Weekend ride on the new Studs

WVT

Last Sunday I met up with Ward Solar to get out for trip on the Wildcat Valley Trail. Ward and I met up in Jackson to stage a car and then I piled into the back of his new Element and Rebecca drove us up to dump us at the base of Wildcat.

I was in my full ninja black uniform- very stylish. You'll notice that Ward has full on tele gear and skins and I was running a pair waxless Karhu Catamounts- which is a good choice of ski but was a bit lacking on the climb.

The trip up was good, nice even pace, took about an hour to climb the 2100'. It was cold but we were working so it wasn't bad. As we got toward the summit the wind was a bit bitting. The entire trip up the views were unreal of Mount Washington and while we didn't spend much time at the summit due to the wind we did take a minute to enjoy the view (this isn't a shot we took, but it is from the same spot).



We quickly got into the woods to get out of the wind and it was amazing how much more comfortable it was in the woods. We descided that brunch at the Red Fox would be in order after the trip so I texted K to let her know that was the plan and then we pushed off.

The snow was great, there were a couple of sets of tracks so speed wasn't and issue and when the pitch was there you could get into the untracked and enjoy some nice turns. About a quarter of the way down we were complailning that neither of us brought a camera and then Ward realized that he had a camera on his phone- this is me looking dashing in the woods:

It was a great trip down and the Birch Glade was, as always, amazing! Ward was making some nice turns and got me wishing that I had brought "big gear", but I was managing fine just not able to be real aggressive with my turns. Of course the tables turned when we got to the flats and I was digging being on lightweight XC gear.

There were a few sections of old logging roads that had some interesting waterbar sections. Ward and I were doing out best 1980's spread eagles and Ward even threw in a very stylish back scratcher

It was fun skiing on the edge at times and there were even a few "gaps" that needed to be cleared at speed as some of the waterbars had running water going through. It should be noted that at one point we skied up to a small stream and I felt that I could jump it- Ward felt it wasn't doable- even trying to get his camera out to record either me laying in the water or me with broken skis- but I made it (barely) and then on his attempt he put a ski in the water which made gliding a bit interesting for a short bit.

We finally made it out to Carter Notch road and intelligently took off our skis and walked the half mile to the car and met up with everyone at the Red Fox.


Ok so we didn't do that- instead we began a foolish bushwack that included me beating up a blister to the point that I'm still wearing clogs four days later- but I won't go into details on our foolishness. Needless to say we made it out and then went and chowed down at Brunch.

It was great to get to ski with Ward and then catch up with Rebecca as well. If you haven't read her posts about here first crack at racing cyclocross in Belgium this past December you should- good stuff.

That's it for now- but we'll do the trip again- this time Ryan up at GGTOC won't bail on us- and we'll get JJ and my wife to go as well.

later,

DEA

Epic Ride Planned

What are you doing on Saturday, June 21st? TWAF is planning on an estimated 12 hours of quality saddle time. Start in Center Conway, head out to Bartlett and go up and over Bear Notch, then up and over the Kanc, down into Lincoln and then up Rt 3 through Fanconia Notch, bang a right onto 302, ride by the beautiful Mount Washington Resort and then through Crawford Notch, roll into Glen and bang a left up Pinkham Notch, go by our friends at GGTOC, into Gorham, take a right onto Route 2 and then a left onto North Road into Maine then up and over Evans Notch and then home. Estimate 180 miles and a crap load for climbing (I'm guessing 15,000 to 20,000 feeet)

This ride needs a name- thoughts?

We've been looking for motivation to train- I think we've found it!

later,

DEA

First Ride of 2008

Snuck out for my first ride of the year yesterday. Grabbed the El Mariachi and hit the road with no real game plan. I was thinking of just riding pavement as we had had freezing rain the day/night before so the roads were a bit sketchy on the edges. So cruised down Mill and then hit Browfield road. I got up to Potter and decided to see how it was holding up. It was very icy but there was enough texture in the ice to make staying upright very doable.

I figured I'd ride out to the end of where they plow, turn around and go off in another direction. The views along the lake were fantastic, it was fun to ride it in the opposite direction. When I got to the end of where the town maintains the road I noticed that it had been sort of plowed/packed down. The road looked awful and very icy so I went for it. It was a bit of a sketchy ride at times but I took it slow and managed to stay upright. Then over to Greely which had been plowed and sanded- prior to the freezing rain. Again there looked to be enough texture to get traction so I went for it.

