Making it work....

 Improvised Riding 

I've done this long enough to know about training conflicts. From having to travel in the middle of the season, to just scheduling conflicts - you have to flexible and willing. On normal years (whatever that means), I would be stacking some longer rides on the road bike, but it seems I haven't been anywhere close to normal in maybe...... the last decade - and getting worse. Training rides are sometimes hard to get up for, as it is anything but recreational. Add to that, the garbage road conditions in the upper valley, dragging the Six-13 out for a spin is just not attractive.  The hardtail is getting a lot of saddle time, as it is a good substitute for the road bike. Sure, I run out of gears, as well as the added wind resistance from sitting more upright, but for 40+ mile tempo rides, it is non-stop peddling. Still this morning, I caught sight of a couple roadies up ahead into Huntsville that presented an opportunity.  Forearms over the straight bars and into my fastest gear - well, lets just say they were a little humiliated when they heard the trail-bell blowing by. Not that I could have kept that pace for a solid hour, but I'm sure I could have given it a pretty good try. 

Sunday evening's ride was on the full-sus, up the oldest trail in North Fork - the original Bicentennial Trail. There are a ton of newer trails all around that same area, with faster and easier riding features, but knowing where to watch for the original trail is an advantage. We placed that sign (and about five others) up there over nine years ago. Something about the old and familiar that has a certain sweetness that is just hard to explain.  Sure, steep and rocky in a few places, but that is the way I remember from well more than 40 years ago - before anybody had mountain bikes. I remember the first time I rode that on my original full-sus (DB-X2), I thought how gnarly it seemed to be.  Ah, but the reliable Trek Fuel EX is a worthy machine for the task. Just look at all the nicks and scrapes on that thing. Paint worn off the seat-stay triangle, paint worn off on the 172 crank-arms...that has been a workhorse for sure. The Conti Der Kiaser's have a lot of drag, but man can they hook-up! I whish I were heading to Colorado, or even Wyoming this year, but those darn scheduling conflicts are making it less than possible this year. I still have North Fork - I just have to share it with other riders these days. It's not fair that I can live right here while others have to drag their bikes up from the netherlands. Oh well........

It never gets old

As much as I try to get a good burn with these rides, sometimes it is just a good thing to stop and look around. Especially in the evenings when it has been hot during the day, I can usually get a couple hours on the trails in the shade. Even those evenings that I have to suffer through hill climbing intervals, I can generally do it with out any annoying traffic. Hills are the equivalent of the many evenings of my youth, running stairs by myself. Having the discipline to push yourself harder than you really want, takes a ton of willingness and desire. No crowds to cheer you on. It is the price to be paid for any success. All that said, the suffering and endurance is worth every bit of the resulting temporary discomfort. Sure, while in the midst of it all you really can't see the end result, but when you are done.....it is done. The payoff doesn't come for yet another day - along ways away.

Lets see what the next week looks like. A lot of ground to regain, but very doable assuming things don't get too sideways.

Click here for "Bodhisattava" -

Pulling for Reed. Ride HARD!

Things are just not lining up

 Unforeseen obstacles

Looking at the most recent post, it is obvious I've gotten a bit off track. In fact, lets call it sideways.  The details really don't matter, rather it has been one challenge after another. Add to that, getting past some physical obstructions. It takes focus to stay on track and diligence to remain focused. But having things constantly pile-up is taking all of my energies to simply stay a-float. That is just life. I looking to turn a few corners in the next week or so....

Commuting.....

I'll take the hardtail out whenever I can -be it a ride to a ball game, or over to a neighbors house (several miles away). It takes more effort to ride than on the road bike, but it fly's compared to the full-sus. Usually by now I will have stacked some really good base miles, but not this year. Still, the hardtail is enjoyable given the garbage conditions of the roads in the upper valley this summer.

An evening hardtail ride out to Point Bluff, on my way to a ballgame in Huntsville.

