Early Dirt Grinding

 Avon Divide

The familiar Spring leg tune-up

I've made up a new wheelset for the hardtail. Running a better rear cassette, but still a 10-51 arrangement. Two different Bontrager XR2 cross country tires - more aggressive on the front with 20 PSI. The rear is less aggressive but also running at 22 PSI. The service road going up Avon is in really good shape with only a few washes - albeit minor. Definitely able to stand up and pedal on steep sections when the mood sets in - without slipping. Pretty rutted-out just up over top on the Cache County side of the world, but very manageable. Brakes are needing an upgrade, as I'm still running smaller rotors than on the full suspension with 160 mm on back and 180 mm up front. Add to that the single piston levers and calipers, it really sucks trying to keep things from fading. I was able to locate a new set of 4-piston XTR calipers with improved levers that will make it more manageable. I'd like to stay with the same rotor combination if possible - but we'll see how the new brakes effect the overall performance first. That may still be a week or so before that upgrade is in place.

The climb and descent are not at all technical, but is a very good workout early in the season. There are several fairly steep sections that can push the heart rate up in to Zone 4, but fairly short. Overall it is a good ride for mostly Zone 3 with some Zone 4 efforts - even on the way home. The trick is to learn how to read the load at the pedals without a watt meter.  It is way too easy to fall into easy gears, spinning without pushing hard enough. Believe it or not, that makes things markedly worse then pushing a little harder. I can't say that it hurts, but it sure can get uncomfortable at times. There is a huge difference between pain and discomfort - for sure. Round trip it comes out to about 1,600 feet of climbing. This would be like riding North Ogden Divide on the road bike - but without the traffic. Honestly, a lot more enjoyable. The best part of the ride is the lack of cell service for most of the climb.

That last of winter....

The cause never ends....

A few weeks ago I was grabbed by one of our longest neighbors. Without giving anything away, it was very confidential, as it is well known what "The Porpoise" is all about. Unfortunately it is another diagnosis. I'm sure as the season progresses there will be a lot more to tell, as we go back many years and have a lot of common interests. For now, only know that the fight never ends - and it is a fight. About this same time, I was dealing with a few problems of my own that needed to be figured out - even to be able to ride. Again, more to come about that. But for now, I think I have it figured out. For that reason, I've been hesitating on committing to any races and rides this upcoming summer. At the moment, it appears I have got things under control - but it will take some time to be certain. At the end of the day, we are somewhat at the mercy of what our bodies allow us to do. I suppose the key is to understand what we can control and how to push those limits. After all, this is all about pushing limits and I do mean truly pushing them. For now, there is a lot to do and more yet to explain - later.

Never doubt "Luke"....

Click here for a demonstration of what 20 years of session work will do for you - " Steve and TOTO"of

Ride HARD!

Decision Time

 

What a difference a week makes

Taking too much for granted

The past few weeks have been more than just a busy routine. I'm not sure if the procedure I went through last May actually did anything for my situation - which really sucks! The jury is still out, but I'm not scheduling an appointment with the doctor quite yet. I have an idea of perhaps some environmental issues that I may need to track better, as to get an idea of what may cause the onset condition that stops me in my tracks. Make no mistake, it is effing frustrating if not completely depressing. Up until this all came about, I think I just took things for granted - you know, just like I will always have my health. Truth is, we are are more vulnerable than any of us what to admit. At this point it is a matter of sorting out anecdotal information from real data. I'm at a critical point that most people my age don't really have to consider, as a normal day to day schedule won't be affected by such set backs.

Discussing the future with the FAM

In the past, our effort has been largely a family affair. It requires everyone to participate - which they all generally do with gusto. They have adopted the "BRAND" as kind of their own little thing, sharing it with others along the way. Of course the t-shirts and stickers they make are a lot of fun. At this point we are all having to make the decision as to whether or not we continue on - and if we do, where will it end. As it stands, we are openly discussing where and what we do going forward. I would be wrong to not take advice and input from the handful of loyal followers. To that I ask for any input that may be available from anyone who does have the means to reach out. If you do have the ability, The Porpoise needs some direct input - like soon.

