Technology

Over the years, we have all bought shiny new bike parts. Most of what we have bought has been brought about due to greater technological advances. New tech bits have not only played a large part of bike advancement, but they are also in our favorite training tools. We’ve all had ‘em or wanted ‘em. Heart rate monitor, power meters, GPS. They will make us faster, ya?

I was one who started off on a heart rate monitor. After a few years on that I got a screaming deal on a PowerTap I just could not pass up. I used it for a couple years. I also had a wrist watch GPS with heart rate monitor function to boot. They were all great and maybe helped with my training. Last year after coming back from a 7 week knee injury, I went old school. I took what the power meter and heart rate monitors had taught me about perceived exertion and used that as my new tool. That was a big technological step back. Guess what, with this old school approach, I became way faster. It was not just the lack of tools, it was also a different training plan in place.

So this brings me to the main point. I have tried to re-embrace training technology and have transformed my PowerTap into 135mm spacing for my flat-bar road/mtb bike. I also have been using a Garmin 705 on mountain bike trips to follow GPS tracks and not get lost. Well, today was my first day of any intensity in what feels like ages. My PowerTap hub batteries died and I wanted to collect some data as a reference point, so this is what it came to.

I felt like a fool riding around with all these fancy gadgets hanging off my riser bars. Looked and felt weird coming from someone who swore off training tools last fall. Let’s just see if by Spring it makes me any faster. If not, I know I can always go back to the old-school approach.

This Is Cool

Pretty sweet the Fruita Fat Tire Festival shows up on upcoming events at weather.com. I will actually be in town this year to take part in all the fun!

In Search of Dry Dirt

Down in AZ riding the trails. Been a good time. You can read my write-up so far here.

Looking Good

Going down to Phoenix this coming Wednesday. There is a road race, but I am trying to get into the swing of things on the road bike. I am not quite ready to race again. Last season was really long, and I need a little more time before I hit it hard again. So, I am going to hit up the sweet trails on the MTB. Should be a really good time. Weather here has been really bad this winter. Its been 10 degrees below average on a daily basis, much cloudier than normal, and snowing. It could be March before we see dirt again here. So getting on some dirt in Arizona is going to be nice. Riding in shorts and short sleeves won't be too hard to handle either.

Nada Mucho

Not too much going on here lately. School started last week and is going along just fine. Looks like I have a pretty good schedule for my last semester which should be nice. One class on Thursdays and nothing on Friday should make for a bit of traveling.

Been back on the bike for the last two weeks. Feels good to get back into a groove and pedaling again. No huge hours yet, we'll work up to that. The weather here has been fine with me, but has been below average a bit. Last year we were riding trails the first of February, but its not looking like it will be any time soon. Temps in the low 30's everyday doesn't do it for the trails. Word on the street was Moab was horrible in December and January. But I did hear today that Amasa Back might be good to ride. So, maybe I'll hit the dirt this weekend to learn how to ride on rocks again. Lately it has been spinning away on the pavement. Speaking of which, here is my training bike...

Besides that, it is all pretty chill here. First race will be in a few weeks down in Phoenix, AZ. Should be a good time to get in some miles in the sunshine and warm weather. It's a road race, so I might have to ride my road bike once beforehand. Especially considering it has seen two days of pedaling since the end of April. Whoops. A few weeks later is the first MTB race in St. George, UT. Should be a good time getting back into racing on the dirt and hitting all the other cool trails that weekend.

Out With the Old, In With the New

It's been some time since I updated this thing. The cool thing about blogs is the memories that are recorded. I enjoy this time of year where I can go back on reflect on my past journeys of the good, the bad, and the ugly. This year there were a lot of fond memories and awesome trips taken. This was also my first year where I did a large amount of racing and learned some valuable lessons.

I spent a large portion of my time in the spring riding on the pavement and racing every weekend on the road. It was a fun time traveling with all my buddies, going to races, hanging out and feeding off others successes. I started off the year with a trip to Arizona, then did the entire collegiate road block as training, and capped it off with a trip to New Mexico. I do not consider myself a road racer and know exactly where my weaknesses lie, but I had some good memories. When on the road, I give myself no expectations. I just show up to ride in a pack with others and get in a good training session. With this mentality, I had a good time no matter how bad my legs felt or what place I got.

