Robs Catching Back On

Carver Pk on the KHS

2012-01-28T17:49:00.000-06:00

Fitzie and I met at Baileys nursery and rode into Carver Pk---Fitzie broke his seat post

Later

Field Test

2012-01-20T15:56:00.000-06:00

Jake wanted me do a field test to get some "numbers " on me---Numbers are Numbers!!!

Afton Alps

2012-01-09T20:28:00.002-06:00

January??!!??

2012-01-08T19:27:00.003-06:00

Crazy winter

Later

Road riding on December 29th

2012-01-03T08:42:00.000-06:00

In love not having snow!!!

White Tail December 31st!!

2012-01-03T08:30:00.001-06:00

Crazy to be able to get out December 31st to go mtn biking on dry/dusty trails!!

Right side

2011-12-23T10:00:00.000-06:00

In June I went down hard at Afton Alps with my right arm extended--no good. I finally went to my General doc and got some x-rays done. The film did not show anything so onto PT for the next 3-weeks which did nothing. The next step was a MRI the showed nothing so....the next step was on to Ortho Surgeon. The surgeon said I have a little arthritis and am starting to loose my "cushion" in between my joints----Cortisone---OUCH

So much for Basketball this year!!

Mery Christmas everyone

Later

Getting out

2011-12-23T09:48:00.000-06:00

The last CX race was in the middle of November & I decided to take off until the 2012---well I had to get out. I jumped on the CX bike at 6:30pm to go for a ride. The first 15 min. was cold but after tat it was a great time,

2012 Mtn Bike season

2011-11-21T19:33:00.000-06:00

2012 MN Mtn Bike season

5/20 Afton Avalanche

6/03 Bluff Riders Charge, Mankato

6/17 Red Wing Classic

7/08 Dirt Spanker, Mt. Du Lac

7/22 Metric Auto Works Birch Bump, Buck Hill

7/29 Single Track Attack, Elk River

8/12 White Tail Ridge, River Fall WI

8/19 The Great Hawk Chase, Duluth

9/2 Laddies Loppet, Maple Lag Resort

9/23 Revolutions Single Track Escape, St Cloud

9/30 St. Croix Valley Woolly, St. Croix Falls (new for 2012!)

Time for a Double!!

2011-10-24T09:48:00.003-05:00

Saturday I thought I would do yard work then I had my morning coffee and decided to go to the Jackson Meadows CX race!! As always good times but painful because of not riding the whole previous week but, still got 12th in division.

Jumping off before run up

Sunday was Green Acres I was not expecting much besides having a good time and that is what happened.

1st lap I was taken out on the run up then when I was catching up I dropped/jammed my chain after going over one of the barriers!!

Good Times

Later

Run Up

CX at Wirth

2011-10-09T21:24:00.000-05:00

Wirth Park, Mpls, MN

Afton learning about Power

2011-10-06T20:16:00.000-05:00

Went out for a quick ride---After racing CAT 4 (30 min) & 35+ (30 min) on Tuesday suffering like a little baby I needed to get out ride!!

Later

First ride with Power

2011-09-26T20:54:00.002-05:00

Jail Trail racw fun Ride!!!
5th OA
WOW

Later

Pre-Ride the Cheq

2011-09-08T09:03:00.001-05:00

Wet and Sandy

Later

Just Riding!!!

2011-09-01T08:50:00.000-05:00

Met up with Dr Ryan and hit the road---"Just Riding"

Later

Pre-Fat

2011-08-30T10:16:00.001-05:00

I died
Awesome trail and Times!!

Later

Border Battle--River Falls, WI

2011-08-24T09:22:00.000-05:00

The Border Battle is in the books for the 2011 season!

First time I raced in this event in 3-years and it is still fast as it always has been and it always will be!! I am happy with my results since I was drinking the nite before and rode everyday that week--actually I could have done better if I did not start in the back like I did--oh well!!

Later

Riding in Leadville, CO

2011-08-08T23:27:00.003-05:00

Rode the first 20 miles of the the LT100 course today--Fritz and I went easy because my legs are toast & Fritz has a race to do on Saturday!!

A quick summary of the rides

Thurs-7/28--Rode in Medora, ND for 15 miles-1,550 ft of climbing
Sat-7/30--Raced the Butte50-50 miles 7,800 ft of climbing
Sun-7/31--Rode in Bozeman, MT for 17 miles-3,100 ft of climbing
Mon-8/1--Rode in Bozeman, MT for 34 miles-4,700 ft of climbing
Tues-8/2--Rode in Bozeman, MT for 32 miles-4.050 ft of climbing
Weds8/3-Rode in Bozeman, MT for 26 miles-3,205 ft of climbing
Thurs-Fri-Hiked in Yellowstone & Vail, CO
Sat-8/6--Rode Columbine Mtn in Leadville, CO for 34 miles-4,350 ft of climbing
Sun-8/7--Rode in Vail, CO for 14 miles-2,500 ft of climbing
Mon-8/8--Rode the first 2 mtns in the LT100 in Leadville, CO for 20 miles-2,500 ft of climbing
Tues-8/9--Rode in Avon, CO for 17 miles-900 ft of climbing
Thurs-8/11--Hiked in Siverthorn, CO for 6 miles
Fri-8/12--Hiked in Leadville, CO--for 10 miles

260 miles
34,655 ft of total climbing

Good Times

Later I have to rest!!

