tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69403721002382021422024-02-19T04:30:05.382-06:00BLUE HILLS BIKERRIDING NORTHERN WISCONSIN, AND VARIOUS RAMBLINGSBlue Hills Bikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04983113437893415836noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940372100238202142.post-2953992599983300642013-04-18T22:20:00.001-05:002013-04-19T21:36:05.911-05:00Strada Fango Spring Classic<br />
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I haven't gotten around to finishing up a <a href="http://www.ragnarok105.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Ragnarok 105</a> report just yet, the week has been busy. I feel it's necessary and urgent that I fill you in on some details regarding next Sunday's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/StradaFangoSpringClassic" target="_blank">Strada Fango</a>...</div>
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As <a href="http://www.gravelgrindernews.com/2013/04/winter-puts-damper-on-some-early-season.html" target="_blank">Guitar Ted</a> has reported, this has been a tough year for the gravel grinding folks in the midwest. Many of the early spring classics have had some horrendous (read - "epic") conditions, and many are postponing or even <i>cancelling</i>! Well...yesterday I was contacted by the race director for the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/StradaFangoSpringClassic" target="_blank">Strada Fango</a>. He is very, very close to cancelling as well, but still insists that THE SHOW MUST GO ON!</div>
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I was asked to whip together a quick gravel grinder in The Blue Hills. Having considered hosting a gravel grinder of my own, I had an assortment of courses and rides that I've done in the past ready to throw on the table. There's an alternate course at hand. After some scouting this weekend, and a strong possibility that THE SHOW WILL GO ON, I assure you folks<i>...<a href="https://www.facebook.com/StradaFangoSpringClassic" target="_blank">The 2013 Strada Fango</a> will not disappoint. </i></div>
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Stay tuned...</div>
Blue Hills Bikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04983113437893415836noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940372100238202142.post-52553088396811843512011-10-02T18:02:00.003-05:002011-10-02T18:02:46.088-05:00Contour HD Video CameraA good friend of mine gave me this awesome gift for standing up in his wedding. I've read nothing but great reviews, and from what I've seen so far it takes some pretty awesome videos for such a little camera. A helmet mount is in the mail...so I'll be uploading some videos soon, hopefully adding a nice spin to this blog.
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Blue Hills Bikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04983113437893415836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940372100238202142.post-45926364669326652962011-08-25T17:40:00.000-05:002011-08-25T17:46:49.686-05:00Danny Macaskill - Industrial RevolutionsI hate to be the blogger who simply regurgitates videos posted by others, but this one has to be worth sharing. Incredible.
<iframe width="560" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ShbC5yVqOdI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Blue Hills Bikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04983113437893415836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940372100238202142.post-43901430443129134052011-08-11T12:59:00.000-05:002011-08-11T12:59:18.927-05:00Herd of Turtles Cycling ClubHere's an article in the local newspaper about our Tuesday night group ride. More riders are encouraged to come out! <div>
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<a href="http://www.ricelakeonline.com/main.asp?SectionID=32&SubSectionID=113&ArticleID=22273">http://www.ricelakeonline.com/main.asp?SectionID=32&SubSectionID=113&ArticleID=22273</a></div>
Blue Hills Bikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04983113437893415836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940372100238202142.post-83273287997936132472011-08-04T19:34:00.001-05:002011-08-04T19:34:41.439-05:00Hard ResetClearly, this blog has been neglected for quite some time, and that's probably an indication that my riding has been neglected as well, as the bulk of this blog is supposed to be about cycling. No riding = no blogging. If I compared the intensity of racing and riding that I was doing this spring to what I am doing now, you could almost say I don't even "ride bikes" anymore. June and July have essentially been "rest months"...albeit much needed ones. I made it out for a few local Tuesday night group rides (most of them 50 milers), and I managed to squeeze in a 250 mile week (including 1 century in there) in late June after building up the trusty Merlin roadie, but outside of that...I've certainly been slacking.<br />
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Overall, since the two lovebirds got married on June 11, the summer has been...interesting...to say the least. While I definitely reap many benefits from riding, there are certainly times when the structure and rigidity of a hard training/riding/racing schedule isn't conducive to learning other lessons that need to be learned in life. So, I've temporarily taken a break from the hustle and bustle of racing, and have taken advantage of the spontaneity that surrounds a young guy's life with few <i>real</i> commitments, such as a wife or children, etc. Ahhh...it has been quite the summer. However, truth be told this phase of life must round off. It's time to hit the hard reset button. "Bigger picture" goals and fitness must get back on track.<br />
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I'm on the waiting list for the <a href="http://heckofthenorth.blogspot.com/">Heck of the North</a> on October 1st, which I hope opens up. Then I'm on the roster for the <a href="http://dirtbagride.blogspot.com/">Dirt Bag</a> on October 29th. Ultimately though, if I'm still living in Wisconsin by late December (debatable), my focus will be on redeeming myself from 2 years ago at the 75 Mile <a href="http://www.tuscobiaultra.com/">Tuscobia Winter Ultramarathon</a>. Folks, it's go time...<br />
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Click.Blue Hills Bikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04983113437893415836noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940372100238202142.post-40079076715727826742011-06-07T16:05:00.000-05:002011-06-07T16:05:10.846-05:00Good Luck<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqLeqHn63QxNkrZSl_RKYaSGwNyoIBT0WCI8oPkhe-MEVNyqGwR-d5SWvKJjunWYk-jKKROjPAOEgpoaEfx7mRFxxMv4hiSrGiDQ2oS3dFzpoZeVv7D2r1iy-1GYA5SLGLw1p4Iaveg/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="168" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqLeqHn63QxNkrZSl_RKYaSGwNyoIBT0WCI8oPkhe-MEVNyqGwR-d5SWvKJjunWYk-jKKROjPAOEgpoaEfx7mRFxxMv4hiSrGiDQ2oS3dFzpoZeVv7D2r1iy-1GYA5SLGLw1p4Iaveg/" /></a></div><br />
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...to those participating in the <a href="http://dirtybenjamin.blogspot.com/" target = "blank">Westside Dirty Benjamin</a> this weekend. I will not be attending this leg of the <a href="http://raceforthecup.blogspot.com/" target="blank">Almanzo Gravel Road Series</a> due to the holy matrimony of two of my best friends, whom I wish an even greater fortune in all of their future endeavors. I am truly looking forward to an epic weekend! Huzzah!!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWoVlGCsWZHexXUr8EaOkbcGaVWTel8NMijhDiivinUTjA-xtUUB1hNMRt8gmxj6aty-AcmOrfoOR9r0c9WIaBRAD2t_ytpMktAkorvt5J6-Nm7z-72hBA6FK0ODpmm7l8INK4XDNedfqq/s1600/67388_458774396624_680451624_5987563_2473204_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="266" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWoVlGCsWZHexXUr8EaOkbcGaVWTel8NMijhDiivinUTjA-xtUUB1hNMRt8gmxj6aty-AcmOrfoOR9r0c9WIaBRAD2t_ytpMktAkorvt5J6-Nm7z-72hBA6FK0ODpmm7l8INK4XDNedfqq/s400/67388_458774396624_680451624_5987563_2473204_n.jpg" /></a></div>Blue Hills Bikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04983113437893415836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940372100238202142.post-77112901762324388632011-06-05T19:06:00.002-05:002011-06-06T00:41:50.213-05:00ReconnaissanceAfter several tough months of riding and racing, I feel like I can use some rest and relaxation. Although I enjoyed bagging big mileage rides on those long and cold spring days, and to some extent I kind of miss them...it's nice to be able to take some "fun rides" without being concerned with <i>getting enough miles in</i> or <i>training hard enough</i>...yada yada. So, this week I backed off a bit, but still squeezed in a few shorter "reconnaissance rides" out in the Blue Hills. The goal on these rides is to find places and trails that I haven't been on or seen before. Here is how these rides typically go:<br />
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You start out riding down something like this...<br />
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Then you might jump on an ATV trail or a logging road...<br />
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You'll run a few of these things over..<br />
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Find some water that happens to cross the road...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgltGajACbZ9qDWfcpgyYR27q5OTv1m1I-_wIZpnptyccmEyR3NPgXFvWeKfxt-A7-8BNAqXDJXerKyEYF7VgVCdbGnmtNc3jEjZKPJYdKnIZpkSDPh4zM8hviUDRASufshkM1IsU3iF3Ss/s1600/2011-06-04+16.15.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgltGajACbZ9qDWfcpgyYR27q5OTv1m1I-_wIZpnptyccmEyR3NPgXFvWeKfxt-A7-8BNAqXDJXerKyEYF7VgVCdbGnmtNc3jEjZKPJYdKnIZpkSDPh4zM8hviUDRASufshkM1IsU3iF3Ss/s400/2011-06-04+16.15.19.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Obviously you ride across/though it...and maybe even jump in for a swim...<br />
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Further down the trail it probably thins out and becomes less used, but you still hope that it goes somewhere...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5TDa8mi7km_7Z5BQOzdnUsFBoNF_1qUuTN6cYBx11RoTbvNDUQtXrJ9LneMqbNSaswHvAtCP5_KIEAPsF8-30ogzc85ZT4pm7Uv6kwe0FRr_mq6RfWOMQVYB6ZGHLwcwo0ye0U2492kTQ/s1600/2011-06-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="265" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5TDa8mi7km_7Z5BQOzdnUsFBoNF_1qUuTN6cYBx11RoTbvNDUQtXrJ9LneMqbNSaswHvAtCP5_KIEAPsF8-30ogzc85ZT4pm7Uv6kwe0FRr_mq6RfWOMQVYB6ZGHLwcwo0ye0U2492kTQ/s400/2011-06-6.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Then you see some more water...<br />
