Dirt Is The New Tarmac.

With the road season winding down it's been a smooth transition to leave the road rig in the garage in favor of the dirt hog when it's time to put on the tight stuff.  Coming back home from Utah it was a nice surprise to still have Perry Winkle and Papa in town, so we hooked up a day on the dirt along with Trev for a jaunt out at White Ranch.  New trails for me and it was pretty fun to try and get the sensations back of pinning a downhill or flowing together some corners with a little drift.  To be real honest with myself I have lost a great deal of skill on the mtb since switching to road.  Things that I wouldn't blink at in the past now prove much more of a challenge, and at one point I watched Perry nail this line which I thought was unride-able for anyone on a bike.  True he was on a new Yeti 5C, which looked like it could pretty much destroy everything in it's path, but nonetheless just another example how I've lost touch a little with whats what in the dirt world.  Time to get it back in the loop I say! 

The time during Rowney's stay, this simple wobble board provided much amusement and fasanation from the big man....espeically with a couple under the belt.  Rumor was he got up at 6am...straight on the board sans breakfast....the hard man lives on....

 I know his two best buddies miss him very much....

Henry however has learned a few habits off the boy from Botany though.

While clearing out the Flip camera I came across this little gem....now with Utah being his final race, Garcia can now focus on those WWE dreams....you saw it first here folks!

 This is me doing real life chores around the house instead of riding my bicycle.....strange isn't it!

A big thank you goes to Kat's parents who framed my jersey......awesome!

Tour of Utah.

 

photo credit - podium insight

Where do I start.  Epic race, epic race for sure.  Motivation was high for this one, being the last NRC for the year and the team was bolstered big time with guest rider and GC leader Pat McCarty suiting up in the red and black alongside JD as a solid second weapon.  Field was a riot at 140 guys deep and with the likes of Levi in there plus a smattering of BMC riders including one 'Big George' in attendance it was going to be a real barrel of monkeys.  

 

Photo thanks to Bill who was out there in support...thanks mate!

 

From day one it was game on and never let up the whole week.  All they guys gave it everything they had each day, and we were pumped to put McCarty in 6th overall at the end of the week.  Highlights included the what will be now know as the 'harder than shit Park City Critierium' where you can see from the above photo I am bleeding out my nostrils just trying to hang on.  Never done that before.  I don't think I've ever suffered that much just to finish in 36th, but then again with over 30 people getting time cut I'll take it for sure.  You know I've had a lot of people ask me since I've been back 'was it really that hard......what do you mean guys got time cut, it's just a crit couldn't you just sit in?'.  Answer simply is.....hell no.  With 120ft of climbing per 1.6km lap there was no where to hide and when you throw in an elevation of 7000ft where the air is oh so scarce then you have a recipe for torture.  One of those cool experiences where you are hanging on by a thread for longer than you thought was possible.  Just one more lap....just one more lap....

 

photo credit - podium insight

The TT once again was held at the Motorsports track which was pretty darn cool.  The whole course is virtually flat as a pancake, skirting around the outside and finishing on the circuit itself.  Once again my TT pretty much stank and remains a real area that needs attention this off season.  I suppose on a positive note I improved from last year time which was a good thing, but still need to keep pushing forward in this discipline.  The funny thing is I actually like it doing them....which may be half the problem right there!

 

So with Utah done and September tickling around the corner, the question is....whats next?  That's a good question and to be honest there a few different options on the cards as we start to come towards the wee twilight hours of season 2010.  At this point in time it looks like I won't be returning to Univest for another shot, but Steamboat Stage Race looks probably a go over labor day weekend.  As of right now though I'm keen to tear up some single track, do some skids and go where ever the trails may take me......laters..cw

Something To Make You Laugh On A Tuesday.

Or any other day of the week you happen to view this on......

Orange Untied Around The World

 Rowney and the famed sizzle plate that got us through the 24hr races.

Been a cracking week so far with much going on.  Firstly it was awesome to have Rowney, Pezza and Maria in town for a couple of days staying at Hotel de la Winston.  We had a pretty rad BBQ one night and with Treva Lowe in town too it was an old school Yeti reunion with plenty of laughs to be had.  Good times, good times.  Strangely enough though our ginger cat Henry got on very well with one Perry Perry which beats the hell outta me why they had such a bond!?!!

