Tri-Loppet

The people that put on the city of lakes loppet x-country ski race, host a summer race on a similar course. It is a tri though, so you do canoe/kayak, trail run, off road mountain bike.

I entered with my wife and it was a really fun event. we entered at a relay so we canoed (11K) together then she ran(5k) then I did the Bike (11k).

It rained buckets the night before and some on us in the morning in the canoe. So everyone and everything was soaked. The trails were mud and slick but that's ok. It was all good fun and another chance to get some experience. We came in 8th out of 13 teams. Having canoed only once before together i think that's not too bad.

All in all a fun weekend and a good outing.

Buck hill attempt #1

Great weather last night at buck hill for my first race there.

So here's what happend...

I have never races this coarse before and this is only my second mountain bike race of my life to I entered the beginner bracket. Because I am a beginner mountain bike racer. right?

I ended up in a race with about 10 people or so three of which were children.... doh! There were 5 other adult men in the race and a woman and me. I won by 2 1/2 minutes on a 15 minute lap.

Clearly I should have raced the intermediate/recreational class. Which is what I'll do next time.

The other guys in the race were pretty regular guys and I beat them fair and square but it's sort a dubious win.

This is me receiving my $10 gift car as my winning prize... and the crowd is yelling "move up" at me. I assured them I was.

It's all ok tho... I have defiantly taken it on the chin many, many times ( see the marty minnesota road race from last year... ouch) and for once it wasn't me taking a pounding. I am looking forward to the next Buck hill race and the rec class!

Look out Rec... I'm comin' ta get cha..... haha

NVGP Wrap up

The Nature valley grand prix wrapped up in stillwater on sunday and the crit they host every year did not fail to deliver. Both races were unbelievable ( see last years posting for more awe driven pros).

The Story this year like last was Kristen Armstrong. She pulled the front the entire race then took a break of three away then with two to go dropped them and rode away to a solo victory. She is unbeatable... amazing.

This is the break with three in it.

The mens race was great don't get me wrong.. The speed of it is so far beyond anything, it is hard to have any sense of it if your not there to see it up close. It's truly shocking, to the point it's difficult to even perceive them as human beings, it's just to fast for a human being.

21% grade at 30+ mph = ouch!

Dethroned Floyd Landis was here for the race. He was sort of in the middle of it all week but not dominating.

All in all very inspiring and just plain fun!

In my personal racing-ness... I am thinking of racing ... maybe tonight ((crit) biting my nails), if not then thursday (mountain bike race)

I'll have some video of the minneapolis uptown crit soon.

Ciao

Band of Horses

I ran across this song working in a local cafe recently and was reminded how much I like it.

For your listening pleasure.......

Nature Valley Grand Prix stage 1

Stage one was this morning a 6 mile TT. Here is a picture of Kristin Armstrong about 50 meters from the finish to put in her first stage win for this year. It was super cool to see such unbelievable athletes up close.

Floyd landis is here this year and i saw him too during warm up but didn't stay for his finish.

Stay tuned

Nature Valley Grand Prix

NVGP. starts tomorrow with a Time Trial. The finish line is at the top a of a mile long 14% grade twister climb. It is a regular training spot for local nutbags like myself. It will be very cool to see the pros rocket up it. Kristin Armstrong is back again this year I am really excited to see her race again. Last year she beat the crap out of everyone..... then went and won gold medal. I hope more of the Cervelo Test Team come this year. She was essentially on her own last year.

It will also be fun to see some of the local heavy hitters tangle with someone their own size. We have a local woman road racer that is unbeatable with local talent. On one hand it's cool to see a racer of that level on a regular basis. On the other hand it has a dampening effect on the women's racing scene. I mean why bother with Teresa out there. She is a great racer and on the few occasions I've spoken to her, quite pleasant. I imagine being a local celeb could be annoying as hell some times.

We have a rider in our club who I am sure could take on anyone in town and beat them. But she won't because she to afraid to tangle with Teresa.

Anyway enough local racing scene soap opera stuff.

This week is a recovery week so rest and easy rides for me. Good thing I am baked... : ) On saturday the last of my hard rides in the microcycle I had no legs at all, and a huge head wind coming home....hahaha.

I'll post some NVGP pix tomorrow

CU

Bread and Butter

Some of the usual suspects lined up for a saturday ride

I haven't posted much lately due to the a lack of exciting or post worthy activites. I haven't races in a while I am just pugging away at my training and feeling pretty good really. I went out with the guy's ( all of them regularly faster than me) and faired pretty well. I even got in a break with one of the better sprinters of the group and held my own.. not bad for little ol' me.

On a personal note.... It's interesting that this little experiment of mine has gone on long enough. People are beginning to accept me in my new role. I don't mean approve of it I mean they have changed their assumption of who I am. A sign of this changing role is, on several occasions recently people have been coming to me for help or guidance. Whooa?

I have been a ride leader for the beginner ride for the club /team this year and I am really enjoying it. It is very gratifying to offer to others some of the care and patience that I've received from my mentors on the team. I am a big believer in pay it forward. It's an opportunity to show my gratitude by giving and listening.

Gotta keep on truckin.