Double down

In the past I've been able to do both cross races per weekend, however, this year that has not been the case. A fortunate/unfortunate turn of events the last few days allowed me to be able to play this weekend rather then work (which I really would not have minded).
Anyhow, Saturday out at the village, thanks for them to hosting. A pretty good course, provided some good racing. I got really excited when it started sprinkling, I thought it was going to get messy, but alas it dried out by the time we raced. Throughout the race I felt pretty good, and had a blast racing in the group that ended up assembling. The race went right down to the line in a good old fashioned sprint that somehow I managed to keep the others in check! A good time was had by all. Post race party down at Oliver's new shop in Marine, stop by and check it out, it's really coming together quite well!

Sunday it was off to Green Acres for the first time at the Synergy race. It got wet over night, making a good couple of mud pits to play in. I felt good for about the first half, then just botched the big climb one time and was out of the running for the top 5, oh well it happens. Still had fun playing in the mud and ended up doing decently in the end. Thanks to Bob at Now for making it all happen.

In other news, school is getting close to done, if anyone knows of any place hiring paramedics in the next few weeks, please lemme know! It's been fun so far, learning new things everyday.

Corners are fun!

To bad I crashed. And that there are no photos of it!

Jump!

A bit bumpy though.

I love cross...

On the way home the real adventure began when the Subaru decided to not go any further. We will just have to see what happens...

Outta luck

Today was the Theo Wirth cx race. I really enjoy this race, good atmosphere, good field, usually a good course, and close enough that I can ride to it.
Things were on a downhill slope before I even got to the race. Went to my car to get something, and set off my car alarm, which I did not even know I had, thus had no idea how to turn it off. I still don't but something I did stopped it. Oops. Just after leaving my house, the tubulars which I just glued up felt like riding a roller coaster, and somehow one of my break pads came loose, naturally I did not have a wrench in my bag so back home to try again. I finally got to Wirth just in time to register. Good thing the warm up was done!
Almost missed the start because I went pee. But that was worth it. The first 30 minutes went pretty well, felt good was in ok position, then I hit a wall, I guess not riding your bike will do that to ya. By the time I recovered there were 3 laps to go, ok whatever, can't feel good everyday. With 2 to go I jumped back on the bike after a barrier and CRACK, the seat got all wiggly. I thought I broke the bolt, but inspection on the stairs revealed another broken seat post, being the junk it was I ripped it off and I think I accidentally hit a guy when it flew off! Sorry! Definitely was not trying to do that. Then next two laps were very taxing, it's amazing how much you use the seat, not just for sitting, but stabilization and such for corners and bumps and everything. I slogged home and in the penultimate turn dropped the chain, luckily no one was around to pass me, everyone had already done that!
I guess a good chunk of the race was really fun, just parts really sucked. But hey that's bike racing, although I am wondering why no one waited for me? Oh wait, I forgot already, that's bike racing.

Playing in the mud early on.
Hurting on the stairs.
I guess no seat and post is a good way to cut some weight in a hurry, cheap too.
I guess I've been eating to many chips and too much popcorn!

Then on the way home, the luck did not improve when I ran over a small nail, and got a flat. Just the right size of nail that if someone was trying to be a dick, would through all over the trail. And of course I had forgotten my extra tube and supplies at the race (see below). I was fortunate that I could switch the front wheel and ride the roller coaster home...

The casualties.

If anyone is good at gluing tubulars, and wants to do it for some beer, lemme know. It'll be a good trade.

Hopefully that is all the bad luck for the rest of the season!

Forgotten at Wirth.
By the front right tire of the silver car parked up by the U-turn at the finish line. A small banjo brothers saddle bag containing 1 700x35 cc tube. 2 screw on co2 cartridges, 1 pump head, 2 blue rubber gloves, a quick link, and a presta to schreder adapter. I had enough bad luck between the race and the ride home I don't need to loose that as well. Also I'm poor so I can't afford a new one. Please let me know if you have it.
jwboyce at g mail dot com

Ah Heck!

But first.
Cyclo-cross started a few weeks back! I love cross, good weather, or bad, depends on how you look at it. Fun people, fun courses, fun bikes, it's quite a bit more relaxed then road racing making it extremely fun for everyone! Anyhow, St. Cloud CX was a few weeks back, went ok. Probably should not have had that Snickers shortly before the start, but I was hungry. Lead group of three for most of the race, then dropped my chain with two to go, thus ending my bid for glory. Oh well, it happens.

Early on.

The week was busy with clinicals. Got to ride my bike a little bit, went to a Twins game.

