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Spring training

Years ago, a friend of mine laid some wisdom on me that I hold dear
to this day; little ring until spring. No matter how enthusiastic we
are, no matter what early events we have, we need to give our
connective tissue some time to adjust from indoor rides to longer,
harder outdoor training. Diving head-long into the big gears can lead
to the dreaded “Spring Knee,” which forces one back to little
gears.

Spring Knee is the name given to a specific tendinitis
that strikes the tendons across the front of the knee. It’s usually a
result of overusage and too much strain on the tissue that might be
relatively weak after the winter hibernation. As the name implies, it
tends to occur in the early part of the riding season. While it is an
indictor that the tissue could use some TLC, it’s also typical of
those of us who can’t wait to get out and hammer.

Before I go on
much more, let me suggest the book Andy Pruitt’s Complete Medical
Guide for Cyclists. Pruitt holds a doctorate in education and is the
Director of the Boulder Center for Sports Medicine. This is the first
resource I consult when I have some new, weird pain after riding. It
is full of descriptions and, more importantly, treatments for ailments
typical of cyclists.

So Spring Knee is marked by a sharp pain
along the top of the kneecap. It’s usually on one of the top corners
of the kneecap. Occasionally, the pain shows up where the tendon and
muscles come together, about two or three inches above the
knee.

Treatment of this looks a lot like prevention. Go easy on
gearing. Spin light gears for a few weeks. If the pain persists after
a week, consider taking some time off. I know this is difficult just
as the thermometer begins its upward journey, but it is better to take
care of it now them have to see a doctor in June.

I’m not an
advocate of either ice or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for
reasons I will explain, but I have no medical background beyond my own
collection of injuries. Ice and ibuprofen are exactly what Pruitt
suggests.

Again, I am not a doctor and if you have knee pain
that persists, talk to a real doctor. That said, recent studies have
shown that even moderate use of NSAID can cause liver damage. They are
real drugs and should be respected as such. Again, talk to a real
doctor, which I am not.

Second, inflammation is part of your
body’s healing process. When we apply ice, we interrupt our ownhealing. Two recent articles in medical journals address this. Go find “The Use of Cryotherapy in Sports Injury” found in Sports Medicine Vol.3, pages 398-414. Another place to look is the Journal of EmergencyMedicine, Feb. 25, 2008. “Is Ice Right? Does Cryotherapy Improve
Outcome for Acute Soft Tissue Injury?”

The first article states
that ice can actually cause our lymphatic system to work in the wrong
direction, adding to swelling. The second article states that they
found no evidence that ice helps in recovery. This flies in the face
of everything we have been told for years, but it is something worth
considering.

The alternative to these is compression. Some sort of
compression sleeve over the injured area can help control swelling
and, hopefully, speed recovery.

Spring is also a time for new
equipment. A new bike is possibly as sure an indicator of spring, and
in my opinion, more beautiful than new blooms. The things to remember
are fit and form. Make sure your fit is spot-on. Again, let me guide
you toward the Boulder Center for Sports Medicine. They perform a
variety of professional bike fits that will assure that you are in the
best position to power that new steed.

Second comes form. No
matter how long you have ridden, you can always work on for. The most
common problem is in back position. We should have a pretty straight
and flat back when on the bike. The forward lean should come from the
hip joints, not the back. We should be supported by core muscles and
the forward lean should be supported by the muscles of the gluteuls.
We should feel tension on the high, outside muscles, like we would in
a deadlift. They are, after all, the same big muscles. The more you
are able to flatten your back and drive with the glutes, the more
efficient your efforts. You will be using not just the muscles across
the front of the leg, the quads, but the high hamstrings and glutes as
well. Spreding the same effort across three muscle groups, instead of
just one, results in more power for longer periods.

Keep it all
in mind next time you get out.

By the way, We are now 12 weeks out from Ride the Rockies. According to their own training chart, this coming week, which they start on Saturday, March 16, we should do 20 miles in a single ride this weekend, and another 40 miles split up over three rides over next week. As the above blog points out, we should still be spinning small gears. If you have even a hint of Spring Knee, wear knee warmers or embrocation (a warming oil or IcieHot sort of thing).

