Brinna started the fall session of gymnastics tonight. I thought I would be with Avery but Jen took her with. After a rapid Sloppy Joe session they were out the door. I had about an hour of daylight left. Jumped on the cross bike and hit up the North Loop. Man, was that fun. I'm sure I was slower but sure felt fast. I usually skip the expert session but did it all...well not the expert, expert section but everything else. No pinch flats. Had a blast.
Out.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
It' Time
Tomorrow night will be the start of Monday Night MTB Rides. 8:30 at the North Loop. I think Mike will be happy, it feels like arm and knee warmer weather.
Game on.
Out.
Game on.
Out.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
North Loop MTB Race
We survived the fourth installment of the Revolution Cycle and Ski Single Track Escape. Again we increased the number of participants. Next year we'll shoot for 400 riders! With the rain yesterday the course was in awesome shape. You could really power into the corners and not worry about slipping out.
I somewhat toyed with the idea of riding the single speed class, but opted out with my ankle still hurting and having a lot of leg work to do for the race. Mr. Anderson was a bit under the weather so I was left to changing the course after each prolong lap and changing it back again for the next class of riders by myself. I am pretty sure I got more riding in doing this than if I had raced. We had a great turnout of volunteers again, making everything run smoothly. Even so, I was running around quite a bit with little time for sitting. My ankle is huge and I am damn tired. Tomorrow we get to do it all again but at the PorkChop Challenge Cyclocross race. I love this race.
Brinna also got in here first race on a bike! She did awesome! I didn't get to see her finish, out changing the course, but got some great pictures to look at...thanks Foley. Here they are:
Oh so focused.
Sweet Cannondale jersey and who set up your bike? Raise the seat!
I have to teach her how to weasel up to the front to get the "hole shot".
Again with the great concentration.
I somewhat toyed with the idea of riding the single speed class, but opted out with my ankle still hurting and having a lot of leg work to do for the race. Mr. Anderson was a bit under the weather so I was left to changing the course after each prolong lap and changing it back again for the next class of riders by myself. I am pretty sure I got more riding in doing this than if I had raced. We had a great turnout of volunteers again, making everything run smoothly. Even so, I was running around quite a bit with little time for sitting. My ankle is huge and I am damn tired. Tomorrow we get to do it all again but at the PorkChop Challenge Cyclocross race. I love this race.
Brinna also got in here first race on a bike! She did awesome! I didn't get to see her finish, out changing the course, but got some great pictures to look at...thanks Foley. Here they are:
Oh so focused.
Sweet Cannondale jersey and who set up your bike? Raise the seat!
I have to teach her how to weasel up to the front to get the "hole shot".
Again with the great concentration.Great day...favorite race weekend and I don't even race. It's nice keeping it local.
Maybe I should have late fall race of some sort?!
See ya tomorrow.
Friday, September 25, 2009
We Got Prizes!
Last night we met at the shop and got the prizes organized for the weekend of racing.
Mike and I trying out the prizes...I think we got the sizes mixed up.
Look at all that loot.
Should be a good success. I am excited for the weekend. Weekends tend to go by fast but this one will "fly" by. It's all good.
Mike and I trying out the prizes...I think we got the sizes mixed up.
Look at all that loot.
Should be a good success. I am excited for the weekend. Weekends tend to go by fast but this one will "fly" by. It's all good.
See ya on the trail.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
It's On the Fast Approaching Horizon.
Race Weekend in St. Cloud is fast approaching. Last night Kris, Kyia, and I cut in the passing lanes at the North Loop. It went much easier and faster then planned. Tonight we are getting the prizes (and we have a shit ton) organized, then on Friday we are getting the North Loop all gussied up for the race on Saturday...3:00 at the North Loop on Friday if you want to help.
Kris has a new route planned for the cyclocross race on Sunday, I think it should be fun. I am still up in the air about doing it or not...damn ankle.
I finished up our XC Ski Package sheets at the shop and sent to the printers. Monday we are switching the store around. I am usually pretty excited for snow and ski season, but not so much this year. I think I am still having so much fun biking. Give me a month, some colder temps, and shorter days and I will be there!
