Sea breezes and thin air

It's pretty amazing how a little break from everything can recharge a person. This is, of course, if you let it recharge you. Most of the time, when I travel for fun I have way too many things on my mind to fully soak in new experiences, locations, food and sunshine. I'm proud to say that I've made leaps and bounds towards figuring out the balance of relaxing versus working.

I'm not sure if it's the fact that I'm getting older - or less naive - but I'm slowly realizing that working and racing my bike take some serious energy. And that falling asleep in my chair at work (and sometimes wishing I could take a 20 second nap while training) isn't normal.

After the Firecracker 50 in Breckenridge, I raced in Winter Park the following Saturday. This gave me only 4 days to try and recover from that brutal effort we all put in the previous Monday. Although the race went pretty good, I had a big realization when it came time to dig deep, suffer, and try and stay with the two leaders. I pretty much said to myself, 'Oh man, not sure if I want to race these guys!'. Well, that's no good. Especially when it's your job as a pro to race. I did hold on to finish 3rd - and 3rd to two extremely talented gentlemen I might add. Upon finishing the race I realized I needed to not only take a break from the bike, but just get out of Dodge completely for a few days. Recharging was the only item on the to-do list.

An opportunity to visit Rachel in Seattle came up and I jumped at the thought of getting up there and to take in the Northwest. I've only spent a little time in Seattle, also known as the Emerald City. Think of the rich green forests. (thanks Wikipedia)

I did bring my road bike since I knew I had a day to explore - AND I was going to have a 'guide' who had some plans to cruise on the Burke-Gilman trail and head out to the beach. With this free week before the Breckenridge 100, (I'll get to that in a second) I was free to enjoy good food, relaxation and a casual schedule. I pretty much took advantage of this and enjoyed every minute of it.



I really owe a huge thanks to Rachel for being an incredible host and making this all happen. I was sent back to Colorado ready and recharged. (and not without the added bonus day after my return flight was cancelled...) I can only try and repay the favor.



One word can describe the Breckenridge 100. Ouch.

Around 14,000 feet of elevation gain over 100 miles, the B100 is a race that pretty much humbles anyone who tries it. Coming off a week at sea level, I found myself out of breath just walking up the stairs to our hotel room. Did that make me a little nervous? Yes, yes it did. However, when we rolled out of town at 6AM and up Wheeler Pass to start the first of three different loops, I felt incredible. I had the mental strength to push it and the legs (and most of my lungs) to push the pace.

Looking around at my fellow competitors in the group, I knew I was in for a tough day. Josh Tostado and Jeff Schalk are the real deals when it comes to 100 milers. I hung on for 50 miles and was feeling incredible, but at that halfway mark I started feeling the lack of endurance in my legs. I don't usually race this distance this time of year - and this was a slap in the face (er, punch in the nose) to remind me that you can't just show up without that type of fitness in the legs.



All in all, I had a good day and a lot of fun. Schalk took the win while Josh finished 2nd in a great battle. Two class-acts who both deserve to win.



As a cap to the crazy weekend, we're shooting a new top-secret project which has been a ton of fun. I even got to jump off a ledge into the Arkansas river...

Burnin' like a firecracker on the 4th of July

It's that time my friends. Time to say, 'I'm ready.'

As an athlete, I believe it's pretty easy to tell yourself that there's still room for improvement. Although this is pretty much the truth all the time, it's a dangerous place to be perpetually living in. That slippery slope of expectations can be frustrating, daunting, and often times pretty dark. Over the years, I've decided that I can no longer scientifically dissect my preparation leading up to race day, but instead focus on the mental side of the sport.

Coming into July I knew I had a few big races on the calendar I wanted to do well in. It's pretty amazing how easy it is to hide behind the '3 weeks until the race' factor and say, 'I'm going to be so ready!' Then, as the '3 days until the race' falls in your lap, it's just as easy to say, 'Well, I did have a stressful week at work, and I'm a little extra tired from not sleeping well, and . . .' These things may be (and probably are) true, but I've been learning to focus on the hay that's in the barn. We've done the work, which is the hardest part. Focusing on the hours and hours on the bike I've put in is much more productive then focusing on one or two little factors that really aren't a huge deal.

I lined up for the annual Firecracker 50 on the 4th, and as I looked around at the competition I got a little nervous - and yes, doubtful of my form. However, as the gun went off and we rolled down Main Street in Breckenridge, I put everything aside and had to tell myself that anything can happen, the work was done, and most importantly - I apologized to my body in advance for what I was about to put it through.

The Firecracker 50 is made up of two monstrous laps each measuring in at 27 miles and about 5,000 ft of climbing. The first 20-30 minutes of the race is a big climb and as we were all jockeying for position, I made it into one of the first selections. As a group, we were working well together, but what I didn't realize was that the guy who shot off the front, Peter Stetina, was fresh off an impressive 22nd place at the Giro 'd Italia. I'm not sure I've ever seen anyone climb so fast in my life.