Leadville, CO

2011-08-06T17:13:00.000-05:00

The day before I had to bring in my bike to Cycles of Life because the disc brake pads were trash--down to metal.

I hooked up with the HerbaLife 24 Base Camp ride up Colmbine after I picked up my bike.

Later--gotta ride!!

Montana's BUTTE 50

2011-08-05T20:24:00.002-05:00

In Butte, Montana the day before a race that is at elevation makes it very interesting!!

I hate camel backs so I decided to carry 2 bottles with me and then fill-up at the 3 water stations on course---which worked surprisingly well!!

Butte 50 results

In Montana I put in 165 miules with 21,750 in elevation gain!!

In Coloradao now---Livin the Dream

Later

2011-07-17T19:52:00.002-05:00

After 2- days of rain and the temp suppose to hit 95 degrees on Saturday I went looking for a early-long ride instaed of taking part in the 50 mile mtn bike race at Levis-Mound -----welllllll..... I found one--Lets go up North!!!

I Hooked up with a bike team that was going to Millacs Lk leaving Anoka High School at 6am so.....with Pam's encouragement---I was there!!!

Later

WORS--Chippewa Valley

2011-07-11T11:28:00.004-05:00

Stu Benson & I decided to race the this event because it poured out that morning & it is not a hilly course but with that being said it was freaking 100 Degrees--it killed me!!!

20 miles later 7th in age and 53 out of 86 people---Got taken out twice on the first lap by people in front going down and once in the 3rd lap---NICE

Later

4th of July

2011-07-05T12:51:00.000-05:00

A good day to put in tunes & head out for a long ride----

Pam was trail riding (horse) at Lebanon so that was the goal---

Good Times

Red Wing MNSCS

2011-06-27T10:06:00.000-05:00

I survived the race --meaning I went out too fast and died on the last lap!!! I also drank less than one bottle of water during the 2-hour event----Wrong

Lessons learned!!

Later

My boy Cub is sick

2011-06-22T15:45:00.001-05:00

A little over a week ago Pam and I found out that Cubby has lung cancer in stage 4!!

He is my friend when I hike/bike and when I am out in the woods!!

I will be "empty" for a long time

MNSCS at Afton Alps

2011-06-22T10:46:00.000-05:00

We'll after getting shit from my wife, people I train with, and people I have known & rode with for years I jumped into the Comp div. for this race. I know it where I should be but, the Comp races start at 1:15 in the heat of the day!!!!

The gun went off & I decided to go about 75-80% to see how I was going to feel---on the last climb of the 1st lap I went because at that time the heat was bearable & I was feeling ok. On the third lap I knew I was doing pretty good so I was cautious on alot of the corners because they were still wet & mucky.

I ended up 3 in my age and 30th overall--But most of all it was great seeing everyone and just tio race!!!

Thanks to Pam for pouring water over my head to cool me off!!

Lutsen

2011-06-17T11:15:00.001-05:00

Pam & I headed up to Lutsen, MN to take part in the rumoured Leadville qualifying race for 2012. We met up with Fritz & Lea & stayed on the Lutsen mtn condos--Nice & close to the event. Mark & Matt Engen and their families were there also which was great being able to see everyone.

The event started at the resort and went down the hill onto hwy 61 (road was closed for us) then went up 10 mile climb!!!! There was a group that slowly rode away on the climb and I was among 7 others in the second group. The race was mainly on dirt roads and I tolf Fitzie not to pull unless you have too because it is 100 mile race. It ended being down to 3 of us at the 65 mile mark--a Stinger guy, Fitz and myself. We were going through some double track which was full of branches and rocks. Fitzie and the other guy were ahead of me talking about life so I decided I am out of here. As I was going around Fitzie say's to me"Belzy your pretty quiet back there" I responded and said "I am sick of these branches"--I kept going

I say Rebecca Sauber walking with her bike I stopped and she said she had no air---all I had was one CO2 cartridge so she said go ahead--Dam the luck!!

Lutsen 99'er

Good Times

Later

Mankato MNSCS

2011-06-08T11:05:00.000-05:00

On Sunday Fritzie & I went down to Mankato to race one of the best coures in he whole MN series. Things went well the issues I had is the number of participates in the race--I ended up hitting wheels & trying to pass in single track!!

Got 14th over all with 3rd in age---the two guys who got 1st & 2nd in my age got 1st & 2nd OA--DAM

Fritzie and I went out last nite in the 104 degree with 23 mph winds----oooohh Boooyyyyy!!

Tried to take it easy but.......

Later

River Falls in the wind

2011-06-03T11:52:00.000-05:00

Yes and it was!!!!

This what I need with a rain coat

Later

West side!!

