NoRestDays

2008-01-12T06:09:00.000-07:00

RED CARPET LOUNGE, TOKYO NARITA AIRPORT

No wonder international business men are f-ed' up and loud on their cell phones all the time. Free booze on layovers and a beer machine that hooks you up with the perfect "head". I talked to other wide eyed american business men that were grinning ear to ear as they grabbed their second, or third frosty mug at 10am. that morning. We contemplated and rejoiced over Japanese technology.

2008-01-03T00:13:00.000-07:00

Off season finally! I find myself in Khao Lak Thailand, one of the worst hit spots in the 2004 Tsunami. It is a paradise. Cheap everything! Motorscooters, Scandinavian Blonds in Bikinis, Thai Boxing, Thai beer, Thai Stik, Thai Food, Thai Massage. If we could only hold our anual training camp here.

Footage from Nonthong Beach in Khao Lak. You'd never know it happened as tourism was peaking again while we were there in high season.

The beach is covered with memorials of the westeners who perished here on the morning of Dec 26, 2004. Mostly swedes. The locals say the wall of water was near 30 feet, one of the worst in the disaster.

Did some snorkling off the Similan islands.

Kyaking in the jungle

Nanthong Beach in Khao Lok

Ung diki dow

Tokyo tuna market, and some cool resturants in the city

2007-12-22T23:46:00.000-07:00

Lap one corner of death...... 07 CX Nationals

So my moment in the spotlight as I have an unfortunate meeting with "treefarm". I genuinely felt bad for dude, but not responsible for the event. Looking back at the two way traffic in that corner was a recipe for disaster. Lap one saw about 20 plus people blow through the tape. I got pushed wide lap two and caught a rut that threw me in his path. Sucks. Trebon is a class act and was beyond cool when we talked after the wreck in medical.

2007-12-22T23:40:00.000-07:00

Lap two, impact.

2007-12-17T07:55:00.000-07:00

Being that I am a Texas boy, this stuck me as particually funny.....

2007-12-16T06:14:00.000-07:00

The unfortunate. i 70 snowstorm going to Kansas City for Cyclocross Nationals.

Some good came out of the slog across Kans-ass in the ice storm of 2007. I met a real trippy lady at the dive motel, got to fully test my new studded snowtires, catch-up on the am news and agg. report.

To make things a little sweeter..... I was carrying the bikes and gear of BCS riders Kilgore and Dwight. I arrive 15 minutes before the start of the masters 35 race. Came peeling into the parking lot, parked illegal, had of yard sale of bike and gear but got them squared away for the start.

Bandon Delivers.

Masters National Champ 35-40

2007-11-10T07:14:00.000-07:00

Deep into the Cyclocross season
Our local CX scene has continued to grow every year. YETI got a sweet new frame (ARCX) to us just intime for the local thunderdome.

2007-06-19T08:50:00.000-06:00

Trip to DeerVally National.

The 5th stop of the National Mountainbike Series

Drive there was cool. Through the plains of Wyoming, vast wind energy farms.

Teammate and semi-pro racer John Chambers.

Park City Olympic ski jumps

Semi feed zone.... patroled by the Norba Nazi's feed zone official. Both Chambers and I got yelled at for "too much support"

2007-06-01T10:45:00.000-06:00

Reducing our carbon footprint, with gas at 3 dollars + a gallon it's easy being ecofriendly. Packed in tight in the mini 3 bikes 3racers 1 Desert Beagle

Yeah, it's that steep. Anglefire NM is also littered with volcanic rockgardens. Really unpredictable sets of rocks that had me just holding on "pin balling" though the wost on them.

Dave Strouse at his post. The pits look better than ever. New yellow tinted topeak popups great mood lighting and bee attractor. COmotion & Breckenridge Brewery 'where the beer flows like wine'....

2007-05-14T19:14:00.000-06:00

After a long winter slumber, Game On and back to the dirt. Nathrop CO for the first of 7 events in the Norba Regional Series the "Mountain States Cup"

It's a good feeling to race with intensity and purpose after being cooped up in a long front range winter. Our mountain bike team came out swinging and scooped up many points in the team competition. One of our tough guys, "Steve Oliver" payed the price in the short track. Had been cooped up a little to long and celebrated the opener with a "Bicycle Scorpion"

2007-01-03T09:53:00.000-07:00

Off Season Skate Skiing with tha pooch

2006-12-25T08:20:00.001-07:00

Boulder Cup Cyclocross

2006-12-25T08:17:00.000-07:00

2006-10-17T10:30:00.000-06:00

24 Hours of mudfest 06

2006-10-17T09:26:00.000-06:00

Just when I thought the suffering was over.

