East Side Epic

Last week I had mentioned the east side epic, the 1st race in the Leadville winter mountain bike series. Well it was Badass and truly epic. The course was perfect the night before the race, two groomers had the course absolutely perfect. Then more snow came, we had 10" of new snow by race time with blizzard like conditions. Around 12 degrees, dumping snow and the wind was howling. Did a little abbreviation of the course, so all in all it was now 11 miles.
The start was a nice mellow snow packed road, nice and quick until we got to the first groomed section. I was unable to ride the 10" of fresh over the groomers so the slog began, picking off several riders who aren't as down with the hike a bike. A mile and a half of this and then it headed down, super plush with snow blowing everywhere. A quick spin on the snow packed road and a tough but cleanable section over to 5th street. The climb up 5th was nice and steep and allowed me to pass a few others.
A quick push up and then one of the most amazing descents I have ever had. Hard groomed surface underneath with over a foot, by this time, of the fluffiest and lightest snow, ever! As fast as you could pedal with snow blowing all over your chest with pedals in the snow with each stroke. Absolutely fabulous!!! However, it went from awesome to awful in about ten feet. At the bottom of the descent to California gulch is when it got awful. Wind was whipping with 30-40 mph winds the drifts were over 2' deep, slogfest. The wind was brutal, lower your head and slog on. It was probably -15 to -20 degrees with wind chill. Absolutely brutal. By the time we got back to the road there was 5-7" of fresh snow on the road. Came across the finish line and had a blast!
Wasn't sure about the finish and still not sure. I thought Chad was overall winner on a ss fat bike, but he must have missed a turn or something. Anyway, saw in the paper the other day that I was 1st ss, but whatever. Just to show how tough it was, it took me 1hr and 50 min to go 11 miles, kinda crazy! It was an absolutely fabulous time. Hope to see some of you for the second race.


GO RIDE!!!

Winter wonderland

The v-dub, finally running like it should!



Maddie and buddy on the xc ski this am. Maddie hooked it up and made tracks for the old man all morning. This was the road, later all you could see was the tip of buddies tail sticking up above the snow. Good times.


GO RIDE!!!

The moon setting this am in Leadville, absolutely beautiful!



The sun setting this evening over Frisco



Neither of these pics do any justice to the amount of color that was in the sky.


The weather has been amazing as of late. Over 45" of snow over the last three days in summit county, kind of silly. Bluebird day today was superb.

Speaking of amazing conditions, rode the east side epic course tonight without lights and it is absolutely awesome. Pretty firmly packed and soooo much fun. If you have the opportunity to come to Leadville Saturday morning it would definitely be worth your time and effort. You have to love it when trails are groomed just for bicycles, so rad.





GO RIDE!!!

Freshies, on the bike

A little pre-ride of parts of the east side epic this am, after fixing the v-dub. Conditions are shaping up nicely with a fresh foot of snow last night. The sun is out, the trails are currently being groomed and all is a go. Look forward to seeing some front range peeps this weekend. It's gonna be 12 miles of awesomeness.




















and here's the latest family portrait, complete with the new addition.






black & white is opening up and buddy's fitting right in. You'd never know he's 10. He's cool!

GO RIDE!!!

HOME!!!

Had a little free time before and after clinic on Saturday and was in need of some play time.












This is what the morning bike ride looked like as I watched the sun rise.






Hiked up some fluffy stuff





Transitioned to the fatties







And headed off the mountain. Was never further than ten miles from the house. I love this place.

Starting out right

New year's eve was a wash. Car broke down on the way home in 10 below zero temps and had to hitch hike home, then catch a ride back to work on new year's day. So I took yesterday as my new year's day and broke out the fatties for my 1st run on them.



No skins for them yet, so used the snowshoes for an awesome hike up



Everyday I love this place more and more.



Transitioning from snowshoes to the fatties.


Where we headed. A great day and the best turns I have ever made on the tele's. The icelantic's are badass. Can't wait for some more.