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Finale

I have concluded that I really am not interested in keeping a blog. My life just isn't that interesting to me, let alone the rest of the world. Maybe some day I will take it up again, time will tell.

BTW - 2nd place GC at the BC Bike Race, won stages 6 and 7. Age appropriate division of course.

Ciao!

Lemonade to Lemons

I am aware that the expression is when given lemons, make lemonade. However, I have the overwhelming feeling of doing this backwards over the past week and a half. Last weekend was this:



With these good friends:


and:


For those of you keeping score at home, that is Aspen Mountain. I will let you all figure out who the players are.

That was last weekend, this week has been nothing but snow and crap for Toledo weather. Limited outside riding and having to return to this:



Back to the lemons.

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed.....

Sorry, nothing blue.

Here is my latest acquisition to be put together. It took longer than I would have hoped, but that is the way these things go some times. What is it you say? It is a Bontrager CX frame that I picked up off e-bay. It was made in San Jose and from what I can figure out, in the last year that Bontrager made frames themselves before selling out to the boys in Wisconsin.



I built it up with parts I had around. I know you purists are out there growling that I did not go with 'period' build. Somehow you will have to get over it, it would not have allowed the oh so clever title to this entry. Campy Chorus group, Bontrager Race X Lite cranks, Mavic rims on Chorus hubs, Thomson Seatpost, SLR saddle, and Deda bar.

Something new:



Something borrowed:



In case you are wondering, I borrowed the lovely purple cable hanger. I am waiting for a black one to come in.

Rhetorical question for the day: Why do people like to ride so early in the morning in the winter?

On the good news front - my storage area has been built at my shop. Now my collection of bikes can live in peace without being ridiculed by the other members of my household. "is that a new bike Dad?" is a fine question when asked of me in private, but can cause great troubles when asked in the wrong forum.

Slow and Hard

Now that I have your attention - get your minds out of the gutter!! That would be my description of my ride at Brighton this morning. It was actually a lot of fun given the 17 degree temperature and blustery winds. There was about 1-2 inches of snow on the trail with very little underlying ice. It was completely rideable and I only missed a couple of small climbs where I couldn't carry any momentum into the hill. The downside of it was the constant work - no recovery whatsoever. Even slight downhills required pedaling. I ended up doing the Torn Shirt Loop twice and the Murray once. It took me almost 3 hours. My original plan was to try out a couple of different tire combinations, but once I saw the snow, I threw that idea out and just rode. I didn't think the feedback was going to be all that useful in the tire department.

I think I am having circulation problems in my hands and feet. They seem to be getting very cold more easily than I remember in the past. Even had trouble with warmers in place today.

Some day I will find people who are willing to ride with me on days like today. As Robert suggested, might be time to start a winter riding series. Maybe make it a competition - points awarded for miles, quality of miles (more points for trail rides than road rides), bonuses awarded for temperature extremes, ... I am open to suggestions.

Tough - Not so Much

I like to think I am a reasonably tough rider. Able to get through 100 mile mtb races, etc. Lately I have been thinking I can hang with Danielle and Robert in the toughness department. This is my list of why I think I can at least lube their chains for them while they are getting ready for one of their marathon rides:

3.5 hours by myself in the rain/freezing rain
3 hours on wet roads on a windy 40 degree day
3.5 hours on a sub-30 degree day

But somehow none of that compares to riding in my basement. I have the hardest time doing workouts on the computrainer in my basement. I am only capable of at most 2 hours. And for that to happen, I have to really not pay attention to the time. I have learned that action and comedy movies are the best. I tried a 'chick' flick on Tuesday and it was a disaster. I have a problem in my house in that most of the movies we own are chick flicks. Might have something to do with the fact I am the only male mammal in a house of seven. Maybe I need to get some race dvd's or something.

Anybody have any suggestions to work on my mental focus?

Not feeling so creative in the blog department - duh.

What a Day!

I love skiing on Christmas day. I am not Christian, so it is just another day for me. I am happy for everyone that gets to celebrate it, sad for those that have to work on what is a holiday for others, even more sad for those that have to work and the day means something more than a day off. I am generally happy for me on this day. The normal routine is going to a movie and having Chinese food - the only things generally open.

This year we are in Colorado and got to enjoy 8-10 inches of very dry powder on Christmas day. WOOOHOOO!!! It was great! Virtually no lift lines and lots of fresh snow to be found. Planning an early assault on the mountain today before everyone else gets there rear ends out. Hoping to convince someone to go with me, but if I have to go it alone, so be it.

I could go on about the skiing, but it might bore you, in case you weren't already bored.