Iron Horse Results

Memorial Day concluded the exciting days of racing in Durango/ Silverton.
In it's 37th year the Iron Horse set record attendance and will continue to do well due to the efforts of so many Durangoans. In a town of only 16,000 people..it's amazing. The build up for this race really starts in January for many racers in town...the buzz just continues through ...leading up to the events.
I placed 16th/118 racers in the race to Siverton and took a 6th today in the TT.
Today's race was roughly 15 miles and finishes with a 1 mile hard climb up Old Shalona Hill....I was cross eyed the whole way!
I now can look forward to getting back to the dirt on my GT Zaskar...Crested Butte June 20th. ...YAHOO

Rollers in May?

Last weekend I cleaned the garage mess from a long winter. I took the rollers and the fan out of the house...thinking spring is in full swing. That must have been what made the weather change. This week we have had rain and possibly light snow on the passes.
The Iron Horse Road Race is saturday, crit sunday and TT monday.
Last night riding the rollers in the basement with my ipod made me think
I was back in the winter mode. Weather in the mountains can change so quickly.
I hope it's clear for tomorrow's road race..we have well over 2500 racers in town. It can be dangerously cold at 10,900 feet at 9 in the morning..even at the end of May!!

Iron Horse Race training

Well, this last week I talked my wife in to motorpacing me down county road 250..it's "the" road ride that Durango is known for.
I got up to about 43 mph. Last time I did this was last fall for 'cross.
I forgot how awesome it is. To be able to ride at that speed and have your body
working at that level is so cool. What's even better is that your legs are not nearly as wasted as they would be if you were doing 22-25 on your own!
My group ride today went very well. I was leading the B+ group up to Purgatory..felt pretty good.

Durango to Silverton and Back

I did my annual 100 mile ride today. Climbing 10k feet at up to 10,900 ft of altitude. There must have been 100 riders out riding various legs of our Iron Horse Classic course! It's 50miles and started years ago when 2 brothers bet each other that a bike could beat the Durango -Silverton Narrow Gauge Train..well the bro on the bike won...
As for me...I was talking to myself to keep the pedals going on the way back.
I stopped at the Needles Store near Durango Mountain Resort and got a cold Coke! Gu's..etc..nothing works like a cold Coca Cola to bring you back.
I'll see how I feel manana!

Chalk Creek Result

A little under the weather from a sinus infection didn't keep me from racing this past saturday. I had planned this race in my schedule and knew that I wasn't going to do great but if I could get a top ten I would be happy....well' I hit 9th so I'll take it. Almost every spring..between the winds, dust , and my allergies, I get a good sinus infection. ..I am so glad that I'm almost rid of it! I had a great time camping with my wife, Heidi. We have a cool camper and found a nice spot on a creek.

Next up: The Famous Iron Horse Road Race on May 23rd..time to hit the passes. Each year I look forward to my training ride to Silverton and back. 100 miles with 10k feet of climbing..after that... this 50 mile race doesn't seem so bad.