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.