Hello from Soldier Mountain Resort where the awards just completed and I thought I would use the wireless sig to post my results. Well ladies and gents I just stepped off the top podium position once again and continuing the win streak to 6 wins in a row. I am quite lucky given my age.
I was the top expert finisher and right from the gun I took off the front to catch two pro riders that had started a minute before. When I realized I was in fast company I just sat back and enjoyed what I have to say is the best course I have rode to date.
The race started out climbing and when we got to the jagged peaks and flower strewn and still snowy meadows we went hiking. Yes hiked the bike up the mountain. The section was called the Monster and then after hiking the bike for two miles there was a mini grunt to the top of the Sawthooths. I hiked the bike so much I felt like I would cramp.
The downhill would give Mount Snow Vermont a run for its money. It was a truly spectacular decent. I am talking technical folks. I would like to come back with friends to ride this loop. It is unbelievable.
So yea! I wont go on and on how this was a great bike race but just wanted to let everyone know that I had a fabulous ride today and now I am going to go find a bunch of Aspen and hang my hammock in them.
Hello everyone. I took it at Discovery Ski Area last weekend. How purty! Any-hoo I am taking off tomorrow for another adventure which will take me into the Sawtooths of Idaho. Here is a link to my driving plans ==> [link]
Located in the rugged mountains of the Sawtooth National Forest, Soldier Mtn. Resort is just 12 miles north of Fairfield, Idaho. Soldier Mtn Resort, “one of Idaho’s best kept secrets” showcases the kind of terrain that first-time beginners to hard core pros seek to race on – it is a challenging and epic cross country adventure. Racers travel through pine forests and quakin’ aspens, climbing to 8000′. Long technical descents, creek crossings and plenty of rippin’ fast single track – Soldier has it all.
No, I did not write that last paragraph, I got it from theKnobby Tires Website. Hey I have great news as well! I am now leading the MORS series … check out the standings [standings]. It really has not sunk in yet but it feels good given the fact that I never thought I would have a chance to do so well again. The moral of the story is to not EVER think you are to old.
It’s funny how when certain events happen it starts a series of events that enable us to do more than we thought possible. Last weekend I had such a phenomenon and I am still basking in the glory of victory.
Last Saturday I traveled to the Discovery Ski Area just outside of Anaconda to pre ride the course that was to be used for the Discovery Mountain Bike Race the next day. I was nursing an injury so the ride was not totally fun but it was nice to be riding around so much beauty. The course was the same.
The course starts out on a cross-country ski trail climb and then plunges back down on a double track. At the bottom of the first hill the trail turns to east coast style single track but this only lasts about 100 yards as it turns back to cross-country ski trail. Then comes the pretty fun rollers which you have to big ring to keep momentum. Another wicked fast downhill takes you to the second climb but thankfully short and fast.
The road section is next which shoots you down to another logging road. A mile up the logging road you start the third and hardest climb of the race. It is four wheeler double track that goes through the meadows and brings you to the top of a sweet downhill section. The downhill is long and fast although disappointingly double track. Being smooth here means picking up major time on your competitors.
After whooping it up you shoot back out on a major gravel road and stay on it fro what seems 100 miles (actually only 2 or 3). It is a slow climb so you must big ring up it or loose time to your competition. I found this climb the hardest just because of the pure output needed. From the road you climb up and scream down some more cross-country ski trails.
About a mile or two from the finish line you encounter meadows full of spring run off. Major wetness occurs here and this is a part I hated. I was not looking forward to the meadows. I did see some elk there though. From there to the finish is real flat but slightly uphill cross-country ski trail.
On race day I lined up determined to ride with the leaders. The field looked pretty rich as Clint Muhlfeld showed up to race. Thank god the nation champ Grant Keir was not there to push the pace even harder.
