Category: Blog Posts

And then some! Today it is raining out and heavy too.  I am planning a 6 hour ride tonight as well as I prepare for some endurance races.  How does one pay bills and do back to back 6 hour rides?

Yesterday I hammered myself and it took an entire pint of vanilla ice cream and berries to fully recover last night. Do you want to recover from a 6 hour 66 mile off road epic ride?  Sleep 10 hours and eat some ice cream!

So there I was about to embark on a journey that I had done before (check out the Grave Creek Growler Page) but today I planned on seeing how much further I could go until I hit the six hour mark (my weekly time budget).  I would follow my Vision Quest Epic  that I am planning. This endeavor would set the weekly climbing record previously set at 10,999 feet in February. This week I would accumulate 11,300 vertical feet of climbing and it was this big ride that put me there. And … I got some photos and videos along the way.

After climbing for an hour and 20 minutes I reached my first check point at mile 12 with almost half of Sunday’s climbing in the bag at 3,225 feet. The next leg took me over the Grave Creek Range which is a ridge that runs all the way to Petty Mountain.  I made it to check point 2 at mile 27.3 (9,8 from CP1) at around 3 hours since I had left home.  All downhill from there to Dry Gulch!

As I headed down to Dry Gulch I switched from CarboRocket to Cytomax and to my surprise it seemed that Cytomax wasn’t keeping pace and I started to slow down. This was surprising but could be attributed to all the climbing in the Grave Creek Range.  There are three REALLY steep climbs that put me at the 171 beats per minute range.

From Dry Gulch I pedaled my way across the valley floor to the Point Six Road. I reached the gate/parking area at about 5 hours and felt toasted.  After eating a baggy of potato chips I was ready to rock and roll.  This was the first time I used potato chips and to my surprise they REALLY worked.  I am not kidding.

I had run out of time before I got too far up the Point Six Road so I turned and left for home base.  Once home I crashed the rest of the evening and ate ice cream.  Ahh the first epic mountain bike ride of the summer and I only ran into two snow banks.

For immediate release (Missoula): According to some pretty reliable sources from the Team Unattached camp, Bill Martin is being let go and has been dropped from the team.  According to the team manager, “After Bill’s display on the road scene we need to distance ourselves and regain our high quality of racing exposure.  Plus he just damaged one too many jerseys.  I mean … a bird flew at him and he crashed … common!“.

Bill hit the ground running and was voted in immediately by the exclusive racing Team Muleterro. Not everyone gets this opportunity to be voted into this exclusive racing  organization and according to one board member Bill is a, “stubborn MULE headed perpetium consuming mother. AMule!”.

We caught up to Bill training in the hills of Missoula. “Everything happens for a reason and I believe that I am right where I need to be at this point in my career. You only get one chance to ride with a team that has such a rich spiritual connection with high mountain passes and the extreme athletic performances that drove those mule trains into the heavens“.

It was good to get in the dirt last night with the group.  The results are mixed, uphill no problem, downhill another story.  lots of “OUCH … OUCH” on the way down. I just posted 4 photos from the ride. 

For some reason I was not in a photo mood.  There was a group of people out in the Rattlesnake that were definitely in a party mood.  On the way down he went by huge crowds of cheering bikers.  it was like being in a world cup … felt awesome.  I cant wait to race again!

My fitness is coming around and I am way past my April 21st fitness and quickly approaching a point were I left off.  I plan to rest two days and do a Galena Grinder preview here by doing the Grave Creek Range Growler all out on Sunday. 

I am hoping I found a band of dudes to be a part of (Team).  It’s all top secret and I have to be voted in.  It is a under-ground cult where I will have to go through some extreme hazing to get in.  I think as part of my initiation I have to toilet paper John Curry’s house … lol … (not really John).

I am now out the door to the doctors in Victor.  Have a good weekend!

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!

The new plan strikes a balance between us bikers, nature, and hikers with dogs. I’m thrilled to speed down the new part without slowing on the lower half. No more dodging dog mess there! Plus, the uphill road in the upper area will turn into a trail, which is neat.

Greetings from Missoula, as I return to work after a three-day period of rest. Today, I’m embarking on a fasting day, part of my plan to shed the healing weight gained during my ankle recovery. It’s likely to make me a bit cranky – a contrast from yesterday’s energy. Today I’m slow, yesterday I was fast.

