La Clusaz, France

View from our hotel room.

And we've arrived in beautiful La Clusaz, France for the Roc Des Alpes races. Pretty cool event! They have a lot of different formats of racing here, Marathon, XC, Enduro, DH, Pump Track, you name it they've probably got it. After a short ride yesterday in Biel to spin the legs and take in as much of Switzerland and Biel that we could, we loaded up the Audi and heading over here.

I have to say it's pretty unreal in Switzerland. The mountains, the food, the water, everything. Really an amazing place to come and stay. Will for sure have to come back and ride some more. But back to France. Sadly after the Bike Four Peaks race, Långa Lugnet and also the marathon worlds preview, my body is in need of some rest and will not race this weekend. Riding easy I feel pretty good, but when I start to turn the screws I really feel things a bit more. If this was a more important race to me or at the end of the season I'd probably say screw it, but I've got an international flight right after and plenty of more really fun, more important races once I get home. Gotta admit, pretty hard to sit it out, but an 82km race with 3000 meters of climbing isn't a race to go into when you're feeling a bit fatigued etc. I've done that before and hasn't gone to well ;-) So instead I've just been riding easy and really relaxing. Truly treating this as a holiday and will go back hopefully very recovered.

Marathon World Champs Recon and more Road Tripping

Me, Calle and Thomas Dietsch a top some of the mountains in Neukirchen, Austria.

Karl Platt and his buddy who tagged along on the ride too.

After Bike Four Peaks wrapped up, Calle and I tagged along with Team Bulls Riders, Thomas Dietsch and Karl Platt to check out the Marathon World Championships course. It was in the same area where we race on Stage 2, coming up a huge climb near the Hahnenkamm, a very famous and VERY steep ski run. After racing for four days, it does sound a bit crazy to do 6000 more feet of climbing and 3hrs of recon riding, but it was actually not too bad considering you were able to ride the climbs at an easy pace. FYI, that means easiest gear almost since all the climbing is very steep.

Calle and I going to the top on one of the very long climbs.

It was pretty sweet checking out where the World Champs will take place. I will not be racing, thankfully, but Calle, Thomas and Karl will be in three weeks. The course will be 94.5 Km (60 miles) and 4,400 Meters (14,400 Feet) of climbing. As you can see from the course profile too, its all very steep. A lot of the climbs are on very fast gravel roads with some sections of Single Track downhill. I say some because some of them are all washed away from all the rain that Germany and Austria have been getting hit with. Then on the last climb you come up the same climb we did on Stage 2, and also go down the super fun downhill singletrack section too. That part is really fun! Also pretty steep in sections, with lots of roots and some stones. It flows really well and will be very difficult to ride fast and smoothly after so much climbing etc. I don't think this will really affect the race in the sense that with all the climbing this race will be more about survival that far towards the end. At first, I thought about trying to see if I could qualify for the worlds, just for experience, but that is not the race to do it at. And I'm quite happy I'm not fast enough!

After checking out the course, Calle and I headed over to Switzerland to check out some of the trails here in Biel and also see some old friends.

We stopped in Rapperswil to have some lunch and coffee with Florian Vogel who lives there. It's a very beautiful city and looks like a great place to be a mountain bike racer, just like most of Switzerland. Now we are in Biel, close to Solothurn, a town where I raced the Bike Days back in 09. It's also extremely beautiful with awesome roads and trails for training. We are staying with Calle's old host family who are amazing. We've had the most fresh delicious food and best accommodations.

Over looking some wine fields and Lake Biel from a famous church.

After a few days here its been very to stay settled a bit. Since leaving Sweden, we've been staying somewhere different every night. Really cool, and in someways the best way to see so much that is here, but also a bit tough to feel settled. But like we have been, we are about to hit the road today, heading over to La Crusaz, France for the Roc Des Alpes. Another epic Marathon. Can't wait to check it all out!

Bike Four Peaks Stage 4, Kaprun to Neukirchen

And that's a wrap! What a cool, but super hard day!

