Where are they going?

What do you think is on the other side?

On TV

If the Duluth Classic were a bike race with TV motorcycles, I would be one of those poor suckers who goes out in front all day just to get caught. But you know what, that is just fine with me, I am getting some really good efforts in, and hey, one of these times it should work.

Day one: TT
I have not been doing so well at TTs the past few weeks. Friday evening was better then they had been, limiting my losses to 3:30ish rather then 8 minutes. But still not even close to putting me near GC contention. I was hoping this would set me up to go off un-chased in a break the following days.

Day two: Wisconsin RR
Another beautiful day up north, with little wind and open roads the 42 riders in the open field were off. 4 laps totaling 72 miles on a relatively flat course, although there was a long not so steep uphill that did make me hurt. On each lap there were points for either KOM or Sprints on the line, after coming through on the first lap and the field being broken up I took the chance and struck out into the open. After about 1/4 lap of blasting away solo I was joined by two companions and we hammered along for the rest of the lap, the field never letting us get to far away. Coming through the line again the field broke up a whole bunch and a group of 8 or 9 of us ended up up the road, a group that size was deemed to much a threat and halfway through the lap we were caught. Break attempt one over. I spent the rest of the race just chillin in the pack enjoying how easy it was. The final 2km were pretty dang fast with a good size crash included. Rolled across with the field.

Day three: Home turf (Lakeview RR)
I finally got to ride my bike to a bike race. The course was on my usual training roads, only about 20 minutes bike ride for me. A perfect warmup. Up the large hill known as Strand Rd. 6 laps of racing, but 7 times with the "neutral" roll-out. I know these roads well, and knew when the best place to attack was. 15 minutes into the race right about where I wanted to go a group went off and I got on. 6 of us total, and for the next 2 hours 20 minutes we worked well together over the challenging course. It hurt a lot. Our lead yo-yoed quite a bit, going from 1:15 down to 10 sec. then back up to 1:55 before the field caught us on the top of the hill with one to go. To make things interesting we even had some redneck shooting at us with a high powered pellet gun. Luckily he only hit aluminum, but still, that makes me nervous to ride out there. Crazy people with guns are bad...
Anyhow after being caught I just sat in and recovered so I would not get shot out the back on the final climb. I by no means stayed up front, but managed to keep it together and not loose any more time.
All in all it was a good day, I tried my best to make it happen at home, but it just was not going to be.

Early onLater in the day. Things starting to hurt...

Day four: Cloquet Crit
New course this year. A short lap, with a punchy little hill and a nice fast downhill corner, besides the corner not technical at all. It was just windy enough for that to be a factor.
Last night I had talked with Lance Bruening and Mr. Casper and figured that Lance and I may as well try a sprint from the gun to try and get away. However, that was not to be as everyone had the same idea. I was right at the front and tried a few times to make something happen. Nothing was going that soon. For a good 15 laps things were fast and together, a few small attacks for primes, but nothing that was going to stay away. shortly after the halfway point Hollywood launched off on the hill and brough Rod Raymond (teammate for the weekend) with. They got a good gap very quickly. The next lap saw another 4 or 5 guys get a gap. Timmer deemed the chase group to dangerous and I went back up and put in a bit of work. We caught them shortly and the lap after that Casper, Brian Crosby and I just kinda rolled off the front. I just sat on and let them pull up to the break. The 5 of us had a pretty good gap, but with Crosby threating and Casper right in front of Timmerin GC there was not any point in Rod or I working too hard. Kinda disappointing, but racing is not all about you when your on a team. We stayed away until one lap to go. Easily rejoining the group. Timmer was set up perfect coming into the final hill and he just blasted off and in for the win.

Round and round we goHollywood goesCasper pulls at a nice clip. It looks like I am trying to flap my wings and fly away...ha!Hopefully I don't always look like that.

By my best estimates I spent slightly over 4 hours in breaks during the weekend. With 7 hours of racing being pelotonable and 35 for a TT. Kind of entertaining to know that most of my time was spent away.

After four days of racing, and being out front a whole bunch I feel great. I am ready for more. With my low standing on the GC I was able to race super aggressively and not really worry about my overall time. Had I been dropped after getting caught so what. But I never was which is encouraging. Next weekend is another qualifier for NVGP and I need to race smart there, big change in tactics...
Hopefully this weekend will set me up fitness wise for Nature Valley. That is the plan at least...

Well that needs work.

First off bike racing is hard. Even harder when you forget...
Luckily Daniel Casper was there to save the day. His feet are relatively close to the same size and shape of my feet, so things at least functioned for the most part.
I do in fact know how I left the shoes at home, well actually work. Due to sleet last night I got a ride, and never crossed my mind that I forgot to change back into my bike shoes before leaving work, until I got to the race today, oops!

Anyhow, the wind greeted us all with a big gust at the TT was off.
As this was my first 40 K I really did not know what to expect. I just took off and settled in. Kept my heart rate at uncomfortably hard but not overdoing it. My legs just did not want to turn though. I am not really sure whether it is due to lack of TT bike practice or fatigue. But I am going with both right now. Either way, not any excuse for being slow, but fixable. I just kept plugging away and after way to long I finished. About 4-5 minutes back from where I believe I should be finishing, and am pretty sure I can finish.