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Maybe it's not very deep and you're ambitious enough to ride the actual creek bottom for a while before jumping back on the trail...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktAk5kow1XbfL6dE0AXhjuYqh9mpGgqlpEIfiaykVF6DqIt6CQZFuVKlxutO-0wH4tMjxDB4tMB7JZ4GfdMYH016JBFwccSqOxoloy2f0Htf5S39ZeOJmHsSlw-Qy-Ghyus84y7WeLasP/s1600/2011-06-04+15.30.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktAk5kow1XbfL6dE0AXhjuYqh9mpGgqlpEIfiaykVF6DqIt6CQZFuVKlxutO-0wH4tMjxDB4tMB7JZ4GfdMYH016JBFwccSqOxoloy2f0Htf5S39ZeOJmHsSlw-Qy-Ghyus84y7WeLasP/s400/2011-06-04+15.30.02.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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...and if you've done things right, your ride home probably feels something like this...<br />
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Gosh, life sure is tough up nort'a Highway 8 der...don't cha know?Blue Hills Bikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04983113437893415836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940372100238202142.post-91137388284800699112011-06-03T12:02:00.001-05:002011-08-09T16:55:39.503-05:00Cheq 100 & WEMS @ Northern KettlesI didn't get around to writing a report on the<a href="http://www.chequamegon100.com/" target="blank"> Chequamegon 100 </a>two weeks ago, so I'll try to kill two birds with one stone here...<br />
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I signed up for the Cheq last year, but due to crashing in the Almanzo 100 I was unable to attend. I think many would agree with me when saying that the <a href="http://www.cambatrails.org/" target="blank">CAMBA</a> trail system near Cable and Hayward Wisconsin is likely the best mountain bike trail system in the Midwest. I've ridden a few sections with my older brothers, but I figured this would be a great way to explore and learn a bit more about the area, and find the epic sections that I want to return to.<br />
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With a simple 1hr 30 min drive to the start, I drove up the morning of the race. The course was a nice mix of singletrack, ATV trails &amp; gravel roads. So, riding the trusty rigid Soma Juice 29er, I got a little beat up on the ST but was rewarded any time the sections opened up. Assuming that the bulk of the course was ST, prior to the race I dropped the psi fairly low for comfort reasons (no pressure gauge so I'm not entirely sure what it was set at). We started the course on Rock Lake road, and after about a mile jumped on to ST trails. It didn't take long before I realized that I had let a little too much air out. The rocks felt <i>too</i> soft, and on tight/fast corners the sidewall was flexing quite a bit. The handling was off all together. I planned on pumping up the tires a bit once the field thinned out and were were further down the trail, but it was already too late. I could tell that I had already pinched. Quickly becoming a feast for mosquitoes I changed out the tube as fast as I could, but I got dropped by the entire field. <br />
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Coming off a <i>huge</i> effort the previous week at the <a href="http://bluehillsbiker.blogspot.com/2011/05/royal-162-true-spring-classic.html" target="blank">Royal 162</a>, I suppose I didn't take this race too "seriously"...I was still pretty cashed. Once I flatted, I decided to take it easy, enjoy the trails and save some gas for WEMS the following week. <br />
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About 40 miles in we got to tackle the infamous Fire Tower Climb, which is at the end of the <a href="http://www.cheqfattire.com/cheq40.html">Fat Tire</a> race in the fall. First time I've tried it...and it's a tough one...steep, long and rocky. By the time I hit the top it felt like mile 50 or 60, rather than 40.<br />
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Anyway...I trucked along past the OO warming house, down the Makwa, Mosquito Brook and Hatchery Creek trails (all sweet singletrack), and somewhere along the line I incurred another flat. Meh, by this time I was certainly out of any sort of placing that I would have been satisfied with...so, I took my time patching a tube (I only brought 1 tube - bad idea for 100 miles off-road) while fighting off the mosquitoes trying to feast on me once again. No worries though...I still kept a smile on my face and had a fun day in the woods. See?<br />
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6 hours and 30 minutes in to the Hatchery Creek (mile 60) checkpoint, I decided to bail. All I could think about was how much rest I would need before another 6 hour effort at WEMS the following week...<br />
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Part Two: <a href="http://12hoursofnorthernkettles.blogspot.com/" target="blank">WEMS at Northern Kettles</a><br />
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This was a fun one! I didn't have this race lined up until about 2 weeks ago. My cousin was having a party in West Bend that Mom and Pops were planning to attend on the same day as this race. My older bro was planning to race, then hit up the party afterward. He suggested I hitch a ride with with my folks, he would bring an extra bike...we both race...then hit up the party afterward. Perfect!<br />
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Arriving about an hour early there was plenty of time to register, get kitted up and roll a few short trips around the parking lot on the Salsa Mamasita: Niner carbon fork, XT disc brakes with 160mm rotors, 2.4 Schwalbe Racing Ralphs run tubeless at 22psi up front &amp; 24 rear, 34 tooth crank up front, 11-34 9 speed rear cassette. Light, stiff and snappy...I was just hoping I wouldn't put myself in to a tree. The picture doesn't do the bike justice...<br />
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On the first lap it took a little getting used to...well, everything. Picking lines was rough, my pace was horrible, eating/drinking was poor. I would forget to drink on open sections when I should, then by the time I was hitting technical sections I was thirsty. I even had a hard time passing guys going much slower than I wanted to pace...the right lines just never seemed to be there. I felt like I kept pushing really fast, then needing recovery time from overexerting, then pushing fast again, then more recovery...back and forth. <br />
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Lap 1: 5/28/2011 -- 1:58:12 PM -- 00:58:12 -- 00:58:12<br />
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On the second lap I was starting to get the hang of it, but not entirely. I was riding a little smoother, drinking more frequently and at more appropriate times. As I became more confident on the bike it was a little easier to bite chunks off the Clif Blok once in a while too. Side note: <a href="http://www.clifbar.com/food/products_shot_bloks/" target="blank">Clif Shot Bloks </a>are quickly becoming one of my favorites for "on the bike" fuel. They're easy to open, easy to squeeze to the top as you're eating them, and they're not as messy as most gel packs.<br />
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Lap 2: 5/28/2011 -- 2:54:46 PM -- 00:56:34 -- 01:54:46<br />
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Starting the 3rd lap I made a quick stop at the cooler to slam some Coke and water. While I was standing around, Derek's buddy Steve passed me again. We seemed to be leapfrogging each other. I realized that he had basically averaged the same lap times that I did for those first two, so he must be pacing pretty well. I jumped back on the bike, gave chase, and decided to ride with him for a little while. His pace was pretty comfortable for me on the climbs, but quick enough downhill to realize his bike handling skills were much smoother than mine. On downhills I was bouncing and fumbling all over the trail, while he would swerve and swoop through the corners with ease. I then would have to kick it up a notch on the hills and open sections to make up the difference. It actually worked out pretty well though...it seemed like I was saving just a slight bit of gas for what I knew would be a long, bumpy day. <br />
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Lap 3: 5/28/2011 -- 3:51:39 PM -- 00:56:53 -- 02:51:39<br />
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On the start of the 4th lap I stopped at the cooler for a solid 10 minutes. I chowed a Clif Bar, drank some Coke, ate a banana and went inside the shelter to top off my Camelback with some Heed. 10 minutes off the bike felt really good, and I'm certain it helped me push through the remaining laps with some decent oomph. I started fighting some minor craps, which wouldn't escalate until the 5th lap, but Steve and I both noticed our climbing slowing down considerably. The perk- I could really tell that even in just a few hours, my bike handling skills had improved drastically, and faster sections were <i>waaaay</i> faster than I had been riding them all day. Steve lost a water bottle and stopped to pick it up. I kept moving along, and somehow found the juice to pick up the pace. <br />
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Lap 4: 5/28/2011 -- 4:58:09 PM -- 01:06:30 -- 03:58:09<br />
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While riding solo for the rest of the day, I was thinking...<i>Man, this is starting to really hurt...my left toe burns like hell, my legs keep cramping up on the hills, but somehow it feels like I'm still making good time. OK, if I make it back to the checkpoint before 6:00, I'll go out for another lap. Ugghh...that's going to suck. Will I even make it anyway? If I head out for a 6th, I have to get back by 7:00 or my last 9.5 miles won't even count! OK, I declare it here and now...6:00...that's my cutoff!</i> Since I was seriously not looking forward to 6th lap, failing to complete it then was likely a self-fulfilling prophecy...as once the mind games begin, everything begins to falter. I rolled in at 6:00:29 PM, which put my 5th lap at 1:02:20. <i>Ahhh, that answers that!</i> Cranking out another sub-1 hour lap while fighting cramps just wasn't going to happen.<br />
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Lap 5: 5/28/2011 -- 6:00:29 PM -- 01:02:20 -- 05:00:29<br />
