Check this out!

I like sharing my knowledge. Sometimes people want to hear what I have to say and sometimes people wish I would keep my mouth closed.

So, for anyone wanting to learn from my experiences as an athlete, coach and person check out
http://alpcyclescoaching.blogspot.com/.

I have set up this blog to share my knowledge about bicycling. In it you will find anything and everything bicycle related. I also set it up with the hopes of attracting people who are looking for a coach. Earlier this summer, I started to coach a few cyclists and I love it! I love to share my knowledge and to help others achieve their goals.

Chair Lift?

I grew up skiing. Take the chair lift up, ski down. Chair lift up, ski down. For more than 20 years, I participated in this act of taking the chair lift up and skiing down.

When I first starting hearing of people taking the ski lift up and riding their BIKES down, I thought that was the stupidest thing ever. You ride your bike to ride your bike. Not to coast downhill. You ride your bike for exercise and the ability to eat cake and not feel guilty. The best part of going down is knowing you just rode your bike up in the first place. You don't take the chair lift up. I characterized downhill mtn bikers as lazy and out of shape.

Then I tried it.
And it was FUN!
Hanging out with friends on the lift and flying (or at least trying to fly) downhill-

Then, I got tired. Yep, I was tired after a day of riding my bike downhill.

Roadie Trip

What do you get when you take two anal "roadies" and send them to Vegas to race Cross Vegas?

Answer- A mini van filled with questions, extra equipment, two of everything, and a whole bunch of uncertainties.

The roadie trip started on Monday in snow and 29 degrees.
It continued into Utah where after 24.5 bathroom stops we found pretty scenery.
Into a coffee shop in Cedar City for a stop to say hello to awesome roadie friends, Nikky and Jenna.
Finally, into Vegas where upon arrival it was 92 degrees and extremely overwhelming for us two "country bumpkins".
The trip is about to hit it's climax as Kori and I are somewhat ready to exhibit our Cross skills tonight at 8pm.

Change of season

As the leaves change, so does the bike riding. As a "roadie" if you don't go to Europe to race in September, your season is over. The saying goes, "the race season ends and the drinking season starts" (does the drinking season ever end?). For me, the race season ends and the time to try and do new things starts. This is where stress free mountain biking and cross racing come in.

I have a sweet new Fuji cross bike that I have been riding and will attempt to race on. So far, I have been successful at crash testing it (it has held up well).

The first test was in Breckenridge on Sunday.
-One race
-One crash
-One win!

The next test is in Vegas.
Tomorrow.

Last Race Series

The 2009 race season is coming to a close. TT1 came to St. Louis to have a fun time, celebrate the season and do a little crit racing.
The first two days have been just that. It's been fun!
Day 1 brought a morning team ride

that took us to a pretty view where we needed our picture taken.

After leaving the pretty view spot, Vero had so much power she broke her chain and needed team assistance to get to the coffee shop.





Someone (Jack) needed assistance up the hill. :)






The next day, Jack was motivated and rode the trainer the morning of the second race.






Last night was a fun team dinner that included laughing, story telling and more laughing.

This team rules!!

Official Training

Some people often ask what my training is like. How many watts can I push or how miles do I ride a week. Well, here it is-for everyone (all 3 people who read this) to see.

First, I go mountain biking with crazy people.
4 hours, one endo, 3,000 ft of descending and one BIG GIANT smile on my face. Monarch crest is THE best mtn bike ride I have ever been on.Second, to work on my skills, I do some extreme bridge riding.
This bridge is HUGE! A whole 1.5ft off the ground!

Then, after an entire season of training, racing and traveling, I get the H1TT1 virus and pass it on to everyone in contact with me. This virus has taken me away from training for 2 weeks. I am hoping antibiotics will kill it dead soon.

There you go. Training of a NRC champion.

Update...3 weeks in pictures.

Some people, The Mom mostly, have been wondering what I have been up to. Well, mostly I am still 5'10".
Week #1- Cascade and Nationals

For race day, TT1 had pig tail braids.










Week #2- Rest and recovery










Week #3- Back to "the real world". Work at Sports Garage and Crit Racing with the girls and Jack.