Improved Resources and Means

I've been doing the same thing for nearly 20 years. Using the same metrics and methods that worked with a ton of effort. A person can spend a lot of money and time trying to improve, as technology has dramatically increased ones ability to gather more real data. There are a few things I'm trying that are probably past due - but not too extravagant. When I was younger it was easier to skate by on minimal investments - both in equipment and time. My best years were always associated with stacking road miles. In the past 10 or so years, I've tried to be more judicious in what I give away in time especially. The end result has been some pretty crappy results. Needless to say it is not sustainable. More to come on those improvements as we go along - assuming we do continue to go along.

Looking forward to feeling the hurt going back over the top....

Talk about taking things for granted; Eric and Jeff put this one together a while back. These guys are all fading away - and with them goes too many memories to count. There will never be another Clapton or Beck.  Play this one with the lights down low and the headphones one.....

Click here for "Moon River" J. Beck/E. Clapton

Ride HARD!

Starting with endurance - MILES

 Out & Back

Given the lack of weather, I've been able to string together a few out & back rides on the hardtail. The roads are too crappy to attempt it on the road bike, but it is also nice to press some longer miles on the CC bike. The way things are going this year, I'll be doing some dirt rides before long. Of course back in 2018, I was riding BST on the east bench a couple nights each week by this time of year. That was until I broke my ankle. Not only did that take my out of True Grit, it set me back a solid ten weeks. On top of that, I was treating that ankle with too much caution. At the end of the season I did manage to pull off LOTOJA.  This year has to be a little more strategic. I need to build up to 3-hour tempo rides with  more of my time in zone 3, followed closely by zone 2.

Currently overall averages don't look too bad, with peak HR a little lower than I would hope for. It's still not far off, but I'll need to work my way into hill intervals fairly soon. Given my current work load, I'll have to start making a hard evening schedule, allowing 90 minutes twice each week for hills, with at least one solid tempo ride every week.

Upgrades - Maintenance

The hardtail needs a few upgrades and soon. The bike itself is built on a tremendous frame. Full carbon with an Iso-Link between the seat tube and top tube. A very compliant and fast frame. Most of the components are very entry level - at best. They build it this way for a reason, as to make it affordable while still allowing for the thing to be ridden right out of the store. I've already setup an alternate wheelset with some DT Swiss 1900's. I still need to acquire a better 10-51 rear cassette - with one in the works. The hydraulic brakes are probably the lowest grade component on the bike. I'm up in the air as to install four piston enduro brakes, or go with a lighter 2 piston system - ideal for cross country. I'm hard on brakes and normally run 203mm front and rear discs, but on this bike I'm running a 180mm front with a 160mm back. The larger calipers may help offset some of the losses the smaller rotors come with. Still up in the air. I'm also looking for a suitable dropper post - as the bike came with an alloy tube post. I've already swapped out the saddle, but still not sure it's the right one - yet. The front ring is a 32 tooth setup, which spins me out at around 28 MPH. The bike can take up to a 36 tooth chain ring, but I'll probably work my way up to it through a 34 tooth first. The derailure and rear shifter will probably stay put - for now. Of course those heavy non -responsive forks will also go before too long as well.  I'm just not sure what will go on front. In the end I really like riding the bike. It's pushing around 2,500 miles, making it a definite keeper. Give it a little time and she'll be a dream - just kind of stiff in the back end.

Goldie Locks Weather

Not necessarily ideal riding conditions. Cold weather has a tendency to stress the body differently than hot weather - for sure. Bundling up makes mobility a little more restricted, but your body also reacts differently to the cold. Some days the toes get cold, other days everything gets cold - making it hard to shift. I think it was 2010 LOTOJA we started in some really cold weather - but dry. Rolling through Preston that morning I had ice frozen into my mustache -like 28°F. I can deal with that more than driving rains, or abject heat. Still, these rides at the moment tend to allow for some pretty good overall conditions - with some preparation and patience. In the end, the overall effort is worth every bit of the time. A long ways to go, but for now it has been enjoyable and lonely.

