Author: Bill

Good morning from my friends house where I am house-sitting for a week.  All the pets are waking up and if it was not for Sadie I would of slept in. I didn’t even hear the alarm but I did get mauled by the big dog.  She must of heard it and knew I was supposed to get up.  Good dog!

I am brutally beaten, broken, and in a world of hurt today. After the race at Lubrecht my ankles felt like someone hit them with a hammer.  Yesterday as I took the girls out for a hike I was sore and could not move very swiftly.  It did not help that we got side tracked and was out till after dark trying to find the trail out.

• Race Results for 2007 Lubrecht Cyclocross Race

The course last Sunday was one that favored myself.  It has one set of barriers and one barrier alone at the bas of a small run-up.  The rest of the course was flat out hammering.  Oh yea! I almost forgot, a sand pit too but it turned out to be a easy ride over the sand.

The night before I was up mounting an old tire from last year because of my sliced tire in the Thunder and Lightening. The tire held up and so did I …. barely.  At the beginning I took off strong but soon fell back to 4th behind John C, Frankie G, and Clint M. I set out to not let the group get too far ahead. Soon John blasted the group apart and we were all strung out about 1/8 mile apart.  Clint started slowing and as I overtook him he dove into the pits to change bikes.  I figured he would attack to get his position back so I hammered on.

Soon I was catching Frankie. 3, 2, then 1 lap to go and I gave it my all and got right up behind him about 25 yards away.  The last set of barriers came at us so fast and we were so concerned in racing each other that Frankie lost his chain (reportedly crashed).  I came flying over the barriers, barely made the first one and my bike hit the second one.  It bounced and I tried a pirouette to regain control but actually ended up throwing my bike as I fell face first onto the turf.

From there it was a matter of who could repair the damages the fastest. I had to take the brake cable loose from my brakes (taco-e wheel) and Frank had to untangle his chain.  I crossed the line in 2nd.  Have a good day everyone … I am going to rest up.  I feel old!

Hello from my friends house where I am house-sitting for a week.

I found myself at a friends house last night after the TNR watching a tele-ski movie. What has the world come to?

I am unpacked and just watched the Seattle Seahawks bomb out to New Orleans. I am worn out but in great spirits because I had some good races this weekend.  Saturday I raced in Big Sky and today I raced at Lindsay Park in Bozeman.

Yesterday I got out of town around 8 Am and just about missed the gun in Big Sky.  The trip took longer than I expected and then I got behind some slow drivers. I got there 45 minutes before the start and scrambled to get ready and go a couple laps.

The race started and I got off to a great start in 3rd. After a couple laps I fell to 5th after a crash. Somehow I found new form and passed my foe and ended up in 4th place.  I felt the finish was pretty respectable and headed off to my favorite haunt for pizza.

I had a slice of pizza (not the best) and then went to the Hungary Moose to have some coffee, goodie, and blog. That wasn’t going to happen as they were closed for cleaning.  Just my luck, so I headed off to my camping spot on Moose Creek.

Marcy and I hiked all over were we were camping and found some great meadows and vistas. When it got dark I watched a movie on my laptop and went to sleep in the beetle pod.

I awoke to 28 degree temps and all my gear outside was frozen to the ground. I showed up for today’s race in plenty of time and got in a couple rounds of the course to warm up. I wondered if I could go hard again.

At the start I once again jumped out with the lead group and the 4 of us rode into a lead.  the front runners battles so hard it blew me  and even put the third place guy in a bit of difficulty. After the guy in third crashed I overtook him and went hard for a couple laps to put on a comfortable lead.

I finished third and it felt great even though I felt like shit. Finally a top three in a men A race.  This is quite an accomplishment and I feel lucky to have the form to have a strong race.  I know that I still lose most ground on the running sections so when I figure that out I am sure I can challenge for maybe a win someday.

After a long trip back I am home and going to bed. This weekend in The Big One, a race that takes place in the local baseball stadium under the lights.  It is the biggest cross race in Montana and one of the most exciting.

