Monday, January 6, 2014

First challenge of 2014

I can deal with brutally tough runs, rides and climbs, but a simple cold is a real struggle.  I hate staying in the house and resting and usually end up wearing myself down worse than I already am.  Three days into 2014, I caught a cold and am already feeling behind in my training.  The bitterly cold weather that hit at the same time did not help matters.  Ugh.

Friday, January 3, 2014

GEAR REVIEW: Armada ARVti skis

I just had the chance to demo some skis at Loveland Ski Area.  The first ski I tried was the Icelantic Nomad RKR.  This is a fun, light, quick ski that is a blast in powder, steeps and off piste terrain.  It was ok on the groomers but not as stable as I like.  I also tried the K2 Shredditor which was lightning quick and also great in powder, steeps and off piste terrain but did not have as large a sweet spot as the Nomads.  I'm sure I'd get into a grove if I skied it all the time, but the ski can get away from you a little bit if you are not right on top of it.  

My favorite was the ARMADA ARVti.  This ski was amazing.  It was a little heavier than the Nomad and Shredditor but was still a beast is all terrain types and snow conditions that I took it into.  Even some of my ski patrol colleague noticed the easy with which I ripped up even the steepest and most demanding terrain.  Moreover, this ski carves like a dream on the groomers.  I always felt like I was in complete control.  These skis are at the very top of my wish list.

"After 10 years spent largely unchanged, our original all-mountain tool got a new chassis, a top and bottom layer of Titanal, and the new AR Nose Rocker profile. The ARVti combines a Comp Series Base and a burly core, creating an on-piste charger that can still hold its own, and its edge, when the going gets bumpy." - ARMADA website

Committed

I just signed up for the Leadville Silver King. I'd better get myself ready!

Thursday, January 2, 2014

2014 Preview

It will be tough to top 2013, but I have a couple events that I am very excited about.
  • May 17 The L'Eroica Junction to Glenwood Vintage Bicycle Race-  This event recreates a 1899-1915 Grand Junction 102 mile bicycle race from Grand Junction to Glenwood Springs, CO. The organizers have researched the history of the ride and included as many of the original elements of the race as possible.
  •  July 4 Firecracker 50 MTB-  Each 25 mile lap has 4000′ of climbing. The first 6 miles of that is on the climb out of Breckenridge on the old narrow gauge Railroad grade. The race starts the 4th of July Parade in a neutral start format by start wave. From there the odyssey sends you into the Backcountry. There are a couple of grunty little climbs, a couple of long lungbusters, some absolutely rippin’ descents and plenty of contouring flume and singletrack.
  • July 12-13- Leadville Silver King-  Two days of exhilarating challenges. First, spend Saturday riding the Silver Rush 50 MTB, and follow it up on Sunday with the Silver Rush 50 Run. Finish both and you'll earn respect from everyone. Finish both events within the allotted time and you'll forever be known as a Silver King.
  • July 19-21 Courage Classic- Three days of spectacular family riding in the mountains of Colorado.  Proceeds support Children's Hospital Colorado.
  • August 9 Leadville 100 MTB- One hundred miles across the high-altitude, extreme terrain of the Colorado Rockies. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2013, this event was created for only the most determined athletes. Starting at 10,152 feet and climbing to 12,424 feet, you'll be challenged to catch your breath- while the views try to take it away.
  • August 31 West Elk Bicycle Classic- The Dave Wiens West Elk Bicycle Classic is a demanding 134 mile timed tour climbing 9,300ft (209 km, 2700m) from Gunnison to Crested Butte, CO circumnavigating the West Elk Mountains held Sunday of Labor Day weekend. The crux of the ride is a 25 mile 5400' climb over the dirt Kebler pass to Crested Butte starting at the 100 mile mark. The top of Kebler is where your time will stop for this timed event. You then will coast neutrally down to Crested Butte for the official finish and party.
  • October 4 Tour of the Moon- The Icon LASIK TOUR of the MOON is a 62-mile (metric century) ride through the unique landscape of the American West.  Cyclists will start and finish at Two Rivers Convention Center in downtown Grand Junction, Colorado. Participants will depart the Convention Center in the same manner as 2012 but will ride toward Fruita (instead of entering the east entrance of the Monument) and then may choose to ride the metric century through the beautiful farm country surrounding areas of Fruita and finishing with the spectacular ride through the Colorado National Monument, a unit of the National Park System (entering the west entrance) to the Convention Center.
  • November 2 New York City Marathon- The TCS New York City Marathon has grown from a Central Park race with 55 finishers to the world's biggest and most popular marathon.
    he TCS New York City Marathon has grown from a Central Park race with 55 finishers to the world's biggest and most popular marathon. - See more at: http://www.tcsnycmarathon.org/about-the-race#sthash.6maDfwjL.dpuf
    he TCS New York City Marathon has grown from a Central Park race with 55 finishers to the world's biggest and most popular marathon. - See more at: http://www.tcsnycmarathon.org/about-the-race#sthash.6maDfwjL.dpuf
    he TCS New York City Marathon has grown from a Central Park race with 55 finishers to the world's biggest and most popular marathon. - See more at: http://www.tcsnycmarathon.org/about-the-race#sthash.6maDfwjL.dpuf

