Category: Blog Posts

Good morning. Are we getting more snow? According to the news, we are. The ground in Missoula has been white and frozen for 11 days without a warm-up. For me, this is not welcome, and I was not ready for winter as it was. It’s these conditions that have made running, training for a half marathon, treacherous.

I have been running the treasure trail and just completed a three-day half marathon. I did 13 miles in 3 days, totaling 2.6 hours. I covered 1,900 feet vertically, and the conditions were snow to packed snow and ice. That’s a slow pace, but conditions are not good. My plan next is to put that distance into two days this weekend, rest, then a long ten miler before the actual race. Last night, I was glad to be facing two days off from running because I sat in the tub, sore and with a blister that needs a break. I talked to my grandma on the phone about my new training goals and this year’s holiday bash at my aunt’s.

My aunt Paula has a party during the holidays once a year, and it is the most fun and best party around. It is the highlight of the season. She usually ships in Lobster and Crab from Alaska, and there are enough “adult” beverages to put down an elephant. In preparation for this event, I finally got the photos from last year posted in my Picassa Gallery.

Well, it’s spinning (indoor cycling) tonight and then a complete house cleaning, so I better run. Oh yeah, my apartment gets “looked at” tomorrow, so I have to clean it up. I think my landlady calls it “appraised,” whatever that means.

Last weekend’s tele ski trips left me with a souvenir – blisters on my heel. But there’s no rest for the weary, as I gear up for the Freezer Burn Half Marathon just a week and a half away. Sitting here, I gaze at my bikes with a mix of love and longing. I miss the thrill of the ride, and I’m itching to assemble my winter rig to conquer snowy roads and trails on two wheels.

The training doesn’t stop, though. Last night, I embarked on a 5-mile journey up into Crazy Canon. The night was so luminous, I didn’t even need a light (though I’d forgotten it anyway). That run started to test my limits – my legs aching with a blend of soreness and fatigue. But the plan must go on. Tonight, it’s a 3.5-mile run, an essential step towards nailing the half marathon in just three days.

After that, I’m giving myself a two-day breather. Then it’s a 13-mile weekend challenge, followed by another short rest. I’ll cap off my preparations with a hearty 10-miler next week. It’s a tough regimen, but the finish line is in sight, and my spirit is undeterred. Bring on the Freezer Burn!

I just put in workout #2 in preparation for the Freezer Burn Half Marathon in two weeks. But not before a cup of Big Ring Coffee by 53X11 a local company (visit the web site). I won this coffee at the State Cyclocross Championship. This is good coffee folks and given my form tonight it is just the ticket for a winters night workout. The coffee smells great and has a good taste as well.

Tonight I ran with Marcy up the Treasure Trail for about 4.5 miles. I know, far cry from 13 but baby steps first. I know the fitness is there because I can ski up a mountain for 4 hours without rest pretty easily. Tonight I felt good and did not feel like it was hard. No body I know is going to do the Freezer Burn yet but hopefully someone will see the benefit in freezing their ass off.

Good morning! It’s back to work, and I’m wrestling with the urge to pick up the phone and declare, “I quit! I’ve decided not to work anymore; instead, I’m just going to exist.” Ah, Mondays… they can be so brutal. Maybe that’s why I’m feeling a bit off-kilter today.

This morning, I was tending to the blisters I got from tele skiing twice over the weekend. I think I clocked in about 12 hours on the slopes. So, as I was prepping a bandage (they stick better on clean skin), I reached for a new bottle of rubbing alcohol and… surprise! There was a “protective seal” to break. Really?

What in the world survives in rubbing alcohol? If anything, I’d use this solution to clean something contaminated. It’s not like I drink this stuff. This is akin to our government’s “protective” measures with homeland security. Yeah, sure!

Well, it’s back to work for me, and there’s also the nightly decision about exercise. I’m thinking a 4-mile run to prep for the half marathon in two weeks. This weekend, maybe I’ll hit Lantern Ridge. Any takers?

Terrain Distance (approx): 7.6 miles
Climbing Distance: 3,600 feet
Highest Altitude: 9,800 feet
Trip Time: 6.1 hours
Difficulty: 3-mile hike, windy and harsh on top, easy glades coming down but short
Maps: Google Map, Topo Map, Google Earth
Photo: Picasa Album, Slideshow, Video

Hello from “City Brew” in Missoula. I have just posted the photos from yesterday’s ski trip to Trapper Peak. Paul, I hope you enjoy these. Today I am just hanging out, doing chores, and watching football. If you are not doing anything, head on over to my Picasa gallery to see the photos.

Trapper Peak is in the Southern Bitterroots (click to see map). We did not encounter the snow we did at Lolo Peak two days ago, but the skiing was good nonetheless. We went up about 3,500 feet in about three hours and then came back to the trailhead. After the ski, we did a simulated “Deer Camp” – i.e., build a fire and drink beer. The trip took us a little over 6 hours.

I’m thrilled to share that my mom has recognized my passion for photography and has sent one of my photos to her local weatherman. It’s a wonderful feeling to know that my work will be appreciated by a larger audience, and I’m grateful for her support in showcasing my hobby in this unique way.

