Check out MORBIDMTB.COM if you haven't already, fun on two wheels or a bottle.

Labels: bike, morbid

There is going to be snow on the ground soon! Get outside! MikeyB and I hit up Leb for a few laps. Broke out the lights and had a ton of fun. Come on out with us!

Labels: bike

Ahh, riding. You should go!

Labels: bike

I have been doing a lot of riding with MikeyB on some of the sweet offroad trails around the city. We hit Murphy Saturday AM before the rain. Sunday Night I met MikeyB and Aimee at Terrace Oaks for a few laps. Get out and ride your bike, it is more fun then you would think.

Me clearing the rock obstacle.


Me riding the log.

Labels: bike

Windy and hot today, felt like crap from the start. I got there around 4:45 and stood in line to register. Got through that pretty quick and got the rest of my stuff together and the bike assembled. I only got about a 10 minute warm up, I usually need about 8-10 miles before my legs are set to go. Stupid 5:30 start time.

I got to the line and there was a bigger crowd for the Cat 5 race, 22 or 23 riders and a juniors coach. And go. We are off, kinda fast right away into the wind. I am about mid-pack at this point and still feeling like the brown stuff. We all stay together for the first lap. As we got to the start/finish line everyone slowed up and no one wanted to be in the wind on the front. This kept up until the wind hit our backs on the back straightaway, then they gunned it.

This kept up for the first few laps and I hung on for the first 4 laps and then popped. The juniors coach kept yelling at us to get going and get on peoples wheel. As much as I wanted to push him into the dirt I really did appreciate it. He gave me a couple of nice pushes and led me for a minute or two. After I started pushing it again I didn't see him anymore.

I caught up to two guys that were off the back of the main pack in the 7th lap and stayed with them until near the end. The revved it up and I just wanted to finish. I didn't sprint against them as I was back aways. There was at least one person behind me and 2 DNFs I think but I wasn't even near being lapped or anything so I had a good ride.

Thanks to Anne for showing up and cheering and to Mike for some food!

More race reports mid July I think. Later!

Labels: bike, racing, spbrc

Windy again but not as warm. Winds were out of the West at a little over 20 mph with gusts near 40 mph. Riding across a vast stretch of what was flat farmland with those kinds of winds beat the shit out of you. You don't wanna be riding a bike or trying to cast a fly fishing line into it. One thing I also learned during the race is remember wind direction when spitting.

The race went off with a quick reading of the rules and a go from the official. I was feeling a bit spent already, I didn't feel very well at work and wasn't hungry all day but felt fine enough to ride. My legs felt good but my lungs were heavy. I should have ate more food.

The first lap was fine, pretty fast but it was nice to be in the group and get dragged through the wind. The second lap was about the same. I was on the back though since I failed to jam my self into the paceline. Third lap I was still holding on the back and didn't get dropped until the fourth lap. There were 3 others that were off the back also and it was getting pretty spaced out. The front group was absolutely killing it and after the 5th lap I didn't see them much. I slowly started drifting away.

B passed me and my lungs were toast. I wasn't feeling like trying to catch up to him and just wanted to finish. As I was rounding a corner after taking a sip of my ClifShot drink a few minutes earlier I tried to get rid of some of the thicker built up mix in my mouth. As I changed directions the wind did not and when I let the sucker fly it went right along my right cheek, hair and part of my helmet. I don't think any made it to the intended ground target.

As I went through the start/finish my teammates were killing it for the win, Ben from Bianchi/GP took the win. I still had a lap to finish. I wasn't last or lapped but was close. Will next week be my week and finish in the pack?

-pete

Labels: bike, racing, spbrc

This was the final night of the St. Paul Bicycle Racing Clubs Beginners Racing Program. We hit the Velodrome at the National Sports Center in Blaine. Click the photos for larger sizes(Thanks Anne for taking the pictures!).



It was a lot of fun to get out there and ride on the track bikes. If you don't know what they are the bikes don't have brakes and don't coast. You use your legs to speed up and slow down. Your legs are your brakes.



One of the guys from the club brought with a pro womens rider from the Tibco Team that will be racing in the Nature Valley Grand Prix. She has some track racing experience and it was cool to see her flying around the track.

It was a great time giving it a try but I don't think I will be making it up there much for racing. Blaine is just too far of a drive on Thursday Nights but next year I may take their beginner class. We will see. Later!

