Snow Day

Yesterday was a great day and a snow day!

In the morning we had a closing to refinance the house. If you haven't looked, rates are LOW. There is only one thing better than having a house to live in... and that's paying less for the same house! The kids did good during the appointment. The room had a window and the snow plow was out front, crayons and color books also helped kept them busy.

We were only there for about 40 min, and there was about 2 inches of snow on the car.

Once we got home I headed off to work. I only got about ~2 miles in ~30 min and watched 2 SUV's spin out into the snow banks, before I came upon a closed road... meaning I would have to retrace my route. So, I just pulled the plug and went home. It was still snowing really hard and wasn't worth getting stuck or crashing for one day.

Once home, it was time to PLAY! PLAY! PLAY! Build snow men, snow forts and ... shovel the drives. It's always great how our neighbors come together after a big snow to help everyone dig out. Its one of the things that realy makes me happy about were we live. Old or young, your going to get help.

The day allowed us to forget about everything else except each other. Everyone needs a snow day to refresh the soul.

The photos were taken early in the snow fall, we have a lot more now.

Good Stuff

As children, boys view superheros as career options. Of coarse those career paths tend to be short lived. The first time you try to hold your breath like Aquaman or bust through a brick wall like the Hulk, you learned .... maybe I'll just be a .... scientist.

Unfortunately this dude didn't make that first cut and grew up chasing the dream. "If I only get high enough, I'll break the bonds of gravity" or "If I get hurt bad enough my regenerative powers will kick in." Should have been a scientist.



As many of you know, the new Boulder Velodrome is a great place to ride. It is super fun, very fast and has a steep bank. It is a little short compared to other tracks as is shown in this new video.



A post I came across on the web gives us all a clear reminder as spring comes around to be aware of your surroundings while enjoying the outdoors. See the posted bear warnings and take note of the last sentences.

Trip Planning

I am sad to say, I am going to miss the Koppenberg race this coming weekend. I haven't done the race before but during the past couple of years, I have planned to. Last year I was ready to go, only to have it snow the night before and the coarse turn into a mud pit. See the photo on the right, he didn't think it was that bad. The race was moved to the following weekend but I already had plans. So, I missed it.

This year, I have a week long vacation with just the wife and I. Starting Sunday. Baby sitting is all lined up. We are going to Moab with the goal of riding .... a lot. This was one of our favorite activities before the stork dropped off the kids. Making us late or having a bike related issues the day of our departure would be .... unwise. So, I have sacrified .... for my own good.... and family does come first.

With the addition of this credit in the family bank, I am betting that I might be able to cash it in later in the year. I am sure there will be many oportunities.

As for our trip to Moab, I am going to take both the Mountain Bike and Road Bike. I need to get my skills back on the mountain bike and if I remember correctly, there are a few trails in Moab that can help. Last time we were there was Oct 2006. I really enjoyed Slickrock, its not like any other trail I have been on. Porcipine Rim is just amazing. Amasa Back has such beautiful views. It is going to be fun.

What doesn't kill you.....

Another clear indication of spring are lose long rides. Suddenly the weather is so nice you go out for a big one. Longer, with more climbing than any other rides you have done since last summer. Your out there loving it.

Today was one of the spring right of passages. I started the day our with tired legs (not a good sign).... but how could I miss this riding on this day. We climbed and climbed. It got warmer and warmer. I striped off the vest, then the arm warmers.. basking in the sun.

We climbed up deer creek canyon, then high grade and then up a route I have never been, shadow mountain. We dropped back into Evergreen and stopped at our local bike shop sponsor, Canyon Cycles. I started up Kerr Gulch for some more climbing but the watts were dropping and the liquids and food were depleted, so I quietly tucked my tail between my legs and head for the car.

On the way home I visited Qdoba for a burrito. The guy behind the counter must have thought I looked like shit because he gave me a free drink.

Now I am enjoying the benefits of this spring ride, sunburn.

Job well done.

Spring

On this, the first day of spring, there are many signs that spring is in the air. The robins are back, the ducks are paired up and the temperatures are nice for evening walks.

A very clear sign for me is what happens to my garage space during the summer. Throughout the winter I get to park in the garage. During the warmer days - I am evicted! The bikes, big wheels and outdoor gear take over. I took this photo this morning as I was heading to work. Spring is here.

On this, the first day of spring, I did get out for a ride during lunch. The weather was great. I got in some form sprint intervals, not full speed, just trying to remember to keep my head up! It was an overcast day but warm.

