Category: Blog Posts

Good morning from another work day in Missoula Montana where the sun is out but will be gone in moments for the beginning of another snow event.  Let’s hope not as I am planning a three hour adventure down the East Side Road.

I cant believe that just two years ago today I did not even have a working mountain bike and I was going to race in Billings in the near future.  I just got done riding the Flesher Pass and was blogging about my idea to get the Trek going.  Folks, this is pre Leader.  What a difference two years make.

Last year I was getting chased down by Mike in the Montana Velo Road Race. That reminds me, I saw Mike last night on the trail and he is selling his mountain bike.  This news is so depressing.  Isn’t it funny that there are more road bikers here but less roads to ride and in contrast more trails to ride but the least amount of mountain bikers.  I am comparing Missoula to a place like the Flathead Valley where the road riding is awesome and the mountain bike trails thin. Oh discordia!

This weekend we (tentatively building a list) are going to Boise to race my mountain bike, anyone want to join us.

Win In Polson [photos][montana cross blog]

I went to Polson with a friend to do the test race Speedwagon Classic. It was a good race with 20+ finishers.  It looks like next year we may have a sanctioned event. There was no entry fee and after the race was a big barbeque in the organizers back yard. It was a huge success even though the organizer was disappointed that the highway department decided to grade all the gravel roads in the county a couple days before.

We all started out at a very easy pace and I spun up the first grade realizing everyone was just letting me be there and drafting. After a couple corners and some rollers we started to pick it up a notch. I tried my best to stay safe from doing any big efforts at the front.  Still though, I did get out there a couple times to push the pace.

A couple break-aways happened but there was not intent on pulling them back.  I made a conscious decision not to lead such a charge.  In time we reeled them in and started hitting the gravel road sections.  Rocks flew every where and some riders backed way off.  A small pack of us slammed through the gravel and it seemed as if this was going to be the strong group to the end.

On the second gravel stretch everyone slowed and the more they spun the more they fish tailed around.  I selected a bigger gear and floated out in front. Every gravel section I would put major time on the pelaton.  On every pavement section I would look back to see that the group was getting smaller and smaller until I saw only two.

I survived the last pavement section (I had knobby tires) and went into the gravel confident I could pull off a win. There were no more pavement for a chase group to catch me on and I was faster in the gravel. Suddenly on a riser I crashed.  I had gravel in my knee, a bruise on my butt cheek, and my carbon handlebars seemed damaged.

I was able to continue to ride but the wind was gone out of my sails. I made it to the final climb and it almost ended there.  I did not have the gears for a steep gravel climb. I was hurting from the fall but I managed to slowly make it to the top and take the win.

Big Ride Yesterday [photos]

Yesterday I went to the Blue Mountain Recreation Area for some mountain biking.  I found all the lower and most upper trails in great shape.  I spent three hours and hit eery trail.  It was truly a great endurance ride. It was so nice to be out on the trails again.

Big Race This Weekend [link]

This weekend is the Coyote Classic down in Boise Idaho.  This is a AMBC race and I am looking forward to the great course.  Last year I went down with friends and had a great time.  Lots of good memories.  This year I hope for the same. I have friends all thinking about making the trek down I am just waiting for all the confirmations so we can plan a travel strategy.

That’s bout it, have a good week!

Uploaded new pics at Bill’s Photo Oasis! Walked at Maltby Lakes, capturing swans, geese, water, and island scenes. Added some unique shots too. Check them out, rate, and leave feedback. Your opinions help me choose bestsellers. Thanks!

Still under the snow … every one! Hello from cold, rainy, snowy, windy, crappy, and miserable Missoula Montana.  You know what?  I am getting sick of cleaning bikes.  It seems that by the time I have cleaned the bike after the ride and washed all the muddy clothes, I just fall into bed around 11 PM.  I need sleep and I cant seem to get it.

Last nights ride was up Miller Creek Road. Check out the map! I started out pretty well and got to the start of the climb up Miller Creek Pass at just over an hour.  I think someone once told me it could not be done.  It’s definitely not 20 miles.

I could go no further so I turned around, went back to Missoula, then climbed up Pattee Canyon Road.  That did it and I arrived home at the 3 hour mark and around 42 miles (cross bike).  I was afraid last night would turn out to be another hypothermia event but with a bunch of layers all I got was wet.

Tonight is the TNR at Rattlesnake.  I plan to do some training and meet up with the group a little later.  Anyone going?  Lets do a poll … when will we get three days solid sun?

Looks like my name has popped up in the Montana Kaimi, a paper published by the students of The University of Montana, Missoula. The peice by Hugh Carey is short but sweet (due to my awesome time) …

“Nearly one hundred racers from around the nation, many from Missoula, participated in the GrizzlyMan Adventure race Saturday in the Mount Sentinel and Pattee Canyon areas. The race requires running and biking through approximately 18 miles of backcountry terrain with 3,500 feet of vertical climb, plus navigating a portion of the course with a compass and a map. Competitors navigate through unfamiliar terrain to checkpoints; midway through the course they pick up bikes, which take them to the finish line. …The average finish time was about three hours, with overall winner William Martin coming in at 1 hour, 46 minutes, 50 seconds.”

http://www.montanakaimin.com/

I promise to be more of a literal blogger soon and maybe even give my accounts of the Grizman Race, but I just started walking again after being crippled for three days and it will take me time to get things going again. How about a three hour dirt (mud) road bike ride tonight up Miller Creek?  Let me know if you want to go!

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