After getting home I tinkered around with my position for a good hour, ranging from seat height to tires. Already much more comfortable.
However, my bike still does not look like this...

Zoom zoom.

Hopefully I can learn how to TT by Wednesday evening...

Also, buy my mountain bike.

May snow brings June flowers?

Yesterday for the Wednesday night ride in Duluth nearly 20 people showed up. It was amazing, biggest group of bike riders I've ever seen up here, there were people taking pictures of us all over for some reason.
Anyhow, part of the reason there were so many people was due to the fact that it was 75 with bright sun. Although really windy, it was really nice out. I rode in shorts and short sleeves until about 8:30, then added arm warmers.
I started my ride this morning at 8. It was snowing.
Less then 12 hours difference and nearly 40 degrees, it is to entertaining to be angered by!

Torn between two worlds

But first, weekend recap.
Saturday:
A bright sunny, not that windy day for Marty. The first of four NVGP qualifiers. Right from the start the 48 of us were haulin. The first two laps averaging 27 mph is what I heard. Due to copious numbers of center line violations the official, for good reason, stopped the race and made it known that that was not ok. Despite destructing the momentum we had going, it worked out because I got to pee, which was a good alternative to exploding. And it also was needed to keep the center line in check.
The next lap slowed down a bit, then slowly picked up. A few breaks tried to go, but nothing was going to get far. As we came whistling down the final straight (with a tail wind) I was sitting right on Doug's wheel ready to at least sit in the draft, but alas I did not drink enough or something and started to cramp up. Balls... I struggled in and held onto 6th. Not by any means bad, but I know I have some sprint in there somewhere.

Sunday:
La Crosse. Drove down being entertained by the antics of Dan Swanson, unable to get comfortable and sleep for some reason. After the race on Sat. I had a 12 hour clinical, and I got the call that we needed to leave earlier an hour into my nap... Anyhow, the course was for the most part flat, a small rise, but nothing to make a difference in the race. Right from the start it was go go go. 67 people makes things a bit more interesting. The speed never really let off, I did a little work at the front after a split in the group making sure Timmer would have at least somewhat of a chance in the end. I was in great position coming into 1 lap to go, but the field decided to sprint that time and I got moved back way to far, way out of any kind of contention. Ended up at the front end of the pack. Nothing special, but a good first crit with corners to get the jitters out. Nice and fast too, word on the street the average was 29 mph.


Two worlds:
Bike racing and wilderness. The two do not go together at all. I truly love both. The thrill and exhilaration of bike race, whipping around corners at 30 mph with 60 guys within 100 feet of you. And of course the good feeling when you finish a race and have nothing left. At the same time there is the peace and freedom of the woods. The rocks, trees and water, a place where life is simple and simply good.
Sadly they do not go together very well. If I wanna be at all competitive taking a 4 days to a week off of training at this time would not bode well for any aspirations I have of making NVGP and making it through. And of course, carrying a bike at least 20 miles into the woods is not going to happen. I love both worlds so much, no way I can give one up. I've got to figure out how I can make this work!

Peaceful

Extreme
Peaceful
Extreme

Choices choices

Let it begin

I'm a bit slow at this right now, with class, clinicals, work, training, and sleeping. Blogging a relatively low on my priority list. I know I am letting you all down, I just don't know how you can go on living without knowing what is happening in my life! Ha!

Anyhow, last weekend bike racin in these parts started up again. Up first was the rolling hills of Durand. My first time at that particular race, and it was a good one. A whoppin 66 man strong field. The first laps were not to fast, everyone catching up on the past few months. That did not last to long, the attacks started and off we went at light speed. The large field making it very fun. Everything was just fast, not to exciting until the last lap on the biggest hill. A group of very strong guys got away, Mr. Timmer was not there, so up to the front I went and blasted away to try and catch them. It hurt, but eventually a few others got the idea and on the last corner we all were unified once more. Just in time to wind up for the sprint. After my effort I did not have much and ended up cramping, rolled across 12th. I am happy with my performance


This past week I did a good number of hours. Even got to preride the course for the Sogn race. Friday morning my body told me I had ridden a bit to much. Oh well, at least I know what my body is telling me.
Thursday my new wheels showed up. Got one training ride on them to try and break them in.

Ready to rock.

Friday night a few Duluth souls ventured down and stayed in the appartment above Milltown, thanks Ben for that.
This morning we were off to Sogn Valley for the day. Lucky us it was dry. A little windy and cool, but dry. A good size group of mid 30's or so showed up.
Again the first lap of the race was not super hard, the second picked up a bit. The last to laps only let up a few times. Full on bike racing. The third time up the hill I got a bit crampy for some reason, luckily I hid in the drafts for a bit and felt decent again. With about 3/4 lap to go the Ghost (Mr. Casper) snuck off the front, and with about 1/2 lap to go Doug and Wold blasted off. Should probably have been watching a bit better, but we all make mistakes...
They were long gone by the time any sort of chase was organized. Which for a little while was actually looking pretty good, with a Synergy, Nature Valley, and GP group working together. Some reason it did not last long and things fell apart. Naturally coming into the final climb things were going to be hard. I was hurting more then normal by this point and missed the initial group that got away just enough to gap the rest. Luckily with the help of Mr. Stanford the two of us caught back up. I was hurting a bit from that coming into the sprint, but still managed to pull of 9th.