One for the season - George's best

Not a lot of people know that "Abby Road" was actually the final Beatle's album they recorded together. It wasn't the final studio release however. "Let It Be" came out in early 1970, but had actually been recorded in January/February '69. "Abby" was completed in August '69."Let It Be" was left in the can, but was puled out fulfilling contracts that wouldn't otherwise have been satisfied. It was part of the whole Kline/Specter thing. Abby Road was a completely different recording setup, including Ringo playing on shaved-heads. They were able to convince George Martin to come back and do it "like the old days". It wasn't easy, as the boys were all going their own ways individually. That was particularly true of George. He had written a huge catalogue of material that typically got shelved by both Paul and John. Directly after the breakup he laid down a massive double album - "All Things Must Pass". He had actually started work on "Something" during the '68 "White Album" sessions. It very nearly didn't make it onto a Beatles album - until "Abby Road" In fact, the two most enduring tracks on "Abby" were both George's songs (including "Here Comes the Sun"). To this day, "Abby Road" is still a soft spot for me - for a lot of reasons. The melody "Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End" is without a doubt the greatest final track of any album (event though it wasn't the final track actually recorded). Something is probably the most covered Beatles song ever recorded - period. Sinatra said it was the greatest love song of all time, but never once even mentions the word during the song. Had things go a little differently it would have ended up on on "All Things Must Pass". That would have been a disaster, as Specter would have loaded it up with the "Wall of Sound". There wouldn't be the distinct 16 track sound of Ringo's shaved head drum fills. McCartney's melodic bass line, or John's sweeping guitars - not to mention the classic harmonies. In fact, John played a solid roll in helping arrange and develop the lyrics. The world would be an emptier place had it not happened the way that it did. As such, it holds a special place for me personally - that I will keep to myself.

For the record; 67-70 was never called the "Blue Album", nor was 63 - 66 called the "Red Album". Those came out much later and were initially lost in the shuffle at your local record store - except for a few of us die-hards (my first album I bought with paper route money when I was 11 years old  was  67-70. I still have that vinyl to this day). Play this one for all the right reasons....

Click here for "Something"

Ride HARD!

Winter Riding

An image of the morning in darker days.

 A long way to go.....

"Championships and races are won in the off season", or so someone has been alleged to have said. Well, this is truly the off season - and it is cold. Not much snow, so riding is possible in the out of doors. Riding and training are two different things, and I'm not doing well with either at this point. That said, being out on a bike, any bike, is a great feeling. Running some errands yesterday, I threw on a musette bag and hopped on the hardtail and rode out into the sunny (hazy) cold. That bike rides well. Admittedly, I have to get more comfortable on the thing, as it always takes a little time before it feels natural. All things considered, your performance will never exceed the level at which you train in the off season. It takes time and effort.

The time off the bike and away from any intensity for that matter, results in atrophy. As we age, this effect occurs ever more quickly, with countering results requiring much more effort than before. Basically it sucks trying to perform as we get older. Worse yet, injury can really create a set back whereas in our younger years, "rub a little dirt on it and get back in there".  Trying to get into a program too fast will result in certain strain and injury - setting things back further. It is a fine line between doing enough and not making any progress.

An image of better days riding Ben Lomond Peak.

Changes from Leadville

The past four or five years have seen an increasing number of Leadville RACERS using drop-bars versus flat, or riser bars. There have been several articles and videos debating the benefits of using drops versus conventional bars. One thing that is certain, they do not provide the stability and confidence in key downhill areas like Power Line and Columbine. RIDERS often attempt every avenue toward improving time and success - including doing stupid things like using drops when they can barely handle the course on flats. As such, Lifetime Race Series (the promoters of Leadville MTB100) have announced they will no longer allow drop bars of any type in any of these races going forward. Sea Otter and a couple of those others are still considered Gravel Races, but Tahoe, the Rustler and Big Sugar ae not allowing the hybrid bike setup. Kegan has been on the drops for the past two seasons, but the women's winner was on flats, racing against others with drops. In short, I think it is a good thing, as it is simply too dangerous for anyone less than a pro-rider. At that, I have my doubts as to the total benefit. Basically, this preserves the Leadville Series as a true MTB race - and that is a good thing.

What's in store?