Hi my name is Dorlene Buckey and my son sent me this picture by email that he took and called it snowman waiting to cross the street.  It was taken on wed. when Missoula, Mt. got a lot of snow.  I thought you’d enjoy it.  Love all the work for animals and charities  you do and keep up the good work on the weather. ~Dorlene Buckey 

GREAT PICTURE! I LOVE IT..NOW THAT LOOKS COLD..THANKS AGAIN ~BRAD

Brad Wills is the weatherman at KYMA.com (BWILLS@KYMA.com).

Terrain Distance (approx): 9 miles
Climbing Distance: 2,823 feet
Highest Altitude: 8,694 feet
Trip Time: 5.4 hours
Difficulty: Easy skin up, last 2 miles very technical coming down
Maps: Google Map, Topo Map

Hello from ‘City Brew’ in Missoula. I have just uploaded some pictures from yesterday’s trip up Carlton Ridge.

The first tele-ski of the season was on Thanksgiving. My friend Ronnie and I skied up from the Mormon Peak Trailhead. The lower gate stays open until the end of hunting season, so this trip was a treat. We skied up Carlton Ridge and then topped out on the high point to the West (Northeast of Lolo Peak) at 8,694 feet. [link to topo map of high point]

After the ski, I went to the Brown’s house for Thanksgiving Day dinner. The feast was prepared by their daughter, which was fabulous, and it was nice to see them. After the feast, we settled in for a movie called ‘Ratatouille.’ After some pie and coffee, I was home for a good winter’s sleep.

So here I am, planning to do Trapper Peak tomorrow and finishing up my coffee. Have a good weekend, everyone.

Tonight I started training for my first half marathon. I am planning on running in the Freezer Burn in three weeks. Tonight I ran 3 miles up the Mount Sentinel Fore Road in our new blanket of snow. There were others before me but no ground to be found. I felt good physically but the joints were complaining coming down. It took me a little over 30 minutes. Tomorrow I plan to do a 7-hour tele-ski so I must turn in for that.

The final standings (link here) are out for the 2007 MBRA Cross Series. I finished out my season with three 3rd place finishes, including the State Championship (see photo to the right). I ended up in 2nd place for the series! 🙂

So, that’s it! I am thankful for a great season of cycling. At the beginning of the season, I wondered if I would ever get to feel what it was like to win races again (like old times). I am thankful to have won quite a few races this season. I am so glad I was able to race with the group this year instead of behind the group like last year.

So, if you’re saying, “How selfish” … I will say that I am thankful for all the friends who shared in my experiences. As we all know, without someone to share it with, it just sucks. So, I would like to shout out to Ross, Nancy, Lydia, Emily, Alden, Ronnie, Mike, John C, Larry, Lisa, Alex, Julie, Kathy, Dianne, Keith, Aron, Garland, Josh, Charlie, Paul, Idaho Racers, everyone who reads this blog, and all the Montana Racers I got to know.

Everyone is gone at work today, gone to their families for the holiday. Me, I am going to go freeze my ass off tomorrow … something wrong with that picture. Tomorrow it looks like I will be heading up Carlton Ridge with my friend Ronnie. I think the plan is to tele-ski. Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

“The battle to keep body fat at bay during times of celebration and feasting – that’s the latest challenge. It’s already underway. My weight has gone up by 4 pounds, and my body fat has increased by 2%. With about 6 hours of training last week and a constant influx of calories from celebrations and the natural temptation to indulge during the holiday season, the struggle begins. I keep telling myself, ‘When New Year’s arrives, I’m definitely going to hit the training hard.’ Nevertheless, I must remind myself that I’m still a full 12 pounds lighter than I was at this time last year.

Yesterday, I woke up to a picturesque blanket of snow covering the ground (you can check out the pictures below). I heard one forecaster mention that it’s the most snow the valley floor has seen in quite a while. We don’t typically get this much snow down here. It was the perfect opportunity for me to ski to work. Did I seize it? No, I opted for a mountain bike ride instead (see the photo on the right).

Now, what’s next on my agenda? I’m contemplating training for a half marathon in December known as the Freezer Burn. Last year, I participated in the 5k race and came in second place (you can find the results and photos on their website). I do have pictures from last year, but I haven’t had a chance to process them yet, and I’ll try to get to that soon.

The 2nd Annual HHP Freezer Burn”

“This is it race fans! The Montana State Cyclocross Championships will be held this Sunday November 18th at Historic Fort Missoula. As a Championship race, double points will be awarded and State Championship Medals are on hand for the top three places in all categories (provided the rider is a resident of Montana and holds a USA Cycling Road, or Mountain License). We will have a separate race for the Men’s A field slated to start at high noon, while all remaining fields will have staggered starts beginning at 11:00 (depending on turnout, some fields may be combined). We are making final preparations and are on target for a great day of racing.

