Life is freaking good. The temperature gauge in the cruiser read seventy degrees the last two days as I drove from work with my bike in the back to the Peavine Trail.
Race at Estrella on Saturday. Driving down tomorrow night to stay at Christina's, racing Saturday, spending the night on Saturday and then riding the Black Canyon Trail on Sunday on the way home.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
We got people
A quick trip back to Plainfield last weekend allowed for some fun reunions.
After a visit to urgent care and the pharmacy to cure my sinus infection (which made the 1 am flight into Chicago oh so pleasant), I headed to Larry's for breakfast to meet my parents, my younger sister and her 9 month old daughter. I have seen lots of pictures of her, but it was the first time we've met. She's a doll, and did this cute little head down, shy thing.
I went back to my parents house and hung out there all day while Zach rode to the shop and caught up with JeffJeffJeff and Ted. We met back up at our roommates house and got ready for our big night out.
We had a blast. Started the night out at Moe Joe's for dinner with Aaron, Amy, Adam and Stacy. My dad came and hung out
too. From there we all walked next door to the Uptown. Which is much more enjoyable now that it's smoke-free. Brian came out and hopefully relieved some stress. Tim walked from 
home....a 2-3 mile walk in 10 degree weather. He was boiling by the time he got there. Mikelsall showed up after putting together and taking apart his 3 cars 4 times. Karen and 
Justin had a party to prepare for but still made it for a while. And Angie, after sipping a few by herself at Moe Joe's (she thought she was in the right place) finally found her way over to Uptown. A few of Tim's friends were there too.
Saturday we had breakfast at our roommates house with my parents and Kathy and the baby. After that it was a day of rest until we started getting ready for the baptism. The party after was fun, they always have a great crowd. It was amazing to see how big all the kids have gotten.
Sunday is always breakfast with my mom's side of the family. My grandparents were surprised, with Kathy and Hayden in from Florida, and Zach and I in from Arizona. Later it was back to my parents with all the sisters and kids and Dave and Aunt Kathy. Pat was coming down with something, so she and Ken skipped it. It was the first time I've seen all the nieces and nephews together. A great day, but by then we were beat, late nights and early rises....we are not used to it.
Monday was the last breakfast at Larry's. Then it was just getting ready for the trip back to Midway.
We had a great weekend. It was awesome that our people made arrangements to spend some time while we were there. Now you all just need to get your butts out here.
After a visit to urgent care and the pharmacy to cure my sinus infection (which made the 1 am flight into Chicago oh so pleasant), I headed to Larry's for breakfast to meet my parents, my younger sister and her 9 month old daughter. I have seen lots of pictures of her, but it was the first time we've met. She's a doll, and did this cute little head down, shy thing.
I went back to my parents house and hung out there all day while Zach rode to the shop and caught up with JeffJeffJeff and Ted. We met back up at our roommates house and got ready for our big night out.
We had a blast. Started the night out at Moe Joe's for dinner with Aaron, Amy, Adam and Stacy. My dad came and hung out
too. From there we all walked next door to the Uptown. Which is much more enjoyable now that it's smoke-free. Brian came out and hopefully relieved some stress. Tim walked from 
home....a 2-3 mile walk in 10 degree weather. He was boiling by the time he got there. Mikelsall showed up after putting together and taking apart his 3 cars 4 times. Karen and 
Justin had a party to prepare for but still made it for a while. And Angie, after sipping a few by herself at Moe Joe's (she thought she was in the right place) finally found her way over to Uptown. A few of Tim's friends were there too.Saturday we had breakfast at our roommates house with my parents and Kathy and the baby. After that it was a day of rest until we started getting ready for the baptism. The party after was fun, they always have a great crowd. It was amazing to see how big all the kids have gotten.
Sunday is always breakfast with my mom's side of the family. My grandparents were surprised, with Kathy and Hayden in from Florida, and Zach and I in from Arizona. Later it was back to my parents with all the sisters and kids and Dave and Aunt Kathy. Pat was coming down with something, so she and Ken skipped it. It was the first time I've seen all the nieces and nephews together. A great day, but by then we were beat, late nights and early rises....we are not used to it.
Monday was the last breakfast at Larry's. Then it was just getting ready for the trip back to Midway.
