Compliments

Every once in a while someone will say something that really makes me feel good. Chris will do this from time to time. He won't mean much by it, but he will simply comment on something and it makes me soar.
Lynda Wallenfels one time mentioned that she would be willing to do a DUO race with me. I really admire her and she is pretty paticular about team mates, so I took this as a big compliment. I have a pretty good race partner for the time being though and so does she.
I got another one yesterday on the podium of the Sundance ICUP race. As Amanda Carey stepped on to the top step, she told me that I made her nervous all race. Coming from Amanda--who is crazy fast--this is a huge compliment for me. I am sure I started beaming after that.
I had a good race. I love the Sundance course even with its difficult passing and everything. I felt I climbed pretty well, even though two expert women beat me to the single track on the first lap. I descended really smooth too. The course was only dusty in a few spots and the temps were perfect. It was a great day all around.
We were staged much later than normal. Most of the Sport guys were in front of us. I thought they were really great about letting us pass. It was much better than Wednesday's race. I am trying to be more aggressive about passing at Chris's promptings and direction. In the past if I was catching a guy towards the top of a climb I would not pass him assuming he would descend faster than I do. Yesterday, I was all about getting by. If they were going to catch me then we would figure it out on the descent. It worked out well for me and I don't remember holding anyone up.
Chris had a good race also. He took 3rd. On the way home, he said he could be done racing his bike because he finally felt good at Sundance. He loves this course, but has not felt good racing his bike at this race for the past couple of years. Yesterday, he felt strong. I don't think he is really done racing his bike though--I hope not.

Riding in the Wild Kingdom

Last year I was riding my bike at Sundance and I saw a hawk pick up its kill off the trail. It was crazy. I have been riding up there and scared these birds from their hiding places in the brush. Tonight I was pre-riding the course and came upon a wild turkey in the middle of the trail. She jumped up as I approached. She had been covering atleast seven lil' chicks. They scattered with about half going off the trail to the left and the others going to the right. This then confused said mother and us. The bird did not seem to know what to do to gather her lil' ones. We were not sure whether or not she was going to attack us. I have always heard how mean turkeys are. She finally veered off the trail after a couple of minutes and we snuck by. It was nuts.

Last weekend it became very apparent that snake season is upon us. I have yet to see any on the trails, but I saw two snakes on the pavements. I would much rather see road snakes than trails. The snakes that I have seen on the trail are much scarier--rattlers; road snakes have not made any scary noises. I hate snakes!

A snake on the road

Another snake on the Springville path

Draper ICUP Photos

It was questionable. Last night Chris and I sat outside watching and listening to the rain fall and blow. It was one of the hardest rains I can recall in Utah. I texted a friend who lives on top of the world to see if it was raining at her house as she lives just above the course. Her response was "Pouring." It was not looking good.
We got new early from Karl in early this morning alerting us to the one hour delay. The race was to go off at 10 now. We left with plenty of time to register and warm up. As the new race time approached there were still concerns about mud at the top. Our friend Noah had gone out earlier and he turned around coming back the way he went up with his bike completely caked with mud. The decision at race time was to reroute the course taking out the single track climb to the top and a descent. This also shortened the course and another decision--I would say a wise decision--was made to split the racers. The shortened course was really not big enough to accommodate the Pro, Expert, Sport and Beginner riders. So the Sport and Beginner were scheduled to go out first and the Pro and Experts would go out 90 minutes later. So the race that I got up at 6:00 am to race at 9 did not start until around 1:30. Now this was no one's fault; it is just racing. But it was difficult to stay focused, fueled, and ready to ride.
My race went well. I finished in 3rd (out of 4). Jen Hanks was strong today and I could not hold her off and even hang with her. Chris also finished in 3rd (out of 14 or so). He came home with a bit more money than I did.
Thanks also to the first mentioned friend, Omar, who did bottle hand ups. I am sure she got a bit bored waiting and waiting, and waiting with her nephews, but I really appreciated it. Hopefully, I will have some pictures to share.

Soldier Hollow

Descending

The last time I saw Amanda (Kenda)

Chris coming down on the SS

Chris starting another lap

Making dust

Chris finished in 6th; I took 4th.

a call to order

Chris and I have been spending some time on the Provo River Trail. We frequent the area between Will's Pit Stop II and Vivian Park and it is complete anarchy. I don't mean that there are people wielding guns and committing crimes, but there is no order in the way people travel this portion of trail. It is well established and marked on the trail itself where peds and cyclists are supposed to travel.

Maybe it is early and no one remembers where they are supposed to be--even though it is painted on the trail itself. We had groups of peds of all ages taking up the entire width of the trail. One guy even looked back and I would assume saw us, but made no effort to move himself of any member of his party to make room for us to pass. We had to go around them on the grass. Kids riding their bikes in all lanes as there parents watched without care. (Okay one "Mom" called out to her son to get out of the way, but then what I percieved to be her husband weaved into our way also. She then had to "yell" out to both.) Granted if your kid is on a bike s/he should be in the cyclist lanes, but if s/he are as slow as foot traffic then maybe s/he should stay in the peds lane. In the least, do not allow them to stop in the cycle lanes as you catch up to them. It is just not safe for anyone.

Small groups of long borders were taking up multiple lanes. We would announe our presence and attempt to manuveur around them as safely as possible, but many were novices and did not appear to know what to do. I have always been sympathetic for the long borders as they really don't have a place, but they should at least pick a lane and stay in it. They should also be able to control their equipment, be able to stop, and for the love make it possible to hear others as they approach. I understand what I am asking--no iPODs or maybe just wear one ear phone.

And in case you don't know...

This is the symbol for pedestrians--stay in the lane with this marking if you are a ped.

