Always Distracted

Hmmm...It's another one of those great,cool, sunny days when I'm sitting here, sipping some tasty coffee, looking out my windows at the awesome snow covered mountain views. But today I am pondering my biking this year, as in what it is that I want to do on a bike (besides riding everyday), what kind of focus should I be attentive to this year, where is my passion leading me besides continuously astray? I'm distracted by so many different bike-related temptations...mountain bike racing, endurance events like 24-hr races and 100-miles races, long endurance rides just for fun, bike packing, exploring new territory, cyclocross racing, snow biking...and it just goes on and on. My mind seems to never be calmed with just one focus so I've decided that I really need to narrow things down some (if possible), otherwise I just flounder with too much bike-passion and not enough time or funding to get it all done.

Some of my focus (distraction?) was put in motion long ago, like bike packing. A while back I obtained a bike (an awesome Strong Frame titanium - geared or singlespeed) specific for my "envisioned" bike packing adventure needs and so far it is exactly what I wanted.  Also, I've been collecting bike packing gear for the last few years and at this time I have nearly everything for what I believe will allow me to do some light, fast adventures and exploration over a 2-4 day period. I'm not interested in heavy touring loads, but rather I'm attempting some minimalist packing trips locally. We will see how it works out this summer I'm sure. McGruder Corridor - Lolo Motorway in 3-days anyone?



I'm thinking it would be more fun doing a bike pack trip than paying to race an endurance event. Well, maybe not more fun, but definitely I'd feel less guilt in the cost factor. The entry fees for some endurance events are nearly $300 which does not include all the food, lodging, gas, etc. that sucks your bank account dry. Typically an endurance event, when all said and done, will cost me $400-$800, which is stupid. I use to do 2-4 of those events at year (they were cheaper at one time)! That's some serious new bike parts or a new bike. I can not justify the cost of those events anymore, but I still have a strong drive to compete in these events for some reason. So considering the cost I decided to make my own adventures close to home.



I also have 3-cyclocross bikes now and I have a cruel passion for racing CX, so I'm sure that my annual self-torture-fest racing CX will continue. It's just stupidly fun, like BMX racing on a roadbike, so I "have" to do it!

Recently I started thinking that snow biking on 4-inch tires would be a hoot, but is it worth the investment? Hmmm??? It would be a lot more inviting if I could talk someone else into doing it with me, but so far I just hear replies that tell me I'm nuts, which we already know. I have to think about this some more, the snowy mountains are only 10-miles from me here and I am getting itchy to try some biking with those ultra fat tires.



All I know is that the long road ahead is full of fun and adventure. I'm not sure I will ever sort out all the bike clutter in my mind, not sure I want to since it's what drives me to keep pedalling.

The Faces of Winter

Yep, been lazy lately in regards to publishing something here. Shameful I know, but I haven't abandoned ship. Looking at my blog makes me want to go ride my bike when ever I look at it so I would only hope it inspires a few other people to get out and pedal some.



Winter is a hard time for most cyclists. Most are a bunch of chickens afraid of a little cool weather and snowy roads. With some exceptions, I hear plenty of talk about shelving the bike in winter, watching some kind of "ball" sport on the TV (boring), drinking heavily, gorging thyself on everything in excess, then come the poor-me complaints of getting fat, a lot of talk about nothing interesting...it's just continuous rehash of some insane blah, blah, blah spewing out of everyone's lips.



People, listen to me and get on your bikes in the winter, it will not only save me from listening to the same cursed conversations again and again, it will also enlighten your soul because you will pray for warmth and hot chocolate every time you're out there pedalling your bike with frozen fingers and toes. Well maybe I'm exaggerating a bit about the frozen extremities, but I'm not about the anything else. Riding your bike will lift you from the blah winter life you are living, plus it will give you something interesting to talk about to people. 



I'm here to say that winter is a cool time to ride some gravel, back roads at a slower pace, usually on an off-road kind of bike. I spend a lot of time riding alone in the winter and can not believe that more people are not out enjoying the ultra cool things I get to see. Winter riding is way better than riding any day with temps beyond 90-degrees in the summer. The only thing you need is preparedness (just like anytime you ride), so those of you that can not foresee the need for being prepared for the conditions should just stay home and drink/eat yourselves into a fat stupor...or maybe just go to a movie, take a nap, then come and bore me to insanity with every detail of your weekend celebrating in a big fat drunken lipid fest.



