Once again Universal Sports delivers. Here is the schedule for live Vuelta 09 coverage.
http://www.universalsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=23000&ATCLID=204770092
Archive for August, 2009
Snowbasin Mt. Ogden 50K
Posted in Mtn. Bike with tags Snowbasin on August 25, 2009 by VH1First of all here is the Garmin link to the course and my data. If you have never ridden the Basin, I highly recommend it!
A couple of weeks ago Holly and I did the ULCER on a tandem. It was a complete blast for both of us. The next day I get a call from my sister in law (who basically lives at Snowbasin) saying that there is a mtn bike race at Snowbasin and they will be giving away a tandem bike. I have been trying to hit the mid week races up there all year, but for some reason Wednesday nights have been crazy.
At the time 50K didn’t seem like that big of a deal, since I would be doing 100 miles in Leadville the week prior. This was the little detail I forgot to consider. Following Leadville my legs were jello. In fact it was so bad that on Thursday Rick and Tony put 10+ minutes into me going up Clarks. I was expecting to get killed!
It was awesome just being at Snowbasin. As a former resident of Mountain Green, I had a huge cheering section of family, friends, and old neighbors. I was right at home. The race started and the singletrack forced everyone into a train-like line. I knew I was screwed when a guy in a Sesame Street jersey (Cookie Monster and Elmo) was at the head of the train. The trail was so narrow there would be no passing. It was like this for the first hour of the race. Eventually things broke up and I could start riding my race. When I finally settled into a rhythm I felt great. The single speed was flying up and downhill. The only drawbacks were when I got stung by a hornet, and then crashed a few minutes later losing both waterbottles. I noticed that both bottles ended up 20 yards downhill and retrieving them would have cost me minutes. I had to gamble and stop at the next aid station to bum a half used water bottle so I could finish the race. Towards the end of the race I felt like the teardrops were going to cramp up while standing, but as long as i was seated everything was good. Sucks that I lost my 2 bottles of Carborocket. That stuff has never failed me!!!
The course was easily the best I have ridden. It had great singletrack, some technical areas, buff downhill, blind turns, whoop de doos, challenging climbs and everything else you can imagine. It was extremely well run and I can’t believe this was its first year. Next year they are going to expand it to a 100K as well as a 50K. I already have it on my schedule.
At the end of the day I looked at the results and it showed 4th OVERALL, and the fastest single speed by 16 minutes. 4th overall are you kidding me? 16 minutes are you kidding me? Eventually 2 mystery men (who were confirmed not starting with us) ended up pushing Grizzly Adam and I back 2 slots in the overall. Speaking of Adam, the dude rode strong all day. I don’t know how he did it in the heat with that beard. He should do well in the Park City Point to Point.
Here are a few pics from my new favorite event
Oh the pain
The dusty train
The starting climb
The finish line
The Podium
The Lunchbox raced his first mtn bike race today!!!
The shirt says it all
So Long Shortleg
Posted in Critters with tags shortleg on August 24, 2009 by VH1This past week we lost one of our family pets. Shortleg is an African Bullfrog and this week we buried him. This is what he was supposed to look like at maturity.
We think that the spiny legs of his last feeding of grasshoppers got the best of him. Here are a few photos of his funeral
Lunchbox digging the hole
Shortleg in the ground. He was the size of a grapefruit. When we got him he was the size of a quarter.
Final resting place. Shortleg RIP
Leadville 2009
Posted in Mtn. Bike with tags leadville on August 24, 2009 by VH1Last year I wrote a short novel on my Leadville experience. This year I just want to touch on a few things to remember for next year. That is right, I said NEXT YEAR!
First of all my time was 9:47. This was exactly 1 hour slower than last year. Crazy thing is I am really happy that I even finished! Here are some ways I can save time:
1. No matter what my heart and brain say I need to run a 32×20. I realize that the flats are a wash. The key to this race is how much of Columbine and Powerline you can ride.
2. If it looks like it will rain, it probably will. Wear a minimum of knee warmers and have extra gloves and sunglasses at the aid stations.
3. Ride your race. The pace at the gun was brutal, especially on a single speed. Don’t worry about everyone, and I mean everyone, flying by you on the pavement. Ride St. Kevins and then let the race come to you.