We had a great weekend. It was awesome that our people made arrangements to spend some time while we were there. Now you all just need to get your butts out here.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
White Tanks Whirlwind, Race 2, February 9
4:30am, we pulled out of the driveway again. Stopped at McDonald's and then made the LONG drive out to White Tanks. You can see the mountains from so far away, but even after you get to the park, it probably takes another 20 minutes to get to the competitive loops. We registered right away, found the Prescott people we know, and I started getting ready. I did better this time, changed, put the contacts in, and hopped on the bike right away. I decided to head out onto the course for my pre-ride instead of out on the road. I was going to do a quick out and back, but a guy doing a course check told me I'd be able to take a short cut back if I kept heading out. So I ended up out past the first short technical section and then headed back. I was definitely concerned for a while that I wasn't going to make it back for the start, but I made it back to the car in time to strip off the arm warmers and ear warmer and took off for the start line. Christina was on the right side again, I ended up sneaking up to the front on the left.
I had a decent start. Noticed a few girls take off super fast, there was gonna be no catching them. I settled in with a girl in red, Christina, and a few other riders. The first 15 or so minutes the course is a long gradual grind up. The course was wide, but speckled with rocks with a definite, beaten down, smooth line to take. I was riding close behind the girl in red, sometimes riding with my front wheel even with her rear wheel. Not smart. I kept having to back off. Christina was ahead of her. We were tight to the right side moving along at a pretty fast pace. All of the sudden I hear "On your right!" But I had no room to move over to the left cause I would have pulled right into the rear wheel of the girl in red. So I just held my line. Unfortunately, whoever was behind me decided to try it anyway. As she moves up, I say "not a good time", I feel a handlebar catch my lycra, I pass a cholla on the right, hear a "aaghhh", and then I hear someone hit it pretty hard behind me. I never found out who it was. I feel bad that she fell, but don't feel that it was my fault.
So then it was down to the three of us. I ended up pulling away just before that first technical section and caught one of the pro girls. Turns out it was Jennifer Sica. I rode behind her for the first lap and into the second. She gapped me a little during the technical section down after the switchbacks up, but I kept her in my sights for all of the second and most of the third lap. At some point before we started our fourth lap, the beginner men started. Not a huge deal because like I mentioned, most of the course is wide, leaving plenty of room for passing. My concern was that first little tech section, followed later by the switchbacks up and then the second technical section. I needed to pass as many of those guys as I could before reaching those sections. It was great motivation. I hauled ass. I didn't get past all of them and ended up having to dismount a few times, but I think in the end they helped me push myself more than I would have if they hadn't been there. I was good about calling out the pass, and they were great about cheering me on.
I made it out of the tech sections clean, had to dismount for a bit on the switchbacks, and continued on through the last rolling section of the course. Much to my surprise, after I cleared the last climb and turned a few more corners, I saw the pro girl that I had lost somewhere at the start of the fourth lap. We were coming up quick on the last sharp turn that leads you into the finish area. I decided to go for it. I came up on her right and gave her a last minute "on your right". I could tell she was startled which she mentioned later on. It wasn't a conscious sneak attack, but that's what it turned to be. I pushed it hard past two beginner guys and around that sharp right in the lead. Kept going towards the feed zone, but the slight left that lead you into the finish line scared me a little with the loose gravel. I let off a little and she zipped by me. With only maybe 30 feet to go.
It was fun. I had a feeling there was no way she'd let me beat her. That's okay, I was happy with my finish. Glad that I was able to push it hard that last lap. I usually slow down alot towards the end and I really think I picked up my pace that last lap. I also had no major mistakes, so it was a great day for me. I ended up with a first in expert women.
Zach had a really good race too. He said he felt great. His lap times seemed pretty consistent, until his last lap. I was hanging out in the feed zone area, so I wasn't keeping super close track of his laps, but the last one seemed long. Turns out he flatted. He finished 5th in his age group.
Cute (and tough) little Jenna Zander was the pro women leader. She won by 13 minutes. I talked to her and her boyfriend Justin for a bit after the race.
We hung out after so Zach could claim his medal. It was such an awesome day. Mid-70s I believe? The group from Prescott camped there Friday night, so they were packing up the pop-up camper while we waited. Zach got his medal and we all ended up driving out together.
I was driving the Element behind Jeanette who was towing her camper with her Jeep. We pulled down into a one lane gravel wash that leads out of the parking area to White Tanks Mt Rd. There's a little lip from the gravel of the wash to the pavement of the road/parking area. As soon as the camper hit that little lip, it unhitched from Jeep, broke the chain and started slowly rolling backwards towards Zach and I!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It was really moving slowly at first, thank God. I totally panicked. "WHAT DO I DO, WHAT DO I DO???" Zach's like, "PUT IT IN REVERSE!" So I tried to put it in reverse. First put it into neutral and revved the engine, then put it into drive and moved closer to the trailer that is now picking up speed down the ravine towards us. I finally got it into reverse and turned my head around as I hit the gas. Well by now, there was a line of other cars behind us on the one lane road, so I could only back up so far. I spotted what looked like a little turnoff to the left, but I guess it was the actual wash. I was getting ready to floor it into that turnoff or close my eyes and wait for the destruction of the front end of the Element.