A few pointers if you do decide to venture out this winter for a real cool adventure on 2-wheels...I know it's hard for some road-toads to swallow this, but start with a pack so that you can bring extra gloves, hat (keep your head warm!!!), and extra layers as needed (one layer should be wind proof). Toe and hand warmers make a world of difference as does a mini-thermos of you favorite non-alcoholic hot beverage (hot chocolate for me) or soup...there's nothing like a hot carb drink a few hours into a bike ride on a cool day. Don't stop too long or you will have a hard time re-warming. Take time to put on windproof or extra layers before going down hill and remove the extra layer prior to climbing (keeping dry is important).



The only thing better then cold titanium is cold steel...Anyone ready for a ride?

 

Cyclocross - Single Speed Saga Continues

Yes, I must say that single speed bikes rule!!! As we recall, I converted my Blue Competition cyclocross bike into a single speed (that's a one geared bike to you) after having so much trouble with my rear derailleur. All I can say is that ditching those extra, bothersome gears really paid off. I am now convinced (once again) that single speed bikes suit me better than geared bikes. I may try a geared setup in the future, but for now I will stick with SS.

(Chasing the Mighty Matt Morra)


This cyclocross season I have had way too much fun racing in the INWCX Series. I did 2-races every race day (Single Speed and Masters 50+ categories) that I could attend. My plan was to gain some fitness by racing 2-races per day. It seemed to have worked well in the end.



Currently I feel better than ever since my back injury 2-yrs ago. I still have some minor tweeks in my lower back and most likely always will have issues. I do 20-40 minutes of Egoscue exercises 1-2 time daily to keep my back in proper shape and alignment, but it is totally worth it and has paid off for me.



The local CX season ended this last weekend (Nov 20th) with a super fun final pair of races for me on a snowy course in Coeur d' Alene, ID. I'm not anticipating traveling to Seattle or Portland for more CX racing, although I would like to. My underlying plan this year was to build for next year's racing season...so essentially this was just the beginning of what I hope is to become a stellar year in 2012, when I coincidentally turn 50 (WhooHoo!!!).

When Evil Derailleurs Fail

At the start of this cyclocross season (by-the-way cyclocross or simply CX is the funnest bike sport on the planet), I had decided to do something that was so not me...run a geared bike in one of two CX races I planned on doing each race day. Most people know that I have a preference one gear (aka a single speed or SS) for nearly every kind of biking (mountain, commuter, road, CX...etc). Well I was determined that gears would make me faster, which on certain courses I believe they did. Hmmm...yes, I said did. It seems that my geared CX bike (my only geared bike for that matter) has been morphed into a SS. Why? Well from the start that evil rear derailleur caused me problems...let's see, first it decided to spontaneously embrace a big weed, which sucked the whole works into the spokes of a newly built wheel (good thing I build strong wheels) and proceeded to rip the derailleur hanger off the bike (not good!). Next after a new hanger was installed and everything realigned, the derailleur took a little tap during a spectacular race crash. I finished the race just fine on the bike, and later found that I had bent the new hanger, grrr!!!. Well I realigned everything again (good thing I have the specialty tool for that purpose), and again the derailleur decided to give a loving hug to a piece of trail-side brush, which this time bent the derailleur it self and snapped the shift cable...RATS!!! It was at this point I realized that my evil rear derailleur was self destructive and need some counseling off the bike. I was fed up with the time and money it was taking just to do an event on a geared bike. So off the bike it went...RIP! I put a Forward Components eccentric bottom bracket on to complete the SS morph.
 

Initial thrash testing showed it was not only an huge improvement in fun factor, since SS always provides much more giggle factor than (yawn) gears, but my race results against the geared guys was awesome!!! At this time I anticipate finishing the CX season on SS only.

Cyclocross - Try It!!!

OK...It's been way too long since I've posted here, but I have the normal excuses. Like I've been busy with moving to a new home plus the normal busy maintenance items that go with a new home, plus getting in firewood for winter heat, plus getting in hay for the horses....you get the picture I hope. I will be posting some of my new home pics in the future (when I get time to download them that is). For now all I can say is that I live in an awesome spot with great views, coyotes howling at night, and clear starry nights.

Well bike training (riding) has been limited to my commute mostly, which by the way is now about 15-miles one-way with nearly 2000-feet of climbing to get home...WHOOOHOOO!!! I love the commute so far.