Back on the Mule

For the past twenty or so years, there has been a section of rough (and getting rougher by the year) climbing single-track that I can ride from right out of the garage. I've talked about it countless times over the years, but the overlook atop of Mules Ear is my quiet place. Sure, you can walk it, but pushing the old body as hard as possible just makes it a little more sweet - or so it seems. A lot has changed over last several years, but the last mile or so to the top is still as rough and gnarly as ever. Again, this year, they have made several trail improvements down lower and even added trails halfway up the switchbacks. Long sweeping turns with sections wide enough to expect curb & gutter - it is a far cry from when it was a quiet little trail for bush-whackers. There were a couple places that bucked me off, but it is to be expected for my first time up during the year. At that, its kind of late for it to be my first time up to the top. Looking at the Garmin stats, I get a much better session in about the same time period by doing simple repeating hill intervals, but there is something about getting to the overlook that brings a little peace to ones soul. Of course the ride out is always fast and fun, but just that moment at the top is all worth the effort alone.

..How old would you be...

We lost Toby this last winter to the Big-C. That one kind of hit home, as there were so many things I could relate to in his story. We've lost far too many over the years....it's hard to keep track. When Paul lost Linda some 25 odd years ago, that was truly the end of the band. Add to those my personal friends and associates, it sure makes one feel less than immortal than when we were younger. But am I really that old? Perhaps I can feel the lack of mitochondria, but other times I feel like the youngster bucking hay. I suppose it's all in the head - until the body says otherwise. As Toby said; "How old would you be if you didn't know when you were born?" I suppose some day it will end, but until then, ride like you are still a little kid - just don't crash.

Click here for "Don't let the old man in"

Pulling for Reed! - Ride HARD!

Waypoints & Guidance

North Fork in May?

 Drawing Forward

Three are times that writing just doesn't come at all. Despite having a lot to say and more to reflect...it just won't formulate a sentence, much less an entire post. If there is one thing that endurance events develop, it is a character trait that compels one to keep driving ahead. Over time, you will learn to keep driving toward the great unseen thing well over the horizon. Always respecting the here and now, you have to keep that vision of what is known to be, but yet cannot see - always driving forward. Moreso, the pain and affliction along the way have to be taken as only temporary. The object, hard to see but only in your mind, has to remain as clear in your soul as though it defines you and by default - you define it in the end.

A brief little Sunday afternoon get-away to Utaba.

A light has gone out

Sunday morning I caught the news I new would come someday - although not appreciating the inevitable and absolute emptiness that always accompanies such life events. Perhaps that light flickered for those close to the situation, adding to the anguish of what was happening - only to eventually be completely removed. Regardless, a light that shined ever so bright for too many people, has been removed. A beacon of truth and direction that gave a certain guidance, that only could be appreciated after an enveloping darkness has replaced it - or has it? As that light has gone it's course, it served to guide us forward into the open, that we could see without it's brilliant illuminance. What we thought would have been a remaining darkness is actually an enhanced ability to see the brilliance of what does in fact remain for us - those left behind.

I took a few minutes this evening to swing by and pay my respects - but to also see a dear old friend. He just celebrated his 90th birthday, but is left to make it without his better half of nearly eight decades. One of the last to be left standing, its hard to explain how difficult it is to think that someday that light will also be gone. As with his other half, that light guided so many, so far back, it is only with sentiment that we long for those days of our past - when that light was always our guide. I have been fortunate - blessed to have had those lights in my life. 

A storm lowing in over the Black Mountain

Seeing "it" come....

Watching that storm blow in over the Black Mountain Sunday evening was a cold reminder of what we know is coming, but dismiss as just another storm. We know what's coming, but yet shrug it off as just another squall. Perhaps we can learn to appreciate all opportunities and not walk past those that may never come our way again. Perhaps we never will - until we can no longer reach out and touch that of which we now take for granted. Lets not let that next opportunity blow by again.........