Hello from the Green Hanger where I am getting the “chores” done doing laundry and later groceries.  After that I prepare the beetle pod camping system because I’ll be spending the weekend camping out and racing the cross bike. I am part excited, part hesitant.

I am excited to still have enough time before winter to go camping, traveling, and of course racing.  When i look at that bike I just want to go to the park and run it hard. I still have that fire to race although almost out of gas.

On the other hand part of me hates the thought that I can not be the fastest guy.  And if I do want to be the fastest guy I will have to suffer.  I did not decide to suffer this Wednesday so will I elevate myself to full suffer mode before the race tomorrow?  We will see. On thing is for sure, I don’t take home the cash I would of if I stayed in the Masters category.

No matter the feelings I have registered for the next 4 races so I must go.  I know when it is over I will be glad to have done it.  I remember last year that this trip to Bozeman for the double race weekend was my favorite race weekend of the year. I can assure you that since doing the knobby Tire Series in Idaho, nothing will top that.  I cant wait till next year.

Tonight, Missoula, it all came together: adrenaline pumping, friends cheering, and rain adding a dramatic splash to the course. But let’s be honest, the rain wasn’t the only thing turning heads – it was my riding, or rather, my lack thereof.

Picture this: perfect race conditions, friends hyped on the sidelines, and me? Shocked as a squirrel in a thunderstorm when the heavens opened up. But hey, I embraced the chaos, crossed the finish line in true “soaked-but-smiling” style. Just the rain, though? Nah, that wasn’t the whole story.

Instead of unleashing my inner racing demon, I played it safe. Gained a position, defended it like a cornered badger, but the comfort zone was a slippery slope (pun intended). Those grassy corners, remember the ones where I took a faceplant last week? Yeah, they haunted me, turning my attack mode into a hesitant shuffle.

Finally, the last three laps arrived. Time to wake up, right? Pedal like a man possessed, throw caution to the wind (and the puddles). But the damage was done. 4th place. A respectable finish, sure, but a missed opportunity gnawing at my soul. Sorry, guys, I choked.

This race was a lesson learned, a reminder that sometimes, playing it safe is the riskiest move of all. Next time, rain or shine, I’m riding like the storm itself. Stay tuned, Missoula, there’s redemption on the horizon. And who knows, maybe I’ll even master those grassy corners without becoming a human lawn dart again. Until then, keep your wheels spinning and your spirits high!

P.S. Anyone else out there have epic weather-induced races (besides Noah and his ark, of course)? Share your stories, commiserate, and let’s laugh at the mud splatters together!

Hello from my apartment in Missoula Montana.  I just got done unpacking, took a long hot bath, and watched the Packers lose their football game. I just got back from Butte Montana where I attended the first cyclocross race in the MBRA (Montana Bicycle Racing Association) 2007 series.

I traveled to Butte this morning around 8 am and arrived to a brisk 34 degrees.  The sun was out and the day looked to be beautiful.  I must not be ready for the cold as I found it too cold for enjoyment.

The race was soon off and this year I decided to race in the main event group (Mens A,B,C).  I started in last because I did not want to get in the way of any body in real contention.  And off we were.

I was second to last and I enjoyed the large group as we strung out and attacked the first barriers.  It was like poetry, kind of beautiful in a way. I decided as log as everyone stayed together i would follow.  If someone attacked I would try to go with them.

The attack took place on a long stretch of grass just before a real rough downhill section. I tried my best to get by riders that may pose a threat to running into me if the downhill turned ugly.

Up the marvelous run up we went and I started to attack and pick people off.  I did not want to lose sight of the main group.

As we entered a real rough field section someone did not like my progression through the field and as I passed on the inside he took me out.  I tumbled and my bike flew into the air and landed in the middle of the course.  Riders started to hit it and I rushed to get it out of the way. I had hurt my leg,  I assumed the chase.

