Cortez Journal Write-Up of Mesa Verde Race 12 Hour Race

A great article by the Cortez Journal of the 12 Hours of Mesa Verde.

http://cortezjournal.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=15380

24 Hours in the Enchanted Forest

Coming soon is another solo singlespeed attempt next month. This is an awesome course located up in the Zuni's outside of Gallup, New Mexico. 16 miles of 100% single track.  If you have never raced here you need to get out and join in on the fun. This is also the same location where the Zuni 100 is held in October as part of the New Mexico Endurance Series. The 24 hour race is a fundraiser to solve CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) in which I have a close friend who suffers from this ailment. Come support the cause.

Wouter Weylandt dies after stage 3 crash at the Giro d’Italia

Sunday Post Race Ride

I awoke early Sunday in Cortez where I had camped after the race. Its nice to stay late and not worry about driving as the post race awards and visiting with people is just as big part of the race as is the actual racing. Some people just race and scatter for the hills and do not enjoy the after party. I got to talk to Dave Weins in length about several topics. He is a great guy to talk to.
Sunday proved to be a fairly nice day in Rico with the exception of the winds that were blowing from the south at 20-30 mph. Laura and I jumped on the cross bikes for a spin up to Lizard Head Pass and back. The tail wind going up was wonderful but I knew the return trip was going to be unpleasant. And it was. I just buried my head and pushed through blasting the music. It took Laura about 20 minutes plus longer than me to get back. She wasn't too happy either and a nice headache to boot. That's cycling. I did an extra few miles and ended up with 28.5 miles and 1700+ feet of climbing. The legs were a bit sore form the race but still felt good to push the single speed up the road.

 Laura atop Lizard Head Pass.

Me at Lizard Head Pass. Short sleeve jersey at 10,300 feet is nice. That's a first this year.

Yep, after wanting a new tattoo for the past 10 years I finally pulled the trigger and did it. A Chris King single speed cog. You only live once. I love it.

12 Hours of Mesa Verde

The 12 hours of Mesa Verde effort for me this year was exactly how I predicted it would end. Me not dealing with the warmer weather. Living in Rico where it was last week in the teens doesn't lend to dealing with warm weather in May. I got so nausea and sick during lap 4. I cramped for over an hour between lap 4 and 5. Just brutal. I thought I was doing the right things in terms of hydration etc but obviously not. I went south. I have yet to find my groove this year in terms of my racing. It's been an ugly few races. Good thing I'm not a paid pro or I would be out of a job. LOL!!! Amateur shit it is! Some of the BWR racers did well with Steve Reiter from D town placing 2nd in our solo single speed class and Shawn Gregory from the newly formed Kokopelli Race team placing 3rd. Paul Adams, another Kokopelli race team member did great  placing 4th behind Shawn and only within minutes of catching him at one time.  Good job everybody!

TR and I sporting the new Kokopelli race kits. Looks like I will be splitting time wearing both BWR and Koko team kits.

The Next Beating-12 Hours of Mesa Verde

Fruita Fat Tire Fest

Laura and I headed out to the Fruita Fat Tire Festival to do some riding, see some old friends and of course drink some beer. TR met up with us as well and he was excited to ride his freshly built Niner single speed. We awoke Saturday morning to a fresh dusting of snow and freezing temps. The snow melted off quickly with the help of the high winds and the temperatures somewhere in the 40's. We rode the Kokopelli trails on Saturday morning after visiting the expo center and buying a few things. Loki outdoor wear was there blowing out some great jackets and I bought a soft shell (Myth Soft shell) and a rain jacket (Tak Light Shell) and Laura also bought a Tak Light shell rain jacket; hers being the 2011 version and both of mine the 2010 versions with better pricing of course. The jackets have built in gloves and face covers and hoodies. Ideal for where we live and I have never owned a great lightweight shell rain jacket for the rainy rides I get caught in. I've been making do with  a cheap version brand from REI. Anyways, we covered most of the trails in the Kokopelli system until the weather worsened and we headed back to town to enjoy the fat tire festivities. We were invited to the VIP party to watch the bike film 'Life Cycles". What a great movie and well filmed. Sunday we met up with some Vegas friends and rode the 18 Road trails with the wind at a constant 20 mph.Zippity was a bit sketchy on the exposed ridge. The trails were super fast both at the Kokopelli and 18 Road trails.

Myth Soft Shell

Tak Light Shell



Yep, snow in Fruita.



Gourmet coffee from the gas station.



On Mary's overlooking the Colorado River.


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Laura cruising up Mary's.