Avalanche

My brother and I went to an Avalanche game in March. We rarely get to hang out, but it's always fun when we do. I can't believe he's getting ready to get married this summer. Luckily, his future wife will be a good sister-in-law. I enjoy watching hockey, though hardly ever get the opportunity to go to a game. In general, I enjoy watching sports I don't know how to play...with cycling being an exception. Thank goodness OLN has a website and some video clips there. Life without a t.v. is the best way to live *except* during the Tour de France.

Tour of the Gila

This is before the start of the third day of the Tour of the Gila (the fifth day for Art and Mike, shown in the picture). They met the previous week at another stage race in Arizona. Thank goodness, too, Art was staying with the coolest host family and he didn't mind sharing the space. That made the trip a complete experience. Two stage races in two weeks. I can't imagine. And they were having fun with it. It's an 11 hour drive each way to get to Silver City, NM. This was my first stage race--only 3 days, but that was plenty.

The point of this picture is simply to show how short I am. Well, Art is 6' 7", the tallest bike racer (wait, tallest person) I know and Mike is well over 6'. They and our host family were really supportive when I came home banged up from a crash on the second day. That was my first real road rash. I've crashed a few times before (not in races), but nothing that amounted to anything. Tegaderm bandages rule. I'm glad to have the shock of crashing out of the way. I think I'm a little less scared of racing and crashing now (as strange as that may sound).

Team in Moab

This is the third day of the team spring training camp. Behind us is Arches National Park. Another beautiful day! Soon it will be too hot here to enjoy the riding, good timing.

American Flyers

No, this isn't a painting--this is from the Colorado National Monument. The team training camp was in Moab in early April and we stopped here on the drive to Moab to loosen up the legs and take in the views. Afterwards we tasted wine at a local vineyard. This was a magnificient area to ride. We hammered the climb. This was the first time I was "allowed" to get my heart rate up since I began training in October. Riding without a heart-rate monitor was fun, kind of liberating, but I was happy to have it back for the rest of the weekend.

I'd highly recommend watching American Flyers, if you've never seen it. I've probably seen it half a dozen times. The Colorado Monument is the setting for one of the stages of the race that's shown in this movie. It's the best way to see the sights and take in a fun bike racing movie. Yes, it's weird to see Kevin Costner with a mustache, but otherwise, he looks good racing a bike.

Camping/Racing in Grand Junction & Fruita

Camping in Grand Junction was a one of those experiences that I can't put words together to explain. The views were breathtaking, the campsite was far, far away from everyone and everything. The evening sky was perfect, there was no way to capture it with the camera. The sun set ever so slowly. The campfire was outstanding, also. One of my teammates invited me to join him and his friends here. They brought mountain bikes and had blast. I can see why Fruita is becoming more popular than Moab to mountain bike (not that I've riden either on fat tires, but I hear lots of stories).
As I've said many times, racing is a good excuse to travel. I would never have been here this weekend had a race not been held. I am very thankful for the wonderful people I have met through racing and experiences such as these.

P12s

Have you ever seen a P12 field of this size? I've been sworn to secrecy as to which race this was...seeing as though everyone here finished in the top 10. Nice job, btw, Jeff, Aaron & Mike. Unfortunately, there were even fewer spectators. The people of Fruita don't know what they are missing out on!

Easter

The family celebrated Easter together at the Olive Garden. I consider myself very fortunate to have such a healthy, happy family! (Pic removed upon request.)

CU Criterium

After the CU Crit (early April, 2006).

We're all smiling, but we are tired and cold. This was Josh's first crit, he finished strong. Vince got to ride on the grass during the last lap. Lana, the master wheel-sucker (and strong racer), she blew past me on the line...I didn't even know she was on my wheel!

Cornering

This season has been a great learning experience. The jump from cat 4 to cat 3 racing is huge. There are so many nuances to this sport that I'm only realizing this year.

Racing may look non-technical, but in a mass-start race, everything must be refined as much as possible: cornering, drafting, positioning, sprinting, etc. There is so much to learn, it's a bit overwhelming at first. But the best part is seeing how these things can be practiced and how much easier they are now than they once were. ...and knowing how much better they will be in the future.

This is at a race in Louisville, CO in June. Probably the first race this season where I felt comfortable racing in the pack (not just sitting on the back of it) and cornering was markedly better than in previous races. Riding on Vredestein tires helps my confidence in the tight turns.

Twin Peaks at Dead Dog

Saturday, June 24th. Twin Peaks satisfied after the Dead Dog road race in Laramie, WY. Dinner was devoured the moment it was served. Did you know that you can't sit at a bar in Wyoming unless you prove you're over 21? I found out the hard way.

Two more stages -- a crit and time trial to look forward to tomorrow. This is the first stage race for most of Twin Peaks.