Keeping Up

This past week has been all about keeping up and catching up....after being on vacation for a week it was a little tough to fall back into routine. It's really easy to adjust to the life of a pro biker...ride 5-6 hours, eat, rest, eat, sleep. repeat...



Now it's back to work, back to life, back to reality...



Training has continued to go good...beleive it or not I have already done more intervals this year than the last two years combined! This leaves me with two options...get faster or burn out...only time will tell...In exchange for more intervals(see below)












































Any excuse for more Ben & Jerry's is a good one...

It has been busy @ work with the Trek Supersale so I have to get going....really wishing I was at the Norba in Phoenix! I love that place...

Rouser Recap

I have been home about four days since the Gravel Rouser ended. After a couple days of rest its back on the bike building some power for the upcoming season. Training is going great thanks to www.momentumendurance.com and racing will be here before I know it...





check out http://www.athensbicycle.com/info/2007/07_Rouser/07_Rouser_Updates.html
for full results and more sweet pictures...


THE ROUSER PHOTO SPREAD!

And of course the Post Race Celebration at O'Betty's Hot Dogs Mmmmmmmmmm

Can't wait for the 2008 Gravel Rouser

Gravel Rouser

Yesterday was stage 3 of the Gravel Rouser - Lake Hope State Park has to be one of the best mtb trail systems in the world.

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/2262564

The day started with 25 miles of more rabid dogs and frigid temps. After the long climb out of the Hocking River Valley I warmed up a bit. Soon we all met at Lake Hope for the singletack race.

Tristan and I sprinted for a moving finish line and it was declared a tie. I then flipped a $10 to the time keeper...I'm hoping www.athensbicylce.com has official results with me in 1st.

The quote of the day, as Joey Boyle is being attacked be a rabid dog "That dog didn't know if I was MAN or BEAST."

Today was the Coolville Ridge Cool Down

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/2271946

The race promoters spent a year trying to find the most brutal back roads in Athens County and they were very succesful. Two river crossings, and two brutal climbs per lap made for a painful 4th day of racing. Tristan cheated and outsprinted me at the line. The real winner of the day was Kevin who took home the coveted Road Kill Points Competition...check out the trophy...

Stage 2

Last Night was the Grab & Git, and it was challenging to say the least. Here are Joey and Merideth, masters of the ceremony, getting ready for the big event.

We did our best to dress the part of the locals, but it didn't help when they handed us the map, said go, and we had no idea which way was up.

The first stop was at the end of a 22% grade cobble road, needless to say we struggled. The second stop had us searching through horse barns at the county fairgrounds. After two stops we were able to get a grip on things and were soon racing to the finish to crack the top 5. Not bad for out of towners.

Stay tuned to www.athensbicycle.com for offical Grab & Git results.

Now it's off the Lake Hope...

Results - Stage 1 GRC

Last night was the start of the 2007 Gravel Rouser...first off, I know everyone wants to see this years number plater...here it is





















The course was a greasy clay type muddy, mostly downhill, with lots of off-camber sections. Approximately 1 - 1.5 miles in length, with lots of potential for disaster (20 ft drop off clifs) if your tires decide not to hook up. It is always cool to come down to Athens and ride singletrack that is more technical than anything in WI...especially after not riding a mountain bike for 4 months. I was a little sad to ride my brand new Trek Top Fuel 9.9 in such muddy conditions, but such is racing.

This is a pre-race photo at the Athens Gun Show

The final drop to the finish, on my way to the first victory of the season!

The top three..(check out the neck beard on Joey Boyle # 69)





























I spy the meanest Hockey Mullet in Athens County in the back ground...

Check out Athens Bicyle for complete results and podium photos...

http://www.athensbicycle.com/info/2007/07_Rouser/07_Rouser_Updates.html


Tonight is the Grab & Git

The locals have the serious advantage, but we'll see what we can do...

Day TWO

The cool thing about being at my parents...I have lots of time and can find some really old school stuff...

1999 Norba Results from Seven Springs, PA...

My World Cup Campaign...in 2000

World Cup Napa

Mazatlan Mexico

http://www.uci.ch/english/mtb/world_cup/2000/xc6/result_m_xc.htm

Another 4 + hours in the saddle yesterday...check out the Garmin map

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/2244348

Gravel Rouser starts @ 4:30

check back later for Sundown TT results...

ps...Tristan only had 1 flat...I did attack him

Athens, OH

We made it to Athens, OH Monday after a long 9:30 drive. Tuesday was the first real training day of the season. Tristan and I busted out 4 hours in Athens. It was an awesome day to be out riding with temperatures just below 80 degrees. I even got a little bit of sunburn on the pasty WI winter arms. The Garmin Edge 305 was pretty sweet doing a real training ride...check it out...

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/2240572

The other day when I saw the map of my ride in Sheboygan it was a square with almost no elevation gain.

Unfortunately Tristan did bring a little bit of amateur hour to Athens of day #1. Approximately 8 punctures on the ride and it took us 5 hours to ride 4 hours. Needless to say I did charge him a lot for each patch he used. Lesson of the day...always have a patch kit with you.

We had a few close calls with the rabid dogs of Southeast Ohio, but no missing flesh. One dog did put in an impressive 30+ mph effort for 1/4 of a mile and almost caught us...another 4 hours today and then the Gravel Rouser!

It's On

I'm starting to feel a little better. I managed a few hours on the rollers yesterday and an hour this morning. Maybe it was the idea that soon I will be headed to 65 degree temperatures. The training can official start now.

Yes it must be that time again....































Spring Break is here and its off to Athens, OH where the red necks and backwoods hillbilly's love mtb stage racing. The Gravel Rouser 07 is just around the corner and the great folks at Athen's Bicycle ( www.athensbicycle.com ) are promising great number plates again! This year the event promises to be even bigger with a four stages, more competition, more prizes and a ton of fun.


check out this years race flyer... http://www.athensbicycle.com/info/2007/07_Rouser/index.html


check out last years race flyer...
http://www.athensbicycle.com/info/gravel_rouser06.html


here are some pictures from the GRC 06


































The Sundown TT


































The 2006 Gravel Rouser @ Lake Hope

My first Rouser was in 05...

the 05 race flyer
http://www.athensbicycle.com/info/gravel_rouser05.html


here are some pictures from the 05 Rouser











































Check out the sweet trailer!










































I hope there is more babes in 07!











































This family was crazy! 50+ mph on the descents with the little girl barely hanging on the handlebars.

Stay Tuned fro updates from Athens, OH (a really cool town)

Under The Weather

I don't know if it was all the shoveling I was doing or the fact that Andrea was sick all week, but I am now officially in the hurt locker. Tight chest, runny nose, and nasty cough...oh well. I have been pounding the Yerba Mate, Garlic, Echinacea, Vitamin C, and Zinc. Hopefully it will go by fast, because the motivation to train is here in full force. Until I am ready it's time to go rest and dream of warmer places.

Mazatlan..post race party after 2000 World Cup...can anyone name mi amigo?