Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Guest post by the Muffintop

Well, the boys haven't posted since the race, so I thought I'd step in for a bit.  I'm sure they'll give their own thoughts on the race later, but here's my take. . .

Thank you.

Thank you, Big Dave for:
-taking up biking to take care of yourself.  I know it's not easy to take that time and make the effort, but you're doing it.  I'm glad you haven't made it to 200 yet, but you're doing awesome!
-spending more time with Matt.  I'm glad he has you to talk bike with and to bike with--it takes some of the pressure off me.  Now if only you could get a cat...
-trekking all over the country with Matt and dragging your family along.  I love it when you bring Quinn and it was great spending time with Jessica in Colorado.  Couples only trip next time--biking in Oregon?  Someplace with a spa?
-being you.  It was fun riding with you--minus the circle-back-arounds and disrespect of no-talking zones.  Ha.  

Thank you, Bandit for:
-taking up biking to take care of yourself.  Okay, your avoidance of ice cream is slightly annoying and seriously cramps my style, but your body is kicking!  It's somewhat motivating to shrink my muffintop, anyway.
-taking us all over the place on your biking adventures.  Yes, it's often a pain, but overall, a great time.  How else would we know what great places the Duck Hotels are?  The kids will have great memories of canyonballs at Mount Snow, the beach at the Greenbrier, and trampolining in Colorado.  And eventually I'll forget the packing and traveling nightmares.  Eventually.
-being sweet and appreciative of what we give and sacrifice for biking.  A few kind words go a long way.
-always being mindful of staying safe.  Whether it's lightning, riding on busy roads or potential pulmonary edema, I'm glad you err on the side of caution.   I really don't think your life insurance money will keep me in the lifestyle to which I am accustomed.
-being you.  I adore you.

Both of you, I am very proud of you.  You are both great role models for our kids (at least in terms of the biking)--the dedication you show, the efforts that you make and the manner in which you have handled disappointment.  It's so good for them to see you not exhibit poor sportsmanship, blaming, excusing, etc.  I know that you will both get back to training and will learn from any mistakes.  That's such a great lesson for the kids to see your example.

I know you're disappointed, frustrated and probably angry.  I, for one, had a great time at the race with Jessica and we have further refined our crewing strategies.  So if the lottery gods are kind, we'll be there with our cowbells a-ringing next year.  Go Jackrabbit Racing!!!  Let's kick ass at the VT50!

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Leadville Results

Check here.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Check out this interview with Dave Wiens

Look at the second video on this page--pretty cool interview--also, check out the interview with Lance next to it.  Up late, waiting for Big Dave to get here.  Nothing like looking at bike porn late night.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Leadkids--Course Recon

We headed over to Leadville to ride the "flat" section of the course, from the first aid station to the new singletrack section, affectionately called "the goat trail."  I was still feeling pretty beat up from yesterday's effort--my legs were a little sore, so my plan was to do 2 hours of Z1. Cora and the kids came along, and I was amazed how much of the course they rode--the kids rode about 5 miles and Cora probably put in closer to 20.  Some pictures to tell the story...

Although it was surely far beyond a Z1 effort, I couldn't help myself, as the whole family was watching.  This is the mini-hill that we had trouble driving the car up last week.  It takes 53 seconds to ride and 1:19 to walk.  We'll see what the race brings...

I could have sworn this guy usually has horns, wears a red suit, and carries a pitchfork.  "Allez, Daddy, allez!"

My little Leadlady smoking down the hill.

Baby Moose is hot on T-Lynn's wheel--concentrating on his line and wishing for disc brakes.

The whole crew coming into the first aid station--I wonder which one will ride this race for real.

"The best day yet"

We headed over to Leadville early--I needed to do 2 1/2 hours just below race pace.  I decided to start at 6th and Harrison and ride to the first aid station. During last year's race, I rode this section in 2:25--my goal was to better that. My crew brought their bikes and met me at the top of Carter Summit.  

"Hey, Daddy-wait up!"  Pretty cool to see them there-I didn't expect to see them until the end of my ride.  Cora said they were riding up and down the course, having a blast.

As you can see, I looked like shit, and I certainly felt like shit when I finished.  I went 2:19 and felt awful the whole damn way.  The heat, hiking the day before, poor nutrition--who knows? Let's hope that things go better on race day.  I just keep telling myself that it's all a part of the taper.

