Category: Blog Posts

Big shoutout to Don for the level-up: Hats off to USA Cycling, folks! They’ve bumped my road racing license from the newbie ranks of category 5 right up to 4. Now, I’m all for the thrill of early-season races, but let me tell you, nothing zaps the fun out of it like being greeted with eyerolls and those “Oh look, another sandbagger” comments at the starting line. You see, I’ve been perpetually stuck in cat 5 purgatory, not because I’m a slouch, but simply because I couldn’t cram enough races into my schedule to climb the ranks. But then, bam! At the state cyclocross championships, I somehow managed to snag third place overall. That’s right, third! Doesn’t exactly scream “novice rider,” does it?

Now, there’s a darn good reason they make sure you’ve got some miles under your belt before they let you race on the road – it’s a whole different beast compared to the forgiving trails of mountain biking. Just the other day, I got this notification from the man, the myth, the legend – Don Russell himself, granting me this upgrade. And while landing in category 4 might not have me doing cartwheels, it’s a step closer to my ultimate goal: category 3.

Why this sudden obsession with road racing, you ask? Well, in the wilds of Montana, bike races are as rare as hen’s teeth, so I grab ’em whenever I can. Feel free to chime in with your thoughts!

Epic Road Rides Alert This Weekend: Just so you know, I’m plotting two epic out-and-back road adventures this weekend, both kicking off at the civilized hour of 1PM from their respective launch pads. Open invitation, folks – join me if you’re game. We usually stick together like a happy little peloton at the start, but eventually, it’s every rider for themselves, cruising at whatever pace doesn’t make your legs scream in protest. I plan on setting a brisk pace, though.

Lost Trail (Saturday): http://tinyurl.com/27ekme
Georgetown Lake (Sunday): http://tinyurl.com/293b2k
I’ll be caffeinating at City Brew each morning, so drop me an email if you’re keen. For those of you who decide everything last minute, give me a ring. If I’m not home, the answering machine will happily listen to your life story.

Hope to see some of you there!

Ah, the sweet siren song of payday echoed through my life today, and what did I do? I marched right out and renewed my racing license. The quest for sponsorships this year? A resounding echo of crickets, my friends. So, here I am, flying the flag for Team Solo (a.k.a., the self-sponsored warrior).

In a valiant effort to stretch those dollars, I scoured the earth for the most wallet-friendly racing jersey known to mankind. And voila, to your right, behold the glorious ensemble. Found a steal on Price Point for a cool 30 bucks (link omitted—still a bit salty they ghosted my heartfelt sponsorship plea).

And let’s not overlook the pièce de résistance—the team bottoms, also courtesy of Price Point. Yes, my derrière will be gracing the most budget-friendly piece of fabric out there. Fingers crossed my backside outlasts the durability of these bottoms. On the bright side, racing results under USA Cycling will list me as Un-Attached, a fancy way of saying I’m flying solo without any team or club ties. A shoutout to all the underdog racers out there—surely we deserve a discount on these license fees, right? If only that $90 fee hadn’t been a barrier, I might’ve joined a bike club instead.

But hey, no use crying over spent cash. The season is upon us, folks! So here’s to the thrill of the race. Bring it on—the track awaits us!

Yesterday was a teaser of what could’ve been a glorious outdoor adventure, but alas, duty called with an indoor strength workout that just couldn’t wait. However, the real party started afterwards when I got to tinker with my buddy Paul’s bike. It’s shaping up pretty nicely, if I do say so myself.

Now, here comes the plot twist—tonight marks the grand premiere of the TNR (Tuesday Night Rides, for the uninitiated) season, and guess what’s making a dramatic entrance? Our first spring snowstorm, right on cue. It’s like deja vu all over again, mirroring last year’s soggy start to the riding season, complete with a side of rain that seemed to put a damper on everyone’s spirits—and attendance. Let’s cross our fingers and hope we’re not about to hit replay on that dreary tune!

The sun eventually made its comeback, completely transforming the day. The only souvenir from the earlier chill is my frozen fingers. Tonight’s ride took me up Miller Creek Road, which is quickly becoming my favorite. The photos really say it all. Covered about 26.1 miles, with 40% of it on dirt.

There is a lot of snow in the passes, but nonetheless, yesterday’s weather made the runoff-covered roads not so bad as a select group of friends and myself rode from Lolo to the Pass, 33 miles uphill. I actually went on into Idaho deeper so that I could do my annual ride up the pass on the NW Passage Scenic Byway.

Ross took a half-hour head start while I waited for Bill S. to arrive at the meeting spot. The day was marvelous, and the usual wind coming down the valley was pretty much calm. It was a beautiful day with sunshine and great temperatures. This was the first ride since before Thanksgiving that I have done without a jacket. I heard rumors that it may have reached the upper 50s yesterday.

We found Ross pedaling away at Lolo Hot Springs, then at the chain-up area before the actual climbing began Bill S. stopped for some grub… I took on the climb in hopes of dashing my previous record of … hmmm … well, I know I have never done it in under 2.5 hours (stats). So I topped out at about 2 hours even if not a couple of minutes over (time was not accurate because of the riding around I did waiting for the ride to start).