2011-05-31T09:54:00.000-05:00

It looked like rain all day but, we (Fritzie & I) knew we needed long rides before the Lutsen99'er , so, we headed west to Mpls and kept going!!

The word for this and any ride of this type that happens this year is "Beat-Down"

Later

Single Speed at Buck Hill

2011-05-27T07:50:00.000-05:00

Joined the over 200 racers at Buck Hill that enjoy the bike!!
Mass start of that many people going into single track is what you think it is--line up and wait!

Good Times

Later

Ride & Glide

2011-05-19T10:55:00.000-05:00

On Tuesday I switched it up and rode the Ride & Glide weekly ride---fast, fast and faster.

Good Times with Pain

Later

Cable Classic weekend!!

2011-05-19T10:51:00.000-05:00

Thursday--Dirt Roads
Friday--Rock Lake
Saturday--Cable Classic
Sunday--Macaw Trail

Went up to Cable, WI to compete in the Cable Classic and enjoy the 38 degree weather and rain. Yes, at the start it was 38 degrees and the skies looked like it was going to rain at any moment with a 18 mph winds!!! Why you ask---because the event/trail was there and HTFU--rule #5!!!!!

They gave me a preferred start, why I do not have a answer for that question!!! That being said the course went from the Road to a double track then to the single track which helped alot. I felt great in the Single Track but when the course went to a dirt road I just immediately red lined!! On the double track sections is where we ran into hub high mud ponds the threw sticks into my drive train and then I also lost my front derailleur shifter--in other words I had a 1X5 for the last 10 miles.

The beer was still good after the race, the only difference compared to other years is was enjoyed inside!!!

Later

Acapulco

2011-05-11T14:21:00.000-05:00

Frits & I went to the actual start of the Acapulco ride/race which starts in Stillwater, MN and goes through the hills of Afton---36 miles.

In the beginning there was about 8 of us in the 1st group but when we got to the end there was only us two!!

Later

Osceola, WI

2011-05-08T08:32:00.000-05:00

Fritzie and I needed to go for a long ride to get ready for the Lutsen99er coming up June 11th--ouch!!
So we laced up the shoes and headed north!!

Went to a coffee shop in dwntwn Oceola, WI and had a sandwich then headed back south. The issues during the ride were is the sun we got and also I actually started to sweat during the ride because it was finally warm!!---Good Times

Later

Bjorn is in GIRO

2011-05-06T21:11:00.001-05:00

Local kid is in the GIRO Bjorn Selander

Bjorn holds onto young rider for 2nd day!!

SWEET
Later

Iron Crotch

2011-05-02T12:37:00.001-05:00

Sunday morning it was only about 33 degrees with wind gusts about 30 mph so....I thought I would join a group on for a ride on the West side of WI called the Iron Crotch!!!!

A simple answer No I will not do it again in those conditions again!! I am blessed that Pam had a hot pot of coffee waiting for me when I got home!!

Later

East Side LCR ride

2011-04-28T22:15:00.002-05:00

Larry, Fritzie , and Buell's joined me for a ride into River Falls for 33 miles!!

I have not hit 1000(+) for miles in the 1st quarter of the year before---nice but with the weather I want warmth!!!

Later

White Tail

2011-04-26T16:46:00.001-05:00

Yes it is true White Tail in River Falls is alive!!
Met Fritzie and Buells out at White Tail and did 3 laps-----All Good

Later

Heading West

2011-04-25T13:40:00.000-05:00

On Saturday Warner Road opened up at noon so Fritzie and I took advantage of it!!!!

I do have to say that I am sick of the wind & cold temps!!

Later

Riding with Fitzie

2011-04-18T20:56:00.000-05:00

Mr Ryan Fritsgerald PhD!!! allowed me to go for road bike with him tonite so we headed to Prescott via the route through WI. I had this route on my Garmin 305 that went into Prescott, WI so we decided to ride it----Good Ride of 46 miles, it started to get cold and suck towards the end bu we got it done.

Later

Day 2 of LOON State Camp

2011-04-11T10:38:00.000-05:00

We had 13 people today for the day of warmer temps and less wind

Later

LOON Camp Day #1

2011-04-08T19:07:00.000-05:00

Went done to Whalen, MN to take part in the LOON State Bike camp for the third time with blessings from my awesome wife. There were a total of only 11 guys (4 guys from the Peace Coffee Mtb Bike Team) a great group of guys who enjoy the sport of biking!! Shane K. offers his vehicle for a sag vehicle to carry food, drinks, tools...... we all just take turns drivin the "sag" for about 20 miles. The total miles today was 97 but, had to take my turn driving.

Same tomorrow
Later

Birthday Ride

2011-04-03T20:44:00.003-05:00

Good Times

Later

The ride on Monday

2011-03-23T17:30:00.000-05:00

Ride into BattleCreek

The 318 Ride

2011-02-05T18:15:00.001-06:00

Met up with the LOON State team at the famous 318 restaurant on Saturday morning for a ride into Minneapolis via the GreenWay. There was 7 of us that started at 318, with everybody on their CX bikes with knobbies--no studs. On the way to mpls we picked up additional 6 people at misc locations on the route with the mid-point being DUNN Bros coffee on Washington Ave in mpls.

