Pedal pedal pedal

The decision has been made to start my season in Phoenix with the Valley of the Sun stage race Feb. 13-15. That said, it's time to kick it up a notch with training and live like a monk from here on out. This weekend will be filled with some long hard rides in preparation for Phoenix although the consistent racing really begins early March if not April depending on weather. I'm looking forward to ramping things up and hopefully bust out a few great results this spring. Pedal pedal pedal....
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I'm tired

Two days of hard skiing, little sleep, lots of beer and a velodrome workout make for tired legs. Oh and some frisbee golf too. A little rest and I should be back up to speed. Just got back from our team meeting and I'm stoked to be racing for HART. We have a solid motivated group of guys ready to throw down. Racing in 3 weeks and I think we might just come out with a bang. Thanks to Chipotle, a team sponsor, for providing dinner tonight.
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Boulder Velodrome = NASCAR + Circus Motorcycle Cage

Rode the track for the first time yesterday and well it's short and short. Lap times around 10 seconds. I had a blast riding with friends and I look forward to training on it more in the future. As far as racing goes I think C. Springs will be a safer bet and better preparation for one of my 2009 goals, Elite Track Nationals in October. Check out the track if you get a chance and I'm sure you'll be hooked. I mean who doesn't like NASCAR and a circus moto cage?
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Yup that's right the big 3-0

I was surprised to wake up not feeling any different after all the talk about being 30. I'm actually kind of excited because it's the startline for what I hope will be a great decade ahead. I've got some great things coming up the pipeline so look out and stayed tuned. As far as today goes well I've got the day off from work so of course a short birthday ride followed by a nice dinner with the fam.

Boulder's first velodrome but hopefully not the last

Last night I went up to Boulder to check out the new velodrome and I was pleasantly surprised. After hearing of talks about building a velodrome in Boulder for the last 10+ years it was finally good to see one up and running. I think it's great for the cycling community and I look forward to training on it in the near future. I hope this velodrome becomes the launching pad for what Boulder/Denver really needs which is a world class World Cup worthy velodrome. The track is short at 138m and as far as I'm concerned it only has two turns. I'm used to the more traditional 250m and 333m tracks around the country but this will do for now. I know of one other velodrome project in the works for the same area and I hope this velodrome only inspires them to follow through on a more grand and desirable velodrome.





Turn 1

The home stretch

"What would Lance do?"

So i asked myself that question over breakfast as I watched the snow fall outside. And all I could think of was that Nike commercial were Lance rides back into his garage in a downpour with him sayings, "I'm on my bike 6 hours a day; what are you on?". That was enough to convince me to pony up and ride outside. My goal is to not ride the trainer all of January so we'll see if I can stick to that goal. I did not see a single fellow cyclist but I did pass a few runners and a whole lot of drivers probably wondering why. 2.5 hours later I arrived home with a filthy cross bike and some cold toes. It ended up being a great training ride; way better than a hike or run outside. I'm pretty sure Lance would have doubled my training time with a nice cozy Suburban following him with a some hot chocolate and extra clothing.

Turns out a frozen cross bike doesn't slow down as quickly on steep roads or at all

Team HART for 2009

The Arvada Alpe D'Huez

2008...

Was one hell of a year! The highlight of the year came late with the birth of my nephew Quinn. I love that my family is getting bigger by the months and I'm very thankful that everyone is healthy and a car trip away. A close second would be my cycling season capped off with numerous wins and a long time goal to race with the fastest in CO. Another close second is my dear friend and gchat buddy Jessica who is one of the kindest and most sincere people I have ever met. And truthfully who would have thought we would be friends...not me. Jessica said it perfectly one day, "sometimes I think that when you find real and true people in life you don't let them go; they are too rare." Well if you ever get the chance to meet Jessica don't let go because she's a pretty cool chica.

I also fell really hard this year. The pain, confusion and frustration became the fuel of success in cycling. I'd like to say I experienced true love but can it really be true love if in the end all fails? I don't know but what I do know is there's someone for everyone. We live and learn right?!

So what can I look forward to in 2009? Well another niece or nephew come June. Hopefully some good results for my new team HART. Maybe a couple wins for Luke and Cole who enjoy racing with me. Watching little Makenna be the cute big little sister that she'll be in June. Hopefully a home owner but we'll see. In the next few days I'll set a side some 'me time' and write down some goals for 2009 and who knows maybe I'll share them with you. But for right now I'm just going to keep PEdaLinG ThRougH LIfe. Have a Happy New Year! Ciao.
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Chillin' with Makenna and Broncos game with Cole.....pretty cool!

Family Holiday Photos Part II

Pics from the Denver Chophouse celebrating Christine's birthday. The boys had a great time trying to drain my bank account by eating as much as they possibly could. Well lets just say they had a lot to eat.

FYI: The photo of the empty seat you might question. The waitress told us Lebron James sat at this table and in that chair last night for dinner. So I took a photo.