4. It is okay to walk. A good walking pace is 2.8-3.2mph. If you are riding slower than this, get off and push.
5. Columbine is going to hurt! You are halfway when you hit the mine.
6. Powerline sucks! You are halfway after the 3rd false summit. It is okay to cry and curse out loud during this stretch of trail.
7. The descents coming home from Powerline and St. Kevins make the climbs worth it. I love how fast these 2 downhills are.
8. The climb back up St. Kevins is a piece of cake. You have hammered it twice, so don’t stress it.
9. It can’t snow on Columbine 2 years in a row
10 Sub 9 on a single speed is totally doable!
Here are a few pics of 2009
Number 1 crew
Tandem Team Clark 2011
DNA
The gang
Team Fatty crossing the line
Where the magic happens
Gardie Jackson Interview
Posted in Road with tags tour of utah on August 19, 2009 by VH1Was that Spanglish with the Spaniards? Check out Jon James (2:26 )in the background of the DZ interview. Nice work Jonnie, hope your boss isn’t a cycling fan. Here is the actual clip
Leadville recap
Posted in Mtn. Bike with tags leadville on August 17, 2009 by VH1The event starts out with the famous words “you are tougher than you think you are…….” This is true, but when you are riding in wind, rain, and yes snow, a beatdown is a beatdown. I will be posting my story in a couple days when I get some pics and video but today I wanted to recap, give some props and thank a few people who helped make this day so epic!
First of all here is a cool video, that I swear was shot last year. I don’t get why the leaders didn’t get the columbine kick in the nuts? When I was “hiking” this climb the weather was horrendous!
Then for a hauntingly accurate picture of what the true Leadville is like read Dug’s rendition.
Major props go to the Ciclista, Mark and Kenny who went sub 9 on a BRUTAL day.
I give the “balls out” award to my arch, but never hated Nemesis Rick, who “manned” up and posted an amazing time on a SS. Rick you know we will both be back again tying to crack the realm of immortality (sub 9 on a single-speed). We both know it can be done.
Elden I don’t know how you survived the 30mph flight off the cliff? As Elden and I were descending down St. Kevins (a paved descent at an average of 8%) rain and tire spray were blinding us. We had our heads down, and on a hairpin turn Elden looked up too late, locked his breaks and launched off a cliff. I thought he was dead. I was in shock not believing what I had seen. By the time I had come to grips with what had just happened it was too late, Kevin aka “Good Samaritan” was stopping to check on him and I rushed to get medical attention.
EB, Eric, Tyler, and DT I am so proud of you guys. You guys rode heroic, especially considering how NASTY your motel looked. Dug will be dedicating an entire post to your accomidations for sure!
Banks, what more can be said for a guy who dedicated his year to Leadville and missed the final cutoff by a mere 2 minutes. You were more focused and intense then anyone I know and probably wanted the finish worse than anyone out there. As heartbreaking as it was seeing you not finish, it was amazing how strong you got and how much weight you dropped. You are primed for a great 2010! A continuation to this story was Banks had serious stomach issues and was trying to beg toilet paper off the other riders while hiking Columbine. Someone finally spared a few squares, but apparently that wasn’t enough and Banks sacrificed his cycling cap! That is hardcore and deserves a special buckle.
Jamie, Tony and Vince it was great riding to the finish with you. It is amazing how much strength a friendly face can give. Whit all I can say for you is WOW!
Jon, I hope to have video of your Twin Lakes feed zone wreck. I was contacted today by someone who claims to have pics and video of this event, as well as an update from the kid in the tent. Stay tuned
Holly, thanks for your support. If it weren’t for you I would have been curled up in a ball not wanting to finish. Your magical powers are stonger than eagle’s eggs. sorry that was the only clip I could find, and I think I acted like this when you handed me the first Muscle Milk:)
Game on!!!
AND
If you have never tried a tandem, I highly recommend it (especially if you like your riding partner)!Legacy
Posted in Uncategorized on August 6, 2009 by VH1
1st Endurance
Posted in WTF??? with tags marketing on August 3, 2009 by VH1I have been a loyal customer of 1st Endurance for the past year. Not only do they have great products, but their advertising team is first class. Check out the recent ad from the TdF Team Time Trial.
Yes that is what you think it is, I will zoom it in for you
As the grandma in the movie 16 candles says “Dong, Dong”. Looks like someone is losing their job.
