The Zombie Bicycle Thief

There is a video embedded in this post that you may not be able to view. Click through to the blog to watch it.

Um... looks stupid...

There is a video embedded in this post that you may not be able to view. Click through to the blog to watch it.

So I'm not sure why I'm posting this. Maybe it'll get better, if there's more to come.

Everyone's invited, only a few will come...

And when I say a few, I mean a few hundred. 2010 had almost 400 riders (267 finishers).

The Almanzo 100 site has an official invitation for the 2011 race up.

Racers, riders, event promoters, industry professionals and everyone in between or otherwise, I would like to extend to you a most sincere invitation to what I believe to be America's greatest gravel road bicycle race. On Saturday, the 14th of May, 2011, riders from around the USA will join together in the small hamlet of Spring Valley, Minnesota to ride the beautiful, yellow rock roads of the Upper Midwest. My hope is that with your presence, we could build upon the great history that is American cycling and further promote the bright future that I see for cycling in the years to come. I extend to you my services in making your visit a reality.

I am currently planning to attend. Maybe you should too. It might be fun.

Here's another street/urban trials rider: Dominik Raab

There is a video embedded in this post that you may not be able to view. Click through to the blog to watch it.

Not only is he good, but the video is done with style.

Minnesota High School Mountain Bike Racing League Meeting at QBP on Friday

Minnesota High School Mountain Bike Racing League Meeting at QBP Oct.29, 6 to 8 PM

Follow the above link for info. Hopefully some Rochester people will attend. I would, but have some family stuff going on that evening. If anyone goes, please email me and let me know what I can post here.

Pizza and refreshments will be served. Come learn more about how NICA works with state leagues to build sustainable high school mountain bike racing programs, including camps, coaching and licensing programs, venue selection, sponsorships, team development, etc. Members of Minnesota's Development Committee will also be on hand to talk about immediate needs and how interested people can help. For more information about the meeting, contact Minnesota League Founding Chair Gary Sjoquist at garys@qbp.com.

If anyone goes, please email me and let me know of any info that I can post here.

Awesomeness

There is a video embedded in this post that you may not be able to view. Click through to the blog to watch it.

Yes, I will say that this is awesome. I don't really think it's a cyclocross race, in the sense that I think it's a long loop, and not multiple short laps. But I do think it's pretty rad and hardcore. Look at the way they are chucking bikes across the stream crossings. Man... and I was worried about walking across the stream at the Almanzo. What a wuss!

This looks interesting...

I just hope Justin Bieber doesn't show up and punches me in the back of the head if I go. Put on by Little Guy Racing/Behind Bars Bike Shop. I wonder if I'd need to mount a rear brake to do it. $10 for one day license,  $25 race entry fee, $20 gas. Is it worth it? Free kids race, and juniors are $10 (+$10). hmmmm.....

Ladies, enjoy your ride! Ride and Smile!

There is a video embedded in this post that you may not be able to view. Click through to the blog to watch it.

Womans euro CX racing action.

Pure Sweet Hell "Cyclocross Film"

There is a video embedded in this post that you may not be able to view. Click through to the blog to watch it.

Just a video to keep some motivation to maybe go out and ride in the morning. Seriously, I think I need to find a way to really get out in the morning. I had full intentions to get out this morning, and even woke up (eye's were open at least). Just couldn't get myself to drag my sorry butt out of bed.

Life lessons learned from flatting out

Almanzo Micro CX race. Got to the meeting place with enough time to do 2 laps around to check out the course. And, take all the extra stuff off my bike, pump, seat pack, lights, pack them into my bag, and ditch it down by the second set of barriers.

Course map.

Looking at the map above, it's about the 10-o'clock position, where the course dips in it'self a tad. This sorta became a problem when on the fourth lap, I flatted, on the other side of the course. I ended walking the half a lap to where my stuff was.

During this time, I think I was passed by every other rider in the race, making me at least a lap behind. In fact I think Drew (correction: Drew and Charly) passed me twice.

Anyway, my race was over. I picked up my stuff and continued walking to the start finish area and fixed my flat. I cheered on the racers as they continued.

Laps, avg heart rate and avg speed per.

The laps were short at about 3-4 minutes each. I was riding at threshold most of the time.

All in all, it was fun while it lasted. I considered riding on after I fixed the flat, but my brain just couldn't put forth the effort.

Anyway, I know the title says "life lessons learned," but honestly, I have no learned lesson. Except maybe to double think the spare tube and pump situation for a 40  minute race.

Red Bull's Danny MacAskill talks about the journey home

There is a video embedded in this post that you may not be able to view. Click through to the blog to watch it.

Water

There is a video embedded in this post that you may not be able to view. Click through to the blog to watch it.

It's something I take for granted every single day. I run the faucet in my kitchen and fill my bottle to go on a ride countless times without thinking twice about it. And yet almost a billion people worldwide do not have easy access to clean drinking water.

Did you know that it doesn't take much to provide those in need with access to clean water. In fact, $20 donated to Charity Water will provide one person clean water for 20 years. Each time a person donates, 100% goes straight to building a well.

