Let it snow

Cross season is complete for me this year. Attempted 10 races and
finished 9. All were raced on the Vanilla SS with enthusiam and
intensity. I am seriously considering a geared effort for 09' as the
fire remains stoked for cycling.
Loveland ski area continues to get hammered with snow. I am hopeful to
bust out the board this Saturday. Sunday I am taking the kiddos over
to the CX CO state championships to cheer on friends. Best of luck to
those racing.

Sent from Chad

Arm Wresting Match

Heading into week 9 of my cross season, it appears that my bike and I
have been in arm wresting match stailmate. Today I figured out why, I
had lost my flow. Fighting my bike at every turn. Today i snuck away
for an afternoon ride. In an unusual fashion I rode with my Ipod. The
music helped locate flow. I look forward to racing Sunday with a
little more flow.

Kings of Leon@ the Fillmore

Breck CX memory

Vanilla=cyclocross love

She's a beaut Clark

Sweetness has been treating me very well on the last couple rides. The pic is after we ripped Centennial Cone a while back. That was the first ride with the Manitou fork. I really enjoyed the plush ride. Yesterday I rode over at Indian Creek, what an awesome network of trails, thanks Scott.

Well, the Moots is up for auction. That has been an awesome bike and tons of fun, just want to try something new. Hope the next person has a great experience with the Moots. I know I did.

I am super stoked that Crossniacs will be working with The Golden Bike Shop. Great guys over there in Taylor and Adam. They have helped me out more than once when I have been in a jam. The shop really has a personable vibe I appreciate. Thank you.

Hope to ride with you soon, wherever you might be.

Her name is sweetness...

And I like her a lot. Hand made in Golden and fresh from craigslist.

Lover, not a hater

A friend from the Golden Bike Shop sent me out on a medium Spot 29er this past weekend. Carey and I rolled some laps at BCLP on Saturday. Scott and I hit Lair of the Bear on Sunday. Simply said, the most fun I have had on bike in a long time. I am getting softer, as I really enjoyed having front suspension. One gear one mind. Awesome. I feel reconnected to the bike.

Cyclocross is beginning to consume my bike thoughts. Hope to have a good season. It is time to pick it up notch.

Knocked out the Laramie Enduro a couple weeks back. Everything went very well. Dropped some time from a few years back. Still can do better next year. A great event.

Keep the wheels a rollin'.

blue bird breck

Went to Breck to ride on Sunday. It was perfect weather for a lap around the Firecracker 50 course. Scott and the Notorious joined in the climbing and tough downhills. Followed up the ride with pizza an pbr. The photo is on our way out of town. Hopefully, you can see the ten mile range in the background.

new ergon grip

Digging the grips big time.

one mind

From the movie The Last Samauri staring Tom Cruise, his character is learning the art of the Samauri and continues to struggle when a young teacher tells him "one mind", saying he is unfocused. I am trying to find "one mind" for the Laramie Enduro.



The prep continues to go well. A couple of us knocked out a longer Front Range mtb ride this last weekend. Good effort followed by an awesome father's day brunch. Bacon and PBR taste great after 5 plus hour of riding.



I dropped a pic of my LE ride. A couple of updates include a tubeless set up and some Ergon grips. Both preformed stellar.



Thanks Velo Soiree, the Notorious One and Scott. Looking forward to more epics.

Bike stoke at a all-time high

This is a real lame picture considering the rides I have had the last couple of weekends. This last Sunday I got to roll out with two good friends and enjoy hours on the road in the high country. With all of us having two kids this ride was nothing short of festivus miracle. The ride was highlighted on the descent watching a moose for a couple of moments.

I have felt so inspired riding the last couple of weeks and recognize that as a true gift. To be honest, I cherish this inspiration and try to honor it with the phrase "harden the F*@k up", while I ride in the hills. I have been working hard to get a little stronger this year and that quote has had a good place in my head.

The Pacer has been a fantastic rig for my Foothill adventures. I look forward to many more. Hope your rides have rolling smoothly.

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Saturday Ride

I am very excited about riding this weekend. The Pacer is ready to log some miles, I just hope my legs are ready to go. Looking for a long sustained ride with plenty of climbing. The weather forcast looks good, just need to prepare for a cold start and plan for the shedding of layers. Hope you get a chance to turn your crank this weekend.

Beautiful Day

Quick shot from Clear Creek in Golden. The bike comuting is picking up and have been able to get several days in the last couple of weeks. Slowly but surely increasing the distance. I am planning on bringing out the single speed this Saturday for mellow run. Hope you are able to enjoy a moment the sun.

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Big bike weekend

Wow. Big bike weekend at our house. My soon to be 4 year-old daughter Lucy is rolling on two wheels now. And she is fast and tough, putting multiple visits at the pain cave this weekend.