A couple of housekeeping items- 1. My phone number is 406-546-6759 (cell), 2. Fort Missoula is located off of South Avenue West, not South 3rd Street. There are several ways to get to the Fort, but the easiest directions are to take Reserve Street (Highway 93) to South Avenue West. Traveling from the north, you will take a right onto South Avenue, from the south, you will take a left. Traveling west on South Avenue you will go past Missoula Community Hospital and then past soccer playing fields (on the left hand side of the road). The road into the Fort is immediately past the playing fields on the left. If you end up seeing Target Range School, you have gone too far.

Once inside the Fort Missoula Complex, look for the Kona Bicycles Tent (registration).

The weather forecast for Sunday is Cyclocross perfect. A chance of rain showers. Cloudy, with a high near 41. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Bring your embrocation.

I look forward to seeing everyone at the race. If you have any questions do not hesitate to ping me.” ~Mike Beltz

Mike Beltz
Race Promoter
Northern Rockies Orthopedics Cycling Team
406-546-6759
mbeltz|at|gcs-research.com

Last weekend, I finally bought some cookware. It’s the first time I’ve owned real cookware. While house-sitting, I used my friend’s stainless steel to make Annie’s Pasta. What a pleasure it was to cook with real equipment. It set my mind a-dreaming. How nice it would be to have a fry pan and a pan for pasta/popcorn.

Previously, I only had a small set of camping cookware. My friends can testify to this, especially Paul, who had a rough time trying to cook at my place in Missoula during spring break. Well, now I’ve bought some stainless steel. I feel like I’ve finally arrived!

The past couple of days have been rough, though. My first use of the stainless pans was a disaster. Everything stuck so badly that the meals were ruined. I even retrieved my old pan, a cheap Big Lots find, from the trash. I knew to use lower heat, but things still stuck.

However, this morning I think I’ve mastered the new stuff. I used very low heat and fried up some breakfast. Ah! The clean taste of food cooked in olive oil on a non-Teflon surface.

Today, I’m off to see the doctor and afterward, I’ll take my cross bike out for a couple of hours into the Bitterroots. I might even snap some pictures. It hurts the pocketbook to take time off work, but I need to see the doc… and he’s in Victor. It’s only natural to take the rest of the day to play, right?

Howdy, Missoula mavericks! Calling all thrill-seekers and brew-loving bandits, because this blog post is serving up a double dose of adventure – and maybe a side of adrenaline rush! ‍♂️

Yesterday, yours truly and my trusty riding buddy Larry decided to tackle a long-awaited loop: the Reservation Divide Trail (RDT) in the Nine Mile Valley. With mountain bikes loaded and spirits high, we embarked on our journey, ready to conquer miles of trails and maybe even snag some epic views.

Fast forward an hour of uphill grind on Edith Peak Road (let’s just say our glutes got a serious workout!), and bam! Larry spots a sight that makes your heart skip a beat – a majestic mountain lion strolling up the road right behind us! Talk about a close encounter of the wild kind! This was my first Montana mountain lion sighting, and let me tell you, it was both exhilarating and a little nerve-wracking.

After this unexpected wildlife welcome, we reached the RDT and started tackling the single-track towards the peak formerly known as Squaw Peak (SQP for short, and for the sake of this blog!). The trail lived up to its reputation – rooty, rocky, and oh-so-technically challenging. But hey, that’s what makes our adrenaline pump, right? The only snag? A thin layer of ice on the rocks added a touch of precarious fun (or maybe terror, depending on who you ask).

Despite the icy challenge, we reached the crossroads just a half-mile shy of the SQP summit. With the wind picking up and snow flurries starting to swirl, we decided to switch gears and descend down the alternative trail. Let me tell you, that descent was pure downhill joy – fast, flowing, and over before we knew it!

With our legs buzzing and smiles wide, we rolled back to our trusty steeds parked near the ranger station. And what better way to end an epic adventure than with burgers, beers, and fries at a local Nine Mile Valley joint? As Larry perfectly summarized, the day was a masterpiece of “vigorous new un-ridden scenic loop, perfect timing, refreshing snowstorm, mountain lion sighting, and post-ride grub with a side of Grizzlies on TV!”

So there you have it, folks! Another Montana adventure etched in memories and fueled by sweat, camaraderie, and maybe a touch of wildlife excitement. Remember, even the most planned adventures can take unexpected turns, and that’s what makes them truly unforgettable. Until next time, keep exploring, keep adventuring, and keep an eye out for mountain lions on the trail!

 
Sent to me by my friend Ronnie! I am not sure about the source.

I am lucky to have a friend like Paul and in many ways he is more of a brother to me than anything else. I met Paul Bardis on a mountain bike ride in Plattsburgh New York. I was riding with my girlfriends counselor who invited him to come along as well. We started doing all kinds of mountain bike adventures and eventually lead to Adirondack High Peak bagging .

When Paul left to come to Montana for school he gave me his car and it is with that car that I started to travel around New England becoming a mountain bike racer.

When he came back we enjoyed Montreal , New York City , and Burlington adventures as well as hiking in Vermont .

Now that I am out here in Montana he visits with his family once a year and it is a time I enjoy the most.