Airplane Legs

It's been a while since I've posted anything new.  Oh yeah, since I've ridden by damn bike also.  I was a city boy for the last 8 days.  I spent all of last week in Philly and then spent some time off with the fam in NYC.  Had some great times with the fam. 

I got home early enough to slip in a ride.  I was anxious to get out on the bike having not ridden one for a bit.  I headed up to a local ride named Betasso.  I knew, deep down, it was going to be a bit muddy with the warmer temps and the subsequent snow melt but I had high hopes nonetheless.  I threw logic out the door and jumped on the bike. 

Airplane legs were apparent about 10 minutes into the ride.  Mentally, I was all there - ready for some Betasso hot laps.  Physically - not even close.  Funny how that works some times. 

I was right: .  I spent two minutes going counter clockwise on the Betasso trail and decided to turn around due to mud and snow much too often.  The Link Trial was dry as a bone (and super tough I should add)Oh well!  Still managed 2 hours of riding with 3k of climbing - it was great!

It's Just a Ride

Last Wednesday I did a hard workout doing 3x8 min intervals up Lookout Mtn.  I felt great and was able to complete the 2nd and 3rd efforts faster than the first - generally a good sign.  That afternoon - I knew a cold was coming on...sh*t!

I decided to take it easy and not push it so I didn't ride or workout until today.  I did an easy ride in Boulder with my good buddy, Dave who was just coming off a cold as well.  We didn't do anything epic, nothing super sweet, we didn't kill it - just nice and easy and we had a great time just hangin' out and breathin' some fresh air and catching up.  It's amazing how a bike ride can set things just right.

What a day

Saturday, I had the best day that I can remember with my family up at Devil's Thumb Ranch (if you haven't been there, it is FANTASTIC) and took our kids nordic skiing for their first time.  Wow!  They loved...we loved it... it was beautiful in every way.

Big Ride Saturday

Saturday, I was able to get away for a great ride with some friends.  More MTB time on the road.  It's interesting, I've got a lot more road time on the MTB than the road bike - go figure.  I met up with Rob Jason, Von, Tom, Matt, and Shep.   We did the usual Gold Hill loop.  Rob, Matt, and Von opted for the "THE double ;^)" as Rob dubbed it in the email.  Translation:  two loops to Gold Hill.  GH has a lot of climbing - from my home and back with just one loop it doles out 4,200ft of climbing.

The weather was nice, if not too warm, as many of us overdressed.  The ride started off with a more mild mannered pace than usual but that didn't last too long.  The last 60+ minutes to the top was full gas - at least for me.  Von and Shep led the group to the top at a pace that was too stiff for me.  I hadn't been on the bike too much given my travel and work schedule but surprisingly felt pretty good.  Rob, Matt, and I swapped the lead a number of times each time catching the lead wheel and trying to hang on.

As I said, I surprised myself but taking some good pulls and not getting dropped.  I was hurting no doubt but I felt I had more inside which was a good positive reinforcement for me.  I know Rob (and Matt, although I've never ridden with him before) is a stronger rider than I am so it proved to be a good test for me.

We bombed the descent back down to Poormans where the second lap was to to start.  A few fist bumps later, I was heading back down and they were off for another.

I'm having so damn much fun on the MTB.  I'm trying to decide if I need the road bike any longer.  Every time I throw a leg over the Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper 29er, I'm more impressed.  It handles great and just feels right to me.  I can't wait for the trails to open around here and be able report on how well it performs on trails I commonly ride. 

I'm going to start my 8-week, Chris Carmichael, Time Crunched Cyclist plan next week in anticipation of the Battle at the Bear coming May 8th.  I'll report more on the progress as it unfolds.  It will be interesting with the spring break family break, a NYC vacation,  and Philly travel.  Motivation will need to be high to pull it off!

A great MTB ride...

...on the road.  Not ideal but fantastic nonetheless.  I had been cooped up inside for nearly two weeks and I needed to get out breath in some fresh air.  I loaded up the MTB and planned for a lunch time ride at work.  It was cold and gray and motivation waned a bit but I managed to get out between meetings and enjoyed an interval set up Lookout Mountain in Golden.  No dirt, no singletrack and snow piled up on each side of the road.  No, nothing really epic, but the fresh air and just getting out made it great.