Oh, and this shot has nothing to do with the column, I just like it because Ivan was being shy the day I took this.Image

Have fun, be safe. I’m going
riding.

Posted by  |  March 15, 2013 | Categories: Cycling photography/photography while cycling | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Control

Like a lot of life, cycling is not always predictable. Anything can happen, not just during the ride, itself, but even well before hand. Last season it was a crash that changed my training. A sink hole near Leadville changed the Courage Classic route while wildfire smoke forced a modification in the Ride the Rockies. These are things we can’t control. So what can be done? What can you do to prepare? Practice a good attitude.

 

I received an e-mail this morning telling me that there would be a change in the Courage Classic route again this year. Lake County High School is removing asbestos, so the usual day 1 start and day 3 finish had to be scrapped. The up side, for me, is the chance to ride the 80-mile Copper Triangle.

 

And that’s the difference. I can’t do anything about asbestos removal. I am actually happy not to be around that stuff. I have to find the positive. I have not ridden the whole Copper Triangle route; Copper Mountain to Leadville to Minturn, over Vail Pass and back to Copper. This will be a great day. I’m kind of big, but I will enjoy dragging myself up to Leadville and back over the west side of Vail Pass. I look forward to encouraging other riders up and over. I even, or perhaps especially, look forward to dragging the light little climbers to the foot of that last climb outside of Vail.

 

Attitude is the most important part of this sport. Dreading a climb only makes the suffering worse. Look forward to the climbs. Look forward to the wind. Smile as much as you can. It makes a huge difference.

 

Of course, preparation is pretty important, as well. Get out and ride hills. Go stick your nose out in the wind. Practice the things you will need to know. I had an e-mail not too long ago concerning changing tires. The pros have mechanics who hop out of following cars to change the whole wheel. We, mere mortals, have to figure out how to change those tubes and re-inflate the tube to get back into the ride.

 

First, be patient. Delays happen. Try not to schedule the rest of your day too tightly around a ride. Second, as I have discovered, swearing and flailing arms doesn’t get the tube changed any faster. After much research, I make that statement with confidences.

 

Next, get off the road. Like most cycling things, you want to make sure you are being as safe as reasonably possible. Find a nice rock or tuft of grass. Think of this as a short recovery.

 

At this point I should mention, when training, you should have tire levers and a small repair kit with you. That said, find those levers. Stick the end that looks like a scoop in between the tire beed and the rim. Take the second one and do the same, fairly close to the first one, then lever those things to pull the beed off of the rim. This can require a bit of effort if it’s colder out. Again, be patient. Losing one’s mind now only leads to bleeding knuckles and lost levers.

 

The levers often come in threes, anymore. If that’s the case for you, take the third lever, stick it in between the beed and the tire, again, and not between the other two levers. Now, pull that third lever around the rim to get the tire beed loose.

 

Now remove the old tube. Next, carefully run your hands around the inside of the tire to find what might have caused the flat. Again, be careful, in case there is a hunk of glass or a nail in there. Once you have removed the offending piece, get back to the tube.

 

Blow a little air into the tube. Run your hand around the tube to find the hole. If you are sure this was not a pinch flat, caused by low air in the tube, then a bump, causing the rim to pinch a hole in the tube, rough up the area around the hole. If you have “speed patches”, apply the patch. If not, pull out the rubber cement from your flat kit. You do have a flat kit, right? Spread a little on the area you just roughed up. Let the cement cure or dry just a bit, then apply the patch. Rub the patch a bit to make sure it has adhered to the tube. Next, retrace your steps.

 

Recheck the tire to make sure you didn’t miss a thorn or anything. Blow a little air back into the tube, which makes replacing it on the rim a bit easier. Stick it back inside the tire, then let the air back out. Re-seat the tire beed on the rim. Check to make sure no part of the tube is pinched between the tire and the rim. This will ruin the whole process pretty quickly. Once you’re sure the tube is completely inside the tire, pump the tire back up and be on your way.