43 miles and good times

Again on 3/12

Let the year begin

2011-01-09T18:29:00.003-06:00

2011

Monday - 3 miles on the tread mill & lifted legs at the "Y"
Tuesday - Hoops for 1.5 hrs
Wednesday - 1.5 hrs on snowmobile trails w/mtn bike
Thursday - Hoops for 1.5 hrs
Saturday - Ran snow trails with the dog
Sunday - Rode snowmobile trails for 3hrs & 28 miles on mtn bike

**Good week, felt good but O.O.S. (Out of Shape)

Later

2011 Schedule---Its early December?

2010-12-14T16:02:00.000-06:00

5/21/2011 (Sat.) Freewheel Frolic Benefiting MORC, Inver Grove Heights, MN
06/05/2011 Bluff Riders Charge, Mankato MN
6/19/2011 Lifetime Avalanche, Afton Alps MN
6/26/2011 Wheelhouse Classic, Red Wing, MN
7/11/2011 Buck Hill Birch Bump, Burnsville, MN
7/17/2011 Dirt Spanker, Superior, WI
7/31/2011 SingleTrack Attack, Elk River, MN
08/07/2011 Great Hawk Chase, Duluth, MN
08/21/2011 Bontrager Border Battle, River Falls, WI
09/04/2011 Laddie’s Loppet Stage Race, Maplelag Resort, MN
09/24/2011(Sat.) Revolution’s Single Track Escape, St. Cloud, MN

River bottoms for Holidays

2010-11-28T11:27:00.002-06:00

The only way to get rid of the food----in the dirt!!

Later

Mn State CX Event

2010-11-14T14:33:00.002-06:00

10 inches of snow and 33 degrees can be called a Epic event especially when Kare11 films me drinking a beer!! I had a good start after my call up to the front line but at the start of the 3rd lap I broke my chain so I thought it was time to have fun so I started to run the 1.25 mile lap. On lap #3 I got a shot of whiskey from a fan (I knew him) then I just kept running with the bike!!! On the start of the 4th lap and since the course goes through the beer tent I asked for a beer from a spectator and was obliged with one. The Kare11 came over to film me drinking a beer, I did not want to drink the whole beer but with the camera on me I had to finish it. The next thing I found out that I was on Kare 11 news at 10pm---OOOhhhhh BBBooooyyyy!!!

Later

Nite Riding @ Whitetail

2010-11-11T11:20:00.000-06:00

Fritz and I went to Whitetail to do some laps--Goog Times

Later

Nite Riding

2010-11-02T21:34:00.000-05:00

Awesome nite to go for a ride on the road in the hills of Lk Elmo & Afton!!!

Later

More in the forest!!

2010-10-25T11:26:00.000-05:00

Chequamegon Entry Limit Raised

Starting with the September 16-18, 2011 Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival lottery, the cross county event entry limit will be increased from the traditional 2,500 riders to 2,750 total.

The sold out event limit is selected via a random lottery held each spring shortly after the March 15 postmark deadline for submitting entry forms and fees.

In 2011, the lottery selected limit for the Chequamegon 40 will be raised to 1850 riders. For the Short & Fat 16 mile, 900 participants will be selected.

Later

45 min. of blood

2010-10-25T08:52:00.000-05:00

On Saturday I joined the rest of the crazy's to take part in the "Green Acres" CX in Lake Elmo. This event is held at a snow tubing location and if that tells you anything about the course then you need help. We got about a inch of rain the night before which caused alot of mud on the course. The gun goes off and they shoot us up this long hill to break up the group, which it did! We did a loop of about 1/3 of a mile on top going around this corn field dodging mud puddles on the way. Then we went down the tubing hill switching back & forth on the bottom we shot into a double barrier section. Then a run up on the side of a hill which was full of peeps giving dollar bills and beers!! Then we went down a smallish hill into a 100 yds of mud---Awesome!
Then loop around the back side with switch backs on off camber, then thet sent us by the keg of beer!

On the 3rd lap I was heading down the hill into the 2-barriers way to hot and when I planted my foot to dis-mount I slippped out and hit the barrier and the bike flew!!!!! OUCH--from there on I just had more fun!!

Later

2011 24 Hours of MOAB

2010-10-21T16:11:00.000-05:00

Looking forward to the "24Hrs of MOAB" or am I ?

Holzinger Trail

2010-10-21T15:48:00.000-05:00

Hooked up with the Winona guys and we rode the Holzinger Trail and had a great time. As we were climbing up the bluffs we could not even see the trail there were so many leaves.

Later

McRib crazies

2010-10-14T10:32:00.001-05:00

Lovers of Elusive McRib Pork Patty Track Their Sightings

I found this article in the news:

"The sandwich's elusiveness has created a fan base of people who go to considerable lengths to munch on a McRib. Ryan Dixon of Burbank, Calif., once drove 10 hours to Medford, Ore., after hearing a McDonald's there was selling the sandwich."

