Author: Bill

The peloton has the big hitters this week and today the two finishers came across the line in a dead tie. It looks like I will be crowning two champions today. The race started last Tuesday when I placed my annual bicycle parts order. I placed them all at the same time to see who was the fastest. The line up included the usuals. Jensons USA , Performance Bike , Price Point , and some dude in CA (eBay).

Today around 3 the two leaders finished and it was just to hard to tell when one hit my stairs first. So this years unofficial winner is Price Point and Jenson USA. I was quite suprised to see ol Jensons USA keep with the all time leader Price Point. Here are the final results:

1. Price Point (5 days, 5 hours)
2. Jenson USA (finished with leader)
3. Performance Bike (still to finish, probably 9 days, or so)
4. Dude in CA (DNF, lost on course)… dude ripped me off.

I got to Missoula Bicycle Works at 10:15, thinking I had time for a warm-up before the race at noon in Clinton, about 20 miles away. Realizing too late how far it was, I had to maintain a 20 MPH pace to arrive on time—and I made it.

I raced in the B group, not quite pro but eager for a challenge. The race began smoothly, with a pace line quickly forming. Despite only a few of us taking turns at the front, I pushed hard, even taking multiple shifts leading.

Ultimately, the sprinters took the lead in the last kilometer. Despite my efforts and leading the peloton for most of the race, I got boxed in during the final sprint, finishing in the top 10 but with my legs spent. The 32-mile race was flat, but smoke in the air from local yard burning gave me a headache, and the ride home against Hellgate winds was tough.

Exhausted, I struggled with recovery, my body cramping and refusing food after a smoothie. Tomorrow, I plan to tackle Saint Joseph pass and do some laundry, reflecting on today’s race. Despite the challenges, I’m optimistic about improving my strength for the upcoming mountain bike and cyclocross seasons.

Good night!

For more on my season highlights, check here.

Yo Missoula! Sipping my coffee at Break Espresso this morning, I had a close encounter with the resident “barista bruja” – let’s just say, free samples weren’t on the menu. But that’s not why I’m here today. What’s really brewing my morning rage is something happening right here in our beloved Garden City: the treatment of cyclists.

First up, a sub teacher gets slapped with a $400 fine for not “keeping right” on his bike after a storm. Seriously? Did someone forget bikes are vehicles too? This jury clearly hasn’t felt the wind in their spokes.

Then there’s the police car casually blocking a bike lane, nearly dooring a cyclist who gets the audacity to remind them to watch out! And guess what? He gets a ticket for “obstructing a police officer”! Talk about adding insult to injury.

Remember the Missoula we knew? The one where cyclists roamed free, wheels singing the sweet song of freedom? Now, it feels like we’re public enemy number one, even as the roads get more dangerous for us every day. I moved here for the cycling community, the shared love of two wheels and fresh air, but lately, it’s been smelling more like exhaust fumes and frustration.

Rant over. (For now.) Taxes and the Missoula Bicycle Works training race in Clinton await. But before I hit the road, remember: watch out there, folks. Especially from those who seem to have forgotten the rules of the road, or haven’t learned them at all. Let’s keep Missoula a city for everyone, two wheels or four. Peace out! ✌️

P.S. No shade to Break Espresso, just the “barista bruja.” And hey, have you tried their lavender latte? It’s a game-changer.

Hello from a expedited atmosphere here in my apartment in Missoula Montana.  I am late for work but wanted to post a blog to say hello to all my friends and suggest that I may be ok.  I am hoping to feel good enough to go for a workout tonight … maybe a light Tie Bo session or something.  I have been Ill with the flu for the past two and a half days.  It has not hit me as hard as my co workers, one of which is in the hospital.

I have also been able (with the help of the flu) to get my bike parts order in for the season.  Jensen USA, Performance, and Jensens were my final purchase points. You say support the local shops … well you don’t live in Missoula.  It would be a nightmare to track down what I needed.

So anyway there is good news all around.  Ill feel great when I am over the flu and I have bike parts on the way.  Enjoy your week everyone.

Howdy, folks! Bill here, recovering from an epic ride up and over Lolo Pass from Missoula. I just rolled back home and practically crashed into bed – this week off couldn’t have come at a better time!

Now, I have a confession to make. Yesterday, I was feeling a bit rough around the edges, but you know what they say, “When the going gets tough, the tough get biking!” So, I decided to tackle the ride anyway. This marks the third year in a row I’ve taken on this beast of a challenge.