A helluva week trying to beat the weather. More hill intervals for now, with regular indoor stuff to bridge the gap. A few minor adjustments to the hardtail, with the new saddle. I think a good long ride is in order. Suck it up, dress for the weather and just get passed the minor inconveniences we think set us back.

Click here for "Play Me" Neil Diamond

Pulling for Reed - Ride HARD!

Pushing Through Setacks

 

As if it weren't hard enough...

Between schedules and intermittent weather, one must learn to improvise while remaining diligent. Such has been the case thus far this season. Trying a new type of saddle on the hardtail, doing some hill interval training, I'm still not getting my heartrate up where I want it. Add to that some delayed onset heart-rhythm things and it just seems to keep getting harder every year. I'm still clear to ride, but am having to take blood-thinners for a couple weeks to setup for some more tests. This means I have to be cautious when riding - especially in the dirt. This has been more annoying than anything, but I still have to pay attention to what I'm doing. Truth is, there is a serious chance I may get pulled for part, if not all of the season. I'm having none of that garbage. We'll see what the next couple of weeks brings along.

Going with what has worked before

Intervals have always been a good "go-to" for me. This goes back many decades when I would run stairs by myself, to the point I would nearly puke. The 1/2-mile hill climb has always been a reliable leg builder. It also helps with form and some great anaerobic training - when I feel like pushing it harder. It takes immense concentration to really drive to the point of extreme physical exertion, but it can be done. I'll give it another shot later this week - when my schedule permits. What I would give to have a training partner sometimes.....

A lot of people have the idea that you just simply ride a bike and that constitutes some sort of training. Maybe it does, but I'll call it passive, if not coincidental training at best. All rides have to fill a specific purpose and objective. Recreational riding doesn't do it. There are times I'll be doing a fairly long ride and somebody else rolls up and wants to get "frisky". There is a fine line between "chasing the rabbit" and staying on task. Blowing-up can result in a setback and should always be a measured response. At the end of the day, there has to be tremendous sacrifice to train rather than just stacking rec-miles. That's how it is with every sport; you train a lot more than your event will ever require. At that, you can't expect to perform any better than during training. If you truly want to ride hard, you have to train harder yet.

Talking gets you nowhere

I was at a soccer game a week ago, watching a little kids team get pasted. After the game, I overheard the coach say "we have a lot to talk about next practice". It then became clear; this guy was a lecturer and not really a coach. Talking is only good for basic and immediate instruction. Our bodies need constant repetition of correct functions to learn how to do something. Call it muscle memory, or simple learned behavior - you can't talk your body into something it's not used to doing. Perhaps this is where culture and behavior come together? Sure you have to say it at some point, but if that is all you do is talk, be prepared to fail - at least not exactly succeed. 

Moving Along.......

This week appears to have some interesting aspects. Lets see if I can make it through without totally screwing-up again.

I'm not sure why, but this one seemed to be the pick for the week.......

Click here for "Galveston" - Glen at his finest....

Pulling for Reed - Ride HARD!

Hard Tail Adjustments

Limited miles & still adapting

No major component changes yet. Swapped the saddle for an ugly white "Race-Lite" that fits the old sits-bones a little better. Pushed the saddle up and back a bit more, while adding the top-tube bag. Up until today, the front shock has been completely locked out. I don't really care for the dynamic adjustment, not to mention the mass it adds to the front of the rig. I'll run it for a while yet. The front 30-tooth ring is definitely too small, whereas I can't see needing that low end ratio with that ridiculous big gear on the back. Add to that, it spins out at about 35.8 MPH as it sits. Going to a 32-tooth ring up front will give it better speed on the down hill and in road-groups. I've yet to push it up into the big gear, and second from the top simply because I wanted to see how it feels. Definitely changing that ratio sooner rather than later. The bars are too wide for cross country as well. They are the same width as my bigger full sus, which it fine for that beast. I think I'll take as much as 100 mm off the bars and drop the stack by one disk. Still running "roll-overs" with flats & pins on one side and Egg-Beaters on the other. Tire pressure is gonna take a little time on some serious dirt to figure out. A work in progress.

