Forgot to post Iceman recap and forgot to take pictures...looser.
Signed up for Iceman again in March. Was looking forward to it, however, riding was scattered (went to Mohican a couple times and raced cross). I had a new bike for the race...2012 Specialized Stumpjumper 29er Expert...so that was nice.
At the last minute, I decided to take dad's RV. I was able to convince Bob Rodgers to come along. After a 6.5 hour drive on Friday we parked at the finish venue....a nice RV and camoing resort called Timber Ridge in Traverse City, Michigan. Also brought half a keg of leftover PBR from the cross race....nice too.
Ross, Jeff Pendlebury and Ross met us up there along with Tommy K, Tuscan and others. We hit up the expo and packet pick up before heading out for a early dinner. The group of us retired to the RV for a camp fire and a few beers. Hit the rack at about midnight and discovered that the heat was not working in the RV. It was a cold night, but a sub 30 sleeping bag was a life saver.
Morning came and Ross/Steve picked us up at 7:30am so that we could get to the start for my 4th wave start. This year the waves were seeded based on last years times. It worked out well as I stayed with the lead group for the first 10 miles. Tommy K. was in the wave ahead of me and I was shocked to catch him (he was 3 mins ahead) at about 15 miles in. When the hills started in the last 7 miles, Tommy K caught me with about 5k to go and promply put 2:40 into me. So I ended up beating him by 20 seconds. My time was faster than I expected at just under 2 hours good for 11th in my age group out of 100 or so.
After the race, we headed over to RV which was nice, as most racers had to shuttle 40 minutes back to the start. We watched Steve and Jeff race with the pros which was cool. After the party wrapped up we all hung out around a camp fire with Brandon, Brent and a few of their buddies and told lies and talked bikes/bike racing well into the evening. Good times.
Here is link to racy pictures.
Later,
BRD
Tuesday, December 06, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Getting Ready
After hosting my two day Halloween cross race, I raced a few more of the series races, including the Kirtland Park finale. Kudos to Lake Effect for a super fun course. After the race Fast Track hosted the awards party at Bohemian National Hall in Slavic Village which is just adjacent to the lot we plan to build the outdoor track on this summer. Good times.
Thanksgiving week brought a few days off work and some good saddle time (14 hours and 220 miles). Best training week of 2011 (WTF?). Got the training plan and early season races for 2012 season all laid out. Thanks to Team Spin, I will be back racing for them and hope to improve over a very lackluster 2011. Going back over my training journals for the last 10 year, I discovered (no surprise) that 2011 was my lowest training volume EVER (well at least since 2002 when I started keeping a journal). Lots of reasons, but looking forward to getting fast (again?).
Weight is down to 202 (from 220 plus in September) and good habits are becoming just that....habits. I am pumped for simply being on the bike and hope to carry this enthusiasm throughout the winter into the early spring road races.
Thanks to all my friends and family for their support during this past year (it was a drain).
Later,
BRD
Thanksgiving week brought a few days off work and some good saddle time (14 hours and 220 miles). Best training week of 2011 (WTF?). Got the training plan and early season races for 2012 season all laid out. Thanks to Team Spin, I will be back racing for them and hope to improve over a very lackluster 2011. Going back over my training journals for the last 10 year, I discovered (no surprise) that 2011 was my lowest training volume EVER (well at least since 2002 when I started keeping a journal). Lots of reasons, but looking forward to getting fast (again?).
Weight is down to 202 (from 220 plus in September) and good habits are becoming just that....habits. I am pumped for simply being on the bike and hope to carry this enthusiasm throughout the winter into the early spring road races.
Thanks to all my friends and family for their support during this past year (it was a drain).
Later,
BRD
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Bicycle Racing & Beer
Big weekend coming up.
Three kegs.
Good food both days from Trifles Bistro and Bar.
Course is in good shape, albeit a little "soft" from all the rain.
30 x 40 tent set up last night.
Lots of firewood.
Costume contest on Saturday.
Kids race sunday around 12 noon.
Free camping.
Kegs being tapped Friday afternoon.
Come on out.
Later, BRD
Friday, September 02, 2011
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Long time no blog
Well what can I say...been busy with life. Busy at work, kids playing sports, and since April 1 my dad's been at The Cleveland Clinic for 45 of the last 56 days fighting bladder cancer. Two surgeries, some complications and a long receovery. The good news is that he is cancer free and is getting stronger slowly but surely.
Not much bike riding or any exercise for that matter. My weight is at all time high. I am in BAD shape. The good news is my lovely wife arranged for me to work out with a personal trainer for the next three months, two times per week at Lifetime Fitness. Thanks honey!! I love you!! Today was first day....lots of core...lots of sweating.....felt good. I should be in race shape in September just in time for Power Series races at Manatoc and Westbranch. Then maybe hit it hard for cross season.
In the meantime I am racing Mohican 100k next weekend. This is not going to be pretty, however, it will be nice to get out in the woods.
I have also been working on building some additional trails at my parents place. Hoping to piece together a 3 to 4 mile loop using the cross course as the center piece. There may be a mountain bike race or early season "modified" cross race on tap for late summer early fall.
Also, the baord members of Fast Track Cycling have been hard at work on Velodrome project. We are looking to buy a 160m track to be located outdoors during the summer and falls months. Shoot me a message of you'd like to learn more.
Later,
BRD
Thursday, March 03, 2011
Biting the bullet - cutting expenses.
I HOPE YOU WILL PARTICIPATE AND DO YOUR PART.
The President ordered the cabinet to cut $100 million from the $3.5 trillion federal budget. I'm so impressed by this sacrifice that I have decided to do the same thing with my personal budget.
I spend about $2000 a month on groceries, household expenses, medicine, utilities, etc, but it's time to get out the budget cutting axe, go through my expenses, and cut back. I'm going to cut my spending at exactly the same ratio, 1/35,000 of my total budget.
After doing the math, it looks like instead of spending $2000 a month; I'm going to have to cut that number by six cents. Yes, I'm going to have to get by with $1999.94, but that's what sacrifice is all about. I'll just have to do without some things, that are, frankly, luxuries.
Later,
BRD
The President ordered the cabinet to cut $100 million from the $3.5 trillion federal budget. I'm so impressed by this sacrifice that I have decided to do the same thing with my personal budget.
I spend about $2000 a month on groceries, household expenses, medicine, utilities, etc, but it's time to get out the budget cutting axe, go through my expenses, and cut back. I'm going to cut my spending at exactly the same ratio, 1/35,000 of my total budget.
After doing the math, it looks like instead of spending $2000 a month; I'm going to have to cut that number by six cents. Yes, I'm going to have to get by with $1999.94, but that's what sacrifice is all about. I'll just have to do without some things, that are, frankly, luxuries.
Later,
BRD
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