Yeah...I'm Still Alive and Kicking!

Its been 10days since my last opening up to the world. Lots of stuff happening just too tired to write it seems. When I first started this blog back in May of last year I was at the Tour of the Gila in New Mexico. Well, in two weeks time from today I will be lining up again on what is my first big target of the year. Training has been going well and the mind is aiming for a top position within the GC(general classification). So what's going on in my world? Child engineering, personal assisting, bike selling, bike repairing, racing, training, and team joining. Also a little cooking to satisfy the Julia Child in me. And Michael, my brother, is out here for work training. We've been able to hang out a little and did a great hike on Sunday. Pictures will be uploaded, I promise...

The Koppenburg was a let down for sure for me. But afterwards I reminded myself that sh&& happens and that's bike racing. Nevertheless, I went for 2.5hours additional after fueling up at home. Just really beat the pedals to submission choosing to ride the hardest portions of my routes: into 20+mph headwinds then climbing up Lee Hill all the way to LeftHand Canyon. I was angry and the cranks paid for it. when I returned home, I felt better. Riding has a mystical power to it that helps drain out stress, energy, unhappiness and bring comfort, fatigue, and satisfaction. I know I was the strongest that day, unfortunately the dice didn't roll my way.

On sunday, Michael and I did the hike around Walker Ranch. I ended up falling in the water after 1mi. Being the persistent, hard-headed, challenge-seeking type, I pressed on with michael. Fortunately, the weather was warm(upper 60s), sunny and dry. Socks never completely dried but I only suffered minor blistering. The views and the time hiking with my brother were well worth it. Anyways, I'm not going to back track =) Afterwards we hit up a food stop in Nederland. then finished up the drive down to Boulder on the Peak-to-Peak Hwy. All and all a super day.

On the team front, I've received some great news. I will be riding for Vitamin Cottage Presented by XP Companies this year. VC p/b XP has been one of the top and continues to be one of the top amatuer squads in the country. Tops in CO and this is a wicked hard district. I'm super jazzed about it. At the Koppenberg, my new teammate who I was racing with in the 3s rolled off at 4laps. Which dictated my tactics afterwards. Gila will be different this year b/c I will have multiple teammates which will be a definite help.

I got my first sunburn of the year yesterday. We had 80s here on the Front Range. Chance of 1-4" tonight. You know the drill for Colorado spring time by now. But this weekend should be in the 70s which will be good when I line up at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs for a TT and Crit on Saturday and a RR on Sunday. The RR is run on the 1986 World Road Championship Course. Starts at 7000 and rolls down to 6000?. Lots of rolling climbs. Should play to my favor as it seems to be a tough parcours and after day 1 of tt/crit others will be tired.

Look for the online updates...

Well enjoy your Hump Day and post-Paying the Man Day.

Chow,
Matthew