Another Bike for the Collection?

I've never had much desire for a "fat-bike", but through a series of misadventures, I now have one of those novelties to deal with. A business owed me a stack of money and was in the process of going into receivership. The owner offered the bike and some other stuff.. that made me nervous. In the end, I was "small fry" compared to the other people he owed money and would likely get nothing in the end. So... along with a reasonable tailgate-hanger, I now have an RSD 1X, complete with dropper, front sus and mitten inserts. It's kind of like having an old Volkswagen Super Beatle; not something you'd use on a regular basis - but who knows. What was I thinking....... At least I don't have to feed it and scoop up its poop!

 

Snow at the top of the canyon...still

After not having the opportunity to ride most of the previous week, it seemed like a "good idea" to incorporate a jaunt up the Avon/Liberty divide road. I used to do this stretch alone, in the evening, but today I went over there after a solid ninety-minutes of climbing and flats. Lets just say it resulted in some early suffering. At that, the road had snow about 3/4 the way up. I made it to a snow patch at the top of the canyon, which is where one may expect snow. Getting past that wouldn't be too much of a problem, other than the 900 feet of mud that follows. It looks harmless, but you only have to do it once to realize the consequences of peanut-butter mud. I think I did it once with one of my sons about 15-years ago, only to spend several hours servicing bikes - both on the trail and at home later. Give it another week. On the way down, I passed a chick on an E-Bike coming up from the gate. What's the point? UGH.....

People that make a sunny day a little brighter

I unexpectedly ran into a dear friend from not too many years ago (who's counting). It is certainly amazing - the brightness that some people can bring into your day. That encounter had me thinking about a trip to the Unita's, College days and a couple classic concerts. But that's not what makes people shine . It has to do with being a true friend - through the thickest of thick and darkest of days. Moreso, I really had to stop and assess why some people are just like that naturally. I think in this case, it is absolutely a genetic trait. Her mother.......an absolute angel. Her brother......rock solid and another life long friend to this very day. Perhaps it has always been my admiration of the example she's been to me. Diligent like nobody else I know. Putting herself through college in a very demanding program. On to be a balanced professional, wife and mother..........yes, those people do exist. Perhaps that all adds to the brilliance and light. You are nothing short of AWESOME girl. It was great to have run into you again. A solid friend forever.........

Losing another great

We lost Dickey Betts this last week - the perfect guitar foil to Duane Allman. Thy are all gone now; Duane, Berry, Greg, Butch... At one time they were refereed to as the "House Band" at the East (Filmore East). Their all-nighters were things of legend, regularly playing until the light of day. I know everyone either picks "Travel'n man", or "Jessica" as the essential Dickey, but without Duane, there was no essential Dickey. Shit-kickers and cowboy hat, Dickey was a legend!

Click here for "One way out" Fillmore East 1971

Pulling for Reed - Ride HARD!

Making it Real

 Being Nostalgic.....for many reasons

It's not really in my interest to write a wholesale training blog, nor to replicate what so many are doing on their YouTube channels. Often, I write only for myself. Somewhere along the way, I found that recitation (in the form of writing) allows me personally to explore the depths of my inner-being. Writing, unlike anything else, forces one to layout a conscious thought, examine and finally relate it to an audience. I do a fair amount of technical writing in my line of work, in which knowing your audience is critical. When writing in the BLOG, quite often I may be writing as if a specific individual alone will read the message. Way too often, I think I am my own audience and find myself waxing nostalgic, as though I'm need to heal my own soul.