Then last Saturday the real fun began. Went up north for The Heck of the North. Probably one of the most bad ass bike races in the region. 102+ miles of anything that a bike can go over, and then some stuff one can't. It's a race that tests pretty much every aspect of bike riding there is. You've got to be able to ride for 100+ miles, ride on pavement, gravel, single track, climb long hills, slog through grass and puddles, know where you are as the course is not marked, and actually like riding bikes. If you don't it would be a miserable race. The field was pretty good sized, 61 to start, with lots of strong guys there. Ross and I had plotted about when things were going to explode, so we just hung out and enjoyed the 39 degree morning, then when the trails came we took out the jet packs and blasted off. The first trail section reduced the lead group from about 40 to 11. Then after lots of miles and pain, the final trail section came after fording a creek, the final cut was made and there were 3 of us left. The last 15 miles we went quite hard, Ross got dropped going up Hawk's Ridge (15 min climb) and Nikoli and I were left. As we crested the final hill my legs locked up and the Russian attacked, I was able to suffer through the cramp and catch up right as we took the penultimate turn. After not winning for a number of years I played the game and put my gamble on the sprint. Things worked out. It was one of the most fun races I've ever done, with all the fun people, like Mr. Farrow. And people who are just generally quite laid back. A grand old time.
Thanks for Mr. Kershaw for putting it on, Mr. Buffington for beer post race.

Bragging rights.

Sunday is Wirth. Should be fun. Then lots more clinicals, should also be fun.

Bike companies..

What's wrong with this picture?

Bike companies, please hire me as a product tester, I will break it.

At least it happened during bike practice!

Hopefully that is warranty, if not, I need someone to give me a new seat post...

Better luck next time

Another year of Chequamegon come and gone. This year was round two and I still need work. This is one of those races that will take me a few times to figure it out, I'll get it down someday. Third times the charm right?
Despite a mediocre race I still had fun. They do a great job making it a true festival rather then just a race, granted with the number of people racing (and paying) it damn well better be, they have got to have a nice budget to work with!

That's a whole lot of bike riders...

Luckily preferred start helps out.

Not only is the racing fun, but the woods of Northern Wisconsin is always a peaceful place to hang out for a while, get away from the constant everything that assaults my senses here in Mpls. I do like those trees...

On my way to cramping.

Anyhow it was a good weekend. I am looking forward to next year, I just better get in.


Another hot topic in MN bike racing right now is doping, might as well jump on the bandwagon. The recent lifetime ban of a local rider has ignited the discussion and cast shadows and rumours about many other not pro athletes doping. I really don't know why anyone thinks doping is the right choice, especially those at the local/regional and maybe a little more level. I don't know how that would make you feel good about yourself, having to cheat to beat a bunch of guys who ride bikes for fun. Lame, I have no sympathy for them, they made the choice to be stupid and deserve every bit of ban they get. Hopefully no one else in these parts is doping, but that would be to nice. There are more out there, I just hope they get caught soon.
I just wonder at what point bike riding becomes so not fun for these guys that doping crosses their mind. Sure we all like to win, and unless I am working for someone, I'm riding for that reason. But still I pedal because I like too, I don't need drugs to make me like bikes. If you do, time to get out, and stay out.

Due to the particular ban mentioned above I now inherit the win of a race last year. However, it does not feel legit. I did not win on race day, thus making it not special, and not feeling like a victory. There are so few chances that I get to win, and it just sucks that someone who was cheating stole that away from me. Lame, I guess I'll have to make it happen again sometime soon...

Anyhow, time for Cross to start again. The new bike is up and running and far to clean,


lets go squish around in the mud!

I can only wish.

The weather

I have become increasing intrigued by weather in general over the past few months, why I am not sure but it sure is cool. Someday I'll learn more about it.
I however, am able to read the incredibly complicated gadget called "radar." All those pretty colors...

Yes, snow. Yes, already.

So far this year the seasons have changed very abruptly. Winter turned to spring in all of about 4 hours, and so far summer has turned to fall in approximately 6. I kinda like it, no limbo. As long as no bitter cold and barren snowless waste land come, I am very pleased actually.

The other day I even took to researching some weather folk lore. A few I already knew, other no idea, here are a few good ones to keep on tap. So far I've noticed these are all indeed often true, remember these well...

Red sky at night, sailor's delight. Red sky in the morning, sailor's take warning.

When the wind is blowing in the North
No fisherman should set forth,
When the wind is blowing in the East,
'Tis not fit for man nor beast,
When the wind is blowing in the South
It brings the food over the fish's mouth,
When the wind is blowing in the West,
That is when the fishing's best!

Seagull, seagull sit on the sand, it's never good weather when your on land

For you land lovers...

A cow with its tail to the West makes the weather best,
A cow with its tail to the East makes the weather least

If clouds move against the wind, rain will follow.

It's coming

Almost time for some more fun in the sun.
I've been searching for good gravel roads around the cities in order to prep for another event coming up. Please don't be shy and let me know about so good ones, the bumpier the better.

I watched a cow escape then unescape captivity. Mildly entertaining.

The fair on the other hand is now over. I love the fair... So many good things to eat.

