Boulder Training Day

One week in Boulder Colorado with six Ag3r teammates, Sam Morrison and Diedre York representing University of Colorado.
Day 1, up Flagstaff mountain, down and up four mile Canyon. Teammates were happy to wait for me as I DID make it up. Richey coaxed me up the last half of the climb. The descent was a real eye opener of things to come for the week.
Day 2, out rt. 36 to Left Hand Canyon, up to Ward, over Peak to Peak hgwy. to Nederland. Descent back to Boulder. An epic day with that 15 mile climb, 4,000 ft ascent up to Ward. HD escorted me up the way and I only clipped out once to have a discussion with my racing heart. That bugger was going faster than my wheels would take me. The descent was like none other, fast twisting, 50 mph mind blowing.
Day 3, beautiful day starting with rollers out to Superior, a few sprints were taken in, I saved my energy. Some short climbs and a few dirt roads.
Day 4, more climbing up to Jamestown, great ride through the mountains and a false descent (yes false). Ken (SBg'er for short) tracked me the whole way. I know he wasn't drafting me as I was not going fast enough. I think he had the "I have fallen and can't get up" button and was ready to push it on my behalf. We were close to home and the Lee road was closed and the group  had to climb out and go back. That was a mental challange. This day we took a dirt road to rt.36 and spun back in. Damn, I almost quit four time that day but my Mother wouldn't answer the phone. She wouldn't have given me permission anyway.
Boulder is a great town, good weather, people and the mountains were a perfect backdrop.

New season races on

Friday night at the Washington Blvd. track has started with a 5 mile tt. I turned in a 12:32 time which was a PR for the 5 mile race. This was my third tt of the season, the first at Erie I performed in the cold, wind and rain with a sub par time. The second Colavita challenge in Deerfield OH, more rain but still a sub par performance. Now at the start of the Friday night series, I might be back on track, so to speak.

I have been trying a comeback after a neck injury. In the off season took some time off the bike and started Taekwondo. This has helped my conditioning and hopefully can translate to time on the bike. Still trying to hang with the riders out of North Park on the weekends is helping my endurance.

Real test comes in two weeks. Training Camp in Boulder Colorado.

HD made me post this and I think I know why

WILLIAMSVILLE CEMETERY GETS DEER PROOF MODIFIED SPIKES
buffalonews.com 4-22-11

On a cold and snowy evening in Buffalo, NY. We would occasionally pay a visit to the local cemetery.

On top of a hill, behind a majestic Oak tree we had a perfect position to bomb out unsuspecting cars and passersby with snow balls. One of these nights two guys came tearing through the cemetery and flushed us out.

Bobby cleared the fence in one leap, Bill was next to clear the fence in one leap. Ray was next to go over when the guy catches my ankle and pulls me down. Down Ray goes on that Iron Spiked fence, caught up on my groin and the new Xmas Suede coat. Left the coat behind with some flesh and a little pride.

This my friends is the same cemetery in Williamsville that they are Deer proofing the fence.

1972

Now Henry must have done the math and figured 39 yrs later Ray is still 3rd one out.

Tough RR Crossing

Mars - Evans road RR crossing is a tough one. I have personally been involved or witnessed biker problems there. The crossing is off angle and bumpy. The road is pot marked and washed out immediately right after, any car has problems staying in line. Saturday, I am alone closing on a lead group when I hear and see two cars coming on fast. One is already across the double yellow line. The cars were accelerating and they bump once, and bump again. They go sideways and cross the lane right at me. Down into the ditch they go, one crashed beyond recovery, the other comes up and at me. I was in full defensive mode and put my self in a position to assist if necessary. Get this, Fred Klehm the lead rider was past the point of incident. He used his riders sixth sense to possible hear some commotion behind. Realizing I was back there (and closing fast) Fred comes about and returns to see if I was engaged in any way. Good going Fred that is leadership. I will ride with you any time.

Spring Break

Nothing beats Spring Break in Colorado. Breck, Copper, Keystone and Glenwood Springs all of our favorite destinations. Fresh snow on Copper for our run on Oh No and Andy's encore. More fresh snow to manage Mozart. We made the North Peak and Outback all before lunch. Breck was crowded with kids so we moved around a bunch. Best lunch was a T Rex Grill, Best Apres Ski was at JJ's for Moe Dixon. We did get to sun bathe at Glenwood springs, yes our first tans.

The body performed well as I tried out a new strategy. Go slow first couple days and save some muscles and joints for the last day. Thanks Diane for this valuable lesson.

Next we get back on the bike.

Shut It Down

MRI shows herniated disc and some other questionable disc issues. Doctor says shut it down. No skiing, swimming or biking, didn't tell him about the Taekwondo.
Rehab for now and a steroid shot to reduce swelling at the point of injury.
Oh well will have to behave for now and hope to be back at it in the spring.
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Neck Breaker

Seriously now, The doctor told me I had a broken neck.
Suffice to say I am off the bike and curtailing the ski season for now. At least till I get things sorted out.
Thanksgiving I started to have neck, shoulder and arm pains. Two months with limited activity I decided to see a doctor. Past history shows a broken neck at some point and subsequent deterioration.
I am seeing rehab with a script from a spine doc and receiving chiro care and hoping to rebound.
Swimming and Karate will have to do for now, hopefully ready to go in the spring. MRI at our team sponsoring Butler Health Systems is scheduled and that will confirm what the course of action will be.
That's all folks.