Cyclo Cross Hurts so Good.

Not sure why so I went out for my second ever Cycle Cross event on an old 1994 or so Kona rigid mountain bike. Like Paul from Meridian Cycles said-"sucking 2 hours of air in one hour" or some such just means it is go all out as fast as you can...ouch but feels so good when you stop.

See y'all at the next one !!

Big Bike -Big Ride

Sunday September 4, 2011 Started a big ride in Ketchum. We met at Java on Fourth around 9:30am. Drove out Warm Springs Road about 10 miles to the Frenchmen's Hot Springs and the Red Warrior Trail Head. From here the plan was to ride up the road another 7 miles to the South fork of Warm Springs. We got shuttled these 7 miles to conserve time and water. We forgot to bring a water filter for this big ride.

 

Came out at Red Warrior  near the Hot Springs for a happy ending to a great big ride.

Total time about 6 hours.

Slide show of trail intersections here.

What a great Day!

Mountin bikes in Idaho, 1986

Today for my birthday I got a nice present. My friend converted a super 8mm movie shot by me of my friends and I trials riding mountain bikes. I uploaded it to You tube. Have a look at what we did for fun around Ketchum and Sun Valley Idaho in 1986:

At approximately 10 am this morning I started with 5 other Category 3 riders in the 50-54 year age group. In about an hour the National Champion would be determined by the skills available to negotiate the course. Heart, lungs, legs and gears all worked together this day for me and the Energy Return Bicycle to take a stand on the Championship Podium and bring home to Idaho this Bronze Medal.

Fifteen years ago I relocated from the Ketchum Sun Valley area to Boise where I completed a graduate degree in Educational Technology, met my fine French wife, married her settled down to a life of technology innovation while developing a bicycle education program for the Capitol city of Boise.

Why race after more than 15 years? Last year I was shamed by former friends who said they would rather not ride with slow, fat me. Well for me they are still my friends even if they chose not to invite me out for week long rides anymore. Who else but a friend would be up front and tell you to your face you were not keeping up? I don't want to rain on anyone's parade. No one seemed to want to ride with me so I began training to see how fast I could go in the cross country race held in my old back yard.

Today's Photo Album of the Event

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Qulification for the National Mountain Bike Championship

Today was a good day. Started out at 9 am with SWIMBA to pre-ride the course for the Coyote Classic - a qualifier race for the National Mountain Bike Championships this July in Sun Valley.

Went back out and raced at 3 pm. Long hard single track climb and a very fast downhill with a few shorter climbs near the end-two laps and nearly cramped to the point of not being able to walk let alone ride. did plenty of walking on the second lap. finished in about 2:05 min good enough for first place in the over 50 age group for Category 3.

I'll go to Sun Vally and see how I do with the rest of the national competitors. The Energy return Bicycle was Great !

Where to go from here...

A new year has sprung. Finally great weather for the 7 mile commute to work on the 1978 Motobecane ten speed inherited from my step father.



At age 53 considering a run at the National Mountain Bike Championship race in Sun Valley. Qualifying race this weekend. Wish me good racing and God's speed!

First Day of Cycling Season

Last day of the Ski season begins the first day of the cycling season. Sunday April 11, 2010 Bogus Basin Ski area had one of the best end of ski season closing days. The conditions were fantastic for the snow was soft as butter. After a day on the slopes I stopped by my friend Curt's house to spot him a front derailleur he needed for his NRS Giant MTB getting set up for his wife Tiffany. No less than 30 seconds after telling him I needed an 80 mm fork to complete my build then my wife calls to let me know Cary emailed to say he had 2 forks to GIVE me !!!
Wow- what a great community of cyclists we have here in Boise. I love to give away to those who need something I have - then mysteriously God provided all my needs as well.

So, Here is the build ready to get out and ride.

For more photos click here.