So, during this, the first day of spring, keep your head up, ride fast and enjoy the outdoors .... especially if you get evicted.

Mountain Biking

This year I am planning to do more mountain biking than in previous years. My plan is to do the Winter Park series. My reasoning is 1. Its a lot of fun and 2. I'm looking for that extra edge come cyclocross season.

So far this year I've spent minimal time on the mountain bike and most of my time on the road bike. I've been trying to build up my endurance and strength. I've also been trying to get all the maintenance issues resolved and ready to go. Most of these are minor but they needed to be worked out.

Yesterday afternoon I took the bike out for a ride near Morrison, Red Rocks and Green Mountain. I felt very strong on the bike but my courage level and skills were low. On the brighter side, I could actually see those improve as the ride went on. The bike's performance was great, I'll have it dialed in soon. As for my own courage level and skills, more time on the bike will help and my trip to Moab in 2 weeks should catch me back up to where I need to be.


View Larger Map

New Ring

I mentioned last week that I had gotten a new wedding ring because my original ring was way too big and we didn't want to resize it for cost and sentimental reasons. Well it came in and I am wearing it. I really like the fit, style, thickness and weight but I am not so sure about the color. Its a little too dark.

I've actually been thinking about returning it but my wife has ask me to give it some time. See if it grows on me. It wasn't an expensive ring but still, I should be happy with it.

It looks really dark in the photos but it really isn't black. It looks more like a shiny dark metal but it's made of "ceramic."

Pros:
It stands out - keeps all the trashy ladies away
Feels comfortable
My wife is happy I'm wearing a ring

Cons:
People might think I've been widowed
People might think I'm a freak - maybe I am a freak
Kailee says "It looks silly because your not a girl, your hair isn't long"
Not what you would think a traditional wedding band would look like

I'll put some photos below, let me know what you think.

I have some serious old man hands.

The Weekend Rides

Saturday - I went out with the team. We had a great ride. The weather was good so there were a lot of riders. The average pace has gone up since I last did the ride. We basically stayed on the same route.

Sunday - Got out early before the wind really picked up. Not that it wasn't windy. Great ride out into and South of Boulder. Think I'll call this the Louisville loop.

The rest of the weekend was spent with the kids. Going to the park, going on walks and having a good time. They have been so tired at the end of each day. It's good for them.

I will post photos and other discussion from the weekend later.

Interesting week

This week has been particularly difficult to balance.

I've been trying to get all my workouts done in the mornings. There are a couple of reasons for this. The biggest is that if I wait until the evening, it generally doesn't happen. Family time make it too easy to skip. With the undependable weather predictions, a lunch time ride is to risky. So, that leaves the morning. Another complication is if I have one evening workout, it's too difficult to get up the next morning and do it again, so mornings are just better.

With the time change (yes I know, very lame) it has been very difficult to get up in the mornings. The kids are staying up later with the time change, so is the wife.

Anyway, this weekend is looking good, especially if the predicted snow today doesn't materialize. Which is looking pretty likely at this point.

Happy Friday the 13th! I love Friday the 13th's... I was born on a 13th so it's always been pretty good to me.

New Ring

Last night my wife and I spent some time looking for a new wedding ring for me. We got married almost 13 years ago. However, since I got serious about riding my bike and staying in shape, 7 years ago, my wedding band has been too big. I could still wear it if I was careful but for the last couple of years it has been so big it simply falls off my finger. My fear of loosing it has kept me from wearing it. I have actually lost it a couple of times but have been fortunate enough to get it back each time.

We think the ring is a size 10.5 or 11. Last night we stopped by a local jewelry store and they fitted me at a 9.5. Since my wedding day I have lost about 45 lbs, I just didn't know so much of it was in my hands. It was going to cost us over $100 to get it resized. I was reluctant because there are some nice inscriptions on the inside of the ring. So, we decided to simply get a new one from overstocked.com. They have lots of cool metals and nice styles. So we ordered one. I am actually pretty excited about it, it's a ceramic ring. The only draw back is that its not a shinny metal ring, its.... a little different. I will put up pictures when it arrives.

Now I can keep my original ring for when I retire from riding and have a temporary ring marking the wife's territory. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy... I do after all still love her.

Weekend Update

Saturday - Luckly the snow held off until the afternoon (not that there was a lot). So I tried my luck early. Putting on all my coldest weather gear I went out for a little over an hour. Short, but I got in my intervals.

The afternoon was spent working around the house. Replacing plugs and light switches in the master bed room and bathroom. Nate was a big help, taking all the trash and throwing it away. I just had to generate trash faster than it took him to walk across the room and throw it away. Then I was able to re-cable the mountain bike, I think it works better now than it ever did.


