a result I had to lighten up and try not to crash.  This let Rob back on.  At this point, I basically ‘sat-up’.  There really wasn’t too many more opportunities to get separation.  Had a quick chat with Rob, we decided to cool our jets and SPRINT for MAD MONEY!  Regardless of winner, we’d split the cash.

As we came out of the woods, I swung it wide.  This gave Rob the lead onto the pavement.  I’m sure it didn’t really matter, but was nice to sit in 2nd wheel.  He tried to up the pace, but I hung on without issue.  We rolled off the pavement around the bathrooms and back onto the pavement for the final 100 meters.  I scouted the corner just incase.  Super tight left hand turn.  Slightly off-camber with tons of rock-fill everywhere.  You hit this wrong, you were gonna drift and miss a pedal stroke and have to give it some gas on the little rise up to the road.  I set myself up around the corner, Rob took inside a little tight and had to miss that pedal stroke.  I carried my momentum and as we hit the road I was already going faster than him, slammed the pedals with everything and got a few bike lengths for the W!  Official lap time 42:57?? (computer reads 41:54).

9 attacks on my behalf that lasted from 20-90 seconds greater than  120% of FTP.  52 efforts that ranged from 1-15 seconds that were greater than 150% of FTP.  All in all; 15 minutes (36%) of my lap was spent Anaerobic!!  Needless to say, I was spent on my 2nd lap and rolled a 48 minuter as I tried to recover.  Also, not that it mattered, but about 15 minutes into my lap, the nose of my saddle shot straight up.  Making it super tough to get forward on the nose when climbing and forcing me to stand quite a bit more than I would have liked (I fought the saddle issue for many laps and took a seatpost rebuild when Marky-Mark got there to finally fix it).

Thats it for now..

Was suppose to be 4man, but changed to duo due to fears of a weather repeat if last years monsoons. Casey & I manned up & got ready to rip.

Raced my ass off & won the first lap. Gave everything I had and won the 2 up sprint. Will do a full power/lap review later.

After that settled in. Rain & fog & night came. Took a break & so did everyone else. Got up early ripped out some laps. Had a huge lead and were able to stop by 9:30 when the next round of rain came.

And that I exactly did.  It downpoured pretty hard Friday evening, but trails were so dry, the only thing really affected was that the roots were wet.  Trails still had some awesome grip and quite dry for the most part everywhere.  I climbed up Stid Hill and rode up to the Tower Drop.  Ran into a few cyclists coming down the 4 wheeler trail, that was a first.  Luckily was able to help them find there way.  After hitting up the long climb, dropped down the tower drop.  Now if you’ve been lucky enough to descend the tower drop, you know it’s near vertical.

Well, mix that in that it’s really technical and steep and loose, add some wet roots and only 1 line on hte descent.  Mix it up and add a nice crash in there and you get a nice chainring scratch and impalement on the lower leg.  Looks like I was attacked by a bear-vampire.  4 streaks of gash down my let, with 2 ‘bite’ marks where the chainring dug right in.  Got a few odd remarks about the wound this weekend, but I sucked it up and charged on.

Took things up to OCP and ripped my fastest lap on the Hardcore 24 course.  41 minutes nearly on the nose.  Probably would’ve been a few seconds faster had I not hit the deck when I came off the course onto the pavement!  Turned a little early on the wet pavement and hit the gas to sprint and “Down goes Igby”.  Awfully nice to be charging hard and dump it right in front of the party houses with all the onlookers.  Thankfully that was the last time I crashed, but with that I was pretty tore up literally.  Little blood mixed with dirt, never hurt anybody!

After hitting up OCP, I decided to rip up over in Cutler and then take the road down and climb up over Bristol mountain.  36 miles & 5k feet of climbing was more than enough for the day.

Sunday had plans to go rip Dryer rd in prep for the Fat Tire Fest coming this weekend.  But while watching the tour, came down with the weirdest sickness.  Was freezing my ass while it was 80 degrees outside and couldn’t eat a thing.  Skipped out on the day and just relaxed as much as I could.

I’m skipping the 6 Hours of Power this weekend.  Racing is expensive & so is a wedding, I’m pretty sure I don’t get to pick where the money goes at the moment.

Hope the rain holds off tonight, get some more trail ripping in tomorrow night & a road ride tonight, then some good racing this weekend at the Fat Tire Fest!