Cross Rules

What a better way to spend a Saturday than to try and ride your bike around in 5 inches of new snow while it continues to puke snow. Thanks to Seth Gunderson for the photo. http://sgunderson.blogspot.com

You can check out the video too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuxnUZyzs30

Pray for snow out there if you want to slide around on it or hope that it freezes enough to make the trails ridable again.

A little help

On Saturday was race #6 of the Utah Cyclocross Series. Granted this was only my third cross race since August but I had one hell of a time staying on my bike. The conditions were dry and fast instead of the preferred cold and crappy. I know that if my fitness level is not where it should be that I can usually hang in there with my riding skills when things get dicey. Of course not last weekend and I will spare all the details but here is a short synopsis. I went down on lap #2 in silly corner, did my best impersonation of super man after running over the barriers and landed right on the saddle, and of course two stops to straighten out the bars and put the brake cable housing in. As the saying goes, I looked like a monkey trying to #$%^ a football.

Hopefully this weekend I can stay on the bike a little more and use my energy to try to stay up front rather than chasing and passing the same people over and over. Here is a reminder that Vegas Cross will be on tv this Saturday on the Versus Channel.

Check this photo out of Wells pushing his bike for a full lap in Boulder since he broke his chain right after the pits.

Now isn't bike racing fun?

Moab Part Deux

Getting the opportunity to race my first 24 Hr race solo with a great friend was an awesome experience. Wade and I rode the first 4 laps together and even started our 5th together. At some point I remember him being there and then he was just gone. I didn't see him again until around 5am, I think. Wade ended the race by going out for one more lap and finished 5th. That is an incredible accomplishment and this was only his second solo race. All I have to say is that the man is fit and is one hell of a good guy. Thanks Wade and hopefuly we will team up for another adventure together soon.

So I didn't really follow anyone else into the Timing Tent until my last lap. I road in the last mile or so with Chris Eatough and about a quarter mile from the tent somebody yells "good luck # 12". I was a little perplexed and a little foggy at that point and for those of you who don't know who Chris is, he is the Lance Armstrong of 24 Hr Solo racing. Chris and I both had a strange look for each other and obviously the person yelling at us thought I had a snowballs chance in hell of hanging with that guy.

Which brings me to a crucial part of the 24 Hr experience. When you are out there wondering where you are, what time it is and if that last scream you just heard was the Chupacabra, every little bit of encouragement helps. I would like to say thanks to all of you out there who I chatted with and those who gave the little pieces of encouragement.

As the mental and physical healing wraps up I start to wonder what is next. Winter is around the corner and I am actually excited to get out and to start checking out the backrountry. Skiing in the backcountry will keep the fitness up and is a great way to take a mental break from the bike. Hopefully it helps with 24 Hrs of Old Pueblo coming up in February. That's right there is another one on the may already. Until then, bring on Cyclocross and crappy weather racing.

Moab Part 1

What a kick in the pants is all I can say. It seems like it came and went by in a flash. Overall I feel great and only have a few scrapes from the weekends festivities. I survived the night, watch one of craziest whiplash endos I have ever seen, got to ride next to and behind some amazing riders and I can't wait until next year. Being that this was my first solo 24 I think it was a really positive experience. I had a goal of 12 laps and ended with 9. I could have squeezed another one or two in maybe but decided to end on a really good not rather than competely destroying myself. Our support crew was amazing and I couldn't have done so well without all the help. I have more for later but wanted to let all that didn't know that I was still kicking. I even have a few photos to share also. Hope the week is treating everyone well.

Southern Migration

Well tomorrow morning I am joining the growing herd of Solos to hit Moab. I know Dave is on his way and Ernesto is already there. The rest of the heavy hitters will be rolling in soon. Of course I will be there to make motorcycle noises when ripping out of corners and to sing songs out loud at 3am. I have had a complete lack of photos lately but will have plenty after the weekend.

I wanted to give a big shout out to everyone who has been part of this. To Emily, the most amazing partner and even though you can't be there you will be on my mind. To the Roaring Fork and Salt Lake Crew, I couldn't do this without your support and I thank you a hundred times and give you tons of beer. (It kicks ass to be sponsored by a Uinta Brewing) To Mom for making the drive out and hopefully I don't puke on myself in front of her. To Mom and Dad, and I hope you enjoy your 25th Anniversary celebration and thanks for all the support over the years, even when you couldn't quite figure out why the hell I was doing all those crazy things. To Scott and Debbie Fifer, thank you so much for the card and I will do a little turn and burn for you Scott. Hopefully it's not over the bars at 2am though like last time I was at this race. To Jason Lloyd, for keeping my all my bikes together and fixing things after I screwed them up and sorry you can't be there. To Backroads Utah(Bill and Bob), for the constant support and giving me work when I need to pay for silly bike stuff.

