Reforestration Rambles...

I woke up Saturday morning and thought what to do? TV said rain was coming, better ride early if at all. So I decided to go out to the camp. I got out there by 830. Evidently other people had the same idea as me. There were at least 8 cars by the trail entrance. Today was all about just riding and thinking about life. Thought I would think about the last year since the season is over. Evidently I didn't have much to think of since I pretty much just rode. The only conclusion I came up with is. No matter how much work you put in front of yourself, you will get through it if you keep on plugging away at it. I've pretty much been relaxing since we moved into the new house. Just trying to enjoy it and spend time with my family. I can't make up for not doing much with them this summer but, we've been having fun together. Someone asked me how I found time to ride with a family. The only answer I have is you make time. You either ride early or late or at nap time. Otherwise you realize your 25 pounds overweight and your not happy. So today at the camp I ran into the duathalon organizers from the Ashwaubenon Nordic Ski Team. The said the course is the same as last year. Except you lap thru because they have chip timing this year. They said they moved it up a week this year so they didn't overlap with the Iceman. If anyone has time I suggest they do this race. It was a seriously fun race for me. Other than that, the newest issue of Bicycling has some diffrent stretches I hadn't tried before. They made my back feel better. Its probably sore because I hadn't stretched in about 4 months. A lot of things go out the window when your building a house. :) Going to blow up my new excercise ball when I get home from Family night at the Y.
See Ya outside.

Wigwam Wipeout

Sorry about the late blog post. Tired after the race and busy week at work. I think we stayed at the park till 530 watching the awards and enjoying some oktober "fest".
The race was fun, I still had bronchitis for the race. I don't know if that helped much but, I felt faster during the race. I Pre rode on saturday and enjoyed the course changes. I was suprised by how dry the course was after our biblical summer. The equalizer felt easier except at the top it was very loose. I didn't get a very good spot on the start so I just hung back and rode with the guys around me. I had a good couple of laps just kinda staying where I was at not really passing many people. Than I took a curve just before the roots of evil and wiped out on the loose dust on hardpack. BAM down I go on my chest and belly with my face in the dirt. I sat up and tried to catch my breath half stunned. I got a good 6" scratch on my stomach to show for it and a bruised shoulder. What happened? I think I just slid out on the loose dust. This happened to me 3 times during the race. I have been riding the XR1 bontys all season and noticed the same thing early this summer. The only thing the seem to be good for is tacky soil conditions. I think I am done with these tires except maybe for cheq 40. It could just be my lack of skills too but, its time for new tires. Other than that got back on and finished the race. Only rode the equalizer once. I had to keep putting a foot down right at the very top. It was a fun day and I didn't mind the scrape. I am motivated to start training for next season right now. I'm not going to though. Hopefully I see you at the duathalon at camp.

Bear Paw Breakdown

Headed up to Bear Paw last weekend to see some friendly faces and hopefully be more competive. I have managed to ride a little bit more lately. So I was hopeful for the race. I prerode on Saturday and felt good. I had a little cough so I only did 1 lap. Then I went to Family night at the Y with my Kids and sat in the Hot tub. Best race prep ever. Sunday I had a good long warm up on the road mostly with J-Vog. Relaxed till Don said Gooo. Then I hit it. Had a good start, like I have been this year. It seems like I have lost any power. And I stayed in the top ten till the bottom of the long descent. By that time my lungs were burning. From the cold? More likely just lost quite a bit of aerobic capcity over the summer. So it took the rest of the 1st lap to recover. The second lap I felt great. I zoomed up the hill and motored thru most of the second lap. The third lap I felt great up the hil and then the legs lost the power. Kinda sad for that short of a race. I think the consensus on Bear Paw is that it is a tough but very fun race. I would rather race their twice then do Kewaskum once. I am looking forward to Sheboygan and hope to do a little better there. The new house is wonderful and I live a lot closer to AMS hill. Hill repeats=fun. Hoping to do the duathalon at the camp. Don't think I will do any cyclocross races just because most are a long way away. Looking forward to getting my road bike pimped by the Bike Hub this winter. See Ya outside.