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After 3 weeks of back to back racing on Saturdays, I was perfectly content with an 11th place finish in the 6 hour group. Excellent day, excellent course. I highly recommend this one!<br />
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I'm closing with a shot of my bro on his Gary Fisher Superfly 100. I still can't figure out why he looks so much faster than me...<br />
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Until next time!Blue Hills Bikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04983113437893415836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940372100238202142.post-58721242442817464922011-05-23T14:27:00.000-05:002011-05-23T14:27:18.964-05:002011 Gravel Metric Trailer2 flat tires early on made for a fun day of <i>riding</i> rather than <i>racing</i> at the <a href="http://www.chequamegon100.com/" target="blank">Chequamegon 100</a>. I'll be whipping up a race report soon enough. Biggest takeaway: Even if it's May, bring bug spray on an endurance mountain bike race in the middle of the Chequamegon forest.<br />
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On another note, these folks down in Illinois have put together another awesome trailer for their Gravel Metric coming up in a few weeks. Enjoy!<br />
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<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/23530509?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/23530509">The Gravel Metric -- More Gravel</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/sethdeming">Seth Deming</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>Blue Hills Bikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04983113437893415836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940372100238202142.post-18486807367689773502011-05-18T20:51:00.037-05:002011-09-11T04:45:27.852-05:00The Royal 162 - A True Spring ClassicOne day when I am more experienced I will not babble about a race for as long as I did in this report, but it is not this day. I figured this one ought to test <i>your endurance</i> as well.<br />
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Now, before I forget, I have to say Chris Skogen is a class act. Driven by a vision to have free bike races available everywhere to everyone, he created the <a href="http://almanzo100.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Almanzo 100</a> a few years ago (as well as a putting together a <a href="http://raceforthecup.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">series of races</a> with other hosts creating races along the same lines)...and each year the race is growing in popularity. It grew so much and so fast that this year he added a big brother to it - The Royal 162. Before going in to too many details I'll give ya the straight dope: Between the two events 730 people signed up to race (the weather forecast was poor and not all toed the line...maybe ~80% if even that), but 177 people finished. Of the 177, 151 people finished the Almanzo 100 and 26 people finished the Royal 162. I finished the Royal in 8th place. <i><a href="http://almanzo100.blogspot.com/2011/05/2011-results.html" target="_blank">Results</a></i> <br />
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I headed down to Rochester on Friday at about noon with my buddy Brent. We stopped at the bike shop to pick up a few last minute supplies, then proceeded to the bar and grill where the registration was taking place. Chris and I ironed out the few details of upgrading from the 100 to the 162. We swapped out the cue cards with another fellow who was hoping to downgrade, so that worked out. The bar was pretty packed, and last year <a href="http://www.whistlebinkiespub.com/index.shtml" target="_blank">Whistle Binkies</a> was the ticket for a fine selection of beers and good food, so we headed there instead. There are 2 locations in Rochester, so we thought this year we'd hit the one that we hadn't been to. <a href="http://www.surlybrewing.com/" target="_blank">Surly Furious</a> on tap made it dangerous to stay there for too long, so after grubbing down we made a quick touristy stop at the Seneca Foods where my old man used to work, and snapped a few pics of the corn cob water tower.<br />
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By the looks of it I'm pretty sure Brent thought it was edible. Considering I'd be crushing rocks for 12 hours the following day I thought it was appropriate to get the rock in the picture. <br />
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Anyway, we headed back to the hotel where I would make the final bike adjustments, laminate my cue cards, and stuff myself full of food until the coma was induced. We left the window open overnight and I was awoken by a rapid drip-dripping. <i>Crap, my Camelback must be leaking...oh no, Tuscobia nightmares all over again! Ah nevermind, it's just the rain gutter draining right outside the window. Crap, it's raining...and, it's kinda cold.</i> I closed the window for some peace and quiet, but with race jitters up the wahzoo I didn't sleep very well after that. The 5 am wake up call rang - I bounced right up, threw on the kit, loaded the bikes, and we were on the road to Spring Valley by 5:30. This was perfect as it allowed a solid 45 minutes to let the jitters settle, and I got to ride around and loosen up a bit. I realized it was a cold and wet 42 degrees and the forecast wasn't any better. I would be needing every article of riding gear that I brought with me. Looking around the parking lot, scoping out the scene, bikes etc., I recognized some dudes from all of the blog-reading-internet-creeping I do. I introduced myself to a few guys. Everyone was very friendly, welcoming...and a good vibe of mutual respect was present. We were all meeting guys just crazy as ourselves. It was great.<br />
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I toed the line about 15 minutes early and just waited. Along came <a href="http://cpfarrow.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Farrow</a>, <a href="http://eojmeiser.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Meiser</a>, Pramann, Buffington, and many other very strong looking riders. Being that they are finishers, winners and record holders of races such as the <a href="http://www.arrowheadultra.com/" target="_blank">Arrowhead 135</a>, <a href="http://www.tourdivide.org/" target="_blank">The Tour Divide</a>, <a href="http://www.tuscobiaultra.com/" target="_blank">The Tuscobia Ultra</a>, <a href="http://www.transwisconsin.com/" target="_blank">The Trans-Wisconsin</a>, <a href="http://www.transiowa.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Trans-Iowa</a>, <a href="http://iditarodtrailinvitational.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Iditarod Trail Invitational</a>...and the list goes on...these are the big boys here in the mid-west. I felt surprisingly comfortable. I was ready.<br />
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A quick run-down by Skogen and the guided roll-out began. About 1 mile down the road they cut us loose as we hit the gravel. A slightly unexpected mud splattering ripped the tightly knit pack apart. Everyone quickly spaced out a good 10 feet apart as our faces, bikes and teeth became covered in grit. The first thing that came to mind was...<i>Holy crap this is a major game changer.</i> Leading up to the race I felt I was well rested, well fed, and well prepared, but now I had no clue how the day was going to turn out. This was ridiculous. I would try to hang. Just hang, for as long as I can. <br />
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Sticking up front near the first 10-15 dudes I was hanging at best. The pace was quick. Not redline quick, but they were pushing the hills pretty hard. As the strong guys warmed up I could tell it was getting even easier for them to push up the hills. Easier than me at least. I started slowly drifting back. I saw Joe Meiser ride way out front...I thought,<i>Damn, there he goes already</i>...but he pulled over to the side of the road for a bathroom break. The group passed him and so did I, but about 1 minute later he effortlessly muscled up the hill and fell right back in with the lead group. I was impressed as I was suffering up that same hill, getting gapped by the leaders. I let them go...about 12 of 'em. I managed to keep 'em within about a 1/2 mile for quite a while, but I really didn't want to chase hard and pop early, especially on a day with bad conditions. Rain, mud, high winds...and it wouldn't let up all day. There wasn't much for drafting, as you would simply be eating the mud right off the dude's rear tire. Here's a shot of the lead pack in the 100 mile race taken by <a href="http://kyiabikes.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Kyia Anderson</a>. This basically sums up the conditions. <br />
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I looked back and noticed a few stragglers between me and what looked like another group of about 8. Why am I just sitting here out in the open wind half-ass chasing down this lead pack? Screw that, I'm slowing down...I'll go back and sit with those guys for a while. Slipping in the second pack I was surprised to see Farrow and Pramann in the group. Pramann mentioned before the race he was recovering from something medical (I think), but Farrow threw me for a loop. I already lost the lead group, and I knew for certain that we had some tough guys in this group as well. <i>Where the heck do I fit in? Am I over-exerting already???</i><br />
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By the first (and only) designated rest/drop/refill stop we had picked up a few guys who dropped off the lead pack, and we also lost a few of ours. 7 of us were now coming in to Preston, and Pramann says "I gotta stop in Preston and regroup or something". I asked, "Anyone else going to Preston?". Nope. The course and the group took a right...so did I. <i>Wow, we lost Pramann</i>, I thought to myself. Something wasn't quite right if that was happening. Charlie Farrow however, would not falter. In fact, I don't think I would have finished the race were it not for this guy. He's a 52 year old teacher from Duluth who has spent a lifetime on a bicycle, and has seen more miles than everyone in our group combined. The revised goal: <i>hang with Farrow and you will finish strong.</i><br />
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I saw the photographer early enough to photobomb a Bruce face. A few cronies know what this is all about.<br />
