Cyclocross is finally here!

Well, now that the suffering has started, it's time to get back to business. We are in our second weekend of Colorado Cyclocross, and slowly but surely old friends and nemisis are toeing the line on some very warm September days.

Sort of like this, hot and dusty.

Photo by ultrarob.com

Pikes Peak Velo Supercross was the call today, and the PPV guys had the course worn in pretty good. They added a few changes from last year by inserting a set of three tight 180's set up in an "s" configuration. This allowed for a break where the HR would drop before the short climb/long run up section.

Which looks like this:

ultrarob.com

I managed a front row slot on the outside which was good and hit it at the whistle. When we reached the pinch point I was six guys back. I held it for a lap and a half and even though the top three got away, we had a small gap that allowed some recovery. 4th was in no man's land and Tim James and I rode together, taking turns in front on the long straight then marking each other for the rest of the race. At 3 to go I started to feel the cumulative effect of the leg burning climb and started to make "moose dying" noises by the top. Thankfully Tim didn't hit the gas. I managed the run up really well, actually grateful to get off the bike and stretch a little. I have been practicing long strides and deeper breaths this summer which seem to be helping. Then with one lap to go we were waiting for the other to make a move, Tim slipped on a technical corner and hit the deck. I of course hit the gas! I actually thought for a split second, nah. I really stretched it out on the run up and hammered on the flats just to prevent any "last lap" surges which lost me a couple of spots last year. I came across the line 4th, but more startling to me, the top pro women, (Amy D., Kelli Emmit) which start behind us 30 seconds were still at least that far back. Last year they had passed me by a half a lap, easy. Progress, not Perfection I always say!

Once again the course was fantastic and fun was had by all.

More tommorow..........

Pinewood Derby Day

This Saturday we spent the day at the pinewood derby. Here is Jack on his way to the Derby:




Competition was stacked as you can see:





But not as stacked as this:

Boulder CX #2 - SM35+ Cat 4 - Lap 1 from Dale Riley on Vimeo.

This race had 96 starters! (Video by Lisa, I think)

After four heats which start like this:



We finished fifth overall in our category. Jack still held out hope till the last for a win of some kind, but we lost by 1/10th of a sec. in two of the races. You can't win 'em all is the moral of the story.

We'll get them next year! Right Jack?



We have snow today so it's a good day to go shopping instead of riding. Like Bob Marley says, "For what I don't know"

As a fourth alternative we can always watch some football game that's on today.

Rough Week

All I got right now is one HUP. Some days all I got is all I got, but there is always something to remind me to stay on the path. Like the time I was lying in my tent in the Iraq Desert, tired of eating MRE's, contemplating if it had been three or four months since I walked on a hard surface. When all of a sudden the nerve gas alarm went off.

Yep, Just like this:




Now, not knowing if you're gonna die a horrible death, did you get your mask on in 6 seconds, yada, yada, yada, you get the drill. To have that debate inside one's head, I guarantee, will eliminate any self pity that resides in the brain. At least for a couple of hours. Every time I'm up against mental adversity, I remember, that in a split second my life can be taken away, and anything is better than that.

Also this week, I saw the trainer.

Not this guy:



He has his own problems

I thought I'd get one like this:



Minus the fixie.

Anyway, I will be on a power program for six weeks, then endurance for six weeks. By then it should be warm enough to ride, and the trails should be clear of snow and mud, and the spring flowers will be popping out, and the epic mountain bike races start, and the road rides get longer and longer, until it all culminates the second weekend in September...............

The road to 2012

Ah yes, and so it begins. The mad craze to actually get fit enough to not be embarrased at the Masters Cyclocross World Championship, or in my case try for a spot. Yesterday Cyclocrossers from all over the U.S., thought for a split second of what it would be like to pull on the Rainbow Stripes.

Not this rainbow stripe:




But something like this:




For me it was a split of the split, split second. None the less, I will do my best to achieve an unthinkable dream of rolling across the start line, (and maybe the finish too) at a World Championship bike race. So on to the road. For me it will be a process, first of losing fat, then gaining strength and power, and learning how to turn myself inside out for 45 minutes. I have many mentors to learn from the next two seasons so I will be bilking them for information.

First I'll start with diet, this looks good:





Many more well rounded meals to come.


I cant say I miss this:





Does anybody miss this? I did have a Tommy's burger a couple times in my life but not lately. Once a year visiting family in California I will stop at In n Out for a double double, fries, and a shake. All I can say is yum! Life is too short to not treat myself to what was once a staple food.

Now, I just might forgoe that indulgence for the next two years!

Cheers!

O.K. So last night I was pretty stoked to get my little plaque and jersey for winning the "beer drinking dad's league" overall series. "Hooray!"



I took my son and my wife which wasn't the hottest idea, due to the lack of seating (none) and it being held inside a working brewery. Oh, the smell of Hops. After seeing cycling friends and a few state champions, (maybe one day) it was time to split as 8pm is close to bedtime.

Falling asleep, I thought back to my first bike (Cannondale Jekyll circa 2004)





Those were the days. Back when 300 feet of elevation gain was "Huge!", especially if I didn't have to get off and push!

Last night I recieved confirmation that my best friend was moving from California to Castle Rock. He has a daughter the same age as Jack, and he is a great bike mechanic. Now don't get me wrong, I love having someone near that actually knew me when I was a tyke, (and many other things during my teens that I choose not to discuss just yet) (This is after all, a family blog!), but having a bike mechanic that I trust a couple blocks away, will be much better for minor stuff than driving an hour to boulder to visit the shop.




Now Dwayne, (the great mechanic), and Brandon, (top notch pro and owner)





always treat me awesome, and have bailed me out many times with guidance and info for everything bikes. I can still rely on my bikes running smooth every time I leave the shop. I had almost got to the point where I could change a tire, but why? If Mark is around in November, I won't have to bug the shop guys at the cross races to put air in my tire!
(just kidding, I can air up my own tires, see below)





Once again, another beautiful day in Castle Rock, Jack and I will be testing the pinewood derby car before the race next week. Most likely will be on the trainer downstairs, eating right and staying fit, (ha, Basil Docs pizza last night), all the while dreaming of a new single speed, and going over every bump of last years courses to see how I can make up seconds, and maybe, just maybe, finish on the podium.


Awwwwwww Yeaaaaaaah!

Maiden Voyage

First and foremost, This weekend will be about finishing my sons pinewood derby car. I know, it sounds easy, but it is a much tougher task than one would think. The dilemma I have is that he needs to have a hand in the creation, but I (selfish rant) want it to be competitive. So do I let him "create" and be dissapointed when it finishes last? Am i presuming that he cares? After watching the test run and his reaction, it is hard for me as a father to let it slide. He will build it and I will secretly make sure it is a competitor.










Next on the agenda is transformation. I know it sounds "Grand", but anything can be accomplished if the mind is actively engaged.

Do I want this:


or this:


I would like them both, but for completely different reasons. For now, the latter will be the goal. It is a lofty goal and seemingly insurmountable, only accomplished by hard work and isolation from everything else on the planet. It is a beautiful day here in Colorado, dreams aside, there always seems like much to do and little time to do it. I think I'll go for a ride.

Treating myself to the world,

Skillit