I was riding to work on my bike a few weeks ago and had a bee fly down into my jersey.  The bee stung me twice times on the chest before I could stop my bike and grab hold of it, and then stung me again on my finger as I flung it away.  As I was digging the stinger out of my finger, I thought about whether or not I was allergic to bee stings.  I have never been stung by a bee so wouldn't know.  I waited a minute for the stinging to subside a little and my throat didn't close up, so I got back on my bike and continued on to work.  I guess I am not allergic to bees-- good to know.

 

I went to an appointment with a new doctor last week and learned that the appendix does have a purpose.  Although still debated somehwat, the appendix holds the blueprint of your intestinal microbes.  Everyone's intestinal microbes are different and unique to the individual.  So when you take antibiotics and kill alot of your good microbes along with the bad ones, the appendix tells your body how to get your good microbes back to original.  I am sure it is a little more complicated than my explanation, but that is my reduced version. 

 

Brad was grumpier than usual and really tired the beginning of last week and he couldn't come up with any reasons why.  The grumpiness and tiredness went on for several days, until he realized he had not taken any allergy medicine any of those days.  He took some allergy medicine and was back to normal within a day.  We now know that the allergy medicine does work and Brad can get grumpier.

\ 

Even though learning something new is good thing, it doesn't mean that it doesn't come with a learning curve.

 

Billi

 

We went out to see some 24 hour racing.  Heather (that's for Trish) entered the race as a solo woman rider and rode all the way into second place.  The race seems to be not so much about speed but being able to stay on your bike for a full 24 hours.  The way this race worked was at noon they said go and the contestants rode 13 mile loops untill noon the next day.   Anton (some more names for Trish) was riding by the pit we were hanign at, and he was on a old 1940 or so schwinn cruiser and was showin off by riding some wheelies, well or what he could on a 40# bike.  All of the people were havin a good time and the cow bells were ringing every time a rider would fly by.  There are many ways to enter and one of them is as a duo, which is probably how Billi and I will be racing the events.  Taking a name from a group of snowmobilers, we are thinking of using the Rue Crew.  We might go into next year racing SS or geared-- we have not decided.  Sunday we headed out to the trail and threw down a ride that went by too quick.  We enjoy cruising and laughing a little more then the pacers wanted to.

 
Oh yeah, right now on xm radio they are runnin Manditory Metallica.  I have been jammin it every where we go.  Listening to all those songs bring back a lot of thoughts.  I still remember borrowing my friend's Killl Them All album back in the 6th grade and have been a loyal disciple ever since. 

 

Well we will be riding the Crest this weekend and that should be very entertaining since that was some of are best stories from last year.  Oh yeah, we have been walking Tucker and he was bored one night, so I got out the Haro, my BMX bike, and hooked him up to a long leash and he really enjoyed running all over town. 

 

Brad

I received some cold, hard bank for my B-Day to buy some more biking products.  The dollar bills went towards lights and a brand new tire.  The lights are designed to fly down some sweet, single track at night.  I got a handle bar mount lamp and a head mount lamp.  They run off a battery that connects to the bike or rests in your bag.  I have not tried them out, since we have been so busy with just riding hard in the day time.  Soon the days will get shorter, the evening rides will run out of sun and then the lamps will come out and fill the the void.   My tire I will have to buy has not yet gotten here due to the fact I have not purchased it yet.  My old tire has three holes in it and the tread is almost gone.  The new tire I am thinking about getting is the Big Earl and has a scary, aggressive tread pattern.  My cousin runs them and really likes the tire.  I also broke a spoke this weekend, so I may have to put on my old wheelset for this weekend rides.

Yeah one more thing, Trish and her family gave me a book that tells me what my strenthgs are.  Probably will mention my exceptional social skills and my love for the phone.

 

 

 

This past week, it rained and rained some more.  We decided to on the weekly group ride despite the dark clouds all around.  The ride was nice but the rain finally caught up with us to soak us for the last couple of miles.  Thanks to Mick's camper shell, it wasn't enough water to keep us from enjoying a few of Heather's cookies and a beer after the ride--- who says we aren't social people?