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At mile 49 the 162ers left the Almanzo 100 course and began our own little adventure down to Iowa. As we were coming up on a small section that was an out & back loop, we were wondering what this note on the cue card at mile 58 was all about: <br />
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"Follow marked course through "yard" and into woods." <br />
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Approaching said section, this ended up being the last time that we would see the lead group for the day...off in the distance I counted 6 remaining, with two or three stragglers hanging between us. "There they are!", Farrow proclaims..."Why are they riding so <i>slow</i>???". Someone else says, "I bet they already completed the out & back loop...must be rough".<br />
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Coming up on the private driveway Skogen was standing at the entrance with a cigarette in hand. "Welcome to Hell" he says, as we make our way down the driveway past a few beautiful horses who are nearly jumping the fence antsy to run with us. Riding down the hill across a bumpy cow pasture riddled with pies, I chased Farrow and one other fella. Forced to cross a dried out ravine peppered with rocks, I rode through it right behind the two in front. In to the woods, up a steep hill requiring a dismount and some jogging, then back on the bike to ride a bumpy jeep trail for a few hundred yards. We then approached the same ravine further "upstream". The ravine being about 30 feet deep and crisscrossed with dead trees like a game of Pick Up Sticks, another dismount was required. After a hustle down in and back out of the ravine I looked back to see the gap increasing on the others. We rode through another field or two and Farrow, <a href="http://justbike.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Ben Doom</a> (I think), and myself came back on the road smiling. Farrow yells, "Man that was pretty fun!"..."Now we gotta ride another 100 miles though!". Nuff said.<br />
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Quick break- Here's a pic of my buddy Brent chipping away at the 100. He bagged it at Preston then rode pavement back to the start. Prior to Saturday, he had been on 1 ride this year, so I'm sayin' 60 miles for him is pretty damn good considering the day.<br />
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So anyway, Farrow, Doom (eventually Farrow would refer to him as Doomsday) and myself kept pushing along. Mile 64 approached and the cue card reads:<br />
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"You will soon be entering Harmony. This is the last city of any size for the day". <br />
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At this point I had drank both of the water bottles in my cages. I had a Camelback with another 2 liters and a smaller bottle in my jersey pocket, but for the remaining 100 I played it safe and refilled the bottles. I told Farrow I was running in to the gas station to refill, and he says "I'm gonna keep going, you'll catch me man!". "Uhhh....ooook" was my response. "NOOO man, you will!!!". I bolted straight for the Gatorade, grabbed 2 liters, straight to the register....swiped my card and I was out the door. By this point my wind-proof fleece gloves were sopping wet, and my hands were so cold I couldn't open my water bottle...I didn't think I screwed it on very tight, but maybe I did. I wedged it between my legs, took my gloves off, wrung them out like a sponge and used both hands to reef the cap off. Back on the bike, and here's Farrow and Doom (I think, unless it was another guy and Doom was out front...) riding by the gas station again. They took a wrong turn! We pushed along.<br />
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By this time the field was pretty thinned out. The lead group had one hell of a gap on us, and we had a solid gap on the crew busted by the cyclocross course. We slowed our pace to a more comfortable level, and casual conversations commenced. Farrow on several occasions, "You're riding pretty strong, man! Great job!". Constant confidence boosts. "Man, way back there even Pramann said you look strong! And Pramann <i>knows</i> man!". For the next 50 miles or so I was on cloud 9 listening to Charlie's antics and war stories from various epics. Things like, "You gotta do the Arrowhead man! That's the big one around here! I look forward to that one all year! It's like 30 or 40 below sometimes, and some people hardly finish, and a lot don't finish at all! It's so fun!", or "Maaan, the life of a worm...that's gotta suck man...I mean you survive the whole winter underground, then you're just crossing the road one day and SPLAT!" When someone is still this positive regardless of the fact that we're covered in mud, soaking wet, and freezing our b's off, you realize it's really not all that bad. I guess there's truth to the old adage: "A bad day on the bike is still better than a good day at work". Either that, or this guy is just one tough old feller...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgia4gPz99Js5jfKD3E-_q8MfJlHpAuGIAB8kRns1UqxRtNkWFh3QKgqmvdQ1VmvCmX66cBC289-srBuQ_V1-F9JvYP1iBdhyphenhyphenxiTow48WToDyKw_BINrzRTRKvKuykna-iSWBTyMurF5JlI/s1600/5724533688_3297c31343_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgia4gPz99Js5jfKD3E-_q8MfJlHpAuGIAB8kRns1UqxRtNkWFh3QKgqmvdQ1VmvCmX66cBC289-srBuQ_V1-F9JvYP1iBdhyphenhyphenxiTow48WToDyKw_BINrzRTRKvKuykna-iSWBTyMurF5JlI/s400/5724533688_3297c31343_o.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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At mile 100 we came upon a truck serving pizza, beer, and coke. A few buddies of Skogen got the OK to set up an "unofficial" aid station at mile 100 on the Royal course. This was awesome. We stopped briefly to chow a slice, then kept moving. The pizza must have helped Doomsday, as he caught a second wind and dropped us in the end. The pizza also helped John from Fargo - he caught us (after initially being in front of us and taking a wrong turn). The pizza didn't sit too well with me. I was suffering again. By the last "checkpoint" at mile 110 I told the guys I had to stop, get off the bike, and eat the rest of my Clif bars as I was starting to bonk. Charlie and Doom pushed on, but John from Fargo seemed fine with stopping. He was also a good guy, so it was nice to have someone to chat with for the remaining 40. We were both in survival mode at this point, so we paced it out. <br />
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<br />
<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/23640723?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="400" height="295" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/23640723">2011 Water Crossing</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user1345838">Chris Skogen</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p><br />
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There was one creek crossing on the course. It was the same as last year's, but it was now at mile 138 on the Royal course. Approaching it I didn't hesitate to hop off the bike and trudge right through the knee deep water, as I knew we were near the finish. It felt like "room temperature"...so it was probably pretty friggin' cold. John and I muscled through the remaining miles. We had to walk up 1 hill - it was steep and long! The walk actually helped refreshen the legs quite a bit. I actually wanted to hammer the rest of the course, but John's cue cards were shot, and cruising it home wouldn't be the worst.<br />
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The course is no secret anymore, so here you go: <a href="http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4515955" target="_blank">http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4515955</a> <br />
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12 hours, 22 minutes of riding nearly 100% gravel roads. 10,000+ feet of climbing. I came in 4 minutes behind Farrow. I wonder if I could have caught the old man... <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih6hOsZZpUvGqNmGzLO3zfyfzsL6k9DoAjQ-Lr-SkoPedHN6bDF_J1kkB8ehhl3CEQqMyqwh1RmO0FOdyCDny45ST-xBD3SUkVtYCqEpe0Aga8S7UvwdjgPYxSM5h0Sv2KQrX8RZ54T3_g/s1600/2011-05-14+19.33.58+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih6hOsZZpUvGqNmGzLO3zfyfzsL6k9DoAjQ-Lr-SkoPedHN6bDF_J1kkB8ehhl3CEQqMyqwh1RmO0FOdyCDny45ST-xBD3SUkVtYCqEpe0Aga8S7UvwdjgPYxSM5h0Sv2KQrX8RZ54T3_g/s400/2011-05-14+19.33.58+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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I think most would understand if I said this was the worst day I've ever had on a bike, but that would be dead wrong. On the contrary, this day was in fact by far the best. <br />
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You can check the "Read" section of my blog for any other relevant blog posts or links, and view more pictures here: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/craiglindner/sets/72157626605224693/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/craiglindner/sets/72157626605224693/</a><br />
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Thanks for <i>enduring</i> the race report! Cheers!Blue Hills Bikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04983113437893415836noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940372100238202142.post-24735871059293472192011-05-17T12:54:00.002-05:002011-05-17T12:59:53.532-05:00Recovery HikeI called up my folks after work yesterday to see what their dinner plans were, to find out that they were just heading out the door for some Ice Age Trail maintenance. I was still feeling pretty stiff from Saturday's big effort, so I figured a hike in the woods would help shake things loose a bit. I grabbed some rubber boots, gloves and a shovel and headed out to meet them on the trail. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvcGBR4ZAGRh44uC1XZ9uZrOnT7SRWxfPiughrAQPWmwaZqyDFxshBWPPssUgaRCwePuqprYDj75BSNXxg_q1VPfD96RjCvctabL27dRkWK4XZaTravjrDFVWp3vLo-H3dSZcTcmfHDvJ8/s1600/2011-05-16+18.48.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvcGBR4ZAGRh44uC1XZ9uZrOnT7SRWxfPiughrAQPWmwaZqyDFxshBWPPssUgaRCwePuqprYDj75BSNXxg_q1VPfD96RjCvctabL27dRkWK4XZaTravjrDFVWp3vLo-H3dSZcTcmfHDvJ8/s400/2011-05-16+18.48.49.jpg" /></a></div><br />
