Retro blogging - Levis Trow WEMS race.

I generally don't participate in WEMS races as it's really not my style of racing; I'm not into being on a mountain bike for 6 or 12 hours at a time (not yet, anyway). But I headed up to Levis Trow in July to help out with the race that the Chain Smokers were putting on. I only slept a few hours on that Friday night and was up at 5am to serve racers breakfast, then I spent a number of hours working timing. After a nine hour "work" day, I suited up for the 25 mile solo.

Race Director Jason

Peter and me

Running in a mountain bike race is hot garbage.


Kent caught me on the second lap and smoked me.....even with a bum knee.


Kelson and Jen

Kelson on the mic. He also announced Day two of the USGP cross race. Maybe it's time for a career change?

The usual look of panic and pain on my face.


Smiling? This is a rare event; I must have been finishing.


1st place. Nothing like being a big fish in a small pond for a minute or two. Getting a bi-monthly smackdown in WORS races teaches you to appreciate small moments like these.


The best part of that weekend was not the race, but it was the Sunday Chain Smoker course tear down ride. We cleaned the course and ripped some of the most fantastic singletrack that I've ever ridden. The sidewinder trail has to be one of the most intimidating trails around. I would easily put Levis on par with riding in Colorado.


Can you believe that these views are in WI?


Todd, Jen and myself posing by a large rock......giddy as hell......even though there wasn't enough chamois cream in all of Wisconsin that could have helped the chaffing that racing and riding at Levis gave us. The Sunday ride was worth every bit of chafe and I would easily label it my most epic ride of 2009.

Halloween.

I didn't get to rock my costume at the Washington Park CX race, but I did get to rock it at various parties in the Mad City.

A Wisco Summer in November.

A good weekend of giving a co-worker a proper Pedro's margarita send off into a new job in a new city, road riding, team party with prizes won, bonfire lit, cycling stories told, and some short-sleeved singletrack riding at the Kettle. I even managed to drop a few hung over dudes.....they must have been more hung over than myself. Time to reel it back in.

Race Across The Sky

I saw the movie Race Across the Sky. It really helps you understand what a special event the Leadville 100 is. And well it is very easy to get swept up in the emotion of that movie, I don't think I'll be applying anytime soon. One thing I know about myself is how bad I suck at altitude and this race is held at over 10,000 feet. Plus I think an Ironman might be an easier event. I would categorize Leadville as one of those things that maybe I'll do before I'm 40.....or maybe not.

Check out Chris P.'s and Rebecca C's (Oct 23 entry) Leadville 100 experiences. If you think you are tough enough, think again.

Plotting, planning and scheming for 2010

I'm the opposite of most people. Every August I seem to get depressed and irritated with every aspect of my life. The days get darker earlier and the end of summer is nearing. As winter and spring roll around, I snap out of it and get really excited for the cycling year that is ahead of me. I blame this nonsense on living in Wisconsin. One would think that after 33 years, I should have adjusted by now. Planning the next year helps turn my sadness around.

It's time to start using my gym membership that sits idle from May to October each year. This week I'll begin weight lifting and attending Pilates class. I need to really work on my back problem which stems from the soft tissue damage in my quad that I received from Treadfest 2007. Getting old sucks.

The diet down is on. Weighing and measuring food really sucks, but it's the only way to accurately track what is going into your body. And I like getting the weight drop done in a quick amount of time during base training.


As usual there will be plenty of trainer riding going on. But I tend to burn out fast - especially if the rides are more than 1.5 hours long.


Lights and high top boots have been my top purchases this fall. My pansy-ass is going to have to suck it up because I need to do some outside riding to maintain my sanity.




And of course, I'll have to change it up with some winter sports action.


Another ski trip out to Alpine Meadows in Tahoe would be nice.

WORS 2010. Game on people.

USGP Cyclocross

I hit up the USGP CX event. Unfortunately I couldn't race since the doctor called my season over. Here a few pictures.



Full gallery here.