We started up the hill and I had no problem keeping up with the main pack in fact I took the lead going into the downhill section so as to not let the faster racers get out of touch. At the bottom of the hill Clint passed me and I prepared for the onslaught of pain as he tried to get away. I miss-shifted and landed myself in a tree. I hoped back on but lost 5 places and the leaders were gone.
I hammered my way to at least a point where they were visible. As we climbed the second climb I was still in contact and in 4th place. I gained a position on the road and rode up to the leaders Clint and Douglas Shryock. It seemed as though they were waiting for me and allowed me to lead to the hardest climb. Thanks for letting me feel like a big shot guys!
On the climb their nature kicked in and they pass me with such vigor that I lost contact. I kept up the good faith just trying to hold off and onto 3rd place. The guy behind seemed strong enough to overtake me and I hammered as hard as I could.
On the downhill I went as fast as I could and let go of the brakes (a very dangerous situation). Once on the road climb I looked up the straight-away and saw my competition a quarter mile ahead of me. I had still lost time but I did put distance on 4th place. I climbed up the road going as fast as I could and by the top I had almost caught Clint as well as 4th place (Matt Butterfield I think) because when I looked around he was right behind me.
As we shoot down to the meadows Clint went down and he seemed very angry so I figured that he dropped a chain or something. later I found out that he cut himself to the bone and went to the ER. At the time I wanted to put on as much time on him as I could and possibly squeak out a second place. This surge would pay off later. Halfway around the second and last lap I caught up to Doug and I stayed behind him for a while. I figured that when we came to the big climb he would charge again so I rested.
We turned the corner and he had nothing so I went. I went all out and barely made it over the crest of the hill. I looked back and I had a huge lead. I hammered through the trees on the downhill faster than I care ever to do again and when I came out on the last road section I had really put on a good lead. I attacked at every incline fearing that Doug would catch me. I went all out to the finish line and was victorious.
For whatever reason the head official John Coulthard shouted to me that I was not finished and that I needed to do another lap. He said this as Matt rolled up in second place. We angrily went off to do another lap. I was able to ride away again but only because he was not willing to chase. I barely made the second lap which would take me to around 40 miles for the day. I finished again but only before a lap of cramping and suffrage. I felt like a fool as everyone laughed and told me I did an extra lap. Damn John! Your a mean person! I felt like the victory had been taken away from me.
But in the end I in fact won the race. So as you can see sometimes events fall into place just right and enable you to do big things. Now it is rest time and preparation for he Knobby Tire Series race this weekend in Fairfield ID. have a good week everyone.
Hello from my apartment in Missoula Montana where I just got back from being ripped off. I would like to post a statement that the local coffee shop “Break Espresso” is the most wacky establishment downtown. Possably a litle dishonest.
Last year I experienced a situation where depending on the mood and employee I would be over charged for a cup of coffee. When asked they would say that the coffee costs $1.25. I stated that previously I paid $1.00. Don’t get me wrong I do realize that that is cheap but that is not the point. So anyway I paid the $1.25. Later in the week I would go in and it would be $1.00 again. So since it was cheap I kept going.
The Break Espresso is my friends favorite place so I kept patronage. Last winter this fried and I experienced another dishonest practice. What this place does is supply 30 black porcelain cups to be filled with coffee for $1.25. What they don’t tell you is that once these cups are in use you must pay extra to use one of their paper cups. So you walk in and notice that all the cups are in use so you grab a paper one … that would be $1.50 please (maybe more I cant remember). And the refills are more as well.
This morning was the last straw. Let me explain. Saturday mornings in the summer is when the streets in front of this shop is the busiest. Break Espresso’s new plan is to get what they can from the wireless users and send them on their way with out so much as one email being read. And they are being very tricky about it. I would have no problem with a sign in the front window that says “Saturday Mornings No Wireless Available”. Do they do that? No! It says “Free Internet Wireless”. So that gets you in the door.
Now I am one of the smart ones, I check that the wireless is up before I get a cup of coffee. That way if the wireless is down, no problem, I’ll just go to another place where it is better. So I go in and sure enough their is a signal and my laptop assures me that I am connected. In the meantime I notice I am only one of three people in the store (last week there were 50 people in their at least).
