Don't Forget

Tonight. Be there. Boulder Theater. 7:30

Five day weekend

I guess schools not so bad, just as long as you dont have to go. 21 days left of my junior year, scha-wing. three day week starts tomorrow, then off to the booming metropolis of Nathrop, CO for the chalk creek stampede.


I did really enjoy my extended break from the hell-hole. It was quite pleasant, albiet mellow. Had a really difficult time getting motivated on Saturday with the miserable weather and all, and spun around on sunday.

Took the offer on a two'fer today. AM at hall ranch with los padres after a nice morning and an even nicer latte,

relatively dead compared to a saturday morning. then out the south boulder wanker trails with the devo crew in the afternoon. far too warm for good riding. ah well, whine whine whine, too hot too cold, I guess thats just colorado. It keeps you on your toes.

Pursuit

Been reaching out and trying to grab hold of a bit more fitness this week. I think it's getting closer, but still hovering just out of reach, everytime I jump higher, the bar sets its self one notch above.



In hopes of quickness, wednesday afternoon dealt a nasty blow to my body. 35plus miles with over 4500 vertical and under 3 hours. oh yea, one stop the whole way. to put jackets on above Gold hill. I was almost crying walking up stairs yesterday. Spun the legs out today on the wanker trails.

Also found a sweet patagucci hat. this thing has babe magnet written all over it

Save the date

As a general rule of thumb, I usually try to avoid shameless self promotion at all cost. But, in light of recent events, I figured I'd give it a shot. Here goes nothing.



What: A premier of the newest movie by the Collective, "Seasons" benefiting the Boulder Mountain Bike Alliance and the Boulder Devo/Tokyo Joes Junior Cycling Team.

When: Wednesday, April 30. Doors open at 6:30, Movie Starts at 7:30

Where: The Boulder Theater

How Much? $13.00 tickets (remember, it goes to a good cause)

Why? I know that its on a wednesday, and that you can go see a bona-fide hollywood movie for much less, but all money is going to the BMA better trails fund and the Devo team.

And the question i know you're all dying to have answered...
Where do I get my tickets?!?!

Well, If by chance you are much better with your orgganization or planning skillz than I, shoot me an email. and I can hook you up. (or you can by 'em at the door)

Took the lazy way out to hall ranch this AM. Felt bad driving, but not bad enough to endure the wind on 36. Must be the first time i've driven to a trail in boulder county in almost a year. so shared the trail with like 3 billion other people. I have honestly never seen that many people on hall, and the only other place ive seen a higher density of riders was last tuesday on the link trail. it's absolutely crazy.

fit(ness) and signs

2 for 2 rides up lee hill and deer trail yesterday. not a lot of things to note, other than the ridiculous heat today. and the fact that I had a hint of fitness in my legs. Its by far the best I've felt since the last day of the Phoenix trip. Infinitely frustrating to me that I couldn't have felt this strong last sunday. Mighta been able to break top 5.



So I would not normally take a picture of this sign. Its not an uncommon sight around boulder. The reason why this stands out is that one line: "hikers welcome." Not only is this an exemplary display of frustrating fact that people think cyclists are problem causers, but they just have to slap you in the face with their little white pedestrian loving glove.
This brings up a problem that really irritates me. Even though I think conservation is important, Limiting people's usage of trails, be they on foot, bicycle, unicycle, skis, or whatever is going to do nothing but keep people from doing fun things outside. And when you keep people from going outside and enjoying themselves, one day, there will be a generation of people who will stop caring about the outside. and then when that generation of people grow up and get jobs and run our country, they will disrespect and disregard what makes this place so spectacular. The best way to instill a sense of responsibility is not to turn folks away, but to let them get off the highways and see what needs to be saved. Granted, I don't think that everyone should get to go everywhere, and certain groups (cough, equestrians and motorists, cough cough) need to be limited, But for god sakes, take down some of those signs.

Bipolar Weather Gods of Spring

Tuesday: 80+ degrees F

Wednesday: 2+ inches of snow

Today: Good riding

Mountain States Cup kicked it off this weekend in fruita. First official race of the season and it sure felt like it. The riding there is so spectacular that there's just not really any way to tell about it. Just miles and miles of trails in some really awesome country.

The courses did not disappoint. The tt on saturday consisted of a five mile loop with a steep climb at the beginning, followed by lots of twisty singletrack. and the xc on sunday was even better. a 20 mile loop with a mix of behind-the-rocks dirt roads, and classic fruita trails along a white rim like canyon.

unfortunately, the race sucked. Despite the rad scenery, having to share the course with several hundred other lycra clad, gu wrapper throwing, testosterone infused racers was a serious detractor. kinda like holding a big nordic race on zarlengos or antelope creek. it still surprises me how intense a 40 something year old expert guy in 20th something place can be when you're cruising along a canyon rim on a beautiful day. made me feel like sitting up and just riding (which is basically what i did anyways seeing as my legs felt absolutely terrible)


Ah well. more races to come. hopefully more fruita too.

I think this fellow may be my new hero...



priceless.
i'll have to get me one of those buttons

So pretty much its been a couple of days where the weather has been absolute pants. Much more reminiscent of november than april with grey dreary days. no snow, no sun... just clouds. not exactly great motivation to go out and pedal. rode with the devo crew yesterday, descending upon the dowdy trail like a swarm of locusts. believe the mass almost took out one of the gooneys on the s.boulder path.


Rode today with ben and mike, up to where there were a few flakes falling then down. Can't help but talk about the devil. every time I ride, I feel better and better descending, hopefully the training will pay off this weekend in fruita. Word. looks like the folks at msc do have some sense in picking a location to race. Hopefully it wont go in the direction of the CB race, where one of the worst courses is in the middle of some of the world's most excellent trails. fun fun fun.

There are times when I really enjoy my family, times when we do cool stuff, go on fun vacations, stuff like that. But there are also times, when, I can not express the frustration that comes from having to deal with my parents. Times like yesterday, for instance, where instead of going skiing in the backcountry, we walked around saint mary's glacier looking for cell phone coverage. or when, as we were in the midst of a 2hour drive up I70, I over overheard my dad saying "see that big flat area over there," as we were outlining the day's route, "thats where we're going."

I know that I am luckily a very privileged kid, and shouldn't be whining about anything, but a five mile hike along a barren tabletop with skis on with a lot of stupid windshield time sucks. Especially when the other options were considered...

Can't wait till I get my own car and can go skiing without the fracas.

note: it did get better at the end, when we climbed a little bit up james peak, but we only made it to 12,4 and got twenty some nice turns. but not that great.

how sweet it is...

to finally get a glimpse of summer. Lots of riding this week. and the light of summer is now growing brighter at the end of the proverbial tunnel of school. 6 more weeks of my junior year. excellent. anywho. got out the the recently opened dowdy draw in south boulder. really flat straight windy approach to the trail, but the trail, for as long as it lasts (which isnt very long) is pretty nice, a change of pace at least.
Kick in the shorts this morning. rode the double H loop with mike. first longish ride of the season somewhere past the half century mark. with tons of wind, a 2liter of coke and chocolate poptarts. mmm