Day: May 28, 2023

What happened to the Bear?

The bear is able to outsmart the robot bear and make his escape. However, just as he is about to make it back to safety, the drug lord’s henchmen catch up to him. In a desperate attempt to get away, the bear uses the cocaine he stole to create a smokescreen. With the henchmen temporarily blinded, the bear is able to make his escape – but whether he has truly gotten away or not is left to be seen.

May 28, 2023
Springtime Reflections

Battleground in 2020 is what I can say has never changed. The weather is battling spring, with the weather usually winning.

Whispering “things” to my bike like back in 2012

Posting to social media and hoping for some interesting followers like back in 2010

Used to have some good rides back in 2008 but lately those have gone away. Now it is just trying to survive a ride.

No where to go just like back in 2006.

Spectating the weather instead of cool races like back in 2004.

Or … sucker-holes instead of cool event again in 2004.

But, what am I grateful for? I mean this post is getting depressing looking back at good times compared to what we have now. Maybe time inside to do bike maintenance.

How about family, good things, while we can. Trying to keep it positive.

I appreciate lessons learned.

One has to appreciate the beauty of winter.

JUST NOT DURING SPRING … ARGH

May 28, 2022
Battleground

The war began with a middle-of-the-night mouse sighting which prompted troops to be pulled into the area including mouse traps and peppermint oil.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/NbvTXTi6a8uSdu7x6

“Double Kill”, was announced pre-sunrise. The war seemed to be turning in our direction. Then the enemy brought in the heavy hitters. It started with a bombardment of devil dust.

By noon the surrender flag was raised and we packed up our regalia and retreated to warmer regions.

We are now re-grouping and getting ready for another resurgence. I can’t say when since the enemy has moles in our organization. I will say soon.

May 28, 2020
The last lap

The Art Of Racing 24 Hours :: I was being hoisted high. But I don’t mind because I knew what it meant. In 24 hour solo racing no one remembers the bike. It is said that a racer whispers to his bike things. Memories and words spoken late at night when all seems lost. When a bike dies it becomes a human in another life. And it is these “things” … this collection of experiences and whispers that mold the human. My name is Gonzo and I want to be human someday.

Our last lap was long and I knew something was happening to Bill. My tubes seemed to get hot from the sun so I am guessing his condition had to do something with the 80 or so degrees it was out there. We stopped at some abandon check stations and he rifled through the mess for water I think. He was thirsty. One time he did find water and we went faster for a while.

But now we were at the finish line after counting down the hill climbs together. This is how I learned to count. Bill likes to count things. The finish line was abandon as well except for a few people that know us. It was nice to see them. As he held me high I noticed the crowd had gathered in another area. The announcer instead of mentioning my owners name was shouting out numbers. Once in a while someone would jump up with joy and approach him. I found this curious behavior. When I am human I will never attend one of these … they are silly.

Bill walked me to the tent and sat down beside me. As the last riders trickled in I learn of the somber finish line details. There were attempts to get the announcers attention but the curious number calling continued. It doesn’t matter to me though. I don’t need the attention. I really did enjoy being lifted into the air. When I am human I want to celebrate this way too.

People are gathered around him now and he is getting some attention. He deserves it. We rode over 300 miles this weekend. His girlfriend is rushing in and out of the timing tent. At first she comes back with ice and puts it on Bill’s knee. Then she comes back with a bike chain. I don’t like it. I am picky that way. I only wear Wippermann.

But the last time she comes back there are three people I don’t even know.

“Sorry … I just wanted to get you a blanket and …”

“Can you tell me what is going on”, the first guy said.

“Um, well … I just rode 300 miles”

Now I can’t see Bill and I am getting angry. I wish bikes could talk. If I could I would of shouted at them to leave him alone. They were asking him questions and he was answering. He wanted to do things but they would not let him. Like get up and go to the outhouse. More and more people showed up. Some of them carrying machines and wires. They hooked him up. Mo left a 4th time and came back with lots of flowers and stuff. She looked awful and we consoled each other as these people seemed to be abducting him. If I were human I would go rescue him.