I had forgotten that in this direction it was a good climb, and that combined with the ice made it a good challenge. I slipped a few times but managed to not dab and made it to the bottom of Leavitt, which is paved- but not maintained. Fortunately it has a southern exposure so pavement was showing but it had a thin breakable layer of ice on top. I headed up having to stay seated to make sure my rear tire didn't slip- I got almost to the top and slid out and then it got interesting as I was standing but sliding down the hill backwards holding my bike. I aimed for the snowbank and managed to "self arrest" but was then stuck for a moment while I planned how to make it to the top. I found that if I used the very edge of the snowbank I could get footing and climb my way up- I must of looked pretty foolish- but I also knew that anyone that could see me would be dealing with the same issue!

At the old farm house at the top I stopped to enjoy the view, it was pretty spectacular with clear skies and all the mountain summits very white as they broke above treeline.

I new the descent down Gulf road "should" be clear- but I was nervous as I rolled up to it. I took the approach to let the bike run when it looked glossy and grab two handfuls of brake anytime I saw road that had dirt on top of the ice. It made for an exciting ride!

Then up and over the back of Davis, with a tour of the new lots up on top- still looks like their all for sale- anyone want to be JJ's neighbor?

Then home via Mill St/302. It was a good ride, took about 1:40- certainly not record pace- but it felt good to get out.

Now it's time to load up the car to go get in some Nordic up at GGTOC.

later,

DEA

Bike? What Bike?

My bike work area is MIA, completely hidden by waxing benches, irons, brushes and lots of skis- and that's ok with me! Ski season is in full swing and what a season we've been having. Pretty much 'cross season wrapped up and skiing got underway with little hesitation in between.

This past weekend the skiing was excellent- once again. Skied with Emma at Cranmore on Saturday, while K and Lillo ripped around with K's sister and her family. Emma is close to being fully solo up on the mountain- but not just yet. She still has a "bowling for skiers" attitude at times. Then on Sunday we headed up to GGTOC for some nordic, Lillo is doing the BKL program and Emma, K and I skied out to Great Angel again. Emma had a couple ripping downhills where she stayed in the track and just railed around the corners at a good clip. I was nervous a couple times as I wasn't sure she'd make the corner and if she didn't how far off into the woods she'd end up. But it all went well and whe was pretty proud of herself.

I also got out and snowshoe packed our ski trails that are between A1's house and ours. The dogs came out with me and seemed to have a good time- the only down side was that the snow is so deep that hte dogs are doing their business in the track- oh well (klister and dog poo- great combination)

So that's it at the moment. I'll be riding for Bikeman.com again this year as will JJ- looking forward to that. Didn't get into the SSWC out in Napa, oh well. We'll still have the North American Championships here in the Valley next fall.

That's it from here.

later,


DEA

Good morning

The day started like this- get up and snowblow (again- but I'm not complaining), get in feed the kids, pull thier stuff together grab my stuff for work- make sure to not forget my laptop, get the girls ready, get little E into the truck to drop her off at daycare, roll out, get half way to town and realize I left my computer at home, turn around, start to sweat that now I'm going to miss first chair, get the computer speed back to town, drop off little E (she took here time getting out of the truck and walking in), roll to the mountain- see they did an early load- f$%&- oh well- no panic, get to the lift drop my skis put them on- left binding bail snaps- crap! figure out a fix, get on the lift- breath easily again, get down the top half of the mountain with grin that went ear to ear both on the top and bottom of my head (that's a big grin), get over into some terrain where they were blowing snow, did something wrong went ass over tea kettle and landed on my head first- saw stars, stood there for a minute to figure out which way was up and which way was down, skiied down to the lift and shook the fog off, went up again, oh my the snow was so good! Took a few runs hten went back to work. Head still hurts, but damn it was worth it.

I love powder days.


DEA

Happy New Year

I can't believe it's 2008- yikes. Anyway it's snowing like crazy and I've got to go fire up the snowblower.

Happy New Year and let's make 2008 a great year.