My buddy Ryan Hamilton called me to see it I could wrench for him and be part of his crew for the 24 hours of Moab race. The event organizers called the race about 8-9 hours in because of bad conditions. WTF? Isn't 24 hour racing about persiverence, toughness, preparedness? No rider or team is required to go out into the storm. Anyone can curl up in their tent or RV and wait for it to pass. Our Rider and Crew had made it through the worst of the storm and were ready to go, but were not allowed to race. Super bummer for the best prepared team out there.

Brake Pads without the "Pads". Functioning disk brakes were hard to come by around 8pm.

The skys opened up at high noon (start of the race) and did not stop until about 9pm that night. Under normal conditions, rain is a good thing in the desert. It makes the course faster and cuts down on the dust. Some of the fastest lap times were recorded the next morning on the hard packed course.
Shit weather, Advantage "Hamiltonians"! With two very experienced mechanics, three bikes, two more crew, a tough as nails rider, and a guard dog, we were ready to go all night.

5th time "Behind the Rocks" in Utah!

Somehow shotgunning beers has become our "rally cap" or moral booster around camp. Seems to be working!!?

2006-08-15T20:05:00.000-06:00

My last "call up" of the season. My race was going fine until I flatted in the second lap. Right about that time the skys opened up. The course became slow and dangerous (the leaders had already finished by this time) and I drug my mud cover body to the line.

My Savior

What I thought was a hard rain on the course turned into a flood of biblical proportions. I was soaked and instantly put into the deep freeze by the exhaustion and cold rain. I went into survival mode and hopped inside a port-John to shiver myself warm. Pro mountain bike racing is so glamorous.

Last National

Snowmass national series final pro men start

2006-08-15T08:11:00.000-06:00

Brian Head Utah turned out to be a great venue. The mountains meet the desert. We camped close to the start/finish area at 9600 feet elevation. The course went up from there to at least 11000'. One big 27 mile loop. Our preride day was washed out with rain so both Kris and I race day would be our first time around.

The trail was sic. "Dark Hollow" is a one of the longest decents I've done in a race. It was so good we went back the next day to do it all over again. Hooked up with an old buddy from Ubikes that now lives in there. Steve "Bread" Faducia was our tour guide and hotel as we stayed an extra day and shuttled some sweet trail.

2006-08-15T07:42:00.000-06:00

The Hotel Sienna just got bigger. Also works as our "factory pits jr." Our camping has become as dialed as our bikes.

Kris's races went predictably well. That's him gapping the feild at his short track.

2006-08-03T06:59:00.000-06:00

Got some rest and home cooking, off to the next national in Brianhead, Utah. Temps are cool and the altitude is high there. Goran has been pegged to my side. He knows it's time for another road trip.

2006-07-26T07:59:00.000-06:00

Long Road Home.

Really wasn't that bad. Sneaking Goran in and out of hotel rooms has never been so worth it. Kris and I hit the jackpot by scoring a hotel room in Provo that had OLN. We got the watch the Floyd explosion and redemption stages in the Tour de France. It puts our idea of suffering into perspective.

Russian River Rope Swings. Floated all day to beat the heat.

Goran stayed in the water most of the day. He was still paddeling in his slept that night on the hotel floor.
Picnik in the shade with some Fume' Blanc and our Maitre De' Kris w/a K.
Back home. Time for r&r and one of my favorite days on the calinder. I must be a obnoxious euro cycling fan encarnate. There is nothing I enjoy more than screaming at triathletes as they slog up the steep pitches of old stage road.

2006-07-26T07:40:00.000-06:00

I should have taken a lesson from Landis and just kept a bottle in my hand. Riding through the California heat wave sucked. Two bottles on the front side feed and one on the back. Nine in total but i'd say I drank about six. Three more than any thing I've done in competition.

The perfect gut. A good three inches over the belt line. The avalanche of flab, seemingly about to fall on my shoulder. Is this what happens when you stop riding?

Super COMo Mom.

Ahh, the suffering didn't stop at the XC. I lasted longer that ever (16:40) at the short track, in slightly warmer weather.

2006-07-18T09:10:00.000-06:00

Coast 2 Coast in 06'

The cold pacific waters around Montego Bay. Kris and I's NMBS tour has reached it's Zenith, but not it's conclution. It was a little symbolic touching both coast, and thinking of the lessons I've learned along the way.

All that aside, nothing could kill our buzz we had from wine tastings in the Russian River valley. Sobered up with a walk on the beach.

Getting "sideways" at some wineries.

"Generous pours, mineral finish, bitey, smokey start, summer in a bottle, bouqet, toasty, nutty, lively, floral." Words not to familiar in the Mt. Bike lexicon, except "generous pours."

