Conference Finals

This past weekend was conference finals. Well, sort of. I drove up to Wyoming on Friday night with Phil, and we arrived dreading the next morning because we heard that it was supposed to be below freezing and snowing and windy. Not the most ideal conditions for a road race. So I got up at 5:45 the next morning and was greeted by a wintry scene outside with freezing temperatures and blowing snow. I immediately considered going back to bed and not even racing. It just was not worth that kind of suffering. Then I got the best phone call I have gotten in a while... the race was cancelled! So I went back to sleep and was able to relax the rest of the day. Sunday was the conference championship crit, which did not end up being cancelled. The A race started at 8 AM, so I was up early again. The weather was a little nicer, but still cold. Temperature on the start line was 34 degrees. The race went pretty well for me... I stayed towards the front and held on for 45 min. out of the 60 min. race, which was better than last weekend's crit.

Today was a beautiful day in Boulder. I celebrated the nice weather by going for a great mountain bike ride with Peter. We did a quick ride up to Betasso, and came back in time to go to the Club Sports end-of-the-year reception, which was nice because it was a free dinner! The next few days are supposed to be even nicer, so hopefully more good rides are to come. In the meantime, I'll be studying for exams, which are next week. Ouch.

Spring has arrived!

So this past weekend we finally had nice weather all weekend. I took advantage of it by racing in Colorado Springs. Peter, Chris, Abby and I drove down on Saturday morning to get to the Springs in time for the crit in the afternoon. The weather was actually hot, at least compared to the weather we've had recently. By race time, it was probably close to 75 degrees. This race was a new step for me because it was my first collegiate A race, meaning that I am now racing with the big guns. The crit was hard from the gun. The group got strung out immediately, and my heart rate shot upward. In fact, I couldn't find a single place on the course to rest, as I was just trying to hang on for dear life. I lasted about half the race (28 min.) and finally got gapped after the tight U-turn on the course. That was the end of the race for me, and I got to go sit in the shade and catch my breath while the rest of the guys battled it out. I was kind of disappointed, but after all, it was my first A crit and the course was not well suited for me due to the power climb on each lap. After the race, we grabbed some food, then took a much-needed nap. We went to Carraba's for dinner, which was quite entertaining, and then went back to the hotel and crashed. Sunday was the Air Force road race. Our race was 5 laps on a loop that was roughly 13 miles. This time, the course suited me pretty well because it had a long, steady climb in it. I took 4th in the B's last year at this race, so I was confident I could do alright in the A's. Unfortunately, however, it was a really windy day, with gusts reaching close to 35 mph, which made the race a little harder than I anticipated. I hung in the main group for 3 laps, then stayed with a small group off the back of the lead group for the 4th lap, and ended up soloing the 5th lap. I pretty much hit the wall on the last lap and came in roughly 10 minutes behind the winners, but I was proud of myself for hanging in and finishing the race, seeing as many of the riders dropped out. I think just because I finished, I guaranteed myself a top 20... I'll take it. After the race, I got to drive an hour and a half back to Boulder, and we made it back just in time to see the ridiculousness of the 4/20 celebration, although we did not partake.

This is Colorado for you...

So apparently it likes to snow 3-5 inches the day after it's 80 degrees in Colorado. The weather is teasing me. That is all.

Fun Weekend

This weekend was quite fun. Friday night, I just got to sit at home and relax with my roomates, which was actually very enjoyable because it's not often that I just get to sit around and not worry about having to do anything. After sleeping in on Saturday, Jacob, Phil, Chris P. and I went to Hall Ranch to hit up some mountain biking. It was a beautiful day, and the trail was surprisingly dry. I rode well, and cleaned a good number of technical sections that I normally have trouble with. AND I didn't have any hard falls like last time, which made the ride all the more fun. Today was the cycling team ride-a-thon, and about 20 people showed up for a relaxed group ride. Chris and I put the hurt on from the get-go with our sneaky double prong attack from the back, and Chris owned the climbs to claim the virtual king of the mountains jersey. I think it was probably the proudest moment in his cycling career. The weather was even better than yesterday, and I managed to get a pretty gnarly tan line. Yes, that's right, the cycling tan is back for another season...

Looks like another trainer day...

I'm ready for it to be warm.

April snow brings May flowers?

