White Wonderland

Well we got back late Wednesday night and low and behold my car was buried deep in the driveway. So I decided to wake up on Thursday and dig it out. It took most of the day but I got it uncovered just in time for the next winter storm to blow through last night and rebury it in another foot of snow. That was my chore yet again today and its free once again. But it looks like it will be a never ending battle with more to come tonight.

Lex in the walkway.

The dogs not sure what to do, but don't let them fool you; Shelby (the black one) loves to romp around and dirty.

Some think that this is going to be routine with a storm hitting weekly, that sucks.

FL

This is what I missed the last week in CO while down in FL.
Right now I am just in the Orlando Airport heading back to yet another blizzard that is scheduled to hit on Thursday into Friday. Looks like a long time until I will be able to get back outside to ride. The trainer is getting pretty boring.

Disney was fun but after a week but it begings to make you very tired and your feet and legs begin to get an amazing workout from just walking.

Well just heard to preboarding anouncement so I better get going. Later.

Blizzard

Well for those of you who haven't seen news lately, CO is in a blizzard and is being hit by feet upon feet of snow and huge drifts. Everything is closed down, mail isn't being delivered and the airport has 5,000 people stranded in it. But I am not there, I'm in Orlando, FL thank god having fun at Disney World, gotta love mickey, check back later for pics.

Check Up

Tomorrow starts a week of long death marches, and of course right on time the next snow storm is planned to hit also this weekend. Not much has happened in my life since my last update. Still doing the training for next year. I tested last week and my power is almost back to where it was at peak this last season so I should shoot right past it on to new highs this next month. In January I will be moving out of Boulder to Superior, and Lex is planning on moving in shortly after in Feb. It looks like my first race for next year will be in Feb and my goal is to know who I will be riding for by then, if not I'm sure something will happen some time soon. No pics sorry, Hope every one is having a great start to Chirstmas, i.e. shopping is amost finished.

Winter Wonderland

It seems like forever that I've been traped indoors due to the snow. It first fell for two days last week and built up a foot. Then it got sunny for a couple of days but still cold so none of the mess went anywhere. Sun went away and it snowed four more inches yesterday morning adding more to the pile up.

Oh well, I can deal with the trainer (I hope for not too much longer) as long as I get outside to have some fun from time to time.
The snow was so light and powdery that it wouldn't roll and stick together to build a snowman, so we just built a snow alligator/snake like creature.
The next week is sunny and clear in the 40's, so I'll get out at some point this week. Until then, more trainer and more fun in the snow.

Let It Snow, Let It Snow

Well thankfully I was able to get out and train for a couple of hours yesterday because today was a trainer day due to the six inches of snow that fell over night and its still coming.
There are a few days of okay weather through the next week but there will be many cold indoor days, I guess this is the payback for all of the nice summer days this year. Time to crawl back under the covers and keep warm.

Back In CO For A While

Well the trip to Texas finished off at my parents ranch where Lex got a chance to feed the cows up close and personal.
While I hung out with the miniature horses.
No that is not a rat or a gremlin, its my parents spoiled dog, Trixie.
We got back into CO right before Thanksgiving and spent the holidays with Lexies parents in Longmont. Lots of food and leftovers.

Training has really kicked up and of course when it does the weather gets worse. This week some of the days will have highs in the 20s. I hate the trainer, but I better start loving it.

Happy Turkey Day

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Make sure to eat a lot of food and enjoy the company of family and friends.

Road Trip to Texas

Here's how its going so far.

The drive through west Texas around Lubbock hasn't gotten any better since the last time I did it while going to Tech. All of the sudden I feel really old saying "back in the day when I went to college." The only scenery along the drive is a few wind farms up on the canyons.

After visiting some old college friends and just some friends that are old (sorry Cranfill) we hit San Antonio to see Brad. We ate good food and walked along the River Walk and did the tourist thing at the Alamo.
SA is good but Austin is better. We saw the capital building and enjoyed the scene on 6th street.
Its been fun so far being the tourist in places you grew up in and never had the chance to see them but today we head to Fredericksburg to see my parents :)

Is it still the Weekend?

