How much do I like Mountain Bike Racing

The second lap, 1st big decent of the durango course

Durango Colorado

short track
Well I had a good start went from 2/3's back in the pack to having a great top 10 into the single track and that's as good as it gets. I went down 4 times and kept on losing places but ended up top 20. Wow I was beat up, 4 wrecks in 30 min, that will take it out of you. Hopefully the XC goes a little better.

XC
Well I had a awesome start agian. Then I wrecked so hard about three miles in, and my mojo was gone. I was pretty much out of the game. I was not pumped to be on the bike.

Glad that weekend is over but i am pumped up to do some more short track.

Pocatello cycling

I want give a big thanks to Rob's(the best shop inPocatello) for sponsoring the ISU Criterium They also are the only shop in Pocatello with employees that ride there bikes ,and help riders out that ride there bikes. I also want to give a big thanks to Senior Iguana's for sponsoring the BAR (best all around rider) compitition. None of this would not of happened with out ICE, and the man behind all the madness RVK!! I think the jersey's are a awesome touch ,and have to give a big thanks to Kris Walker for getting all of that figured out, Jersey's are hard work. I think everyone can agree on this that Sam Krieg, has been a huge inspiration for everyone in Pocatello cycling.


Here is a good pic of Sam!!!!

A relaxing weekend away from test and homework

Well I had a big week of studying in the library!! But it really paid off because I kick some butt on all my tests and quiz. So instead of the usual riding lots of miles on the bike I rode the mountain bike for two hours on Saturday and went up to a cabin and chilled on the Grand Mesa. Wow 9200 feet or more the view was amazing and was so dam cold. I hiked up Powder Horn which is the ski RESORT 1 hr away from Grand Junction. I had 1620 feet in my legs at high elevation and it felt like I rode a century. I'm back at the school and the library all week to get ready go to interbike and get a bag full of SWAG(overflowing.) I'm going to do my first collegiate Mountain bike race This weekend I have to get three in to qualify for nationals. I Need to have a good weekend get my head back in the game. I'm not super excited but I haven't been on the start line in a few weeks. That is always a good way for me to gain some fitness back.

These pics are from The Grand Mesa.

Studying is putting a REAL damper on Riding

Well this is why school sucks!! I have two tests a quiz and a paper do this week, and I want to ride my bike too. I didn't get out yesterday which is like a big kick in the balls because it was a beautiful day and wasn't to hot. Today I have been on the go sense 650 am(early and it's to do school work and not to ride so it's a lot harder to get up). It's now 745 and I will not be done tell at least 10. I don't think the whole chalk bag thing was that bad after all, I had money and I didn't have to do anything with chalk bags if I didn't want to. I did make it out for two hours today and got a solid effort in at 337 watts for 40 mins I was feeling a little sluggish, oh the power tap is on(for all you non believers). I did pick up this hot girl too and got to ride this big down hill bike. I got my % of fat taken last week pretty lean I would say, 6.5 weighing in at 159. Well back to the Anatomy, have a test in there tomorrow needed a break from the Skeleton System.

What my back yard looks like

A view form the cold shivers view point on the Grand Junction side of the National Monument

Riding out in the valley

Take a look at the mesa, just putting in 70miles this morning and going to go out again this afternoon

I found a little of it today

Today was a lot better for me. My fitness is definitely better for Crits right now and I found some power on the road. I will be trying to change that around, with some longer ride and two a days when I can. The crit was an hour and I pretty much road the wave all the time. With 5 laps to go the race really started heating up. I was in bad position but I got myself right in the mix with two laps to go. I ended up getting 8th on the day. I felt really good about that sense my road race didn't turn out how I wanted it to go. But when is it ever good enough? I don't think this sport is really satisfying, because all you want is be better, faster, and have more wins under the belt.

Maybe I took a little to much rest

Well I thought the rest would be a good thing. I hurt me in more than one way, my knee was really bothering me when I wasn't riding and I lost my POWER. The Gateway challenge was yesterday and it rocked me. I felt good for the first 50 miles and then my legs went into self destruct mode. I got dropped big time. I lost my power. So if you see it let it know that I really need it, hopefully some buddy finds it before to long. I 'm hoping that my Power comes back today I have a Crit in down town Fruita. I think with these two hard days that the legs will find some of the power on the road and grab it up.

My thoughts well I have had my best season on the bike ever, so I can't be mad in how I ride now. I am ready to start lifting the weights so when the suns out, guns out motto can be used. I am going to be lifting the 10 and 20's It's about getting tone. I want to keep the upper arm that I can almost wrap my hand around, and maybe get it a little smaller. The legs I will be lifting the big weights and the small ones. I want to start my rampage, of getting ready for next year. I might race in a few weeks at the NRC Parker Omnium just to see if any of my Power can be found there. I know that there will be plenty of power in the peloton, maybe I can steal some from the guys that have to much power.

Question: What are some good lifts with weights that will transfer over to cycling? Please comment.

Note: if anyone wants to come down to the GJ let me know we can make space for you. It is beautiful.