2006-07-15T23:42:00.000-06:00

06 SS National Start

Big field for the Single Speed nats.

2006-07-15T23:41:00.000-06:00

Yeah! That's right....

Kris had a break out day in the SS Nationals. Sharing the stage with 3 time nat champ Carl Decker, 06 XC champ Ryan Trebon, Travis Brown, Mike Something SS cross champ. Good day for COMotion Sports and Lathrop.

2006-07-15T23:39:00.000-06:00

technical nationals

Tough course, not real technical though.

2006-07-15T23:22:00.000-06:00

On to Sonoma and the MountianBike Nationals. Met up with my folks in Santa Rosa. Buddy and Judy wanted to watch my "biggest race" this year and spend some time in Cali wine area.

The reviews of the course were a mixed bag. It was tough. My race was like a bake oven.... drank 6 bottles and four goo's and still had the "tinglies" most of the race. Not a lot of sustained climbing which made it a power course. Not much techincal. Nothing went great, but then again nothing really went wrong. I got 32nd of 66 starters. Pro pack fill.

2006-07-13T13:37:00.000-06:00

From Park City, Ut, to Truckee, Ca. Stayed with Greg and Eli, some friends of Kris. We replenished with home brew, fly fishing, chicken tacos and some cool trails around Lake Tahoe. Check the video.

Tahoe trail riding

R&R at Tahoe. Stayed with some buddies in Trukee on our way to Sonoma.

2006-07-13T13:16:00.000-06:00

short track Park City Pro Start

Park City, UT. Start of the Pro mens short track race. I only lasted 9:38, but of 90 I think less than 10 even finished without getting lapped.

2006-07-12T13:44:00.000-06:00

Luggage by Target' and Rubbermaid.

Looking down the valley over Park City at the "Horizon"

For those who aren't 80's car buffs, that's a Plymoth Horizon... with the sweet flames

Da Pits

Got killed. The first lap "flat to wipe out" didn't get me off to a good start.

If you fall off the bike and burn through kits as much as I do, I've got a good tip from the road. Duct tape the inside lining of your rip. In this case, mine turned out to look like a sweet shark tooth graphic, or snowey mt. top. Your pic.

Kris continues his podium run

2006-07-07T08:58:00.000-06:00

Next national is Park City, Ut. So starts road trip no. 2. No camping planned on this leg.

2006-07-03T18:16:00.000-06:00

I better change the name of my weblog. I just took 5 days off the bike.
This weekend my Mtn. Bike team showed up in force at Eldora Escape regional. Handing off feeds, working on bikes, and testing different LeftHand Beers was a welcome change of pace. No racing for me this weekend, and my first rest week since late March.
Here are some of my teammates racing on home territory.

Costello showed his short track skilz

Kris had another good weekend, taking second in single speed state championship.

Meagan riding away from the other fast chics.

2006-06-27T11:54:00.000-06:00

Home Sweet Home

My lips are dry and chapped from the lack of humidity, my breathes short and strained. Driving behind a long line of subaru's; and there they are on the roadside...... those damd wooden bears.

It feels good to be home in Colorado.
These are pics from Cottonwood pass. It's a shortcut to Crested Butte and one of the better scenic drives around. The 4 1/2 hour dirve was a milk run compared to what we did last week.
Soggy snowballs in June. I laid a big egg this weekend for the "Wild Flower Rush" regional mountain bike race. A victim of the laws of gravity. What goes up must come down. I probably could have used a rest week but raced anyway. Time to swallow my pride and take the lumps that the pro class has been dishing me. Besides finishing dead last (I did finish) a took my worst digger of the year.
Some of our COMotion Crew. We stayed an extra day to ride some trail.

2006-06-22T13:19:00.000-06:00

Traveling across middle America.

Things do get boring on 30 hour one way trips. Some things strike me as funny, so the camera comes out.

The classic "bait and switch".... or is that what an asian salad looks like in Ohio?

I don't remember Kris asking for mayo.

We drove thirty minutes off the freeway in search of anything healthy. I thought going to a caffeteria might be a place to find a balanced meal. My Cod, broccoli and beans were cooked to a mush, devoid of any nutritional value. "Do you want cheese sauce on your broccoli?" I wish I would have taken her up on the offer. Goran thumbed his nose at his shot at the food.... so into the dumpster it went.... along with Kris's miracle whip sandwich.
I may be doomed. But I did have a good day.

2006-06-20T05:50:00.000-06:00

Heading Home

we will have done over 5000 miles, 14 states, four races. Can't wait to get home.

2006-06-19T06:46:00.000-06:00

Number two in the books!!!