After we finished up riding, we headed over to Winter Park, which I was told by the kids that it isn't really a park, but it was still the best day of the trip so far. Why, you ask?  The gorgeous scenery going over Berthoud Pass?  The absolutely perfect weather?  Quality family time in the car?  Nope--in a word--TRAMPOLINE--and as a distant second, the climbing wall.

Phoebe's favorite part was repelling down.

Cora couldn't resist and joined Phoebe on the climbing wall.

Bella is a certified trampoline junkie.

Baby Moose pulled off the only back flip of the day in the Jones family.

It wasn't pretty, but he made it.  The kid is absolutely crazy.  Even though I rode like shit, shuttling my little adrenaline addicts around saved the day for sure, and they even topped it off by demanding sushi for dinner.  Gotta love them!  

Jess gets some ink

My boss is almost famous:
Jess in Today's Omaha Woman

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Q-man picking up a 12 out of 17...no age groups...he was one of the youngest.
Chilling with the new Huffy.
Rolling out.

Coming through the finish/lap area. I could only deal with 3 laps today. The heat and my wierd taper legs made me really slow and sluggish. I took 2 hours and 5 minutes to finish what I have routinely done on this course in 1:45-1:50. It was wierd to go so slow on my favorite course and a serious bummer.



Saturday, August 8, 2009

Blast the Mass

We went to Snowmass for the Blast the Mass Mountain Bike Race.  As they say, pictures are worth a thousand words, so I won't say much (for me, anyway).

Lance took the lead on the opening climb and never gave it up.

By the end of the first lap, Lance was even beating the motorcycles.

True to Lance's style, he worked hard right to the finish, even though he had about a three minute lead.

Max and Cora meet Max and Anna, while Linda looks on.

The boys from Moots come to check out the competition for the Shimano Kids Series--they heard that little Jackrabbit can go fast.

Boo and Mook in the fourth turn.

The crowd went wild.

Team Jackrabbit hoofed it out with smiles up the climb.

Go, Mookie, go!

Boo Miles with a strong finish--first in the five-year-old girl category (in our interpretation).

Boo congratulates Max, the winner in the three-year old boy category (yes, yes, in our interpretation).

After the race, we drove through Aspen and up and over Independence Pass. We stopped to admire the scenery.  Phoebe: "Max, do you think we should climb up there?"  Max:  "Up there? Me no think so--my legs are wasted after that race."

Boo Bear climbs like a mountain goat, all to play in the snow.

The view of Independence Pass from halfway up.

Cora and Boo at 12,871.

Friday, August 7, 2009

New Gear

The kids are all jacked up because they got new gloves--Boo and the pose.

Poor Baby Don got dunked in the hot tub by his "sissies"--I thought he was doing a Pee Wee Herman imitation.
 
I got new race wheels from Stan's today--the lightest in the business.

I switched from Stan's Crows to the Raven--the only difference is a little more knob on the sidewall.

The Raven.
Same ZTR race rim--love it.

I was fortunate enough to get a hold of these soon-to-be-released super lightweight rotors from Stan's.  
Going out for a quick hour and a half of climbing....

Varsity efforts--Varsity results!!!

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Yes, yes I'm getting carried away with the videos--if you like U2 and Bruce Springsteen,
check this one out--two of my favorites and one of my favorite songs.
I hope you like it!
Everybody seemed to like the videos so here are a few more of the Columbine descent.
It's 3 parts. this is what I rode twice yesterday--the descent may be worse than the climb--enjoy!

1 of 3
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VLmoM0UkcA
2 of 3
3 of 3

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

New Hoops

I have been dreaming about this setup since I got my sled. These babies are fast, light and strong. Hopefully they will help me rock the PBville trails. A few closeups to generate some envy.




Oh the Ravens.


The sweet rims...

A nice shot of the rear hub that Duff bought with Matt's old cassette.

The new front hoop looking sharp. I can't wait to hit the Tranquility group ride tomorrow night.





videos

I know I couldn't possibly have anything else to say after the last post.
I found these three videos--thought they might be nice for those who want to see what Leadville is all about--www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnqyHPZXws4 St kevins


Matty 2 Times 2 Times

As I said in the last post, today's mission was to climb Columbine two times.  This is one of the rides I've been thinking about in the back of my head ever since I saw it on my training sheet 3 or 4 weeks ago.  Much like the back-to-back six hours, I think climbing Columbine twice is a huge mental hurdle.  As this is an absolutely wicked climb, possibly the toughest that I've ever done, success will surely generate a lot of confidence.  

