Saturday I went through with a ride that started off in the low 40s and pouring rain. Totally trashed the Turner but got in 3 great hard efforts thanks to Carbo Rocket. Something about that stuff that makes me like training no matter what the weather.
Ok so the above photo was not taken last night but it was recently and on the same trail that the Thursday Night Ride did last night. We were 7 strong when we met in town to do the prologue up the Fire Road and into Crazy Canyon. By the time we reached the Crazy Canyon Trailhead I counted over 25 people milling about in the parking lot. Some were friends and some from other groups but one thing was certain, last night was a good night for mountain biking.
The group split up a little as some were actually with another group and some of us just were kind of off on another trail for some reason or the other. Soon we were all on the climb up University Mountain and we all strung out all over the mountain as we displayed our numerous abilities to climb. Zephanie and I gradually caught everyone by the end of the climb and proceeded to do some extra climbing while we waited at the top. Both times she kicked my rump to the top but only because I reached my workout threshold and had to slow down.
I have been out of Carbo Rocket since last weekend so I started to lag by now and this is a good thing because I realized how the stuff keeps me fueled and not only that refreshed and consistently recovered.
We all descended the ridge and the flowers were out in a powerful force of beauty. Most everyone managed to go down the headwall near the end of the ridge and most impressively was Zephanie as she had NO rear brake
Last nights ride I decided to see where that little trail on top of Huckleberry Headwall went, not good, big hike to the top of the ridge. Big physical expenditure.
But the ride down was … interesting. Got home feeling a little ragged due to not taking some Carbo Rocket with me (only water). At least I didn’t get lost until 1 am this time
This upcoming Sunday I am thinking about Smoking The Bowl for six hours. I am thinking a 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. effort. If anyone is interested check out the map and give me a holler. Going to need some Carbo Rocket because this bowl smokin will make ya thirsty not to mention the munchies for Kettle Chips “Lightly Salted” 🙂
My training description is, “Off-road with several long climbs. Ride climbs in heart rate zone 3, flats in heart rate zone 2 and recover on descents focusing on efficient riding. Be smooth, be fast. Keep pace steady and strong through entire ride – no fade today! Start smart and finish strong! Fuel consistently and keep stopping time to a minimum. Only a few 1-2 minutes stops all day – no extended breaks. Eat, drink and change clothes while you are on the move.”
Thanks to L. Dent and the Thursday Night Ride site for a map of the loop. http://tinyurl.com/l5tmn8 or TNR MAP here. Stats look like 1:27 minute hours thanks Ed loops (8.99 MPH for 13 miles) 2,699ft per lap!
If that isn’t your cup of mud and want to go hard I am also thinking of a road bike ride called Skankaho Spank Your Crank from Red Barn Bikes in Hamilton on Saturday. This one is the most tentative. In any case Saturday will be a 3.5 hour Zone 4 effort day.
Don’t like the sun? Join me for a midnight ride Friday night as I will be doing a test run on the Zepher Trail for 2 hours in the dark
10 hours 25 minutes.
85.66 miles
18,919 feet of climbing
Sunday I set out on a local lap that I call “The Rattler” it is a 17 mile loop with 3,900 feet of climbing per lap. It is a brutal lap and lots of dismounting and extreme climbing up routes that are usually only been rode as down-hills. http://tinyurl.com/therattler
My plan was to ride zone 3 on the climbs and zone 2 on the flats for 9 hours with minimal stops to only pick up hydration (Carbo Rocket). Until now I have been doing these long rides in zone 2 and training for 24 hour pace. So I was pretty hesitant to go so hard on the climbs.
Other participants were Dave, Zephanie, and Chad although a couple dudes showed up on Saturday but declined to come back out Sunday. Next time I
Hello from a slightly cold but sunny Missoula evening. I just got done hiking out on Waterworks hill on a trail I call Orange Street Trail. I am headed off to bed but first I thought I would drop a blog.
A new batch of Carbo Rocket came in the mail and it is a new formula. I am excited to try it and see if the Rocket can actually be improved. It has double the ingredients and some glutamine. Tomorrow is the Thursday Night Ride at the Ravine Trail but the real test will be this weekend as I hammer out 9 hours of zone 3 bliss.
I am currently experiencing a a reoccurrence of a past health problem so my fingers are crossed that I irritated a nerve or something and this weekend I will be free to ride.
With that excitement in the future I have my mom in mind as she is in what she calls re-hab. She broke her leg in three places and could not take care of herself. Dad couldn’t take care of her so someone intervened and took action and placed her in a center that re-habs seniors that cant take care of themselves. I imagine one day I will crash my bike and be in the same boat. One thing that bugs me is that she says that as soon as
Hello from a sunny and FINALLY warm Missoula Montana. I am sitting in my car outside work making some hard decisions. I have slipped from economic recovery in my world to slip sliding back down the slopes of homelessness. Isn’t it one thing after the other?