Preride and preparation went well, but i wasn't ready enough for the Snow Mountain VT experience. I DNF'ed in the second lap of my four lap race. I had a bad wreck that shook me up. I got up and chased furiously, then boom!!, I'd hit the deck again. After about 5 subsiquent wipeouts I realized I was becoming a danger to myself. At my age I don't know how many "comeback" years I have in me. I really hate quiting.

On the brighter side, last weeks finish seeded me about 1/2 way in the pack so my number went down (61) and my starting was much better.

Kris had strong rides in both the XC and Short Track placing 4th and 6th respectively. I think he could have taken the ST had his gear selection been better on the single speed.

2006-06-19T05:42:00.000-06:00

The next leg was DC to West Dover, VT. The drive was pretty. Parts of NY state remind me of where I grew up in Germany. Little towns and rolling green hills.

A typical Vt farm. They sell mollases and jam at about the same rate that Colorado roadsides sell those wooden bears.

Our "lean too". Deluxe accomidations in Woodford St. park. The bugs were no match for my 40% Deete (maximum allowable). In the tradition of "keeping it real", Kris and I have tried to race and tour as we always have in the past. On a budget. Snow mountain and norba made this one really tough on us. Closest allowable camping..... 30 minute drive. So over the course of 3 days of racing, we made the Woodford commute quite a few times. I met a new friend named Officer Mark on the way, who gave me a 126 dollar welcome to Wilmington. First one in over 10years. Kris has been crushing such a big gear, he ripped the sole and cleat clean off the body of his shoe. The first time was trail side so we duct tape wrapped the whole thing and it held pretty well. That night Kris superglued it back together and took off the tape. We heard the "crack" on the trail the next day.... full seperation.... no injuries..... new shoes.
A big thanks to Cashion's buds at Carolina Fatz bike shop in Asheville, NC. Just when I get down on the people I have to deal with in the bike industry, your cycling carma comes back to you. Markus at Fatz hooked Kris up with a great deal on some shoes and ripped trail with us.
Their shops website http://www.carolinafatzcyclingcenter.com/index.html

2006-06-15T06:45:00.000-06:00

Spent two days in Asheville NC with an old biking buddy named Cashion. He and girlfriend moved out here last year. We ran across them ramdomly at a campground and they invited us for a stay. Some other Boulder crew that ride for Maverik Bikes (Aireal, Abby, West) stayed as well. They are heading to VT. then to England. Cashion took us on some sic woopdie trails that are litteraly out his back door. So much fun ripping endless single track with old buds.

Paid G. W. a visit on Wednesday. Capitol was impressive.

Cashion took off his flower print scrubs and replaced them with the wall paper colored scubs.

2006-06-13T07:56:00.000-06:00

Next stop is the capitol

2006-06-12T06:24:00.000-06:00

One national event in the books. I enjoyed the steep resort terrien of Sugar Mt. NC, but had to brush up on my roots and greasy rock riding skills. Forget even touching your front brakes. I packed it in during a training lap on roots and it gave me a needed wake-up call. I had no race on friday, so I got to watch Kris dominate the expert class on a course well suited for his single speed. The next morning was my xc race, and kris got to watch me suffer for 2 1/2 hours. All went well and I moved up the entire race. My rear tire ripped and started to slowleak in the last two laps. Both times at the top of the decent, I jumped off and CO2'ed some more air into the tire and it got me home. I was satisfied with 32nd. place. Can't wait to line up again and work on tightening up my game. Try and get better starting position. There were nearly 80 in the feild and I have to start in very back (rookie riders). All these dudes have motors and don't like to get passed so moving up is tough. http://www.usacycling.org/news/user/story.php?id=2295

Kris won the expert single speed class and got second in the short track.
Best bike on the line (i always say). My Yeti has been phenomonal. Equally at home blasting roots and mud, as it is slaying Colorado single track.
The Old Smoky Mountains are truely "smokey"

2006-06-12T06:07:00.000-06:00

The next two Mt. Bike nationals are in North Carolina, and then Vermont. Kris and I stayed with his brother Jason in Missouri and got some trail riding in a state park down the road. Leg two put us in Kentucky, in a place called "Land between the Lakes". Great state park camping and sic single track for miles.

Cool and Aggro, and appropriately named "Steve" Jason's chiwawa ran circles around Goran.

Don't believe this crap!!

McDonalds coffee still sucks.

2006-06-05T06:19:00.000-06:00

Ooff.... I've made it to June with my body and spirit intact. Racing every weekend takes a toll on both equally.

We found that Hamilton uses Edible Chamouix Creme!!!
Or, at least, it's made from "food product" ????