“He has low blood pressure and I cant find a vein for an iv”, one of the fancy dressed individuals said.

“I have a low heart rate and usually my blood pressure is lower then normal”, Bill adds to the conversation.

“No, no that is not right. That is not normal”

“Wait a second everyone lets just re-access”, Mo suggested. She is wonderful. And she talked to them and they listened. Finally. Someone was listening to her.

I was happy when they allowed Bill to sit up and finally stand. He looked over to me and I him. Things would be ok.

Thankfully he was rescued by Mo. I like her a lot … and Bill does too. They came and got me and we went back to our pit area after a while. It was nice being a family again under our pit tent. Things were finally getting back to normal. I wonder though. After all the effort we went through … why didn’t we get to celebrate. Stand on one of those podium thingies … I hear it is pretty nice. I have yet to deliver him to a podium but I am not worried. That will come in time. When I am human I will win races.

Bill and I had a great ride. I sure whish I could of delivered him to the podium today but that is OK. In the end we are together and that is what is important.

Before a bike is reincarnated, the bike’s soul is freed to travel the land, to run across the high mountains for as long as it would like. I learned that from a program on the National Geographic channel, so I believe it is true. Not all bikes return as human, they say; only those who are ready. I am ready.

Special note: I am writing this blog from my bikes perspective and have borrowed the idea from The Art of Racing In the Rain by Garth Stein. The reason is not that I think it is cool but wanted to post details and not write about my true feelings on how the race was handled in the end. The race organizers had a lot on their plate like someone setting the dumpster on fire. Lots of things happened to botch the ending of a truly great race but I don’t want to use this post to air my grievances. I will write out a statement to the organizers themselves to maybe have a positive outcome.

May 28, 2012
24 Hours Round the Clock

Follow us live (I hope)!

Riverside State Park, 7 Mile Airstrip, Spokane, WA – May 29-30, 2010. The “Round the Clock” 24 hour event is a team relay mountain bike race, beginning at noon on Saturday and ending at noon on Sunday. Teams compete for medals, prizes and bragging rights.

Follow our progress from my twitter. Or simply keep refreshing the home page and reading the right hand palaver column. Keep in mind I can not see your posts as I will be updating the twitter from my phone via SMS. If you don’t see updates

May 28, 2010
Good Ride Deserve A Smoothy

Last night was a short ride but I feel my fitness is coming back. I found that I have the ability to go up a hill a lot faster lately and I can not figure out why. Maybe its that CarboRocket, but as a reward for such a strong performance I made myself a smoothie.

I received news last night that my Uncle Bob has gone to the hospital so I would like to wish him the best and hope he recovers.

Today I plan to ride at a pretty consistent pace for three hours. The time is now … to make the big ol comeback. Plus I want to see if the CarboRocket lights up!

May 28, 2008
Where to Go

Every web cam I go to this morning shows heavy snow in the mountains and the forecasts are not much better. I am sitting at the Break Espresso once again contemplating where to ride today. I have at least two hours in the saddle today even with a certain new issue I am dealing with which is too personal to comment on here. Every web cam I go to this morning shows heavy snow in the mountains and the forecasts are not much better. I am sitting at the Break Espresso once again contemplating where to ride today. I have at least two hours in the saddle today even with a certain new issue I am dealing with which is too personal to comment on here.

Yesterday I went cycling with a friend in the pouring rain. It was good and I indeed got wet; very wet! Fun in the mud but a tingly come back to life feeling in the shower.

Today I was going to try the Pipestone Pass in Butte but now that the weather has kept up her furey (its nice actually) I am thinking Skalkaho Pass on ol Katie (K2 MTB or The Beast).

So that is it as I near day two of the three day weekend and I am going to do a possible bike ride instead of getting caught up with my photos and trail descriptions. I was able to post a Standings page today but did not get to my riding diary yet.