After this I had a long break off the bike with my knee injury. I came back and after 7 weeks with only a handful of rides, I jumped head first into the Lumberjack 100. Whether it was stupid or dumb, I have yet to figure out, but I learned a lot. I realized I can get off the couch and ride my bike in the woods for hours on end. I don't have to be competitive to have fun, it is all about the joy of being on two wheels around good people. A four week block of training and I surprisingly nailed down a top 10 at Ore to Shore. I kept thinking how out of shape I was, but it all comes down to the motivation and effort you put in.

It was back to Colorado with strong motivation knowing I was riding well with not many hours in the legs. I kept strictly to the mountain bike whether it was on gravel, pavement, or sweet singletrack. A win, some top 5's, and all around good weekly bike trips with like-minded individuals had me dreaming. I was able to pick up some good results at collegiate nationals in Tahoe and achieved my goals for the year. With good fitness in hand, I got a flight to Iceman to be able to suffer for 28 miles with friends. It capped off an awesome season.

After Iceman were a few cyclocross races and Nationals in Bend, Oregon. I was done. I had raced all spring after putting in long hours, drilled myself into shape all summer and fall and it paid off. I took the last month of the season to just enjoy myself. I always enjoy riding my bike. I make it fun. It is not about racing and getting results, but about being outside, breathing fresh air, living stress free for those few hours in the saddle and shredding trails with friends. I enjoy racing and love the thrill those few weeks a year where you are in prime condition, and just flying. But the last month was nice to get out and ride for the fun of it.

Since May, I did not use a power meter, hardly ever a heart rate monitor, never tracked miles or weight. I just rode. I would climb a mountain a few times to see how fast I could get to the top. I would get the joy of hitting the summit faster every week. I suffered behind a motor a few times, but a good suffering. I always went out on rides with a slight plan, but changed it on how I was feeling. Maybe I wanted to climb to 10,000ft, maybe I wanted to shred flowing sinlgetrack, maybe an easy ride cruising with friends. Whatever it was, I enjoyed it. And it goes to show, cycling is fun for all no matter how fast you got or what your number say.

So after a few weeks off the bike, I am ready to go again. After this summer, I know I can get back in shape fairly quickly depending on what I do. I think I'll take it easy for a while, but looking to be firing late spring and into mid-summer. I'll be doing a little road this year, but focusing mainly on the fat tires.

Here's to a good 2010.

Iceman, Niceman

I'll hopefully have pics up soon
Whatever it is called, it is the best race all year. I have to say, even living in Colorado and doing almost 50 races already this year, the Triple Crown races are still the best races and best atmosphere. If all national caliber mountain bike races were like this, it would be on VS and people would be making money.

Did a pre-ride on Friday after flying in the night before and driving up to Kalkaska that morning. A spin down to Tornado Alley and back got my legs going after sitting for most of the last 24 hours.

Race day was so nice. Almost as good as Colorado weather this time of year. Sunny and warm. Rode out past Tornado Alley again for my warm-up chatting with Jason Anderson from Vitamin Cottage/Natural Grocers. Realized I was running short on time and had to book it back.

Race got underway and somehow managed to avoid the first wreck a few hundred yards in. Missed the second wreck where it narrowed on the dirt. Was 40 guys back going into the woods and the first few miles. Guys were everywhere and there was no passing until people started fading. Started to drill the pace and get around people to get back to the front. I could see the lead group just ahead of us, but I couldn't reel them in. Must be the fact that JHK, Matter, Shultz, Simonster and Anderson were up there. With that horsepower, I could keep them in sight for a while, but never get to them.

We ended up with a nice group for most of the race. Once we dropped most stragglers, it was a core 5-6 of us. I burned a lot of matches early on and was really glad when Wissink got on our group. He is a workhorse and did lots of pace setting in the last 15 miles. Him and Mike Phillips were keeping the pace high. Kuhn, Brewchamp, Stewy, and I made the rest if the group. Everyone seemed to be riding well and similar levels.

We were all together going into Timber Ridge, but the singletrack at the end created some gaps. I was on the back of what was then a 5 man train, and got gapped in the last singletrack section. It kept going on and by the time we hit the last woodchip hill, the group was splitting up. Was able to safely ride in for 18th on the day. Did the 28.8 miles in 1:38. It was crazy fast and really hard. Typical Iceman style!

It was a total change from training for nationals in Tahoe. No 20 min climbs and 10 min descents for recovery. Just pin yourself fro 28 miles and keep the leg speed high. My 19lb Superfly was perfect for the course. Maybe next year I'll train for it and see if I can get on the front group early on.

