I'm Her Dogsitter.

Snowmass 07

Snowmass 07, originally uploaded by acousticmusick.

Just dug this up. Makes me want Mtn Bike season to get here.

CO CX State Championship

Tough luck, kid.

Chic in front of me fell at the start. I was one of two riders that got balled up in the collision. Bad start. Argh.

Okay, whatever. I began my chase. I moved from 30th place position to chasing 10th when I slammed a curb and flatted. Rode the rear flat through single track, the staight away of pavement, and around to the pit. Mavic had a pit crew with wheels and they kindly changed the wheel. I returned to the course and fought for a finishing 16th place.

Beat an old rival in a sprint finish though. She flatted earlier in the race too, putting us in a similar mid-pack position.

What a sport.

"The" Rock Star

Race and Slide

Boulder Cup #2: A Win

Every time I dug for more there was more to be had. I finished amidst the Cat 3 racers who started the curvy course two minutes before our pack. I was pretty pleased. And I had a hell-of-a cheering section too. Cowbells, the works.

New Sexy!

September Stats:

I broke my foot at the tail-end of July. I sent the following month off of it completely. Then I gradually, with the help of layered insoles started to ease my way back onto the pedals. The past five weeks have been immersed with focus and consistency. I see the progress. I feel the progress. Here are my hours in the saddle (this includes a good deal of intensity).

Week 1: 13:10:00
Week 2: 17:35:00
Week 3: 16:30:00
Week 4: 12:15:00
Week 5: 19:00:00
This week: tracking toward 15:00:00

My new cross bike is in the mechanics shop waiting to be built. I feel ready to race again. After a detour through relationships, jobs, and even cities, I finally feel settled. Every area of life is becoming more and more healthy. More consistent.

I may very well have the best bike racing of my life around the corner. I just neet to continue to foot the bill while I work to impress a team with my golden potential.

Training Update 10.04.2008

I went big on the group ride today. The kind of big where you don't have to go home. Not only was I dumping blood and sporting high estrogen levels the whole ride, unlike any of the men, I was also strong and steady.

Powerful motivation of mind and body.

I took pulls. I sat on wheels. I was the first to bolt left to climb and I sprinted the men for the hill top Primes (pronounced "preems"). I kept up with the five climber boys to the Broadmoor turn off and then I made ANOTHER left (meaning more climbing). I shouted "Come on ladies", but no takers.

I climbed to the Zoo and then with still a little left in the legs I ascended Cheyenne Canyon. That maxed me. But unlike previous attempts, today when I asked my legs to push a bigger gear they willingly and ably responded. I wasn't trying to shift down only to find that my shifter was uncooperative. Today was a strong one.

I'm ready to race again.

With a bike build and a date, I'll be sprinting from a start line soon!

High on Altitude

Springs Cycling Tragedy

Last night, one block from our house, two cyclists were killed by a pick-up truck. The accident happened at an intersection that we frequent daily as do most every cyclist in this town. The Gazette's first news story was very vague. This one has more information. I'm sure more will be released. This reality hits very close to home, in our neighborhood, to our fellow cyclists.

At the particular turn where the accident happened Jack, E, and I always say "Hi, dead people..." to the cemetery across the street. A saying that started just after we moved here takes new meaning over night.

Life is terribly short. Then over. How easily it can come to a screeching halt.

Comfort to the families and friends who suffer the loss of lives irreplaceable.

Welcome to the Gun Show!!

Back in the Saddle, Again!

After a few months to test all theories of: life, work, passion and breaking points; I am now back on track- single track!! Did a local race this week and though I was a few notches below where I was I'm still on my way up again...

Nathrop: Reality Check

And you call yourself a "Bike Racer"?!?!

baby porter after his adventure in the snow.

Training Ride Gone South.

This was my training ground yesterday. It was breathtakingly spectacular and at a breathtakingly hard pace. I feel like a totaled car and there's nothing better. I'm still in the game folks. See you at the races.

My Very Own Primus

I gotta new frame, I gotta new frame, I gotta new frame hey, hey, hey, hey!

Pictures coming soon....

Denver Loves Me

Yesterday I embarked on my first outdoors training road ride since my move to Denver. The streets were mostly clear of snow and the temperature was just warm enough to be outside. After one glance and grimace at the trainer I bundled up and hit the rodes, without knowing what would soon hit me.

I headed up 32nd toward Golden, a ride that I've made several times in the past months. I was moving along at a nice Tempo pace when a snow/ice missle was launched out of a Jeep hitting me abruptly in the back. I was startled. I thought a car had hit me. The chunk was the size of my head (which is pretty big these days). It happened so fast and without any notice on my part. I looked back to see chunks of ice fall into the street from the impact. I looked ahead as a car load of teenagers cheered and waved as they passed.

In the heat of the moment I gained composure and threw up my hand in a rock star symbol rather than a bird. It was my way of saying "Good Hit" whoever freakin' threw that. My back, ribs, and lungs only ached for the next 40 mins of the ride- no biggie.

Welcome to Denver, where drivers love cyclist the most!!