Finally a shout out to Wade, I am super psyched to be doing this with you and we are going to have one hell of a time.

I will have spotty cell phone service but will make calls on Sunday to let you know I am ok and that my ass is really sore. Love all y'all and have a great weekend.

P.S. If you see a truck with bikes and a lot of crap in it moving well below the speed limit, that's me. I thank you all for the constant reminder that I drive like an old man.

Cold & Flu Season Sucks

Of course a week and a half before the big day I come down with something. I guess that is what happens when I work in a giant petri dish, aka community center with a daycare program. So I took some additional days off that I didn't expect but I am at about full strength again. I guess it is a good way to get some rest in and heal up at the same time. After almost a week off of the bike tonight will be a welcomed spin to move some of the junk out of the legs and lungs.

So the countdown begins and the next few days are going to fly by. Since I was under the weather for a few days I am going down on Thursday morning now to try and find a prime site for our camp/pit. Of course in the past week the registrations have been flooding in so that means the mass start will be as fun as ever. Hopefully I won't suck in too many pounds of dust. It looks like the rain has hit Moab some this past weekend so hopefully that has helped out.

A couple days of work and a lot of packing so I better get to it. Best of luck to everyone out there doing the same.

Let er Rip

As a preperation for yesterdays season opener of the cross season, Emily and I watched Transition on Saturday night. She is working on a short documentary for school and has decided to make her film about cyclocross. Being that she hasn't been to a cross race before it was good preperation and a motivator for me. Of course we both agreed that Geoff Kabush's alter ego Deaner was the best part of the film

So Sunday rolls around and the weather is awesome and the course wasn't a complete mud pit considering it just hammered most of the day on Saturday. We had a big turnout in the single speed class which is great to see. The course was short and twisty with some good logs to bunny hop and a triple set of barriers. All in all it was fun race and went really well. For the first time in a while I feel like I really earned my spot and finished 2nd with my teammate Steve finishing first. We will have to see about next week and I am a little hesitant to go out and race the week before Moab.

Less than two weeks to go now and I am sure everyone is making final preperations and going through there gear on a regular neurotic basis now. It's time to go tear down the race bike and make sure it's ready. The single speed is ready to rumble now and will be waiting in case I need it. Almost time to start packing. Yeee haaa.

Bombs Away

On Saturday my buddy Jason and I took a little stroll out in the desert west of Salt Lake. Of course the storm that was taking it's time moving up from Vegas hit us about halfway through the ride. It ended up being a nice 6 hour stroll covering 56 miles. The wind was a good time again and we figured we were in a headwind about 2/3 of the time. One thing you can count on here is the wind and it didn't let us down. If you can't get enough climbing in than you just throw in a whole bunch of wind. Other than dealing with the wind we were on the lookout for any munitions that the government may have left behind. If I found a grenade or any anti-tank bombs I was gonna put it in my jersey pocket and bring that baby home. Speaking of bombs, there are a bunch of wild horses out there in the desert that seem to have the habit of crapping in the same place. By the looks of it you would think that there was some gigantic Budweiser Clydesdale out there. Jason got the pictures of the wild horses running so when he is back from Interbike I will get them on here. There was one poor pronghorn that obviously thinks it is a horse cause it was trying to run with the horses but they weren't having any of that. So between the wind, rain, and gigantic piles of horse crap it was best to just keep your mouth shut and not think about what was flying off your tires.

2 1/2 weeks to go till Moab and I can't wait. Hopefully the new shoes get here tomorrow so I can try to break them in. I might have to wear them around the house but I don't think Emily is going to let me wear them to bed. Time will fly so I better stay on track. It looks like fall is shaping up nice and cyclocross race #1 is on Sunday so see all yall in Ogden. As Sly would say, get ready to be tossed in the pain cave. .

4 Weeks and Counting

One momemt the time seems to be flying by and the next it seems like it is in slow motion. The training continues to increase every week as I build up for the pleasant slowing down when the tapering process begins. Fall is in the air and mother nature finally slapped me in the face, telling me to pay attention before it is gone. The fall colors are coming around and it's nice to enjoy it while I ride everyday. Emily and I got a chance to get out for a hike this past weekend to enjoy a little time outside. Before you know it I am going to want to start stinking up the house by waxing skis in the basement.

Before that though their is that little race in the desert and I can't wait. The crew seems to be coming together and on Friday I am making the last call for gear. Thanks to a whole bunch of long climbs and tons of hike a bikes in the past couple of weeks I am feeling really good. It hasn't always been what some would call the traditional training schedule, but I don't necessarily fit into the traditional crowd. I would rather get out, bust my butt and see some new areas.

Bike Commuting Tip #1
When riding in a commercial area remember that if the truck doesn't hit you, their just might be a trailor or two or three that might be coming after you next.

When time is a premium, remember to take care of yourself and those that you love.

