Angel Fire, N.M., MSC #2

Very fun/demanding course as always, approximately 3800' elevation gain. Last lap, really the last descent as you appear from the trees and bomb for the finish...I endoed, rag dolled too as it was told and ended up cracking my helmet and top tube of my new carbon Giant, egads. My outcome: bruised ribs, bruised back, black eye with facial abrasions, separated clavicle (2/3), separated shoulder (2/3), potentially torn rotater (MRI next weeks), and various leg/arm/back abrasions...all pointed out well by the friendly folks at the Taos ER. RMR'r Tony gashed his leg well enough that we could see a bone, at least we got to go to the ER together, thanks Jeremy, for driving and waiting! P.S. typing one handed stinks! A pic of me in the start shoot, pre-race. UPDATE - Drove to DSM two days after the wreck, zoinks, my back truly hates me, my shoulder and clavical seem at peace minus the fact that they HATE the touch of the seat belt. MRI tomorrow, hooray, so far it's the clavicle and shoulder seperation, hoping for no issues with the rotator. Peace, B

Battle Das' Bear: Semi-pro Race Du'

New course this year with two new climbs, great. 22 semi-pros lined up at the start, I finished 10th, oh well, at least I didn't cramp, which is nice as I've never raced Das' Bear without cramping. More to follow...

First Race as a Semi-pro

First mountain bike race of the season is under the belt, and I'm glad. Our field included 33 finishers, one of them being non-other than Georgia Gould (she's fast!) and likely to be representing the stars/stripes in Beijing. The race was held in Nathop, Colo., roughly two hours west of Denver, just north of Salida. The gun (or loud voice, I wasn't paying attention) goes off and the vicious pedaling began. Once things settled I found myself in the company of friends - teammate Derek and all-around racing pal Alan. Hopefully it was the warm weather or training week prior, but I felt terribly flat. Somewhere on the third lap Derek and Alan decided to start resting for Angel Fire so I ended up a few seconds in front of each of them. In the end I ended up 17th, the only saving grace is that my time would have 'won' my old Expert division and I would have managed to finish in front of seven/eight 'pros'. Post race a bunch of us hit up Amica's Pizza & Microbrews in Salida. I must plug their fine fair and even finer micros, their IPA is uber bueno. Full bellies and growlers in hand, we headed to Doody's A-frame at the base of Monarch. Sunday morning we headed back to the venue to ready ourselves for the STXC battle which looked to be on a super-fun course. Unfortunately there was a scheduling snafu and our race was moved from around noon, to nearly 6:00 p.m., putting us home around 9:00 p.m. That didn't work for most of us so we loaded up and headed to Buffalo Creek to ride those sweet trails. All-in-all it was a great way to start the season off. Next up is Battle the Bear then Angel Fire over Memorial Day weekend, hooray. In Floyd We Trust - Lemond is a Tool. Peace, B

Uncle/Niece! Lola is here!

More to follow, quickly though I'm proud to annouce I'm now an uncle to my new niece, little Lola Costello. Lola arrived to Tim and Kera on May 3! Everyone is doing great, perfect health! Lola weighs 7 lbs 12 ounces and is already smiling. Can't wait to get back to see her!!!