Also, Quinn got a new bike. A GF with gears, hand brakes, a front shock, and his favorite...a kick stand. He just can not figure out why I would not have one on my bike. I tried to explain that even though his cool factor goes up with a kick stand, mine goes down. He just thinks I am missing out. So a great weekend of riding with the kids and fun fixte run with the notorious one. Thanks.

Whole Ride

Took Saturday off from the board. Carey and I got a bike ride in this morning. We rolled to Whole Foods to pick-up some supplies for dinner. Nice and relaxed on the fixed gear. My legs felt good aftet yesterday's commute. Lungs felt good. I have been trying run at least one time a week at work. This has seems to have helped my cardio. Make sure you say "hi" to kids riding their bikes. Tell them they are cool with a sweet ride. Have a great weekend.

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Monarch & Salida

We had chance to get away for the weekend and chose Salida. Colorado is blessed with many awesome mountain towns, Salida is one our favorites. Nestled amongst 10 fourteen-ers and the Arkansas River, the historic downtown offers charm and hosts a very friendly crew of people. Good beers and good atmosphere were abound. Monarch ski resort also offerred a great taste of local flavor with many fun runs on the Arbor. Carey shot this pic in a moment of relaxation. just down this catwalk the view opens to show off the Rocky Mountains. Hope all is well in your world. Thanks Carey.

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Ouch

Once again we visited Loveland on Saturday. This is a shot of Carey just below chair 2 with the Divide in the background sporting her new jacket looking quite cute. On the final run of the day, at full speed, I got t-boned by another boarder. I felt very lucky to get up after the collision. Have been sore the last couple of days.

Sunday rolled into work for a couple of hours and got some ride time in. Finished the day hanging with the kiddos skateboarding. Lucy seems to dig it. Have a great week.
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get your taste on

Visited Pint's Pub last evening for Carey's b-day. She is so awesome, I am a very lucky man. Anyways, seemed like a great place to add to the LDL ride that will get reinstated this spring. They have a tremendous list for the Scotch lover in you, not to mention a fun list of small batch brews. Needless to say, Carey and I enjoyed our English night out. Thank you Carla for everything. Your homemade ice cream was to die for.

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Sweetness

I really like this pup. An Old English Sheep dog, he spends all of his time having fun and being your best friend. Maybe he has life figured by keeping it simple. Like the sticker says...We need more wag and less bark.

FYI- our 3 legged terrier named Simon is doing awesome.

bike commute variation

Wednesday was the best day of the new year for a bike commute. I got #4 in the books, finishing the evening ride in near 60 degree weather. Unfortunately, my route has been significantly altered to make way for a new exit along 470. Thus, I have had to take to the trails to get to Golden for work. That has been fun. However, in true Colorado style I awoke to snow this morning. I hope Loveland gets a good dumping as we are headed up with some friends on Saturday. I am totally stoked and will be planning my maneuvers as I ride inside today. Hope all is well in your world. Keep it simple.

Bluebird Day

We had close to a perfect day. And for that I say thank you. Carey shot this pic at the end of the day. We had a blast and Carey pushed us into the park, hitting jumps and rails. Who would of thought. The terrain park is below a lift, so you get plenty of heckling. Awesome. As a 36 year -old trapped in a 22 year-old body, I check my ego at the door and go and have a blast. I push my limits and try to get better. All of this equates to a lot of fun. Again, I say thank you for a great day.

Cholula & Loveland

I sure like Cholula. I put it on a lot of things, but especially eggs.

Things are shaping up nicely for a day of snowboarding tomorrow. We roll to Loveland and enjoy it immensely. I am getting close to double digit days, and the snow has been the best since we moved West. One of the value added benefits at Loveland is the Cholula packets. They probably have them other places, but I have not seen them. I like their portabililty. As one who brings food with them on most adventures including work they are appreciated. There you have it, a lot of love in todays post for both Loveland and Cholula.

commute #3

Cold Sunday morning. Headed to the GCC to help out and cover a shift. Had some real cold toes by the time I arrived. Nothing a nice warm shower would not cure. A tailwind on the way home was appreciated. Great game sunday night. All in all, a good weekend.

skiing w/ the kids

Busy Saturday. Helped a friend move in the morning and then went Loveland with kids. We as a family had some fun on the bunny hill. Quinn is really starting to be able to do a lot on this own, this is very exciting. Lucy and mom had some sweet runs. My wife is a superstar. Thank you Carey.

Slow Thursday

Short indoor spin today working the base. I felt slow all week. Two days in commuting this year and maybe #3 tomorrow. Hope all is well in your world.
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