So after spending $3.00 for a cup of coffee and a day old scone I sit down and check my emails. Something appears to be wrong. I connect to the other access point (the break has front and rear). It says that I am connected but I can not get out on that one either. I check and find out that they disabled the routers functionality that assigns you a unique address (required to connect to the Internet).
So to make this mornings rip-off clear this is what they are doing. They are dishonestly selling you a product while you are under the idea that you will be able to use an advertised service. After paying for your product they pull the rug out from underneath their service offer. So you finish your product and leave. That way they can get more of the crowd in and make more money. When the wireless is going we tend to sit around and do stuff. When others pass by and see a full house they don’t stop in for coffee. Break Espresso takes us wireless users money under a false assumption and then kicks us out so they can pick the pockets of Saturday shoppers. Ha!
Here I sit and an unknown location in the heart of Missoula Montana in a sort of bliss, cup of coffee, and a blueberry scone. Who ever used the link at the top to recharge my Starbucks Gift Card; you are a saint! Thank you, thank you! And … that’s not all. The Starbucks near me (Albertsons) started stocking blueberry scones. So yes! I am in heaven and with a mountain bike ride coming up tonight, life is good. All of you that say “sell out” and stuff against Starbucks I say this; get off your lazy ass and open a coffee shop with “REAL” coffee and “really” good blueberry scones. Until then, just leave me be! Good Day all. Oh yea! Pictures of Lindbergh Lake coming soon.
Hello from somewhere in Montana. I will be out on a training ride tonight and will not make the unofficial Web Lodge chat tonight. I know it has been canceled already but once people started showing up. Now it is an unofficial chat. Still though, I will be out tonight on a ride that will take me to Clinton … Swartz Creek … Miller Divide … Miller Creek … Missoula.
Click on the image to the right for the Google map or try this [link] for the official Google map. I’ll start out on Route 200 and then to 210 which parallels I90. Once I get to Clinton I’ll catch the Schwartz Creek Road up to the Miller Creek Divide. From there it is a burst down into Miller Creek Drainage via Miller Creek Road. The trip is 56.7 miles so I am hoping for a 4 hour affair since most of it is climbing on a loose gravel road. And did I mention? I am taking the cross bike “Askia” or as many of you know as “the fetish”.
Hello from my apartment as I just finish unpacking from the camping trip to a buddies cabin on Lindbergh Lake in the Mission Mountains. The beargrass is out and the place was absolutely spectacular. I even found a bit of outstanding single track. I will post the photos soon, you will have to check back as they are beautiful.
I went up Saturday and spent the night in my friends cabin on the lake. He is building a new lodge and we stayed in his dad’s cabin which I can say that I would be please to live in it as a home. I really must win the lottery.
Saturday I went for a 2.5 hour ride and found some great singletrack called “Glacier Slough Trail”. The trail had it all with technical roots and rocks with fields of wildflowers and the Bob Marshall looming to the East. Absolutely stunning stiff. I saw a cow elk crossing a road at one point of the adventure.
As I approached the summit and my shoulder brushed a tree limb knocking off a bunch of snow I thought to myself that just a month ago we were mountain biking up here. Tonight I hiked University Mountain from town. After the stout 3 hour hike which included heavy snow I decided to finally get those pictures from last weekends race in Salmon up.
Last weekend I attended two races winning both of them. The first race was in Salmon Idaho and I went down with my friend Alden. It was a good time with all my friends getting on the podium, hot showers, and a feast at the end.
Alden
The second race was Sunday in Couer D’Alene and I went with my friends Ross, Lydia, and Emily. We slept overnight at a fisherman’s access (I will be getting these pictures up soon). After a trip into town for some awesome coffee and blueberry scones we proceeded to go to a hot field and race in the Moose Chase. this race had a great course that we raced one lap on. I did not see the moose but I raced with the pros and ended up coming in right behind the third place one.
