update

Check out the latest happenings of field life at goldencheekedwarbler-research.blogspot.com. Can't wait to read about RC's return to the bike today and see pics of the kitties!

Weekend in Review

It seems like the seasons are struggling against each other, last week we had below zero temps only to have 70+ degrees on Fri and Sat. I can remember riding at Smithville trails Wednesday after the sun went down and having to stop early because the 20 degree temp was just too cold for my dress. Then on my day off from riding Friday, we had the 100+ year record tying 70 degree day, winter just wouldn't give in totally and hit us with some 30+ mph winds just to remind us that it ain't over yet. I got up early on Sat and rode 4.5 hours with Dan and the Wheel Cyclery guys, got in about 80 miles, mixed group so the pace varied a bit, in the end it was a nice ride and I was pleasantly tired for the remainder of the day. Jenn and I went for lunch at McCormick and Schmicks, I had the blackened Mako shark, it is just unbelievable if you haven't had it. We enjoyed the sun on the plaza as we sipped a few beers and wine on the deck and we watched all the people stroll by on the Plaza. Sunday morning I awoke early and realized that it was in 20s again, too cold for an early morning ride so I started doing chores, I finally decided to go on an easy recon ride, my name for a ride where I just set off and go exploring. I ended up taking it really easy, exploring some new roads, finding some nice WT shantys and even a new town, Glendale. After the ride, Jenn made her great homemade pizza for lunch and I headed to meet my friend Jason for some skeet shooting. All and all a nice relaxing weekend, lots of rest and ready for the week ahead, looking forward to next weekend!

Nice Winter training Weekend

This weekend it was an unseasonably warm 60 degree day on Saturday. I set out to meet up with a group at the usual Northland Tuesday route. I left from my house about 1 hour early to make the 18 mile trek to the ride start, I intended of making it a 3 hour 55 mile road ride. Off the bat the 18 very hilly miles were straight into a super strong headwind and I got smoked prior to the start after barely making it on time, most were late and then the group threw a wrench into my plans and we did the route backwards which meant that I was in store for about 75 miles instead. A good group showed up, the Wheel Cyclery boys, Team Chamois Butt'r and a few Cowtowners. The group had some different levels of fitness so it started out and remained fairly calm for this group for most of the ride until we hit a monster hill, I purposely lagged back (not that I could've hung with the 5 that broke away) because I knew I had at least 25 miles left. I ended up about 15 seconds behind the main group at the top of the hill with nobody behind me for some distance, I tried to bridge up for about 6 miles but the neverending stiff headwind meant that since I was stuck in no mans land by myself I wouldn't catch the group (Ryan Halloran, Curt Shelman, Dan Jordan, Fred Herron and some guy I don't know) until they stopped for a minute to let me back on. I ended up riding back to Liberty the shorter way with the Wheel guys so I ended up with 72 miles in about 4 hours. Not bad workout for early season. Sunday I got up and tried to drag Jenn to the Smithville trails, she declined and decided to just go birding instead. Chris called and gave me a heads up that only the west side was dry so I made up my own route riding the same trails about 5 times over. I was surprised but my legs felt good after the prior days ride. I ended up with about 1.5 hours. Jenn and I spent the remainder of the day at home with the new kitten, I bottled my new Boulevard Beer Clone and vegged out the rest of the day. BTW I think I finally got a BLVD Wheat recipe that tastes just like the real thing, I will post the results and recipe after I get a good taste. I'll stop rambling now, I told Jenn I would make a cat scratching post/perch so I better get back to work. Adios.

Getting Back Into the Groove

I am about finished with my first month of riding after taking around 8 months off completely. My legs are coming around slowly and I still need to shed about 10 lbs of flab off my body. Most group rides I have had a hard time keeping up the entire ride, most everyone is in pretty good shape after cross season and my top end just isn't there. I have decided on a few races this year and I think my focus will be on longer races. I am planning on doing the 6 hour solo at the Bonebender this will mainly be a training race for me, I plan on just surviving it at this point. My first real challenge will be at the Ouachita Challenge 60 mile race through the Arkansas Ozarks. I sumbitted my entry for the Leadville 100 I think I am crazy for entering this event but this will be a huge challenge that will pretty much cap off my season, my team mate Chris Locke signed up with me, hopefully (or maybe not!) we get drawn in. For the next month I hope to up the volume gradually and try to keep from back to back hard rides, which has been a challenge unless I ride by myself.