We started off on the flats of the valley, and before hitting some super steep climbs. Luckily last night I was able to get a massage from Bart Wellens personal massure, Gery Delanghe. Both super funny, super nice guys! Was really fun getting to race with Bart and his brother Geert. 

Not too much else too say about today other than all out! From the get go it was full gas on the flats and then the final climb was a bitch. I tried to hang in as high in the placings as I could to see if I could make up some ground, but wasn't able to. It was super hot and I was for sure feeling the effects of the previous days efforts. I ended up finished 57th again, but held onto my 49th overall. That was the most important part. 

Normally I'm not into finisher medals, but this one goes on the wall for sure. Finishing in the top 50 behind guys like Christoph Sauser, Alban Lakata, Karl Platt etc is really special for me, and something worth being proud of. I'm not really planning anytime soon on switching full time to Marathon racing, but it is really fun, and such a brutal test, especially here in Europe. Ideally, I'd love to be doing more Swiss Cups and Bundesligas, but that requires so much more and at my level, I'm not quite there yet. So this is a good compromise, still a very high level, but lots of racing and lots of experience to take in.

Calle Friberg also had a great race this year finishing 7th overall! Super awesome for him! He's been having a hell of a season so far and this really showed this week! 

He's been blogging and sending reports about us on Bicycling Sweden. You can check em out here!

Well, thats a wrap and now I'm off to down some Wienerschnitzel and some beers! Huge thanks again to all my sponsors, Honey Stinger, Bontrager, Trek Bikes, Adidas Glasses, Craft Clothing, SRAM etc for making this all happen. Also, but thanks to all the guys at Team Bulls for helping out with feeding etc! 

Bike Four Peaks Stage 3 Kirchberg to Kaprun

Wow! I suffered a lot today! Today was the queen stage of the race, and one where I really suffered. It was 83km long (52 miles) with 8000 feet of climbing. We started off in Kirchberg and had a few kilometers of paved road to begin. Really this was super helpful since it helped open up my legs and also helped me get in a good position for the first climb. I tried to hang in the lead group for as long as I could. I figured why not, either way strong riders from behind would catch me somewhere and help pull me along to the valley to the last climb up the Kaprun ski hill.

Once we started to get higher and higher up the climbs, we hit more and more snow. It was truly an epic adventure. We were well above tree line and having to run across big patches of snow and mud. Was really crazy! Also really fun, and kinda cold! After a good kilometer of running across the top of the ski station in the snow we descended down some gravel roads and then hit some good single track. I really tried to maximize that to my advantage and opened up a good gap on some riders. Then we all came back together before the last climb. 

In the sections in between climbs, they were mostly on paved roads and they all played out like road racing. pretty fun, but also really hard. 

On the last climb they sent us up some crazy steep ski runs, and then around the top of the mountain. I never was really able to get the legs I had from the day before and couldn't settle into any type of rhythm so I lost a few riders and ended up coming in 52nd on the day. I dropped back down to 49th Overall in the GC, but still okay considering. 

Last stage is tomorrow. Going to have to get really going for this to keep my top 50 overall.

Now, some food and then rest! 

Bike 4 Peaks Stage 2 - Lofer to Kirchberg

This is our view from the hotel today. It's the Kitzbuhler Horn. We came up and over a similar climb on today's pretty brutal stage. Holy shit it was rough!

Today's stage was 48 miles with 8,300 feet of climbing, and if look at the profile above, you can see how much of it was in the final climb of the day. That sucker was steep and just seemed to keep going. Luckily, back home, we have many climbs that are the same length, time wise, so I just really focussed on settling in at a good pace that I knew I could maintain. It seemed to work since I moved up the whole time passing lots and lots of riders. Then we hit some uber sick downhill single track that was incredible! Huge improvement over last years dirt road descents that basically neutralized any descending I have. Once again, passed lots of riders who gave me some props for descending like I did. Always good to get kudos on riding downhill.

Had a much better day today and finished 45th! A lot happier with that finish that yesterday, and thankfully moved into 46th overall. If I hope to keep my top 50 overall I'm gonna have to keep on my toes for the next two stages.

Tomorrow is gonna be brutal.
52 miles, 8000 feet of climbing.

