Full Tilt, Telluride, Colo.

July 29, full on XC, dnf. I felt like crap. Still recovering from the rib injury and I think it's moved into my head a bit. I clung onto the lead group for about 45 minutes and pulled the plug.
July 30, hill climb, 1050' feet, one section was 37%, so 25 minutes of slow motion tactics, it hurt. Kind a funny suffering that bad at what, eight miles an hour. Oh well, it's over. I'm not sure I'll ever race Telluride again. I had to DNF last year because I broke my frame preriding the course, what's up with that.

Peace,
B

Blast the Mass, Snowmass Village, Colo.

Words associated with Saturday's State Championships at Snowmass, Colo.,: IVs, bug spray, the chills, sugar high, sugar bonk, flat out bonk…now you have the picture. We were greeted by record heat this weekend at 10k+ feet no less. The course was great and included two big climbs per lap (we did two laps), most notable about the climbs was the 100 yard section on the first climb where you almost go upside down (it's so steep), and most notable on the second climb (horse trail), was go figure, the horse flies. The single track in the trees and first descent set this course apart from others. The trees section includes numerous stream crossings, rocks, and roots and is flat out fun. The first descent is one of those 'point and shoot' type trails, way fast and narrow providing some 'scary' fun. In our category - Olaf the Austrian threw down huge and won the race, Bryan from RMR got second, and I cramped my way into third. We were too tired/dehydrated to enjoy our celebratory PBRs so we decided to share them with the fans (see picture). I relied on gummy bears to get me through the final 45-minutes of the race and should have eaten more as I blew up on the final climb and had to speed-walk like Frankenstein for a while, next time, more gummy bears.

Peace,
B

Tis a boy!

Little Chief (English Bull Dog) arrived via stork to Kevin at Western Ave in Chicago, break out the stogies! To be precise, little Chief arrived via Stork to Kevin in South Bend, Ind., at a car repair joint (long story) but they reside in Chicago. This boy is going to be 50+lbs, hopefully Belle is ready for this fella. I think Chief and Guiny, er Guinness (Tim and Kera's) will get along great, Belle (Mom and Dad's), not sure what she'll think. So you can connect the dots, pictures of Belle (little white fur ball) and Guiny (medium black fur ball) are included in this post.

Peace,
B

Independence Day (and weekend)

The Rockies (mountains and team), parade in Breckenridge, heavy rains at Red Rocks, and a broken train.

(pic 1 - Mom and Dad at Red Rocks) (pic 2 - the whole gang minus Tim, Kera, Colin, Belle, Guinness, and little Chief pre-Rockies game, that's me in the middle protecting a bag full of secret firecrakers) (pic 3 - Mom and Dad in Breck post 7/4 parade)

What a weekend, not sure where to start so here goes. Saturday - I race the STXC in Eldora, cruise home in time to meet Mom and Dad in town for the weekend. Sunday morn, up early, head back to Eldora for the XC with Mom and Dad (see 7/2 post for race details). Post XC, we're back at my house. I highly suggest we hit CB Potts on Broadway at 7:00 p.m. Why you ask do I highly suggest Potts at 7:00 p.m. The answer is, Kevin drove in from Chicago to surprise Mom and Dad. So, Ma, Pa, Me, pull into Pott's parking lot...without too much thought, Dad looks at me and says "why don't you park there by Kevin", ha, then the looks and surprise set in! Forget Mastercard, this was the definition of 'priceless'! We kick heels Sunday night and are up early to see Breck's 4th of July Parade which was great. Oops, missed a day, poor July 3, twas a Monday, we devoured fish tacos at Wahoos, took some power naps and headed for the train. Ah, the train, we board headed downtown. Well the train stops for 50+ minutes as a train infront of us broke down. We finally make the game and luckily first pitch. Sheesh, that makes it three parks for me this year - San Diego, Wrigley and Coors. Blues Traveler at Red Rocks on July 4, with the entire gang and awesome friends. And this, is where the heavy rains occured, wow, what a dumping towards the end of Jonny Lang's (he rocks and is a N. Dakota dude) set, those along the front range will never forget that dump of moisture. Super weekend, the stories of which will be recounted for years to come.

Peace,
B

Eldora XC

Worst race in a long time, finished 16 of 19. Live and learn, right? Here's what I learned, when my doctor says "no riding for two weeks", maybe I should have listened and not raced six days into the magical two week rest period - she was right, I was wrong, doctors knows best aye'. The race hurt, I had trouble hearing for a while due to the chest pain, but it's all good as I finished. Snowmass is going to be rough...hopefully I get some strength and lungs back for Telluride and Keystone, and if not, viva' cross and tele season!

Peace,
B

Eldora STXC

Umm, ouch. Eldora's STXC was difficult (for me) as we were offered little rest and a torrid pace. I ended up in second, thanks in part to the chocalote covered espresso beans. Thankfully, our course didn't include any technical/rocky sections that bump da' rib cage, it was more of a hammer and steer course with decent little climbs to mellow things out. My teammate, and way fast pro-racer, Stephen Iles, snapped a pic (I'm bib 153 and my friend who won, Alan, is bib 129) and stood-in to coach me through the race. Nothing better than a pro heeding advice during a race. Check out Stephen's blog here: http://www.steveiles.blogspot.com/.

Peace,
B