Sunday, February 24, 2008

Doing the Dual

Tanner and I did the Salt Lake City dual again yesterday. We got out of the early morning clouds and fog to make some turns at Alta. It was much better than expected with some new snow. We had a good time hiking to get some fresh powder. Too bad there were hundreds of others hiking with us.

After skiing we hooked up with Dave for a couple hours on the road bikes. Dave pulled us around, especially me, in relatively warm temperatures. I was pretty worked so Dave was nice to me and didn't go too hard. However, he and Tanner still worked me over on the hills.

All in all, a really good day. Probably nicer than Doug's Saturday in Laramie.



Daren getting some good stuff.
Tanner is the tree tops.

This Friday and Saturday, we'll be in St. George for the first MTB race of the year. The weather forecast looks really nice. I hope it's correct. My only expectation is to have some fun and to go hard. See you there if you're going down.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

FYI

We got a couple of comments on the blog from Ivan and Malebai that are viruses. If you see one that says, "Please see here" DON'T click on it.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Not much here -really!

"Dad, you got snow on you!" That is what Liam said as I came home from my 2 and a half hour ride on Monday. It was nice to get out, but very cold. I road with a friend of mine to his work, then came back. It was great, but the mist and fog caused everything to freeze. Training here hasn't been as long, because of the cold/wet winter and 3 kids. I am still riding, but not as intense. Hopefully, it will pick up soon. My first race will be when I come to visit in March. Can't wait to see everyone. Daren are you racing with us?

Enjoy the riding!

Monday, February 18, 2008

Attitude Adjustment

I needed a break from winter, so Tanner and I did a day trip to Moab today. Life is now much better. It was a beautiful day with few people. Here's some pics from a great day for a dad and his son.





























Friday, February 15, 2008

Weeks review (or is it weak review) ?

Gordy's favorite HAT!
Out somewhere west of Plain City.

What a place to live and ride! BL peak.


The famous last turn to the summit.

Nothing but fun up there!






Hello all. It has been an interesting week of life and riding. Last sat. Daren, Tanner and I rode with a mob. The bad part for me was my 1 hour spin classes did nothing to help me up hills with the 50 best riders in the state. I was spit out the back so fast I thought I had two flats only to realize that the tires were fine it was my legs that were flat. Daren recovered me and we were happy to wave goodbye and enjoy the beautiful day, only to find the two best riders in the state waiting for us to pull us back to the group. I think we made it back to the group, I was so far in the cave it was all a blur. Our return trip was very enjoyable and it ended up being a great day. 4 hours in the saddle made my Sunday sitting not quite as enjoyable.

Monday I was feeling so good with the great weather day and since I have no work, I just started riding away, then I saw it: I thought I'll just go climb up a ways on the N. Ogden divide. I was on my cross bike so I start up and then decided to keep going. Coming down is always a blast just alittle chilly after a sweaty climb. As I rode west I looked north to see: Ben Lomond in all her splender. When I got way out west I looked back at the mountains. It was a great 3 hour ride, with another one on tuesday, but the weather put me back on the spinner. I echo Rico's melt, melt chant.

I have been up grading my bike room with paint and pictures of races and rides, but for all you who know the origin of GC Connection my favorite item is Gordon's Atlanta hat I put hanging over the door so I always see it when I enter. Take care all and ride safe.


Monday, February 11, 2008

Big Group

Saturday we joined the biggest group ride I've ever seen. There were a legitimate 50+ on the ride. I counted 30 that started with the Porcupine Crew and we picked up nearly that many at Canyon in Draper. A whole bunch of red whit and blue jerserys. The ride had everything thing from cross bikes to high end TT bikes. We pretty much had our own rolling road closure that took up an entire lane. Surprisingly, no confrontation with cars that I saw. In fact, most were actually tollerant as it took some time to get us all through intersections.

Doug and I spend some quality time together on and off the back, but it was a good ride and great to be outside. Tanner is getting much more comfortable in a group and easily rode in the front 1/3 of the group. When it got racey a few times, we was able to stay with the first couple of groups. He's even thinking about racing the road some this year.

This weekend, I won't be at the team camp in St. George. Ashley will be home from school so I want to spend some time with her. In addition, I have to save most of my travel time and money for races. Doug, Tanner and I will be in St. George on March 1st for the first ICUP race. I'm sure I'll be going slow, but it will be fun. I look forward to seeing the MTB race crowd.

Depending on the weather this weekend, we may try to get a MTB ride in somewhere. If you're interested, let me know. Monday is the most likely and we'd leave early and drive somewhere dry.

Thursday, February 07, 2008

The rest of the story

The part of the pictures from Sutt's basketball game that you don't see. Is the dry erase marker that went flying and hit the wall. Or the dent in the locker room door. But no he is not intense. Your skiing picture kind of got me pumped up. We should plan a day were we can all go. I begun the tedious task of the never ending winter spinning. Luckily for and MP3 that plays videos, making it some what bearable. Peace out.

Spring Break

Sutt - intense? Well, he is a Cottle. Sorry to hear about the season, it sounds like ours. It was good to see that Ryan came out of the wood-work. Maybe someday we could get him on a bike. I don't know about you, but it appears that Doug is really enjoying his retirement. Skiing, going to b-ball games, and riding his bike. Sounds pretty good!

My family will be coming to visit for spring break. So as you plan your long ride schedule maybe we could get one in at that time. Also, Sutt I don't know if you heard, but that is the time of the BL alumni basketball tournament. I have been trying to get a hold of the who is playing for my year, but haven't found out much yet. But I plan on playing. Enjoy the snowy rides!

Let me know if you have any links you would like me to add to the blog. It needs some updates.

Schedule

I was wondering if we "GC Connection" are having a pre-ride planning meeting for longer rides? I know it's early, but it works.
Thanks to the pic by Doug you can tell I really get into coaching.
My Jr. high team wasn't able to get into the playoffs this year so there will be no 4-peat. It didn't help that in our four losses we were 30-77 from the foul line. The painfull thing was our first loss was by 1, our second by 2, the third by 4, and the last one by 7.

In other news the pain cave needs more time, but the weight room is going strong.

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

TENSION

Adam you just have to get into your work more!
Sorry for the interesting picture position. I still can't figure how to post the picture and write. Anyway, winter time has given me some time to go watch Coach Sutt. Adam is a pretty laid back coach, not. If the game is bad, Adam will keep you entertained, in a good way, nothing neg.

Ryan and I went skiing yesterday and it was the first time since hele skiing in Canada that there was too much snow. It was chest deep and if the pitch wasn't super steep you just couldn't go. We only had one face that was fun in the back country, so what we thought was going to be epic ski day turned out to be an anerobic workout minus wheels. I've had enough, and am anxious to be outside and riding. Hope you are well and looking forward to some good weather.
Doug

Look at the relaxed Sutt.

Look who I dug up! He can still slide!


You think your life is tough?



Sunday, February 03, 2008

More fun in the snow


Tanner ripping it at Alta

A few of our good friends in line for the traverse to Devils Castle.
We had a good day at Alta inspite of the crowds. We did some hiking and got some good powder shots. Can't let all the new snow go to waste. Tanner and I did the winter dualathlon. We road the trainer early in the morning then made it to Alta as the lifts opened. After riding, hiking and skiing, I was pretty worked by the end of the day.
I was sad at President Hinckley's passing this week. More than anyother top LDS leader, he made sincere efforts to narrow the religous divide in Utah. Hopefully, we can all strive to be more tollerant and accepting of each other. I've found in the cycling community, we have far more in common than we think.