Well I'm off to bed! 

Up up Up! 

Bike Four Peaks Stage 1 - Ruhpolding to Lofer

Finish village in Lofer, Germany. Photo Calle Friberg

Well, Stage 1 is in the books and I'm whooped. Today's stage was quite the brutal one. It was 69 miles long with 6,300 feet of climbing. The first 20 km of the race were neutralized due to all the heavy rain they have been getting in Ruhpolding, so it played out a bit differently than I expected. Sadly it made the start super chaotic and caused a lot of course cutting. There was a section where we were supposed to go around some rail road tracks and then start up a steep section of trail. Since it was neutral, a lot of the masters and slower racers were up higher and towards the front so I went from being in probably 100th place to all of a sudden being back in 200th or further. I spent the better part of the day passing and passing more and more riders.

Luckily I was able to get out and somewhat settle in a good pace. I didn't quite have the best legs yesterday, and was really having a hard time pushing some of the gears I needed. Plus with all the climbs here being so long and steep, you really need you're best legs to keep pace with the other riders.

Calle and I grabbing some past in one of the most scenic places I've ever been! Photo: Calle Friberg

Thankfully I was able to keep it together enough to finish 57th, 22 minutes back from Christoph Sauser. I'm somewhat satisfied given I don't really do much Marathon distance racing and how the start and legs felt. Pretty stoked at the finish though to hear that Calle took 7th place, right with the Sauser group! Damn he's riding strong! Another thing to keep me stoked is the views here at the race! Holy Shit they are spectacular! I'm certain there is no better way to see Germany and Austria! 

Onward and Upward! 

Arrived in Germany

Well, we've arrived in Germany. After a crazy drive down from Falun, Sweden, a quick ferry over to Copenhagen, Denmark and then some long Autobahn driving we made it.

On the ferry from Denmark to Germany

Gotta say, it's beautiful here in the alps, but it was warmer back in Sweden! We are just waiting for things to dry off a bit before riding and scouting out the first stage of the Bike Four Peaks Race.  It's going to be quite the race, 4 stages, over 300 kms (190 miles) and over 9000 meters (30,000 feet) of climbing.

I did the race last year, in poor fitness and not the best mental state given how things were this time last year, but did enjoy it, sort of. haha. I do remember finishing every stage last year being completely throttled and done. I'm expecting to feel the same, but hopefully with much better results to accompany to it! The views and and landscape from the race are truly breathtaking. Here are some shots from last years event.

 It was a hell of an adventure last year, and really excited to do it again. Although to be honest, a bit like, what am I thinking? Last year on the last stage, it just poured rain for the entire stage in Garmisch - Partenkirchen. Was truly brutal. Hopefully we don't run into the same weather, but after watching this year's Giro d'Italia and seeing the snow line even lower than before it could be even worse.

They did issue a weather alert for the race, and that they may have to change the route. Fingers crossed this doesn't turn into a snow race! Either way I know this will be an adventure. And surely one I will not forget.

Nya Långa Lugnet, Falun, Sweden

Wow! What a sweet race! I was already having an awesome time in Stockholm, riding and and sight seeing, but the racing has been really fun. Partly aside from the adventure it was a welcome to return to racing and feeling as good as I did back in March, where I was able to perform how I felt I should.

The course it self was really cool, pretty much 3, 20km loops at the Falun ski mountain in Northern Sweden of really fast, fun, twisty and technical mountain biking. The last loop was my favorite, having the most climbing and also single track. The last 2km actually reminded me a lot of riding in Breckenridge and Snowmass, Colorado. In pre-riding I was really enjoying how fast everything and was curious to see how it was going to be in racing.

Race day came, and was off fast with some gavel road sections that kept everyone in a pack for quite some time. In the beginning it was a lot like a road race, people jockeying for position and also trying to keep the pace high. Luckily I was able to stay out of trouble and keep decent position. Once we got off the roads I was struggling to pass people, but was able to move up a pretty good amount. I really went deep in the race, but did feel better and better as the race progressed.

