The Double

Well the first WORS race of the year was fast and fun as always, I do not think I was mentally or physically ready for it though. After doing the Circut of Sauk road race the day before I did not have enough left in the tank. I should have just did one race instead of two if I wanted a good result at either, but it is hard to turn down a race that is only 15 minutes away. I think I will try the double again next weekend with LDL Saturday and Rhinelander Sunday, just won't expect great results at either of them. The Wildside Velo team had a great turnout for Iola with 14 racers competing and it was good to reconnect with all the other racers after the winter lay off.

Another Fine Weekend

Got in almost 6 hours of riding this weekend. Saturday was 45 miles and 4000' of elevation. The hills seem a lot bigger at this time of year but riding with the group sure makes it a lot more fun. Made it up Freedom, Denzer, and a few others before turning back for home, had a party to attend for Dog Boy not smoking for four years. Monica got to ride her boy Milky way for 1 1/2 hours, funny how he has bucked five people, but when his girl shows up to ride him he is like a big Lab. Sunday was a nice relaxing tour of the flats around the Muck Farms and Levee road, made it through the Dells and over to Mirror Lake before heading for the barn doors, got a few extra miles in, riding with B-Rad home and then headed back south. Finished up with a mighty fine steak at Outback Steakhouse.
Even though it is early you still have to make a big effort for those stop ahead sign sprints.

A Little Mud on the Tire

Two days of mountain biking in a row. The Dells trails are open and clear, Brad even had a new trail to deal with the new construction. Saturday we had 6 riders for about 1:30, it started to rain just as we got back to the cars and we finished up with Black Betty and BBQ Pizza at Moosejaw. On Sunday we were going to head out to the Kettles but decided to try Blue Mounds for the first time. Spencer, Chasity, and myself rode the trails while Monica and Julia hiked. Definitely not for the beginner, very technical. We did most of the loops, the only trail we missed was Holy Schist, I guess we had to save something for the next time. After 2 hours of riding Spencer and I arrived at the car with a few rain drops on our backs, loaded up and headed for the Grumpy Troll in Mount Horeb. Another delicious ending to some delicious trails.

Christmas in March

The Kenda and Crank Bros orders arrived today. Not free, but pretty darn cheap through the rider support programs.

Been a while.

Finished the Shamrock Shuffle with Bryan in record time for me this year. Also ran with Chris Pitts and Chris Lemke. Legs were sore for three days. The Tuesday night rides have begun. They are not the leg burners that will be coming in the next month but they are a lot of fun. Monica has her new ride put together and went for her first ride of the year tonight. Can't wait until we start hitting the mountain bike trails

In the basement

Been spending time with the mill and the trainer in the basement, and trying to line up new sponsors for the team. We scored another local bar, Captain Bradys' Showboat Saloon and Kenda has the team on the Rider Support Program for 2010. Moosejaw Pizza and Dells Brewing Company are still on board. Mark has been supporting the team since he owned Pump House Brewery, that makes this year number 12 for him and his business. Pete and the guys at Wildside Adventure Store are title sponsors again and we hope to win more shiny plaques to hang in the shop this year.
So far I am ahead in my training from last year. The watts are up and the weight is down, unfortunately I am still a clyde. Have two more months of hard work before I stop worrying about the weight and focus more on the racing. Signed up for my first event, 10K Shamrock Shuffle, still up in the air about Berry Roubaix.

Shot Time

The first real road ride of the year and I definitely can feel it in the legs. Managed to get three full hours in and see a bit of the Sauk County country side. I have been offered a shot during rides before but this was a first for a non pub crawl ride. We were about 5-6 miles from finishing up at the Krayers when some nice fella stuck his head out of the door of a bar and yelled " do you want a shot of peppermint?" I think he was kind of shocked when we all turned around and said "heck yeah". He proceeded to get a bottle of peppermint schnapps and glasses. He was just as equally surprised to find out that the lycra clad bike riders Ryan and Lisa were his neighbors. What a great ride, I hope offers of food and beverage keep coming as we pass through the little towns and villages of the state this year.