Sat fun

Noah in his new kit.Mindy loves the butt pic (he has long arms)

He is all smiles and all loves to talk all the time on the tandem

My new soon to be summer love

The new boots have a heel lockout (easy to get on and off)

The ski is a Conelly Concept (last years Demo ski, but it looks great and I hope to tell you how great it skies tomorrow) Thanks MOM and DAD!!!! (Graduation Present)

Yesterday I went for a ride with Noah into my parents. When we arrived my Dad asked him if he was tired. He said,"No I don't pedal". I on the other hand was a bit tired. A 17 mile ride that takes almost an hour feels like a hard 25 when the guy on back just goes for a ride, but I still love it. Now I just wish he would stop asking so many questions and pedal.

The myth, the man, the legend!

I am dedicating my first blog in a while to the myth, the man, the legend – Doug Cottle. As the oldest living member of the GC Connection, and one of the strongest, we owe a lot to this founding member. None of us would be where we are today if it weren’t for Doug and his motivation and generosity. There are so many of us that he has reached and/or helped in some way or another. I don’t think I have met a more generous man!

Aside from his generosity he is the second most competitive person I know, second only the GC man himself, Gordon Cottle. At sixty years today there is not a person he cannot out ride on the GC Connection. He is so competitive that he will never turn away from a challenge, even if it means crashing on a difficult mountain bike descent, pushing himself up the steepest hill, or riding and finishing 6 Lotoja’s.

There are so many fond memories of Doug, but I wanted to share one with you. Before the 2006 Lotoja I was talking with Doug and he told me about an injury that he had on his leg. I don’t remember the details as to why or how it happened, but Doug had a broken leg! And he wanted to continue and ride the 206 mile Lotoja. I thought there was no way he could ride such a grueling race with a fracture on his bone. As I flew into town I became even more concerned as I saw Doug limp along and finally got to see the mound of swelling that was on his shin. I asked if he was up to the race and he said he was.

I didn’t sleep much before the race, still worried about the old man. But in the morning he was more determined than ever. My mom pulled me aside and said, “You better watch out for your dad! Make sure he comes back alright.” Throughout the long ride Doug never once said, “I don’t think I can do this!” He continued to push on with his face focusing on one pedal stroke at a time. Doug didn’t talk much through the race, probably because his jaw was locked shut with determination, but he made it! He has such determination!

Thanks Pop for all the memories! Happy 60th birthday! You keep us young by your determination and love of others. You are the heart and soul of the GC Connection. Miss you and wish I was there to celebrate. In your words…. Ride safe!

Cross is never over

Welcome to our Rocky Mountain CX Course. This is the 25 tree weave with 6 curbs to bunny hops. This is the side hill weave, that long grass makes this tough.

The old guy finishing the trees.

Adam on his new cx bike looking smooth.

Tight turn practice.

Adam over the barriers.

We even have a sand pit to mess you up.

Our course is 1.3 miles long and our fastest hot lap today was 5:24. It has been a blast. We have to watch for kids and school buses some, but not bad. It is really a tough lap with the long grass being a killer. We then do a technique lap and Adam and I have decided we can't remount without a hop, sorry Daren. The weather has really made it seem like cross season.

Hope you are are well and getting in some riding. I've tried the facebook thing and am not that sold. Hopefully we can make a few more regular posts.

Doug

Out of Shape

Well, this winter I hit the weights hard and I achieved my goal of 235 (1RM) bench, 255 (1RM) decline, and Squat of 315. I put on 8lbs of muscle, but I also had to have minor surgery to repair an umbilical hernia last month. Not sure on which lift it occurred, but it put me out a few week. Now that I'm cleared again by the doctor I have decided to quit lifting upper body altogether. I still lift the legs (extensions, curls, push press), but I'm lifting low weight and med intensity with no squats. I thought lifting would help me in the crits and cross next year, but all it did was put me back a few months.

In cycling news I have a new love of commuting thanks to the cross bike. I ride the cross bike to work on Tue, Thur, and any bad weather days. Then during my prep I hit the field around the school for 40 min of fun. I go in and out of the trees, between gates, up and down the ten yard ditch, and just play around on my own cross trail. It has been a lot of fun playing around like a kid again on the bike. My hope now is to get ready for the Ogden crits that start next month in an effort to compete with Doug.