On the last lap I really tried to turn it up and go all out in an effort to make up more places and came away in 23rd. I was hoping for a top 20, but, for hoping off a 16hr plane only a few days before and still have some jet lag, I'll take it. I love racing in other countries and seeing what they have as their race courses. being from Colorado I feel we have a wide variety of terrains and courses, but always fun to check out other ones. Plus, after years and years of watching ski events here at Falun, it was petty cool being able to race here myself, even if it was on my bike ;-)

Next up it's off to Germany for the start of Trans Germany, or Bike Four Peaks as it's been renamed this year.

Up up up!

Back Up to Speed

Been quite a while since I've posted. Not that I haven't had anything to write about, but been so busy and the race results weren't anything all that noteworthy for a while.

For a quick catch up, after coming back from Bonelli Park I was really motivated to and working hard to keep the fitness coming after having a strong race there. Sadly, soon after I kept having breathing issues and never really felt all that "on". Was tired all the time and never really felt sick, but also never really felt 100% either. I went to the doctor after hoping I was just a bit overworked or over trained, and found out it was more allergy issues and also that I had Asthma. After finding that out and getting some treatment I started to feel better than I have in a long time. Very relieving to say the least.

Along the way I got in some really good training though around the valley. Especially riding with my buddies Jason Anderson and Wade Newsom. Been a lot harder to train this spring with all the wet and colder weather, but still been really good. 

Like I said earlier, I missed a lot of racing in between March and May due to allergies and my asthma, but luckily I was able to hit my Memorial Day weekend tradition of the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic. 

I've been going down to Durango for years to race and take part in both the Road race from Durango to Silverton and the mountain bike race around the Fort Lewis Campus are so much fun and also really challenging. I ended up getting 21st in the Road Race, and 20th in the Mountain bike. Was pretty bummed with the Mountain bike result, but after doing the road race the day before and having issues in the high heat, it's not a bad result either, especially for not racing in the past few months. 

One of the coolest parts of the Iron Horse Mountain Bike Race is going through the Steamworks Bar in downtown Durango. 

After leaving Durango, I am headed back up to home for a mere 10 hrs to pack up my bike and head over to Stockholm, Sweden and other parts of Europe for a good block of bike racing. 

Can't wait! 

Bonelli Park Triple Crown

 
First and foremost, I love bike racing! And after this past weekend in Bonelli Park, California, I'm all the more excited for more this season. I was pretty excited before I even made it out there after talking to Kalan Beisel about the course, and the weather looked like it was going to be pretty awesome, maybe a bit on the hot side, but after the late spring snow storms and chilly weather here, I could take some sun and heat. Luckily before Mellow Johnny's I was hitting up a sauna pretty often to get used to the heat, so I don't think it really affected me too much.

The XC course was super fun! Lots of climbing actually, but all pretty steep in short sections, so it made the race kinda hard to pace since you were going super hard, then easy for a bit then super hard again the whole time. It wasn't really a total climbers course either though cause there were some power sections too. Overall it was really fun to ride on, and super fast. After a decent showing at Mellow Johnny's I got a prime start position, 3rd row, so that made my start a lot less stressful. I wasn't really moving up in the race quite how I hoped in the first 4 laps, but then the last two I finally opened up and starting making more moves and rode to my best Pro XCT finish, 27th. I was hoping for a top 25, so I was pretty damn close, but still hungry for more.

I was hopping to have some better luck in the Super D (aka TT with a downhill start) but I broke my front derailleur and kept dropping my chain. I didn't really notice until the next day before the short track so I was pretty bummed with my result. The STXC was also pretty tough, dropped my chain, but more than anything really didn't have the legs and finished 32nd. Way off from where I should be, but really happy to get that effort in. Not often I can go that hard at sea level, so tried to really embrace it even though it wasn't anything to be proud of. Progress though is the name of the game and it's still mid March. All in all it was three really good races, where I felt like I had my own moments where I showed what I can expect from myself this season, but also where I need to do some more work.