I refreshed, ate a snack, and bombed down the Idaho side. I paused at the bottom for some great views and snapped off a couple of photos. I was such a tourist! After taking it all in, I hammered out the climb, which did not take long either.

I set off on a tempo ride back to Lolo where I just caught up to Bill S. as he was driving away at the parking lot. He reported a great first ride of the season. Not long, I arrived at Ross’s house to discover that Ross had a great day and hammered out the 66 miles in style. For me, I had cycled 78.9 miles in all and felt pretty fresh at just 4 hours and 15 minutes in the saddle. A great ride!

Next week! Training Camp at Lake Como … anybody want to come?

The content reflects a deep passion for cycling, endurance challenges, and the spirit of adventure. It’s inspiring to see individuals push their limits and embark on such extraordinary journeys. The dedication and determination of the participants shine through in these engaging narratives.

If you’re a cycling enthusiast, these links will provide you with a wealth of information about challenging biking routes, personal achievements, and the incredible spirit behind these adventures.

Citations:
[1] https://www.adventurecycling.org/resources/blog/one-big-circle-the-first-90-degrees/
[2] https://williammartin.com/mountain-biking/the-rmvq/
[3] https://www.ridethehiawatha.com/the-trail
[4] https://www.komoot.com/guide/44269/road-cycling-routes-in-montana

Hello from City Brew as I watch the sun come up over Lolo Peak.  Today is a good day for a ride and ride we will, over Lolo Pass to Idaho (check out the map). Yesterday’s training ride was tempo and was going great until BANG! I broke a rear spoke and had to hobble home.  I felt good because it would force me to put on the new Neuvation wheel that the president of the company sent me to replace this one before what had just happened, happened.

Waver Report and Award

Yesterday’s wave report was much better than the previous one where I got 0% wave back from other cyclists.  Yesterday I got 4 wave backs and 2 non wavers (screw them).  One of them I yelled at because not only did he not wave he gave me the “look”.  This weeks Waver of the Week is Shawn Radley of MontanaCycloCross.Com.  He not only waved but he said “Hey Bill” … awesome.  We should all be like Shawn, it will brighten up our road riding world here in Missoula. Head on over to his site and say, “hey” back.

Taking a day off training doesn’t mean just lounging around—nope, not at all. It’s all about those chores and taking Marcy out for her hikes. “Active rest” is the phrase of the day.

So, what’s on the agenda today? A bit of riding, and… well, what else do you really need? Tomorrow’s the Lolo Pass Ride, and it’s an open invite. Speed doesn’t matter; it’s all about soaking in those stunning views and enjoying the ride. Let’s hit the road and make the most of it!

Just two days ago, I was battling hypothermia in a snowstorm. Contrastingly, last night’s ride was in sunny, warm weather, albeit brief. For a detailed route of this stark change in adventure, See map.

I did face a challenge running out of roads. Aiming for a three-hour ride, I ventured out towards and beyond Frenchtown, only to return and discover I had ridden for just 2:15. Next time, I’m pushing to 9 Mile. I’m riding all weekend—anyone up for it? Don’t let your hesitation hold you back; it’ll catch up by summer!

Good morning from Missoula Montana where today is stacking up the be a great day for a road ride.  Tonight, 3 hours … anyone? Give me a holler! Yesterday I woke up to another white coating of devil dust but lucky for me (specially after the Hell Ride) I had a indoor power workout planned.  I am feeling a bit tired and it is good to feel.  It only means the season is right around the corner.

Last night’s training spin quickly morphed into an epic saga of man versus nature. Dive into the map of my route to see just how the adventure unfolded. Not long after leaving the comfort of town, my rear wheel began its own rebellion, threatening to end the journey before it truly began. Yet, against the whispering of common sense, I pressed on, a decision that would later haunt me as night fell.

Do take a moment to check out my ordeal in technicolor in the Picasa Web Albums, especially the “March 4th, 2008 – The Hell Ride” album.

Riding through Blue Mountain was like willingly diving into a cold, wet embrace. The idea of cutting the ride short danced in my thoughts, especially after a downhill section left me shivering and my bike beginning to resemble an ice sculpture. Despite having the perfect opportunity to call it quits at the Mullan Road intersection, I stubbornly decided to soldier on towards Frenchtown. It wasn’t long before my heart rate monitor and cycle-computer gave up the ghost.

In an adventurous (or perhaps foolish) spirit, I took a detour down Deschamps Lane, a path I’d always been curious about, leading to Roller Coaster and eventually, home. This decision, however, did little to stave off the cold.

By the time I was making my way back to Missoula, the cold had seeped into my very bones. Attempts to eat for warmth were futile; my face was too frozen to chew. My bike and I became one with the ice.

Upon finally arriving home, I stripped off my icy armor and sought refuge in a hot bath, which quickly turned into a chilly soak thanks to my subzero body temperature. I was a human popsicle. But the night pressed on—warming up, bike maintenance, laundry, and then, finally, bed. The paltry 4.5 hours of sleep I managed to snag should be hitting me any moment now, hence the brevity of this blog. Do check out the photos; they’re quite the frozen spectacle.