Last weekend was the Teva Mountain games in Vail, Colorado. http://www.tevamountaingames.com/home.cfm Kris w/ a K, Hamilton and Maka ralleyed to Summit County for this one. It was a killer atmosphere that showcased everything from fly fishing, speed climbing, dirt jumping, adventure racing, and of course, Mtn. Biking. Many of the "big boys" showed up as the money was good. It was my first time lining up against our national champ Jeremy Horgan Kobelski. Travis Brown, Ross Snell, Walker Fergeson, Ned Overand, Jay Henery, all showed up and I must admit I was intimidated as hell.
The Pro starts have been killing me, and right away I was religated to the back and came part of the 2nd. group. I was able to settle in and went on the march with a handful of others. Kelly Magelky (another new Pro) and Cris Eatough and I broke up the second group later in the race and it was cruise into 11th, my best finish so far.
Kris Lathrop also finished 11th in a tough expert feild, and on a single speed. We won no money, but were both happy and took away a lot of confidence for the national events next week.

My favorite Teva Games Event. Kayaking meets American Gladiator.

The 8-Ball Sprint is kayaking's version of NASCAR, where rubbin' is racin'. After a floating start at the Covered Bridge, as many as ten kayakers will push, shove, and jostle their way through a 200 - meter sprint in the narrow confines of Gore Creek . Along the way, boaters must avoid being knocked off by the 8 Ball ers - loathsome kayakers in full body armor waiting patiently to attack the sprinters and slow them down throughout the course.

Two weeks ago, Kris w/ a K and I lined up for a three day road cycling event called the RockyMt. Omnium. I missed my TT start time by 1:30" then uncorked the fastest 19 minutes & 30 seconds of my life. Anger and desperation fueled my effort. I followed up with a second place in the next days event, then crashed out of State Crit Championship final day on the last lap. A lot of work, ..... no result.

Such is Road Racing.

120 Starters for States Crit. Very Sketch.

2006-05-22T07:11:00.000-06:00

Nite before the race. Hotel Sienna.

First pro race went ok. It was cool lining up against Travis Brown and Ned Overend, two of the sports ledgends. The start was fast as hell. Chopping away at mt bike cranks made me remember the meaning of the word "suffer" all over again. It was a good, familiar pain.

Speaking of Pain. The four cross race.... lot's of carnage.

A bunch of us set up shop on the hillside after our cross-country race to veiw the spectacle; that is downhill racing.

2006-05-19T06:33:00.000-06:00

Well, the Mt. Bike season is upon us. First race this week on the fat tires. It will be a regional Norba race in Anglefire NewMexico. It's a small ski resort in northern NM that is pretty empty in the summer. I've alway's liked this venue (there was a world cup race here last year) because it turns into bikeville for the weekend.

Took a big rest after Gila and started getting back to the trails of Boulder County on my Mt. bike. It's been a good reunion.
No more cars, or windy flat roads. Also gets me back in touch with a lot of old friends that I used to "high roll" with. This is Mike Hoaster and I leaving from Nederland park-n-ride in search of singletrack. The trails were good yesterday..... all clear and tacky, snow covered peaks and a cool breeze..... Heaven.

2006-05-08T05:58:00.000-06:00

MISSION ACOMPLISHED!!!!! The 11 hour drive home will be much sweeter after the events on Sunday. Sunday was the "Gila Monster", the final day of our 5 day stage race. A long tough stage with a whopper of a finishing climb. The last 15 miles are brutal. Ryan Hamilton was our highest placed rider on GC (2nd) when the leader pulled out on Saturday. This made him the virtual leader, and changed our strategy completely. We planned and planned different senarios of attack, but we all had the sinking feeling we'd have to take control of the race on the final day and protect Hamilton.
Our second best placed rider Justin got the green light to attack and try and put pressure on the other teams. He was well marked and smartly sat in and saved his legs for the climb and protecting our leader.
Many stories will come yesterdays events, the one I like to tell is how our two lowest GC riders Kris Lathrop and Alex Lieber turned into "super domestiques" on the final day. With a 50 mile run into the start of the climb, it was key to keep the pace so high that no one would attack. Both of them absolutly flogged themselves for 50 miles while I sat barking orders and covering the hard attacks. It was a symphony of domination as we rumbled down the vally with no fewer than 3 teammates at all times on the front of the peleton. Alex and Kris burnt everylast match and looked like shit at the start of the climb. It was a perfect launching pad for Justin and Ryan who lit up the climb, finished 3rd & 2nd respectively, and of course, got the overall victory for the 3's field at the tour of the Gila. Pretty good company to be in. Jason Donald (pro stage 5 winner) and Tom Zirbel were the 05' & 04' TOG champs.