DEA

Good Way to Start the Day

I skinned up Cranmore this morning at 6am for bit of first tracks after we picked up some fresh snow last night. It was a great way to start the morning and reminded me of many of the TWAF training rides that used to begin in the early morning.

This trip was solo but it still felt really good to get out that early. I'm not sure what it is about the early morning but you just feel like you're getting so much more out of the day when you start the day with some fun adventure before the sun even comes up.

Other then that not much else going on. Got out on the cross bike on the road for an hour and a half on the 26th, that felt good- but boy a month off from the bike and I don't feel very strong any more!

Got out skiing with the girls at Whitaker Woods yesterday, and hope to do that again today.

That's it from here.


DEA

Hamilton to Rock Racing

Just read this on VeloNews- that Tyler Hamilton will be racing for Rock Racing next season.

I've been a fan of Tyler's for some time- and I have no idea if he doped or not- and I've gotten to the point I almost don't care (as long as he's clean going forward).

Anway- it'll be good to see a New England rider going fast again next year.

That's it on this front- have a good holiday if I don't post again for a few days.


ride safe.

DEA

Not much to report

We've gotten some great snow, so the skiing is awsome but the bikes have been relegated to the basement. The only bike that has been seeing any use is K's as she's been riding the trainer on a regular basis. I need to get my butt in gear!

Planning on a good skate ski after work in Whitaker- any takers?

later,

DEA

No bike time

Top of Cranmore

So winter appears to have arrived earlier than usual this year to most folks' delight. I've gotten more skiing in at this point than most years by Christmas. Looks like the weather gods are going to continue t smile upon us with the threat of some more storms in the next few days as well.


Shot of Mt. Washington from Denmark, ME

Due to the snow however, the only riding I have been doing is after getting off a lift and its more of sliding than riding. I'll take it though. But I do feel the need to peddle some to avoid marshmallow but setting in. Of course that will match my marshmallow belly nicely.

See ya on the slopes.

JJ

Chilly Ride

With the snow still on the trees and the sun shining I decided to head out for a ride even though it's frigid out. It was a balmy 15 degrees when I left. Headed up over Davis to Gulf and Leavitt. Pretty much the same route I ride most every time. The only difference is with the snow Potter isn't rideable back so I spun around and rode back the way I came. Then rode back over Davis and home. I was dressed for the cold except I didn't start the ride wearing any face protection, after about 100 yards I stopped and put one on. Up on Gulf I talked with a woman who was walking her dog, she excited to see someone else out. The climb up Gulf sucked like always especially sucking in cold air. The view at the top of Leavitt was worth the suffering up though.




Too bad Mt. Washington was in the clouds, still a great view anyway.

A1

Ride?

My youngest daughter wanted to ride on the trail-a-bike to school today- a day when it was 9 degrees outside and we now have snowbanks. She didn't want to do it back in September when it was nice out- and when I said it was cold she said we could wear all our warm ski stuff.

Needless to say we drove in.

Anyone skiing this weekend?

DEA

NH vs MA

Afternoon Ride

Just got in from an hour or so on the monocog. Rode down to Pine Tree did a lap and then out Mudget Road to the end spun around and got on the singletrack about halfway back that takes you back out to Runabout Bay. Someone has cleaned it recently and it was really nice. Tight widing through the pine trees, it was starting to get dark so I did one more loop in Pine Tree and headed back. Rode the loop aroung Singer Lane and then did a loop through North Pines road then out to Shady Lane and home. Perfect temp. out except I should have worn booties as the feet were getting chilled. Plan on getting out in the morning for a decent ride. Probably ride rec. trail north to the power lines to sticks and stones. Stop and get a coffee then turn around and head back. We'll see.

New bike may be on the way. Debating what I should get, I like my Redline so I may get the Flight 29er but I like the looks of the Soma Juice too. Time will tell.

A1

Holiday Gut?

Ahh yes the holiday feasting. What DEA is really saying is that he bought a new 42 inch Plasma TV and can't help but watch Buffy reruns. I fired down the last piece of Pecan Pie that Nikki made for me last night. I ate every piece of that dang pie, the Nickelodean commercial says eating a Pecan Pie is equivelant to eating 17 cheeseburgers or something like that. Oh well.

