Sun Valley

Jackson, WY was completely awesome. The riding was extremely exceptional. Now we're in Sun Valley continuing the riding extravaganza. We have more pictures then I could ever imagine and will have to upload them upon return.

Ride on!

I Hear Sniffing

Hello from Jackson, Wyomiing. I learned today that our campground closed 2 weeks aqo for grizzly sightings. Apparently they were "passing through the area". Last night Derek woke up at 2:30 swearing he heard loud noises in the bushes and sniffing just outside our tent. He had the bear spray ready. I couldn't easily fall back asleep after that. The riding is amazing here and I will have TONS of pictures when I have more time.

Cheers.

Why not

So just a couple days after a guy was attacked by a bear in Wyoming, here we are in EXTREME grizzly country in Montana to do some mountain biking. We swung by Missoula to stay with my dad and did a really fun ride up Rattlesnake. It was pretty much like driving 9 hours and getting out at the base of Alpe D'Huez and climbing right away. The trail tilted upwards and then bombed down through a forest in a fighter pilot type way. The lookout from the top was across the valley at Ski Bowl, the ski area. No pictures yet, I have too many to upload and look through.

Tonight we're in Bozeman and just finished riding possibly the hardest ride I've done aside from the 12 hour, 24 hour, and 100 mile races I've done. It was a little over 24 miles with a bit over 5000' of climbing starting at 5800' and going up to almost 10,000 feet. There were bear warnings EVERYWHERE and we saw only 2 hikers all day. It was VERY challenging both uphill and down and while it was brutal and took us almost 6 hours (couple short breaks included), we had a blast.

More later!

Dirt Series

I helped out with the Sugoi Dirt Series on Saturday. This is a great event for every level of female mountain bike rider. The Dirt Series crew puts together a jam packed two day schedule to help female mountain bikers learn and hone skills with lots of personalized attention and instruction.

Friday Night Lights

Friday night was a great night for watching bike races and chatting with every person you've ever met in Bend. The Friday night crit is a great event for specatators because the racers come around every few minutes! Good times.



The women pick up the pace. In yellow is Kristen Armstrong who heading to the Olympics for the US in August.



Here's local boy Chris Horner riding on the front for his teammate Levi.



Here's Levi racing through downtown Bend. For those who don't know, he's heading to the Olympics next month for road cycling.



This is Daniel Holloway of Garmin Chipotle who was on the front for several laps of the race.

More racing

Anyone who has ridden the course the Cascade Cycling Classic did yesterday can attest to how hot and tough the route is. I myself have ridden in this race although the course was different when I did it. We raced from Santiam Pass up and over the 242 and then finished up at Threee Creeks Sno Park. I know how tough that final stretch is and these racers should be applauded. You'll get your chance tonight in the downtown criterium. Until then, check out the photos:

1st two men's finishers for the day



Levi in his Olympics kit. Come August let's hope he can do well for our country




Rock Racing and stage 1 winner Botero finishes.



Team bus and support - travel in style.



Women's finish



I like these Aaron's Cycling Team Kits.

To the Top

I did a long mountain bike ride after work yesterday and ended up not getting home until 8:15. Damn it feels good to ride.

Today was the first day of the Cascade Cycling Classic road race so I rode over to Pilot Butte on my lunch break to watch the finish. Santiago Botero attacked at the base and blew everyone away. It's fun having so many cyclists in town and Friday night should be a blast again. If you're in Bend, make sure you come downtown Friday for the crits!

I'll have a couple pics from today up later maybe.

Day 3

Day 3 of our quick "training camp" was another mountain bike day. We rode from Bend all the way up Mrazek, down Farewell, across Tumalo Trail and Skyliner Trail, down Whoops and Bens. It was never too hot because the cool breeze kept blowing. Saw a bunch of deer on Mrazek, only got one mosquito bite, and was led along a portion of the trail by about 50 butterflies. When I attempted to get them on film they flew away, but were right back when I put the camera away. Must be shy.

Let the pictures talk again.

Day 2

Friday was 65 miles of road riding, so Saturday was mountain bike day. Swampy Lakes wasn't swampy at all. The trails were dry and the forest was in full bloom. Definitely not for the allergy sufferers.



We spent a good 3 hours on a loop that included some tough climbs and great descents.

The views were magnificent, the climbs made me sweat, and the descents were fast. Sure I enjoy road riding like yesterday, but mountain biking is better. I revel in the feelimg of little tiny bits of dirt flicking back up onto my legs, or the struggle up a steep singletrack section while overlooking the magnificent valley below and then quickly studying the rock garden ahead to pick the best line.



We'd spend part of Sunday's ride climbin along the ridge you see across the valley here, and then descending down to the river.

100km

Yesterday was the 4th of July Webcyclery 100km road ride. I've been going to physical therapy for a couple weeks and getting deep massages and my calf is almost 100% So, at 8am off we went on our ride. I had a great time riding out to Prineville along Crooked River and back. Good snacks at the aid stations and good pals to ride with. Great day.

Return on the Jedi is perhaps the best mountain bike race I've ever done. I didn't get to race this year, but I still rode most of the course the day before...just at a slower pace. It is technical, has lots of climbing, and some pretty gnarly descents. It's a true mountain bike course, not an easy roadie course. We had a wonderful weekend camping and riding out in the mountains by Grants Pass. Prepare for picture flood:

My bike at the start of the climb up.





The first bridge wasn't bad, the second had some planks missing.



The trails weren't all this smooth but they were all equally scenic!





This river was VERY refreshing after a 3 hour ride in nearly 100 temps and blazing sun.




Pro Mark Weir during the race



Derek on the technical loop of the xc race.





Not sure who this was but it turned out good.



Bend Pro Ben Thompson racing.



Not much of a video but I thought I'd throw it up anyway.

New Pavement!

since I've been on then injured reserve list for a little over a month I haven't been out riding. Not sure when it happened, but just past Shevlin Park there is brand new pavement! No longer is there cracks, bumps and holes to negotiate on a bike. WOOHOO! I headed out for a ride at lunch today and then added another one on after work. I was working hard to beat the thunderstorms that were building but they never hit.