This was actually the section of trail I built for my Eagle Scout project in my younger days, and since I haven't hiked it in a few years a little nostalgia kicked in. It turned out to be a pretty nice "active recovery" day shoveling out the dammed (pun intended) swampy section, and hikin' with the folks.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBe-vJ5Bge6FbdJI1ZdUdnNZHK0UqrpQ0MoeIvNEt6o-6soTXjvVz-0Z04FH4IIhvw-J_Z42qlLhQHgF2sl4uiA0rAK5zzv9gSNkw1ahGY8O0CjYeJjJBYPeS34hQsmjfJSFM5TOyoKR_b/s1600/2011-05-16+18.49.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBe-vJ5Bge6FbdJI1ZdUdnNZHK0UqrpQ0MoeIvNEt6o-6soTXjvVz-0Z04FH4IIhvw-J_Z42qlLhQHgF2sl4uiA0rAK5zzv9gSNkw1ahGY8O0CjYeJjJBYPeS34hQsmjfJSFM5TOyoKR_b/s400/2011-05-16+18.49.15.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Outside of that I'm still mulling over <a href="http://almanzo100.blogspot.com">The Royal</a> epic last weekend and slowly working on a write up. Meanwhile, the May 21st Apocalypse (better known as the <a href="http://www.chequamegon100.com/">Chequamegon 100</a>) lingers in the back of my mind.Blue Hills Bikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04983113437893415836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940372100238202142.post-16368250509244843362011-05-16T12:59:00.000-05:002011-05-16T12:59:02.007-05:00SpentThe Royal 162 will be an epic to remember. A fully embellished race report coming soon...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwoo8rlZBNOTn5q06lkTtVmp42w6HFLtPPDp5jrBbLFndwagcPkjxX9l2ryLJrQjxlbC0vYTtHAeOy1lrdZ3k6I4u9rP3pCzB8_VXjRq60kxdtRl94zqcHPazTZsp73GGct7qs8Rhqc4o/s1600/2011-05-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwoo8rlZBNOTn5q06lkTtVmp42w6HFLtPPDp5jrBbLFndwagcPkjxX9l2ryLJrQjxlbC0vYTtHAeOy1lrdZ3k6I4u9rP3pCzB8_VXjRq60kxdtRl94zqcHPazTZsp73GGct7qs8Rhqc4o/s400/2011-05-16.jpg" /></a></div>Blue Hills Bikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04983113437893415836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940372100238202142.post-24258161947720068412011-05-08T20:27:00.009-05:002011-05-09T02:03:19.927-05:00100 - 162The <i>Almanzo 100</i> hurt enough. This year, I'll attempt the <i>Royal 162</i>. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/8914801/2/istockphoto_8914801-human-head-thinking-and-gears-turning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="380" width="291" src="http://www.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/8914801/2/istockphoto_8914801-human-head-thinking-and-gears-turning.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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After getting tangled up in the crash last year that put me out of commission (as if I make money riding my bike...), I was intimidated by 500+ riders coming to this year's <a href="http://almanzo100.blogspot.com">Almanzo 100</a>. With hopes to reduce my chances of crashing, I haphazardly requested to ride the 162 with fewer riders, most of whom would be more experienced than many of the riders in the 100. When I read the response from Chris that upgrading wouldn't be a problem, a strange "oh yes!", "no way...", "oh shit" type of adrenaline flushed through my body, nearly causing me to jump out of my seat from the immediate restlessness in my legs. Remembering the course from last year, noting to myself that I'm tacking on another 62 miles of leg-braking, hill pounding suffering...a deep, calm feeling of reverence and respect for the course began to sink in, the exact opposite sensation. I skimmed the email a few more times in disbelief, and started realizing that I would once again be attempting another longest distance ride/race yet. Being an active cyclist for only a few years now, it's still a strange and humbling feeling each time I raise the bar on these types of events. I sank further in to the chair, body freezing up...I started writing this post, and began honing in on preparations for the upcoming epic.<br />
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....<i>Holy crap this will be wicked. What the hell am I going to do? Why did I ask to upgrade again? That was pretty stupid. What if I crash anyway? What if I don't even finish? Which bike should I ride? Which tires will be best for the conditions? Hmm...I wonder what the weather will be like? How long is this actually going to take? 10 hours? 12 hours? 15 hours? That depends on the weather I guess. Well how much food will I need for the day then? Water? I guess that depends on how long it's going to take. Are there any refill stops? I can't plan on it. Self-supported race. Do I need another big training ride before then? Have I trained hard enough? Am I better off just resting? Have I rested enough? Why am I even doing this? It's not a monetary reward. There aren't any prizes. What's the reward then? What the hell am I doing?... </i><br />
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Some of these questions will need to be answered by Saturday morning. I can guarantee the rest of the answers will be delivered in a very painful package by Saturday evening.Blue Hills Bikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04983113437893415836noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940372100238202142.post-87215883548399064062011-04-18T14:54:00.001-05:002011-05-20T11:56:25.833-05:00Dear Almanzo,<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://rookery.s3.amazonaws.com/712500/712666_cd3b_625x1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="304" width="350" src="http://rookery.s3.amazonaws.com/712500/712666_cd3b_625x1000.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Dear Almanzo,<br />
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Nice tent setup at the <a href="http://ragnarok105.blogspot.com">Ragnarok 105</a> last week at the top of Heath's hill! I felt very sorry about not stopping to enjoy some of the snacks and malty hoppy goodness, but I fear I would not have finished the race...so I reluctantly pushed on.<br />
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Anyway, I'm coming off that one feeling pretty damn good (with for me an excellent result!!!), and I met a handful of cronies who will be riding the 162. I hate to even ask this, but I was hoping I could sneak in to the 162 as well. I understand it might be a pain on your end to switch it up...and I realize I should have manned up back in January when sending in my postcard also. If the list is final, no biggie...just thought I'd ask. <br />
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Kind regards, <br />
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Yours Truly<br />
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P.S. After crashing last year (fractured rib, torn rotator cuff, road rash, etc), culminating in an entirely concussion induced finish...having so many riders in the 100 scares me more than suffering through 162 miles with some very experienced riders and friends.Blue Hills Bikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04983113437893415836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940372100238202142.post-76856870425401644972011-04-12T03:42:00.001-05:002011-04-12T03:46:15.419-05:00Cyclocross in 1950<a href="http://ragnarok105.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Ragnarok 105</a> report coming soon. If it makes any difference, in the mean time you can check the <a href="http://ragnarok.redwingsoftware.com/2011/LiveResults.aspx" target="_blank">results</a>. <br />
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Then, watch something old school...<br />
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<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/H9_Fs1QtsOY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Blue Hills Bikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04983113437893415836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940372100238202142.post-77456056290445909732011-04-01T20:23:00.000-05:002011-04-01T20:23:14.383-05:00Buenos DÃas, Buenos Aires<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSm6z2SYuYHblHZCTM4KKvoiDmCFUBujNcDCRJddpLgCQS4d5UqV60nflGxInbuFB9KCqG5qjR9oPWIWq330K5iNScGYdM-PKQ5Dr3c9lt7tabVO6RQAic6n8DlxUTAahSN14tx56-qrjO/s1600/2011-04-01+15.06.03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSm6z2SYuYHblHZCTM4KKvoiDmCFUBujNcDCRJddpLgCQS4d5UqV60nflGxInbuFB9KCqG5qjR9oPWIWq330K5iNScGYdM-PKQ5Dr3c9lt7tabVO6RQAic6n8DlxUTAahSN14tx56-qrjO/s400/2011-04-01+15.06.03.jpg" /></a></div>Blue Hills Bikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04983113437893415836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940372100238202142.post-63962566756565773322011-03-23T18:45:00.000-05:002011-03-23T18:45:05.264-05:00FROM STEEL: The Making of a SoulcraftSince the weather today was not the greatest for riding bikes (as seen in the previous post), it was pretty easy to burn the snow day watching the youtubes, scanning the blogosphere, and just generally getting my fix on the ol' interwebs...but I digress.<br />
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Here's a video I found worth sharing. It's a little glimpse of what Oz is up to behind the curtain.<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="225" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/18969652?portrait=0" width="400"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/18969652">FROM STEEL: The Making of a Soulcraft</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/michaeljohnevans">michael evans</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.Blue Hills Bikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04983113437893415836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940372100238202142.post-35920189536263996812011-03-23T17:53:00.000-05:002011-03-23T17:53:02.369-05:00Not Winning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg43gXXcPMlqGRKq8McsURWrDD0i8H6h5xrsmOKB5LwTzsuV1EpOeh1JolIlaN56Tk-Uc0AnmCdCamPKNXaQQKuzuv1CL3ahZGvoFcYvWDJhzA9b1l1kg1Sk2_rjRRUCnt5bHyAOI7ZvlPz/s1600/100_0939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg43gXXcPMlqGRKq8McsURWrDD0i8H6h5xrsmOKB5LwTzsuV1EpOeh1JolIlaN56Tk-Uc0AnmCdCamPKNXaQQKuzuv1CL3ahZGvoFcYvWDJhzA9b1l1kg1Sk2_rjRRUCnt5bHyAOI7ZvlPz/s640/100_0939.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVsG-3qTZAGLQFkB9V229nki1B1yQDBhf3sq7sd5cpWhvumvzePJNWwYe6GjHFjp1H100NoT_j5PUQX90-cATnSFm_NfiW5PRP80yWvlPHa8O-FPArc5BIm9foW4YebvF7xg9jw-zJD7s/s1600/100_0941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVsG-3qTZAGLQFkB9V229nki1B1yQDBhf3sq7sd5cpWhvumvzePJNWwYe6GjHFjp1H100NoT_j5PUQX90-cATnSFm_NfiW5PRP80yWvlPHa8O-FPArc5BIm9foW4YebvF7xg9jw-zJD7s/s640/100_0941.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Blue Hills Bikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04983113437893415836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940372100238202142.post-68483759995512780122011-03-14T18:42:00.003-05:002011-03-14T18:47:51.115-05:00¿Qué locura es esta?If you haven't already seen this video (it has been circulating the bike geek blogs for a few weeks), here it is:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="224" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/9970489?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="398"></iframe></span><br />
