Saturday, November 20, 2010

Sat. school, yet again

Sitting in another Sat. school, wishing I was out riding. To keep me entertained I found this video. This is a pretty cool.

Monday, November 15, 2010

State Championship 2010

The State Cyclocross championships were held Sat at beautiful Mt. Ogden Golf Course. It was very scenic fun course to race on. This was the first time a cross race had been held at Mt Ogden Golf course in Ogden, but it was layed out well with minimum course damage, except for my body pot marks on number 7 where I crashed twice, slow learner.


Thanks to our great supporting fans. Grand kids are good for something. Bonnie and Kim made the trip up to the race and it was great to have them there. Bonnie looks like she has seen the light, and Kim saying oh well. Kim's getting back in great shape and the Clydesdale division was calling his name.

Tanner races in the A division with all the big boys (actually they are all very small). This is the steep off camber section that I crashed on twice. Daren and Tanner both went down in warm-ups. It was wetter earlier and always an adventure for me.

These are the big boys, with Bart Gillespie leading the charge.


Tanner and Rico going up the climb again. It seemed very hard to me, but guys are flying up it.


Daren going over the barriers. He is very smooth and fast over any obsticale. I do like his bike! (it is my A bike as Daren was having some shifting issues with his at the start).


Daren on the podium in a super fast 45 plus group.


Out of order, but this is Daren's start. He got off great and put out a massive effort, some days it is just harder than others.


This is the start of my race. I wish I was as relaxed as we look.


I got off to a good start and Bob, Lou and I were off to the races. I was determined not to make any stupid mistakes, so I was leading in great shape and crashed on the down hill and had to chase back hard to get on. Next lap the same thing I go down again in the lead and watch them ride away. I drilled it back on and decided on the climb it was time to see if I could get a gap, I went as hard as I could a got a gap in time for the crash zone, but I didn't go down this time and just went as hard as I could. At the top of the climb the next lap as I looked back down I could see I had a pretty good lead. I was tempted to walk the barriers on the last lap, but was feeling great


The podium with Lou and Bob. I did get to raze my arms at the finish line but forgot to put the picture in.

My number one supporter. Thanks Betty. She puts up with this crazy passion we all have. Three weeks til nationals and then a break.


Ride Safe, Doug.

Tuesday, November 02, 2010

Crash

I didn't race last week do to my numerous crashes and it was Russ b-day party. I didn't go to his party as Darth Maul (check Mindy's facebook page to see that costume), because he did. However, I did go work as the dark Jedi. I won the best costume prize and got a pumkine pie for my efforts.





I no longer call it cross, but go to the lead and crash season. Cross I mean crash has been fun, yet painful. After two races I have crashed 5 times. I have a messed up thumb, scrapes and scratches on both knees, hips, shoulders, back, and elbows. The only problem is I have to admit that the last 4 were high risk bunny-hops in an effort to get back to the lead after dropping my chain. I was going to post pics, but my mom didn't want me to (she had no desire to see my hip/ back side). Although, I have spent time on the ground this season I atleast finished a race. I finished with a flat front tire, but for me that is only normal. I'm planning to race on the 13th, but I have not be on a bike for a week so I'll make that call on the 11th around 9:30 pm.

Monday, November 01, 2010

#1

I just have to boast! Ducks are number 1 in the BCS. Go Ducks.

We All Suck at Blogging!

We have not been very good about updating the blog. We all need to get it in gear. Cyclocross season is half over and no posts. I then realized we didn't have one post on Lotoja, bad. So alittle update.

This weekend was halloween cross. Our friend Mark ready to rock and roll.
This was one of the most unique racers.

Daren has been tearing up the master's 45 this year. He flew through this difficult sand path. Notice you can't even see anyone chasing. He went on to another hard, but big victory. Sunday?

Daren is one of the best technical riders in any category. Last turn for Daren before the finish.


This is the start of my masters 55 race. My good buddy Bob Walker next to me, and the facial hair is not a costume.

This is me in chase mode.

Bob and I were flying and as we came out of the sand pit there is a steep hill to the bridge. I was so concentrated that I didn't shift down and as I tried to them power up the hill my chain broke! After a few attempts to put it back on, not noticing that it was broken I had to go to the pit and get my back up bike and start chasing. By this time about 6 guys had passed me.

I passed a few and got back to 4th on the day, my worst finish. I was a bit down after the race. This is what makes cyclocross so hard is feeling great and really going good then a mechanical this week gets me, crashes other weeks. It is a hard. Last year I didn't have as many issues so I hope it will make me stronger for Nationals.
Tanner I'm sorry I have no pictures this week as we had to get home before his race. He was going great but had a crash and bent his rear derailleur but finished strong.

This is really Lotoja 2010, we really did ride it. I think, it seems so long ago now.

Our ever faithful support crew. We even talked Bonnie into letting Kim ride the last 30 miles with us, it was great to have Kim back in the group.

It was one of the best rides we have had. Great weather, nice south wind and we had a great rotation going. We were always pulling a big group but as long as they didn't get in the way it was fine.
Post race in the weeds, easier than trying to get a shot with all the people.

Items of note: 1. Adam and Mindy won the fun ride tandem race.
2. Russ is writing a new training manual for lotoja, it will be very short though.
3. Kim riding the last section with us was a great lift and very special.
4. We picked up a great rider about half way through. Steve works with Kim
and Rick at Specialized. He really help us in the end.


Another one in the books, my 7th and Adam, Kim and Russ's 8th. It was strange not having Brady with us but times and life change. Thanks for all the help from our crews and families.
Ride Safe Doug