A lot of going back and forth this past year. More than any year in the past 20 or so. Winter conditions have not been too bad - I mean cold, but generally dry. There is really no reason to not be out on a bike doing something, if for no other reason than to improve familiarity. Although the summer months are far over the horizon, it is coming up fast. Days lost are days that cost. Its a matter of how much commitment one is willing to accept at this point. Leadville is on the list, but that is a very tall order for anyone. It is scheduled one month prior to LOTOJA. If you place the requisite events in order, the summer shrinks to a mere few days. It is tight and costly. To have a legitimate chance at Leadville, both the camp and Tahoe would have to be on the schedule as well. Moreso, Tahoe would have to be a banner success as to move up at least into the Blue corral. Last year they introduced an entirely new group of perhaps 300+ riders. It plugged up everything. Basically if you were anywhere behind the Blue, you lost time just starting. I can't do anything about that other than try to qualify for an early-faster starting group. The only question is, am I capable of doing the work? Every single day that goes by is critical to being where I will actually be at the end of the summer. A sobering hard reality.....

Click here for the OG "live" Wings Over America - Fifty Years Ago! "Maybe I amazed".

"Cheers!"

Ride HARD!

Tying it up

 Making the most of any situation

The way things used to be....

Time slips by faster every year. It seems only last week I was training for my first LOTOJA. It seems like an entire life time ago that I was just finishing my freshman year playing football in college. There is so much I have willing forgotten, while other things I hold dear to my own heart. I think we tend to do that and in the process, we forget who we really are and from where we came. I can tell you this for certain; we all choose to forget and remember what we want, how we want, regardless of what is really true. I still look for those faces in the crowd that make me stop in my tracks. The familiar voice that rings above the loudest noise that only you can hear. As time goes on, those events become less often and more vague. But time continues on without regard for what we may otherwise think or desire.

Perspective

The way they should be....

Given enough time we can convince ourselves that who we are and what we have become is justifiable. Given the opportunity to do it all over again, only a fool would say he'd do it exactly the same way - either that or one who lies. We all know that there are things we'd do differently given the knowledge and wisdom of our years. But how about those that continue living the lie by rationalizing their deeds to climb over others in the process.  Well, that is life, but it doesn't make it right. When a person cheats in a race or test, but nobody else knows, there is still that one person that will also have the truth. As we get older our exterior begins to fall apart, exposing our inner self. For many this reveals an ugliness that has always been there - just hidden. For others it reveals an inner beauty that exceeds the rough husk of the former exterior that was always visible. Perhaps this is why some people age better than others - they are true to themselves and don't worry about the exterior appearance. It doesn't happen overnight, but rather over the course of a lifetime. Standing out front and looking back at the true cost of your life's decisions is a painful reality. Today is the day you take inventory. It is from the perspective of one that knows all of your deepest secrets. It is your true perspective.

....but the way they really are.

A reminder of true cost....

Everything has a cost. Be it money, material or blood. This image above is a reminder to me of others that paid a price without fanfare or self promotion. Hard things can be done - if we are willing to pay that price. Put yourself in the position of not knowing if you will live or die, because every day has it's risks. It can all be taken away tomorrow and who will you be when it is all gone? Those crews faced uncertainty every day they went up. You didn't need people trying to kill you. As many where killed during training and non-combat missions as were lost to enemy action. Rub the hair off that lucky rabbits foot - you need all the luck you can get. Gene Simmons has said numerous times that people said he was lucky. His reply: "Very true. I found the harder I worked the luckier I became". Nothing is free in this life - and I mean nothing. What part of you has died to become the lasting image that will remain? Wear it proud. Many people never had that opportunity to screw up as many times as we have, only to still succeed despite our own hubris. Tomorrow morning when you greet yourself in that bathroom mirror, remember what it all has cost to be there at that very moment.

Enough of the lecturing

It's time for the Porpoise to put on a bright new look and start moving forward. I'm hoping to see many of you along the way. We have lost too many of our friends not to continue. So maybe, just maybe....I personally will find the motivation and willingness to stand up and fight again.

 See you in a couple weeks..........

Click here for a little Ozark Gospel - "Look Away"

The Porpoise - 2025

Merry Christmas From The Porpoise

A sign of the seasons...just not this particular season.