 

The rain continued and the forecast was rain for sure for the entire weekend.  Brad and I posted our weekend ride invitation anyways.  We actually got a few responses, most of which were warnings.  We got the warnings about how much it had already rained, how much it was going to rain, about the muddy trails, about bringing our raincoats, and about how we might should re-think our plans.  Of course, all of the warning emails came from the people that weren't actually interested in going.  We ignored them all and four of us took our chances.  We must have somehow managed to please the bicycling Gods because the weather was great, sunshine with some clouds and no rain, not even a sprinkle.  We rode our mountain bikes Saturday and rode again on Sunday on the road bikes.   

 

We didn't have any rain but we did have good company and som fun.  Heather wrecked while trying to sneak up on a marmot to take a photo (see photos) but other than that everyone came out OK.  Just a reminder that the weather forecast is just a prediction--- get outside anyways and enjoy the ride, rain or not.

 

Billi

We did a group weekend ride for the people who wanted to.  Seems funny how many people can't ride when the trail gets hard and long.  Anywho, we were working are butts of when Billi said " I think that's the top", She was talking about the need not to hike the bike no more.  Well it wasn't, and every chance me or Heather got , we would say "hey I think that's the top".  Well the top never showed up cause I think we rode 20 some odd miles and climbed around every corner.   We had a great time though.  One rider ran out of water halfway and was drinkin some iced tea out of his bag.  The other three of us made it with our water, barely.  On days like that, I will wake up and start to drink water right away.  The weekend group we have found is filled with riders willin to do anything for a thrill.  We hiked a bike, tore soles of two shoes, fell down and sliced a leg with a cherry about 6" around, blisters on our palms, hid under trees from rain, wrecked going up, endoed going down, 5 flat tires, two brake adjustments, and tons of laughs.  I am sure glad we have met some really neat people through cycling that we can go have fun with. 

Until next time, take no organized group photos.

Brad

We decided not to go on the Alamosa-La Veta train ride this weekend.  We found out that the train ride from La Veta to Alamosa would take 4 hours.  It would only take us about 3 1/2 hours to ride our bikes from Alamosa to La Veta.  So we thought we would join this group ride but backed out.  The train ride was too long, especially in comparison with the bike ride.  The train ride scenary would not be great--- the train route follows along side of the highway most of the trip.  We have already rode La Veta ss earlier this year.  So the only remaining reason to ride was that we would get to ride and visit with other cyclists.  It did not outweigh the negatives.  We are picky, what more can I say?

 

So instead we went on a mountain bike group ride Saturday and Brad and I did another mountain bike ride Sunday.  We have never rode either one of the routes we did on Saturday or Sunday.  Saturday, our group of four explored trails out in the Terrace Reservoir area, and Sunday we explored Trails 700 and 704.  Both experiences had some hike-a-bike with Saturday having more.  Saturday had really nice weather, while Sunday got delayed with lightning and rain.  Saturday had a nice dry and fund descent at the end, while Sunday had a muddy, slippery descent.  Both days had their rewards and added to the storytelling for later days-- we posted some photos in the meantime.

 

Billi

 

 

This is a tribute to the best blog I have ever wrote.  It was great when I was done.  I thought that I should just delete it and write a tribute to it.  It was funny and witty and epic.  It flowed like a fast single track and bombed like a downhill.  I made references to family and friends and told all what we did this weekend.  I really wish everybody could have enjoyed it but it really needed a blog about it instead.  Thanks for tunin in this week and come back soon.

 

"that's not skill, that's ignorance"

Brad

After much research and deliberation, we have decided not to start a mountain gear retail business.  We love the outdoors and bikes but have decided that retail is not for us.  We do not want to be in the business of being open 7 days a week, 254 days a year (we could close for Christmas and Thanksgiving), and not a chance to get away for at least the forseeable future.  We like to work hard and play hard, not work all of the time.  There were other factors, of course, but all work and no play was a major one. 

 

So with that decision made, we have been having a blast riding our bikes.  We have been thinking about trying more 12 hour and 24 hour mountain bike events next summer--- especially if we like 24 Hours of Moab later this fall.  We have watching the Tour de France and cheering on the riders.  We are going on a road bike group ride over La Veta Pass and riding the train back next weekend.  We went on a really nice mountain bike ride this weekend with a cool guy we have gotten to know at the Thursday night mountain bike group rides.  We almost have all of the lights we need to start riding at night-- a must for the Moab event-- but something we think will be fun anyways-- I am sure we will have stories to tell about those rides. 