Its not the end of the world because there are others who suffer worse than me. I just have to tighten up the buckle some more and suspend all activities that cost even the slightest bit of cash.
I still have enough resources to train for about two more weeks and by then I hope to maybe be able be close enough to the worlds to just coast on in. Not what I really wanted to happen.
So I am stuck in the best place on the planet if you have a mountain bike
On Saturday Zephanie B joined me to hit all the trails in the Pattee Canyon area just a couple miles up the road from my apartment. Click on images for larger view. First order of business was to check out University Mountain and we handled that pretty quickly.
Next we bombed down the ridge and went up Sentinel to see some hand gliders prepare for take off.
The rest of the day we spent exploring new routes towards the Miller Creek Drainage. At the end we finished with a big run down the Sammy B. Saturday my totals were55 miles in 5.5 hours and 9,000 feet of climbing. Did mostly in zone 3 on the climbs and zone 2 when things flattened out (very rare).
Sunday was a little more serious and I had to practice my solo pace with pit stops. I made up a course called the Jumbo Juggernaut (http://tiny.cc/bdTsE). A 15.5 mile loop with almost 3,000 feet of climbing. It was freaking hot as for the first time Missoula got into the 80s. I definitely mis judged how much water to carry per lap and by the third lap I was dragging my tongue. Some of the Bozone crew showed up to ride some of it with me and Zephanie came back for more punishment. Ended up finishing the day with 61.5 miles in just over 6 hours and 12,100 feet of climbing. And that ends my account of last weekend. Oh yea, then there was Happy Hour at the Bridge Pizza after
Today was a great day out on the trails. I took off from Missoula going up the Fire Road Trail up into Patte Canyon. Spent the first hour doing all those trails
Then I went down thee Deer Creek Sneak and over to Marshall Canyon. There I proceeded to get lost (on purpose) as I explored new trails. I even found that single-track that drop to the road just by the Marshall Grade Access.
By the time I got up Marshall Grade to the top of Three Larch I had run out of time and had to bomb down Woods Gulch and come home. Looking forward to tomorrows 5.5 hour ride
Saturday morning my friend and I headed out bright and early for Lewistown Idaho. For those of you that never made the trip down highway 12 you are missing something. Absolutely beautiful. This was our 4th trip to this race venue and I was the lone mule (Team Muleterro) in Idaho this weekend.
We arrived and got into one of the little cabins along the Snake River. I highly recommend this option and if you go in on it with someone it can be almost as cheap as a camping site. I called up Chad at the Red Barn Shop to see if he was coming, the weather was fabulous. Then I loaded up with Carbo Rocket and potato chips and hit the race loop.
After loop 1 I did a little excursion below the cliffs and found the most exotic trail with views of some wild volcanic structures. Enough play time, I finished up with 6 more laps for a total of 7 for the day (6.5 hours). I even had enough time out on course to talk to someone about doing the Butte 100 (Triple Ring Productions). I am happy to announce two people gave me a
Forget “tooting” or the symphony of the nether regions – I have to admit, the title just tickled my funny bone like a toddler’s giggle. The Barking Spider Mountain Bike Race in Nampa, Idaho this weekend had my name on it, and let me tell you, it was a doozy. Racing, driving to Butte, six hours of dirt-slinging fun, and making it back home in one piece – challenge accepted! (Check out the pics – they’re worth the click!)
First off, I nearly missed the whole shebang if it weren’t for Bob and Triple Ring Productions. Big shout-out to those guys for squeezing me into the first race of the season. Cheers! So there I was, fueling up at the Travelers Rest, prepped for my Idaho escapade.
Seven hours later, I found myself camped out in the back of my car – surprisingly comfy, considering my bed situation at home is basically a glorified hammock. Slept like a log, or should I say, a sleepy spider.
Sunrise greeted me, and I was on a mission – spreading the word about the Butte 100 like a seasoned flyer-posting ninja (thanks for the tip, Triple Ring crew!). Carbo Rocket fueled my veins, and soon I was ready to tackle the trails.
Gotta say, my Turner was a rocket on two wheels that day. Thanks for the nudge away from that “other” bike, Chad (Red Barn Bikes, you da man!). After an hour of messing around, it was game time. Back at the car, I see a Dirt Coalition tent popping up next to me. Talk about irony! I was trying to join their squad, but now I’m thankful for the trusty Turner. Gave a couple of “what’s up” nods to my friendly rival, you know, the one I was secretly plotting to dust.
The starting gun fired, and so did my competitive spirit. I took the lead, settling in for a scenic race through Southern Idaho. Then, boom! The DC dude rockets past me, making his grand move. I dug deep, chasing him like a cheetah after a gazelle. We battled it out, pushing each other to the limit, conquering climbs and bombing downhills like possessed mountain goats. We even lapped the pro group who started a minute ahead – no big deal, right?
Eventually, I found myself solo, the Turner eating up the trail, leading me to first place in my category. Overall, I snagged third, but wrong category for the prize money. Oh well, still a win in my book!
