Friday, November 22, 2013
Winter is here to stay!
It definitely looks like winter is here to stay. Last weekend we received a total of 12" over two days and it's been snowing now for two days with snow called throughout the upcoming weekend. I've embraced the cold and snow. It's part of living where we do. It can wear on you. It's a long winter. I have been running a few days a week on the highway and riding down in Phil s World the past two weekends soaking up the single track on the new fat bike. But, I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving where we are traveling to Arizona to enjoy the sun and ride bikes.
Here are a few recent pics. Some biking and running...except this week...I have been home with a bad earache/sinus thing that's been hanging on to me for awhile now. Time to see an ENT, it seems everybody is booked this time of year with the holidays coming up. I'm not a happy person when I'm feeling like this and I tend to extend that to Laura which she doesn't deserve. Sorry Laura, I love you!!
Here are a few recent pics. Some biking and running...except this week...I have been home with a bad earache/sinus thing that's been hanging on to me for awhile now. Time to see an ENT, it seems everybody is booked this time of year with the holidays coming up. I'm not a happy person when I'm feeling like this and I tend to extend that to Laura which she doesn't deserve. Sorry Laura, I love you!!
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| Thursday's view from the living room. |
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| Nacho on guard! |
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| Phil's World last Sunday on the new fatty! |
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| Lizard Head Pass looking at Sheep Mtn. |
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| Out on a run after work with the beautiful San Juan sky |
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| Embracing the cold on one of my runs after work. |
Monday, November 18, 2013
New Fatty!
I recently sold my Salsa Mukluk and my Salsa Selma to build up a Kokopelli Bike Co ti fat bike. Rules of the house are if you buy you must sell as well. Awhile back I was getting carried away and had too many bikes (not that you can ever have too many) but Laura keeps me in check on getting too carried away. In the past few years it's been a revolving door with new bikes and selling bikes. It never ends! I think we may be good for awhile now. Ha! I'm down to just three bikes which is OK for now. Dean ti road bike. Kokopelli Bike Co ti 29er mtn bike and now the newest addition to the family; a Kokopelli Bike Co ti fat bike.
All new except pedals and Ergon grips that I had. 2x10 drivetrain. A very modest build but I wanted it sexy with all ti parts and black components. She turned out better than expected. Here is the run down:
- Kokopelli Bike Co titanium frame (small)
- Kokopelli Bike Co titanium seat post, stem and handlebar
- Carver carbon fork with carbon steer tube
- SRAM X9 shifters
- SRAM X9 rear derailleur
- SRAM X7 front derailleur
- SRAM X9 crankset
- SRAM 10 speed cassette
- Surly Rolling Daryl rims laced to Hope hubs
- Shimano SLX brakes with ice tech rotors
- Nate 4" tires 120 tpi setup tubeless
- Sette Nyx saddle ti rails
- Eggbeater pedals
- Salsa seat clamp
- Cane Creek 40 headset
- Hope skewers (on order)
Monday, November 11, 2013
I'm not Pissed....Happy Vet's Day!
I did my time in the Air Force......Medical Logistics job class 91530. I managed an ATH (air transportable hospital..etc..).....1985 until 1989. My 1st Sgt hated me....I think he hated everybody. A miserable man. I busted my ass for this country. I gave up civilian perks for a stringent life of the military life. Looking back my my childhood mirrored military life to a degree. My dad was rough on us boys at times. It lasts......but in the end I deserved my Honorable Discharge. It bought Laura and I our first house with the use of a VA loan. I think vet's should get more privileges albeit serving wartime or not. I sacrificed my time, myself, my family to serve my country. WTF! Really. I deserve some perks...IMO. Whatever..I'm stronger than ever. It's been a long time since I did my time. I love my military brothers!!!
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Longest 1 Day Race
The 25 Hours in Frog Hollow is the longest one day race. Of course, it falls on the time change. An added bonus hour. Ha!
I hadn't done any 24 hour racing this year as they wear on you and it takes a very large amount of mental energy and physical energy to complete one of these events. I had completed my biggest race of my life thus far this year; The Colorado Trail Race and didn't have any intention of a 24 hour race never mind a 25 hour race but I soon talked myself into it shortly after completing the CTR.
Pain is temporary...stupid lasts a lot longer.
I have done plenty of solo 24 hour events and I know what to expect. They are fun and they can suck all at the same time. This one didn't disappoint on either.
The race kicked off with a short LeMans run and it was race time. I ran the first few laps at a nice steady hard pace and started backing off a notch knowing it was going to be a long night with nearly 12 hours of darkness. Jamon and Kenny had gone by earlier in the afternoon by me but I wasn't interested in chasing anybody down this early in the game. I kept telling myself to take it easy and get through the night and worry about placement in the morning. You cant control everything and trying to control the race at this point was fruitless.
Night came and I just kept pedaling. Eat, pedal, repeat. It's all I know. I was feeling ok until lap 14 and the Grim Reaper caught up to me. My wrists hurt like hell, my traps, triceps, pecs and everything else was taking a beating from the hard as concrete conditions. Maybe my tires were to firm or my front shock air just not right. Who knows. I typically do not get this way. I came into my pit after this lap hurting for certain and had to put it down for a bit. I was shivering and it was around 5 am. Damn it I didn't want this to happen. Ok,, a short break and I would be back out. It wasn't quite that short but I eventually got back out and completed lap 15 feeling much better. Daybreak was upon as well. Light!!!!
