Little Burning Marshmellows

I'm back going to acupuncture for my knee. I really like going and this time was a bit different. In the past I've had them burn moxa {mugwort herb) and hold it just above my knee to stimulate circulation and induce a smoother flow of blood. This time was a bit different though - he used an extra smoky form of it that looked like little marshmellows. He stuck those on the end of the needles in my knee with the theory that the heat travels down the needles into my knee. I'm thankful that my health insurance covers acupuncture because lots of health plans don't accept Eastern medicine practices.

I swam about a mile and a half after work yesterday and then sweated it out in the steam room afterwards. I'm looking forward for the day the pool cover comes off and I can swim in the fresh air...even if it means I'll be a bit chilly getting in and out.

Chainbreaker

I took the entire week off from riding to give my knee a rest. I spent some time swimming and at the gym doing core workouts and also some deadlifts for my hamstrings.

After spending last weekend riding in the rain, hail, and snow, I thought it was only fair that it was sunny and warm for our ride today. We went out to the Cascade Chainbreaker race course here in Bend to ride. Good news, there is no mud and it's dry. Bad news, there is no mud and it's dry. The first 1/4 of the course is very dry, dusty and loose. The rest is harder packed and a bit faster though. So, if you're reading this and are going to race it, just know that it gets better if you hang in there.

Ho Hum

I haven't been able to do much since the race because my knee is aggravated. I was stupid for doing it but in my defense, I didn't know I was going to have to hike and walk the all the disaster sections. Here is a picture from the race



Extra swimming for me for the next few days I guess.

My plan for Sunday was to ride some super fun trails on Mary's Peak while Derek raced. But, it was snowing hard in Blodgett on Saturday afternoon and the trails I was going to ride are up above 4,000 feet so I was left without a plan. Well, what the hell, I decided to race. That's right, I haven't done an xc race in a few years and I don't even train anymore, but I figured what the heck...I'll just go ride with a bunch of friends who are racing! hahahaha. I may have still been influenced by the beers I'd had the night before!

It was snowing when we arrived at the race Sunday morning and it was very chilly. I didn't even bother warming up because I was too cold. How's that for preparation? We lined up to start and BAM we were off. The race is sick and cruel in that it starts with a giant climb that is 27% grade in at least one part. I climb up that at my own little pace but still pass a couple of my competitors. I'm not sure how many are ahead of me, but I climb on. The singletrack sections are all slippery mud and roots and some spots are just not rideable. I jam through the first big loop and am feeling good. I'll skip through all this race mumbo jumbo and leave it at this. I sucked in the mud on the last lap and got passed by another pro. She put at least a minute on me on the last section of singletrack that I had to run/slide down. I think I got 4th. Not sure. I had fun and for me now, that's all that matters.

Block 15

Derek and I drove over to Corvallis Saturday for Sunday's Mudslinger mountain bike race. It was hailing and snowing on the pass and was cold and damp in Corvallis as well. We walked along the riverwalk and downtown for awhile before wandering into Block 15 Brewery We took spots at the bar and ended up sitting next to Nick, one of the owners and brewers. We chatted for quite awhile about the brewery, different beers, and our animals (the Ridgeback Red is named for his dog). My favorite beer was the Aboriginale. It has 7 different malts and 3 hops and they described it as an ESB on steroids. I agree and absolutely loved it. The Ridgeback Red was tasty as was the Oatmeal Stout. If you are ever in Corvallis, I suggest you try this place.

Kidical Mass

Please come to the Kidical Mass ride starting at McKay
park on Friday, April 18th at 6pm. We'll ride to
Goody's for ice cream.

Ride obeys all traffic laws, open to anyone with two
wheels (or three, or four....)

Please invite everyone you know.

WHO: Trailers, trail-a-bikes, Xtracycles, tandems, oh my! Kids, Parents, and any Kids at Heart
WHAT: We’ll ride legal, safe, and hoot it up. Honk if you know a kid.
WHY: To celebrate the fact that Kids are Traffic Too. For family fun on vehicles that don’t hurt the future! Another excuse to get Ice Cream.
BRING: A smile, a friend, your bike and a bit of $ for ice cream if you want to get ice cream at Goody's.

Spring Classic Ride

Sunday I rode the Webcyclery Spring Classic ride. In honor of the spring classic road races over in Europe, we did a mixture of paved and gravel roads for a very quick 2 hour intense ride. I felt really strong and took a lot of pulls up front and hammered on the flats. I just love riding. It was good to see some people that I haven't seen all winter.

Last night we went and saw "Hell of the North" at McM's. It was a documentary film of the Paris-Roubaix road race in 1976. I watch that race every year and it was fun to flash back in time to watch the old heroes.

Saturday at Smith Rock Park was vastly different than our ride the previous weekend. Mainly...I hardly had any riding clothes on! It was downright hot as we headed out in shorts and short sleeve jerseys...no winter gloves, no shoe covers, no vests, no arm warmers or leg warmers, no ear covers. None of that. We slathered up with suntan lotion and headed out for a new adventure. The more I ride out there the more I like it. There are so many trails and roads to explore and we put together nearly a 3.5 hour loop of riding. We even spent half an hour practicing our push biking thanks to Derek's faltering memory. Push biking is easy, anyone can do it. Grab a bike and find a really steep sandy hill and push your bike up it. Cuss some, watch the sweat drip off your arms and feel your shoes fill with sand. That's the way I started to feel until I looked up and saw the awesome views and just thought about how "awful" it really wasn't.

My lucky horseshoe from last weekend didn't bring me any good luck. I experienced my first flat tire of the season. WOOHOO!

Enjoying a little climb



Me napping in a cave.



Taking a break with my buddy. He rocks!



If you're anywhere where stuff has been or still is under snow, or maybe you don't see a lot of greenery anyway, then enjoy this

A Swim & A Ride

Today I felt awesome for my afternoon swim. Everything was just clicking and my stroke was very smooth and fast. I breezed through a mile and headed back to work under sunny skies.

After work Derek and I rode for about 2 hours in the wind. It was a tough ride because we kept the pace pretty high. It was nice to not be bundled up like a little baby. This weekend is going to be HOT! I'll have to dig out the suntan lotion.

Lucky Horseshoe!

Saturday the weather looked ok so we went for a long mountain bike ride up at Smith Rock/Gray Butte. We rode the Cole Loop trail and Gray Butte Trail. The climb up on the singletrack to Gray Butte was a welcomed burn and it was good to get back on my little xc race bike. It the difference between driving a Hummer and a little Porsche. We stopped to snap a few pictures and admire some of the views and then continued on up. The weather held up nicely despite the horizon looking ominous.





The shaded side of the butte still had snow so we didn't bother heading way up to the top...just took the singletrack around.







It was a bit muddy in a couple spots and I didn't really have mud tires on so it just packed in!



I found a lucky horseshoe!

Detour

To celebrate the warmer temperatures Derek and I went for another big ride after work. I had a route in mind but we took a wrong turn somewhere (I actually know exactly where), and ended up slogging through thick sand and gravel roads for an extra 30 minutes longer than we intended to ride. Good news, all the dirt and gravel roads off of Ward are dry, as is the gravel road from Arnold Market to China Hat waaay out by Horse Butte. 2.5 hours of riding made for a late dinner.

Baaaaaaa

I've decided I'm ready for spring. Derek and I went riding after work - a climbing day of sorts. We rode almost 30 miles and went up and down Awbrey Butte quite a few times and tacked on a loop of the Cascade Cycling Classic circuit race. It was pretty cold by the time we finished.

Camouflage sheep



These ducks are ready for Spring too.