After the races were over, Kalan and I headed over to Huntington Beach. This was a really special thing for me. It's been almost 10 year since I was at the beach, and as soon as I saw it I just got super excited. We got there kinda late, but caught a pretty awesome sunset on the beach. I was hoping to jump in and swim but wasn't able to really commit to that. It was still pretty chilly out.

I can't really think of too many better ways to wrap up a super fun weekend than the beach. I mean, maybe if we were able to spend a super hot day there, but, beggars can't be choosers. Gotta see what's up next for me in the race schedule, but in the meantime, I'm stoked to be out pedaling!

Mellow Johnny's Classic

Can't believe it's already race season, but also super stoked. Been looking forward to getting back into the swing of things for quite a while. Last summer I pretty much figured out that my 2012 season wasn't really going to happen how I wanted it to, so I basically resolved myself to working towards 2013.

The race it self didn't go as smoothly as I wanted, and I didn't really get the result I wanted either, but it was nice to blow out the legs and get the season rolling. The course is Texas was super fun. Not as flowy and open like the course on Lance's ranch, but rather, a more technical physical course. Like the one at Lance's ranch it felt like the course had a negative loss, and was super fast. Of course that changed a bit once the race started.

Due to unfortunate circumstances, my ride out to the race came super delayed and got in a 5 minute warm-up before the start. After stressing out for an hour or so before the race, I was just happy to be at the start line. Not the best feeling before the first Pro XCT of the season, but... all you can do.
After that the race went pretty well. I suffered like a dog trying to get my body back into race mode, but was able to make it through all the crashes and traffic for a 35th. Not horrible, but not really what I was looking for. Either way, was super fun to be back racing and seeing all the normal people out at the races

Was also cool to spend some time in Austin. Pretty cool city! I've spent a lot of time there back in 2011 for a few events, and so it was nice to be back. The weather was a perfect 65 and sunny all week. This was a huge relief for me since last time I was there for a race it was upwards of 90. Really looking forward to this weekends race at Bonelli Park. Supposed to be a cool course, and there is also a Super D and Short Track too.

Shows, Music and Shredder

Like I said in my last post, I've been focusing on getting back to life. So what better way to do so than going and seeing some of your favorite bands? Lately I've been on a bit of a concert kick. A few weekends ago I was able to see longtime favorite band In Flames play. Sure their latest album isn't my favorite, but they played some really good classic's and it's always cool to see a band you've been listening to for years.  

I really forgot how fun it is to get out to concerts. It's truly been years, 3-4 maybe, since I've gone to a live show. Really fun energy and a welcome change.




The other concert I was able to catch, which was my first time ever seeing them was Neurosis. I've been listening to them for years, but never been able to make a show. They were playing in downtown Denver so I jetted down and saw it with good buddy Mike Thomas. This was an awesome show for sure. Their latest album I've been listening to for a while and they had a great set list. Mike and I were both laughing super hard when we were leaving as we spotted this dude completely crashed out against this post. Never seen someone so out of it, while at a concert of all places. 

 I'm for sure hoping to catch a few more shows this summer. Of course I'll have to balance that out with my race schedule, but something to look forward to absolutely. 

Along those same topic of music, I always really try to keep a good ear out for more music in the fall, going into the winter. Usually because when I'm Nordic Skiing or riding I like to have music playing, and do spend more time with my iPod on than my TV or anything else at home. People always ask me what I listen to, so I figured I'd share some of the stuff I've been particularly fond of.  Recently I've been completely blown away by the new Cult of Luna album, Vertikal.  Really similar sound to Isis, but uniquely there own. They are a 7 piece band from Umeå, Sweden. I kind of compare them to a bottle of Islay scotch. A very complex taste, probably only appreciated by those familiar with its particular pallet. Every time I listen to it, I hear something new I really love. 

That and the other album I've been really enjoying is Witchcraft, Legend. A really fun, almost folk sound, but with a heavy rock background. 

Something I also really have to share is from my old buddy, Paul Gemignani. Him and his brother Stephen made one of the coolest vids I've seen in a long time. I've long considered Paul on of the most creative people I've ever met. With his lines and tricks on the snowboard, to his music, films and artwork. If you've time to read my blog, you for sure have time to check out his vid below.



