Rad Singletrakin' and My New Steed

Built up the new cross bike yesterday. "It's sick brah!" Kona Major Jake 08, yep the Kermit the Frog green paint scheme. I did some part swapping on it b /c I wasn't too happy with the build. So I'm hoping to unload some unused components on the market soon. If you are interested, I will hook you up with a sweet deal. I rolled old skool on it and went Dura Ace 9, or DA9. Going to run a single 42t on the front end with an FSA carbon crank and Salsa Crossing Guard chainguard. Std 12-25 on the rear. Until I make the jump to a tubular cross set, I'm going with my Mavic Ksyrium Elites. Served me well in Belgium and here so why not.
Parts Available: Mavic Kysirium Equipe wheelset (2008) (9miles on them), Shimano 105 shifter set(unused), Shimano Ultegra 10sp long cage rear derailleur, FSA Gossomar 36/46 crankset, FSA Mego Exo BB, 2 brake levers, Shimano 105 10sp chain, Shimano 105 10spd 12-25 cassette, FSA OS 150 handlbar(possibly available). Basically, you could build up your own bike except for brakes and frame, fork, headset with this. Will part out or sell the whole kitten. Email me for prices. If you are in Boulder, I will even build the bike up for you for a much reduced fee since I'm kind of a pro mechanic.

Now back to the Rad Singletrackin...Took the 10:10 bus to Ned. Staked my claim early so I could throw on the front rather than sardine my Titus in the underbelly. Wise move. We must have had 12 or more bikes on board. Got to love it here where you can take a bus to sick trails 20minutes out of town. Of course it would be uber-sick if you could ride out but that is a different entry. Working as a shop mechanic, you tend to see the same players all the time. Boulder is also very small so that lends to it as well. I unloaded at the bus stop in Ned and headed towards the high school since I had heard there was a trail leading to the West Magnolia trail network. After some pioneering and fortitude I came upon the treasure. Now this was my 2nd time on the trail network. Basically all singletrak but numerous interconnecting trails. It goes like this, ride in, ride around, get lost, enjoy the fun, the leaves, the air, ride around some more, and miraculously you turn out at the trailhead. Sweet! I wanted to get some more chamois time, so I rolled down West Magnolia Rd(dirt) and hit the Dot Trail system, Trail 606. UNBELIEVABLE! I had never been so gah gah over singletrak in my life. This was it, heavy tree cover, tight trail, and quite technical for this roadie. I'll admit that I did have to walk a few sections but my day will come. Each time i go out, I get better. No sense in trying to be uber macho and braking something then walking out the entire trail. Right? Well it didn't disappoint. There was no sign of life for miles, totally serene and just what I needed.

Later hooked up on West Magnolia and rolled back into town before cruising it back home. ~4 hours or so. Good climbing and strength workout. I'm going to incorporate more mtn biking and cross riding this fall hoping that the it will improve my climbing. If not that, I'll atleast have fun ripping it up on the dirt =)

To wet your whistle....
Chow,
Bearclaw

A Self Silhouette (this goes out to my elementary school art teacher who only gave me the purple paper once!)

The Changing of Times

The leaves are beginning to share their beauty that has been hidden since last year. Yep, its officially fall in Colorado. We still have temps in the 70s/80s but the mornings are cool and the colors are beginning to shine. Since moving west in 2005, I haven't really experienced a fall foliage since there is no such thing in San Francisco. The changing of times represents a new year, a changing of life, and rediscovering of comfort. Fall certainly has to be my favorite time of the year. Not just because my birthday is less than a month away...hint hint...but temps are a little cooler and life seems a little more relaxed.

Cyclocross season is in full swing here in The Republic. I will be taking part shortly. My new rig should be arriving soon. It's going to be fun, dirty and totally sick. Pics will be posted of the new addition to the quiver.

Today is my sister's wedding anniversary, so happy anniversary Lauren and Alex. This time last year I was cooking up a storm and recently released from my chain(ie neckbrace). Times have definitely changed....

For a small digression from usual banter on this weblog...when you are out with friends/boyfriend/girlfriend/wife/husband turn off the damn blackberry and no texting. If that call, txt, or email is so important why are you wasting the time with that other person? Nothing annoys me more than people who do this. So don't be that girl or that guy.

Digression over....

Chow,
Matthew

Colorado Beauty

Went out of my "element" on Sunday and did some hiking in Indian Peaks. Area that is just outside Nederland. Just over 2hrs. Some decent vert, nothing technical but fun. Yesterday, having the day off, I got back to my own. Rode 4hrs up to Lyons then to Peak to Peak then to Ward and down. Amazingly clear day in the mountains.

Now its back to wrenching today...Or as i like to say, "making dreams come true."

Beautiful Colorado Riding

Rode with Kelly's sister today, Kim. We did an epic post-season, I use the word epic b/c most people who have been racing are sitting on their arses. Not me, I still want to ride some before the weather prevents me from going to high. It was perfect weather today, upper 60s-low 70s. 161km. Heading south from the compound in Niwot to Arvada then up Golden Gate Canyon to Peak-to-Peak(CO-72) to Nederland then to Ward down Left Hand Canyon then home. 3600kjs at 5hr45min of ride time.

I had never done this climb before up Golden Gate Canyon but its a real good one. Very long indeed. But worth it. Going hiking manana...Ahh the Colorado life =)

Last Race and Some Mountain Training

Rode the last road race of the Colorado season yesterday. Great battle out on the Colorado farm lands. Belgian style with le perfume du manure and lots of wind. Got stuck in a bad position when the front group went in the combined p/1/2/3/masters 35+/women 1/2 field. Made the 2nd chase group after burying myself only to look back and see that the rest of the field was nowhere in sight. On th last lap, a DU rider went up the road. I watched for a reaction from the group but it was obvious they were blown. I attacked hard out to the left, bridged up and we rode together for the rest of the race. Probably about a 3-4min lead ahead of the group. With 500m to go, the rider with me tried to break me but getting out of the saddle with me on his wheel. I was right on it. He tried it again, and i was on it. With about 200m to go, I jumped and gave everything out to the far right(we were on the left side of the road. He wasn't able to follow my sprint and I was able to comfortably sit up with 4 bike lengths to go as I had a 4-5bike length lead. Now I would expect officials would get these results right. But ohh contraire...I was recorded as 7th overall, not 6th with the DU guy beating me. I didn't even bother to check the results for fear of a mistake. I only discovered it last night online. Policy is you can't contest after leaving race site. Stupid.

After we finished the DU rider told me he thought he could drop me. What he didn't know was I knew he was the stronger rider so I played it to look more fatigue and took shorter pull towards the end. Then when he decided to lead it out I knew I had it b/c he wasn't going to drop me by jumping out of the saddle. So for all of you trying to drop someone at the end, make the jump count. With the limited distance left, you have nothing to lose if you don't empty the tank. I waited till he sat after giving it a 2nd go, knowing he is going to need a little recovery and then unleashed. It worked and it was sweet after the work throughout the day.

Now onto fun riding. Eric Kenny and I did a nice 150k loop up to Estes Park via Loveland/CO-34 then down CO-36. Plan was to continue on CO-7 to Ward but we were already at 3.5 hours in Estes. The loop I described would be a great day. Legs felt pretty good today and the weather was perfect.

Here are some photos...they were all taken while riding