The 'check engine' light came when I reached the top and I thought my day was already done! I tried to relax and stay steady, which proved to be fruitful in my attempt to get back in the game. As the first lap unfolded, I found myself out front with Colin Cares - and just keeping a slight lead on Jay Henry. Those who know Jay know that it's only a matter of time before he comes steamrolling back towards the front.

As Colin and I worked with each other up that first big climb of the 2nd lap, I knew he was about a gear faster than me. I gritted my teeth to stay with him, but when we hit the top, I just couldn't keep it together and he put some time into me. As the race started nearing the end, Jay (looking and riding so fast!) caught and passed me. I knew if I could keep my cool I would hold onto third, but believe me - that's much harder than it sounds in this race. Good friend and super strong rider, Brian Smith, was just over a minute behind me towards the end. I'm glad I held it together to roll through in 3rd. This was definitely one of my best races due to the fact that it was a mental test as much as physical. For me to be in the same zipcode as Colin, Jay, and Brian is an honor. They're not only great athletes, but great guys.

Honey Stinger/Trek rider Jen Gersbach made the podium for the women's side with an impressive 4th place ride. Looking as fit as ever, I'd say she's in for a good 2nd half of the season.

To top it all off I had some friends show up for the race to spectate - and let me tell you, it's a great feeling to see friends after something like that. Thanks Chris, Britt and Livi.

Vive le Tour!

Today marks the start of the Tour de France. Already fanatical about this event, my interest in the 3 week grand tour has only been pushed deeper by getting to know some of the good people riding in this great race. The following links are products of several trips to Europe, interviews with numerous teammates, shooting looong bike rides, and all-night editing sessions.

Driven by Passion: Jani Brajkovic

Driven by Yellow: Andy and Frank Schleck

There's also been some racing for me lately. (which is good - because that's what I do!) I've said it before, but I still feel I don't say it enough - the Wednesday night Summit Mountain Challenge races in Breckenridge are some of the best races I've done. The courses, competition, and most of all, people involved have made this series a standout. The Gold Run Rush (SMC #2) was re-routed due to record snow this season, but the climbs and course were still really hard, yet a ton of fun. I was able to pull it off - although Josh B (who's flyin' right now) was breathing down my neck, making me earn it!



July is looking to be a big month for my race schedule - which is great since I'll be heading out on a 2 week film shoot in August. I'm lining up for the Firecracker 50 (first time since '08) and then I'll toe the line for the Breckenridge 100. (first time ever) Following that will be my final build-up for nationals, including some fun, but brutal events in Park City, SD, and of course, Colorado.

Here's to Andy, Frank, Jani, and the other 195 riders in the Tour - good luck!

The 'Great' in Grandmother

I've had the true privilege to get to know my great grandmother really well. She would sit with me and share stories of her journey from Russia to the US as a little German girl. She would share with me her experiences on the boat, (hiding inside of a trunk for most of it). She told me about settling on the Prairie in North Dakota. And when she told me stories about my family, I couldn't get enough. I began to realize why I've always held my family in such high regard. I come from a bloodline of great people and last week's visit with my great grandmother, ultimately my last, reiterated this. Two months shy of her 101st birthday, she was sharp and offered up her usual advice on life. I'm going to miss those conversations, but I feel blessed that I've had them. I'm going to miss you grandma.

From the Alps to the Prairie

Yikes. It's been a while.

I think it's safe to say that any time I notice a friend's blog become a little neglected (or a response to my call or email), they've probably been pretty busy. That's the case here folks. I'll give a rapid-fire update of the on goings as of late:

Jani Brajkovic. (this might be filed under the old news category, but still newsworthy nonetheless)

Jani is one of the coolest guys we've worked with. His kind and shy nature made it easy for us to work with him. Paul, (my partner in crime for the past few Trek shoots), and I spent several days on the island of Tenerife, Spain shooting with Jani while he rode up and down the volcano. Here is the 3rd episode of 'Driven', featuring the Radioshack sponsored rider.

Upon returning from Spain, I had a couple races that went... well, let's just say that I didn't bring my 'A' game to them. As always they were fun, but I still have some small plate-sized bruises on a couple of places on my body.

Cut to:



Back across the pond, Paul and I had the opportunity to shoot with the Leopard team again. This time we meandered around the French and Italian Alps for a few days - which totally blew my mind. Although I can't say much about it now, I will tell you to keep your eyes out for the finished product very soon. I believe it is going to be a good one.

Cut to:



More bike racing for me. This time, I felt better and started acting like a real rider.

MTB Race News write-up

Angel Fire, NM is one of my favorite races, and not just because it marks the start of the ski resort climbing races, but also because when in Angel Fire, you're a hop, skip, and a jump away from Santa Fe. My traveling companions and good friends, Dave and Justin, were up for a South Boundary ride following the race and then a quick day trip to Santa Fe for some spicy food and good riding. An impromptu invitation also saw the likes of Sarah and Nick from Yeti joining us on the South Boundary expedition. That's a great group right there.