A couple laps later I lost sight of the group but I progressed through the pack and was still picking riders off.  The field was around 18 strong so I had plenty to pick off. On the downhill my chain jumped over the chain guard and completely off the front rings and crank.  I had to dismount and fix it.

I was passed by a strong rider. It took me a lap or so to chase this guy down but when I did it forced me to elevated my game.  Then I dropped my chain into the chain keeper.  I was quick to put it on.

I kept working my way up and took another spill, this time sliding across the grass as if I was in a football game and I just dove for a catch. I remounted and continued.  With two laps to go John Curry lapped me.  I hung my head, here we go again with getting lapped.

I decided to follow him to see how fast he was going. This elevated my game once more and I was able to overtake him and un-lap myself and get back on the lead lap.  In the end there were only 5 of us left on the lead lap and that is very good news as far as my performance.  I finished 5th, which is better than I expected.  I finished with some fast guys.  Here is the rundown.

1. John Curry
2. Jeff Proctor
3. Frank Gonzalis
4. Scott Herzig
5. Me

Stay tuned and come back as I have planned some posts including photos from the MORS Awards and some season wrap ups.  Take care and ride hard.

NOTE: When you see this blog and think "I just read this", it is because I update the comments below with the current dialog that I am having with my host. Consider these posts an update to the site situation.

I am so sorry that you may have come to this site and found it gone. I was told that this site should go down just a couple more times until Monday. After that I have been assured that the site will have a 99% uptime. And don't worry if it does as I am all set to host it where I work at univisionweb.com. Please bear with me and I do realize that I have to gain your trust that I will be here. Sorry Paul for messing up your sites, we will get them back online.

Hello from Missoula Montana! The sun is out and it is early afternoon … I better finish this blog. So yea! Last night was a good race for me with room for improvement. I think the leaders can hear me right behind them. On Tuesday I went out to Pattee Canyon to practice and tore a muscle (yep, the same one as last year). This year I have learned my lesson and I went easy with it wrapped up. I didn't dismount at a hundred miles an hour but instead slowed before each barrier.

At the start I was able to get up at the back of the front group. A couple pesky riders would do everything in their power to get by me and slow down. So the leaders rode away at one point. When I finally discharged those pests I went to work and got within a minute of the lead group, picking off the ones that got dropped.

I worked my way to third place at the end and won a six pack of Trout Slayer (a beer). I am moving on up! [check out map of course]

Its hard to tell if the Montana Cycling is going to hold it's cyclocross races as a series when you look at their site (ok, looking for links I see they updated it as I was writting this). I was able to talk to Montana Cycling's President John Weinrich and I asked him about it. He said yes and also , "I think there is enough in the budget for small prizes at the end of the season".

Hey folks, the 2007 MORS bash is a wrap, and we’re throwing a big party this Sunday, Oct. 7th at Pablo’s Pizza and Tap House in Butte. Mark your calendars from 1:30 to 4:00 pm for some serious fun. We’ve got a raffle, championship awards to hand out, and plenty of drinks to go around. Expect some cool swag like Bridgedale Socks and Optic Nerve Sunglasses among the goodies. And hey, if any Montana shops or reps wanna chip in with some gear for our awards, hit up Dave Peck pronto. Our awesome athletes will love ya for it.

Big ups to our champs! Below’s a sneak peek of the top scorers by category. Head over to http://www.montanacycling.org for the full lowdown.

EXPERT DUDES

• William Martin’s leading with 120 points
• John Curry’s on his heels with 95.5
• Alex Lussier’s not far behind at 67

EXPERT LADIES

• Lisa Curry’s smashing it with 62.5 points
• Amy Chiuchiolo’s right there with 62

SPORT GENTS

• Rich Chandler’s topping charts with 110 points
• Josh Crutcher’s chasing with 84
• Guy Mackenzie’s in the mix with 62

SPORT WOMEN

• Lydia Brown’s killing it with 130 points
• Susan Sheard’s holding strong with 83

BEGINNER MEN

• Looks like a mystery this year

BEGINNER WOMEN

• Emily Brown’s leading the pack with 118 points

Points were all about those top 5 finishes, and a shoutout to those who lent a hand at events for extra points.