2006-05-06T07:18:00.000-06:00

Thursdays climbing stage was tough, and most of us held our position on GC. Friday was the longest stage at 78 miles with 6000ft. of climbing. We worked well together as a team, broke away with a teammate (ryan hamilton) and he brought home the victory. Photo's on the way.
Ryan is in second place on GC 49 seconds behind the leader and we're gunning for the victory on the last stage on sunday. Also, Justin is in sixth just over 2 minutes out.

Brake pad melt-down from fridays decent through the Gila national forest. I was sprinting out of every corner to keep up with my teammate Cole, who decends like a rock. We hit the bottom of the climb with a gap and started to push it and further punish the field for decending like wimps. We had it widdled down to about a 30 riders before we let up.

2006-05-04T06:03:00.000-06:00

Warming up for the TT. The only action shots I got!!

Results:
Jones: 4th
Maka: 6th
Cole:9th
Hamilton:15th
Iles: 17th
Lieber:46th
Lathrop:52th *today the climbing starts* There are 80 something riders in our feild this year. I lot will change after todays mt. top finish.

2006-05-03T08:00:00.000-06:00

Road trippin' on the lonely NM. It was like a road trip graveyard. We must have counted 25 crosses on the side of the road over 50 miles. Where are these people getting it wrong? Must be in the corners.

Southern NewMexico. The long switchback roads are the only way into the Gila national forest.
We got a view of some of the climbs we will be racing on.
The time trial starts today. I'll post some results tonight.

View from the Pinos Altos Cabins. http://pinosaltoscabins.com/ Just what we need for the weeklong stay. Very nice owner and resonable.

2006-04-25T08:17:00.000-06:00

Success again!!! The Colavita road team really forces the issue in last Sundays race. We didn't win, but got second, fourth, and fifth. We dominated the first 1/2 of the race, but let just one guy get a little to far up the road. Turns out he was a stud and we couldn't reel him back in. It's great to see all of my Gila teammates going strong and confident. This picture is Ryan Hamilton, Ryan Cole, and myself drilling it into the cross winds. The rest of the riders are trying to get into the draft. We try and leave them no room where they'd literaly have to be off the road to get any help from the draft. It's called "putting them in the gutter"

2006-04-22T09:02:00.000-06:00

Training in the mountains with Kris w/a K and Lieber. We marched up to 9,000 ft making a big loop from Boulder.
The weather here was made for cycling.

One of our stops is the funky ole' mining town of Ward. It's at 9000', best glacier water I've ever tasted. Hot coffee and a candy bar to bring me back to life.

2006-04-22T07:54:00.000-06:00

Been knocking out a race every weekend. A bunch of us are really ramping up for the "Tour of Gila" starting in May in New Mexico. www.tourofthegila.com
Larimer Road Race was last weekend. A tough local race with many teams viaing for the victory. We had a team dinner the night before and talked strategy. It payed off. By 1/2 way through the race the lead group had dwindled to about 20. We had more guys in the break than any other team. We all helped each other out a lot. (i got a wheel exchange from a teammate after mine broke in an accident) There were wicked cross winds all day and without some help I would have been off the back. Ryan Hamilton, Ryan Cole, and I were the final Colavita riders left in a group of 15. Cole seemed fresh and is a good sprinter, so Hamilton and I worked for him in the closing miles and lined up a leadout for the sprint. Cole delivered,... winning the 3 up sprint, giving the whole team the victory.
It was a great moral boost, our first victory of the season. Everyone is really stoked about working together. Should really help us in the 5 day stage race in New Mexico.

2006-04-12T07:31:00.000-06:00

Pictures from last weeks race.

2006-04-09T09:36:00.000-06:00

Holy Crap! Been a full month since I "blogged." Spring has started in ernest. The occasional winter storms of march have not kept me off my bike. I race for the Colavita Colorado on the road and have been hitting up all the local Criteriums and Road Races. There is no substitute for racing, and I plan on doing just that up until my first Mt. Bike race May 20th. Yesterday was the "Boulder Roubaix." race. A 60 mile race on 75% dirt roads. Was pretty bumpy on skinny tires and felt longer than 60. My teammate Ryan Hamilton took 4th.

2006-03-07T08:03:00.000-07:00

Back from Utah and a long week of training in the desert. 3-5 hours a day on the bike. I have a lot of miles under my belt now, and know it's nearly go time. Coffee is at a premium in campMost of the eggs were seasoned with sand.

2006-02-25T07:59:00.000-07:00

A solid week of skate skiing. I am lucky to have a lot of friends to skate with on these cold days. Went four times last week and got some time on the trainer. The weather is shaping up for the bike. Our Mt. bike team goes to Moab Utah next week for a training camp.