I been lifting the last week or so and did legs on Friday which meant a very sore weekend. We took the kids to Santa's Village on Saturday night, very cold up in Jefferson, NH. That's where Santa's Village is, not the North Pole. I got out yesterday on the Monocog for about an 1 1/4 hours. Did some loops in Pine Tree and rode the lower section along the river that heads back towards the damn and then out at the other end of where we normally go in. Lots of rocks in the lower section, then headed over and rode on the dam side for a while before heading home. Today I decided to drive one of our trucks back to our garage to get it out of my driveway and brought my bike to ride home. It's about 20 miles and the weather held off long enough for me to make it. I was slightly overdressed but I guess that's better than the alternative. I rode through Silver Lake and Madison back. Not sure what the deal was but I think cars must not be expected someone to be biking this time of year, 3 times I was cutoff, with one guy pulling out in front of me and touching his bumper followed by me sending a "holiday greeting" his way. Dumbass.

Looks like tomorrow is going to be a wash which is OK since my legs weren't to snappy today and could use a rest.

No hot chocolate and banana bread tonight. Nikki just made some Oatmeal, white chocolate, pecan, etc. cookies. Fresh out of the oven, being washed down with a Tuckerman's Headwall Ale. Ahhh

A1

Holiday Gut Begins

Thanksgiving has come and gone, hopefully everyone out there had a great holiday filled with good eats. My last ride or any form of exercise took place on Thanksgiving morning when I got out for about an hour spine on the cross bike.

Since then it's been a lot of eating followed by what I can only describe as a large parasite of some sort living in my gut. Of course that is completely made up, but it sounds much more interesting and creates a fairly vivid picture without me having to go into the gory details.

I'm getting back to a good place, might even try to ride the trainer tonight- but I thought it interesting that upon the start of the "Get Fat" season I would get struck by something that has kept me from exercising (but of course it has also kept me from eating so that's good).

The tough thing will be for the next five plus weeks trying to keep some sort of cardio work going and keep my eyes in line with the goal of not looking like LeMond once he hung up his cleats.

What else can I tell you? Not much. Astana will be riding with SRAM Red next year- hmmmm- if they end up on Trek frames does that mean Trek will speck their "team issue" with SRAM Red- I would guess so. Kinda cool.

later

DEA

A1's desire to race La Ruta

I just read Dicky's description of La Ruta- A1 says he wants to do that race- not for me boys and girls, that one is just over my head.

DEA

Snow Ride, Take It Easy

Sorry not sure where that came from. Maybe because I was listening to Rock 101 this morning. Drove up to Great Glen this morning to deliver tables, snowing pretty good up there and it was pretty slow going. It was all good though, I planned on a slow ride so I stopped and got a large coffee and bagel at Front Side Grind before heading up. It was snowing decent here and the ground was covered when I got home so I decided to head out for my first snowy ride of the season.

Went up Davis to Gulf, turned around at the top and headed down to Mill St. then up Baird Hill which dead ends a few miles up. It climbs pretty good and there are some really nice old farms at the top. I've never been up there so today was a good day to see it. Met a few people out walking who thought I was insane. Road back down Baird and rode in a few logging roads before heading out to Mill St. and home. We'll have to explore more of those trails in the spring, some bridges had been built on a few trails so it seems like someone has a secret stash of trails.

Rode up to North Conway on Thursday last week. It was too nice out to not go so I took the morning off for a ride. Glad I did, not sure how many sunny warm days we'll get for a while. Ran last night and then lifted. I picked up a heater the other day and realized how heavy it felt. I guess setting tents all summer took quite a bit out of me. Now that we're done for a few months it's time to get some strength back, so 3/4 days a week I'll be in the gym.

That's all I got, time for more hot chocolate and homemade banana bread.

A1

Cold Commute

Not much to talk about right now other then the ride into work this morning was a bit chilly. The good news- no ice on the side of the road so regular tires are still working fine. I'm almost dreading putting my studded cross tires on as they are so heavy. That and it cracks me up that I mount them up on an old pair of spynergy rev-X wheelsnot mine- but like mine
I'm thinking about putting relective tape on one blade of each side of each wheel- I get that would look pretty crazy from the side at night.

Didn't touch my bikes this weekend- instead intalled cabnets and re-painted out kitchen- how Bob Villa of me.

Still haven't skied yet- but within the week I hope to have been on snow.

Ride on-

DEA