Flew outta Denver this afternoon to Salt Lake in preparation for the Tour of Utah starting Tuesday.  After being on the same flight with Levi I can confirm he's looking fit as a trout (as my uncle would say) and will be one to watch for next weeks race.  I gotta say even though it's almost at the end of the season I am well excited for this one.  Perhaps the biggest race the Rio will do all year, we are here in full force with a strong squad and hungry to do well.  Well that's really about it for now....later..cw.

Press Time.

Morning all!  My interview with Podium Insight was posted last night.  Thanks again goes out to Lyne for putting it together...

Take Two.

So Donald and I got it right today.  Back to the Echo Lake loop minus the rain storm and we got the whole thing done.  Man did it hurt.  JD pretty much kicked my arse all day out there and I'm well knackered now after following that guy around.  Just a smidge over 5.5hrs with close to 9000ft of climbing (mostly done at over 8000ft in elevation) with an average speed of just under 31km/h.  One of the most solid days I've done in awhile that's for sure and dang good Utah prep.

So things are looking up.  Kicked my cold, took the win at the local critierium on Thursday night, putting in some solid miles and to top it off Rowney and Perry-winkle arrive next week for a visit. Oh, and the girl at Chipotle this afternoon thought my accent was great and consequently loaded up my burrito big time. Needed that for sure....!

Don't Mess With Mother Nature....She Always Wins.

Quite the adventure today folks, and to be honest it all boils down the fact that I was lazy and should damn well know better!  Ya see the thing is in this grand old place called Colorado there is some pretty darn big mountains and being so high up of the earth's floor the weather can be a little bit unpredictable.  Consistently unpredictable if that makes sense.  Today The Duck and I went out for some pre- Utah bicycle practice up in the mountains and were pretty gee'd to have a large day and come back well knackered. This was going to plan, hitting the long bergs all the way to Echo Lake at the base of Mt Evans.  By this point we were 10,600ft above and starting to see Elvis.  Elvis in the form of massive black thunder clouds that rolled in as quick as can be, leaving us drenched in seconds and freezing cold.  Yep, we were both smart enough  NOT to bring a vest or jacket today, and don't worry I was kicking my own arse about it.  Taking shelter in the Echo Lake gift shop I was shivering and went straight to the bathrooms for some hand drier heating action, and some insulation in the the form of toilet paper down the jersey.  Desperate time folks, desperate times.  Two coffee's later the rain was still dumping and it was time for evasive action.  Luckily we were able to hitch a ride back part way outta the storm down to Evergreen, but leaving me with a massive bout of motion sickness coming down the pass.  Still over an hour (and 3,000ft or so) from home it was an ugly ride getting the legs the turn again and feeling like a curbside quiche could happen any moment.  At least I had J's flashy new white tires to keep me hypnotized down the last canyon.  Home was reached and after a quick lay down and a cold beverage we were good as gold again.  And that folks was my day in Colorado...wouldn't trade it for anything!

Place Where The Dreaming Never Ends.

On an Oil's kick at the moment hence the title quote.  I can honestly say that being away from Oz for quite some time now, I have never felt as patriotic about home as I have over the last year and a half.  If I hear 'Beds are Burning' or 'Land Down Under' back home on the radio I wouldn't flinch.  Probably would even change the station.  But over here if I do its the complete opposite! I'll gravitate over to the tune box, turn it up and get pretty darn excited about it.  Laugh as you may, but I think you gain some real perspective when you spend time in a completely different environment....and I kinda like that.  One thing I don't like is how all my race results here (and I saw it again today) list my country as USA, and don't worry folks there is a good explanation for this.  Because I have a working visa I was able to buy a standard USAC racing license for the year versus the CA international license that costs an arm and a leg.  The USAC license is a heck of a lot cheaper which is great,  but lists me incorrectly as a USA rider........

 Pretty sure we are the only country in the world that eats our national emblem animals.....true blue.

Well the tissue box has gone and I'm feeling much better after a little hiccup last week.  Two weeks out from Utah and I'm motivated as hell to finish the season off strong.  Trying to find a guest ride spot for Univest Grand Prix in September too, so if anyone out there has any leads please drop me a line.  Although it was wet and nasty there last year I loved it, and finishing 23rd means I have some unfinished business in that the pointy end was not too far away.  Thanks for checking in....feel free to drop me a comment if your bored......question time?!?!