Being sick sucks. This makes for the third time this year I've been shot down by the illness that goes around. Everyone up here has had it and I guess this last weekend was my turn. I'm starting to feel 100% again but I feel sorry for Lexie who took care of me and now caught it.

The offseason is officially over, and my sore legs can prove it. The 07 NRC was released the other day and the first official race is in February already. I guess this next year is going to be a long one. As for who I will be racing under next year, your guess is as good as mine. I'm still in a holding pattern for a few teams, as soon as I know, I'll let everyone else out there know too.

Its road trip time again next week. Lexie and I will be driving down to TX to see everyone before the season heats up and I become MIA for the rest of the year. For those in Lubbock we should be there on Wednesday (and will probably be hanging out at the bike shop), then hit up A Town and SA followed by the parents.

Sorry for no pics, nothing interesting to take a picture of lately.

Catch Up

I know, I know. The updates are lagging behind big time. Time to catch up.

Got back from TX last Saturday, trip was fun, the 24hr MTB race has me questioning every year why I'm doing it, but in the end its always fun times. This week has been cold here in CO so I've been doing some indoor trainer workouts.

Lexie and I hit the slopes yesterday so I could try snowboarding for my first time. It was fun, I fell a lot and on what ended up being our last run of the day, I fell and sprained my wrist really bad, thats what happens when you put a cyclist in any other sporting enviroment, we hurt ourselves.
Today I attempted a 2hr ride in the cold, but ended up just doing 1.5hrs due to loosing feeling in my face, toes, and fingers; plus not to mention my wrist is killing me.

That's my life the last few weeks wrapped up quickly. I hope to get back on the wagon again and keep the updates flowing regularly. Time to be lazy the rest of the day.

FBG

Sorry about the lack of updates but the internet reception in this town is sooooo slow that I can't even get pics posted. I guess everyone is just going to have to wait until I get back home to see the events of the week in TX.

A Town

Texas is not as I remembered it, well atleast in the Hill Country.

Mike was nice enough to let me crash at his pimp place, but I didn't have that much time to enjoy it do to the 24hr mtb race I did this weekend with him and a few other friends.

The race was at Rockyhill Ranch just outside of Austin, the name fits.
Kevin, me and Mike after the race.

The race was riddled with problems, mechanicals, flats, crashes, injuries, and both my lights going out part way through one of my night laps. The laps were 10.8 miles and I had to follow a guy for 8 miles through some pretty technical stuff, lets just say that it was my slowest lap. Even with all the problems we still finished, fourth.

But it is over.....for another year. Yes I am crazy. I'm off to FBG this afternoon so just enjoying a local Austin coffee shop. Hope all is well with everyone else out there. Late.

TX Time

I'm off to Tejas early, and I do mean early, in the morning. I'll be in A-town till Monday then the FBG till Saturday. For those in the area, give me a ring. I'll probably just be catching up on times with friends and the folks and spending some quality time on the bike. I'll try to keep some updates flowing.

Boulder Snow

The first snow of the year finally hit and this was the aftermath this morning.
This is why I love it here. It will snow for a day or two, and then its sunny and clear and all the snow is gone by the end of the day. You get the best off all worlds. Tomorrow I will get to hit the bike outside and away from the trainer and then pack for TX.

Lexie and I went to the new Denver Art Museum today and would have to recommend it to everyone.

Bad Weather

Well its snowing here and that made me get the trainer out for the first time since February. I hate the tainer, enough said.

For those interested I have my 06 Cannondale Scalpel 3000 for sale on Ebay.

Road Trip Wrap Up

Okay, so I'm back now from a week of sitting on my ass and eating crap and not working out, but it was all worth it. We headed out last Monday hitting the Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, various places in Montana, then Rushmore and heading on back. It took seven days but should have taken longer if we were to actually stop and enjoy each place to its fullest. There were tons of pics but here are a few that stood out.

In Virginia City, MT the Sheriff is either blessed with a bad last name or is running for two different jobs at once. The drive got boring from time to time, but the game of "Who can fit the most gold fish crackers in their mouth at once" kept us occupied for a while, this is Lexie trying for 21. I think it will be a very long time before I eat gold fish crackers again.

Here's Old Faithful, the other tourists were very excited to see the geiser go off, but it seemed like the buffalo had seen it before.

