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Monday, June 29, 2009

Jeff Carter, Breck Epic racer/blogger

Just a quick hilarious excerpt from Jeff Carter's Breck Epic blog. The Breck Epic is a sadistic 6-day death march (ok, ok, mtb stage race) in our lovely backyard (comprised of world-class trails).

This guy is funny as heck, can't wait to read his post-stage entries-

"It is with this “fond” memory of singlespeed racing that I mull over my decision to race the Breck Epic on a Spot 29er singlespeed. Race with a good buddy? Check. Chance to write about it? Check. Cool event? Check plus. Singlespeed belt drive? What the shit? Don’t bikes need chains? Singlespeeds, racing and Summit County seem as intelligent a combo as liquor, matches and gasoline. Twenty-niner wheels? What’s the deal with those weirdo big wheels anyway? Do I have to grow some angry-dude beard and wear knee socks to ride this bike?

Of course. I’m totally in.

And yet this damn-the-torpedoes attitude gets me into trouble. As in stage races past, I have a partner guaranteed to race me into the ground. My current partner, Gavin Hayes, has raced in something called “World Championships.” Who am I kidding? I’m a dude with a job and a mortgage, looking at the backside of my thirties. For most people, a vacation translates into a rented house in Nantucket and a week of getting sauced at noon. Or wearing a beret and sipping espresso at a cafe in Paris. And yet I choose to wear a white spandex race kit and puke my brains out on Boreas Pass.

So here I am, not quite May, not quite fit, and not quite certain this will go as planned. But I do know, like anyone planning on racing the Breck Epic, or any other mountain bike stage race, that the event isn’t just the week it happens or the ten days you’ll be gone. It’s the cold, rainy road rides, the urgency of your training, the impulse purchases (a thousand bucks is totally reasonable for wheels) the days before you leave, and the stories you’ll tell for years to come. Yeah, I’m ready for that crazy big wheel bike and the Breck Epic."

--Jeff Carter

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Friday, June 26, 2009

This Is Home

very cool video the Wellington N'Hood developer created showcasing the Gold Run Rush mtn race, all teh kids, the scene, etc..

Mtb descent

Little test clip from coming down Barney Ford Trail this am before work.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

2009 Colorado Bike to Work Day tomorrow

June 24, 2009

Hope a lot of us, esp. those living in small towns, can bike to work tomorrow. Esp. if it's just once a year you can do so, make it happen tomorrow. Here in Breck, they are offering free breakfast around town at diff spots.

If the economy really worsened...

I think we could get by living here, home schooling Alina. Think
Little House On The Prairie.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Paradise

Alina's school & playground, with an incredible Mtn backdrop. I need
to pinch myself sometimes. We're so lucky to be living here!

Friday, June 19, 2009

course re-con

today I was treated to a ride on the Breck Epic prologue with Topeak Ergon endurance honch Jeff Kerkove. I only had a 2hr window to escape work, while Kerkove of course had 4.5hrs saddle time planned. We were treated to a most beautiful day in Breck, prob with temps eclipsing 70 and little wind and little clouds. Since I typically ride solo missions due to the work family balance, I was psyched he snapped some nice pics of me grinding up Baldy Mountain. Check them on his blog here, the June 19th entry. Thanks Jeff! My folks will love them.

My lunchtime ride with @jeffkerkove up to about 11,500' up on Baldy Mt. Stellar day!

1st pic from iPhone 3GS

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

elections in Iran

this is amazing, and sad. Happy to see modern social (new) media, like Twitter and Facebook, is helping us get semi-unfiltered news and first-person accounts from deep in Iran. I came across an Iranian's blog via Twitter, that, not too surprisingly, is no longer active.



I wish them the best.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Streams still running strong

Fresh dusting of snow above about 11,000' this morning.

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Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Heinous hill

In pretty good shape, just a few muddy spots on the road before it.

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Tuesday, June 09, 2009

sunset from the backyard

with the exception of 1 nice warm dry week in early May, the spring has been very cloudy and wet. Fortunately we haven't had much rain the past 3-4 days, but we also haven't had our typical sunny clear June days. This past wknd I was putting in some new sod, and it was 37 degrees and light snow. Not many people can say they were landscaping in June while wearing a fleece jacket, though it's not something I brag about.

 
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pics from the Slopestyle contest in Vail this past Sunday

These guys have serious mojo, and cojones. I have to say I have more respect for these guys than most of the cross country racers. What's harder...doing intervals and suffering, or hitting huge jumps with serious consequences?

 
 
 
 
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pics from Teva Mtn Games in Vail this past wknd

Even after racing 34mi and over 8,000' of climbing on Saturday at the Golden Gate Dirty Thirty, Helen still wanted to race the 10K Spring Runoff at Teva Mtn Games on Sunday. So we drove down early Sunday morning. Alina was thrilled for another chance to play at the Pirate Ship Park over in Vail village. It was a piece of cake for Alina and I, since we're used to not seeing Helen for 6-12hrs during most of her ultras.

 
 
 
 
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Monday, June 08, 2009

Yard work is DONE

Sod replacement over. Guess I need to replace some every summer...no matter how anal I am about taking Montana out for potty walks and such.

Now i'm drinking a beer while admiring the yard. Do I sound old or what?!?!!!

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Wednesday, June 03, 2009

Montana's foot

Pic of the surgery site taken this am at the vet, when they were changing out her bandages. Vet says things look good so far.

Thanks to all who asked about her.

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At the vet for a surgery check-up

Perhaps not Montana's favorite place as of late.

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Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Montana wearing the halo thing

She started licking the bandage, so it's time for lockdown

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