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This also has been circulating around, but it's too awesome to not share. Someone has been <a href="http://gawker.com/#!5781582/someone-is-setting-hipster-traps-in-new-york">setting hipster traps</a> in NYC. Thanks to <a href="http://doucheblogcycling.blogspot.com/?zx=b20a0a6efb9841d">Douche Blog Cycling</a> for this one.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLAoNxXPA_25oHNqZCx39a5MNOmZwuosECwvndAasO2GEhly3WWNKs783d5Fwl2J0KXFSa6p47ka_iIOeWZ3AS-3NDNjcc2zdNXs5ufXHL_Ruz4Z887CZgm6gQ7Rii-tJYVJh-u81K2QA5/s1600/hipstertrapwide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLAoNxXPA_25oHNqZCx39a5MNOmZwuosECwvndAasO2GEhly3WWNKs783d5Fwl2J0KXFSa6p47ka_iIOeWZ3AS-3NDNjcc2zdNXs5ufXHL_Ruz4Z887CZgm6gQ7Rii-tJYVJh-u81K2QA5/s400/hipstertrapwide.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Other than that, the weather is warming up. My Blue Hills fire lane roads have become a mess, so I'll be bagging miles and miles of pavement for a few weeks to get ready for the <a href="http://ragnarok105.blogspot.com/">Ragnarok 105</a>. :( Oh well, time on the bike is time on the bike I suppose.<br />
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</span>Blue Hills Bikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04983113437893415836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940372100238202142.post-21124607361523511892011-02-24T20:28:00.002-06:002011-02-25T17:23:30.667-06:00Corridor 31I got some decent riding in this past weekend on the Soma Juice. Roughly 3 fairly fast hours on Saturday rollin' solo (plus an hour run in the evening), and 2-3 hours of easy pacing on Sunday with a fellow riding buddy who rides for BKM Custom Stone and Tile. The 12" of snow that rolled through didn't start coming down until Sunday afternoon, so I squeezed in some Blue Hills ice road bikin' just in time.<br />
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The roads were pretty sketchy at points...glare ice from shoulder to shoulder, forcing you at times to ride the snowbank. The snowmobile trails made for much better riding. Pretty firm crust, but also icy at times. Icy enough where some studded tires would be perfect. The 2.4s on the Juice were almost overkill on this day, as no flotation was needed. I think the tyre PSI was at about 22 & 20, so they were pretty solid. On that note, I did have one good spill on some ice. I fell down fairly slow, but it still left me with a bloody knee and a sore hip. Meh.<br />
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On both days I was able to scout out a corridor trail (31) that I've been itchin' to ride for quite some time. There is one more section that runs north of Wagner road that I'd like to ride soon. I think/hope it connects to the <a href="http://www.tuscobiatrail.com/">Tuscobia Trail</a>. If that's the case, I can essentially ride 3 blocks from my front door, and not ride another mile of pavement for as long as I can possibly endure.<br />
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What's also great about these trails is that they simply connect and cross all of the gravel roads that I became familiar with last year training for the <a href="http://almanzo100.blogspot.com/">Almanzo 100</a>, so now there's all sorts of options for rides/routes. I'm getting pretty close to mapping out an epic gravel/dirt grinder that should compete with some of the best. Excellent training grounds out here!<br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Here's a rough sketch of the two rides this weekend...the trails are hard to track on gmaps' satellite so they might look a little odd.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Saturday - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4311618">http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4311618</a></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div>Sunday - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4311626">http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4311626</a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4311626"></a></span>The creek crossing above is at about mile 7 on Saturday's ride. I didn't ride beyond this point as the trail got pretty soft, but this past fall I rode about a 1/2 mile beyond it, and it thins out to an ATV width trail. The Gazetteer shows another 4-6 miles of trail that could be explored beyond that...hmm maybe one of these days. Out!Blue Hills Bikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04983113437893415836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940372100238202142.post-88224163034052526262010-12-06T10:27:00.012-06:002010-12-07T13:53:23.848-06:00A little bit of high desert countryOver the past few months it has been tough finding the motivation get outside. For me, that can cause some serious issues when heading in to the dark and cold December through February that plagues the mid-west. A few weeks ago my thought was that a week of hikes, rides and runs in some warm weather would help me reset, or at least ease me back in to a training regimen for the spring gravels classics that I'll soon be registering for. So, sort of out of nowhere a flight to Albuquerque was booked, and I was shortly on my way to the southwest to visit family for Thanksgiving. Although it was sunny most of the week, the weather was unusually cold for this early in the season. Even though I was expecting warmer weather than Wisco, it was probably foolish of me to pack several pairs of shorts. The sunny, windy and brisk weather was still a nice break from the freezing rain/sleet that was coming down for several days prior to my departure.<br />
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The first full day out there my bro and I rode about 40 on the bike paths that run throughout the city. It was a nice and easy ride and helped loosen up my legs a little after having been slacking for a while. I failed to take any good pictures on this ride...so I'll just start with introducing my bro's dogs, Roja (left) and Chica (right). They would accompany us on the rides and hikes for the rest of the week.<br />
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On Thanksgiving day we did roughly a 4 hour hike in the Sandias. My bro knew of a trail less traveled that ends up underneath the tram cables and provides many scenic views. Unfortunately I didn't take too many pics this day either...but here's one looking up at the tram (the little white spec in the sky).<br />
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The day after Thanksgiving we threw the mountain bikes in the car and headed out to the <a href="http://www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/prog/recreation/rio_puerco/white_mesa_bike_trails.html">White Mesa Bike Trails</a>, roughly one hour north of Albuquerque near the Ojito Wilderness. This is where I took the bulk of my pictures, or at least the decent ones...<br />
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As you can see it was quite rocky, but the gypsum that forms the mesa is pretty brittle. Many rocks that couldn't be avoided would simply shatter beneath the tires upon impact.<br />
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It was a little chilly, but not a cloud in the sky.<br />
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I still can't believe how fit these dogs are. It didn't matter how fast you could possibly ride or how hard you could push them...they simply had insurmountable energy and would eventually catch you.<br />
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The Dragon's Back trail. You can see the ridge down the center of the picture that the trails follows...beautiful trail/views!<br />
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</div><div>It was pretty neat to ride some different singletrack trails other than what I'm used to. Rocky, but at least you aren't constantly worried about being ejected off the bike in to a tree, as is common at Levis or in the Chequamegon. Being ejected off a cliff however - still a concern!<br />
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Over the weekend we decided head down to the <a href="http://www.summitpost.org/ladron-mountains/154059">Ladron Mountains</a> roughly one hour south of Albuquerque for an overnighter. We built a "legendary" rock pit/ring for a fire as is the custom on my camping trips in New Mexico. Enjoying some whiskey, cigars, a few growlers filled with local brew pub beer, delicious leftovers from Thanksgiving dinner cooked on the skillet, and spending time with family around the fire more or less completes the trip.<br />
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The following morning I only managed to take one picture (above) at the beginning of the hike before my phone died. This was essentially my view through the tent window in the morning. Considering this was now my golden birthday...I couldn't have asked for anything better!<br />
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On the last day of my stay, I was actually feeling a little lazy and wasn't sure about lining up another hike or ride for the day. I suggested to my sister that we do something touristy. She in turn suggested we do the Eye of Sandia hike...possibly the most touristy hike you can find in the foothills. Works for me!<br />
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A little snow flurries and decent winds gusts blew in mid-hike. As soon as we were tucked around the canyon near the painting the sun came out for a bit, and made for a nice day.<br />
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"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Urban legend has it that the eye represents the mountain crying over the encroachment of the city. Nobody knows who is responsible for the original painting or the recent new coat of paint, but half the fun is the hike anyway.</span>" -- <a href="http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/26952">http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/26952</a><br />