 

I guess we are who we thought we are-- we value our play time.  We work to play and I hope that never changes.  Now if I can jus figure out how to make cleaning house and doing laundry fun.

 

Life is too short to not play and have fun--

 

Billi

You know some of those items that you always look into but never purchase?  I don't have many of those, but I do have some.  Everytime I listen to the White Stripes, I enjoy it and think to myself, why havent I bought or downloaded some of these tunes?  Still though, I do not own them after several years.  Another thing has to be a tortilla press.  I have looked at them, resarched them and even watched several shows on them, but still no tortilla press.  I always have to laugh also because I really need a pair of snow boots.  I have recently bought different types of shoes, some I probably don't even wear anymore but for some reason no snow boots.  If you remember this year, we had record snowfall and my feet would get wet and cold with my hiking boots but for some reason no snow boots.  This blog could probably go on forever with things I have bought. so let's continue with some of those.

Today I picked me up a new 203mm front rotor for my 575.  I also found (in our bike shop) a brand new light system for my bike.  The night riding is going to start soon so blogin for that will be fun.  I would like to post some more pics and blog about things we are up to, and I should, considering we should have a lot more time.

 

"29 & single"- Brad

"26 & single"- Billi

 

Brad

 

 

 

Brad has been going on the Thursday evening mountain bike group rides for several weeks now.  He always has had a good time and comes home with stories to share.  So this past week since the ride was between Del Norte and Monte Vista, at Lime Kiln area, I decided to go.  After work, I rode to the highway turn-off where I met Brad with our mountain bikes.  I decided to ride my SS because I knew the terrain fairly well and all of the previous group rides had been at a moderate pace that I thought I could up with on Louisa.  Three guys and a cool Springer Spaniel showed up for the ride and after a few introductions and a tube change, we were off.  In didn't take long to figure out, the testosterone was flowing and these guys decided it was hammer night-- so much for a moderate pace.  Maybe I should have brought my StumpyP, but it was too late for those thoughts.  Instead I chanted to myself-- come on legs and come on Louisa.   A few times while climbing, I thought my heart was stuck in my throat, but I was able to swallow it back down and stay in the middle of the small pack.  The guys continued to hammer the entire ride but not without their own gasping for air.  At one technical rock slab climb, two of the riders went up first and then stood looking down, making their bets on Brad making the climb on his SS.  He made it up without a problem--- I think Brad's legs were made for SS.  We got back to the vehicles around twilight and everyone seemed to be in good spirits and satisfied from a good ride.

 

I had a good time and was pretty proud to have kept up.  Maybe by next year, after I have worked to become a faster and better rider, I will go to the Thursday evening mountain bike group ride with my SS, Louisa, and this time wear my skirt-- let the hammering begin!

 

Billi

Sneaky, sneaky. Yeah I am talkin of laughin Billi.  We did ride La Veta pass this weekend.  During the ride we had to do a lot of time sharin the lead.  The wind was screamin in our ears and keepin the pedal strokes up.  Then finally we got to the top and did a nice descent towards the town of La Veta.  Makin it in one piece to the town, we stopped at a convenience store and picked up 2 liters of water and a Mothers peanut butter cookie.  We did our climb out of the bottom to the top and then back headed down the other side.  Our top speed was around 35 mph coming down while the guys in the Tour are pulling off around 50-55.  Yeah I know.  So we are ridin along towards our waitin and probably really hot pickup.  Then on the last climb going down- or up, you know what I mean,  I hear this laughter comin out from behind me.  Billi was laughin, why?, she was  standin and sprintin up the climb.  Could I react?  No, by the time she passed me and was going, I was in the wrong gear and tried but never got the sneaky Billi.  In our little world, she would have won the climbers challenge of the day.  All went well and we did not get too tired.  Sunday we went ridin with a lady we met, Heather.  She was great to ride with, and we enjoyed the mountain bike ride.  I did happen to fall into a bush.  I cut open my armpit.  Sounds kinda weird but it did hurt.  The SS is goin good and it has made a better rider out of me. 