Team shoutout goes to GAS/Intrinsik who crushed it with 406 points, leaving Montana Junior Cycling Federation in the dust with 216. Kudos, Juniors! Enjoy that team dinner courtesy of Montana Ale Works in Bozeman. Sorry, no silver medals here.

2007 was lit with five downhill events. Major props to the 70 DH warriors at Lone Peak Revenge. Let’s get those downhillers on board for an epic series next time.

If MORS gave you a thrill, spread the word. Our numbers were down, so let’s amp up the buzz for our sport.

Huge thanks to Charla Carter and her crew in Red Lodge for a stellar event on Sept 15-16.

Massive appreciation for the MBRA board, officials, sponsors, and volunteers, especially John Coulthard (stats guru), Al Prendergrass (web wizard), and Don Russell (top official).

MORS SPONSORS

• Montana Ale Works, Bozeman – 406-587-7700
• Windbag Saloon and Grill, Helena – 406-443-9669
• Patagonia Outlet, Dillon – 406-683-2580 – Check it out
• Bridgedale Outdoor Limited – Top-notch socks
• Coldwell Banker/ RCI Realty, Bozeman – Jason Basye, 406-587-7653 – More info
• Yellowstone Loan, Inc., Bozeman – Nick Lieb, 406-556-1800
• Mountain Shades/ Optic Nerve Sunglass Co., Edgewater, CO – Sunglasses here
• Rocky Mountain Truck Center, Belgrade, MT – Corey Biggers, owner – Visit them
• Eagle Mount – For amazing therapeutic recreation – Learn more

Thanks a ton to all the racers for making the 2007 MORS series epic!

~Dave Peck

Hey there from Missoula, Montana! So, my weekend was a bit of a bust. Did some shuffling around the house and managed to squeeze in a hefty ride on Saturday before the skies opened up. And then? Rain. Non-stop. Initially, I was kinda pumped—thought I’d knock out some chores, get my mountain bike in shape.

Ended up dropping 7 bucks on a socket to dismantle my free-hub body, then… well, that was it. Parked myself at home, glued to the TV, and caught up on some serious nap time. No workouts, no chores ticked off the list. And yep, I’ve been sipping on Double Haul for the fourth day running—can’t complain about the brew, though. But, ugh, totally dropped the ball on sending out those sponsorship requests this weekend. Feeling like a total loser here!

But hey, didn’t wanna hit the hay without doing something productive, so I’m throwing up some pics from the Red Lodge race for you guys to check out. Heading to bed now, with plans to tackle laundry and grocery shopping tomorrow. My pantry’s echoing, and my wardrobe’s a disaster. Plus, cross racing kicks off this Wednesday, so I’ve gotta step it up.

Also, keep your eyes peeled for my trip report from Saturday’s epic ride down in Hamilton, Montana. More on that soon!

Now that I am ranked #1 in Montana as a mountain bike racer I feel a sort of responsibility to help my fellow riders with my experiences.  Now I know I broke my chain 3 times in Helena this year but that chain was two years old.  Why so old … I am the master at chain maintenance (well that is up for debate).

Hello from my apartment in Missoula Montana. I am sore and my back hurts. Tuesday I went out for a cyclo cross training ride in the rain and last night I ran up University Mountain and down the ridge to Sentinel (2 hrs, coming out in the dark). Work sucks as usual and I am about to go do that.  But first, here is how to maintain your chain (pic courtesy of Blue Collar MTB):

Step one: Crack open a Double Haul!

Step two: … ah heck just check out this page [click here]!

Notes: I do not recommend degreasers, chain cleaners, or tri-flow(even though it smells good)!

Have a great day everyone and see you tonight at the TNR.