I don't know how we got so lucky, but at the last second the trailer turned into the very wash where I was going to go. By the time all of this happened, Jeanette and Susan had gotten out of the Jeep and started running down the hill, following the trailer. Susan later told us the looks on our faces were absolutely priceless.
I think it was the timing guys that pulled off in the parking lot just beyond the wreckage and helped push it out of the wash. That was nice. Unfortunately, I did not take one picture of the incident!!! Where's Kelsall when I need him!!
I had a decent start. Noticed a few girls take off super fast, there was gonna be no catching them. I settled in with a girl in red, Christina, and a few other riders. The first 15 or so minutes the course is a long gradual grind up. The course was wide, but speckled with rocks with a definite, beaten down, smooth line to take. I was riding close behind the girl in red, sometimes riding with my front wheel even with her rear wheel. Not smart. I kept having to back off. Christina was ahead of her. We were tight to the right side moving along at a pretty fast pace. All of the sudden I hear "On your right!" But I had no room to move over to the left cause I would have pulled right into the rear wheel of the girl in red. So I just held my line. Unfortunately, whoever was behind me decided to try it anyway. As she moves up, I say "not a good time", I feel a handlebar catch my lycra, I pass a cholla on the right, hear a "aaghhh", and then I hear someone hit it pretty hard behind me. I never found out who it was. I feel bad that she fell, but don't feel that it was my fault.
So then it was down to the three of us. I ended up pulling away just before that first technical section and caught one of the pro girls. Turns out it was Jennifer Sica. I rode behind her for the first lap and into the second. She gapped me a little during the technical section down after the switchbacks up, but I kept her in my sights for all of the second and most of the third lap. At some point before we started our fourth lap, the beginner men started. Not a huge deal because like I mentioned, most of the course is wide, leaving plenty of room for passing. My concern was that first little tech section, followed later by the switchbacks up and then the second technical section. I needed to pass as many of those guys as I could before reaching those sections. It was great motivation. I hauled ass. I didn't get past all of them and ended up having to dismount a few times, but I think in the end they helped me push myself more than I would have if they hadn't been there. I was good about calling out the pass, and they were great about cheering me on.
I made it out of the tech sections clean, had to dismount for a bit on the switchbacks, and continued on through the last rolling section of the course. Much to my surprise, after I cleared the last climb and turned a few more corners, I saw the pro girl that I had lost somewhere at the start of the fourth lap. We were coming up quick on the last sharp turn that leads you into the finish area. I decided to go for it. I came up on her right and gave her a last minute "on your right". I could tell she was startled which she mentioned later on. It wasn't a conscious sneak attack, but that's what it turned to be. I pushed it hard past two beginner guys and around that sharp right in the lead. Kept going towards the feed zone, but the slight left that lead you into the finish line scared me a little with the loose gravel. I let off a little and she zipped by me. With only maybe 30 feet to go. It was fun. I had a feeling there was no way she'd let me beat her. That's okay, I was happy with my finish. Glad that I was able to push it hard that last lap. I usually slow down alot towards the end and I really think I picked up my pace that last lap. I also had no major mistakes, so it was a great day for me. I ended up with a first in expert women.
Zach had a really good race too. He said he felt great. His lap times seemed pretty consistent, until his last lap. I was hanging out in the feed zone area, so I wasn't keeping super close track of his laps, but the last one seemed long. Turns out he flatted. He finished 5th in his age group. 
Cute (and tough) little Jenna Zander was the pro women leader. She won by 13 minutes. I talked to her and her boyfriend Justin for a bit after the race. We hung out after so Zach could claim his medal. It was such an awesome day. Mid-70s I believe? The group from Prescott camped there Friday night, so they were packing up the pop-up camper while we waited. Zach got his medal and we all ended up driving out together.