Kailee and I even went to the bike store so I could try on some mountain bike shoes. I am in need and haven't had time to get to the store. During the short drive, Kailee decided it wasn't exciting enough. I sat in the parking lot with her for about 40 minutes before she woke up and we went in the store.


Saturday evening we went to Melissa's parents house for a little... rest of the weekend get away.

Sunday morning I helped frame a section of a wall in the basement. They are slowly getting the basement finished. It's almost framed. Again, Nate was very interesed in the happenings in the basement and wanted to take an active role.

Sunday afternoon I went out for a ride, heading up Buckhorn Canyon. It is such a beautiful route. The road was clean and I felt like I was flying up the hill. When I turned around I found out why, the wind was really blowing. It took me the same amount of time to ride down the ~2700 ft into the wind as it did to climb it! Funny how when I was riding out, it just didn't seam that bad.

2008 CO CX Championship

Came across a trailer for the 2008 CO CX Championship race. This was the last race I did back in December. While I am not in the video (it's the pro's) we all raced the same coarse. This should give the non-racers some idea what it was like and for for those of you that were there..... sweet.... only 6 more months until CX season!

Blah

Feels like things are a little... ho hum.

Here is my take on things:

Had fun this morning with the kids.... but Kailee was mean to Nate.
Getting stuff done in the lab.... but the instrument I need is broken.
Its warm outside.... but the wind is really blowing
Looking forward to this weekend..... but it will be cooler and might snow
Going for a ride this afternoon.... but I have a broken cleat on my shoe (I think it'll still work)

Then I checked out the news, nothing going on there!

The DOW was up yesterday..... but now its even lower than before
GM got a bunch of my tax money.... but has doubts of survival
AIG got even more of my tax money.... but they want more
Micheal Jackson announces final curtain call.... but Britney is back
R. Limbaugh is an idiot.... but... no he's an idiot

Hmmm, I appear to be stuck in a vortex of the status quo, the nexus of the space time continuum with good and evil on all sides....... that sucks.

New Glasses

I picked up some new sunglasses last week. Rudy Project makes some nice glasses. They are the Noyz style and came with red photochromic lenses. They get pretty dark, I am impressed.

Here is my action photo of the glasses in ..... action. (I was colorful today!) When you are out of the sun the lenses are a light red color but in the Colorado sun, boom... they darken right up.

The wind today was really fun, as I went west toward Co-93. Once accross 93, the wind actually died down a little. I think I entered a vortex or something.

Anyway, a good day in the wind is better than .....

Can I stay out a little longer?

We had a BOD meeting this evening at 7. About six of use decided to get together and ride before the meeting. We met up in Golden and hit Lookout Mtn. We raced up the first time, then decided we had time for another. The sun was quickly setting but the weather was amazing. By the time we made it to the parking lot at the saddle, it was pretty dark.

Coming back down, with the Denver and Golden city lights looking magnificent, I felt like a little kid. Staying out to ride my bike. "No, mom, there is still some light, I can see the road." What a great ride!

Afterward, we had time for a quick beer before the meeting.

Good times.

Weekend Wrapup

This weekend was interesting, from a family standpoint. It was basically the weekend of my recovery week. While I did get some riding in, I envisioned family time. Unfortunately Nate was sick and that basically ended any hope of extra activities (pool, grandparents, park etc). The time at home was spent trying to keep him from over exerting himself, getting rest and chasing him with a Kleenex.

On Saturday, I has able to hook up with the team for a pre-ride of one of the early races, the Koppenberg. Named because of the steep dirt hill in the course, it is a pretty short hill but it will hurt after a couple of climbs. More likely, the pain will come in the first lap when 80+ folks go barreling into the hill at full speed. Last year it snowed the morning of the race and it was postponed to the following weekend. It was great to ride with everyone. Many of them I have not seen since CX this past Fall. The weather ended up being interesting, it was way cold but I think I got a sun burn on my face. Only in Colorado.

Sunday I wanted to do something different. So I got out the mountain bike and went to green mountain for a short ride. It was a lot of fun. My plan is to do the Winter Park Series this year so I might as well get the bike ready. I have never ridden at Green Mountain. It was nice. There were a lot of people there today. I can't blame them, the afternoon weather was... inviting. A map of my mountain bike ride is below, check out the elevation feature, the opening climb peaked out at an averaged of 15% for 0.5 mile.

Training calls for some more base miles in the coming week. Need to build that endurance for later in the season.