Life is Good.

This past weekend was a hit for the Mid Minnesota Cycling Club. Thanks to all the volunteers for all their help. Participant numbers were up on both days and I think that is due to the excellent name we have built for ourselves. Way to go.

The weekend wrapped last night with the first weekly night ride. We had 6 total riders last night and I suspect that in nights to come the numbers will grow. What a perfect night it was.

Just a little reminder that the wine tasting to benefit the MMCC is happening tomorrow evening at Pioneer Place. If you already have tickets-great. If not, stop by the shop to purchase some and bring your friends.

See you all tomorrow evening.

Fat Tire Festival

This past weekend was what some call the big show. I would now consider the big show Interbike, but for racers Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival is. Here is my recap of the weekend.

Friday Angela and I headed out of town with the car filled to the brim with the dogs. We were able to arrive in Hayward in the late afternoon to get a leg stretcher on the bike and do a little reconnaissance out at Rosie's Field. After a nice little spin we headed to Telemark Resort to pick up the goodies and return to town for a dinner at the local pizza joint.

Can't believe it but it was the morning of the race already. It had een on the calendar for what seems like forever and it was here. Race time- less than 2 hours. I got suited up and checked the bike over one last time. All systems go except for me. I had some stomach issues in the morning and I thought that it passed but still did not feel great. Nothing that I could really do but tough it out and go race. Got a great warm up in for what I thought was going to be a race from the gun. I was wrong and it was a nice surprise. The roll out was very controlled until we hit the main highway. It was great not to hear any bikes and bodies sliding across the pavement.

This is where my reconnaissance on Friday helped. When the pace was getting really fast and you could tell the others were picking their spots for the entrance of the trail. I, too, was doing the same thing, but I went to the outside where everyone else went to the inside. My move proved to be a good one as I was able to accelerate past a group of racers to find myself placed in a group of fast riders. At the top of Rosie's Field I could see the leaders and I new that I was in good position. I settled in with the group of about 10 and we motored through the Birkie Trail what seemed to be pretty fast. I arrived at OO doing a little self check. Yes, I was working really hard and one problem was that I had not been drinking enough of my fluids. I got my fluid feed from Angela there and I soon crashed off the trail from another rider losing my position. It is tough seeing racers go by that you had passed when I thought they were out of sight. I think that I lost about 15 positions from taking a detour into the woods. Back on the gas to catch that group. Slowly but surely, I played my cards right and I kept picking riders off. Getting to about 8 miles left where there was more climbing, I could tell that my 12 hour endurance racing was paying off; I was fresh and my competitors were not. I accelerated a few more times and at this point I was watching the clock. I wanted to better my best time of 2:22 and I had to motor if I wanted to do that. I found my last gear that turned my body inside out and kept it that way for the last couple of miles.

I came rolling in at 2:19 in 61st overall. I was very pleased with the result. I had zero mechanicals and I left everything I had on the course. After the race I was feelling pretty yucky. I think that the lack of fluids throughout the race had left me dehydrated. I know that I have to drink but seems like there was not time. That was my own fault and I paid the price.

Others that had great races were Kyia-2nd place woman, Ben-PB time, Taggart, Matt, Jeff, Charlie, and John. Way to go!! I think that Cannondale Scalpels won the battle of the bikes for the day. I know that my Cannondale was super fast.

Darkness

Are you down with the darkness? I am not.
Currently I am sipping a lot of java waiting for sunrise so I can get out on the bike.
Somedays, like yesterday, are tough to get my training in when I don't ride in the morning. Check back later and I will post a few pics of projects that consume a little more of my time.
That is if I have time!

Deep Fried.

Last Friday Angela and I made our first trip together to the Minnesota State Fair. We both managed to eat unhealthy; Angela even ate a Pronto Pupp. I also ate a Pronto Pupp along with macaroni and cheese on a stick, deep fried pickles, cheese curds, pizza, scotch egg, french fries, and cookies. I learned my lesson with the cookies... go big or go home. We went to the fair with Angela's sister and her husband, which means that you can all stop thinking that I ate all of this by myself. In grade school I was taught to share, so share I did :)! The next day I felt tierd, but I would of felt much more than that had I eaten all that food on my own. The rest of the weekend flew by; I worked. We are approaching the last week of our Back 2 School bike sale, which meant that a lot of our customers couldn't hold out anymore. Ben, Jesrin and myself were very busy!I enjoyed my day off on Labor day with Angela. We went for a beautiful two hour road ride and then I added on another hour on my own. After riding it was time to get some chores done around the house. I got done with what I wanted, only to realize that our fridge is not keeping my refreshments cold. Yeah, the fridge is going out, which means that it is time to shop for a new one.Have a good start to a short week everyone. Chequamegon countdown: is less 2 weeks.

State Fair

This is where I am going today, the Minnesota State Fair.

It has been a few years since I have attended deep fried food on a stick convention so I thought it was time to check it out again. The word on the street is my wife is going to eat a Pronto Pupp. Who can resist a Pronto Pupp?

Transition Time

Life is all about transition. For my life, there are transitions all the time. Currently I am adjusting to a little different training to prepare for shorter much more intense races, getting ready for ski season which is not too far away (big store switch over), getting ready for the next bike season, and having a busy life (which everyone has). Balancing my wife's schedule and my own is transition all together. With Angela having 14 hour days at her clinic and a couple night classes, spending time together has been a little tricky lately with our combined schedules. So the time that I do get to spend with her, I love.

Last weekend we were able to sneak away for a little bit. I raced the Seeley Lions Pre Fat Mountain bike race to get some intensity on a course similar to the Chequamegon course. The race went well for me, considering that I have trained my body for a much different style of racing. I finished well and felt stronger towards the end of the race. From the result of the race and a little time spent on the trails, I feel I have gained some valuable insight to competing at this years Chequamegon Fat Tire 40.


Thanks to Angela for standing out in the cold, yes cold, for the length of the race. Not to mention it was drizzling too. Here we are together after the race.

After the race, we joined Kyia and Kris at a local brickoven pizza place in Cable, WI. The pizza was great and the beer was cold!!! Yippy.

From the race, we left town to drive to Carlton, MN where we met up with a bunch of friends at a cabin. It is always a great time to eat, drink, and laugh late into the night.

Today I had a great early morning ride and stopped at Great Harvest to pick up some awesome breakfast bread. I think I could eat the whole loaf, but I'm holding myself back. Time to get a couple things organized for the end of the week and then off to the shop.