I am kind of curious after seeing this sign if some little kids have actually stood on top of a geiser before, I wonder what would happen?

Mt. Rushmore
We decided to stop at Jewel Cave in the Black Forest to do some underground scenic sight seeing. This box was outside and its the requirement for the sperlunking tour to fit though it. It was 8inches by 24inches, I even had a hard time fitting through it.


Well those are just a few of the pics. I'm a little tired now after trying to get back into riding today with a five hr march in the mountains. I'll be heading for TX on Friday for a week, so those of you down that way maybe I'll run across you.

Sorry

I haven't been able to find a place that will let me upload pics, so everyone will just have to wait until after I get back. But the trip is awesome with a few more stops left. Later, B

Road Trip Day One

Well I have pics of the first day on the trip but the hotel won't let me upload them so you'll just have to wait. Yesterday the weather was a little bad. Some snow and rain, but today is sunny and clear. Right now we are in Rock Springs, WY but are getting ready to hit the road for Jackson, WY by noon and do some hiking in the Tetons. Check back for the pics.

Trip Time

The road trip starts today, but first I have to drive down to south Denver for testing with Mike. It should be interesting to see how the off season has been treating me so far. I'll keep ya'll posted on the trip as often as I can. Later.............B

About Time

Its time for the what seems to be weekly update. After getting back form interbike I've been taking it easy, not like I've ever done anything other than that. This weekend Lexie and I headed up to Rocky Mtn National Park for some hiking. Its beautiful around here know with the leaves changing.

The park is a must see for everyone, great views and awesome trails for hiking.
Other than that not much else. Still on the bike daily but only to occasional hard day. I plan on taking off competely next week and going with Lexie on a road trip up to Montana and try and see some of my family up there and just hit some of the parks and enjoy fall. I'll try and be better the updates.

Interbike 2006

Welcome from Las Vegas and Interbike.
Its crazy here. I never would have imagined the nonstop pace of a large convention, but after two days I am beat and just want to get back to Boulder. The newest and best was displayed such as this 11 pound bike, but which was nothing as there was also a 6 pound one as well. Just to give you and idea of how light that is, the UCI minimum weight limit is almost 16 pounds.

We did the meeting thing plugging the shop and the team, but the next few weeks are when the final numbers and product decisions are made.

I am going to take the lazy way out and say that I am tired, hungry and sitting in the airport just waiting, so I am going to get something to eat and make this posting short. Later.

Cross

Cross is fun, as long as you're on the bike, I don't like the running part.

S Day

Now that the main focus is just staying in shape for next year the only really long days are Sundays. Seth made some homemade biscuits this morning with eggs, someday he will make a great wife for some lucky lady. Loaded up on good food we hit the road and headed to Grapevine just passed Idledale where we came across this sign.Seth doin it on the dirt.

This weekend were the first cross races here in Colorado so we had to make a pit stop by the race at Red Rocks. Nothing beats a cross race especially when you're a spectator; Beer, Burgers, and Bikes.

I got my cross bike all ready to go tonight so I'll give it its inaugural spin in the morning. Not sure if I'll actually do many races, mostly use it to ride the roads in bad weather and have some fun this winter on some dirt, but you never know.

You Know Its Winter When.......

I know I'm a slacker and have taken the term offseason maybe a little too literally. I've still been hitting the bike everyday but just not as hard as I use to, and its been feeling really good to just have fun for once again. The season couldn't have ended any more right on time than it did. The weather around here has turn very cold, very quickly. Some of the ski slopes are already open and Vail got 10 inches of snow last night. There is even a chance of snow here this weekend.
Today was the first day in a long time that I came back in from a ride with my face, fingers, and toes completely numb. I really don't miss that feeling, or when you get in a hot shower still numb from the cold and the warmth actually hurts your body. Oh well, tomorrow I am taking a day off completely. For those interested and want to go out tonight the spot to be is 1037 Broadway in Denver around 10pm, at least thats where I'll be.

Offseason

I have to say that yesterday was by far the best day I've had in a very long time. The first day off my offseason and it started out with a very peaceful 3 hr hike up Eldorado Canyon with Lexie.