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We had to hike out soon as we were running out of daylight. The brief moment I had snapping pics of the eye actually felt like more of a reflection on my own sadness that it was already my last day in New Mexico...what a great trip! Heading back to the frigid mid-west...but there's no doubt that I'll use the week of fresh air to pull though the rough winter. Cheers!</div>Blue Hills Bikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04983113437893415836noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940372100238202142.post-191295908084568702010-09-29T16:56:00.015-05:002010-09-29T17:52:28.054-05:00Blue Hills Felsenmeer State Natural Area Part 2<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Click</span><a href="http://bluehillsbiker.blogspot.com/2010/05/blue-hills-felsenmeer-state-natural.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> HERE </span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> for the more brief Part 1 from back in May.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I finally made it back out to the Felsenmeer again, and I have also found some time to put together another blog post. For part 2, I promised I'd include some more details on w</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">here it is located, how to find it, and some geological info with links to research projects on the area...here goes.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Parking roughly 2.5 miles south of the Blue Hills Inn on Rusk County Hwy. W seems to be a pretty simple way to get there. I whipped together a Gmap Pedometer route to indicate which logging road I follow. There are 2 or 3 forks that shoot off from this trail going south, but taking a right at each will keep you moving west toward the Felsenmeer. Today I noticed a cairn on the last fork where a right is needed. At the cairn, there is a relatively steep, rocky hill that you must go up. Continue roughly another 300 yards and keep an eye out for a yellow No Motorized Vehicles sign on the left side of the trail. If the water is high enough (this year we have received substantial rain), you will cross a creek about 150 yards after the cairn, or roughly half the distance to the sign. Once you're at the yellow sign, hike another 100 yards in the woods directly behind this sign and you're sure to find it! Follow the rocks!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4068448">http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4068448</a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Parking at the trail head roughly 2.5 miles south of the Blue Hills Inn (as seen on the GMAP above) has been the only way I have traveled to it. I am told that an entrance from the North is also possible...and I believe that the trail I chose simply continues and/or is the same trail as the North entrance. I may try this way another time...</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span"> <span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Anyway, I guess at some point there were debates on whether or not this area being called a "Felsenmeer" was in fact a true Felsenmeer. For a little background, here's an excerpt from Wikipedia on what an actual Felsenmeer is...</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">--The term </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">felsenmeer</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> comes from the German meaning 'sea of rock'. In a felsenmeer (also known as a </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">block field)</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, freeze-thaw weathering has broken up the top layer of the rock, covering the underlying rock formation with jagged, angular bolders. Freeze-thaw weathering occurs as water that is trapped along microcracks in rock expands and contracts due to fluctuations in temperature above and below the freezing point. Felsenmeers are formed </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">in situ</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, meaning that they are not transported during or after their creation.--</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Some geology students from UW-Eau Claire did a research project on this area a few years ago. As stated in their report, they discovered that this is actually a talus slope, and the term Felsenmeer is incorrect...although the Wisconsin DNR still labels it as such. In order for it to be a Felsenmeer, the rocks would have been shattered by freeze and thaw in their current location, and could not be transported from somewhere else. The rocks that you now see were likely shattered on the hillside north and south of the canyon, and as the glacier's runoff carved out a channel the rocks fell to their current location. The rocks remaining on the hillside adjacent to the canyon may still be a true Felsenmeer.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The center of the canyon seems to maintain a fairly cool temperature throughout the entire year. I suspect that that the steep grade prevents the southern rocks from getting any sun. When I traveled there in April it was an 80 degree day and March was an abnormally warm month. Some snow remained in the valley weeks after almost all the snow in northern Wisconsin had melted. I'm not a botanist, nor was the person who informed me of this...but I was told that the fairly constant temperature of the rocks allows for the growth of very rare lichens and other plants not native to this area. Many of these species must be found much further north of here. I wish I had some more info on this. With that said, there certainly is some unique looking vegetation nearby, and the lichens provide the rocks with their strange blueish hue. Without these lichens present, the quartzite rocks would appear much more red or orange.</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhA4mj7IbMKWBM5M_dajLeBIad-2JQT6LShKIEua2nQaLkFwNhj8xs3q59RQGgTP0-RthnDMfWN02UX4hyphenhyphenEMKjE9Htu1KRBK7BxC75eWVNTtd_LC24drdo7W59zzkHrhi_zNylbSytdVI/s1600/61055_437744218391_740308391_5306077_4835114_n-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhA4mj7IbMKWBM5M_dajLeBIad-2JQT6LShKIEua2nQaLkFwNhj8xs3q59RQGgTP0-RthnDMfWN02UX4hyphenhyphenEMKjE9Htu1KRBK7BxC75eWVNTtd_LC24drdo7W59zzkHrhi_zNylbSytdVI/s640/61055_437744218391_740308391_5306077_4835114_n-1.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Honestly, I'm no expert on any of this really. Overall it was simply another enjoyable hike/bike out in the Blue Hills. With an abundance of farms, lakes, rolling hills, woods etc. around here, northern Wisconsin is nothing shy of beautiful...but if you're up for a little change of scenery, this is worth checking out. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Other than that, I don't have much...</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The photos are courtesy of Troy Lynch...with a little cheesy doctoring on my part. Also, as promised here are a few links for more info...</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.uwec.edu/geology/pdfs/felsenmeer.pdf">http://www.uwec.edu/geology/pdfs/felsenmeer.pdf</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://dnr.wi.gov/Org/land/er/sna/index.asp?SNA=74">http://dnr.wi.gov/Org/land/er/sna/index.asp?SNA=74</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2007SC/finalprogram/abstract_119778.htm">http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2007SC/finalprogram/abstract_119778.htm</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liCg3nqPq6s">http://www.youtube.com/watch?</a></span></span><br />
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</span></span>Blue Hills Bikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04983113437893415836noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940372100238202142.post-32101132525233306042010-09-20T15:08:00.001-05:002010-09-20T15:09:47.537-05:0029ers - Go Anywhere and EverywhereI snatched up my bro's Soma Juice 29er yesterday from my parents' place...I was antsy for a solid afternoon of riding some Blue Hills gravel and ATV trails. Since the 29er is such a versatile bike, along the ride I decided to explore a few dead end roads and ATV trails that shot off from some of the main drags. I had some success...<br />
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I found a neat creek crossing on what I think is a 6 or 7 mile rarely used two-track loop...which might also connect to some other trails and gravel roads I've ridden. I was limited on time so I couldn't explore the terrain as deep as I wanted, but it seems promising...so possibly another day. For now, back to the roadie - which has just been converted from downtube shifters to STI. It has been out for a short test ride, but a nice fall colors hundo is due. The leaves are falling already...<br />
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</div>Blue Hills Bikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04983113437893415836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940372100238202142.post-8880523072944377252010-07-21T17:24:00.017-05:002010-07-21T18:47:32.928-05:00First WEMS Race - The Levis/TrowWell, we can basically scratch all that hoopla in my last post about not racing for a while. Last weekend, my brother Derek roped me in to doing an endurance mountain bike race near Merrillan and Columbia Wisconsin on the Levis/Trow trail system. This course was the toughest/nicest single-track riding I've ever been on. There were plenty of granny hill climbs, abundant roots, rocky technical uphills and downhills, flat/fast windy sections, boardwalks, and a few newer sandy sections of trail. The scenery was beautiful...I wish I had my camera. You skirt along rocky bluffs that provide you with views from several hundred feet above your starting point. It was a classy, well maintained trial that I'll visit again, but next time with a camera! <a href="http://www.fattireguides.com/trails/yourTrailDetail.cfm?tid=33&trailid=33&photo=17" target="_blank">Click here</a> for an article on the trails.<br />
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Going in to this race I had mixed emotions on my abilities. On the one hand, I hadn't ridden any single-track since a trek up to Hayward last summer. On the other hand, I have been basically resting since the middle of May. I was so antsy to do something brutal that my drive to get totally worked outweighed my lack of experience riding single-track. Derek was planning to do the 50 miler, so I entered the same.<br />