Why/Who/What the Hell is going on to have people go through their lives living like that---WOW!

Later

Contador Suspened

2010-09-30T10:51:00.001-05:00

Day after Day--Week after Week--Month after Month---and ----Year after Year the pro's get busted doing some sort of a drug to be better!!!

Alberto Contador suspended over traces of Clenbuterol from Tour de France test

What is it going to take???

Mpls by whiteyp at Garmin Connect - Details

2010-09-25T21:17:00.000-05:00

Mpls by whiteyp at Garmin Connect - Details

2010 Chequamegon Highlights

2010-09-25T10:13:00.000-05:00

2010 Chequamegon

2010-09-20T10:49:00.004-05:00

The 2010 Chequamegon is over and what a muddy race it was---At the 16 mile mark I was 228th place 1:04:00---at the finish I was 214th place 2:43:00----with a total of 1823 peeps in the event of 40 miles.

I have to clean my bike!!

Later

The season is Ending

2010-09-14T07:37:00.000-05:00

Sun is setting sooner--the temps are getting cooler--footballs on TV---

Its cyclocross season!!!!!!!

Pre-Ride

2010-09-05T22:09:00.007-05:00

Fritzie and I went up to Hayward, WI & did a little riding --We rode from Hayward to Telemark Resort---to check out the course. It was a interesting ride very rocky & very wet, so wet the course would have been impassable by not getting soaked!!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/47780707?sms_ss=blogger

It will be interesting!!

Sunday = Rode into WI for a easy 1.5 hr ride
Monday = Fritzie & I rode to River Falls for a 2 hr--medium pace--(27.5 mi)
Wednesday = Lori, Fritz, & I went for 49.5 miles with a average of 18.5 mph
*A couple days off--taking in some carbohydrates!!!
Sunday = 28 medium miles
Monday = 46 hard miles into WI

Later

I am thirsty

2010-09-01T11:43:00.001-05:00

A person should remember to drink plenty of fluids when it is 75-80 degrees & is taking part in a 75 mile mountain bike race with 6500 ft of climbing!!!!

30 miles into the "Unnamed Epic" I hit a huge ass wall that did not treat me very well. No strength--No energy--No anything to speak of. I kept going trying to drink fluids & take electrolyte pills I started to feel good about the 68 mile mark----yyyyeeeaaaaaaa!!

Tuesday = 1:07 of riding time & 21.5 miles (moving out)
Wednesday = 28 miles in the hills of Afton & Lk Elmo

Later

Acapulco at Garmin Connect - Details

2010-08-25T11:35:00.002-05:00

I was going to take it easy on Tuesday but.................

Later

Un-Named EPIC

2010-08-23T12:10:00.000-05:00

The Gun goes off Saturday morning!!!

If anyone has done the "Horrible Hillies" event this event is in the same area!!---Blue Mounds!!!

Later

MNnnnnn..........

2010-08-21T19:03:00.001-05:00

Got back to Afton on Monday afternoon after cruzin southern Minnesota for 4.5 hours trying to enjoy the drive home--Not!! Dropped the bike off at Penn because during my last decent out in Colorado I lost my brakes because the rear disc brake pads were gone. I am not surprised since the riding we did out in Aspen, Crested Butte, and Leadville were EPIC (4-6 hours with a min of 3,000 ft of climbing in elevation). We got rained on in Aspen the first nite---hailed on as we were leaving Crested Butte----hailed/rained on during Monarch Pass:

No rain at all after that ---GOOD TIMES

Tuesday--Rode on the road for 46 miles

Wednesday--Went to Afton Alps & snapped my rear derailler off

Saturday--Went to Prescott, WI for 52 miles

Sunday--Pam & I went to the "Muddy Buddy" at Afton Alps

Later

Colorado!!!!

2010-08-09T18:53:00.003-05:00

2 1/2 days in Aspen CO----now in Crested Butte for the next 3-days of LIVING the DREAM

In Aspen we rode to Snow Mass for a Epic ride plus others
In CB we rode the famous 401 and Cement Creek and also Snad Grass
On our way to Leadville we rode the famous Monarch Pass---21 mile downhill
In Leadville, CO we rode up Columbine Mtn---7 mile climb with over 3000 ft of climbing!!!

7-Days of riding---Living the Dream

Later

COLORADO--Yes!!!!!

2010-08-04T12:49:00.001-05:00

Heading to CO on August 6th to ride in Aspen, Crested Butte, and Leadville with 12 other movers

GOOD TIMES AHEAD

Un-Named EPIC

2010-08-02T14:49:00.000-05:00

On August 28th I will taking part is a 75 mile pt to pt race near Madison, WI known as the Un-named EPIC

basically a epic race that nobody has decided to name!!??!!