    One hundred miles across the high-altitude, extreme terrain of the Colorado Rockies. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2013, this event was created for only the most determined athletes. Starting at 10,152 feet and climbing to 12,424 feet, you’ll be challenged to catch your breath — while the views try to take it away. - See more at: http://www.leadvilleraceseries.com/page/show/315773-100-mile-mtb-race#sthash.UrndadB7.dpuf
    One hundred miles across the high-altitude, extreme terrain of the Colorado Rockies. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2013, this event was created for only the most determined athletes. Starting at 10,152 feet and climbing to 12,424 feet, you’ll be challenged to catch your breath — while the views try to take it away. - See more at: http://www.leadvilleraceseries.com/page/show/315773-100-mile-mtb-race#sthash.UrndadB7.dpuf
    two days of exhilarating challenges. First, spend Saturday riding the Silver Rush 50 MTB, and follow it up on Sunday with the Silver Rush 50 Run. Finish both and you'll earn respect from everyone. Finish both events within the allotted time and you’ll forever be known as a Silver King - See more at: http://www.leadvilleraceseries.com/page/show/431570-silver-king-and-queen#sthash.983tYUv3.dpuf
    two days of exhilarating challenges. First, spend Saturday riding the Silver Rush 50 MTB, and follow it up on Sunday with the Silver Rush 50 Run. Finish both and you'll earn respect from everyone. Finish both events within the allotted time and you’ll forever be known as a Silver King - See more at: http://www.leadvilleraceseries.com/page/show/431570-silver-king-and-queen#sthash.983tYUv3.dpuf
    two days of exhilarating challenges. First, spend Saturday riding the Silver Rush 50 MTB, and follow it up on Sunday with the Silver Rush 50 Run. Finish both and you'll earn respect from everyone. Finish both events within the allotted time and you’ll forever be known as a Silver King - See more at: http://www.leadvilleraceseries.com/page/show/431570-silver-king-and-queen#sthash.983tYUv3.dpuf
    two days of exhilarating challenges. First, spend Saturday riding the Silver Rush 50 MTB, and follow it up on Sunday with the Silver Rush 50 Run. Finish both and you'll earn respect from everyone. Finish both events within the allotted time and you’ll forever be known as a Silver King - See more at: http://www.leadvilleraceseries.com/page/show/431570-silver-king-and-queen#sthash.983tYUv3.dpuf
    two days of exhilarating challenges. First, spend Saturday riding the Silver Rush 50 MTB, and follow it up on Sunday with the Silver Rush 50 Run. Finish both and you'll earn respect from everyone. Finish both events within the allotted time and you’ll forever be known as a Silver King - See more at: http://www.leadvilleraceseries.com/page/show/431570-silver-king-and-queen#sthash.983tYUv3.dpuf