Weekend Riding

 It was a great weekend for some more bike practice at Phil's World. The weather was nice and warm and I actually obtained my first sunburn of the season. Niceeeeee! I received my early birthday present on Friday; titanium handlebars for my Airborne made by Ti Cycles out of Portland Oregon. They make lots of custom ti products from handlebars to custom frames. They have the same sweep as the Mary bars (30 degree) without any rise. They are super plush. Ti bike, ti bars and I think a titanium stem is next with ti spacers and a ti top cap.

We stayed home on Sunday and I got out on the road with the mean Dean road bike for the first time this year. It has only seen roller miles indoors and it was begging for some outside time. I obliged and rode to Telluride and back to Rico. I had a nice headwind all the way back which wasn't much fun but what can you do? Just ride and grin.

Climbing out of Ophir to Telluride. The grade is 16 percent in spots.

Wilson in the background at the overlook near the Alta Road turnoff outside of Telluride.

Shawn Gregory took a nasty fall just after the Rib Cage area and potato chipped his front wheel. He is OK for the most part with bruised ribs and bruised internal organs. Ouch. 

That time of year again with the Mexican Lager by Ska Brewing Co. Good beer after a good ride.

12 Hours Dawn til Dusk 2011

The 2011 Dawn til Dusk didn't go exactly as I wanted it to. The wind and weather did me in as I mentally checked out when the rain/snow started to fall during lap 5 so I called my race after lap 5 and finished in the overall 40+ age group in 9th place. At this juncture Dan Durland and Charlie Hayes were off the front with a big lead with Gregory, Hight and myself racing behind in our age group. Durland flatted and stopped after lap 7. He was dundo from the cold. The raced was called at 5pm due to the deteriorating conditions. The snow was pounding down in the last hours of the race. There was a  lot of tough people that kept on going in the crappy conditions that started around noon. I wasn't that tough on this day. The winds were ridiculous at about 25-35 mph and gusts probably over 40mph. I was physically blown over a few times. Congrats to the people who toughed it out and stayed in the elements. It wasn't my day to keep on motoring in those conditions. I certainly was on pace to obtain 8 laps before the race was called as I had lap 5 finished up at 12:36pm and plenty of time to get to 8. Mike Melley finished lap 9 in the under 40 age group but he was not in before the 5pm cutoff so it was not counted. The after party was great with lots of free beer. I had more than my share for sure. LOL!! Good times nonetheless.

 Friday afternoon was nice except for the wind but the weather was not to cooperate.

Sunday morning at the race venue.

SOLD!!! Titus Racer X and KHS SS For Sale SOLD!!!!!!!

SOLD!!!!

Laura's Titus Titanium Racer X is for sale. She is a full convert to 29er so it is going bye bye! Listed on eBay here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270731327221&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

SOLD!!!!


Also her KHS single speed soft tail is being sold on eBay here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270731265887&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

12 Hours of Dawn til Dusk

Just a few more days and I will be off to Gallup for the 12 Hours of Dawn til Dusk for my first 12 hour race of the year. Ive been doing this race since it's inception and it has snowed twice in the history of this race. The weather isn't looking so great at this point as it is actually getting worse by each day. The competition as usual is stacked. Two years ago (2009) it snowed/rained the night before the race and the race was cancelled. The trails just were not rideable at all even after a few hour delay. Hopefully the race Gods have pity on us and the storm passes without much to do. Nothing to do but drive down and see how it plays out. It's just money and time, right?

Weekend Wrap-up: Miller and Riding

Millers final resting stop in Rico.

 It was a tough weekend emotionally starting on Friday when we had an appointment to end Miller's suffering. It's never an easy call to make when you are ending a life. Miller was suffering; not eating or drinking water for nearly a week except maybe the smidget of jam or honey he would lick off our fingers. We had Miller for 13 years from when he was just a wee little kitten. He provided Laura and I so much joy his entire life. His name comes from my favorite garage beer; Miller. He was always an active vocal cat. Super smart and always there to greet you when you came home. He enjoyed dog food and would come eat with the dogs when they were fed. He was the lead dog (cat) amongst the animals in the house. Even Nacho would bow down to Miller. I never thought it would be easy to lose a pet but this was pretty damn hard on us. Laura and I chose to be in the room when they put the lethal injection into Miller. I wanted to see him go peacefully. And he did. We buried him in our yard in Rico on Friday evening with one of his favorite blankets and a few of his favorite items. He has a nice headstone in which I will engrave his name. We have been lighting his grave at night with a candle and had a 8x10 picture framed of him Saturday which is hanging in the living room. We miss him dearly. Rest in peace Miller.

With more than a few tears shed we put miller to rest. Laura and I decided to name Saturday's mountain bike ride at Phil's World  "The Miller Memorial Ride" which will happen the first weekend in April every year. I rode 42 miles on Saturday and Sunday was a good easy ride at Phil's for 22.5 miles. Laura rode her new Vassago 1x9 and rode a total of 47 miles with both days combined. The Dawn til Dusk 12 hour race is this Saturday April 9th in Gallup, NM. I think I'm ready.

Below is LK's new Vassago and my single is below hers. I was out washing them in the snow on Sunday afternoon.

Miller the Cat-R.I.P.

Miller hanging with Manny the Moose in his last hours. Now he is in Awesome World. We love you little buddy!



Miller the Dude!



Miller our beloved cat of 13 years passed on Friday April 1st. He will be put in his final resting spot in Rico on our property. An evergreen spruce tree will be planted at his resting spot. Damn I'm going to miss my little buddy.  He had developed a cancerous mass in his chest cavity combined with a heart condition that led to his rapid health deterioration. I never thought I would lose him and never imagined it would be this hard on me. Damn it. We loved him so much.

A POEM FOR THE GRIEVING...

Do not stand at my grave and weep.

I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow,

I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain,

I am the gentle autumn's rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush,

I am the swift uplifting rush

of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,

I am not there, I did not die...

-Anonymous