Later

Riding the CAMBA

2010-08-02T14:45:00.000-05:00

Went to Buells cabin up in Hayawrd, WI and rode for three days riding three totally different trails ---GOOD TIMES

MNSCS___HillSide

2010-07-19T13:01:00.001-05:00

Knowing that this whole course was single track I hit it hard going into the woods--1st in my age going in 6th out of the group. What always happens is that people in front of you go down and there is a mess--yes it happened to me& yes people passed me. I jumped back in the game behind Steve W & we rode smooth for a lap until I went to shift on a climb & BAM--my chain went in between rings on the crank---the bolts must have been loose because I found out that I lost a total of 3 out of the 4 bolts & bent my small ring (2-ring crank). Still crused in on the big ring for 2nd in age--Good Times

Dry and a little Sticky

Later

WORS or BUST

2010-07-13T08:13:00.000-05:00

I did not make a decision to go to Eau Claire, WI to race in the Chippewa Valley Firecracker til Sunday morning because I do not enjoy cleaning & repairing my bike for hours! Loaded the vehicle & on my way there it was pouring out but, dry in Eau Claire---Sweet!

The race rolls out for a mile to clear out the field but, this "person" jumps in front of me as just before the single track to, I guess to slow me down!!! As the group rolled away in front of this guy we came to a hill & he could not make it up & not wanting to slow down I went to his right as he was tipping over my left brake lever hit his seat & Snap----there goes my front brake!!! I don't get to excited about racing anymore but, I still got after him about cutting me off and not knowing how to ride!!! Then a bit later he hit the brakes again so I did not want to hit him again so I hit my brakes--little did I know while I was hitting my brakes I was crossing a root & ended up going down as people were passing me I found out later that I broke a spoke in my rear.

Since I was having such a clean race I was a bit pissed off---that being said!!! I will just say that nobody passed me and that is all I did was pass people for the next lap & half!! I ended up 4th in my age & only 20 seconds behind 1st in my age----AAARRGGGGGGG!!!!!

Later

1st MNSCS Race in the Books

2010-06-28T09:45:00.001-05:00

Headed down to Mankato, MN Sunday morning and noticed alot of water on the side of the road, but I kept heading south. The 1st racers were gummed up with dirty grass & splattered with wet mud as they finished their event. I sprayed my whole drive train with WD-40 silicon spray so at least the mud/grass would come off easier--it worked. No issues during the event except for a few chain sucks--the sides of the trails were worse then the trail itself because it just sucked your speed right out of you.

I am glad I took the 2-days off before the race because I felt pretty strong--5th Over all & 1st in age

After the race I spoke with the race director & he told that everyone was racing the citizen loop because of down trees & washed out trails---

Later

Riding

2010-06-14T10:57:00.002-05:00

*I played B-Ball on Tuesday last week for 1.5 hrs--Great Time
*I got lost in Ellsworth, WI on Weds for 65(+) on the road.
*Went to Afton Alps from home for some Mtn Biking--on Thurs for some climbing.
*Drove 8 hours to Bismarck, ND to take part in the Race to Sunset, a 10hr mtn bike event on Saturday & also a "Hot Lap" on Friday eve.

When I jumped on the bike on Friday eve to do lap at the course in Bismarck I knew right away that this was going to be a long weekend---my legs had no strength!!! I should have took more time off this week so I could recover before I raced for 10 hours--Maybe I am getting a little older--NNNNOOOOOOO!!!!!!

Great guys to ride with and a great time!!!

Later got to ride!!!??!!

Support

2010-06-10T11:00:00.000-05:00

As many of you know biking is a very solo event, what I mean is that it is only "yourself" that determines success. That being said when a person has the time & determination to ride/train they can be successful--relating to biking of course!!

In my case I am finding out that time is the issue, but like last night when I got home from work I ended up west of River Falls, WI and it was getting dark. As I was starting to panic I called Pam who luckily (is that a word) was in River Falls with the horse and trailer picked me up--crazy!!

gotta go

Later

Cheq100 is over

2010-05-24T08:46:00.007-05:00

I ran a marathon

I have done Leadville 3-times

I have competed in 24hr mtn bike races

The 11:20:00 of riding 110miles & 10,000 feet of climbing with Rock Lake, Ojibawe, Makwa, Mosiquto, Hatchery, Birke, Namekogen, Boedecker, Janet Rd, Birke steeps, Rock Lake Road etc.. etc.. etc.
Kicked My ASS

Map of Race

There was a group that took off at the gun going way too fast for the 100 miles of single track that was ahead. I was ill prepared--I put so muck stress on the food & mechanical support that when it came down to actual mapping portion it did not work out well. When I did the Ragnork100 earlier this year we did not use a map at all, well that was on dirt roads & you could see for miles to verify you were on the correct road. In single track in the middle of the woods you could not see anything. I ended up putting in a extra 5(+) miles because I was with a fast group & decided to back off I was all by myself & I took a left instead of a right!!

After the 55 mile mark (bag drop) I rode with Michelle Flannagin-Haag & a couple of guys because I found out that riding with a local who actually knows the trail was important!!

Also the Garmin 305 has a history of the screen going blank because of the well documented battery issues--Not Good in a Non-Mapped event!!!

Queue sheet

Later

What have I gotten myself into!!

2010-05-20T07:48:00.000-05:00

I have dialed up a bit more in the riding arena--More intensity!!!