Labels: bike, spbrc

Summit Criterium - Dakota County Technical College


It was hot, 91 when we started the race, winds were moving out of the South East steady at 18mph with gusts at 29mph. Each lap was about 1.2 miles and it was an eight lap crit for the beginners. This is my first road race that I have ever been in so I wasn't sure quite what to expect. I took some warm up laps with a guy(we'll call him M) from my class earlier in the evening after we got through registration and our numbers pinned on and then right before the race we were allowed to take another set of warm ups. I should have stopped after the first of these right before the race.

Immediately after we got to the line after those two laps the official ran through the rules and we were off. Since we pulled up to the back of the pack at the line we were in the back right after the start. My strategy was to finish this race, that was it, even if it was DFL(Dead Fricken Last) but was hoping I wouldn't be last. I followed with the group pretty easily near the back for the first 2 laps but was pretty tired and thirsty. I should have brought a water bottle with but I was new to this and dumb. Lap 3 started to spread out a few off the back and I was one of them. I was yo-yoing to stay on but kept getting gaps with people in front of me. Lap 4 I fell apart. I just wanted to pull of the course, I had a side ache from not enough water, three of us were a bit off the back of the group and they were pulling away.

There was a coach following behind the group and sat in behind us three, he urged us to work together and we started to a bit. M, the guy I took warm ups with was with me along with another guy we will call B. I was still a little mentally out of it at this point and just wanted to pull off, my side ache killed and I felt like I was done. Three laps to go. That is encouraging, I can't pull off after the halfway point. So M, B, and I worked a little better to get going. I tucked in behind M and B was behind me. M took a pull for about 20 seconds and I pulled after that but B wasn't really working with us for some reason. I am not sure if he just didn't have the legs or lungs or if he was just mentally out of it too.

Two laps to go. We were still trying to bring B with us and I was starting to think it was a mistake working with him. We were sitting up and waiting at times for him but I took a long pull out of the slight incline and out of the headwind and pushed it had up to the line, one lap to go, the bell rings, we are all still together and M and I are still pulling. I take a pull and push it again, I did't look to far back but see that M is on my wheel, he takes a pull into the headwind, then I take a pull, B gets back into our group but beat him through the corners and M stretched it out to the line. I am about a wheel in front of B and two bikes back from M about 100 meters to the line, I floor it. I catch M and pass him only taking him by about a wheel. Not sure how far back B was but he finished back from M.

I felt fine after the race and it was a good learning experience. Some things I would do differently if I could: 1) Bring water on the race, 2) stay in the pack at all costs, 3) lose some weight, 4) pre ride slower and longer, 5) push it harder, felt like I still had a lot to give at the end.

Until next time!
-pete

Labels: bike, racing, spbrc

So I saw this guy sunning himself up in Fort Snelling where 5 and 55 meet near the quick gravel sections between the concrete walk/bikeways. I whipped out the RAZR and snapped this crappy picture. I wasn't sure what it was at the time, it looked and acted like a Rattlesnake but without the rattler part of the tail. But it did shake it's tail like one. I kept my distance and a few other guys on bikes showed up and I warned them of the snake. Since it was in the middle of the trail we decided to try to get it to move off the trail.

It did eventually slither off into the grass near the buildings and we all went on our way. I was on my way to the SPBRC BRP class #3. We worked on some paceline skills and cornering. It was a nice time and there was no threat of rain. It has rained the last two times I was down there.

The part of the trail I take down there will be closed from May 29th to June 29th so I need to find an alternate route... Oh well, a longer ride won't hurt too bad.

Oh, I looked up the snake today while at work, my guess: Fox Snake. Your thoughts on it?

Labels: bike, snake, spbrc

This is part of my afternoon commute home. I ride through part of Fort Snelling State Park. I prefer this much more than driving. As I took this picture up on 5 and 55 cars are backed up for nearly a mile along the road. Suckers.

Friday is bike to work day and you should do it. If you have showers near/at work you have no excuse. If you drive less than 5 miles, no excuse. :) 10 miles was my excuse for a long time not to ride in, but it is pretty easy. I met one guy here who rides nearly 26 miles each way 2-3 times a week. Makes me feel like a slacker all these years. Get out and ride!



I have been riding this route for about a month now, 3-4 days a week and I never want to go back to commuting full time by car. The thought of it makes me sad. Even in the winter I want to ride in and I am going to try. Right now my route is about 10 miles in each direction but the ride home usually get stretched into about 15 depending on time. :)



I am not exactly sure how many miles I have ridden, or how much weight I have dropped but by riding into work I am happier in the AM, get in two 45 minute workouts each time I ride in. Well have a good bike to work day Friday!