My friend Ross and I embarked on a three-hour ride up past Lolo Hot Springs and up to the Pass. I did not do the pass but saved that for next weekend when I have a 75-miler over to Idaho planned. I just posted photos of that ride over in my Picassa Web Gallery called “2008 Spring Training” so go check that out.

And another winter weekend has passed, and now we must turn into the wind and enjoy the ride. Anyone want to sponsor me?

The content reflects a deep passion for cycling, endurance challenges, and the spirit of adventure. It’s inspiring to see individuals push their limits and embark on such extraordinary journeys. The dedication and determination of the participants shine through in these engaging narratives.

If you’re a cycling enthusiast, these links will provide you with a wealth of information about challenging biking routes, personal achievements, and the incredible spirit behind these adventures.

Citations:
[1] http://picasaweb.google.com/boneshakerbike
[2] http://picasaweb.google.com/baldwina/RMVQ2010?feat=directlink
[3] https://www.adventurecycling.org/resources/blog/one-big-circle-the-first-90-degrees/
[4] https://williammartin.com/mountain-biking/the-rmvq/

Hello from the City Brew where I just attained my second round of scone and coffee. I figured out how to do what I like and get Marcy out as well. I have my goodies here then right after we head right down the street to a new hiking trail at the very end of Orange Street. It was all fun until I went on my ride yesterday.

My bike fell the other day and the levers got caught in the door of the oven handle (you had to be there).  I thought nothing of it.  Well yesterday I went a cruzin and when I went to shift the entire lever froze. I stayed up all last night trying to fix it.  The verdict …. broken.  Since a new set costs over $300.00 (even on eBay) I will be without shifts for the season.

Going on a 3+ hour ride up route 12 today … anyone in?

Good morning. The weekend is finally here as well as rain, snow, and high winds.  Looks like today’s time trial will be a trial.  I just realized the slight difference between trail and trial … a trail is a trial of skills!  lol!

The trial on the trail this year is finding mountain bike race support.  As you know Missoula doesn’t have a mountain bike team.  Montana seems to be comprised mostly of road racers. To race in these parts it takes mullah. Gas and long drives to races makes for a costly endeavor.  I have been looking for support.

Hammer Nutrition has fallen through as well as all my other prospects.  The closest thing I can find is a team up in Kalispell called GREAT NORTHERN CYCLING CLUB.  If I lived up there it would be sweet.  A cool shop that makes coffee and a team that supports mountain biking.  But I live in Missoula, to join would be more of an expense for me. 

I can not afford any luxuries so if thing keep progressing as they are I will be Unattached and racing in some cheap Nashbar jersey.  No worries, the main goal will still happen, getting to race!

Tonight, I got the chores done early and escaped the work week and my money troubles with a hike with my dog, Marcy. We headed up Pengelly Ridge and captured some beautiful sunset photos.

I just uploaded a bunch of photos to my albums “Spring Training” and “Life in Missoula.” Go check them out!

Wondering how I’m going to afford all these bike parts? Anyone up for a road ride this weekend? Give me a call!

The anticipation of spring always has me excited—it’s the perfect time to prep the bikes for racing season. I just received a big order, and the first thing I tested were the new shoes. Initially, they’re really stiff, thanks to the carbon sole, which feels a bit like wearing ski boots without the upper part. They were a little harsh on my ankles at first, but once I got on the bike, the power transfer was so impressive that I forgot about the discomfort. I guess they’re just not meant for casual shopping trips. Fingers crossed they’ll be more comfortable by cyclocross season!

Anyone up for a ride this weekend? I’m also thrilled to finally finish working on Pabby’s bike. It’s going to be awesome!

So there I was, pedaling like the wind on a training spin, right? Just zipping off the Scott Street Bridge when bam! I hit this gnarly storm drain hole. Now, most wheels would’ve thrown in the towel, but my shiny new Neuvation wheels? Nah, they just shrugged it off like it was nothing. But then, back at the ranch, I spot a flat spot on the rim. Tried to play the hero, fixing it up, truing it and all, but ended up with some spokes looser than my grandma’s dentures, making the whole wheel wobble like a jelly on a washing machine.

In a stroke of genius, or desperation, I shot an email over to John Neugent at Neuvation Cycling, expecting maybe a “good luck with that” kind of response. But color me surprised when he comes back offering a refurbished wheel for just 50 smackeroos. Considering the alternative was shelling out more dough than a bakery to rebuild it or forking over 200 big ones for new wheels, I was over the moon. Big shoutout to John!

If you’re ever in the market, I’m telling you, Neuvation Wheels are where it’s at. They’ve got your back like a best friend with a pickup truck on moving day.

Headed to the South Hills, that’s where the adventure took me tonight! I embarked on a journey via Lower Miller Creek Road, looping back via Miller Creek Road itself. Before rolling back into town, I took a detour down Garrett Street and meandered around the South Hills, really soaking in the vibes. And speaking of soaking, the weather decided to throw a little tantrum halfway through, serving up a fine drizzle. It’s like the sky just couldn’t hold back its enthusiasm for my outing.