Clean water is a Human Right: In July, to address the water crisis, the United Nations declared access to clean water and sanitation a human right over. But we are far from implementing solutions to secure basic access to safe drinking water.

You can help someone today. Donate to Charity Water.

Updated meeting place for the Almanzo Micro CX race

There is a map embedded in this post that you may not be able to view. Click through to the blog to view it.

View Micro CX in a larger map

Scratch what I posted yesterday about the Almanzo Micro CX race. Location changed. Update your calendar and GPS.

ALERT!!!! The start location has changed due to some possible property issues. NEW START/FINISH LOCATION: THE GAZEBO BEHIND THE RECREATION CENTER. Start time is the same at 5:30. There is (as always) no entry fee and please, ride what ya brung. RASC post

If it's the same course as last years Saturday post Thanksgiving CX, then it was a fun course, with a paved climb that actually allowed for some ground to be made at times.

Course overview

Elevation (I think the barometric pressure was dropping as we were riding)

Heart rate

Of course he could surprise us and run it differently. Either way, it should be fun.

Updated from: filatura l'anello grande: Looks like we have a meeting place for the Almanzo Micro CX race

Looks like we have a meeting place for the Almanzo Micro CX race

UPDATE! View this post: filatura l'anello grande: Updated meeting place for the Almanzo Micro CX race

There is a map embedded in this post that you may not be able to view. Click through to the blog to view it.

View 10.16 Micro CX in a larger map

Info from this post.

Start time for Saturday is 5:30 sharp. The course will begin in the gravel (look for the people & bikes) off the paved trail across the river from the Hy-Vee north gas station.

I hope I got the map right. Either way, just look for people on bikes. I'm guessing if I leave my house a bit before 5 I can make it in time. Should be fun.

UPDATE! View this post: filatura l'anello grande: Updated meeting place for the Almanzo Micro CX race

See also: filatura l'anello grande: 5 insane but true things about Almanzo's Micro CX

5 insane but true things about Almanzo's Micro CX

1. It's put on by the creator of the Almanzo 100 gravel road bicycle race
2. It's a cyclocross race
3. It will be somewhere near, in, or fairly close to Rochester, MN
4. It's gonna be this Saturday Evening, October 16 @ 5:30 pm.
5. It'll be the most fun you can have while heaving up your lungs.

Info can be found on Facebook and the RASC forum.

Update! See also: filatura l'anello grande: Looks like we have a meeting place for the Almanzo Micro CX race

CX Practice Race - week 2

Another day of high intensity for 50 minutes at Eastwood park. This time I finished all 10 laps. There was a bunch of new riders this week, which made it easier to stay closer to mid pack then at the rear.

Heart rate zones

Avg heart rate per lap (zones) and avg speed per lap.

Time spent in each heart rate zone.

Training load

Current CTL (chronic training load) is pretty low, currently at 24. Compared to about 60 for the middle of July. I'd like to be able to keep from getting down into the teens over winter. I guess it's time to start looking at the rollers again.

Oh, and here's a link to the post about last week. filatura l'anello grande: Cyclocross Practice Race (week 1)

One of these years I'll actually race CX

There is a video embedded in this post that you may not be able to view. Click through to the blog to watch it.

It looks like a bast. This video is from last years MN state CX championships.

Trailer for new Danny MacAskill video

There is a video embedded in this post that you may not be able to view. Click through to the blog to watch it.

This guy can ride. Thanks PinkBike!

Wrong

There is a video embedded in this post that you may not be able to view. Click through to the blog to watch it.

It's too bad I've been feeling "wrong" lately. Maybe a 45 minute ass whoopin' at CX practice tomorrow can reverse it.

Minnesota High School Cycling League

This is great news. Minnesota High School Cycling League is official. Now I wonder if my daughters High School is going to be involved (or any of this cities, or maybe a combination of all of them to start with), and if they need volunteers for coaching or skills training. I would love to become involved in spreading this amazing sport with kids in the area.

Gonna try to get in (and keep some) form for winter

Yeah I know. Good luck with that. But after getting my ass handed to me (I was totally expecting it tho) at last weeks PCR, and the increasing snugness of all my pants, I've decided to get off my lazy butt and get at least a little training in. Of course I started off well by not riding at all over the weekend. But what'evs. I went to the gym today for strength training. I feel huge already. Well... 'cept for my back which got a little tweaked on the ab-machine. I don't think it'll be anything a little ibuprofen wont help. But now to get in some riding too.

Cyclocross Practice Race

So last Thursday I rode the practice race at Eastwood. It was a great day to ride.

The course

Elevation/Speed

Let's just say it was a hard intensity day.

I only hope that I can do all 10 laps this week.

See also: filatura l'anello grande: CX Practice Race - week 2

Tom Dugan flys thru trees

There is a video embedded in this post that you may not be able to view. Click through to the blog to watch it.

Seriously, not only does he jump out of the skatepark over the safety fence, but he does so flying thru the crook of the tree. I'd say it's pretty amazing.