I got up at 5:15 and anybody that knows me and my peculiarities will not be surprised that I didn't start riding until 7:50.  The weather was absolutely perfect--cool, crisp and clear.  My first trip up, I felt absolutely amazing.  I won't say that the climb felt effortless, but I feel like I was cruising along pretty well.  I made it to the top in an hour and 28 minutes--pretty uneventful.  I did walk about 100 yards of the really rocky part at the top.  I stopped for about 2 minutes at the top, took some pictures and headed down.  If I haven't mentioned it earlier, I basically have no rear brake and the only way I could get them to work is to overuse them to heat the oil up so it would expand and become functional--that did not take long.  The top 2 1/2 miles is a pretty sketchy descent, so I took it pretty easy, not wanting to end my race before it starts.   I started feeling a little fatigued at the bottom from getting knocked around so much.  I spent about 5-10 minutes at the bottom, grabbed 2 fresh bottles of Infinit and headed back up.

I made it about 2 1/2 miles when I heard people talking quite energetically.  I turned around and saw no one.  I kept riding and hearing the talking.  I looked over my shoulder again and Lance Armstrong was about 25 yards behind me with one of his buddies--talk about cool.  As he rode by, he was close enough that I could have put my arm around him.  He asked how I was doing-I tried to pretend that I was completely conversational as well and managed to reply, "Fine.  How are you guys doing? "  I didn't feel comfortable sticking a camera in his face, so I waited until he passed by to take a picture.  After all, I figured that was the most realistic shot, as he rode by me like I was standing still.  Shortly after Lance passed, a white pick-up truck with Chris Carmichael training stickers all over it came by and a very nice young man asked me if I was okay, how I was doing, and if I needed anything.  I was stunned for a number of reasons:  first, it dawned on me that Lance had his support car following him up Columbine; 2) the driver's friendliness--he genuinely sounded worried about me; and 3) it dawned on me that I must have looked like shit compared to Lance and that's why the guy was concerned--funny, considering I felt pretty good.  Oh no, had I not fooled Lance that I was a contender, a force to be reckoned with?  Yeah, I know, I'm delusional, but it makes the time pass.

My thoughts turned to how and where I would diplomatically get a picture of Lance coming down the hill, knowing I would need a good shot to satisfy Cora and the kids, who were extremely disappointed that they had chosen to stay in bed rather than support me today.  It was about this time that Lance's support guy passed me again, again asking how I was doing, if I needed anything and told me that I was doing a great job.  It occurred to me that maybe I should take a picture of myself to either prove or refute this guy's opinion of my condition.  As I got to the technical section at the top that I had walked on my first trip up, I noticed the pick-up backing up, parking to wait for Lance.  I knew that there was no way that I was going to walk that section with that guy watching me and with the possibility of Lance seeing me walking.  I took a quick glance at my HR monitor--how empty was the tank?  I never got an answer because it was so covered with sweat.  I managed a smile to the nice gentleman and I'm proud to say that I cleaned the whole section.  The only downer was that Lance came ripping down one of the steeper sections around a corner, literally almost hitting me, and I had no chance for a photo.  I'll be forthright and admit that at that point, I looked like total ass.    Ego is a wonderful thing.  All kidding aside, I was pretty psyched that I managed to ride all of Columbine on my second trip up.  I can now officially say that I've ridden every inch of this course.  Whether I can say this on race day is another story.  Either way, I feel like all my training is coming together.  Can't wait for the 15th!

As I promised, the Judy Jetson profile.

Click on it--yes, you've seen it before.

Click on it.  This does a little more justice to Columbine's heinous nature.

This is the best I could do--Cora was quite critical and compared it to her photography--ouch!

There goes Lance's guy, or should I say my guy?  Again, all kidding aside, I much appreciated his encouraging words.  Little does he know how much amusement he has provided my wife.

Coming off the road on the first technical section.  

The steep rocky section that I couldn't walk because of that white truck (and my pride).

Flat part coming across the top of Columbine, just before the turn-around.