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The start of the race was a typical <a href = "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/24_Hours_of_Le_Mans#Le_Mans_start" target="_blank">Le Mans style</a> start. There was a bike staging area, where all bikes were laid on the ground roughly 50 yards away from the actual start. When the bell rang, everyone sprinted to their bikes and off we went. I thought we'd be shooting for 4 loops on a 12.5 mile course to achieve the 50 miles, but just before we started we learned that the the loops were in fact 16 miles long...so now what? Just ride 2 or 3 in my semi-wounded state? We'll see...<br />
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My plan was to chase Derek for a while and see if I could hang with and/or drop him...haha, but on the first hill - PING! - my chain snapped! I have the oldest/crappiest multi-tool in northern Wisconsin, so I killed 30 to 45 minutes on my first lap trying to fix my chain. I really needed 3-4 hands to do this well...I ended up pressing my knee against the rear derailleur to ease the tension on the chain to press the pin back through the eyelet. This is really only a temporary fix anyway. Hopefully it would get me though the first loop - when a chain busts it's basically shot. Note to self: Always carry a few extra master links in the saddle bag... About 2 miles down the trail it happened again, killing more time and losing another link. Being a rookie, I'm sure I made the mistake of shifting while pedaling...oops. I was probably more focused on choosing good lines and keeping Derek in sight than shifting properly...but when racing, you have to keep it all in order! The chain was then short enough where I had lost my granny gear. Oddly though, if I accidentally shifted to the granny, it would allow me shift to it, but the chain and derailleur would then be maxed out and there wasn't enough slack to shift back down when needed. Now, each time I accidentally shifted in to that gear I would have to stop, pop the wheel out, move the chain back down to a smaller cog and start again. I felt like I was spending more time with mechanicals than actually riding. Bummer...<br />
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I kept cruising along anyway. I finished my first lap, slammed a Pepsi and some electrolyte pills and wondered where Derek was at on his 2nd lap and whether or not he'd be going out for a 3rd. My bike worked (mostly), so I went out for another lap...why not? This one was much quicker. I ended up getting lapped by the front 2 or 3 elite guys, so I was having fun chasing them for a while. I would get passed, then chase that guy - usually hanging right on his wheel for several miles...they might disappear but along would come the next guy...etc. etc. I think I got dropped once or twice, but mostly I kept shifting in to that stupid granny gear. I think I basically cut my time in half on the 2nd lap versus the 1st lap. It was fun! I am confident that I would have had a reasonable time without the mechanical issues. After the 2nd lap my brother Derek and his buddy Chris Hammer (yep, his last name is Hammer) were hanging out at the cooler. 32 miles on this tough course was plenty for the day! Here's sample of what the riding was like....<br />
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My body hurt for a few days...my rib and shoulder especially. I think I may have jumped the gun on this one. The awesome thing is...my legs actually feel OK - they were well rested and had the strength to muscle through all of the hill climbs. I really enjoyed the steep hills that force you in to the anaerobic gasps. Did I just say that? Simple road riding around here just can't match that, but I can see how the two can compliment each other. Explosive hill climbing power can be developed very quickly when mountain biking, while aerobic endurance on the road bike is also tough to match. At the moment, I don't have a ton of core strength, and I'm not accustomed to the amount of beating the upper body takes when mountain biking. I was always looking forward to the long flat sections of trail where you could really open up and roll the big gears. Not riding single track for a year, then randomly deciding to ride over 30 miles of it may not have been the smartest/easiest thing...but oh well! It's not really supposed to easy...<br />
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Overall, I had a lot of fun! I got to test out the Salsa El Mariachi on some of the best riding around. Those 29ers make the old 26 rigid that I'm used to riding seem like a little kid's BMX bike. That Salsa is a dirt eater! I would like to ride some more single-track here in the near future, but in my condition I should probably stick to gravel grindin'. That's it for now...cheers!Blue Hills Bikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04983113437893415836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940372100238202142.post-80288940753471060552010-07-15T12:53:00.003-05:002010-07-15T13:02:44.508-05:00Back on the bike!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_l-kr4DpSnnFr2QwEYphnwaf_X4d3HziG6Myy7nY0SsufHVivXbLAFb6rNVWpTeU_nJAIRgbOElcyOv8zqnvrsvDc97jw8DzCrjYMHG71yT7Z7pwmFmtWu5Mkh8OtB3R6hWz2SzKByHS/s1600/DSCN2187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_l-kr4DpSnnFr2QwEYphnwaf_X4d3HziG6Myy7nY0SsufHVivXbLAFb6rNVWpTeU_nJAIRgbOElcyOv8zqnvrsvDc97jw8DzCrjYMHG71yT7Z7pwmFmtWu5Mkh8OtB3R6hWz2SzKByHS/s400/DSCN2187.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I know that it's July, but something got me thinking about this picture I took back in January on Wagner road. (secretly I just think it's a good picture and I want to show it off a little more...hehe) I have been off the bike for the past month and a half, so I have had plenty of time to think about what type of riding I have done, would like to do and/or will do. I don't think I'm longing for another cold winter, but riding the Blue Hills' sledneck trails in January/February was some of the most spectacular riding I have ever done. From cakewalk pavement flats early last summer, to ATV trail and single-track, to winter snow riding, early spring fixie riding, late spring gravel grinders and back...I'll say I've had the most solid year of riding in my life. It's pretty awesome to ride year-round and see the full spectrum of seasons outdoors...seeing/noticing slight changes from day to day in leaf colors, snow melt, budding of trees, etc. really makes me feel sort of in tune or, kind of like I actually know what's going on in the world...but we all know that's just ridiculous. So anyway, I have neglected to post anything since my crash, but I'll give you a recap of how things are coming along, and probably some additional ramblings... <br />
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While recovering from the crash, I was able to squeeze in a few rides here and there on the Lemond (fixed - mostly short rides on the flats just outside of town), the Salsa El Mariachi (29er - simple trails in and around town with a few less active friends/riders), and maybe 2? rides on the Waterford (9-speed STI roadie - cheater bike rides where you seemingly coast everywhere). Finally, this week is the first week where I actually feel comfortable getting a little aggressive on the bike...the shoulder is CERTAINLY not completely healed, but it will do for now...I can sit on the couch no more!<br />
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So, I rode my first Turtleback Tuesday group ride last week and met a few excellent riders. I hadn't been on the bike for over a week - I had to work out plenty of kinks - but it was a good 35 mile ride at just under a 22mph average. I took my turn with a few pulls and spent plenty of time socializing as well. They seem like a great group of guys - good camaraderie and a collective enthusiasm for bringing new riders out on Tuesdays, regardless of skill level. I'm really looking forward to getting to know some people in the area interested in the sport. I have yet to determine if any would enjoy accompanying me on some weekend Blue Hills gravel grinders, which seems to be my preference for the time being, but if not, any riding will do!<br />
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Even though I was so fired up for an active season of racing, I think I might be throwing in the towel for the time being...I don't have the guts to get racing again just yet. A few more rides could honestly sway that in either direction...we'll see. Actually though, not doing any races for a while might be OK for a number of reasons. I'm still a little concerned with what another crash could do to my shoulder...I would hate to delay the recovery several more weeks/months. Mainly though, I'm really starting to get the itch to do some bikepacking...and I'm also considering stepping it up a notch when it comes to commuting. I think I would truly enjoy doing a handful of 2-3 day bikepacking trips around northern Wisconsin this fall, while learning the ropes of surviving on a bicycle. This is a must if I'm considering races like next year's <a href="http://www.transwisconsin.com/" target="_blank">Trans-Wisconsin</a>, the <a href="http://transiowa.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Trans-Iowa</a>, or maybe one day even something like the <a href="http://tourdivide.org/" target="_blank">Tour Divide</a>. I have little to no experience in multi-day biking excursions...but that could quickly change. I have always enjoyed backpacking, and clearly I have an interest in cycling...what better way to fill an insatiable appetite for the outdoors than to combine the two?!!! This way, I could prepare (actually prepare and correctly prepare) for the <a href="http://www.tuscobiaultra.com/" target="_blank">Tuscobia</a> this coming winter. I probably won't find a better time in my life than the next 6 months to challenge myself on the bicycle in this particular way...so this could be, as they say, EPIC! I'm really looking forward to a life on the bicycle. These are the gears I'm currently turning...I hope to keep you posted on these happenings... <br />
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On another side note...here's a short film by Chris Skogen (MC extraordinaire of the <a href="http://almanzo100.blogspot.com/">Almanzo 100</a>) about gravel road racing and putting on these types of events. Many props to Chris for hosting such an awesome race!<br />
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<a href="http://vimeo.com/13189748">From the Ground Up</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user1345838">Chris Skogen</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.Blue Hills Bikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04983113437893415836noreply@blogger.com0