Pavement

I'm off the back with the blog updates. Between riding, coaching, and hanging out with The Mom and Dad, I've been a little busy.

I've got less than two weeks 'till 'bow surgery, so I have been cramming in the riding. The road riding. After the FoCo shit show two weeks ago, all I wanted to do was ride my road bike- on the pavement.  I've ridden in Boulder, I've ridden in Nederland, in Colorado Springs and in Littleton. I've explored, I've gotten lost, I rode an entire 40 mile loop with my Dad-on bike paths. I've had a great two weeks of road riding.

Me and 2 other "FasCats" went to Colorado Springs for a 4 day coaching clinic. It was pretty fun--mostly because we got to ride our bikes (road bikes) and learn at the same time- then ride some more. One full day in the class room was less than ideal, but it could have been far worse. Now I have to take the test and I'll be an official "Level 2" coach--which really means I get to pay USAC more $$.

I spent three days in Littleton hanging out with the Mom and Dad. The Mom had surgery on her broken collar bone and is healing well. The Dad entertained me with 2 bike rides and one gym visit. I needed a rest day when I got home.

The good news? I am going to play bike racer again next year! The bad news? I had to send my Specialized Tarmac (road bike) back to TIBCO on Friday as I am not going to race for TIBCO next year. Without a sweet road bike, I thought I would give CX another chance. The weather was awesome and the course was extremely roadie friendly. As seems to be the case with me and CX, there was drama. This time--after attacking on lap 3, I rolled my rear tubular (slightly annoying). After "snapping" it back on, I was able to limp my way to the wheel pit and put on a new wheel.

I'm extremely motivated by money. I was now in 4th place. There is no prize money for 4th and if I got 4th, I could lose the overall in the series (there's prize money for the 5 race overall)--especially since I'm not racing the last 2 races because of the 'bow. So, I rode harder than I have ridden in a long time. Deep in the pain cave, I felt ill and kept pushing it. I made up all but 12 seconds and got 2nd place. That makes me proud. I had fun, I challenged myself, and I got rewarded. I'm SO glad Amanda Carey was there to challenge me. Competition makes you better, and keeps things fun as you are challenged to better your game.

Here's a cool video of the race- http://www.303cycling.com/2011-Boulder-Racing-CX-Xlinx

That's all for now.

Lemon-Aid?

After three great days in Fraser, 2 fun rides with The Dad, and 3 quality family days, it was time to head home and get ready to race CX in Ft. Collins.  I'll admit, I wasn't looking forward to the racing before it even started.


1- The race venue is 1:45hr drive (3.5hrs round trip) from my house.
2- After being gone from home for three days, more time away seemed less than desirable
3- The weather forecast looked bad- rain. Rain means mud and for a roadie with absolutely no mud skills, that did not seem appealing.
4- Mud means having to clean my bike, my kit, my shoes, my ego, and get ready to do it all again the next day.

Stupid preregistration. I wish I never did it - or at least waited until the last moment to check the weather and my racing desire.

 Despite my lack of enthusiasm, I went to Ft. Collins. Reader's Digest Version-
-I crashed 4 times (in a different place each time).
-I sucked
-I couldn't get out of my own way to save my life.
-I had the worst time on bike that I have ever had.
-It was horrible
-Despite being muddy, sore, and cranky, I didn't even feel like I got a workout.

I tried to stay positive during the race. -this is making me better, -I can do it, -don't give up.  Bull Shit. It sucked and I am never racing CX in those conditions again. There was no way to make Lemonade from those lemons.

Stupid preregistration. I wish I never did it - or at least waited until the last moment to check the weather and my racing desire.

I did not race day #2 in Ft Collins.  I'm sure it was better conditions (for me) as the course dried out a bit, but my bike was still in the car, some rust had accumulated, my kit was muddy, and my CX racing desire was very negative. Not to mention, my body is pretty sore from falling down so much.

So, I stayed home and rode single speed CX bikes with JH and Meriwether, in the snow. JH and I had two great dog walks, and quality at home chill time. Lemonade.

Lemonade

The saying goes- "when life throws you lemons, make lemonade". Well, we got lemons yesterday. Unfortunately, The Mom caught almost all the lemons. She got tripped by a Honey Badger while running and broke her collar bone. She of all people, do not deserve this injury.

Luckily, I was able to drive home to the Mother Ship yesterday and stay a few days with The Mom and The Dad.  Mission-help out. Do what I can to take the burden off my Dad and help my Mom feel somewhat comfortable.

Turns out, I'm getting a lot out of this trip home too. It's pretty fun spending time with the 'rents--Lemonade.

Yesterday, instead of a home alone while JH did his NATO thing, I got a salmon dinner and ice cream sundae--Lemonade.

Today, I was supposed to motor pace around the flats north of Boulder. Instead, I got 3 hrs of single track with The Dad--Lemonade.

This afternoon, instead of farting around on the computer and commuting to and from Boulder, I got to run errands around Fraser with The Dad and see old stomping grounds--Lemonade.

Not sure what tomorrow will bring, but I'm sure we'll do our best to make more lemonade.

Cramming it in

The count down to surgery continues.
1 month.
30 days.

Must ride and race bike as much as possible.  The goal is to burn myself out in the next 30 days. I want to be tired of racing CX, I want to be tired of training, and I want to be just plain tired and in need of rest.

This past weekend, I decided to race both days of the Frisco CX race.  Both days were pretty dang fun.

I brought the Mom and Dad to Frisco on Saturday (actually they drove me) as they had never seen a CX race. It was great to have them there cheering us on.  The Mom got some great pictures.

After Saturday's race, I told the Mom and Dad that I need some competition.  Better be careful what you ask for. KFC showed up Sunday and worked me over badly.  Luckily (for me), on the first lap she crashed, so we actually had a race for the first few laps. Me trying to get as big of a gap as possible while she rode through the girls that passed her when she fell down, and her trying to catch then pass me before the race was over.  She's strong like bull, made me suffer bad, then beat me, but it was worth it and made it pretty dang fun (again for me). 

I am totally cooked and tired today.  Need rest before doing it again next weekend.