I had no idea what place I was in but went out with a vengeances on lap 16. It was nearing the end of the race so I wasn't sure If I was going out for lap 17 or not. I came into the transition tent thinking I was done. I went over to the tv screen that shows the results and I was standing next to the dude that was in 5th in my class. He recognized me from talking earlier in the night and told me where he was in the placements. I looked at the tv screen and saw I was in 6th place with knucklehead next to me in 5th. I looked at Rex who had just completed his team lap and I said " I'm going back out, tell the tent!!!". No water, no food, fuck it I'm racing mother fuckers!!! Let's get it going. I went out as hard as I could not knowing what I had in the tank but damn I was going for the podium. Sheer adrenaline now. I ripped that lap passing geared racers and completed my 2nd fastest lap on lap 17. 1:05. That lap bumped me from 6th to 4th!!! And nearly came close to catching 3rd place missing out by four and half minutes. That down time after lap 14 screwed me good. But, it's racing and I am happy where I ended up. My 200 mile kick engaged like it can at times. Wow, that was a thrilling end to the race for me. I was high as a kite.
4th place, 17 laps, 221 miles and 17,000 feet of climbing. I'll take that to the bike bank.
I want to thank my teammates and friends for all of the support during the race. Thanks Adam Pace, Paul Adams, Keevin Blue, Pete Eschallier and Rex Robichaux. A big shout out to my sponsor Kokopelli Bike and Board out of Cortez, Colorado!!!!
As well it was great seeing old friends and meeting new ones. The cycling community is awesome!
I ran the Kokopelli Bike Co 29er ti hardtail with a 32x20 gearing. My go to gearing for all 24 hour racing. It took a beating out there and kept on going. What a product the boys over at Kokopelli Bike and Board are designing.
Here are some pics from the weekend.......
I hadn't done any 24 hour racing this year as they wear on you and it takes a very large amount of mental energy and physical energy to complete one of these events. I had completed my biggest race of my life thus far this year; The Colorado Trail Race and didn't have any intention of a 24 hour race never mind a 25 hour race but I soon talked myself into it shortly after completing the CTR.
Pain is temporary...stupid lasts a lot longer.
I have done plenty of solo 24 hour events and I know what to expect. They are fun and they can suck all at the same time. This one didn't disappoint on either.
The race kicked off with a short LeMans run and it was race time. I ran the first few laps at a nice steady hard pace and started backing off a notch knowing it was going to be a long night with nearly 12 hours of darkness. Jamon and Kenny had gone by earlier in the afternoon by me but I wasn't interested in chasing anybody down this early in the game. I kept telling myself to take it easy and get through the night and worry about placement in the morning. You cant control everything and trying to control the race at this point was fruitless.
Night came and I just kept pedaling. Eat, pedal, repeat. It's all I know. I was feeling ok until lap 14 and the Grim Reaper caught up to me. My wrists hurt like hell, my traps, triceps, pecs and everything else was taking a beating from the hard as concrete conditions. Maybe my tires were to firm or my front shock air just not right. Who knows. I typically do not get this way. I came into my pit after this lap hurting for certain and had to put it down for a bit. I was shivering and it was around 5 am. Damn it I didn't want this to happen. Ok,, a short break and I would be back out. It wasn't quite that short but I eventually got back out and completed lap 15 feeling much better. Daybreak was upon as well. Light!!!!
I had no idea what place I was in but went out with a vengeances on lap 16. It was nearing the end of the race so I wasn't sure If I was going out for lap 17 or not. I came into the transition tent thinking I was done. I went over to the tv screen that shows the results and I was standing next to the dude that was in 5th in my class. He recognized me from talking earlier in the night and told me where he was in the placements. I looked at the tv screen and saw I was in 6th place with knucklehead next to me in 5th. I looked at Rex who had just completed his team lap and I said " I'm going back out, tell the tent!!!". No water, no food, fuck it I'm racing mother fuckers!!! Let's get it going. I went out as hard as I could not knowing what I had in the tank but damn I was going for the podium. Sheer adrenaline now. I ripped that lap passing geared racers and completed my 2nd fastest lap on lap 17. 1:05. That lap bumped me from 6th to 4th!!! And nearly came close to catching 3rd place missing out by four and half minutes. That down time after lap 14 screwed me good. But, it's racing and I am happy where I ended up. My 200 mile kick engaged like it can at times. Wow, that was a thrilling end to the race for me. I was high as a kite.
4th place, 17 laps, 221 miles and 17,000 feet of climbing. I'll take that to the bike bank.
I want to thank my teammates and friends for all of the support during the race. Thanks Adam Pace, Paul Adams, Keevin Blue, Pete Eschallier and Rex Robichaux. A big shout out to my sponsor Kokopelli Bike and Board out of Cortez, Colorado!!!!
As well it was great seeing old friends and meeting new ones. The cycling community is awesome!
I ran the Kokopelli Bike Co 29er ti hardtail with a 32x20 gearing. My go to gearing for all 24 hour racing. It took a beating out there and kept on going. What a product the boys over at Kokopelli Bike and Board are designing.
Here are some pics from the weekend.......
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