 A Hard Reality - Like it or not

Loneliness is a terrible thing. What may be worse is watching the aged and often infirmed as they deteriorate helplessly in to a state of frailty. These were often the giants of our youth - a time when we all needed heroes. In days when our own uncertainty was calmed by their assurance and guidance, we may have never thought we would see the cracks of mortality. These past couple of weeks have completely blown that notion out of the water. I have learned to listen to the "little voices" and not to hesitate in action. I learned the hard way some twelve-years ago that hesitation can be costly. Since then I do not question, I only do. I make it a point to visit many of these giants from our past - now so frail and too often alone, only to witness the cruel reality of life that breaks us all down in the end. From a friend that fought a valiant fight to another since passed friend's dad taking his last mortal breath in this life - these are stark reminders of what life can be like. But in these visits I learn a lot. Sure there are the obvious, but moreover the not as obvious - the lessons in the shadows. The messages between the lines, if you are willing to listen. I spent a solid hour this afternoon listening to a nearly 92-yer old man recount his own memories of not the glory days, but of his grand kids and children. Not so much dwelling on his own past, but an inventory of his blessings in his current day - all tied to his lengthy history. This is where the loneliness started to show, as he recounted his since departed wife of many decades. In that voice I could hear the man I knew more than 45-years ago recount the depth of his soul and emotion, knowing that this living book of history would not too long also pass into our memories. That will create yet another type of loneliness for a select few going forward.

Changing Landscapes

As I drive through our old familiar town, it is becoming less familiar by the day. Not only our town, but the other places that I have known my entire life. Gates across roads that led to adventures of my youth, to buildings that have been replaced my multi-tenant housing projects -  it is a harsh reminder of how things will always change. So why does that matter? Why can't change be accepted and embraced? I'm not saying it can't be, but I am saying there are fundamentals we should never abandon. Perhaps the most important of these is who we really are. At some time we all aspired to be someone, or do something that we dreamt would be ideal. Over time we become that of which we gaze at, but at what cost. Much like a town that loses it's character when buildings are razed, people often lose their truest character as the cost of becoming what the focus at that long protracted gazing. Unfortunately we also get worn down by the weathering of life. It slowly wears down our once sharp and chiseled edges, to smooth and rounded conforming features - often covered by hair coloring, nice clothes, material objects and worse - an attitude lacking humility. This need for humility is why I often do what I do - I suppose. As my own landscapes change personally over time, smelling the familiar dirt of my past helps me remember what was important to me before life happened.

Days of chasing coyotes and pheasants.

Pushing the Boundaries

Endurance guys are built differently. We train for the long term and long time events. The image at the top of the page is a reminder of that for me personally. Those long 126-mile rides over Monte to Woodruff and back can be brutal. That particular sign is on the way home after making the turn around. There are days that wind is blowing straight into your face, hotter than hell and unforgiving. Occasionally you get lucky and have a tailwind at points, but it is never easy. Counting the mile-post markers, knowing exactly what the terrain will be at each location as you approach doesn't make it easier. Taking a break at the campground is sometimes a mixed bag.  Even from that point you still have to ride over the shoulders before getting to MP42, where it is all down hill from there - allegedly. Unless it is way late in the evening, there will be the reliable headwind at Redrock, just as you head down into South Fork Canyon. Blowing like a blast furnace, Huntsville seems an million miles away. The hell that this sounds like is exactly that, if not worse. Regardless, I find myself during that trial in a way I can't otherwise. It is truly a journey and not a destination - as it ends at home for me. To make this happen requires a ton of sacrifice doing hours of hill repeats, tempo rides, early morning spin sessions and a lot of other things. But that ride isn't the end goal - it leads to the end goal, the journey itself. I have been cooked, frozen, broken down, flatted and everything else you can image doing that ride - but I keep going back for some crazy-ass reason. It's often during these long winter nights we endurance guys long for the days of suffering that we know is that ride - whatever that particular ride may be individually. To progress we have to find out perceived limits and challenge them - again and again. When we don't, our boundaries shrink and we in turn also shrink. Endure!

One more post for the year

Only a week or so left. A lot of work with the business, with more on the books for the year. I'm looking to bounce back from the setbacks of the past 18-months. A lot on the line and some serious ambitions. I hope to have something more meaningful before the year is over, but then again - it has been a rough year when it comes to riding. Perhaps I should try gazing at what really matters most and let it take me where I can go......

