Dirt on the road

Yin and yang, sort of, a stiff road bike on singletrack, kind of like grape jelly on sushi. Certainly out of place, hmmmm, not far from the rest of life until it all clicks.

2 for 4

Quieter days at altitude and smaller rides with a little more pain. A lot better this way, it is the second season after all, second only for the fact that it comes later in the year. Crispy mornings rushing through the different thermaclines, ducking into the next little valley hoping the sun heated it up a bit at 7.15 am. 16 degrees? OK, as long as the road isn't too icy.

Warm enough to roll through the work but not too cold to function. Empty the tank early in the week.

Then I saw a porcupine about the size of number 1 he was beautiful, big lumbering and yellowy brown. He smelled too, kind of a hippie BO smell, he just walking across the road looking for his dinner, slow, I want to move that slow this winter. I stopped to watch him a while even though I was mid effort. He kept his pace, didn't seem too interested in me wandering near by. He was just trying to get across the road. I tried to get a photo but it didn't come out. I wish I had a picture of his smell, that was impressive. I wondered if they had the skunk-spray ability, I know nothing about porcupines so I kept a 30-40 foot buffer. He went about his day and I went on my way soon to meet up with Smith as he was crossing the road going across Middle Flume, while I was rolling on the road bike. Pleasantries and cross chatter and I made my way home. 2 for 4 so far this year pretty good start.

Pitches

One of the last times I rode West Ridge outside of a race it was so hot I had to stop and wring out my helmet and quiet the deafening echo of my heartbeat in my head. Riding the Ferrous (single) and the body English and stubbornness to not put a foot down or stop almost made me blackout. A 32:16 under me, not the best choice for that climb, but at the top I felt cleansed. Relieved of some weakness that had been lingering for some time, always better to try things the hard way. Like I said stubborn. Over the top the rigid fork and long descent again cleaned me a little more. The smile was sometimes hidden behind my gasping for air but it’s always there. I see the pictures from races and though I lack the Chris Horner/Ivan Basso smile-grimace I know I’m happy, always better to try to put out a good effort and appear smooth doing it, opposed to the bleeding out your eyes in a look of awful pain.

I hope glove design catches up to technology soon, there's no reason my gloves have to be that bulky. It wasn't that cold today (mid 20s) and my bulky Descente Wombat gloves were plenty warm but I could barely feel the bars. I like the subtle cush of the bartape and taper of the bar itself. There is little justification for near boxing gloves when it's in the 20s. I'm always searching for the ideal glove, any input would be welcomed. A comfortable low-loft glove that could go from 25-35 fahrenheit would be a staple. For now, it's usually too much or too little.

On terms

Good starts both days gave a fair shake at the front to almost everyone. The courses allowed for good passing, Saturday from the gun I was able to move up to 2nd before the first dirt stretch, knowing the wood chips potential to derail a race I thought the extra energy was well spent. Little bit of feeling out in the first 10 minutes sprung 3 of us to a bit of a gap. Good enough for the others to let us go. 2 against 1, what's the line "Shake and Bake?" Will Farrell can't carry a movie. Anyway, I made the most of the clean shot at the front to pull a few clear. Seeing if the 2 GMS sports were feeling the race to attack and sit I let the next few laps happen. The big road climb featured heavily both days, knowing I could attack here and then recover if it didn't work. I went a little bit harder leading into it and turned the screw the little bit of daylight grew with 2 to go, on the gas and mantra in my head "efficiency and focus" I went into the red and stayed there a while. Win #1 of fall 2009.

Sunday was a harder course, where Saturday let the race decide the race, Sunday's course was far harder. Some running and techy bits made for a different race. Calm and comfortable off the start and rolling 3rd into the long descent and the amazing leadout from MudandCowbells only cemented a great start. Greg missed a turn leaving me in 2nd with a clear shot if I wanted into the decisive run up, I felt like stretching the legs a bit so I ran faster than I needed to on the run. From there the front was Chris Phenicie and Jon Cariveau (who I heard won CrossVegas' industry race, nice!) I guess Jon was yo-yo-ing a bit, Chris and I got to business as we did on Saturday to separate from everyone else. If Jon made it to us he didn't come around and pull so I think he drifted near us. The road climb was on the opposite side of the course from the run up so I had 2 spots to really put in a sustained effort. Patience and good legs let me choose when to go, 2 times left on the road hill and I checked out. Jon got around Chris to roll through for 2nd.

I don't have any pictures yet from saturday but this is what Sunday looked like. Sunny and cool, I was all the way around the course, pushed and pulled clear to a point. Thanks to BCS for the support and 6degrees2slush for the picture. Seems like the engine is just getting going.

Frisco CX #1

The clicks were good today, synchronous to the point of, well I guess if I put it all down to good days, I was prepared. There's a million things you don't have control of, and almost a million things you can. I did. I came away with the 1st win of fall 2009. I won't bore with a race report, it was fast from go, whittled away the front to a sharp point, the arrow was straight to the line. Good day, more.

Off-kilter

Ready to see where a broken shoulder and a good late summer left the legs, amen.

Fluffy

Excuses are always the same, thin and useless, kind of like a shitty chamois. I almost didn't ride yesterday when the snow was falling and the reward came in the form of a clear afternoon. The guilt would have been too much if the day was wasted. Especially in February when I'm back out there in the shit.

Frosted

Today it was 17 degrees, with about a 15 mph headwind the whole way to work over frosted, iced, not yummy, slick path. It was beautiful, the tempo only slightly kept the body from shutting down. Even after 40 minutes I had chilled digits through booties and good lobster paws. The ice cream headache only made me look forward to winter rides. I don't think I got stronger today but I'll find out Saturday how pure the fuel is and what the purity pays.

Vice

I have a few vices. Cross of course being one of them, I don't know and never will know how much it has cost me, whether it's money, time, or pain. The key is the clean feeling I get after a race. Pure, unadulterated emptiness. If I finish a race with anything left, I cheated myself.