Paper Shredder from Paul Gemignani on Vimeo.

Back to Life

Quite honestly, I only came onto here to delete this thing, then after reading a few posts I realized I wanted to keep it. I've always enjoyed writing and I do like being able to look back and see what I was up to. Brings back good memories. 

So, back at it. As the title implies, I just recently feel as though I have gotten back to life. Just about a year ago when my Dad passed away my life completely changed. I said soon after he died that I felt as though I had died that day too. I of course went through all the normal stages of grief and extreme depression. Up until now I had been pretty reluctant to talk about what happened, and to be honest still am a little bit. I am not going to share everything or go into deep details, but I do think its important to get out some of this. If not for my benefit but maybe for someone else. 

More or less, just a few days after my Dad died I knew I wasn't the same. All the normal death related responsibilities fell onto me. At the time I was already pretty busy with work, racing and other life duties etc. This hit me like a tidal wave. This paired with the grief of his loss, the publics eyes/thoughts/opinion's on what was going on and various other ugly difficulties raised their head. With everything that was going on, racing and training suffered. I had at the time just only seen the tip iceberg when came to the depression and this didn't equate to great fitness or good legs by any means. 

The past 12 months have been the craziest 12 months of life. Hands down. Prior to all of this, I had felt like a half way matured 23 year old, where as now I feel like an extra 10 years have been taken from my life and almost shake my head in disbelief when I tell people I'm 24. And to add to this, I finally just feel like I am no longer in a time warp. For instance, last fall, of 2012, I would be talking to friends and would draw upon memories from fall of 2011 and think of them as if they have just happened a week ago. Truly a weird experience I have never had happen before. Towards the end of 2012 I finally felt as though I had gotten a handle on everything I had to deal with that year. Tackling my depression, finishing all paperwork/responsibilities of the estate, getting this homeowner-ship thing down and still handling work. As most people saw the turn of the year as just another holiday, I really had my mind set on making 2013 the year I took my life back. I remember back when all this was happening that I was just going to knock it out, get through it and continue. But as I soon saw, that wasn't the case. And when you are not in your normal mindset, your sense of control over you life seems to elude you. A pretty difficult thing in itself. 

The good news is that I've learned a lot since that horrible day last February. And to come full circle, in a way, my statement I made earlier, feeling as though I had died too, seemed all the more true. But this time, in the positive sense. I'm not saying a radically different person from who I was back before this happened. But I am a much stronger person, and much more grounded in whats important to me. When someone as close and as dear as my Dad passes, it's very easy to question everything in life. Get caught up in small things and worry about the nitty gritty. But really, after going through what I consider going Hell and back, its pretty easy to shrug off the small shit and know what truly is worth putting energy towards.

With all that being said, I can't begin to explain how happy I am to be back living my life. Something my Dad always wanted. This will probably be the deepest post I'll do again, although I can't promise. But then again, it's my blog, about my life, so, deal with it. 

Endless Singletrack

 It's been a while since I last updated this thing. Hell, kind of sad that this is the first post of 2012. But, as times has gone on, I feel it's only appropriate to share my thoughts on how life has been since my last post. It was already a crazy winter. Minimal snow, mild temps and lots of riding. Over the winter I already had been re-evaluating how I look at life, and how I view responsibility, work, family and so on. But everything I thought I knew completely changed on the morning of February 15th. 

I was up in Steamboat Springs for some work meetings, but this morning Len and I were up extra early to get some powder skiing in up on the mountain. I got a phone call from my Dad's girlfriend telling me I needed to rush over to the house immediately. My dad was having difficulties, and she was calling an ambulance. As I was driven to the hospital from Steamboat, about 2.5 hours away, I tried to remain positive. As I later found out, he had an horrible brain tumor called a glioblastoma. These types of brain tumors don't really respond any kind of treatment. Due to the size and progression of the tumor, things were looking bad, even from the very beginning. Less than two weeks after being taken to the hospital, my Dad passed away. 