Here are the stats from my previous Lolo Pass adventures:

Year	Distance (miles)	Time	Climbing (feet)	Blogs
2005	52.38	3:00	3,085	Lolo Pass 2 Idaho & Big Cedars and Cold Waters
2006	75	4:30	8,999	Lolo Pass Road Ride
2007	76.21	4:36	8,771.7	No blog this time, but I promise to finish that last one soon. Been on the bike a tad too much lately!

It’s been quite the journey, and each year brings its own set of challenges and triumphs. If you want to check out the route from yesterday’s adventure or relive the past rides, head over to this link.

Second time’s a charm, they say, and Paul and I proved it by once again turning the mountains and local haunts into our playground for a week. It’s like our own version of a spring break movie, minus the questionable decisions and plus a lot more snow.

Day Off Shenanigans
This year, I went all out and took a whole day off work to prep for Paul’s grand entrance. I tidied up the place and unearthed my ski gear, buzzing with anticipation for the skiing escapades and culinary adventures that lay ahead. I was battling the vacuum cleaner in the living room when I realized it was time to rescue Paul from the airport. At 10 PM, I was so zombified from exhaustion, I could have been an extra on “The Walking Dead.”

Paul’s arrival kicked off our spring break with a bang. We made a beeline to the nearest store to stock up on essentials: beer, wine, and snacks. Then, back home, we let our imaginations run wild with the possibilities of what adventures we’d embark on first. After consulting “The List,” we collapsed into bed, slightly buzzed and thoroughly excited. Thursday seamlessly morphed into Friday.

Epic Breakfasts and Lolo Pass
Our Friday began in the lazy, leisurely manner only late nights and good company can justify. We lived by our golden rule: “No plans shall be made until breakfast is devoured.” Our initial target, Rattlesnake Gardens, was a bust for breakfast, leading us on a culinary detour to the Rocky Mountain Grill – a decision that turned out to be nothing short of brilliant. Between my heap of savory goodness and Paul’s pancake feast, we created a breakfast sampler that was a sight to behold. Fueled by this feast, we were ready to conquer EMS shopping and Lolo Pass skiing. My ankle, recently on the mend, was put to the test and passed with flying colors.

Crystal Theater Misadventures
Saturday’s agenda was initially as clear as mud, but over breakfast at Rattlesnake Gardens, inspiration struck. We decided to explore the enigmatic Crystal Theater before heading to a cabin on Little Saint Joe Mountain the following day. Despite getting tangled in the thickets and losing our way more times than I care to admit, we eventually stumbled upon a well-trodden path. The Crystal Theater exceeded all expectations, offering backcountry skiing paradise. Our adventure there was marked by breathtaking views, a loose ski binding repeatedly fixed with Paul’s trusty Leatherman, and a mental note to find the trailhead more efficiently next time.

Adventures on Little Saint Joe
Sunday saw us teaming up with our buddy Ethan for a hike up Little Saint Joe Mountain. Despite the looming threat of rain, we pressed on, rewarded with stunning views of the Bass Creek Crags peeking through the clouds. Our evening ski was the highlight, with gusting winds and fast-moving clouds creating a dramatic atmosphere. Yet again, my ski binding became the bane of my existence, threatening to derail our fun.

Braving the Storm
The real adventure, however, came with an unexpected turn toward the existential. Amidst a brewing storm, a strange compulsion drove me to consider summiting alone, embracing whatever fate the mountain had in store. This dramatic moment, thankfully, passed, and Paul and I regrouped, narrowly avoiding an avalanche zone in our descent.

Warmth and Farewells
Our spring break wrapped up with a rest day filled with hikes, coffee shop lounging, and a hearty dinner at the Iron Horse. Paul’s departure marked the end of an intense, unforgettable four days. As I gear up for cycling season, I’m reminded of the power of friendship and adventure. Until next time, I’ll keep adding stones to our “Wish You Were Here” pile on University Mountain, hoping it doesn’t grow too large.

Hello everyone from sunny and warm Missoula Montana. Last weekend I traveled to Lewiston Idaho and competed in the Devils Slide Mountain Bike Race.  Here is my story.

Saturday morning I woke up and for some reason decided to spend extra time cleaning the car.  A simple clean-out turned into a complete vacuuming and washing of the interior.  After this spring clean fit I was able to finally get out of town at around 11AM.

The trip is the usual windy road 50MPH affair except I was worried that the conditions in Lewiston were going to be wet and cold, worse yet snowy. As I went over the pass into Idaho I watched the inboard thermometer in my car.  150 miles to go and 32 degrees … oh no. 100miles to go and 45 … getting better. 50 miles to go and 50 … ah yes.  My worries were unfounded and the day turned into a 58 degree and dry day.

