Drill Baby Drill

I don't normally like to talk politics but after catching up on the news, I see one of America's coastal oil rigs has had a little problem in the Gulf of Mexico. It's been dumping oil into the gulf for the past few days and they can't seem to turn it off. The oil hasn't reached land yet but I'm guessing more people will get pretty bent out of shape when it does.

I seem to remember a certain political slogan from a few years back being "drill baby drill." The intent was to put more of these things around our country and coastline. It was and still is a stupid idea. I mean, what are you going to do when you burn up all that new oil? It was always unsustainable and didn't really fix anything, it simply delayed the inevitable when the cheep easy oil is gone. Now there's a huge environmental nightmare floating in the gulf (oh and it's currently getting bigger).

I bet it'll be awhile before we hear that stupid slogan again. I feel bad for the workers that lost their lives and for the folks on the gulf coast that will have to suffer through this.

Sorry for the rant.

Double pot brew

Mmmmm brew night.

It's Never Happened to Me Before!

This past Saturday I decided to head out an do a race at a new local race series that's being put on, the Front Range Mountain Bike Series . Basically it's a short track mountain bike race that's twice as long as normal, which means it's a cyclocross races with no dismounting (somthing I think I can do). I wanted to test the legs, see if I could hold on for the entire race and have fun. More importantly it was being held in essentially "my back yard." It was so much fun, I would highly recommend this race series to everyone, the promoters are doing a great job out there and they deserve our support. Mountain biking, in the city, in the spring... you have to go!

Six degrees to slush was out taking some great photos and got some great shots of me in my race, so I will use them as a photo show of how the race went.

First I warmed up, trying to stay out of the way of the racers.


Then we lined up. (Damn that TER kit looks good)

And we're off, I tried to stay off the front but near the front. Just relaxing.


The first climb up the hill I was sitting in 4 or 5th place. Just trying to stay out of trouble.


Heading back up the climb in a good place, but a few of the leaders were showing signs of fatigue.


I wasn't going to wait so, I punched it. On only the second lap. I had three chasers. It felt early so I tried to ride smart and not blow up. I had 5 more laps to go!


I climbed....


and raced...


Showing everyone my...


All the way to the finish line for my first victory. I road the Cannondale 29er with the Lefty locked out almost the entire time. The bike was sweet, powerful and let me rip it up. It felt good. Time to upgrade for the next race. This is a good start to the rest of the Cyclocross pre-season!

Thanks for reading.

Riding Moab - Slickrock

This past week we spent some time in Moab. I got the chance to get out and ride a few times on the new 29er (Cannondale Flash 29er 2). I have to say, it did really well! I really enjoyed the ride. I love the no squish hard tail and the feel of the bike. Even after 3+ hours riding from town I didn't feel all beat up. My favorite ride, Slickrock, is always a good one early in the season. If your skills are off (i.e. you weighting the wheels wrong or your braking is uneven) you'll know really quickly. This year was no different. We all found a little room for improvement.

This year my good friends David and Patrick hit the alter of Slickrock with me. We road up from Moab and I thoroughly enjoyed the incredible ride!!

All I can say is, "Thanks guys, I had a great time!!" Here are some photos.

Patrick Climbing, Look at those legs muscles bulging out!! NICE

David making it look easy in that SWEET 2010 TER KIT!!!

Aaah, Butta.
Video of my greatest climbing, descending and jumping accomplishment. I mean I killed it here!



This was a little further down the trail.

Bottling Night

Got the Honey Amber bottled up. Only took about 2.5 hours. Not bad
going solo.

I hear the music

While in Moab this past weekend we got in a lot of play time. A nine year old in our crew really loved the sand dunes, especially jumping off the sandstone cliffs into the soft red sand.

Tired and slightly out of breath, he ran over covered in sand, so excited and full of life. He said, "When I jump and I'm in the air, before I land, I hear music. Like in the movies." I said "That my friend is the meaning of life"

When was the last time you "heard the music?"

Moab Day #2

Another fun one. Kids are wrecked!

Moab Day #1

Ladies road Arches NP during the AM. Dad took the kids on a long hike
in Hunters Canyon. Knocked the kids out. Both were napping before we
got back.

Dad's rocked Amasa Back in the afternoon.

Everyone slept good last night.

This morning the kids needed a movie break. Electicity in the popup
is paying off.

Sent from my iPhone

They make pink marshmallows

And so it begins

Good Decision Tree

I thought this was pretty cute and accurate. Too bad I need my sleep and I don't drink coffee. Good thing my wife helps out in that department.
Enjoy