This is the mark you will find for the bike (long board, roller blade, and other wheeled formed of transportion) lane. There are two lanes for directional traffic--just like the road.

Be aware of you surroundings and be safe. Thank you for your time.

Just past photos

5-Mile Pass

chris in the mud

kc in the mud

very muddy bikes

I need to recover. That is the overwhelming thought and feeling I have today. All things considered it was a good weekend. Chris and I ventured down to Cortez, CO for the 12 Hours of Mesa Verde. We competed in the Duo Co-Ed category on our single-single speed rigids. We fared well taking 4th place overall behind Matt Harding and Josh Wolfe--team mates from 24 Hours of Moab.
My race went surprisingly well although it was a bit sketchy at the start. We got down to the event site with plenty of time to preride the course as planned. Within the first three miles I went down. I am not sure exactly how, but my best guess is I grabbed too much front brake on a descending curve. My front wheel washed out and I was down before I knew it. My left hand ended up underneath me and it felt as though my fingers went all the way back. I was hurting. I was able to finish the course and I kept telling Chris I was fine in hopes that I would be. It was painful but not unbearable.
I had not been feeling especailly well all week. I had that run-down, I think I am getting sick feeling. Swine flu? Probably not. I took some Nyquil Friday in hopes that I could get a good night sleep and feel good in the morning. I slept well, but I did not feel well. My throat was sore and my voice was equally hoarse. As Chris ate and got ready for his lap I just sat around with my eyes closed hunched over. I attended the 6:30 am race meeting and as things warmed up I felt a bit better. Chris took off for a quick jaunt around the barn as the le mans start and was off for his first lap. I then started getting ready.
We camped with Josh and Matt and their friend Paul who was supporting them. This worked out well because they were a few minutes ahead of us all day. I would come in off my laps eat and drink and then close my eyes. When I would hear Josh start to move, I would mimic him and get ready. Between every lap I just wanted to sleep.
On the bike I felt pretty good. My throat would burn with every breath, but it let me know I was pushing. I needed something because my heart rate monitor and watch died the night before just after we finished the preride. I have no idea how fast any of my laps were or if they were consistent. Each lap I would just go either trying to catch someone in front of me or attempt to stay in front of others. After we left the awards, Lynda came over with an envelope with fastes female lap written on it. I was surprised when she dropped it off for me. I am anxious to see the results.
The course was amazing. Probably one of the most fun courses I have ever ridden. It was longer than most 12 hour course too. We only put in 9 laps--which was as many as the race leaders completed. The trail twisted and turned. There were rocky ledges to climb and drop and berms that would just flowed. I was nervous after the preride because it did not seem to suit my strengths. I usually do better on longer climbs. I was able to find my flow though and really enjoyed myself.
Congrats to Josh and Matt on their 3rd place finish, Lynda and Dave on their individuals 1st place in the Solo Single Speed, Jen and Shannon on 2nd place and Heather Gilberts 3rd (I believe) Solo Single Speed finish. Utah had a great showing.
I will catch up on pictures later this week I hope.

After much indecision, we decided to do 5-Mile Pass this weekend. It is definitely not our favorite race. I am not a fan of the course. The most redeeming quality of this race is that Racer's Cycle Service sponsors it and I am a big fan of Racer.
When Utah woke up on Saturday though it was raining--well pouring rain would be more accurate. We discussed it some more and due to scheduled events for the next couple of Saturdays we opted to go for it. 5-Mile Pass has a reputation of being a dry spot. We were optimistic that it would not be that wet there. It rained the entire way to Keith's house where we met up with several others to car pool to the race. It rained the entire way to the event site and it was raining at the site. The ground was saturated. Chris and I had not registered and we continued to wait and see what would happen.
I have said before that Ed runs the best races. Here is a perfect example why. Before the kids race he went out in the rain to ride the course to see if changes were needed. We watched him go into the last gully from the team tent. He did not come out as expected. A few moments later he is pushing his bike through the mud. He decided the course would be drastically modified--shortened. All races were postponed one hour.
There were rumors the BLM would cancel the race. We waited. They showed up and left. The modified race was still on. Ed went out to do the lap again in order to mark it. (Ed actually rides the courses and know exactly what he is expecting of the racers. That is just cool.) All adults would be doing one lap of the shortened course rumored to be around 5 miles. Chris and I were not sure this was worth it--approximately $10 per mile a piece. The kids took off and completed their race. The weather broke for a bit. It was then announced that the adults would be doing the same number of laps as originally scheduled but on the shortened course.
Based on this, I quickly registered both Chris and myself, got my warm riding clothes on, and my bike ready with the help of others. Thanks to Greg, Chris, and others I made it to the start line just a minute or so before my start. I have never been so rushed for a race. But I cannot complain Jesse was about 30 seconds late to his start. He still had a good finish though.
The course on the first lap was not that bad. There was a section that resembled a mud bog. I had to put a foot down and restart once. Going out for my second lap, I thought you know this course is not so bad. It was that bad on the second lap. The mud bog was tons worse and longer. The puddles had expanded. After the second lap, instead of picking up my water bottle I handed off my glasses. I knew I could not see well without them, but I really could not see with them. The course seemed very different without my prescription lenses, but I was able to maneuver safely even with impaired vision. I finished just over a minute behind Heather Holmes. I was content with that. I never cleaned the bog--a foot or two went down on each lap.
I also ruined my Superfly's cape (fender). It got weighed down with mud and drug against my rear tire through the entire third lap. I was heart broken when I realized what had happened. I loved that cape.

The damaged cape (fender)

A closer look...

...at the damage

Hopefully, I will get some pictures to post from the race.