Overall a super fun weekend. Not just the race, but the entire atmosphere. Thanks to everyone who was screaming and ringing cowbells all over the course and at the finish. You just don't get that at any other race. It was also great to see everyone from the racing scene again and catch up. Can't wait for the next one!

Next up is cyclocross nationals in Bend, Oregon in a month. For right now, it is just time for some fun mountain bike rides and just enjoying being on two wheels.

Gettin' Ready

Today was a good day. Weather was awesome, riding was good, and riding was fun!

Started off suffering behind this...

On my MTB, thats how I roll

Then off for ride #2 having some fun

Ali-Ali Singletrack

Not sure how many more days will be like this

Superfly looking ready for Iceman

The 'Fly all boxed up and shipping out tomorrow.

A Few More Pics

BRAAAP!




Euro Mullet and Frogskins. Hell yeah!

Collegiate Nationals

The Truckee/Tahoe area is sweet!

Raced XC on Friday. 4 - 7.5 mile laps. Big climb up, descend down. Was a little conservative on the DH, but finished on the podium in 4th.

Short track Saturday morning. Started up a loose gravel climb. Lots of rubbing and leaning on each other. Just as I think I am clear of any trouble, some guy comes flying up and takes me out. Fly off the bike and run back to it. Look back and I am dead last all through lap 1. Rally the rest of the time and finish 6th. Was on the wheel of 4th & 5th, but ran out of time.

Did a sweet loop of the XC afterward and watched some four cross.

Made sure I looked like a fool on the podium.

Rode to Lake Tahoe with Cruise and some of his teammates. Views and ride was awesome.

Watched some downhill and yelled at Joe too much.

Drove back all day yesterday.

It's pouring rain here now. Time to get wet. Iceman is 18 days away. Let's see if I can keep some fitness.

While the Weather is Dismal...

for most of you. Seems like is has rained a lot in Michigan this week. And those down in Denver have been treated to freezing temperatures and fluffy white stuff. Way to early for me. On the other hand, the weather on this side is quite nice. I got a fun ride in Fruita today. Blue skies, sunny, and 70 degrees.

Enjoy!



In other news, my racing schedule is looking to be really fun with some of the biggest races in the country coming up. We leave in a couple days for Truckee, CA for collegiate MTB nationals. Two weeks later we have the Boulder Cup UCI cyclocross race weekend. Then the following week I will be setting sail back to the mitten for the all mighty ICEMAN!!! I'm so stoked. Might have to get a few sessions behind the motor after Nationals to pick my legs speeds up!

Here is my Iceman bike. 19.01 lbs.

Almost There

Conference Finals were last week here in Junction. It was nice to stay here for once and not have to drive into the boonies late at night. Short Track was on Saturday morning. We got a nice little hour ride with a bit of singletrack in before the race. My legs felt decent, but once again we all had a horrible starting position. Dead back row on a course that is all about position. Needless to say, we all sat waiting to get into the 1-track, then stopped again before a drop, then had to hike up the next hill. The course was a technical singletrack downhill, then a jeep road back up. After 3 laps, it finally cleared up a little and I was able to make up some positions. Ended up 11th which was fine. I think we would have all done much better with a better start.

Went up to the Ranch after that to help out and watch the dual slalom race. It was sick. There are some crazy fast dudes out here and the course was awesome. Here is a video of Ranchstyle that is held there in the spring. Kinda gives you an idea of what is up there.

Saturday night we went out to Olive Garden which turned into a bad choice. We ended getting competitive in an eating competition. Needless to say we were all hurting after 2 bowls of salad, 6 breadsticks, and 4 bowls of pasta.

Sunday morning was quite warm as I rode over to the XC course. It was dark and sprinkled a bit on me. My chain got jacked up with a tight link in my warm-up, so I spent the last few minutes before the start putting more links in. So, another back row start with not a ton of passing as it is a rocky climb. It started raining half way through the lap. By lap 2, the benonite on the ground turned into concrete. Wheels would hardly clear the frames. We hikes a bit, and just rode around having fun. No one was behind us as they stopped everyone after our group, so we rode a chill conversational pace and rolled in safely.

We leave next week for Truckee, CA for Nationals at Northstar at Tahoe Resort. Should be a sweet time. I am still waiting for my Superfly to come back. That bike should be killer on that course. I really hope it comes in by tomorrow so I can race it. After Nationals turns to donut and cyclocross season. Should be a blast!