 

There is a lazier way, but I only recommend it for races and organized ride. Bring a CO2 cartridge and an extra tube. Put the bad tube in your jersey pocket. Never toss on old tube on the ground. It’s littering, as well as inviting bad karma. Much quicker but more expensive and a bit wasteful. Save it for big events.

 

One more thing really quickly; we are now approaching week three of training. We should be up to two rides equalling 30 mile during the week and one 20-mile ride on the weekend. If you know your normal average speed outside, apply that to an indoor class, if you need to. I rarely get to ride outside during the week, but I teach three classes a week, which evens out.

 

We are supposed to see snow all weekend. It must be nearly spring. Find a good, hard indoor class or find a video for riding your trainer. I will have an exciting announcement concerning such videos probably next week.

 

Have fun, be safe. I’m going riding. Image

Posted by  |  March 9, 2013 | Categories: Cycling photography/photography while cycling | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Open hearts and wallets

We are now 14 weeks shy of Ride the Rockies. We should already be
training with that in mind. The earlier one starts, the easier it will
be to achieve the goal of spending a week climbing the beautiful
byways of Colorado. And while suffering is an inherent part of this,
at least you’re not being chased by Jens Voigt or other top pros. Such
a chase will be fun to watch, however.

The recent rumor floating around town is that we can expect nearly
100,000 visitors on the day the USA Pro Challenge rolls through Estes
Park on the second to last day of the race. That’s 100,000 people from
36 states and 16 countries. That’s 100,000 cycling enthusiasts who
average a household income of $113,918, itching to spend it. During
the first USAPCC, they brought about $67 million. The additional money
from traveling press from all over the world brought the total to
$83.5 million in 2011, $90 million in 2012. Imagine 100,000 hungry
stomachs, 100,000 visitors needing a gift from Estes Park, and more
than a few of them wanting to stay over night. Like the Tour de
France, or even Ride the Rockies, this event will expose a great many
people to our little town.

With international press exposure, many millions of potential visitors
will look at the images and think, I want to go there. This is a
chance to shine. This will have positive economic effects far beyond
just one day in late August. It will open us up to the nation and to
the world. Thy will come to see it themselves with eyes and wallets
wide open.

To the curmudgeons who can only think of how this will inconvenience
them, yes, this 1/365th of your year will be bustling. That’s the way
it goes. Stay home. For the rest of us, we’ve seen the races on TV.
Your bike will be the best way to get to the best vantage points in
town.

Now, back to riding. The fine folks at Ride the Rockies have provided
a handy table to help riders prepare for that wonderful week in June
when more than 2,000 riders spend a week astride their favorite bike.
The table can be found under the Rider Area tab at RideTheRockies.com.
Last Last Saturday, February 23, is when their calendar begins. We
should accumulate 40 miles for the week. This next week, beginning
March 2, adds 10 miles to the total. They separate it between weekend
and weekday riding miles. This weekend, they suggest fitting in about
20 miles. I will easily get that just in my extra job. I am, however,
open to fitting in more.

I will offer this each week, knowing that training with someone makes
training easier. I would be open to riding the area’s favorite road,
US 36 from Lyons to Boulder on Sunday morning. It is hilly without
being too nasty for this early in the season. It will also be warmer
down there. If you need to start your miles and want to ride with
someone else, reach me either by phone or e-mail, both found below. If
you are new to road riding, or riding in a group, this would be a
great opportunity to start. Learn rules of the road and, possibly,
roadside repairs. I’m also a big fan of interesting coffee shops. I
know of at least two that would fall within the 20 miles of the ride.

Have fun, be safe. I’m going riding.ImageCycling star Andy Schleck picks his way through the crowd in the cyclist village before the Colorado Springs prologue of the 2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge. No other sport allows fans to get so close to the stars.

Posted by  |  February 28, 2013 | Categories: Cycling photography/photography while cycling | Tags: , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Hang in there

I’ve run into some challenges getting stuff up. I have not forgotten this. STill working.

Posted by  |  February 16, 2013 | Categories: Cycling photography/photography while cycling | Leave a comment

How nice have you been?