May 28, 2006
From the race

I am writing from the Pintler Road Race. I have already got some pretty great photos. The setting is absolutely beautiful and the pelaton has passed twice. i have spent my day driving around just ahead getting shots of the race. I have never been to the big tour but there is something special and exciting being high in the mountains watching a road stage in a road bike race. This is something I would of never experienced living in the East. The climbs that i have been on today watching the race is very intimidating. I wonder if I could endure such monsters. I cant wait to try.

I sit here now waiting for the Pro leader to come into view far down in the valley. I keep checking through my zoom on my camera for the flashing lights and the motorcycles that proceed such an event. From here I will try to stay ahead 1000 feet at a time in front of the leader trying for that great racing picture. This last climb is beautiful. Switchbac after switchback and at the top is this waterfall and lake. Stunning stuff. In the end they will have climbed 7200 feet.

May 28, 2004
Pintler Road Race This Morning

Good morning. It is out the door for this adventure hungary man. I am going to the Pintler Road Race this morning. It is part of a big stage race here in Missoula. I am hoping for some pictures. I also hope to approach it seriously and maybe impress someone enough to use my photos. The following is from the organizations website PINTLER ROAD RACE

Good morning. It is out the door for this adventure hungary man. I am going to the Pintler Road Race this morning. It is part of a big stage race here in Missoula. I am hoping for some pictures. I also hope to approach it seriously and maybe impress someone enough to use my photos. The following is from the organizations website PINTLER ROAD RACE

Friday, May 28, 2004: The Pintler Road Race stage is now in its second year at the Ecology Center Classic, though it has been the venue for a popular Montana Racing Series event for many years. The road race is held on remote country roads with very few cars, and features 7.5 miles of smooth unsurfaced road on each lap. Flats were common last year; we recommend heavier tires for this stage. All racers must check a pair of wheels for neutral support cars and wheel stations. The course will be challenging for all, with several excellent climbs per lap and another long climb to the finish line. Elite Men will do two laps plus the climb and lap around Georgetown Lake; Elite Women will do one lap plus the climb and lap around the lake. The Montana State Highway Patrol and the Granite County Sheriff”s Department will provide rolling enclosures for this race.

RACE START: Men Pro/1/2 will start at 11:00 am
Women Pro/1/2/3: will start at 11:10 a.m.

THE COURSE: The race starts in the town of Philipsburg. Registration, staging, and start of the race will be at the Phillipsburg Parks and Recreation ball fields area located about .25 of mile south of downtown Phillipsburg by the Granite County School and USFS office. There will be a neutral rolling start onto Highway 1 – racing will begin once riders reach the highway. Riders will head southeast towards Anaconda/Georgetown Lake for 6 miles, then turn right onto Highway 38 (aka Skalkaho Highway) for approximately 12 miles – then take a hard right turn (dangerous corner) onto Rock Creek Road. Rock Creek Road has an unpaved dirt surface that is fairly fast and smooth (for dirt, anyway). Racers will proceed for 7.5 miles on Rock Creek road until it turns into pavement at Highway 348. Then riders will proceed about 14 miles on Highway 348 to Phillipsburg where they will take a right turn onto Highway 1, go past the start and town of Phillipsburg. Men will proceed with another lap (one lap is approx. 40 miles). After their lap(s) are complete riders will pass Highway 38 intersection again but this time continue straight on Highway 1. Approximately one mile past the Highway 38 turnoff the riders will begin climbing roughly 4.5 miles up to Georgetown Lake. One lap around Georgetown Lake takes you to the finish. Total race distance is approximately 104 miles for the Elite Men, with 7200 feet of climbing. Elite Women do 64 miles with 5000 feet of climbing.

GETTING THERE: PLAN AHEAD; it takes about 75 minutes to drive to the starting line from Missoula!!! There will be race registration at the start line staring at 8:30 am.

From Missoula, take Interstate 90 to Highway 1 at Drummond. North on Highway 1 along Flint Creek to the town of Philipsburg and look for sign-in area south of the downtown by the US Forest Service office and the Granite County school.

May 28, 2004