  

He was a vibrant, fun loving, energetic man who was the greatest father I could have possibly asked for. Whenever I needed him, he was there. No questions. He was also my best friend. I could call him up and shoot the shit for hours. I could ask him for advice on whatever it was that I needed. The two of us could talk and talk.

My dad wasn't one to sugarcoat things. He meant what he said, and said what he meant. And with our relationship, there wasn't anything we couldn't talk about. Years and years ago he made me promise him I would let him become a vegetable, or be in a state that would compromise his quality of life. He was very adamant that he didn't want to just linger on.

After a very bleak prognosis, and some very difficult days, the decision was made to withdraw support. With my Dad being the person he was, there was no way I could let him continue living in any form of disability or pain. To this day, I still know it was the right decision.

The way I see it, he's off riding endless singletrack. For a man who worked almost his entire life, and juggled responsibility like a champ, he can now fully relax.

It's impossible for me to write down everything I learned from him. And words can not even describe what he meant to me, or how much I still love him. But I know he's in a better place right now, and for that I can take solace.

Now, almost over a month since he's been gone and I still think about him everyday. The relationship I had with my dad was unlike most. He was more like a brother and my best friend, he was my best friend. For that I can remain extremely happy and thankful for all the time and memories I have with him. Without a doubt I am bummed he will not be around to have more awesome memories with, I know he's with me everyday. Every bike ride, I know he's there. I take him with me everywhere I go.

 Also, as time has gone on, I can't express how amazing everyone has been. Without a doubt, my Dad touched a lot of peoples lives. It makes me proud to know that I wasn't the only one who knew how special he was. He helped me become the person I am today, and I can't thank him enough for it. 

Everyday I live on, carrying the spirit of my dad with me. I get up every morning being thankful for everything I have. I also have the intent on living life to the fullest and treating each day as if it could be my last. I also try to carry on the same traits that made my dad the amazing man he was. It's a tough challenge, but what better way to try and honor him, than to try and become the same incredible person that he was. 

 Like I said earlier, I could go on and on forever about how much I love my Dad and what kind of man he was. Right now I know he's off riding endless singletrack and having a great time. And as I've learned, life goes on. And you gotta love every day. 

Love you always Dad.

In Good Company

 Yup, cold rides are all ways better with good friends. Never been more true recently. Not going to lie, It's been a bit hard to swallow not being able to ride my mountain bike recently. Not that I have had a lot of time to go ride, but the fact that it's not even on the table is a bummer. This time last year I was ripping all the trails daily, and I really have been missing it. But luckily Len and Wade have been giving me great company on the roads. Not too much else to report on other than getting caught up a work and trying not too lose too much fitness in the off season. It's amazing what few weeks of just rest will do for you though. I'm a firm believer in letting your body recovery after a long season. I used to try and keep going through out the year, but I almost feel like I can gain more by putting my feet up for a bit and enjoying what else is going on around me. It's also been really nice to act like a normal 23 year old for a bit. Staying up late here and there and not watching how much I eat or drink has been really fun. But as I write this I am extremely excited for 2012. I had a great season this year and can't wait to use the steps I have made in 2011 to hopefully have an even better 2012.
Well I gotta hit the sack though!
Got a few more weeks of easy going before I start up for 2012.

Fall Fun

  There's just something about fall riding that puts a big smile on my face. Especially when I can jet down to Durango and enjoy some super fun south west single track.  And like always, I was not disappointed. Durango is super fun, especially during the offseason when you can take advantage of the nightlife. It was good to get back to also see some friends I haven't seen in a while. It was also nice having a weekend where I could relax. Have no real plans and just have fun. Of course Halloween down there was epic, still trying to piece together everything that happened, but it was all good.

It was especially special too since I might have gotten in some of my last mountain biking in for the 2011 season since I awoke to lots of snow this am. Here is a shot from my apartment this am.

  A bit of a surprise, but also a welcome one. I love winter. Plus I feel like a little extra time away from the bike may do me some good. I took a lot of time off last fall and felt really good going into the winter training so, I think there may actually be something to this rest thing.

Yup, just a matter of time before the skis are out! Can't wait! Cheers to another awesome Halloween and welcoming November!