I’ll be honest; I love writing this column every year. This is the list of the over-the-top, no-holds-barred dream list of cycling stuff. These are the things that dance in my head when I hit my pillow each night. You are a special sort of cyclist if you have been good enough this year for this list.

We’ll start with the local goodies. In a little factory over in Steamboat Springs, a few dedicated artisans take US-made, aerospace-grade titanium tubes and sculpt them into Moots bicycle frames. The frames, themselves came with a lifetime warranty and are designed to, pretty much, last forever.

Start with that frame and add the factory stem, fork and seat post and we are already ringing up a tag of $4,500. Add to that the top-of-the-line Campagnolo Super Record EPS electronic shifters and maybe Shamal Ultra wheelset and you have a dream ride. This thing would be completely serviceable by the owner and would be a faithful steed for many, many years and tip the scale at about 14 pounds. This wonderful mix of Colorado and Italian bicycle artistry would set the buyer back about $15,000. The upside is you would never have to buy another bike, ever.

If your beloved cyclist already has the frame of his or her dreams, you may consider a wheel upgrade. For about $5,400, you can get the handmade, lightweight, Meilenstein wheelset. These are super-stiff 47.5 mm deep rims that come either with the traditional tubular rim or the more practical clincher. They are considered by the German manufacturer to be their all-round wheel, a practical choice in their line. They are light, as well as stiff, tipping the scale at 1,100 grams. These are easily light enough for rapid climbing and stiff enough for hard sprints and only as expensive as some second-tier complete bikes.

As it is winter in the Rockies, maybe your roady needs some outerwear. For this list, there is only one clothier that will do: Assos. The Swiss cycling clothing manufacturer is known as much for their catalogue as for their high quality and equally high prices. The clothes are still mainly pieced together in Switzerland, and worn by supermodels in their ad campaigns. You will be warm if you choose Assos gear. You will not be disappointed by the fit or function of these fine products. You may throw a seizure when you see the price tag, however.

You can walk into Excel Sport down in Boulder and pick up a pair of the Assos LL.fugu S5 bib tights and know that your special bike rider will wear these for a long time, which is good because they run $650. They come with a two-way zipper, foot stirrups, an industry-standard comfortable chamois and are insulated from top to bottom. The Excel Sport web site touts them as “the warmest tights ever made.”

For up top, you may want a jacket. Assos has you covered, literally. The jacket I dream of is the fugJack. Assos rates it comfortable for riding down to 20 degrees. It has a built in fleece neck gator/balaclava, tall anti-fold collar and comes in a choice of six different colors. If you were wondering, I like red. Also, about $650.

I made reference to a few shoes a couple weeks ago. The top-of-the-line Sidi Wire Vent Carbon have a lacing system that resembles fishing line but insures an absolute custom fit. They have a memory foam insole, vented, super stiff carbon sole, adjustable heel retention device and come in white or fluorescent yellow and black. Top Italian shoes will run $500.

To really show that cyclist what love is, and by love I mean conspicuous consumption, look no further than the full-custom Rocket 7 shoes. Pick your style, road, Tri, Mountain or Track. Pick your size. Pick a cleat set-up, three-hole or four. Pick a color. In fact, pick four different colors -body, heel, straps and toes. You can even get them embroidered. Why not? These are going to run over $1,400. C’mon, all the cool kids are getting them.

What if your cyclist already has all of this? What can you, the loving partner of this obviously unhinged individual possibly get that they themselves haven’t already found? How ’bout a trip?

This will seem relatively sane. For a mere $3,800, not including airfare to and from Milan, your special someone can spend late May following the 2013 Giro d’Italia through the Alps during the race’s decisive final week. Your rider will get to ride some of the most famous climbs in Italy, rub elbow, gently, with the best riders in the sport, and enjoy coffee the way it was meant to be. Fly into Milan on May 17, see five mountain stages, including the legendary Tre Cime, which you also get to ride, a sprint stage into Vicenza, the home of Campagnolo, see the mountain time trial and the race finale in Brescia on May 26, before returning to Milan for the farewell party and the flight home. Contact On the Road, or ontheroad.com if this sounds too good.