-pete

Labels: bike, commute

Too may acronyms? St. Paul Bike Racing Club Beginners Racing Program.

Tonight was the first night of the BRP. I wasn't feeling well when I left work today but by about 5:15pm I was feeling okay. Since I signed up for this program I figured I better head over there. The class is held in Ft. Snelling and we met in the first parking lot. They split the group in to two smaller groups, red and blue. I am pretty sure it was split by skill level, blue were more accomplished riders and red, not as much. I was placed in the red group. I was fine with that.

We talked through a few things about pace lines, tire sweeping, etc. Then came some rain. We made our way over to a shelter and hung out there talking about some of the concepts until the rain stopped. Then we did some riding, single file at first at about 12-14 mph. A nice easy pace. Both of the leaders did a great job controlling the group and answering questions.

There were no major crashes but there was a guy at the end who came into the parking lot a little too fast and his brakes were still wet. I didn't see him go down but his jersey and stuff looked okay. It looks like he might of blew his front tire and then went down. Either way a little ice might help.

If you are thinking about racing road bikes or just want to learn to ride in groups try the BRP next year. So far totally worth it.

-pete

Labels: bike, racing, spbrc

After work yesterday I came home to let the Fred out, I was already late to softball and most of the first game was done before I left work last night. I decided not to go to the rest of the 2nd game. I looked at the forecast and saw lots of rain in our future. I decided to cut the grass. The front was much longer than the back but it still wasn't terribly long. I raised the blades of the mower and started pushing.

It took me about 10 minutes to do the front yard and I bet I could do in in 5 since I now know how the reel mower works. It works pretty well, I liked it. I used our battery powered Toro weed whip to edge and do a little clean up. It also worked well.

After all the lawn care was done I played with Fredo for a little bit and then decided to pull down the fast bike off the rack in the basement. I filled the tires with more air, took the watt computer I had on it for the trainer off, cleaned it up, and took it for a short spin up and down the street to see how she was feeling.

Wow, I forgot how fast that thing is. It gets up to speed in no time and keep the speed on inclines also. I hope we get some nice periods this weekend because I would love to get it out on the road again and do 40-50 miles.

Have a good weekend.

Labels: bike, house

I left work excited to get through the first 4 miles of my ride home. The first 4 miles are all on highways, usually the speed limit is 55 but people usually go 60 or more. Once I got across the bridge and into Fort Snelling I decided to take a few minutes and watch the people across the river sitting on the beach. There were a few people playing with dogs and a few just tanning. I snap a quick picture up river and move out.

I look at my watch when I get near the dog park, 5:10 it blinks at me. I remember telling Anne I would be home by 6. Quick math, 50 minutes to keep riding. It was too nice just to go straight home. So I keep heading north through Minnehaha Park. I come to Minnehaha parkway and cross 55 heading toward Lake Nokomis. I follow the parkway and go around the Nokomis ball fields until I hit Cedar. I follow Cedar back south towards the lake.

When I hit the lake I have a choice to make, long way or short way. Long way it is. I made it home with plenty of time to spare. It was a great day to commute by bike.

Labels: bike, commute

They made it hanging off the handle bars for about 4.5 miles into work. They smell nice.

Labels: bike, commute, flowers

I wish I would have had my camera this morning. As I was crossing the Mendota Bridge the sun was shining through the mist over the river, the wind was non existent and I didn't even notice the cars. It was awesome. I rode that mile of bridge pretty slow. When I got off the bridge and up the hill I could smell something... It was my favorite smell of spring. Lilacs. God they smelled good. I rode pretty slow along that stretch as well.

The commuter tires are working well, 40 miles on this week. The ride home was windy and out of the North, felt like a 10 mile uphill ride, I cut down to the lower part of Fort Snelling for the part of the ride after the bridge, got some wind relief but there are more hills and way more runners. Damn shirtless runners. :)

Later.

Labels: bike, commute

I left off the last post with a lumpy tube in my tire and a good guess that it would also be flat when I got back out there. I did some thinking in the afternoon and decided I may need to figure out how to get a ride to a shop to buy a tube or find someone at work that also may have biked in. I decide to hit up the Caribou Coffee to grab some coffee and think about my situation. Miss the first part? Here!

As I was walking to the elevators I ran into a guy I know from Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists that also works in the building. I asked him if he had an extra tube and told him my story. He says, "Yeah, I do, let's go grab it." Yes! So we go out, grab a tube from his bike and head back in, I promise to bring him a new tube on Monday and pray to god that he doesn't get a flat on the way home since this was his only tube. He didn't.

