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.