Why Bike Commute?

That's a good question and one that I get asked from those who can't understand. Of course there are the obvious answers. It helps save money, it's one less car on the road dumping emissions into the already sometimes lousy air conditions here, and it's a healthy workout before and after work. The other sides are that it helps me add plenty of miles every week into my training schedule and I personally like taking my life into my own hands by trying to ride acrosss this crazy city. In the past week alone I have been run off the road by a trash truck, almost got hit by three cars in one intersection who failed to notice my bright red shirt and flashing headlight, and had to change a flat across the street from a very angry pit bull. I wouldn't last long if I had to run from that thing on my single speed since it was barking like Michael Vick had been beating on it for a few days.

Despite all the negative sides of commuting by bike, I still keep riding everyday I can to work. It helps me clear my head of all the crap that collects all day long. Plus, I just love riding my bike. It's great to belong to a team that has so many fellow bike commuters and hopefully more people will catch on to the idea and join in. Of course there are so many bike racers here but not that many of them bike commute. Go figure? We will see how the winter goes since every time it snows here the streets department dumps truckloads of salt on the roads. My bike might rust right out from under me by the end of winter.

Only 5 1/2 weeks to go to Moab and I am trying to keep hammering on. Check out Wade's progress and stories here.

Worlds Collide CX

Well on Saturday was the official first Cyclocross race of the season with the Worlds Collide race in Heber. There will be 2 more races this fall at the fairgrounds and it should be plenty interesting if it rains/snows. Saturday was plenty hot with the temps still in the high 90's and that ain't exactly cross weather. With a new schedule this year, the singlespeeds lined up after teh c's, where my man Neil put in a solid effort for his first cross race. My game plan was to hang on with Steve and Racer and see what happens. Well when the gun went off if suddenly changed my mind and shot off like a rocket. I won the first lap prime, made it half way through the next lap and proceeded to drop my chain on a bumpy grass section. In the cluster #$%@ of trying to put my chain on I was passed by the top 5 and only managed to chase back number 5. Of course I dropped it again and then I new that was all she wrote. The top three were Steve W., Matt O., and Jason L. Jason held in there strong for a solid third place in front of a hard charging Racer G. So I took a little break, tightened the chain up and lined up at the back of the A's. After 25 minutes of hotter than hell heat and eventually getting lapped by Bart G., I threw in the towell. All in all a great workout to complement the volume and endurance training. I don't feel too bad considering most of these guys have been racing since March and this was my 2nd and 3rd race of the week and the year.

Only 7 weeks to go till Moab and it seems so far away. Thankfully on Sunday Emily and I got out for a ride in Park City. You can't beat a Sunday morning ride on great singletrack with your partner.

Way to go on Saturday Suedo and way to hang with the young gun.

24 Hour Circus in the Desert

In an attempt to keep my family and friends a little more up to date on what I am doing, I am going to try this route. By no means am I claiming to be a professional blogger but hopefully I can share some stories and photos of my adventures as I get ready for the 2007 edition of the 24 Hours of Moab. After giving the whole Solo 24 Hour race plenty of thought over the past few years, I have laid the cards on the table and am going for it this year. I'm already registered, so that means I am committed this time or that I should be committed. It all depends on how you look at it I guess. So between now and October 13th I will attempt to keep you all a little more informed about what I am up to. This is my first 24 Hour Solo attempt, so it's gonna be a kick in the pants.

Oh yeah, I am truly working on the article and hope to be finished early this fall.

Renewed Motivation

After a bit of down time since starting the new job a few months ago I am back on the path of finishing this story. I had the chance last Sunday to check out the Deer Valley National and was psyched to see Kabush rocking the Dopers Suck wristbands and pink socks. I have to give a shout out to my good friend Kain Leonard who finished in the top ten of the Pro Downhill. Another shout is due to Ross Schnell who was letting it rip in the Trek one piece suit during the short track race. I went to high school with Josh Ivey, who at the time was racing with Travis Brown and that one-piece looks to be of that vintage.

I know it looks like I am slacking on this thing, but please keep the emails coming back. I am kicking it into gear and again thanks to everyone who has shared their stories and humor with me.

Keep em coming in!

Thanks to all of you who have replied so far and I hope to get back a good number of those still floating around out there. So far I like what I see, so I will keep this thing going for a couple more weeks.

The Great Sideburn Debate

I have taken it upon myself to study, collect data, and compile my findings into an article discussing the benefits of sideburns in the cycling world. My survey is hitting the streets today and I will keep you all informed on my progress.

Welcome to My World

In the upcoming week I will be sending out my survey to the cycling world. It is my hope to get a good percentage of those back so that I can get the data together and finish my article. Thanks again to all of those of you who humor me by filling out the survey. Feel free to drop me a line to endomasterdr@gmail.com if you have any questions or comments.