"Oh say it ain't so Joe."  The Tour had a doper this year, and he got arrested.  I just hope for one year that the tour gets no bad press.  Our main fav climber had to leave but a new fav, Cavendish, stepped up.  He is a sprinter and has to be the fastest man.  The other night we were standin cheerin for him as he sprinted towards the finish.  The mountains have started, and it is really is getting exciting.

 

While ridin a Single Speed and thinkin I had a problem, one responded in fun "havin shiftin problems?"

Brad

We are half-way through our 32 weeks.  We may have been a little too ambitous, but we will go down trying.  We have been riding our bikes alot-- in the mountains, in town, on highways, to work, anywhere we can-- and we have been having a good time.  Trying new organic coffees has been relatively easy as well as not eating at fast-food restaurants and not drinking soda water.  Now that we have made it a part of our daily schedule, walking Tucker does maybe more good for us than Tucker.  Tucker actually walks beside us without pulling our arm off, most of the time.  I have started reading my book-- Brad bought him a book but has not started reading it yet.  We have been using our GPS-- Garmin's software lets us look at our tracked routes on Google Earth- pretty cool stuff.  We should start some backpacking and the 14er's maybe by the end of this month now that the snow is getting closer to being mostly melted.  Buying items from Colorado companies has made us more aware of the fact there really our quite a few products out there made by Colorado companies.  We have been looking at art but haven't found anything yet we liked and within our price range-- we are trying to find pieces from Colorado artists.

 

So the things that haven't been so easy.  Stretching seems hard to remember and we usually end up stretching right before bed time.  Learning sign language and the rubics cube doesn't seem as interesting anymore, and we haven't seen any cool wildlife photo opportunities up-close.  We have continued the organic food pursuit and while we have definitely formed our opinions as to what organic foods are worth paying for we have found it increasingly more difficult to buy organic.  One of the grocery stores, Safeway, no longer carries much organic produce, which we were buying before.  We have switched to locally grown and processed "natural" meats (beef, chicken, sausages) since we can't  buy organic locally and have found them to be much better tasting, plus supporting the local economy is a good thing.

 

So we may be sending out some goft certificates to some of our family members but we are experiencing and learning a lot of things we otherwise may have not.

 

For a Tour de France update on my part-- Team Columbia's Mark Cavendish has now won 2 stages.  He is a sprinter and is not a yellow jersey contender, but I am rooting for him on the stages he has a chance.  I am also going for the other American team, Garmin-Chipotle.  We still have two more weeks to go-- lots of action left.

 

Billi

 

 

If you missed it, you may miss out on on of the best sporting events of the year.  The Tour de France began on Saturday with a stage win for Alejandro Valverde and then Sunday had a fun breakaway with Thor Hushovd coming out of the peleton to take stage two.  One of our favorite riders, Mauricio Soler, was in a wreck in stage one and seems to be really banged up so you will see him in the back of the peleton.  Hopefully he will be able to get a stage win in the mountains.  The mountains have to be the best racing, it seems to seperate everybody out.  The hill climbers move to the front and stand up and climb straight up those Alps.  If you remember back a little while ago there seems to have been no better climber then the legendary Lance Armstrong.  In one article we read, he mentioned that a lot of his hill climbing power came from riding after his cancer and having to hold a higher cadence instead of mashing the gears.  Big Tom Boonen did not get to race this year due to his cocaine problem.  The two other riders not in the race thisear are Contador and Levi.  Team Discovery broke up last year and they both joined Astana afterwards, who has been banned from this year's tour.  Maybe during the tour we will blog about how we feel about the different teams and riders. 

 

Brad

We celebrated our freedom this weekend by riding our mountain bikes.  We rode out on Friday at Lilm Kiln area on our singlespeeds.  It was a nice day and Brad and I could tell my skills were improving, much to his satisfaction---- and mine of course.  Brad did swerve into an edge of a rut in the trail and wrecked-- I had to hit the brakes hard to avoid ramming smack square into the backside of his black shorts but I avoided him and his shorts.  It was a good day.

