Cyclocross

Leaves are on the ground and freezing mornings are here!
That means 'cross is here too. We had our first training/race at Fort Lewis this morning. I think we had about 20 guys/ gals show up. 'Cross is like a loooong short track race. I felt fairly good but was lacking the snap.. I used it on my 2 hr ride on Saurday. I was able to hold my own though so that was good. I'll be going to Boulder for Oct 31st and Nov 1 st races. They are UCI races...there will be at least 60-70 guys in my class. These are great races to use as a gauge and to get used to a big pack in the start. The nationals in December ( Bend, Or) produce big classes...last year in KC we had over 140 guys I think.

Road Apple Rally Farmington, NM--1st Place!

Well, I had to wait until my last mtb race of the season but I won one. It was great to do it at the longest continually run mtb race in the country. We had a lot of Durangoans down there and overall we brought home the most awards. I got my wife to motorpace me Fri night and then got a light leg massage by Jenna at the Sports Club. All the massage therapists there are awesome.
Warming up before a race will usually tell you how you're legs are going to perform for you.
Mine felt really good today. The start pace was brutal and a few times I was wondering if I was going too fast to last 30 miles at that speed. It all worked out. I know the long 4-5 hr rides last winter helped my endurance this entire season. I am believer in building endurance. Ned won the pro class. At 53/54 he is amazing.The course was 30 miles long and required pedaling the entire way. The hills are short and steep so not much resting on descents. It has several miles of whoops that require concentration so you don't case one and eat it.
This was a very fun and satisfying mtb season. I thank GT once again for the Zaskar. I cant say enough about that bike.
The Dirt Coalition program got GT back on the radar. The 2010 line up looks very sweet.
make sure to check out the new site @ http://www.gtbicycles.com/.
....now it's time to 'cross a bit.

PICTURES OF THE RACE ARE COMING TOMORROW

Lance is coming

Lance Armstrong will be in Durango on Oct 20th for the showing of the Leadville 100 movie.
Tickets sold out in 14 min on line! He is making good on his promise to come to Durango after Matt Shriver helped in Lance setting the new record at Leadville. Ticket sales will benefit
the Fort Lewis Cycling Team.
Should be a great evening!

Squash Blossom Classic Was Awesome !

First let me say that sometimes races that are not as well known kick ass on larger races. From the course and markings to organization and schwag. Everyone was having a great time.
I will look forward to attending next year. I hope to bring more D Town boys too. The Gallup cycling community does it right. I am impressed. It is a cool town.


My next to last mtb race of the season went well. I placed 3rd in the 40-49 Cat 1 group.
Going in to the last 2 miles of a long 30 mile race my quad started to cramp so I backed off a bit.
That is where I went from 2nd to 3rd. Still really jazzed with the result. After over 45 days off from hard racing I can't complain. I'll be racing Road Apple In Farmington , NM this Saturday.
I did the Tuesday Night ride tonight..took the sprint and felt really good. Recovered pretty well
since Sat's high desert screamer.

...'cross is coming..we got the 4 Corners schedule. Races will be held in Cortez,Durango, Dolores, and Aztec, NM .

Squash Blossom Classic Gallup, NM

Saturday will be the first race I have done in a while. I have taken my break and took to some running and leg work in the gym with some fun rides. I like the break but hate the way my legs feel. They are roached ..I got a massage tonite and hope that helps. I am looking forward to the race for getting back to that pain mind set that racing requires and then will race Road Apple Rally in Farmington, NM the following weekend. That will be it for mtb racing until next year.

My Gt Zaskar has been a great bike and I'm really thankful I got this opportunity. I did my best to spread "the word".

Last Devo Short Track -'Cross is coming

The leaves are starting to change their color. It's the sign that winter is on its way. With that comes our much anticipated cyclo cross series. I have been back at the weights and have been running a few miles at a time. It's been a welcomed change to my cycling season.

The Durango Wheel Club Championships are this week. The MTB TT was Tuesday. It's during weight lifting-running week so I have been helping as a course marshall and will help get gift donations in town for the winners. It's nice to be a spectator sometimes.

Last night was our last short track. They have been a blast. Once you get in the rythm of that kind of discomfort and breathing it's not so bad. It's been great for improving my starts and sprints .Matt Shriver..who was Lances point man at Leadville showed up as well as Joey Thompson and other extremely fast guys. Rotom, who is a Phenom at Fort Lewis, took the win. This kid is incredible and rides for Jamis bikes. My race was good for a training race, I felt strong and made sure I was a head of some of the college guys at the finish.

The Single Speed world Championships will be held in Durango this coming week and weekend.
There is a buzz in the air as we expect thousands to show up to race and watch. I rode part of the course...I have always thought single speeders were a special group...after riding the way so technical course I KNOW they are! It's wild.

I am hoping to race in Gallup NM on the 26th then the Road Apple Rally on Oct 3rd. After that it;s all cross baby.

Taking a Break

I've been on the road bike a bit, taking a break from the mtb. Our local Durango Wheel Club road rides have been very fast and competitive and it's been great to catch up with my friends. When you live in Durango and race...you usually have to drive 7 hrs to any of the big races in the state. So I've done a lot of driving since April... and now am appreciating staying at home. I have noticed that the suffering I did at all the mountain bike races has really helped. I am looking forward to The Road Apple Rally..which is one of the oldest on going mountain bike races in the U.S. will be on October 3rd....it's in Farmington New Mexico and is just over 30 miles of high desert racing. Until then I will take a week off and then go back to the weight room for legs and start (easy does it) running a bit for 'cross. My son starts his jr year at Fort Lewis college so we plan on riding our KTM's a little too.

I am meeting Dan Rivard from GT tomorrow. I arranged a meeting with him and one of the bigger shops in Durango. I think they'll put a deal together so we can have local GT dealer.
I am pretty jazzed about that!