Returning to the scene of the crime

This past week seemed to have delt several cards that did cause time for inner reflection. One evening in particular found myself visiting a place I had before during the summer of '77.  I thought about the bus ride that seemed to go on for days, the campground we stopped at and particularly the bus driver that tolerated the load of vermin that we all were. Everything and I do mean everything has changed - not surprisingly, given the more than four decades that have passed. Still, I had to stop and really think about what and who had actually changed. One of the main characters of that trip has been long since gone, while his wife coincidently passed just this week. As is so often the case, I had to stop and really think about why remembering such things may even be worth the brain power to do so. And then it hits me, like it always seem to do - as many things around us change, what about us changes and why do we let it happen? As usual, it always comes down to the things that have shaped us throughout our life's little journey. At some point we do have to let go of the past, but too often it is at the expense of losing track of who we really are. You know - our true selves. As I stood there and looked over that quiet mountain valley, my heart ached to know only then what I didn't know now. That old familiar theme from '80. Ah, but the growth that came with all that heartache. The miles traveled, along with the scar tissue. Hard lessons make for strong constitutions and more difficult lessons as we go along. So you ask, where is this all going? Great question. I'm not really sure myself - other than to say, it has been a truly remarkable ride so far.

Taking them as they come

A couple really nice days to ride this week, allowing some substantial time on the road with the hardtail. Yesterday was 60°+ yesterday, with some pretty consistent south winds pushing me back home. At 07:00 this morning it was 47°. With the prevailing south winds, it is always an indicator of a major change. Probably about noon, the temps dropped like a rock - and winter was back in North Fork. With more than a foot still on the level up this way, the trails won't be ridable for probably more than two more months. There will be some service roads in the upper valley, as well as the stuff on the other side of the mountain. Until then, two - three hour grinds on the hardtail will give me more than I can handle. The general conditions of the roads are less than ideal for getting out the road bike, but then again, I don't need time on the Six13. The hardtail is getting all the love for the foreseeable future. At that, riding on only "good days" will certainly have it limitations. I'll have to keep riding through the worst of the weather and conditions - without getting too stupid. But not being stupid does take a little courage at times. Sometimes we are our own worst enemy......

A correction and abridgement from 2018

I believe it was Thanksgiving morning, 2018. I had attempted to take a ride just after first light, and had to bail as there was too much ice - everywhere. It was there I felt the overwhelming sense of those late nights listening to "Stereo-X". This is before anybody had ever heard of "indie-labels", rather FM radio was just getting some serious traction in a few local markets. Everything from deep tracks, to full length album cuts were the norm. Hardly any commercials and a pre-taped channel announcement in a deep, almost mono-tone voice; "This is KCPX 99 FM, Stereo-X". There are a lot of people that say they remember it, but I doubt nearly as many really listened. Hardly anyone can remember that when it was first released, Queens "We are the Champions/We Will Rock you" was actually played sequentially in reverse order from how it is always heard today. This was due to the two tracks being released on opposing sides of a single and played either alone, or eventually together. Stereo-X played it with a fade -in/out in that reverse order. But that was the magic of FM in the day. And at night, often times the magic took on a whole new level of mystery and depth. And there it was, one late night when I heard for the first time, the entire version of "All by myself". In 2018, I incorrectly mentioned " a little Chopin", when as a matter of fact, it is Rachmaninoff (2 piano concerto). Pretty much everyone knows this from the top 40 channels, or perhaps AM band radio, but they only heard the edited version. Listen to this thing with good headphones, in the absolute quiet of the evening and in the near dark. I dunno, maybe it was just something in that moment, but I will never forget those nights so long ago, that seem like they were only last week. I can still remember of hearing the entire string arrangement for the first time, interlude and the power of the melody. Sure, its a bit nostalgic. But then again, we were ripe for so many of those moments.

I had heard that when his dog had died not too many years ago, Eric Carmen sat down at his piano in his home, with only he and his wife - played this song. Do this one the right way..........