Beyond that cyclocross (CX) season has started and I'm racing into better shape by doing 2-4 CX races every weekend. I'm having to use these races as training since I have not had time for real training for the last several months.

If you have not participated in or attended a cyclocross race, then you are really missing out on some serious fun. I love these go-all-out-painful-mind-twisted-suffer-fests. I'm never sure why I like the pain these events can do to your muscles, but I sure feel good afterwards. That's it for now...need to sleep sometime, here are a few pics for your view pleasure:

Went to Hell...Didn't Go Back

While puking up every bit of hydration and then some for the 3rd time, my mind was saying, "Note to self - NEVER, ever do this ride again." At that point I was ready to be done with riding a bike, ready to be home, ready to cash in all my bikes for a motorcycle. The ride was Doug's To Hell and Back 180, but I had previously decided that I was not going back to Hell once I left. Instead I planned on leaving from my house (about 30-miles from the planned starting point) the day previous, camp overnight somewhere along the planned route, then finishing back home the next day. I anticipated a 200-mile loop with around 14k of climbing.

Considering I was going to Hell I brought some protection from the evilness out there.


All started well with a late afternoon noon departure. There was plenty of cool air climbing 4000-ft up Joseph Canyon, plus some refreshing trail snacks and eye candy along the way...


It was incredibly beautiful up there in the late evening when I got up on top with a setting sun. My camera can not show the beauty I saw at the time.


I rode until the half-moon set, which was about midnight. The total distance at that time was 74-miles. Plus it was getting cold and I was ready to fall asleep while riding.


I was back up at 0450 the next morning and everything was frozen, including my camera...I was certainly glad that I had brought a few extra layers. The frosty layer can be seen on my bag here...


After coffee and hot oatmeal I started off again at 0545 after filtering some fresh water out of the creek I bedded down near. The morning was so nice up there, again more beautiful than anyone could imagine.




Then it was back to the desert on the way down to Troy, Oregon.


I was well hydrated and still feeling well at this point. However, the climb out of Troy was aweful, hot, and full sun exposure. For me it was the beginning of the end. About halfway up the 5000-ft climb I was feeling the illness come on, one that I'd experienced several times before. I tried everything to stop it, but really I needed to just stop riding which my stubborn ego would not let me do. So I suffered up to the point of pure agony. I finally quit after 183-miles, and 14,000 feet of climbing. I humbled myself and called for a ride home (20-miles away). It took a few hours for my stomach to come back on line - then miraculasly I was fine.

Strong Weakness

I'm kind of at a loss for words lately. I've been recovering from a pinched nerve in my upper back and essentially took 2-months off the bike (I did some riding, but it was very little). So riding has been much less than I'd like it to be, but the weather has been cooperating well with lots of rain to make me feel like I'm not missing much anyway. However, because of this nerve situation, I can say that my normal fitness for this time of year is in the toilet. I've cancelled several endurance events on my calendar simply because I just am not or can not be ready for such long rides yet. Shorter ride are in for me at this time, which makes me happy since I can still ride.

Nothing else has changed...I still have an uncontrolled obsession with buying and riding any bike that sparks my interest. Looking at this titanium Strong Frame the first time made my spine tingle and as much as I tried to resist buying it, my internal weakness for such beauty was stronger (a true internal paradox). For some reason I "needed" this bike and eventually I lost all control...I'm not sure how it happened but the frame ended up on my doorstep. Hmmm...???


So far the "test" rides on the new Strong Frame have kept my spine tingling and makes me smile plenty. I have many heavenly plans for this bike in the future, but those plans are stuck in the abyss (my head) for now.

I have not seen any more falling cows lately (and I've been keepin and eye directed upward where ever I ride), but I've run across plenty of these deadly little dudes - young rattle snakes!!! They don't rattle or warn you in any way, in-fact they often advance towards your warm body (unlike an adult rattler). This one is all of 6-inches and he wanted to visit...

Winter Reflections

On my "Loop" rides I'm still running into snow, which makes them an out-n-back ride. I'm not altogether happy about lingering snow, but that's the way it is. I'm just happy that every trip up the mountain shows me a progressively receding snowline.


In the run-off I can still see the dead-of-winter reflecting back at me...


But just a few feet away I can see the smiling wonders of a late spring ringing in some happiness...

Hmmm...What's this?

Hehe......



Hmmm...???? Something devious is going on in my laboratory.

Stop drooling and wipe up your slobber.