Out.
Kris has a new route planned for the cyclocross race on Sunday, I think it should be fun. I am still up in the air about doing it or not...damn ankle.
I finished up our XC Ski Package sheets at the shop and sent to the printers. Monday we are switching the store around. I am usually pretty excited for snow and ski season, but not so much this year. I think I am still having so much fun biking. Give me a month, some colder temps, and shorter days and I will be there!
Out.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Cyclo Cross=Ouch!
Yesterday six of us headed over to Oak Hill to practice our "moves" on the cyclocross bikes. I have had a few cross bikes over the years but never to race or practice...just to have.
Damn, dismounting, remounting, running, avoiding trees, is tough. After a few laps I begin to fall into a breathing routine and not maxed the entire time. Overall I had a blast and really want to race on Sunday. I have to race the "C" category due to me not wanting to buy a license or worry about what damn category I am. My ankle has been bugging me off and on this summer and after last night it's a bit tender. We'll have to see how the rest of the week goes. The knees were no problem however, so that rocks!
Later.
Damn, dismounting, remounting, running, avoiding trees, is tough. After a few laps I begin to fall into a breathing routine and not maxed the entire time. Overall I had a blast and really want to race on Sunday. I have to race the "C" category due to me not wanting to buy a license or worry about what damn category I am. My ankle has been bugging me off and on this summer and after last night it's a bit tender. We'll have to see how the rest of the week goes. The knees were no problem however, so that rocks!
Later.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Hot n Dusty
Chequamegon is done! I kind of achieved my goal and I didn't. I bettered my time by about 9+ minutes but didn't break the top 100. Here's the recap.
We, the family and I, headed out of town around 4:45 on Friday. It was the quintessential family trip. Are we there yet and how much longer were heard a lot. After getting my race packet and checked in it was about 9:40pm.
I got up at 5 am to get my bike on the line behind the preferred start riders. Last time I got up this early I was around the 1oth rider there...this time it was a zoo. I would guess there were 150+ riders that had dropped out there bikes. WTF? Dropped off the bike and went to get some coffee and food.
The start was uneventful, and that's good since I heard horror stories of crashes from last year. Once the pace was ampted up I was feeling good but starting to breath pretty hard. On to Rosies field and I stood up the first climb and felt my legs...too early for that. I was cautious with my efforts. The field began to fall into a groove and I was still feeling pretty blah. Every time I went around a rider and push it up a hill I felt the effort more than I thought I should. Every corner I would look up ahead to see if I could see Kyia or Mike, both had preferred starts. I wanted to hook up with them to work together and hopefully energize myself. I saw Kyia around Fire Tower Hill. I road with her a bit but kept my pace and eventually road away on Tower Hill. Kyia had an awesome race, 2nd female finisher! Way to go Kyia.
This picture is me climbing Fire Tower. Picture from SkinnySki.
I found myself several times during the race between groups of riders. I would zone on till someone would catch up to me. Shit, this is a race I should ride harder.
Within the last 4 miles my chain came off twice. Rough fast downhills were the cause.
I had trouble keeping air in my tubeless front tire, the week before, so I put a tube in it. Not wanting to get a pinch flat I put too much air in. I did so in the rear tire too and was feeling it. I was jumping all over the place. Dummy.
So I finished in 2 hours 25 minutes and 134th place. Looking back over the course of the race there are several things I should have done differently. But it comes down to not having the power I needed. Not my day or time, I guess. Maybe next year.
Mike had an awesome race, finishing 2 hours 19 minutes!
Our race weekend in St. Cloud is this next weekend. I hope to do the C race in the Cross race on Sunday.
I am still toying with the idea of doing the Boo Blast 6 hour solo ride on Oct. 24th so still some fun to be had.
Out.
We, the family and I, headed out of town around 4:45 on Friday. It was the quintessential family trip. Are we there yet and how much longer were heard a lot. After getting my race packet and checked in it was about 9:40pm.