I am very pleased with the results and I had a great weekend of racing. I have to give credit two My friends and Ross’s daughters who also did races on both days. It takes some courage and a little ambition to do such a feat. My helpmate off to them. Enjoy the pictures and keep the tread to thee trail.
Hello from someplace in Missoula Montana where I am getting ready for two races this weekend. I received bad news that my parents will not be visiting this next weekend so I have decided to take the assets I planned for the visit and apply them towards races. This will keep my mind off of the disappointment of not getting to spend time with Mom and Dad out at Lindbergh Lake next weekend.
The first race is the MORS and Wild Rockies Series race at Salmon Idaho. I plan to leave around 6 AM tomorrow morning and drive down with a friend. I’ll race and jet back home to prepare for Sundays race.
Sunday’s race is in Coeur d’Alene Idaho on Carnfield Mountain [map]. The drive will be around 2.5 hours and I plan to go with a different race buddy. This second race is race 3 of the Knobby Tires Series in which yours truly is leading in the expert division.
The Wisdom River Gallery showcases a quality selection of Montana art and photography, antiques and collectibles, handcrafted furniture, vintage western fashions for both men and women, and Made-in-Montana native crafts. Their web site presents a fraction of the many items currently on display in their store.
While I was working and searching for items pertaining to Montana I happened upon a picture that I had taken. After reading the article [read article here] I realized it was this site featuring my site. I am proud and honored to grace another’s site. So go give this place a try, stop in, buy some stuff!
I must note that not only my site is gracing theirs but my friend Paul Bardis is now “Biking The Montana Backcountry” (that’s him in the picture). Actually this picture looks like an adventure picture but in reality he was building a fort out of stone.
Hello from the Green Hanger in Missoula Montana where I am doing chores (laundry). I got up this morning aching (from sleeping on a futon) and ideas dancing in my head on how to make my front fork perform better. Yesterday was race 2 of the Knobby Tire Series of Idaho (The official state championship series). Marcy and I just went into Albertsons to use the change machine where I poured all the change I could find around the house into the slot and waited to see if I had enough to do laundry. I did, in fact enough for a bagel and Starbucks coffee (and do laundry too). How cool is that.
I left last Friday after work. Well, not right after work because I had to ride my bike down to the Good Food Store to get supplies and stop in at the bank. After that I went home and packed the car. I didn’t get out of town until 4pm.
I drove 70 in hopes of stretching my gas mileage. I was not carrying enough cash to buy two takes of gas and pay the entry fee so I was going on a wing and a prayer. As I approached Idaho Falls I was excited to see that I was only down 2/3 a tank. I figured that I would go sign up for the race on Saturday and put the rest in the tank. Maybe it was possible to make it home.
At around 10 PM I stopped at a rest stop about 30 miles from Pocatello. I was almost there and I would camp out in the back of my car. The rear seat turns and lays flat and make a really comfortable bed. It worked well except for the occasional group of travelers looking in my windows to see how I was sleeping in my beetle. I felt like an animal on exhibit at the zoo.
In the morning I awoke and went exploring the lava fields nearby. It was pretty exciting but soon I felt the need for a bagel and a cup of coffee. I set out for Pocatello in hopes of going by a Starbucks. I was hoping my card had enough coffee bucks on it.
I did find a Starbucks and when I got my coffee I found a way to do some grocery shopping at the same time. I found out that Starbucks has that pure cane sugar in little packets. I stuffed a handful in my pocket. If I did this each time I had a coffee I could sweeten my evening Chai. I was excited.
The Knobby Tire Series is Idaho’s State Championship Series. When I registered for the race I commented that maybe the series should track all participants even the out of state ones. The person at the desk said that they would, just not for the State Championship. That’s cool by me. I would be honored to go for the Knobby Tire Series Championship. I was also pleasantly pleased to find out that it was only 25 bucks … I still might make it home.