Click here for "All by myself" Eric Carmen

Pulling for Reed - Ride HARD

Wet and Soggy

 

Staying indoors....for now

Spring has a funny way of making a serious training effort - less than serious. The previous two weeks did allow for some reasonable cross country stuff on the hardtail, but I've grown particular about taking any bike into bad weather if it's not necessary. Over the years, I've learned the effects of running in harsh conditions and how it fowls everything. Thing is, its not immediate, as it usually manifest weeks later when cable-guides get jacked-up, or shifters don't wont work...that sort of thing. That said, there are times it has to be done and you live with it.

This week has been a series of intervals on an indoor spin-bike. Some people say this is as good as outdoor training, but I disagree. You can't develop skills and technique on a spin-bike. Sure, you can develop good mechanics, but you can't do any dynamic development. Rather, I choose to focus on specific strength and endurance matters when doing the indoor sessions. I did a series of spin classes about 20 years ago that were helpful, but it certainly wasn't everything I needed. Credit to the course instructor, as she focused on pedal mechanics and body position. To this day, my pedal stroke is spot on, even when I'm gassed. It speaks to the need of a great coach and mentor.

The Need to Push

There is a fine line between being too soft and pushing too hard. There are some pretty good single-track open over on the other side of the mountain, but I'm not sure I'm willing to take those chances. Some of it gets pretty technical, where as some of it can push the old cardio. I certainly don't feel comfortable on the hardtail down there, but I do need to improve some of my skills - make that a lot of my skills....a lot. Again, a delicate balance between programs. At this point it is about getting the best return for the effort and time. None of this is recreation riding, as there is no time for that yet. Measurables are not well defined at this point either. You see, when you train on your own, it is hard to be objective and see everything from a coaches perspective.

I remember walking into the first day of summer-ball my freshman year in college. I had spent the previous three summers training by myself, for the most part. The only measurable I had was how many times I felt like I would puke when running stairs by myself. Literally hours on end, doing my own thing without a single person telling me what I was doing wrong, or how to improve. Then I walked into that first day of college ball - and was I in over my head! I had timed a legit 4.6 second forty and felt I was going to be okay. I then found out that placed me about in the middle of roughly 125 other guys - who were much bigger and better than I. The first time we did 110 yard wind sprints, I was certain my heart would explode. And then the day we did "cat & mouse". It seems like it was the third morning of alleged "two-a-days". I found myself running with the DBs and wide-outs - the absolute fastest guys on the planet. I felt like an armadillo running with a pack of gazelle, being chased by a cheetah. Lets just say humility was served in industrial size doses that day. The point to all of this is simple - I had nothing to gage myself against prior to running with these guys. That season seemed to go on forever. By the end, I remember pushing the fastest upper classmen in my group all the way to the end-line when we did 110 yard wind sprints. I had developed confidence in myself that I didn't know that I had before. There were a lot of days I felt like I didn't belong there, but other days I knew I was good enough. What I learned from all of that was the value of good coaching and instruction. My particular position coach...well, he sucked. Some of the trainers and even most of the other players, they made me better every day. From that time on, I have always had an appreciation of what a good coach and a mentor actually are. Doing it alone is simply fooling ones own self.

Looking for Opportunities

We are looking at a few dirt races this summer, as that is where the emphasis will have to be. I need to get a qualifier under my belt to improve my corral position at Leadville. There is also one over in Wyoming that I've wanted to do for a number of years - but this is seriously different than anything I have done in the past - to this point anyway. Hopefully this week will yield some better opportunities.

Late Summer '81

I remember the weekend we finished two-a-days and had the O & D game. We had two days off to our selves - or so it seems. That Saturday evening, nursing my fatigue and crushed ego, I put on a favorite vinyl I had picked up from the reliable "Toad Tape". It was familiar and I was otherwise lost. Still in the darkness listening to the low nearly quiet track - it seems to have been a haunting. Talk about the wilderness............

Click here for the essential "Red House"

Pulling for Reed - Ride HARD!