I have decided to skip the Acapulco rides on Tuesdays because of the intensity of the rides. In its place I have been trying to make the Ride & Glide events. Great peeps but holy cow what a difference in overall speed-----hold on tight.

Wednesday went to Harmen Pk for some flat land mtn bike riding of 4 laps, everybody had the same idea because there were people everywhere.

Chores & rest for the next 2-days because on Sat. morning @7am I will starting the Cheq100 & hopefully I will finish!!?

Later

Chequamegon Forest for the Wkend

2010-05-18T09:18:00.002-05:00

What a great place ride in the CAMBA area of WI--Headed up Thursday night to meet up with 8 others at beautiful cabin/house off of '00', just down from the trail head. We started on Friday out at the Rock Lake Trail to put in 14 miles of single track. The trail was moist from the last week of rain but, since the soil is so sandy the trail was great.

Saturday we headed to Lake Woods, the start of the Cable Classic, 25 miles of pure enjoyment with some large mud puddles thrown in. The start of 260 people flying down a dirt road for 2-miles then jamming into a tight single track was like the day after Thanksgiving Sale----Jammed for 3-4 min. A preferred start was a big save because those guys did not have to put a foot down!

Cable Classic Start

Sunday rode we rode from the cabin to the '00' trail head for another 25 miles of single track

Later

Afton Alps

2010-05-10T08:38:00.002-05:00

This time of the year the weather is always interesting!! On Saturday morning met Dan M. at Selmas in the always busy dwntwn Afton to go ride some hills at Afton Alps. We rode to the official entrance to the mtn bike course and rode 2-laps--I was pleased that I was mtn biking because in the cold, sleet, hail, & rain going fast is not good thing!!!

I need to get on te mtn bike more to refresh the skills & hills.

Later

Chequamegon 100

2010-05-03T16:15:00.001-05:00

On May 22nd I guess I am in the Chequamegon 100 mtn bike race with 249 crazy people!!!!

80 miles of single track through the forest---What in the he-- am I doing!!!!

http://www.chequamegon100.com/p/roster.html

Later--

Stone Arch ----solo

2010-04-29T08:49:00.000-05:00

I have a hard time getting over to the Opus Crits off of hwy 169 since I live on the east side. So instead I road the Ride and Glide ride/event to find out that pulling a group of 20(+) at over 20 mph can kill a person. After the pull I tucked in and recovered before we hit a couple of hills around Big Marine lake.

On Weds I started in Woodbury and rode down to St Paul to do the Stone Arch ride solo, which goes up the High Bridge & Ohio hills, the gail winds were brutal but "No Pain/No Gain"---Good Times

Later

Dirt

2010-04-22T08:00:00.004-05:00

On Weds I met Greg and Fritz at Whitetail (River Falls, WI) to hit the dirt on the Trek for a couple of laps, as always it was a good time.

Later

R & G

2010-04-21T13:28:00.001-05:00

Went to the Ride and Glide ride which started near the Mahtomedi High School and headed to the hills of Afton. Got in a strong 34 miles of 165-185 hr ----------OUCH

Later

Good Times

2010-04-18T19:38:00.002-05:00

Met up with Jerry, Lori, Bill, and Jay T for a road ride in the Northern suburbs put in a "easy peazy" 31 miles.

Then went over to the Salem Hills mtn bike course to put in some mtn miles and to also get the Top Fuel a little dirty. I ended up doing 3 laps at close to race pace to see how the bike handeled in quick cornering and pwr climbs. This bike was awesome ---it stuck in the corners--it flew on the climbs/descents. I be happy!! Now I need to bring it to a course like Afton Alps to see how it performs!!

Later

Ragnork

2010-04-14T15:47:00.002-05:00

Good Times at the Ragnork on Saturday!!!! Over 7hrs & 107 miles of riding on dirt roads through the hills of Red Wing & Zumbro Falls, park MN.

Had a few "Awesome" tasting beers in the park after the event where all of a sudden I realized that I won a Salsa Fargo frame/fork. NICE

On Tuesday I road 34 miles in the LkElmo/Afton area.

Later

Go-Man-Go

2010-04-09T11:29:00.003-05:00

What is interesting is when you have to register for a event mts ahead of time & at the time your really are excited & have all these plans to train & eat correctly!!! I will be experiencing that tomorrow in the the Ragnork 100(+) event/race/tour/ride or whatever you want to call it. I have been told that it is over 100 miles with close to 7K of climbing on dirt roads in a non-supported situation!!!!

Like I have said & I live my life by this motto "I will try anything once" life is full of experiences & I plan on taking them all in!!!!

Later

2010 Season

2010-04-07T07:59:00.002-05:00

Let the Mtn Bike Season Begin!!!