I was driving the Element behind Jeanette who was towing her camper with her Jeep. We pulled down into a one lane gravel wash that leads out of the parking area to White Tanks Mt Rd. There's a little lip from the gravel of the wash to the pavement of the road/parking area. As soon as the camper hit that little lip, it unhitched from Jeep, broke the chain and started slowly rolling backwards towards Zach and I!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It was really moving slowly at first, thank God. I totally panicked. "WHAT DO I DO, WHAT DO I DO???" Zach's like, "PUT IT IN REVERSE!" So I tried to put it in reverse. First put it into neutral and revved the engine, then put it into drive and moved closer to the trailer that is now picking up speed down the ravine towards us. I finally got it into reverse and turned my head around as I hit the gas. Well by now, there was a line of other cars behind us on the one lane road, so I could only back up so far. I spotted what looked like a little turnoff to the left, but I guess it was the actual wash. I was getting ready to floor it into that turnoff or close my eyes and wait for the destruction of the front end of the Element.
I don't know how we got so lucky, but at the last second the trailer turned into the very wash where I was going to go. By the time all of this happened, Jeanette and Susan had gotten out of the Jeep and started running down the hill, following the trailer. Susan later told us the looks on our faces were absolutely priceless.
I think it was the timing guys that pulled off in the parking lot just beyond the wreckage and helped push it out of the wash. That was nice. Unfortunately, I did not take one picture of the incident!!! Where's Kelsall when I need him!!
McDowell Meltdown, Race 1, January 19
Our first series race in Arizona. We packed up the matching Procalibers, and left home at 4:30am...headed for McDowell Mountain's competitive track. We stopped at McDonald's for our pre-race breakfast: hotcakes and sausage, coffee for me, diet coke for Zach.
We arrived at the venue and went to register. With number plate, timing chip, and goodie bag in hand, we headed back to the Element so I could start getting ready. One of the BIG differences from the WORS series, women start at 8:35am. Expert men start at noon. Getting up so early in the morning kinda sucks, but there are benefits. I definitely prefer racing in cooler weather. As the season progresses, I will be so grateful for the early start. And the other nice thing is that Zach and I can finally watch each other race. No camelbacks for us. We've got race support.
It took me too much time to get dressed and ready, I was out of practice. Last race I did was mid-season 2006. I didn't really warm up enough. And looking back, I wasn't really worried about this race ahead of time. Probably just because I had no idea what to expect and really didn't think I would race this season at all. But as Christina and I started out for our warm up ride, the nerves kicked in. I headed to the line a little late, but Christina let me squeeze in next to her right up front.
The "gun" went off and Christina took off and lead us all out. My plan was to stay back a little and follow someone who looked like they knew the course. The problem with this strategy was that we were doing 5 laps(sport, long, tech, sport, tech), but the first 3 were different. We didn't repeat any until the 4th lap. But I was going to play it safe anyway and just get a feel for the course.
After a quick straightaway, we jumped right into a nice rolling twisty single track. Not a whole lot of passing opportunity. I was sitting in about fourth place. After a few minutes of riding, the second place girl called out to pass Christina on a fairly steep, but short climb. Bad move. Christina weaved a little as the girl made her move and she wiped out. I can't remember the pass, but the girl in third must have passed at some point too. The the next safe spot, I called out a pass and moved ahead. Clean pass, thank goodness.
I stayed close to the girl in first for most of the first lap. But at the top of one of the climbs, she dabbed and then kept her foot down. Let me pass. So I took off and must have picked up the pace a little. I didn't hear her for a while. I felt really good the first and second lap, but in the third lap I started to feel it in my legs. Cramping and no climbing strength at all. Must have been vacation with my family the week before that was creeping up on me.
I hadn't heard anyone behind me for a while and then in the fourth lap the girl (turns out she was pro) that let me pass her flew by me like I was standing still. I knew it wouldn't be long before I would be passed again. I pushed on, but the super steep hills that are peppered in here and there on the course got the best of me. I had to walk way too many of them. And every time I put a foot on the ground, my quads cramped up. So on the last lap, Jill passed me not too far into it, and then Windy passed me on the long climb towards the end of the lap.
I was happy with third. It was a beautiful day. Jeff was there for his first ever mountain bike race, Tim and Elizabeth came up from Tucson, and my parents drove down from Sedona. Zach was happy with his race (even though he flatted) and finish. After the race we drove straight to Sedona to finish off the 3 day weekend with them.
We arrived at the venue and went to register. With number plate, timing chip, and goodie bag in hand, we headed back to the Element so I could start getting ready. One of the BIG differences from the WORS series, women start at 8:35am. Expert men start at noon. Getting up so early in the morning kinda sucks, but there are benefits. I definitely prefer racing in cooler weather. As the season progresses, I will be so grateful for the early start. And the other nice thing is that Zach and I can finally watch each other race. No camelbacks for us. We've got race support.