End of the day. Walking out to my bike I can see that the tire is flat. Not low but flat. I remember that West has a mobile repair guy that repairs flats on cars and jump starts them. I replace the smaller tube for the larger one I secured earlier in the day. I walk my bike up to the building and head to the guard desk and ask them to have the guy swing up to the front for an air fill.

When he arrived I walked over to him and showed him my flat. He tells me that he has never filled up a bike tire at West. He asks me how many PSI to put into the tire, I tell him 40. He says okay and it is full in about 2 seconds. I thank him and am on my way.

I get to my Super America turn about 4 miles into the ride and notice that the tire is leaking slowly still. I looked over that whole damn tire and couldn't find anything in there. So I pull up to the SA and run inside and ask them to flip on the compressor. I fill the tire back up. On my way again.

I decide to hit up Hiawatha Cyclery to pick up some tubes and sympathy. Got both, 3 tubes and a little bit of sympathy. :) The tire is holding air better since the SA fill up, so I ride it home. It is running at about 10 PSI when I get home and bring it downstairs.

It goes up on the stand, I eat dinner and go to work. Time to put the commuter slicks on the spare wheel set, the winter wheel set. I pull off the studded tires and hang them up. I pull the slicks off the Bianchi and hang that back up. I pull the tires off my MTB and hang the front up. I pull the flat tire off the back and give it a closer inspection. Nothing that I can see on the outside, so I turn it inside out.

I am running my hand over the inside and feel a little something. I look, don't see anything. Run the hand over again. Ahh, What is that? It looks like a needle or something. I grab the needle nose pliers and try to get a hold of it. Nothing. Umm, try the other side and I get it pulled out. It is literately about this big --> | but 1/2 the thickness.. I hang that tire up, I don't even remount it on the rim, too frustrated. I do however mount the slicks and adjust the brakes on the bike...

I guess we will see how she rides Monday...

Labels: bike, commute, flat

I thought I was prepared, I really did. A little back story first...I have been riding my bike into work for the last few days. I have been really enjoying it for the most part. The first half of my ride takes me through my neighborhood, Minnehaha Park, Fort Snelling and across the Mendota Bridge over the river. The second half isn't quite as scenic. It is a ride along and on 55 and 149. Traffic on my left going 55mph+ but it does have a pretty good shoulder for the most part and everyone has been giving me a ton of room.

The ride is about 10 miles each way and takes me about 40-45 minutes on my mountain bike, 35 if I really push it. Well this morning I took off a few minutes later than I have been since it was a little chillier this morning but there wasn't any wind so I waited until it went up a few degrees. The first half of my ride was beautiful as usual and went by pretty quick even though I was taking it pretty slow enjoying the ride.



The second half was far less enjoyable...In fact, it sucked. As I am riding down 55 I noticed the rear tire was getting a little mushy so I kept riding until I found a little business park to pull into. I pull in, get on the grass and give the tire a squeeze. ppppssssssstttttthhhhhhh......fuck. No big deal, I am good at changing flats, I can do it in a few minutes at the most. So I reach into the bag to grab my C02 pump and hook it up to my valve and give it a blast. ppppsssstthhhh...fuck. Alright, I have another C02 cylinder in here....fuck. No I don't. Well I guess I get to push my bike through the business parks to Quik Trip where there is a free air station. Sweet, it is only about a half of a mile or so...wait, no, it was .75.

I get to Quik Trip, pull up to the air pump and get my spare tube out. I look at it, and it looks a little skinny...oh shit. Wrong tube, it is a 27x1.5 and my mtb is a 26x2.20...for you non bikey folk out there that means that it is too big around and too narrow. Fuck it. I don't want to walk the other 2 miles to work. So I shove the tube in there and fill it up. It is a little lumpy and really slushy as the tire moves in corners when the tube does not. It gets me to work and I have learned some good lessons...I am bringing a better pump and looking at what tube I am carrying as a spare...

Route: Google Map

Labels: bike, commute, flat, fuck

So you remember last year about this time when I got hit by a car? No? Read about it here: Smacked.

If you do remember well it has been a year(today) since the accident. It doesn't hurt or cause me any problems since really after it healed. But I still have a nice scar as a reminder to never trust anyone in a car when I am on my bike. Well this is a reminder to watch out for cars. Stupid cars.

-pete

Labels: accident, bike, car, leg