5/22/2010 Freewheel Frolic Benefiting MORC, Inver Grove Heights, MN
6/06/2010 Lifetime Avalanche, Afton Alps, Hastings, MN
6/13/2010 Dirt Spanker, Mt Du Lac, Superior, WI
6/27/2010 Bluff Riders Charge, Mt Kato, Mankato, MN
7/04/2010 Wheelhouse Classic, Red Wing, MN
7/18/2010 SingleTrack Attack, Hillside Park, Elk River, MN
8/01/2010 Buck Hill Birch Bump, Burnsville, MN
8/08/2010 MMBS/WORS Bontrager Border Battle, River Falls, WI
8/22/2010 The Great Hawk Chase, Lester River Park, Duluth, MN
9/05/2010 Laddie's Loppet Stage Race, Maplelag Resort, Callaway, MN 9/25/2010 Revolution's Single, St Cloud, MN

Later

Heading East

2010-03-29T10:00:00.003-05:00

Met John W, Jay T, and John S at Selmas in Afton & headed east to meet up with Lori B, & Tina for some riding in the quiet roads of WI. It was a good ride & wearing 20 pounds of clothes in a strond wind is always a treat. John S, who works for HED rode his Scott---actually it was Michael Rogers bike last year---NICE. Earlier this year John was in Belgium to support the Columbia/HighRoad team because HED supplies the wheels for the team.

Pushed out a good 79 miles of riding in the wind.

Later

LOON State Ride

2010-03-27T22:00:00.002-05:00

Met the LOONs in Wdbry for a 65 miler of hang on tight and get a good workout ride.

Later

Bad Day!!!

2010-03-24T20:09:00.004-05:00

This trucker was having a bad day after losing his load----especially this load!!!

Went out for 25 miles on my mtn bike because Dan is not back from Tx yet with all the bikes in his van (he wass working on his way back from TX)

TEXAS Hell Week

2010-03-14T16:29:00.006-05:00

Went down to Hell Week in Texas on Friday with Dave L, Fred S, Dan M, Greg, and Ted. Fred, Dave , & I flew down leaving 2:30 on Friday landing at 5:20. Ted & Greg drove down leaving at 7am on Friday morn. & getting there 3am

Saturday-At 9am we went for a 78 miler, I do not know how Ted & Greg did it after sitting in a vehicle for 23 hrs.

Sunday-Dan & I went to a mtn bike at a Texas ranch, they have 2 seasons a year, one in the spring & another in the fall, it gets way too hot in the summer mts. It is the first time in a long time that I raced in a NORBA sanctioned race. I was pissed I dropped my chaiin below a long hill & a couple of groups passed me. Cat-2 div of 80 degrees and Rocks (ouch) for 23 miles. 2:06 hours later I finished 7th out of 20--I will take it. (73/sun)

Monday went for a 75 miler with a group of 7 in 68 degree and wind!!(72/sun)

Tuesday it was misting with overcast clouds so Dave, Dan, Ted & I went for 37 miles in the afternoon. (56/cloudy)

Weds the long awaited long ride of the week, we drove 1hr south to hill country and did 108 miles with 7010 ft of climbing.(72/sun) After the ride we went to a coffee shop & ran into a German man who left Germany Sept. 2007 to ride around the world in 3-years I attached a pic of him & his bike--Crazy

Thurs was a stretch the legs ride in beautiful rolling hills for 50 miles.(74/sun)

Later

Come on Summer

2010-03-04T09:08:00.007-06:00

Nothing better then to come home from work throw on the Pearl Izumi's & hit the road for some sort of exercise outside in 35 degree weather!!

Sunday--CC ski for 1 hour

Monday--29 milesTuesday--worked lateWednesday--20 milesThursday--B-Ball/24 milesFriday--A quick 3mile runSat--35 miles

I have to get out of the snow "Hell Week" could be on the schedule!!!!!!

Later

He's COMING

2010-02-23T10:11:00.003-06:00

This year is going to be interesting because of the disputes involving Contador & Lance!!

He has started to win already

No "More" Snow

2010-02-22T21:48:00.003-06:00

Nothing better to do then put on a snow mobile suit & go biking or running on my trail!!!

LT100------Not

2010-02-10T20:02:00.004-06:00

I used the Leadville 100 race as a near the end of the year training goal but not this year, I did not get selected in the lottery---Dam.

I need and love Colorado and it saddens me that I am not going out there-------so far----I have to work something out.

Later

Back on the Wheels

2010-02-08T18:54:00.002-06:00

Took the Single Speed down to Lake of the Isles Ice Race on Saturday--Hung out with the local biking peeps!!!

Good Times

Later

What in the _ell

2010-02-04T10:37:00.003-06:00

What happen to the Beach Boys???!!!??

Winter Activities

2010-02-02T20:47:00.002-06:00

All winter I have been playing Basketball 3-4 times a week trying to stay in some sort of shape & I also just enjoy the playing. So again I played with the 3M group & it was all GOOD!!

Later

Yes

2010-02-01T09:14:00.002-06:00

Since I uasually take a couple of mts off I finally started to get the fever--

I got a fever & Cow Bell is the perscription

After working on my bikes for 3 hrs on Sat I went skiing with Bill S, Jay T, John W.Lori B, & Jerry E for about an hour--like a fish out of water!! Ran home got my road bike & went over to Penn Cycle in Wdbury & took part in a 90 min spin class---ooooowwweeeee my legs hurt.

Later