Have fun, be safe. I’m going dreaming.

Posted by  |  December 24, 2012 | Categories: Cycling photography/photography while cycling | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

Bang for the cycling buck

Last time we covered the little things, stuff we all need and could be classified as stocking stuffers. This time, we up the ante. We look for good value in good gifts.

I’ve written about contact-point purchases before. When on a budget and dealing with one item versus another, spend the money on what make direct contact with you, between you and the bike. So if you have to choose between spending on shoes or pedals, blow the wad on the shoes. Choose comfortable shorts over a cool jersey. That said, let’s look at good buys, as well as quality stuff.

With shoes, my feet prefer Italian. That’s strictly for bicycle stuff. They fit my feet better. I seem to have a narrow heel and apparently wide across the balls of my feet. For me, this means neither Shimano shoes, Lake or the Performance house brand fit me very well. Sidi’s one of the most popular brand, and for good reason, fit me very well. Sidi, however, is aware of their cache, and are built by honest-to-goodness Italian artisans. This means the second-from-top Sidi road shoes, the Genius 6.6, run $375. Ouch, but if you have the money, well worth it.

I discovered way back when I bought my first pair of real cycling shoes, that Specialized shoes are also built in Italy. The top Specialized shoes are only $25 more than those pretty Sidis. More on both brands next time. If, like me, you watch those pennies, the second or even third-tier Specialized shoes will be delightful.

If you are in the market for a new groupset, you may want to make due for about 7-12 months. Shimano’s top component group, Dura-Ace, just came out with an eleven-speed setup. Like so many things, Shimano likes to trickle down the technology, like with their Di electronic shifting. Shimano introduced the first Dura-Ace Di shifting a little more than two years ago. By last summer, the technology was on the second-tier Ultegra group. I’m betting this will soon happen with the 11-speed rear cog, as well.

The other part of this that makes it worth the wait is that the new DA cranks and chainrings are built around a 110mm spider, the arms that extend from the crank out to the bolts where the chainrings attach. So what? Well, until this new setup, larger chainrings, say 53 teeth, mounted on a 130mm spider and only compact rings mounted on the 11mm setup. This meant if you happened to be big and strong, you almost had to buy two crank sets, one for flats and one for mountains. With Shimano making their new 110mm DA crankset, they engineered all of their rings to fit the one spider, from the mountain-taming 50 tooth rings to the massive 56-tooth time trial rings. Wait a year and Shimano will likely build a cheaper version for their Ultegra line.

ImageIf you have a yearning for pricy labels, but not the bank account, first, you are not alone, second, look at the Assos Fan Pack for $65. Assos is the top of the top for cycling apparel. Know for their prices, $300 dollar shorts, $650 jacket, as for their unmatched fit and function, Assos realizes not everyone can spend, or is willing to spend that kind of money on cycling clothes. We still, however, want to be associated with this kind of quality. So Assos put together their Fan Pack, consisting of an espresso cup and a hand towel, both adorned with their famous logo.

Everyone can use new tires. About once a season, at least for non-competitive riders, a new back tire is a good investment. Every-other is good for the front. My favorite is the Continental Grand Prix 4000s. It has a slick center section and just enough tread on the outside to give you confidants while cornering. It is a great all-round tire. I use it both for training and racing. It’s a tough, long-lasting tire with good side-wall protection. Normally, it sells for about $75, but this time of year, you can pick one up for $65. This might seem pricy, but you won’t have to even think about another tire for at least another year.

For those times when you need to recover, or the weather is just too bad, or, like me, you or the cyclist on your list likes photography, Velopress has released “Merckx 525″, a coffee table book filled with words and images of the most dominant cyclist of all time. The 525 represents the Cannibal’s wins over his career. Eddie Merckx, himself, authorized the book and said that it contained images that even he had not seen before. It is 13″ x 9” hard cover with 224 pages. Order it at Macdonald Books for about $60.

This is not top of the line stuff, but certainly worth the price. Any of these gifts would set your favorite cyclist’s heart aflutter.

Have fun, be safe. I’m still shopping.