This one seems curiously fitting at the moment.......

Click Here for "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant"

"...I've gotta roll."

Ride HARD!

Been away far too long......

 

Not enough of these days anymore

Priorities, Distractions and Everything In Between

A lot has happened since the previous post. Too many times I would be at my computer late into the evening, thinking I need to update the BLOG - only to be distracted by what would otherwise be described as "priorities". The consulting workload has been considerable, leaving no time to ride. One may think that living as close as I do to all the available trails locally, I'd be on my mountain bike regularly. The image above is the one and only time I took the full-sus out this past season. Long gone are the days of coming home from work and jetting out on my bike, onto the dirt until the daylight was gone. For that matter, gone are a lot of other things as well. I believe it was John Lennon that said " Life is what happens when you are busy making plans". I suppose that is the stuff n between.

Something I learned along time ago is how we as a species have a tendency to make our own priorities. In fact, more often than not it is what we choose to do, rather than what has to be done. I'm sure there are those things that press us into a corner, but it is what we do before that situation comes about. 20-years ago I was working terrible hours, traveling around the globe while meeting other peoples expectations - but somehow I would still roll out of bed at 04:00 to get a hard spin-class in before starting the day. Even when I was on the road, sicker than a dog, I would still put in a solid 45-minutes on an elliptical at whatever crappy hotel I found myself in. Maybe there is more to that motivation thing after all. Or...maybe the years are starting to catch up with me? NAH! I'm just inherently lazy......

Feed Zone Marshal Experience

Riders coming into the Feed Zone Neutral - Afton, Wyoming

My crew has been doing this whole LOTOJA thing for nearly 20-years as a family. We took the three youngest kids up to Afton, providing support at that feed zone this year. Normally they see the "old man" getting out of the truck in the dark at Logan, then chasing the race across the course over the entire day - watching for the old fat guy, dragging his tongue in the dirt throughout the day. This years experience was very different- in a positive way. We started around 07:30 setting up the entire feed zone from scratch. We were in the company of perhaps seven other people, with only a couple of them having ever ridden/raced this, if any event. Most people just take pride in being part of something bigger than themselves. It was interesting to see how the race unfolds from the Pro, 1,2's coming through, to the last of the riders trying to beat the cut-off. Of course, seeing the 800 frame numbers roll through, cut like a jagged piece of glass, as that was my group. You could spot the first timers just by their saucer sized eyes and the abject look of pain like they had never felt before - loving every minute of it. When it was over, we rolled up the operation and tied a few "knots", knowing that the earliest finishers would have only just been rolling in eighty-something miles away. Heading home that evening, we made traditional stop in Randolph, but being race day, there was no long string of vehicles carrying bikes passing by. Some day, hopefully not too soon, this event will be only a memory and those familiar things will fade with other things that we lose in our lives.

Whether you ride, or not - I highly recommend volunteering at a remote feed zone and experience this from that particular perspective. It is truly bigger than anyone's self.

Where to go from here?

There are a lot of things in the mix - none have yet to be settled. We're gonna try making a few changes to the "Porpoise" going forward - as it has become a bit stagnant. Not giving away too much, lets leave it at; everything needs a little restructuring and modification from time to time. Who knows, maybe there will be more dirt in the forecast. There will be a change in the emphasis as it needs a little more direction going forward - for sure.

An Update

The past two seasons have been centered around a class mate and his own battle with the "Big-C". Initially only given maybe 6-months to live, Reed proved those "experts" wrong and pressed a solid and remarkable 20-months out of it all. Like so many things, the final score doesn't tell the tale. No way! He took this thing into extra innings with countless miracles along the way. It was truly a rough ride. Perhaps the most obvious miracle was his angel of a wife - another class mate. I don't believe in mere coincidence and am certain she made the difference between the experts being correct and his willingness to endure. She literally gave him the will to fight and live. In the quiet that follows, we all have that moment of reflection and reconning.  In this case it will be what drives the direction of "Porpoise" for this next season.

This year is about done. Stick around, or occasionally drop by.

"Happy Ways" Pre-Eagle Joe

Ride HARD!