After the hike, we got ready and headed down to Red Rocks for the John Mayer/Sheril Crow concert. For those of you who haven't been to Red Rocks it is one of the best concert venues in the world.

As the night went on it got colder and colder but the show was great, and I'm not only talking about the music, but also all the drunk/high old people all around getting down.

It may be my offseason, but the bike is a must do to keep in shape, but not nearly as difficult as the normal training.

Stick A Fork In Me

The crit today was a long, hard, windy, mundane hour and a half. I attacked a few times, broke away with a few guys once and spent some time on the front of the pack trying to pull back some TIAA CREF kids who were off the front. All in all, not a bad race.
The post race festivities were fun as always, we jacked a cooler full of beer from the HART boys, here is the ransom picture we took and sent to them, but they didn't pay up so we drank their beer.

We had our family dinner afterwards to sober us up after our two beers, we went up scale and dined at Chipotle.

Other than that, all I can say is, its done.

Parker NRC

Well its here, I've heard of this allusive beast but I have finally seen it myself; the end of the road season. This weekend is the Parker NRC race here in CO just south of Denver. The TT was on Friday, the course was fine but the wind was horrible and blew me on my disc all over the place. Whitey getting his game face on.
Warm up
Today was the last road race, and what a way to end it with a 105 mile race on constant huge rollers. We met at the shop this morning to roll down in the van. Garcia and Donald riding the cruiser around the shop.

The race was killer, the wind plus the hard course made for a brutal time. Out of the 120 starters only about 50 rolled across the finish line when it was all said and done. Not sure exactly how I ended up in the mix but up there somewhere. Results haven't been posted online and the promoters are a little slow on results so I won't know for sure until tomorrow morning.

It took up till the end of the season but they finally updated to van.

Well I'm tired and there is still a crit tomorrow. FYI its cold here now and there is snow just a few miles up the road in the mountains, looks like fall got skipped and we went straight to winter.

4 More Days And Counting

Congrats to Tom.

Not much going on in my world right now except for a lot of praying that a team decides to pick me up for the next year. We'll know for sure within the next few weeks. However, for now, all I can do is keep doing my thing and get ready for Parker this weekend.

Today was a trek up the famous Super James.

Doing my thing.......hurting.

The payoff is the view from the top of the world, well not quite but around 10,000 ft.

The ride was only around three hours going through Ward. I happened across Scott Moninger riding up Lefthand. He's looking in top form for this weekend, but when is he not in great form.

LOLA

The days in Colorado haven dreary lately. Lost of clouds, cooler weather, and rain.

I hit up the old Monday hangout once again. LOLA use to be down in Seth's neighborhood but closed down and moved back in February. However, I am happy to report that they are open again just west of downtown Denver and still have their Monday night special of $1.5 Modelo and $2 chicken tacos.

The gang.
Seth really wanted to be in a picture.

The clouds have broke today so who knows.

For anyone interested I am going to put my Primus Mootry up for sale on Ebay soon, check back for when I do and I will put a link up.

Derka Derka

The day started out as always, with coffee. Then I got my stuff together and drove down to Seth's place, while drinking more coffee. Seth, Chad, and I hit the road into Golden to grab a doughnut from Safeway. Seth thoroughly enjoyed his.

Derek met up with us and we started up Golden Gate for a day of climbing fun.

Yet the weather had other ideas. The clouds rolled in quickly and the choice to turn around came with lightning.
We drilled it as fast as we could to make it back into Golden and to the refuge of a bridge to wait the rain out. What they say about the weather in Texas holds true here as well, if you don't like the weather, just wait a few minutes and it will change.

We polished off the ride by going up Lookout then headed back to Seth's to call it a day at 4.5hrs. We did the usual post race grazing at Whole Foods then grabbed some grill goods for some porch cooking. I think Seth dumped an entire bottle of lighter fluid on the charcoals.
I got my eat on.

Matt, Seth, and Joey enjoying the comfort of the porch.

All in all I would call it a great non race day, tomorrow is a crit in downtown Denver; I'll be there....only if it doesn't rain. Parker NRC is the only race on my schedule that I am doing rain or shine with the team, and that happens to be next weekend, then I'm in the clear.