 

So on Sunday we headed out to ride a new trail-- Burro Creek trail off of Pinos Creeek Road.  I decided to ride my Stumpy P and Brad stuck with his singlespeed, Thelma.  We started out on a downhill with some switchbacks, down to the creek, where we encountered our first creek crossing.  We found a way across the creek and continued maybe 200 yards to the next creek crossing.  At that point, we were still optimistic-- the trail had been maintained and was in good shape.  So after two more creek crossings, plenty of slippery mud and more than enough horseflies and mosquitos-- the fifth creek crossing within the past mile, with no relief in sight, was enough for both of us.  We turned around and made the trek back.

 

So we tried another trail.  This one was nice-- no mud, no creek crossings and not alot of biting bugs, but we couldn't figure out where the trail went.  We gave it a good try but only found ourselves at the powerline trail.  It was getting later in the day so he loaded up the bikes and dri\ove up to the top of the powerline trail.  Brad unloaded his singlespeed and wished he had brought his Yeti.  I offered my Stumpy P but it is a bit small.  Brad headed down the trail with Thelma instead.  I drove the pick-up down the gravel road and checked on him at the trail/road crossings.  He got to check out the trail but had to do it alone-- not near as much fun with company.

 

So, we hope to do a little better planning for next weekend but sometimes in order to explore new territory,  you have to take the good with the bad.  It was fun to ride some new trails and cross a few creeks.  With that said, I think we are planning on a road bike ride next weekend.

 

By the way, the whole naked picture--porn star saying was Brad's.  Pretty creative.

 

Billi

The rain finally came to town.  It may be as exciting as the circus considering we have not seen any in like a year.  Oh yeah next weekend is the Fourth of July, and we are trying to decide where we will go for some action.  This weekend's action however consisted of a really good road ride that we did not even know we were going on untill we left and where we were going till we turned and went that way.  I think we have been really tired doing research, setting and attending meetings, and phone calls.  If anybody is looking for something to do-- go rafting the river of no return.  I hear they have a very cool gift shop there too.  Yeah my sis owns it, but it sounds cool and we have talked about going.  I went on another group ride and it was good.  We had three Yetis representin the ride and they tore up the hill side.  My bike sometimes yells at me and says "I NEED SOME LUBE, BRAD" but you know it's just a bike.  Well till next time I hope we have a story of somebody burning off their hand with fireworks but we will have to wait and see. 

 

Brad

 

Just 'cause I have a picture of me naked, doesn't make me a porn star.  I heard this statement a few days ago and it got me thinking about people's perceptions of themselves.  There are those who think they are more or better than what they are, there are those who think they are less or worse than what they are, and then there are a few that are realistic and know exactly where they stand.  Brad and I are looking into opening a mountain gear retail shop.  We have been researching local demographics, traffic patterns, retail locations, product manufacturers, successful retailers, and just about everything else we can think of.  Everyday we question ourselves-- will we be successful?  do we want to really be small business owners?  will we have enough creativity to get customers through the door, over and over again?  Are we ready to step out of our comfort zone and take a new risk?  It all boils down to- are we who we think we are?  No matter what the outcome, we will learn more about ourselves.

 

Billi

 

 

Single speeding is an entirely different way of viewing the world and riding a bike.  You can take the same trail, same weather, even the same day if you are up to it and ride your single speed instead of your all-mountain bike, and the world just seems to slow down, quiet down, and become peaceful.  It is kind of like taking a deep breath and closing your eyes. 

 

Well, all that would be during the part of the trail that is flowing up and down.  During the steep hill climbs--- what was I thinking?  Instead, you think about your lungs gasping for the next breath, your legs burning to turn that crank over--- just one more time, and where the hell is that lower gear?  Eveything is focused on how you feel and how you can possibly make it to the top.  Shoulders and triceps straning to pull up on the handlebars while your legs are pulling up and down to push the cranks around, hands gripping tight on the rubber grips until all you feel is numbness.  I don't notice any of the scenary, none of the wildlife my stealth, no-gear bike sneaks up on, and most certainly not the mileage on my bike computer.  Occasionaly, I grunt aknowledgement to Brad's encouragement, when my breathing allows.  Hill climbing is a workout-- in the most simple and sincere form and no sitting allowed.