The past two races have been extremely hard compared to last years, or at least from what I remember of them. Perhaps from the bigger fields, or people just wanna go fast. Either way, I like it!


I'll hopefully find some photos and post them.

Time keeps on tickin

The past few weeks have been relatively similar. Bike practice, work, class, clinicals, repeat. Not a bad schedule, just not worth writing about!
I have had a couple of good adventures. The most recent of which being yesterday. A water adventure.

A bit chilly, but sure pretty

They can't stick there head in the ground here.

It was too icy to use studs at some points...

Band-aids are good tire patches.

Lots of water.On the way out to sea.

Tried to make hot cocoa out there.

Max thought swimming would be fun too.The stove never worked though.

Swimming with a pack above the water is hard.

Soon, bike racing!

Rocky Mountain high.

Just got back from Colorado this morning, it was a good time. Since the last update this is what has been happening:

We went to Arapahoe Basin, one of the lower key places to ski in Summit County.

Low key does not mean little...Or easy!At the end of the day someone gave me beer.

The next day was bike riding. A good 4.5 hours around Boulder. It was warm out, 75 or so. I got to ride in shorts and short sleeves, worked on my tan.

St. Pattys day was spent at Breckenridge with Nels and his Breckenridge outdoors center co-workers. We had a good time exploring the bars of the uppity mountain town.

Beer... Nels also hooked us up with some Vail passes. Thanks Nels!

Good thing too, tickets are $97 a day...And all you get is a ride up a T-bar.Not really. Vail is so big it blows my mind. This is just one part of one mountain...

They have grills strategically located. Brats on top on the mountain.

This face "Tea Cup Bowl" was then most fun with the snow conditions.

With being at Vail for 7 hours, I bet we skied maybe 1/4 of the resort. So damn big. So cool.

Thursday I worked on my tan for another 4 hours, then it was back in the car and back home

The high plains.

On another note Ollie, a college friend just released a music video. Enjoy!

I-70

Road construction in the Mountains, I-70 is turned off, too bad no one around us has beer...
Internet somehow?

Earning your turns.

Today was my first back country skiing experience, it was great. Three of us went out on the adventure. We were in the Frisco area of Colorado, on some random mountains.

Way up through the trees we went.

Lunch break was needed before...

we got past the tree line.

Not much snow on the wind blown summit.

Gear.

Decently high.

I've never heard of sledding above the tree line...

Lots of open space up yonder.

Bike race!

Got back from Europa, two days rest, then off to Colorado. Two continents, two countries, two mountain ranges, two weeks!

We (Joe Stromsness) and I, blasted out here, driving though the night. Got to Denver area yesterday morning at 10ish. Welcomed by blue skies and 50 degree temps. The only logical thing to do then was ride my bike. I did for a bit over 4 hours. Exploring mountain roads to their fullest. We are actually in Westminster, rockin the suburbs. And I rode through the mountains and then came back out on the high plains in Boulder. I like Boulder, very bicycle friendly.

Up up and away!

Nice view.

I found some bumpy grav.

With cool rocks.

We attended the UMD vs. CC hockey game for entertainment during the night.

Today (Saturday) it just so happen that there was a bike race in Boulder. Being that it not far from where we are, I decided to do it. Depsite the fact that I have not done any speed work at all, none, this year. Racing does not start for another month back home. My goal was simply to sit in and finish with the field.
The race was put on by CU, and I arrived during the collegiate races. The A field was huge! 100 guys or so, compared to collegiate races back home being around 20...
Anyhow, the next race was womens feild, a few pros actually. Then the 3/4/5 race. The last two race was supposed to be the pro 1/2/3, they closed registration at 100 riders, but then the pros showed up and pulled some strings, and it ended up being pro 1, then 2/3.

Womens race. Zoom Zoom

I was unsure if this would work out, due to the fact that with 100 riders, I would have plenty of places to hide from the wind. With less people, and more concentrated fast people, things would be a bit harder. It ended up with 40 or 50 in my race. With guys from Garmin, and Bissle, and Jelly Belly it was a fast race right from the start. The first half was not bad, I was able to hide out for the most part even when we were stretched out single file. Then all of a sudden a split happened and about 15 guys had a gap. Game time. It hurt a whole lot, but somehow I managed to get up to them. Nearly died, but I did it. Of course a few laps later the race came back together, but I had fun getting my legs ripped off. The rest of the race was fairly uneventful, but very quick. Good times. I made my goal and finished with the pack. Wahoo! Avg speed was 46 km/h.

I will try and find some photos from the race. Their were lots of cameras.