Ouch, the pain!

Why is it that when you are doing it you think it sucks and hurts but when you are finished, you thought it was fun?
Such is the case with Cyclocross racing. While racing, I often wonder, "why am I doing this instead of taking a break from the bike like I usually do? This hurts so badly and I'm not even close to winning the race". Well, the short answer is, I like it and it's fun.

I like the people who come out to watch the race and cheer the racers on. I like the challenges Cross provides me and, most of all, I like the people I have met and gotten to know better because of Cross racing.
After my body stops hurting from this weekend's races, I will be excited for next weekend's race!

Guilt free

The good thing about racing cross only somewhat seriously, is not being ridden with guilt when I don't ride due to the weather. Today it's snowing, cold and I don't feel like riding in it. It's as easy as that.
Though I still need to practice, as I continue to lift the bike MUCH too high when going through the barriers.

Beating me up

Ouch. I'm hurting today. This cross training/racing thing is beating me up.

My legs hurt, my feet hurt, my back hurts and I'm freaking tired (dang barriers and run up)! But, the cool thing is-I can't wait to recover and DO IT AGAIN!

That's the great thing about cycling. There are so many different types of riding your bike that it's impossible to get board. There is always something a little different to do to challenge you mentally and physically.

Check this out!

I like sharing my knowledge. Sometimes people want to hear what I have to say and sometimes people wish I would keep my mouth closed.

So, for anyone wanting to learn from my experiences as an athlete, coach and person check out
http://alpcyclescoaching.blogspot.com/.

I have set up this blog to share my knowledge about bicycling. In it you will find anything and everything bicycle related. I also set it up with the hopes of attracting people who are looking for a coach. Earlier this summer, I started to coach a few cyclists and I love it! I love to share my knowledge and to help others achieve their goals.

Chair Lift?

I grew up skiing. Take the chair lift up, ski down. Chair lift up, ski down. For more than 20 years, I participated in this act of taking the chair lift up and skiing down.

When I first starting hearing of people taking the ski lift up and riding their BIKES down, I thought that was the stupidest thing ever. You ride your bike to ride your bike. Not to coast downhill. You ride your bike for exercise and the ability to eat cake and not feel guilty. The best part of going down is knowing you just rode your bike up in the first place. You don't take the chair lift up. I characterized downhill mtn bikers as lazy and out of shape.

Then I tried it.
And it was FUN!
Hanging out with friends on the lift and flying (or at least trying to fly) downhill-

Then, I got tired. Yep, I was tired after a day of riding my bike downhill.

Roadie Trip

What do you get when you take two anal "roadies" and send them to Vegas to race Cross Vegas?

Answer- A mini van filled with questions, extra equipment, two of everything, and a whole bunch of uncertainties.

The roadie trip started on Monday in snow and 29 degrees.
It continued into Utah where after 24.5 bathroom stops we found pretty scenery.
Into a coffee shop in Cedar City for a stop to say hello to awesome roadie friends, Nikky and Jenna.
Finally, into Vegas where upon arrival it was 92 degrees and extremely overwhelming for us two "country bumpkins".
The trip is about to hit it's climax as Kori and I are somewhat ready to exhibit our Cross skills tonight at 8pm.

Change of season

As the leaves change, so does the bike riding. As a "roadie" if you don't go to Europe to race in September, your season is over. The saying goes, "the race season ends and the drinking season starts" (does the drinking season ever end?). For me, the race season ends and the time to try and do new things starts. This is where stress free mountain biking and cross racing come in.

I have a sweet new Fuji cross bike that I have been riding and will attempt to race on. So far, I have been successful at crash testing it (it has held up well).

The first test was in Breckenridge on Sunday.
-One race
-One crash
-One win!

The next test is in Vegas.
Tomorrow.