And Laura was really impressed by the knife guy. She is now a believer. You should be too.
On another note, if you want to buy these, or a different pair of wheels I've got, let me know!

Well then...

I had a dream that I updated this blog a few nights ago, I figured I'd take the leap and make my dreams come true...

It's been a busy summer... and spring... (April 23rd was a really long time ago), far too many things happening to bore the now non existent following of this poorly written bit of internet space, so I'll use photos for most of it.
In short I have been:
Clinicaling (HIPPA says I can't take photos)
Pedaling (see below)
Adventuring (also somewhere beneath)
Sweating (you don't really want to see that)

I rode the first part of the road season on a cross bike. Don't let anyone tell you it can't be done.

Then road in gravel with my road bike. I love it when that happens.
Got angry at something in Stillwater.
But got over it quick!

Did a few delightfully fun mountain bike races. Which I need to do more of.
Was reminded how much better trails are then time trails.
Had a low number of racers at the Northfield Crit, and lots of drama about Ride Of the Year following... Relax, show up next year, and have fun.

It's rained a lot down here this year.
I mean A LOT.
Luckily my house is up on the hill behind me in the photo, no problem for me!
I've gone camping, or surfing on this past trip.
We invaded Canada and fought the Mounties off with paddles while distracting them with orange life jackets. Then built a phallic shaped object to commemorate our glorious victory.
And brushed my teeth as best I could.
And just got back from a friends wedding out in Montana, I do enjoy the mountains.

Coming up soon are a whole bunch more clinicals, state road race (the last of the year), Cheq. and then CX! Yahoo! Maybe I'll update more, maybe not, bribes of good things to eat and drink to keep you entertained help...

Backlog and wheel sale

Life has been busy, school keeps me on my toes and the weather keeps me outside.

A few weeks ago the Twins played their first "real" game in their new Stadium. Ben was up to discuss 4th of July Crit plans, and we just happen to roll up for the last two outs of the game. It was pretty cool. Hopefully I can go enjoy a game sometime this summer. If someone wants to take me I'd be good company, I promise.


Bike racing also started this past weekend for much of MN including myself. Due to various reasons I sucked. It was pretty bad, one of my worst races in years, but I think I figured out what most of my issues were. Things went better at Opus this past week, but that is a completely different and much easier race then a typical road race. I guess I'll see if I figured things out on Saturday down near my former home.

I am also working on building up a true road bike. So far the cx bike has done a couple of road races, not as bad as it sounds. It is in fact, a road bike right now. Should be a good bike when it's done.
Due to the new build, I have some lightly used items for sale. Lucky you.

Again I have a Power Tap SL. It was completely refurbished and rebuilt last fall, the rim and spokes by Bontrager, and the internals by Saris. The only original part left is the hub casing. Even the CPU unit was replaced last fall. It is wired, which means the batteries last long (which were also just replaced last month), and I have 3 wire set ups which means multiple bikes is no problem. Heart rate strap also included.
All of it is working perfectly. The hub is extremely fast, I usually out coast most people (without having gravity assist on my side). I just simply don't use it how I should, thus no need to keep it.
The cheapest complete Power Tap setup you can get right now will run you $1400. I'll send this one out the door for $825.

You know you've always wanted one, here is your chance!

Comes without the cassette, you can have the tire if you want it, but that's pretty old...

I also have a super nice pair of Easton EC70 SL wheels that are up for sale. Super fast, decent weight wise, a super solid race set. Mostly carbon, which an aluminum braking surface, so you don't have to worry about fancy pads. Which is all I used it for last year, they probably have about 1,000 miles on em. Never been crashed, nice and true. I never even road these on gravel!
MSRP $1,200
Yours for $675.

Again cassette not included, not the tires either on these though...

Super nice set. They could be yours!

If you want to chat about anything: jwboyce@gmail.com...

Outside the box

I bet I have said this before, but getting outside of the 494/694 box is always a good thing to do on a bike ride. I think the air just gets a hair cleaner out there...
Yesterday I rode my mountain bike around for a good 5 hours. I had so much fun on the trails, to bad I now live in the city, rather then up in the forest where there are more trails then I know what to do with. Oh well, Mpls is doing pretty dang well for what it is. Among the many great perks of off roading that I have rediscovered, is the complete lack of automobiles. I am so sick of those...

Some of the trails...

Been doing some stair running, for various purposes.
Buy lots of things with that.

I have also been debating whether or not I am really using my Powertap. I just got a new HR monitor and notice that I usually only look that that anyhow. Thus is it really worth it for me to have it? Give me an offer I can't refuse and it's yours.

Built on a Bontrager Race X Lite rim. Rim plus spokes all replaced/rebuilt (by Bontrager) last year.

Hub was also completely rebuilt last year by Powertap, since then I have not abused it.
It is still old school and wired, but I have 3 cables, so multiple bikes is no problem...