I arrived and got nestled into the cabin that my friends had graciously reserved.  The cabin was a stones throw from the course. At about 4:30 I set out for a pre ride.  After an hour and a half I was totally exhausted from riding great singletrack and just playing in the dirt.  I was in heaven.

M friends showed up later and we enjoyed a great cabin experience complete with front porch and warm temperatures.  We watched Wallace and Grommet and tucked in for a pre race sleep.

The next day did not disappoint in the weather department.  It was a balmy 60 degrees with gusty winds. The weekend was already a success but there was one more thing to do … Race!

At the start I notice that there were 11 pros that would start 2 minutes before the experts.  I turned to my racing compatriot Mike Longmeir that out goal was to catch the pros.  The gun went off and so did I.  O got a slow start but within 100 feet I surged ahead and headed into a dusty 4 foot wide trail (horse trail).

The wind was blowing very hard and I thought to myself that I had gone too early.  I thought the pack would just stick together and wait for me to tire.  So I turned it down a notch.

We approached the first climb and I spun up without going too hard.  I looked back.  No one! Now all I had to do was keep upright, have no mechanicals, and not flat for two and a half laps.

At one point I hit a corner in  the wrong gear and had to do a run up. Other than that it was pure fun.  I was leading the race which totally surprised me.  I decided to enjoy every turn of the crank and I did. I was able to hang on to the great pace and finish strong.

After the race my friends and I hit the Pizza parlor for the traditional post race pizza.  The drive back was hard due to the lateness of the day and I said goodbye to my traveling partners on top of Lolo Pass and dashed for home.  Now I have yet to unpack the car.  Maybe Ill do that before my friend flies in tomorrow evening for Spring Break.

Rolled back into town from Idaho last night and practically crash-landed straight into bed. The car’s still packed, and my place is a testament to my absence. Got some juicy news tucked up my sleeve, but I’m keeping that card close to my chest for just a bit longer. Let’s just say, the trip? Pretty darn fantastic.

But oh, how quickly the tides turn when Monday rears its ugly head. Work’s gone back to its old tricks, stirring up a storm that’s got me reminiscing about the days I nearly threw in the towel. It’s like I’m stuck on a merry-go-round of chaos, and it’s dawning on me that jumping ship might just be the only way to keep my sanity intact.

So here’s the lowdown: Idaho was a blast, and work’s a bust. I’ll spill the beans on the good stuff eventually, but for now, I need to marinate in my little victory and catch some Z’s. Tomorrow, I’ll come out swinging, but tonight’s agenda? Sign off, unwind with a solid flick, and let the world wait.

Hello from the landrymat. I just got done changing the oil in the car. I also gave changing the air filer a try. I am blogging via PDA so pardon the mistakes. So I changed the air filter and it was harder than changing the oil. I am glad that nightmere is behind me. I had to take off the engine cowling and numerous other apartis. I even had the headlamp off at one point. Now I am sitting here waiting for the wash to get done so Marcy and I can go for a hike before we get groceries. I call them ‘the chore’. Oh! They are done … take care every one!

I was up this morning enjoying a cup of coffee and planning my day.  It had snowed and I was wondering when spring would make it’s surge.  The first race of the season is this week-end in Lewiston Idaho. Today is also “pay bills day” so that was poking at my thoughts.  All that and I wanted to get on to blog about the big graupel storm.  Then the power went out!

I thought to myself, “Where is my headlamp”. Then I proceeded to cook up breakfast using my camp stove. The only minor annoyance is that I burned my toast.  Getting ready for work went on without a hitch.

Last night my ride was interrupted by a graupel storm.  The little pellets kind of hurt my face and for a while Rattlesnake Drive was not viable. Between the deer all over the road and people trying to get home after work it was quite busy.  It was a nice fun ride and after leaving most the population behind the snow covered road was un-driven and silently peaceful.

Today is the first of the month and boss #2 is stirring up stuff at work making a job hunt once again present in my mind.  I think I’ll take my vacation early! If only I can make the weekend without a major stress event so I can enjoy the first race of the season. I am hoping that a good weekend will also smoothly transition into Spring Break when I have a friend come to Missoula for some mental rehabilitation … wow, I just had a urge to watch Wallace and Grommet.

Howdy, y’all! It’s your favorite pedal-pusher, Bill, strapping in for a breezy two-hour jaunt down Route 200. Got my eyes on the prize: hitting the lodge by 8 PM sharp for our little pow-wow tonight. Catch ya on the flip side!

…Fast Forward Two Hours…

7:50 PM: Just wheeled in from the frosty escapades on Blackfoot, sliding into eChat with seconds to spare. My fingers? More like frozen fish sticks than anything human, and trying to type is like waltzing across a keyboard in ski gloves. It was chillier than a Yeti’s icebox out there, folks.