The course was spectacular! It started out in town (Desert) and wound its way up through gulches and sagebrush weaving through the dry dusty terrain. After a fair amount of climbing the scenery changed to flowers and more of a mountain and alpine terrain. the course was all singletrack and plenty of climbing. Near the top of the course (12.5 mile loop) there were groves of aspen and the track went through them getting deep and dark at times. Some of the trail reminded me of being back out east again. There were roots and dark soil! The descents were fast and technical and even crossed a scree slope and at time forced a dismount to clear fences. Just when i thought I could not stand any longer I was treated to sitting finally while I climbed up switchbacks. This course had it all.
The race started out well and it seemed as though i would catch the pros again. I left the expert field in the dust and bridges up to the pro single speeders. Then the course got to me but not in a bad way. I had so much fun I forgot I was in a race and after lap one I decided that I better concentrate on my race and not worry about the pros. The course was great but it took its toll. My knees hurt from so much standing due to the technical and the downhill. I had been scared in some parts and wanted enough energy to concentrate on them for lap two. I slowed down and enjoyed lap two hoping my knees would hold out. They did and I scooted across the finish line in first place.
I came home a different way going through Lemhi and the Lemhi Valley. The scenery was spectacular but soon I realized that I would need gas and I was out of cash. i stopped in salmon and used the credit card. I was hungry and exhausted from all the adventure and I just wanted to know i could make it without walking so I gave in. I finally did make it and soon I was in bed at home resting.
So the gas mileage was astounding and the beauty of the trip was the usual majestic and spiritually soothing self. Now it is on to next weekend and the possibility of two races in Salmon and Cour d’Alene. Have a good week everyone!
My parents are setting off to visit me this next week. They are willing to stay in Missoula for three weeks and I have planned some memorable stuff for us to do (may be the last time we meet up). I have not seen them in almost 5 years. They can not stay with me and I told them I would rent a place for them. So they will be able to visit only if I can find a place for three (or even two) weeks. Otherwise they will visit for a weekend and move on to Roundup.
My problem is that I have not been able to find a place within my ability to pay for it. The best I can do is put them up at Jellystone Park in one of those little cabins! Can you help me [click here] ! Let me know if you know of any place I can put them up at a reasonable price. I also welcome any ideas that I am not thinking of. I tend to go blank when I panic! So if you can suggest something that would be great. thanks!
Hello from somewhere in Missoula Montana as I get ready for my trip to Pocatello Idaho this weekend for the second round of the Knobby Tires Series, Idaho’s State Championship Series. I am about to go get supplies and pack the car and I thought why not upload another set of pictures and give remembrance to last years great adventure that a friend and I had in the mission Mountains in August [click here for pics].
Paul and I set out to do Panorama Peak and camp out for an evening on his yearly trip to Montana.
Good morning from somewhere in Missoula Montana. I am slipping back into the societal grinding machine and I must try harder to keep my head out of its crushing jaws. Still though, I was able to get the pictures posted from last weekends adventure . The adventure started last Saturday after I drove to Lolo to do a training ride.
After my ride I waited for a friend to get off work and then we headed out to Boise Idaho in search of a camping spot. On the way we listened to pod casts from the latest offerings in the mountain bike pod cast world. Of course they were all about Floyd’s doping news so discussion about it floated about the car as my friend drove the curves into Idaho.
As we turned south in Idaho we encountered new ground for this blogger. I was surprised how diverse and beautiful Idaho was. I mean I knew it was beautiful but this was adding to its appeal. We went over this huge pass. It climbed and climbed and I dreamed of road cycling it. Next spring I plan to take a trip out there to ride this pass. Even on the other side there was this old route that looked even more like a European style pass ride. Exciting stuff.