And finally:

One of my favorites - Race to Sunset in Bismarck, ND. It is always a pleasure to return home and see the family. I owe a huge thanks to my parents and my whole family for sporting some custom t-shirts and ringing cowbells for the entire 10 hours of the race. I hit a pretty rough patch around hour 5, but the undying support from my family and the knowledge from my experienced cousin Ryan helped get me through. And really, everyone out on course and in the support area deserve a huge thanks as well. This is one of the highlights of my season for several reasons and this year didn't disappoint. One of my cousins and I have a tradition where we trade sunglasses for the last hour of the race. Appropriately, she had a pair that matched my casual kicks...



I'm humbled by the kind words of the local cycling crew up here. Every year the entire group gets stronger and faster! I so look forward to seeing you all when I make the trek home and I hope I get to see ya sooner than later!

All I'm doing now is eating. It's weird, the Nutella flew from my grocery bag, into my hands with a bag of apples and a knife, and now they're in my stomach. Apparently half of the jar of Nutella went missing too...

Until next time - which shouldn't take as long as this time,

km

This one's up for grabs...

I'm heartbroken to have to announce that I will not be at the Growler this year to defend this plate.



Although both of my jobs are dream jobs for me, the necessity of having to choose between the two is often taxing. Winning this race last year ranked among one of the biggest wins of my career. I had worked so hard to be in the best shape possible for the 2011 edition, but instead it looks like I'll be in peak physical condition for my flight to France that weekend. Yep, France - again!

I'll be in the shrouded mist of the French Alps doing some shooting - so I guess it makes it a little less of a bummer.

Good luck to the guys and gals in Gunnison!

The Gold Coast

I'm not even really sure where to start, but I guess I should kick this off by saying that I won't come close to giving the appropriate amount of word-time to people and places mentioned in the next couple paragraphs.

Last week I went back to Los Angeles to shoot a video with Shepard Fairey, a world-renowned artist best known for his Obey Giant campaign - and more recently, the 'Hope' poster he designed during Obama's 2008 presidential campaign.




Lucky for me, good friend and ultra-talented filmmaker, Rod Blackhurst, resides in the city and thus I was able to hire him to help me. Rod and I have traveled all over together working on projects, so it didn't take any time to get back in the swing of things. Here's the link to the video:

Shepard Fairey + Trek = New Team Radioshack bikes for the Tour of California.

Upon returning to CO, I headed down to Cortez, CO with my friend Jesse Swift for some racing in the desert. Honey Stinger/Trek teammates Len Zanni and Colin Osborn met me down there, and along with them was Calle Friberg, Swedish national champion (several times over!) to round out our 4 person team for the 12 our relay.

Unfortunately for us, Lady Luck and I have been on the outs for some reason. After my first lap double-puncture, we rallied all day long to get back into the game. And into the game we were! With all of us tearing ourselves inside out to catch back up, the team delivered me a great opportunity to go out and steal the win. As I was getting ready to head out for my last lap, the leaders came through the timing tent 2:15 ahead of us - sitting in 2nd place. Well, I knew what I needed to do. It was my fault we were in this place so I had to clean it up!

I went out with purpose and I was feeling great. I caught and passed the leader (who, I must mention, was on a 3 person team... Not 4!). As I was cruising along and dreaming of finishing in first after the crazy circumstances, I hit a steep hill. Standing up and mashing on the pedals, I heard a 'pop' and then looked down to see my chain laying in the sand. Long story short, I wasn't prepared enough to fix the chain in a timely manner, thus slipping our team back into 4th at the finish... Lucky I have a very forgiving team and we chalked up the day as a fun one, albeit challenging. Lesson learned - be prepared.

The next day I found myself back in Concourse C, boarding a flight to San Francisco. Trek had asked me to be in a photo shoot for their catalog, ads, and whatever else they'll use the photos for. Of course I said yes. Who wouldn't take the opportunity to ride their bike up and down Highway 1 North of San Fran for 4 days?! I saw mostly familiar faces and met a handful new people. I've worked with photographer, John Laptad before, but never in this capacity. John does tremendously great work, and the fact I knew what he meant when he said, 'I'm shooting at f11', was hopefully a help. Thanks to John for making me look good as I know it's a tougher job than I'd like to admit. He had two lovely girls with him who helped make us look good and tried to keep us on track. Thank you Amarett (Assistant) and Mariva (Stylist) for putting me in the hot seat...

Out there with me doing the heavy lifting as 'models' were new friend Chris and old friend Jeff. The 3 of us are simply fans of riding bikes, so when we weren't shooting we were riding, sprinting, attacking, and just having fun.

I'm finally back home and anxiously awaiting my upcoming schedule. I've been preparing for a few big races that are quickly approaching, but my travel schedule may have something to say about it. As always, I'll just try to hit that moving target known as
my schedule.