So this is my first post on my new blog! Hopefully with this whole blog thing, you (my friends and family) will be able to catch a glimpse of everyday life for me in beautiful Boulder, CO. Although right now, my life has a lot of constants, with those being school and training. In fact, that's about all that has been going on the last couple of months. A couple of weeks ago, I did get to spend the weekend with my parents, who flew out for the beginning of my spring break. It was so great to see them, and the short time they were here was jam-packed with activity. That Saturday, I had a collegiate cycling race up in Greeley, CO that they got to come watch. Immediately after that, we drove up to Estes Park, and got some fresh mountain air and stunning views. The next day was our home collegiate race in the morning, which I followed up with my first pro/1/2/3 race in the afternoon. In fact it was an afternoon of firsts, because it also happened to be my first race with my new cycling team, Vitamin Cottage. The race went especially well for me, because I got to race with the big guns- Tom Danielson, Ivan Stevic, Chris Baldwin, and many more, and I hung in for the entire 1 hour crit. I did get dropped with 2 laps to go, but it was close enough to the end that I didn't get lapped, and that was a moral victory for me. I'm so glad my parents got to be here to watch, as it was definitely a milestone (if only a small one) in my short cycling career.

The next day was spent on a very pleasant hike up at Walker Ranch. We were again treated to relatively mild weather for this time of year, and of course great views at the top. Unfortunately, this was my parents last day of their visit, and the next morning they flew back to Richmond. The time they were here was short, but well spent and enjoyed by all. I can't wait to see them again.

After my parents' visit, I was able to go to Moab, Utah for 4 days of mountain biking with Abby, Chris, Peter, and James, all friends from the cycling team. It was my first trip to Moab, and I don't think I could have had a better first experience. We camped at the Slickrock Trailhead, and got to ride some of the coolest trails I have ever ridden. I think the Porcupine Rim Trail was by far my favorite, and each day was in the 70's, so that made the trip even better. There's nothing like riding your bike all day, then coming back and relaxing at the campsite all night, and then getting up and doing it all again the next day (all without a shower, of course). In fact, that was the only downside to the trip... no running water. But I definitely got my fair share of hobo showers in the City Market. After Moab, we went to Fruita, CO on the way back towards Boulder to get one more good mountain bike ride in before everyone had to head back. We hit up the Mary's Loop and Moore Fun trails in Fruita, which were just as technical and fun as the trails in Moab. After our ride we parted ways, as Abby and Peter went back to Boulder, and I stayed in Grand Junction for the collegiate road race the next day. I met up with the rest of the team that night at our hotel, and got a much needed shower before going to bed early. The race the next day went fairly well. It was a 60 mile road race, with a fair amount of climbing. I got in a break, and ended up taking 7th in the B's, which was a pretty decent result this early in the season. Last year I took 2nd in the race when it was the Conference Championship road race, so the course seems to suit my strengths.

After my busy but fun spring break, it was back to school, and that's all that has really happened the last week and a half. This past weekend I got to race again, with a hill climb in Golden on Saturday, and the always-popular Koppenburg Road Race on Sunday. The hill climb went alright place-wise (5th), but I felt that I could have pushed a little harder because I ended up with a lot left in the tank at the end. Oh well. The Koppenburg on Sunday was a different story. It was only my second Cat 3 road race ever and considering, I think I did alright. I dropped my chain going into the first climb, then had to chase hard to get back on. Bad luck struck again on the third lap, when there was a brutal crash in front of me on the fastest part of the course (40 mph). I heard broken ribs, wrists, and dislocated shoulders were the result. I didn't go down, fortunately. However, I did get gapped from the front group, and ended up having to work with one other guy for the next three laps which was super hard, especially with the strong winds. I ended up 22nd out of 47, so I guess I can't complain too much. A mid-pack finish in my first Cat 3 race of the year... I'll take it.

After yesterday's race, my legs needed some rest. I wasn't sure whether to go on an easy ride today or to just plain take the day off, but my choice was made for me when I awoke to snow on the ground and temperatures in the high 30's. I guess April snows bring May flowers out here in Colorado, at least that seems to be the trend. Hopefully tomorrow will be nicer and I can get a good workout in. Oh yeah, and study more for my physics test tomorrow night...

I will leave you with a few pictures from the past few weeks.


In Fruita, CO


My new car in Moab with 5, count 'em, 5 bikes on top


Chris and James livin' on the edge


Peter and James peering over


on the attack


lined up for the pro/1/2/3 race next to Chris Baldwin
and Tom Danielson!


some big horn sheep on the way to Estes Park


view of Boulder with a dusting of snow