About a couple hours out of our destination we stopped for lunch for a couple reasons. For one I could not feel my legs due to uncomfortable seating position and cramped leg space combined with a desire to never stop no matter what. In time however, we got hungry and I was near death. I found this burger place on the outskirts of McCall (I think that’s were we were) and had a veggie burger and a load of fries. it was spectacular and very good. this supper would prove to be the extreme fuel I needed for the race.
With new found joy in our full bellies we headed out once again. We in so much bliss that we missed our camping destination and before we knew it we were at the race site. We had three options, go back, find a motel, or camp at the race site. we set out for the race site and after numerous attempts at finding the proper turn off we were excited to find others camping at the start / finish line.
The next morning we awoke to people arriving and the race was on. My friend made me some “AWESOME” coffee and it is this elixir that I raced with new found vigor. It made me so fast I finished as the top expert rider. My friends also had great rides and we all agreed that this race is a “keeper”. I cant wait for next year.
We decide to take a new route home and it saved us 1 hour from the previous route. We traveled over to Salmon and then up to home ground. That route is very beautiful. I snapped off some beautiful shots from the passenger side of our trip-mo-bile.
During this trip home our first goal was pizza. It so happens that there was no pizza joint for hundreds of miles and by the time we discovered a pizza place we were about to devour each other. We were so hungry that dreams of what the pizza would taste like danced in our heads and conversations while we watched the cook SLOWLY prepare our feast. the pizza was awesome!
We got home pretty late and already I was thinking about the Mountain Bike race in Pocatello. I had previously planned to race the “Tour of the Bitterroots” this weekend but after experiencing a “REAL” mountain bike event (something we are lacking here in our beloved state) i am now courting the idea of going to Pocatello next weekend. As of now I am pretty much planning on it with some camping and other rides in Idaho for the holiday weekend.
Hello from my apartment in Missoula Montana as I prepare for today’s trip to Idaho. I have laundry to do as well as a training ride so today will be real packed with excitement and chores. Before I leave town I am struggling to keep up with pictures taken and this batch gets me 50% up to snuff. I still have Sunday’s bike races to get up but in the meantime here are some photos for your breakfast.
These photos were taken Saturday afternoon when my uncle took me to the races. I was in town (Billings) for Sunday’s Beat the Heat MTB race and there was no better way to get my head into the racing game than attend a dirt track for some racing action. In the end I had consumed a polish sausage, a bag of burned popcorn, and plenty sunshine. Oh yea! And 200+ photos. I hope the ones that I decided to keep are enough, you be the judge
Today was one of those days that you wish you could frame and hang on the wall of your heart forever. I spent it at Grandma’s, and let me tell you, it was nothing short of magical. Not in the Harry Potter kind of way, but in the warm, fuzzy, homemade cookies kind of magic. The kind that only grandmas can conjure up.
Being at Grandma’s is like stepping into a world where time not only slows down but sometimes, it feels like it’s taken a seat right beside you, just enjoying the moment. We talked, laughed, and yes, ate—oh boy, did we eat! Grandma’s cooking has this way of making you forget about the world outside her kitchen window.
And here’s a little confession: I’m behind on uploading photos. I know, I know, in this digital age, that’s almost like saying I forgot to breathe. But hear me out. Spending the day at Grandma’s, soaking in every story, every laugh, and yes, every single one of those delicious cookies, I couldn’t bear to look away, not even for a moment. Not even for a photo.
But don’t worry, I’ve stored every detail in my mind’s eye. From the way the sunlight danced through the kitchen curtains to the soft hum of Grandma’s voice as she shared stories of yesteryears—each moment is etched in my memory. And honestly, isn’t that where the most precious memories live?
So, while I might be a tad late in sharing those snapshots with the world, I’m perfectly on time in the moments that truly matter. And maybe, just maybe, that’s the real beauty of spending a day at Grandma’s. It’s not about capturing the perfect photo; it’s about living in the perfect moment.
Tomorrow, I’ll try to sift through the photos and share a few. But for tonight, I’m content with the beautiful day that was. A day at Grandma’s, a day well spent.
Boneshakerbike 