It’s like reaching the top of a climb only to descend again. Now, I’m beginning the ascent once more. But it’s the journey that’s the most fulfilling, right? Yes!

However, today also brings sadness. Last night, I learned of the passing of a member of my “personal” family. This person held a special place in my life, commanding great respect. My best friend, deeply affected by this loss, is dealing with it while I’m not there to offer support.

It’s times like these that remind us to cherish the journey. Achievements are fleeting, but the journey is constant. It’s important not to waste it. This is what we often learn in moments of loss and reflection. Enjoy the journey, always.

And I am not talking about the good kind! Good morning from the City Brew (it’s a holiday, don’t know where to go). I am about to take Marcy hiking on the trail up the street (hopefully the sheep are not there).

I am simply known as the “Blueberry Scone Dude” and I am starting to take offense to it since I have become aware that I am 10 lbs overweight. Very sad day … Just call me Fatty!

City Brew Stats…
Music: Classical
Current Read: Joe Friel’s Blog
Window View: Cold, cloudy, and windy
Toilet Paper Dispenser: Status unknown
Population: 6
Bandwidth: Awesome
Sconecount^new: 1

I have noticed that I am sluggish on the bike. When I stand up I can not do it for as long as I used to.  It is not the injury either, it is something else, something that is making me mash instead of pedal.  It is weight, yes, this morning I stepped on the scale and was horrified to find and extra ten pounds since my injury.  That is ridiculous! Eat to heal is a bunch of bull shit and as of today it is over.  No more eating!

Yesterday’s ride was in the rain once again but just being out on the bike made me happy. I went up Route 12 toward Lolo Hot Springs for a spin. I went by these cool llamas and their ears reminded me of the peace sign so I gave them the peace sign back.  “Right on dudes”, I yelled to them.  They seemed to say, “peace bro”.

Good evening, its about time for bed.  Did anyone go out and travel this holiday weekend?  Not me and the price of gas is approaching 4 bucks a gallon. My racing season seems to always be in jeopardy.

Before I go off to la la land (remember that place) I am glad to report that I was able to make the ride up Lolo Pass tonight even though it is still raining outside as it has done for the last week. According to the weather it will not let up any time soon.  I am hoping tomorrow I can get out for a road ride.

Lolo Pass still has snow and it is almost June.

I parked at Lolo Hot Springs and rode to the chain up area at the base of the climb. the trick was to have a all out 30 minute time trial up the pass. I topped out at 17 minutes so there goes my AT test, oh well I maintained 168 after ten minutes so I will say that is still my AT … good news.  I still have my high end but I do need to lose some of this fat I put on laying around and sleeping.  Speaking of suck, time for bed!

I only have 17 days to raise $320.00 to race in the 24 Hours of MOAB.

I need to bust out so why not pick the most miserable place.  I will get my bandages wet so I have an excuse to rip them off … just kidding.  I plan to use a garbage bag.  I need to get out and see where my Anaerobic Threshold is so I begin training next week.  I know it is not longer at 168 … or is it! 24 Solo party tonight … anyone in?

Hello from La La land where I just had my traditional scone and brew. La La Land because I have been out of it since my crash. Things are getting more defined and clearer but it is not the same as before, like this desire to do 24 hour races this year instead of cross country events. Don’t know where that is coming from.

This week has been rainy and I have been riding indoors.  Yesterday I visited the doc in Victor. I really don’t know that I have any clarification on some questions that I had going in and in fact don’t even know what I want to know. Bottom line, it seems, is that in 4 more weeks we will know if I need some additional methods needed to repair the damage.  I am hoping that in training I can rebuild the ankle and will not need extra methods. Until then … I have to keep the ankle protected from certain movements.

So what’s up this weekend?  I don’t know.  I wanted to volunteer for the road race in the Bitterroot. What is there to do in la La land? Maybe a big road ride tomorrow, any one interested?

Ho hum, what is up today. It is hard to tell.  Snowing in parts of Montana with totals of 16 inches in some spots.  Some of us will get 3 to 5 inches of rain today.   That is as much as we get all year.  Everything seems weird.  It is supposed to get into the 50s today and I drove my car to work this morning.  Not because I am a wussy but because I cant get my bandages wet.