Kicked off at the crack of 5:30, soaking up every last ray of sun. About 9 miles short of Bonner, I bumped into a gang of road warriors – and I’m not talking about cyclists. Picture this: 15 rams, lined up like they own the place. And from the tales I’ve heard, these guys could give a junkyard crusher a run for its money.

Seeing them hog the road, I wasn’t about to play chicken. Some daredevils in cars just whizzed past, not giving a hoot. One joker even honked at me, like I was the one causing a traffic jam. I sent them the most cordial “how do you do” with my frostbitten finger as I could. After a Mexican standoff with the woolly blockage, I zipped past and made it back in the nick of time.

If you’re itching to get a glimpse of where this chilly showdown went down, hit up the map link. Till we meet again, keep your digits toasty and those wheels spinning!

I was just about to fall asleep when I got this leg cramp.  Well since I had to get up to jump around and scream I thought why not blog today’s ride.  Today I rode to Lolo Pass from Lolo.  It is a 66.1 mile journey with around 5,000 feet of climbing.  It is all up then all down.  From warm dry roads to freezing slushy mountain pass with 6 feet of snow covering the sides of the roads.  They actually dig out the signs it gets so deep up there. The ride back can drop your body temperature and send you into a shivering mess of discombobulation.

I left town and the roads were dry and I was thinking I over dressed.  At around 1.5 hours I started the climb to the pass and it started to snow and the roads were wet.  It took me 30 minutes to make the climb and it was quite amazing.  I had never did a pass in such bad conditions … well since Chief Joseph Pass last year at least.

On the way down I flatted and I had to change a tire in the worst possible place.  Just after the downhill when I wet wet and cold.  It took me the rest of the ride  to warm up.

I approached town a head wind tested me to the maximum.  I did make it and just barely. Now I sit here ready for bed calculating my week of training. It looks like I did 12.5 hours total training but the biggest increase is my elevation gain for the week is at 9,300.  Oh yeah! I missed 200 miles by just 8.1 miles but by far the largest week this year.

Overall in the saddle I am ahead of last years training but far behind what I usually did back in the 90’s when I rode with a passion. In the time spent training department I am not far off my old efforts.

Now I go into a week of rest in preparation for the first race of the season in Salmon Idaho.  I am all set, just have to change my oil and get my camping gear all set. I hope everyone had a good weekend.

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY, A DELIGHTFUL JOURNEY THROUGH THE ARCHIVES:

2007: I Just Keep Ending up Here! – A cozy moment at the Break Espresso, savoring a Carmel roll and a cup of Joe, a simple pleasure amidst biking adventures.

2006: Turah Turah Ride Tonight – Reflecting on a great training ride to Turah and back, feeling good all the way home compared to a previous exhausting experience.

2006: New Pictures Uploaded – The challenge of organizing and uploading pictures likened to herding caffeinated cats, all while chilling at Break Espresso.

2003: What I really Want – A moment of technological simplification, desiring only the essentials like a new camera and a powerbook for summer adventures.

2002: Emotional Alchemy – Sharing the anticipation for a book called “Emotional Alchemy,” following an outstanding mountain bike ride and a need for rest.

This curated list of blog posts offers a glimpse into my biking adventures, poetic reflections, and life’s simple moments, painting a vivid picture of the journey through years.

Hey there from my trusty spot at Break Espresso, yes, again. I couldn’t resist the siren call of their caramel rolls, which, against all odds, tasted fresher than my optimism on a Monday morning. And the coffee? Let’s just say it’s the kind of cup that makes you wonder if it’s too late to send a thank-you note to the inventor of coffee. It’s one of those days where the simple combo of sugar, caffeine, and a cozy corner is enough to make me feel like I’ve got my life somewhat together. Here’s to finding small victories in the form of baked goods and a decent brew!

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY, A DELIGHTFUL JOURNEY THROUGH THE ARCHIVES:

2006: Turah Turah Ride Tonight – Reflecting on a great training ride to Turah and back, feeling good all the way home compared to a previous exhausting experience.

2006: New Pictures Uploaded – The challenge of organizing and uploading pictures likened to herding caffeinated cats, all while chilling at Break Espresso.

2003: What I really Want – A moment of technological simplification, desiring only the essentials like a new camera and a powerbook for summer adventures.

2002: Emotional Alchemy – Sharing the anticipation for a book called “Emotional Alchemy,” following an outstanding mountain bike ride and a need for rest.

This curated list of blog posts offers a glimpse into my biking adventures, poetic reflections, and life’s simple moments, painting a vivid picture of the journey through years.