It took me too much time to get dressed and ready, I was out of practice. Last race I did was mid-season 2006. I didn't really warm up enough. And looking back, I wasn't really worried about this race ahead of time. Probably just because I had no idea what to expect and really didn't think I would race this season at all. But as Christina and I started out for our warm up ride, the nerves kicked in. I headed to the line a little late, but Christina let me squeeze in next to her right up front.
The "gun" went off and Christina took off and lead us all out. My plan was to stay back a little and follow someone who looked like they knew the course. The problem with this strategy was that we were doing 5 laps(sport, long, tech, sport, tech), but the first 3 were different. We didn't repeat any until the 4th lap. But I was going to play it safe anyway and just get a feel for the course.
After a quick straightaway, we jumped right into a nice rolling twisty single track. Not a whole lot of passing opportunity. I was sitting in about fourth place. After a few minutes of riding, the second place girl called out to pass Christina on a fairly steep, but short climb. Bad move. Christina weaved a little as the girl made her move and she wiped out. I can't remember the pass, but the girl in third must have passed at some point too. The the next safe spot, I called out a pass and moved ahead. Clean pass, thank goodness.
I stayed close to the girl in first for most of the first lap. But at the top of one of the climbs, she dabbed and then kept her foot down. Let me pass. So I took off and must have picked up the pace a little. I didn't hear her for a while. I felt really good the first and second lap, but in the third lap I started to feel it in my legs. Cramping and no climbing strength at all. Must have been vacation with my family the week before that was creeping up on me.
I hadn't heard anyone behind me for a while and then in the fourth lap the girl (turns out she was pro) that let me pass her flew by me like I was standing still. I knew it wouldn't be long before I would be passed again. I pushed on, but the super steep hills that are peppered in here and there on the course got the best of me. I had to walk way too many of them. And every time I put a foot on the ground, my quads cramped up. So on the last lap, Jill passed me not too far into it, and then Windy passed me on the long climb towards the end of the lap.
I was happy with third. It was a beautiful day. Jeff was there for his first ever mountain bike race, Tim and Elizabeth came up from Tucson, and my parents drove down from Sedona. Zach was happy with his race (even though he flatted) and finish. After the race we drove straight to Sedona to finish off the 3 day weekend with them.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Enero
Wow, where the heck did that first month go? I can not believe it's almost the middle of February.
We are loving it this week. It's rained or snowed a little bit here and there over the last few weeks, enough to make some of the trails too sloppy to ride. But today it got up to almost 60. Hopefully things will start drying off now.
But back to January. It was a big month for us. We said our goodbyes to Ken and Pat, twice. They ended up swinging by here after their cruise thru the Panama canal. Now, they are back in IL, loving all the rain and snow.
A few days after their departure, my 2 older sisters, their husbands, all of their kids, and a fun set of in-laws came out to relax for a week in Sedona with my parents. Lori hasn't been here in about 7 years, and this was Troy's first trip. It was essentially all of their kids first time out too. It's old hat for Jen and Dave.
What a week; it seems so long ago already. Breakfasts out, short hikes right out the back door from where we stay, and lots of pool and hot tub. Even with the drizzle we had the first 3 days, we were hiking during the short periods when the rain stopped and then into the pool we went. We built towers, made smores, cooked out, ate burritos, and drank a coupla beers. Put together a few puzzles and were forced to watch hours of Fox News Channel.
We had a really good time. Hopefully we'll all be able to do it again.
Hiking around the Bell.
Wine at the Brewery
Soldier's Pass
The towers at Cathedral
We are loving it this week. It's rained or snowed a little bit here and there over the last few weeks, enough to make some of the trails too sloppy to ride. But today it got up to almost 60. Hopefully things will start drying off now.
But back to January. It was a big month for us. We said our goodbyes to Ken and Pat, twice. They ended up swinging by here after their cruise thru the Panama canal. Now, they are back in IL, loving all the rain and snow.
A few days after their departure, my 2 older sisters, their husbands, all of their kids, and a fun set of in-laws came out to relax for a week in Sedona with my parents. Lori hasn't been here in about 7 years, and this was Troy's first trip. It was essentially all of their kids first time out too. It's old hat for Jen and Dave.
What a week; it seems so long ago already. Breakfasts out, short hikes right out the back door from where we stay, and lots of pool and hot tub. Even with the drizzle we had the first 3 days, we were hiking during the short periods when the rain stopped and then into the pool we went. We built towers, made smores, cooked out, ate burritos, and drank a coupla beers. Put together a few puzzles and were forced to watch hours of Fox News Channel.
We had a really good time. Hopefully we'll all be able to do it again.
Hiking around the Bell.
Wine at the Brewery
Soldier's Pass
The towers at Cathedral
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