Posted by  |  December 16, 2012 | Categories: Cycling photography/photography while cycling | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

Relativity

I realize shopping for the cyclist is not the easiest thing in the world. I know, when I’m checking out the newest offerings from a certain Swiss clothing manufacturer that I have scant chance of seeing one of these products when I open presents this holiday season. Bicycling stuff is expensive. Fear not. I have suggestions for presents for your beloved biker for under $100.
One sure way to show you care for you two-wheeled obsessive without clearing the college fund is a head lamp or tail light. While some lights can go for as much as $600, NiteRider makes several models for under $80. The NiteRider Mako 200 USB, Mako 200 and Mako 1 Watt commuter lights will add a bit of safety to a morning or evening ride, allowing motorists to see the rider and give him or her a safe space.

For great big value, CatEye, known best for their cycle computers, makes a bundle of their Vectra wireless cycle computer, EL120 Sport Opticube LED headlight and TL-LD 170 tail light. Each item is light and easy to mount with long battery life. Nothing says love like helping a rider’s survival, and for $80, your wallet will survive, as well.

Cleaning supplies might sound a bit lame for a present, but if your cyclist is, shall we say, particular about the look of his or her ride, they might need Finish Line Bike Wash. I use this, myself and can vouch for the manufacturer claims that you just squirt the Pepto-pink stuff of your bike’s dirty bits and then turn the hose on it. It claims “little of no scrubbing, but there’s always a little scrubbing. That’s okay, though, because the results are nice. Takes mud and turt off the frame and grease off the chain and drive train. It comes in a handy squirt bottle for about $13.

Grease Monkey Wipes are the perfect thing to get gunk off the rider. These heavy-duty, multi-purpose wipes have an all-natural citrus cleaner than removes grease, dirt, oil, paint and general muck from skin. They even come in a convenient 30-wipe pop-up canister for about $7.

Believe it or not, tires are a legitimate gift. Even casual riders go through a pair of tires in the space of a year. The best bang for the buck is likely the Continental Ultra Gatorskin wire bead road tire. Not as light as the Continental racing tires, but extremely durable. I’ve put a few thousand miles on mine and am just to the point of replacing the back tire. The tough casing is puncture resistant with great sidewalls. They have a fast, smooth center section and grippy shoulders for safe and confident cornering. I bought mine after the 2011 Courage Classic and they lasted all through the rest of that summer, all of the training and riding for both Ride the Rockies and the 2012 Courage Classic. I have no complaints. If you poke around, you can at least find one for $55. If you are really lucky, you might find a pair for $100. Worth every penny.

I find myself collecting the retro-style riding caps, these days. If you’ve seen the old black and white images of the Tour, you may have seen the cap I’m describing. They come in a wide range of colors and even a range of quality, from the cheap, light cotton cap one can pick up for about $10-$15 to the twill version made by higher-end manufacturers running in the $30-$40 range. My favorite, however, is my wool cap.

Have fun, be safe. I’m going shopping.

Posted by  |  December 16, 2012 | Categories: Cycling photography/photography while cycling | Leave a comment

So Thankful

I started listing things on my personal Facebook page for which I was, and am, grateful. It’s not an easy habit to stay in, as I have a difficult time with any new habit. In this season of gratitude, this column offers an easy way to get back into a good habit.
I am simply thankful for bicycles. Since I was eight-years-old, bicycles have been freedom, to me. Freedom from worry, from conflict, from boredom. It has grown since I have grown. I am thankful for bicycles because they give me freedom from most medical problems. People who know me will be quick to point out my harrowing crash stories, but crashes are still rare. In exchange for the occasional crash, scrape, one single broken bone and many scars, I have a lot of great stories. I have no chronic medical problems. I am on no prescription medicine of any kind. I am as fit as I have ever been and I’m able to swim with my 11-year-old daughter as a result of being in this kind of shape.

I have more than one friend who has been diagnosed with some disease related to a sedentary lifestyle, enlarged hearts, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, this sort of thing. Mid 40s is way too young for these issues. Thanks to bicycles, I do not have them, and for this, I am thankful.