I got up at 5 am to get my bike on the line behind the preferred start riders. Last time I got up this early I was around the 1oth rider there...this time it was a zoo. I would guess there were 150+ riders that had dropped out there bikes. WTF? Dropped off the bike and went to get some coffee and food.
The start was uneventful, and that's good since I heard horror stories of crashes from last year. Once the pace was ampted up I was feeling good but starting to breath pretty hard. On to Rosies field and I stood up the first climb and felt my legs...too early for that. I was cautious with my efforts. The field began to fall into a groove and I was still feeling pretty blah. Every time I went around a rider and push it up a hill I felt the effort more than I thought I should. Every corner I would look up ahead to see if I could see Kyia or Mike, both had preferred starts. I wanted to hook up with them to work together and hopefully energize myself. I saw Kyia around Fire Tower Hill. I road with her a bit but kept my pace and eventually road away on Tower Hill. Kyia had an awesome race, 2nd female finisher! Way to go Kyia.
This picture is me climbing Fire Tower. Picture from SkinnySki.I found myself several times during the race between groups of riders. I would zone on till someone would catch up to me. Shit, this is a race I should ride harder.
Within the last 4 miles my chain came off twice. Rough fast downhills were the cause.
I had trouble keeping air in my tubeless front tire, the week before, so I put a tube in it. Not wanting to get a pinch flat I put too much air in. I did so in the rear tire too and was feeling it. I was jumping all over the place. Dummy.
So I finished in 2 hours 25 minutes and 134th place. Looking back over the course of the race there are several things I should have done differently. But it comes down to not having the power I needed. Not my day or time, I guess. Maybe next year.
Mike had an awesome race, finishing 2 hours 19 minutes!
Our race weekend in St. Cloud is this next weekend. I hope to do the C race in the Cross race on Sunday.
I am still toying with the idea of doing the Boo Blast 6 hour solo ride on Oct. 24th so still some fun to be had.
Out.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Expectations.
So I looked up my last time from doing the Chequamegon Fat Tire 40 mile mtb race in 2006. It was 2 hours 34 minutes. I started near the back of the field of 1700. What to expect this time? I really don't know. I usually go into this race/event with a "whatever" attitude. But I would like to see what I can do. I plan on getting up butt ass early to get my bike on the line to have a better start position and hopefully avoid any crashes in the chaos of the start. I would like to break the top 100. Looking back at the results from years past I would need to shave 10 minutes off my time. I really feel that I should be able to do it. But looking at the names in that area I get intimidated, there are some good riders there. Ah shit, it's just for fun right?! I am looking forward to it.
Later.
Later.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Boo Blast
It's back...the Boo Blast at the Monticello trails! October 23rd and October 24th. The 23rd is a fun, spooky ride and the race is on the 24th. It's a different format from years past. The categories are 6 hour Solo or Duo, starting at 9:30; 3 hour Solo starting at 12:30. Both races must start there last lap before 3:30. Sounds like fun! Pretty sure that I am in.
I tried to download a from to blogger but am not sure how to get pdf to work on blogger. So if you want a entry form stop by the shop.
Oh yeah on the 24th at night, starting at 6, they have a night time trial, on lap!
Time to go wake Brinna up.
Later.
I tried to download a from to blogger but am not sure how to get pdf to work on blogger. So if you want a entry form stop by the shop.
Oh yeah on the 24th at night, starting at 6, they have a night time trial, on lap!
Time to go wake Brinna up.
Later.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Stuff.
With time constraints, humidity, and heat we ended up at 64 miles Sunday. I was happy with that. The legs were a bit tired from the previous day. Chequamegon is this Saturday, so I guess I should ease back a bit. Not yet though, hoping to put in some laps at the North Loop this morning. Just me and the cobwebs.
My birthday was Friday so here's an action shot of me blowing out some candles. I think there are some thing like 29 candles missing...oh well.
My birthday was Friday so here's an action shot of me blowing out some candles. I think there are some thing like 29 candles missing...oh well.
Later.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Yet Another...Good Day!
Saturday was a great day!
Went to the gym this morning. Worked the legs pretty good. Happy with how they and the knees felt.