Next day, I’m in Butte, Montana, shredding Pipestone with my crew for six glorious hours. My efforts earned me a sun-kissed souvenir (read: sunburn), and I’m hoping my buddy Rich isn’t suffering as much – dude was looking like a lobster afterwards!
So, yeah, that was my weekend. A whirlwind of racing, camaraderie, and maybe a touch of sunburn. But hey, that’s the beauty of mountain biking – pushing your limits, soaking in the scenery, and maybe making some new friends (and rivals) along the way. Now, excuse me while I go slather on some aloe vera…
Alright, so you’ve got a pretty packed schedule before hitting the road for Boise! Sounds like an adventure. Here’s the game plan:
Let me know if we’re gonna cross paths! Would love to sync up.
Decided to treat myself to a dose of pedal therapy, taking my new bike, affectionately dubbed “Ghost Rider,” out for its inaugural jaunt. The atmosphere was crisp, painted in the rich, late afternoon hues that make you feel like everything’s ticking along just fine in the world… or so I was led to believe before the “Ghost Rider” chronicles kicked off.
As Tuesday dawned, I was all set for another escapade with Ghost Rider. Yet, something felt off-kilter. The bike seemed… perturbed? Almost as if it held a grudge against me for abandoning it to the mercy of the night’s chill. I brushed aside the eerie notion, blaming it on my lack of morning coffee or perhaps the daring choice of breakfast—an expired yogurt.
By Wednesday, I was firmly convinced of a conspiracy. Ghost Rider appeared to have acquired a taste for unexpected adventures, transforming a simple errand run into a comprehensive exploration of the neighborhood. It reminded me of those tales where vehicles possess their own will, except it felt less “Christine” and more “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” with a twist of rebellion.
Come Thursday, the plot indeed thickened. Stepping outside, I was met by the sight of my old bike, Leader, “staring” back at me. If bikes were capable of expressions, I’d bet it was shooting me a look of utter disdain. Could inanimate objects harbor jealousy? If so, Leader wasn’t just envious; it was scheming—a bicycle rendition of sibling rivalry, if you will.
And now, it’s Friday. I’m semi-convinced that my living room, which has become the new abode for both bikes (because really, who needs furniture amidst such two-wheeled melodrama?), has morphed into an arena where they vie for their owner’s affection.
So, am I losing my mind, or have I accidentally found myself in a Pixar film where objects carry emotional baggage and vendettas? I’ll let you be the judge. In the meantime, I’m on the lookout for a bike exorcist or, failing that, someone interested in trading a queen-sized bed for a gently used, possibly spirit-possessed bicycle. Oh, and if you ever find yourself in Bozeman, drop me a line. We could form a convoy—you, me, and my bicycle nemeses.
As for helping your friends Paul, Lucy and their children visit Missoula, I’d be happy to provide some suggestions. Here are a few ideas:
Let me know if you need any additional information to help your friends plan their trip to Missoula!
The Epic Hunt for Zzz’s: Mattress Adventures
Ah, the quest for the elusive good night’s sleep—a journey I didn’t anticipate being quite the saga. Think less Hercules battling monsters, more me wrestling with air mattresses that have a penchant for dramatic deflations. Picture the scene: for three long years, my bedroom floor and I have been on uncomfortably intimate terms, punctuated by the occasional sojourn on a futon and a parade of treacherous air mattresses. The latest blow in this saga of betrayal? A $30 air mattress that fancied itself the Titanic, embarking on a maiden voyage straight to the floor, leaving me, quite literally, on the ground.
But wait, a plot twist! In my most sleep-deprived hour, a knight in shining armor (or, you know, a good buddy from Bozeman) emerges, offering me a queen-size box spring and mattress like some kind of sleep fairy. I’m ecstatic—albeit a bit loopy from sleep deprivation—about this turn of events. The only snag? Figuring out how to transport my newfound treasure from Bozeman to Missoula.
Thus, I’m putting out an SOS to any road warriors making the trek from Bozeman to Missoula. Let’s strike a bargain: you help my bed-in-waiting catch a ride, and I’ll be eternally grateful (or at least until the next mattress-moving day dawns).
While we’re at it, if anyone’s got the scoop on where to find a queen mattress for a steal—or, let’s face it, for as close to free as humanly possible—give me a shout. I’m all done with the air mattress tango, dancing through the night only to wake up closer to the floor. Let’s sort this sleep saga once and for all, so I can shift from dreaming about air mattress disasters to, well, anything else.
Saturday I loaded up my beetle and set out for Polson to do the Speedwagon Classic. Matt Seeley started the race last year and this year we were able to do the loop he had in mind [http://tinyurl.com/swagon]. This year my friends Chad (Red Barn Bikes), Erik, Corey, and Andrew attended as well. Fun times!
Things went well for me except for one tiny setback. On a wash-board downhill I lost all my Carbo Rocket (Doh). I was able to snatch up some water at the unique
Boneshakerbike 