I am thankful to my father for instilling an active lifestyle in me. That made the last paragraph possible. He also bought my first bike for me. When I got older, the two of us cannibalized a pair of bike to make one good bike.

In an odd, backhanded sort of way, I am thankful that my misspent late teens resulted in not having a car. This would lead me to my first bicycle purchase. In 1989, I bought a year-old Schwinn High Sierra mountain bike. At the time, it was mid-range at $600. I would ride that bike all over; to school, to work, to visit friends and girlfriends, and when I made some upgrades and moved to Colorado in 1995, I rode it in a few races.

I am thankful for the outdoor-loving culture of the Centennial State. The culture pulled me into several different riding styles. After upgrading bikes in 1996, I spent the next two years racing cross country, downhill and even a few duel slalom races. I was never great, but I enjoyed it.

I’m thankful for a particular roommate of mine when I lived in Golden. This guy took me to Moab my first time. He also regularly whipped me racing. He gave me a target, a goal, and the knowledge of some of the best mountain biking terrain on earth.

I’m thankful that the depth and breadth of the cycling culture on the Front Range knows no bounds. When I started having difficulties with mountain biking, I was able to pick up other disciplines. I bought a cyclo-cross bike, originally as a commuter. It allowed me to enjoy my commute from southwest Denver to downtown. The drive made my cranky and no fun. When I started to ride it, things improved.

I am thankful for all of the roads both here in Northern Colorado, and throughout the state. I am thankful for traditional road bikes. When I started to get into the mountain bike scene, the term “Roadie” was one of derision. Now, I enjoy it all. Along those lines, I’m thankful for triathlons and the special sort of suffering they offer.

I am thankful for the many magazines I have subscribed to over the years. Some I read for the technology, some for advice, and at least one, Bike, for the pictures. I still receive four different bike related magazines. I get everybody’s favorite, “Bicycling”. I get the local favorite, “Velo”, formerly “VeloNews”. I receive “Trathlete” and when I want the heart and soul sort of articles, I will swing by Macdonald Books and pick up “pelotone”.

I am thankful, most of all, to my family, who tolerate this lifestyle, this habit that they don’t always understand. They put up with the occasional expensive purchase, the penchant for flashy, tight spandex and retro wool. I think Kendra actually likes that I am much, much more likely to pick up an exotic bike then hit on an exotic woman. This lifestyle is better for my marriage, in that way.

I am thankful most of all for my wife, who kisses me even after I’ve been riding for several hours, helps clean my wounds, puts up with racing broadcasts in the summer and cycling documentaries in the winter. She has even tried multiple times to enjoy riding, herself, though, my devotion to the sports remains a mystery to her. I am thankful for her support, whether training, racing, touring or fund-raising. She is the best thing to ever happen to this bike geak, and for that, I am thankful.

Have fun, be safe. Have a happy Thanksgiving.

Posted by  |  November 26, 2012 | Categories: Cycling photography/photography while cycling | Leave a comment

Fit to help

The holiday season is just beginning to ramp up. For many, including myself, it consists of the opposing forces of wonderful holiday food and trying to stay in reasonable shape in the off-season. As I am reminded, year after year, it doesn’t have to be that hard. The giving season offers ample opportunity to keep fitness and stay in the holiday mood.
On Sunday, Nov. 18, Boulder Cycle Sport will sponsor Cranksgiving Boulder, a charity ride with a twist. Show up at the Boulder Cycle Sport south location, 629 S. Broadway with your bike, any bike, and $20 by noon. Participants will be given a checklist and will ride to grocery store “check points” and buy an item or two, then on to the next. The race winner will be the first rider to get back to the bike shop with all his or her groceries. The food will be donated.

Prizes will also be awarded for best costume and oldest ridable bike. Bring $20, a bike, a helmet and a lock and be ready for fun.

The event not only gathers much-needed food for those less fortunate, but also shines a positive light on the local cycling community. If this sounds good, sign up at the link found on the shop’s website: bouldercyclesport.com/community/cranksgiving-boulder.