Brian and I ran the shop today. Busy but not crazy. Sold a lot of bikes. Had a fun time.
Brian and I also did two laps at the North Loop tonight.
One without lights and on with lights...first night ride of the year. Had a blast.
The workers that did the reroute of "Granny Hill" did an awesome job! My new favorite section hands down...thanks for the work.
A good day.
Tomorrow a group of us are meeting at the shop around 7 am for a road ride. Mr. T, his dad, and dad's brother want to do a century in celebration of Mr. T's dad's birthday. Since my birthday was yesterday I'm calling it the Birthday Ride. They want to do a century...but since Brian and I have to work at noon we will get what we get.
Sunday should be a good day too!
Get out and enjoy.
Out.
Went to the gym this morning. Worked the legs pretty good. Happy with how they and the knees felt.
Brian and I ran the shop today. Busy but not crazy. Sold a lot of bikes. Had a fun time.
Brian and I also did two laps at the North Loop tonight.
One without lights and on with lights...first night ride of the year. Had a blast.
The workers that did the reroute of "Granny Hill" did an awesome job! My new favorite section hands down...thanks for the work.
A good day.
Tomorrow a group of us are meeting at the shop around 7 am for a road ride. Mr. T, his dad, and dad's brother want to do a century in celebration of Mr. T's dad's birthday. Since my birthday was yesterday I'm calling it the Birthday Ride. They want to do a century...but since Brian and I have to work at noon we will get what we get.
Sunday should be a good day too!
Get out and enjoy.
Out.
Liz HatchWednesday, September 09, 2009
Time To Start Selling
In my continuing effort to get a Pugsley I have listed two wheel sets on ebay. A Velocity fixed gear and 29er wheel set. Ugh...I hate selling stuff. I had grand plans for these wheels but alas I have done shit with them so they must go. I know I would have found a use for them eventually but the Pugsley calls my name...and Jen curses the Pugsley.
Velocity Deep V Rims, Frost Blue, built up with Surly Track Hubs.
Velocity Blunt 29er rims, silver, built up with Shimano XT Disc Hubs.
Velocity Deep V Rims, Frost Blue, built up with Surly Track Hubs.
Velocity Blunt 29er rims, silver, built up with Shimano XT Disc Hubs.
Calling All Workers...
This Thursday (9/10) we are having a big push for trail work at the North Loop...again. Our race is fast approaching, this will be one of the last trail work days upto the race. Lots of mowing and whipping. We are a man down at work so I work all day and night, thus I will be abscent from Trail Work. Please help if you can.
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
The Start of School
Today Brinna goes back to school, First Grade, and Avery starts school, Preschool. Both were very excited and up early...we'll see how long that lasts. 
Avery was all smiles while getting on the "big" bus.
Waiting for the bus.
The quintessential first day of school shot on the front steps. We wanted Jen in the photo too but she still takes "forever" to get ready!
Avery was all smiles while getting on the "big" bus.
Waiting for the bus.
The quintessential first day of school shot on the front steps. We wanted Jen in the photo too but she still takes "forever" to get ready!Monday, September 07, 2009
Recap
So Brian and I did ride Monticello on Sunday. We had a good time. I crashed twice but not hurt. Still love the new, revised trail.
Sunday night Jen and I went to a movie, without the kids! I haven't been to a non kid movie in a long, long time. We went to The Hangover...funny shit. Between the tickets and goodies it was about $30, now I know why I don't go to the movies.
Today, Jen and I road the cty rd 8 loop with some extensions here and there. I hit the gym after. Thinking I may want to give a cross race or two a shot I started to do some leg work. I haven't done any leg work at the gym since last winter. I assumed with all the biking I would be ok to squat where I left off. Nope...a bit sore. Lunges later in the week!
I made and froze a lot of salsa and spaghetti sauce. We have a ridiculous amount of tomatoes!
Brinna goes back to school tomorrow, 1st grade, and Avery starts pre-preschool! She's crazy excited and gets to ride a bus too. Monday was a good day.
I plan on doing the Tuesday Night road ride tomorrow and not a mtb ride. We usually end to the rides in October since daylight is too short. Just a few times left.
Later.
Sunday night Jen and I went to a movie, without the kids! I haven't been to a non kid movie in a long, long time. We went to The Hangover...funny shit. Between the tickets and goodies it was about $30, now I know why I don't go to the movies.
Today, Jen and I road the cty rd 8 loop with some extensions here and there. I hit the gym after. Thinking I may want to give a cross race or two a shot I started to do some leg work. I haven't done any leg work at the gym since last winter. I assumed with all the biking I would be ok to squat where I left off. Nope...a bit sore. Lunges later in the week!
I made and froze a lot of salsa and spaghetti sauce. We have a ridiculous amount of tomatoes!
Brinna goes back to school tomorrow, 1st grade, and Avery starts pre-preschool! She's crazy excited and gets to ride a bus too. Monday was a good day.
I plan on doing the Tuesday Night road ride tomorrow and not a mtb ride. We usually end to the rides in October since daylight is too short. Just a few times left.
Later.
Saturday, September 05, 2009
Thursday, September 03, 2009
Shameless Plugs.
We finished the new trail section at the North Loop tonight. Another mile of trail!!! Sweet. Nothing too exciting to report from trail work, all "human" limbs were still intact at the end of the night.
I have a couple of buddies that have moved on from cloud town and now reside in Colorado. It must be something in the air because both of them have their own business...unrelated. So I think you should check them out.
Luby is a master of all things mechanical, specifically shocks and forks. Check our DirtLabs for your serious suspension needs. As if that was not enough he as a side project in GreasyBench...not yet running. Hands down quality work.
Chad put the kettle on the stove and brewed up a wicked batch of potion to help riders warm up and cool down. I have not used the product but hear it does wonders and is used by the Crossinacs Team! So hell, buy a bottle or a case and get your ride on. Check it out at Routinelegworks.com.
I wish them luck in their endeavours.
Tomorrow morning Mike, Brian, and I will head out on the road bikes at sun up. Day light is dwindling...take advantage.
Out.
I have a couple of buddies that have moved on from cloud town and now reside in Colorado. It must be something in the air because both of them have their own business...unrelated. So I think you should check them out.
Luby is a master of all things mechanical, specifically shocks and forks. Check our DirtLabs for your serious suspension needs. As if that was not enough he as a side project in GreasyBench...not yet running. Hands down quality work.
Chad put the kettle on the stove and brewed up a wicked batch of potion to help riders warm up and cool down. I have not used the product but hear it does wonders and is used by the Crossinacs Team! So hell, buy a bottle or a case and get your ride on. Check it out at Routinelegworks.com.
I wish them luck in their endeavours.
Tomorrow morning Mike, Brian, and I will head out on the road bikes at sun up. Day light is dwindling...take advantage.
Out.
Damn
I can finally look at a computer screen and not have a burning pain in my left eye. Two days ago my eye started to feel funny, but assumed it was my contacts acting up. That night I could barely stand it anymore. Had to wait the next day till 3 to see a doctor. He thinks I may have wind burned my eye during the 8 hour race...I don't wear glasses. I will now. That was some of the worst pain I have had. Several drops later and I am on the mend.
Also two days ago I made the trek out to Monticello to ride mtb with Jim. He and a crew of others have been slowly rebuilding my favorite trails, before motocross got to it. I was a bit dubious to how they would be, since I have seen the damage the motocross guys had done. I had an absolute blast. The trail went from 10 miles to about 15 and flows way better than I thought. After some more riding the trail should rock. Definitely worth the trip. I will be back form more.
Later.
Also two days ago I made the trek out to Monticello to ride mtb with Jim. He and a crew of others have been slowly rebuilding my favorite trails, before motocross got to it. I was a bit dubious to how they would be, since I have seen the damage the motocross guys had done. I had an absolute blast. The trail went from 10 miles to about 15 and flows way better than I thought. After some more riding the trail should rock. Definitely worth the trip. I will be back form more.
Later.
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