Just finished assembling this years rig. Yeti bikes, made right in Golden Colorado.

2006-02-18T08:50:00.000-07:00

It warmed up to 7.5 degrees by 9am this morning. Skiing can even suck at this temp.

So we went snowshoeing instead. A three hour power snowshoe.

My buddy R-Steve struggled. Had a melt-down

I consoled him.

So did Tim.

Nordic Sking on the cold days. Carver & Kris w/ a K.

2006-02-12T07:10:00.000-07:00

Coming out of off season hibernation. Not that I've been sleeping all this time. An unseasonalbly warm winter in Boulder has keep me on the bike all winter. These off season "base miles" are supposed to be easy and long. Excruciating. Boring. I know some of the first races start soon. The first week of March.
Today, driving to Ft. Collins, CO to train with a new teammate. It was 22 degrees this morning when I got up. It will warm up.... probably to the 40's.

2005-11-12T17:22:00.000-07:00

Last weekend on the island. Went on the "Battle for Okinawa" tour.
Checked out some of the web of caves that the Japanese army fought from

In this room, many Japanese soldiers committed suicide by grenade.

Underground Naval headquarters of Imperial Japan
These dudes were very well dug in. Okinawa, not Normandy was the largest land invasion force ever assembled. Neither the Americans, Japanese, or Okinawans memorialize the battle. These tunnels are the only reminents of the carnage that took place here.
Hacksaw ridge, with SugarLoaf hill over my left shoulder. The invation force landed in the bay past sugarloaf.

Tora, Tora, Tora,

Translation?

Waves and rain the last couple days.

2005-11-11T05:53:00.000-07:00

Had a Killer day of sailing. Good winds, high seas, and a fast boat.

John taught me the one handed Heineken helm spin.

We where really cooking today, getting almost 9 knots (when I wasn't steering)
Throwing up a wake.

Chatan City Three wheel motor scooters that lean. No kickstand required

Okinawan School Girls Rule!!!

2005-11-10T04:42:00.000-07:00

Going sailing this morning with capt. Jon. The post to my blog have decreased in frequency because I've been falling asleep before I hit the pillow. Went to a asian spa this week, visited a replica Ryukyuan village, went to a "Mongoose vs. Habu snake" show, swim with the fishes, and go out to new restaurants almost every nite. 3 days left, and I feel like I've only scratched the surface.

Yes, Crocs have made it to Okinawa Island. They get the same curious looks that they did in Boulder 2 years ago. My Dad's Okinawan sailing buddy, Ozuma just ordered a pair. This is the only store I've found them in (american specialty store).

Ozuma, Buddy and I going over systems on the boat.
More trippy cars

Bento Boxes and Beer

I'm going to be a "grass ninga" for Halloween next year

2005-11-04T16:15:00.000-07:00

Fine sunset with the Ilihune and the Malitoa in the background. I think "Ilihune" means PoorPeople in Hawaii. Big John is the is a DODDS teacher and skipper of this rig. He is in to racing, and does pleasure cruising on the weekend.
The Keramus Islands looking west from the dock. Oh yeah, I learned this new trick. Levitation. Just takes a little concentration.

2005-11-04T16:06:00.000-07:00

My transportation has been a Lemond Cross bike I put together for Buddy. It's the only way to really see the good stuff on the back streets.
Sunabe Steps. Where many first time scuba divers put in. Kinda like the Boulder equivalent of the "wanker trail." So I thought! I got in the water with snorkel gear and was instantly blown away. The water starts shallow and in hard corrals. I followed a fissure in the reef that instantly opened to underwater cliffs. The diversity of life in the water is staggering. I stayed out exploring until I was exhausted. I'm hooked. Scuba certification will be the next.
More of the sea wall. I've put in here too. I have a net backpack that hold my flipper, mask, snorkel, ect... I've been buying "obento" boxes of food from the supermart. I've eaten more raw seafood in two weeks than I have in my entire life. No supersize option on obento.

2005-11-01T06:13:00.000-07:00

Living vicariously through my parents (i realize it's normally the other way around) My trip would not be possible without their vision and love for travel, adventure, and living in foreign countries. I remember the first big step that started it all in 1981.

2005-11-01T05:28:00.000-07:00

Check out the latest National Geographic Magazine for November 2005. Longevity and Okinawa. Eat your Goya, Danialsan!!!

http://www7.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0511/index.html

2005-11-01T03:27:00.000-07:00

Another good day. My range is increasing, and soon I should have this island dialed. This sushi bar I found has a rotary platform that shoots out fresh sushi from the kitchen. Each plate has it's own color that denotes a price. At the end of your "shesh" they scan your plates and give you the total. The most reasonable I've found. Got stuffed for 9 bucks. Who said Japan was expensive?

