Mash w/ Lance Armstrong

Check out this cool video of some bike messengers riding with Lance Armstrong.

Another great vid.

More Pics

This may be a lame post, but the ride was awesome and the colors were amazing. I rode the Alpine Loop, Provo side, this morning. I had to take it easy on the way down as the traffic, even on a Monday, was pretty heavy.

Betty, Lament, Area 51, Dry Canyon

I finally got out the single speed and went for a night ride on Sat. night. I went up the BST to Betty's, Lament, Area 51, and then dropped down dry canyon and returned home. This was my first ride with my trust fire flashlights (thanks to KanyonKris for the recommendation). I was impressed. I had one on my handlebars and one on my helmet.

My helmet cam was a bit disappointing. The video I shot was pretty much worthless. I'll save the helmet cam for day rides.

I forgot how much I enjoy my single speed even though it weighs 30 pounds. I don't even mind the fully rigid setup. The ghetto tubeless setup is still working for me.

I ran into a couple from my neighborhood, John & Esther, up on the BST. They were just finishing a ride but decided to join me for a bit. Even though they turned back right before the altar, it was nice having someone to ride with for a bit.

Some pics

Here are a few pics from my ride up the Provo side of the loop this morning. The aspens haven't turned yet, but the oaks are awesome.

I'm thinking about giving cyclocross a try this fall. I've never done it before and would be using a mountain bike. I need to get the green light from my wife on this one--still formulating a strategy on how to sell this one.

Anyone know why there isn't a cross race in Utah county?

Last day of Summer

Even though it was chilly this morning, I rode squaw. Not a soul on the road. Nice quick ride before work.

Alpine Loop

I rode the Alpine Loop (Provo side) this morning-- another amazing morning. There were some low clouds at the mouth of Sundance canyon. The sun was pushing through the cloud which made a pretty cool vista riding up the loop.

I had some friends who had started 25 min in front of me. It was fun to have some people to chase to try and catch.

I wanted to get some video of the downhill--especially the fall colors. I tried my new helmet cam - contour hd. Unfortunately I had it pointed down a little too much. I did get some good footage of Todd A. as a truck ran him off the road on the descent. He locked his rear tire, released, went off into the ditch on the side, and amazingly rode it out. I was amazed.

Check out this photo from a guy riding LOTOJA - what kind of bike is that?

Fall Colors

It was a perfect morning for a short ride up South Fork. The leaves are changing and it is beautiful.

It felt good to ride the bike again. When I rode LOTOJA, I hardly looked around to enjoy the beauty of the ride--I just put my head down and rode. It was nice to ride without pressure this morning and enjoy a near perfect morning ride.

I am looking forward to riding the Alpine Loop in the next couple of days. I will also be dusting off the mtn bike and ss and getting out on the trail.

LOTOJA report

I wasn't sure how this years LOTOJA would go this year--I hadn't done all the preparation that I did last year. My goal was to finish in the 10 hour range.

A quick summary

• It was warmer in Logan than last year
• I hooked on with a good group from the start and rode with them through most of the race.
• There was a headwind this year, however, the group I was with pushed through it.
• I tried to improve my feedzone times this year. I did stop but I would try to quick swap bottles, grab more gels and head right back out. Last years time was 31 min of stop time, this year was 26 min. I guess musette bags are the only way to really cut out that stop time.
• I was much slower going over the climb on Salt River, but I knew to ride within my limits.
• The tail wind coming into Afton was a pleasant surprise.
• From Afton to Alpine Junction, I was in the back of the pace line when some Skull Candy idiot riders lost a wheel, and my group that I had been riding with up to that point, continued down the road and I never saw them again. They finished 20 minutes faster than I did.
• Out of Alpine, I joined some Cat racers and worked with them all the way to the finish. I knew I would be very close to meeting my goal. I felt horrible for one of the riders who flatted with 1 mile to the finish.
• My finishing time was 10:58. I cut off over 30 min from my time last year. I'm very happy with the ride. No flats, no mechanical problems

Some closing observations

• My parents were my support crew. I appreciate them taking the time and helping me with the race. It is a long day.
• Honey Stinger Chews are awesome. I've been a fan of sport beans, but I have to say, the chews are better
• I'll be wearing pants for the next few days as I work to scrub off this ridiculous lotoja stamp on my leg
• Congrats to my neighbor Mark who finished LOTOJA this year. He hung with his friend Steve and made sure Steve finished even though it took them a long time. Mark easily could have matched my time.
• It was great to ride with the group from Pleasant View.
• I put on some new bar tape called gecko grips. I'm a fan.