I am trying to revive an old friend, one that has taken me to two VT 50 wins, my Trek.  The old gal is still sexy with her carbon fiber weave and racy look.  I wish I was aboard her again back in the day.  These days everything is all washed up and down the creek.

The Thursday Night Ride is tonight but I can not attend.  I cant get my bandages wet but most importantly I don’t have a bike that I can go “mudding” in.  It is not summer yet, where is it, heck I am not even looking for it any more.

I heard on the news that gas prices will hit 5 bucks a gallon in a month or two, now that is depressing. Did anyone here that report that it may reach 12 dollars a gallon someday?  That will never happen because most people will find alternatives or just stay home.  I may just start riding to my races again.

*NOTE: “The word doldrums, which is almost always found in the plural, has several closely related senses. The earliest, ‘a dull, depressed mood; low spirits; depression’, is first found in 1811.” ~ D. Schreiber

Good morning from Missoula Montana where some say, “I need to spend more time in Missoula”. “We are the Champions” is playing on the radio right now and there is flooding everywhere (Greenough Park is Closed).  Odd song for early in the morning. My foot feels even better this morning and I have received support from my Missoula bike family as well as some remote members. I see two kinds of blogs, one that is basically a account of someone else’s life and the other an editorial about some aspect of life that I share. Today I would like to blog about others.

There is this blog called Fat Cyclist and the writer is a mountain biker.  His wife Susan has recently taken a turn for the worse. Her cancer has spread to become inoperable brain cancer. Susan has been told that she only has months to live, and Elden and Susan have had to pass that news on to their 12 and 14 year old boys and their twin six year old girls. To help you can buy a Fat Cyclist Jersey or donate to a Pay Pal account. Other people are helping by donating proceeds to Susan’s Fight.

Georgia Gould is a elite mountain bike racer who was leading the NMBS #3 when she fell ill with two miles to go.  She had heat exhaustion. This was an important race and these ladies make a living at getting great results for their sponsors.  Some racers gave up their top ten spots to stop and help Georgia who was in real trouble.

“I also really want to thank Monique Sawicki and Heather Ranoa for stopping to help me on the side of the trail (not heeding my exclamations that I was OK which is apparently what I was telling everyone who rode by and asked how I was doing). Both were riding in the top-10 and sacrificed their races to stay with me until help arrived. It was very selfless of of them and that is one of the things that I love about Mountain Biking- those are the kind of people you get to ride and race with.” ~Georgia

So yea! I can attest to the great people that I can say are there for me when I have a little accident. Julie … I am still working on that loaf of bread … Yum! Garland .. cant wait to watch that movie you dropped off.  Ross … that was a good huckleberry shake! I could spend all day remembering the kindness but I better end the blog and get to work. So today I shout out to all these awesome people!

Hello from Missoula Montana where spring has arrived in force, but I find myself sick this morning. First off, I need to rant since I quite possibly have a fever and swallowing is like pulling a freight train through a garden hose.

A Good Tip

If you’re sick, say with a sore throat or fever, do not visit or come in contact with someone who is trying to recover from an injury.  That person may find out you made them even more sick and will hunt you down.  That person may even physically hurt you.  Do everyone a favor and stay away!

Recovery Hike

Yesterday morning I took Marcy for a hike to work out the injured ankle (doctor told me to). The sun was out and so were the flowers.  I am not an expert but there was balsam root arrow leaf (something like that) and these purple lavender like flowers. No use correcting me because I really don’t care.  I just like them!

Big Ride

There are more than flowers spilling out onto the scene and the yellow snow in Missoula is this tree that has released all these micro flower things and it looks like snow flurries of yellow.  Weird, and if you leave your sun roof down in the car, it will piss you.

So yea! I went on a two plus hour ride yesterday. I went to Frenchtown and back and the day was so beautiful that I did not notice the huge headwind going out.  The best part is when I got back I found a loaf of bread on my doorstep.  A friend had dropped off something “to aid in the recovery process”.  Best of all, it was still hot … yummy!

So now I sit here sick … humm … what the heck?