I noticed this Okinawian lady was having a coffee and a smoke, she started some Thai-chi looking stuff, then broke out into a beautiful song/chant. Don't quite know what to make of it. Cultural experience.
anatomically correct cars of Okinawa

More trippy small cars and vans
On a most of the new cars, when in "Park," both side view mirrors retract so they don't get clobbered in tight parking.

2005-10-30T05:18:00.000-07:00

Had an incredible day at the "Ocean world Expo," the worlds second largest aquarium located on the northern end of the island.

The pictures simply can't describe how huge the tanks and it's inhabitants are. Stood for hours watching.
The Japanese were very proud of this facility, and it would take at least two days of touring to do it justice. Everything i've ever seen on the discovery channel, then some. They claim (although not quite the largest) it is the most diverse in terms of species.
They have an intact carcass of Archituthis (giant squid). One of only two in existence in the world. I somehow managed to erase that picture....bummer.
They also have a waterfoundain that shots a scope like mouthwash so your breath is minty fresh. Do not swallow!! Happy Joy Luck Fresh Fountain
Ari came with.

2005-10-29T00:05:00.000-06:00

Been doing lots of sailing, yet the biker tan remains. I'm starting to think it's permanent!
Sun rise salutation never felt so zen.

2005-10-28T06:39:00.000-06:00

Happy after a full day and lots of Kirn beer
Bud at the marina

Japanese graves face the sea
Snorkeling off the back of the boat
The cliff house on the cape (in the distance)
"Grass Ningas"

Had a good day. Did some touring around the cape and hung out at the marina. Worked on the boat and went snorkeling for the first time. After swimming for a while, I found the good corral reefs and the vast underwater world it supports. Took some good pictures that I can't download to my site. Gotta love computers. Going out early tomorrow on my dad's friends boat. It's a 45 ft. race yacht. I met some girls on the beach that coached me on diving and were to go. Pooped..., I forgot how hungry and tired the water makes you (kinda like cycling). can't wait to see what tomorrow holds

2005-10-26T17:33:00.000-06:00

Lots of wild foliage here. My personal favorite.... the Banyon Tree. I've had my eye out for the deadly Habu snakes that chill in the trees and on the cliffs and rocks. This isn't their busy season, but I'm still weary of their presence.

It is a protected species since they are only found in this chain of islands. They are illegal to kill, and there are little teams of Japanese Habu relocators that take them into the interior when found.

Then there's this guy. Ari Daviltelis. He comes from a great Greek family that we've shared many good times with. I've known dude since the 4th grade; back when we used to live in Germany. We played soccer together on German league teams in the 80's. We've been hanging out and catch up on things. He works on the island and has a beautiful wife and daughter; Rebecca and Marina. Went out for Thai food with them last night.

2005-10-25T19:36:00.000-06:00

Buddy's boat. The Malitoa. It's a 26 foot sailboat moored in Kadena harbor. In a former life, Bud was crew on some race boats and had his own in Pt. Arthur, Texas. I'm stoked he's in a place where he can once again pursue sailing. He and some local sailing friends piloted it around from the east side of the island two weeks ago. Heavy seas and a strong headwind really put the Malitoa through it's paces. 13 hours worth. He said it's very stable for a small rig, and handled the big stuff no problem. While working on it last week, I could see the tropical fish (a puffer, and some other really bright ones) nibbling on algea under the hull. Can't wait to get underwater.

2005-10-25T17:59:00.000-06:00

Been on the island for about 5 days now and am just getting around to creating a blog. Ryan Marle gave me the idea. His looked pretty cool, so I'm following suit.
I'm going to start with just some pictures and not so much editorial. There's just to much to do on the island and I'd rather be out, than thumping on the computer.
This is the view I awoke to the morning after I flew in. The "cliff house" was just finished in August, and is a mavel of Japanese engineering. All the homes here are built like bunkers to withstand any typhoons that come in from the pacific. It's located on Cape Zampa on the west side of the island. It faces the east china sea.

Looking down, it's about a 30meter jump into the neighbors pool. Then another 40m. strait down to the water. Sandy beaches are about a 10 minute walk. The water here is crystal clear when it's not choppy. You can see strait to the bottom. Okinawa is surrounded by coral reefs, so diving is huge here.

The weather has been in the low 80's (delightful) and more clouds than sun. Typhoon season is just about over. Everyone here is complaining about the weather being bad. I'm loving it. Can't wait to see what good weather is like.