 

Downhilling is much easier on the lungs than climbing but it still has its challenges.  My legs are tired, my hands are numb, the muscles between my shoulders are aching but I still have to stay alert and absorb all of the bumps of the rocks.  Move with bike--up, down and sideways.  I try to sit when I can to rest my legs.  Downhill on a SS is just like any other bike but I think I am much more tired.

 

So, you ride a SS and you are hooked.  You go back again and again.  Maybe for the challenge, maybe for the pain, maybe to know you can still can overcome?  Maybe for the different pace of life. 

 

Billi

The weather has warmed up a little bit, and lots of people are coming out and getting in our way.  I know I sometimes do some things that leave others scratching their heads but here are some things I noticed already this summer that I laugh at. 

 

Do not put a feather in your hat when you're hiking, that makes you look dumb.

 

Excuses, I could ride better but I ran 50 miles, hiked a 14er and rode 500 miles yesterday.  Most people around here hit it hard anyways so we

Somebody had a "OBAMA MEANS OBOMB US" painted on their vehicle rear glass.  What is that?  I wanted to stop and ask him what he meant.  Oh yeah, he was a tourist.

 

I can sit on the side of the trail and litter.  I don't get it why people throw their trash in the forest.  Oh, maybe so I have something to carry out.

 

Some people know summer is coming so they hit the club hard for a day or maybe two.  I bet that don't work.

 

Once on a epic ride, my little sis said "I am glad I did that leg stretch before we started."  We climbed Puke Hill that day.  Well me and Pam laughed, but then again we have a different kinda humor. 

 

People I do not know, always telling me how great they are. 

 

Speakin of Pam, hey if you read this send me an email sometime.  I look at your blog whem I can and I saw Brian wearin some AM gear--did you find some trails or what?  I like your Luke I am your father bit.  Did you hear Ben got a new bike?  Oh yeah there was a DH race here-- I think it was up by Summitville but they did not do the Powerline.  Anyhow if they did do the Powerline, that would have been great if Brain would have come down.  I don't even know who rode it or what bikes they had.  I do not see many FR bikes around though.  I took a fall and the handle bar stuck in my stomach.  I thought I died for a small while, then I laughed cause at least it didn't rip my pants off like the bmx bar scence.

 

Back to the blog.  I am kinda spacy right now. (Billi says I have A.D.D.)

Drive slow, get out the way.  Drive fast, go around me.

 

"Saw saw saw saw saw saw, here"  Ben

Brad

 

Brad may have been reluctant to go to the trail building class but since going he has fully embraced the whole experience. 

 

The IMBA instructors continued to plug Clif energy bars throughout the class, since Clif Bars sponsors IMBA.  Brad decided to try Clif Bars a few weeks later and we have been eating them on every mountain bike ride-- they are easy to digest and pretty tasty for an energy bar, especially the chocolate chip.

 

Every trail we ride gets a little trail building class help.  If there is a mud puddle, we create a drain outlet.  If there are any branches in the "corridor", we remove them.  If there are some unneccesary rocks, they get kicked out of the trail.  If some previuos trail users have cut the trail, Brad plants some "vertical deadfall" to encourage the next users to use the existing trail.  Any nice size logs that cross the trail get left-- nice obstacles and challenges.

 

Last weekend we headed out to Trout Creek trail.  The plan was to check out some trail we had not yet traveled.  Someone had done some trail maintenance to the part we had not ridden and the trail was nice riding.  Then we came to the first creek crossing and the water was gushing.  Someone had previously built a plank bridge to cross but the bridge had been washed out.  So Brad takes off his cycling shoes and socks, and gets to work re-building the bridge.  It took about 30 minutes to remove the debris and get the planks back in order, but Brad was successful and we were able to to get the bikes across without getting wet.  So we head back on the trail, only to come to three more creek crossings.  By the fourth crossing, we had had enough for one day and headed back---- at least the bridge got us back across on the way home.  The plank bridge was still in place this past weekend when we went back, so Brad's work paid off.

 

I posted some pics from our ride and of the bridge building.

 

My favorite Brad quote of the week--- "Are you serious?"

Billi