Closer to home, the CrossFit Estes Park community is organizing and sweating for one of its own. This Saturday, Nov. 17, the box at 1755, Spur 66, just past the Rock Inn, will host a fund-raiser for local CrossFitter, artist and all-round great guy, Joel York.

A few years back, York, who’s only 35, was diagnosed with cancer. While doctors caught it in plenty of time, hospital visits and treatment get expensive. The fund-raiser will help defray the costs.

Bring whatever you can for a donation. Whatever money the event raises will be matched by the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, so be generous.

York is an upbeat, humble and energetic member of the community who has lived in Estes Park for nearly 20 years. He is not only an artist, but also an instructor for CrossFit Estes Park. While his technique seems nearly flawless to most, he is fond of saying, “It’s all a stupid game,” and “I myself am made entirely of flaws, stitched together with good intentions.”

The fund-raiser will, of course, consist of a workout that gym owner Eric Adams describes as “easily scalable.” The idea is to make it so that anyone at any fitness level can participate. It’s much more about supporting Joel than showing off fitness and you don’t have to belong to CrossFit Estes Park to participate. The gym will open at 6 a.m. and remain open until 4 p.m. Group workouts are planned for 6, 7 and 10:30 a.m., as well as 2:30 that afternoon.

Even if you are not able to workout, come down to donate, then cheer the athletes on. It’s a great event for a great community member. I’m a bit biased, I’ll admit. I’ve worked out and played hockey with Joel for much of the last 12 years. He has a great attitude, especially when he’s making a skill I’m no good at look easy. The least I can do is show up and sweat a little for him. I encourage you to do the same.

Have fun, be safe. I’m going fund-raising.

Posted by  |  November 16, 2012 | Categories: Cycling photography/photography while cycling | Tags: , , , , , | Leave a comment

Look for joy

Walt Hester | Trail Gazette
Sore, tired and elated to finish, the author celebrates with 2,000 other riders at the end of Ride the Rockies at the O’Dell Brewery in Fort Collins. In cycling, the rainbow stripes signify the world champion, and that is how a rider feels upon completing the six-day, 400-plus-mile ride across the Colorado Rockies.

I didn’t write a column for my paper this week. We ran out of time. I was looking for something to write, just to make sure I had a post this week when I got a little bad news.

A young woman I met when I first moved to Estes Park seemed to have lost all hope and ended her own life. She was only 28.

I met Meghan when she was still in high school. I had worked for my paper for about a year and a half when I photographed her and her teammates setting their school’s record in the 400 yard freestyle relay at the Colorado State Girls swim meet. She even earned a swimming scholarship, but had to give it up after opting not to have surgery on her shoulders. I was not too close with the girl, but things seemed to go a bit south from that point.

She and her mother lived down the street from my family. When she started studying massage, I was happy to offer my beat-up muscles for the betterment of her education.

She married pretty young, after a bit of a scandal, but remained married and had several beautiful children. Though she always had a bit of melancholy about her. I don’t know if this eventually led to her ending her own life, but it certainly makes me think.

First thing I did when I found out was hug my own daughter, make sure she knew she can talk to her parents at any time, no matter what. Then, like anyone, I tried to make sense of it. I suppose it’s nothing I am supposed to figure out.

I can make sure I look for my joy. I have to make sure my daughter and wife do the same. What makes us most happy? My bike, my family and photography do this for me. I have to make sure I talk to the people I love. Never loose hope.

That’s huge for me. I don’t know what led Meghan. I don’t know why she lost hope. I just have to make sure that I and those I love don’t head that way. Life is not always easy, doesn’t always turn out the way we planned or hoped, but what can we make of it? That is what will keep me going.

I may not have hoped and planned to be a small-town photographer, but there is joy in this. My child’s classmates light up when I walk into her school. People occasionally come out of shops to compliment my work. People ask about my family. There is a great deal of happiness in it.

Never give up. Never loose hope. Talk to someone. Find something that brings you joy.

Have fun, be safe. I’m going riding.

My riding buddies and I at the Trail Ridge Store this summer. I’m second in from the left.

Posted by  |  November 10, 2012 | Categories: Cycling photography/photography while cycling | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment