NCCX #3, Boone Cross, aka DNF Train

(circular thingie)

Spoiler for those who dont have time to keep reading...i flatted on lap 2.5 while in 10th place, DNF'ed, and drove my ass home.

Kel and I decided to get out and mosey over to the defunct Hawksnest ski resort to enjoy some leisurely riding along old cart paths and greens formerly known as Hawksnest golf course. Despite our best efforts at arriving early we still didn't get there in time for me to pre-ride the course. We watched some pro's get their pro on, then i straddled a trainer for a little bit, got bored, put my number on, lubed my taint up, and headed to the start of the 4's race. Don't even think about being late for the start of a 4's race around here. If you aren't toeing the line the second the they let you, you're fucked. I rolled straight to the front, put my shit in the big ring, and upon hearing the start whistle, pushed off and couldn't find my pedal to clip in. Sheesh.


(coming out of the litter box)

Anyway, all was not lost so I threw some 'bows in the narrow starting straights, and hit this big circular thingie in 9th place. Jesus, thank dog i was near the front because the shit hit the fan behind me. Kel has awesome pics...it looked like I-95 on a holiday weekend. Mother f'ers blowing through tape, crashing, walking. It was insane. Anyway, made it through the tallest barriers ever, up a super aggro off camber section, through some serious whoops, then through a section called the litter box (aka sand trap), up a steep ass hill, up another hill, through an awesome sand pit, ANOTHER circular thingie, and then a totally rad DH back to the start.


(start of aggro off camber section)

Lap 2...I'm winning 10th place, getting my I'm blown the fuck up on, make it to the 2nd circular thingie, begin shredding the gnar on the DH, then decide to jump the little bump at the bottom of said DH. Pop off the jump, land, then hear my tire almost roll off the rim. Note to self, no more rad getting in race situations... I continue my race, roll past the start finish for my 3rd lap, into the 1st circle and poof, flat ass fucking tire, on a really nice latex tube no less. Guess when i almost rolled the tire, the tube squeezed in there and pinched.


(end of aggro off camber section)

Seems like every time i do a cross race I screw up. I used to enjoy crashing real hard, but now i have flats to look forward to. Oh well, the course was rad and the atmosphere was great...beer was everywhere, DJ, fireworks in the course you had to ride through, and a tandem category.


(steep ass, loose hill)

A parting booty shot for all our fans.

BlueSky Cup and Boulder Cx #3

This weekend I had the nerve to get my first dual days of racing. Saturday was the BlueSky Cup. It was, I must say, the most organized/pro style race of the year (so far). There was a high school marching band jamming during the races, a heavy metal band on the far side of the course, an announcers trailer/stage all in all pretty rad. Check it here. Of course like the idiot that I am, I left my camera at home. My buddy Aaron decided to come mix it up in the single speed class. Aaron is the man behind Mosaic Cycles (rad ass custom Ti and steel bikes). Be sure to check him out on Facebook to see what he has been up to lately. It was really nice to have someone there with me instead of being by my lonesome self as usual.

Sunday was the Boulder Cx Series race #3. The course had two huge run ups that were a killer, especially for the non-runner like yours truly. Check it here.

Amanda Miller-Subaru Hudz the woman who took both days (at least I'm pretty sure)

Jake Wells-Subaru Hudz the man that took both days (I'm positive)

As for my races... Both went equally mildly crappy. I finished about 30ish both days in a field of about 50. I've come to terms that I'm not going to be mixing it up at the front of the 3s like I did back east. It really is another level on the front range. It won't however keep my from racing or trying to do my best but I'm thinking of this season as gaining knowledge base. Not to mention the courses here are back/shoulder/kidney jarring bumpy.

On another note, I'm more than stoked to be heading into the most exciting part of the season. We have the NACT series rolling into town next weekend for the Colorado Cross Classic and the Boulder Cup. Then the USGP series coming to town mid November for the New Belgium Cup. I'm so excited not only because I'll finally get to see some of the best crosser in the country but my race will be held earlier in the day so I can finally have some beers and watch the pros!!!

Cyclocross Update

Because of numerous symphony gig conflicts, my cross racing schedule is shrinking faster than Grandpa's pud in the pool. That being said, now that I live 3 blocks from Owens Field Park, it's pretty easy to ride over, set up the barriers and have a fun 25 minutes of riding around in the grass and crashing on the dismounts one out of every 4 tries. Yesterday evening, I rolled over after work about 10 minutes before dusk. I set up the barriers and did a few "rounds". I stopped to take a sip of water and upon looking up, I noticed a crackhead, blank-faced staring right at me as he squatted behind the memorial stadium dumpster. It appears he was in mid-deuce when I started up my barrier practice. For some reason, I decided to ignore him and go back to practice as I had only a few more minutes of daylight. When I gathered the courage to look back at the dumpsters, the phantom shitter was gone. Only in Columbia. Jesus. Happy Halloween.

(Practice shots from last Friday)




Because of numerous symphony gig conflicts, my cross racing schedule is shrinking faster than Grandpa's pud in the pool. That being said, now that I live 3 blocks from Owens Field Park, it's pretty easy to ride over, set up the barriers and have a fun 25 minutes of riding around in the grass and crashing on the dismounts one out of every 4 tries. Yesterday evening, I rolled over after work about 10 minutes before dusk. I set up the barriers and did a few "rounds". I stopped to take a sip of water and upon looking up, I noticed a crackhead, blank-faced staring right at me as he squatted behind the memorial stadium dumpster. It appears he was in mid-deuce when I started up my barrier practice. For some reason, I decided to ignore him and go back to practice as I had only a few more minutes of daylight. When I gathered the courage to look back at the dumpsters, the phantom shitter was gone. Only in Columbia. Jesus. Happy Halloween.

Boulder CX #2

This may be a day or two late but what the hell. So I decided instead of give you a run down of my race (which once again didn't go as planned) I would simply give you a little taste of the general vibe. The course was tough! Lots of thick muddy grass that sucked out every ounce of momentum you could muster. Lots of elevation changes, on and off the bike.

First glimpse of the Van Dessel Full Tilt Boogie. I'm definitely a fan of VD. Ha

BCS' Brandon Dwight
Georgia Gould raced the open men.

Open men lap 1. Quick note: the kid who got the hole shot and bunny hopped the up hill barrier, rode all the "run ups" is a junior and he has braces....boyah

Sumter Metric Century

The Sumter Metric Century is hands down one of the strangest races of the year. It's got 3 loops of single track, long portions of paved road and dirt road connectors. Combined with super-hot temperatures and angry dogs and you've got the recipe for a wonderful and strange journey not unlike the second time I ever ate mushrooms during my freshman year at Boston University. Eric rode his cross bike while I stuck with my single speed Kona 29er. In hindsight, the cross option would've been better but such is life. My hindsight is just as poor as my foresight. Anyhoo, the race got cracking after a neutral roll-out and I was instantly gapped by most of the faster folk as I tried to fiddle with my I-Pod. I had a quaint little rap mix that I'd made and goddamn it, I was going to use it. I saw first place single speed ride away but I knew it was going to be hot and terrible so I bid him adieu and settled in for the first portion of dirt road. A mile or so of that and it was into the well known Turkey Creek trail. The trail was lovely and other than a few down logs had a good flow to it.

I eventually rolled up on two cross racers and knew Eric must be doing well to have gapped them this early. After a few more miles, I rolled up on first place SS and we rode together. I couldn't tell what gear he was running but we seemed to be around the same speed. As we approached SAG #1, he stopped while I continued on but was temporarily confused. Where is the trail? Where am I going? I rode in circles and then saw an angry trio of three riders coming up a dirt road. One of them was Eric. He said they lost a couple minutes going the wrong way. We re-grouped and headed into the Wine Creek trail portion of the race. To be honest, Eric was riding like a man possessed. Borderline reckless for a man on a cross bike gapping the two other guys in his group on several occasions. I rode last so I could watch Eric bunny hop logs at speed and avoid eating shit every other turn. Eventually, the guy in front endo'd on a log and as he flailed, Eric tried to go around him, T-boning the guy and his bike in the process. Eric mumbled an apology as the guy screamed and complained to Eric. It was hilarious. I guess Eric was pissed as he literally sprinted down the trail with the three of us in close pursuit. I hung behind the other two riders (both on 29ers) and watched them flail around on the rockier sections of Wine Creek. They didn't flail all that much to be honest but their handling skills seemed lacking, and thats coming from somebody who has zero handling skills. Eventually, I tired of their antics and rode around them and bridged up to Eric somehow. Eric and I chatted and tried to figure out who was ahead of us. The pavement section was pretty long so I tried to tuck in and spin as much as possible. The other two riders eventually bridged up to us and we rode into the longest and hilliest dirt road section of the race. After a little while, their pace was too much for my single speed so I had to wave goodbye and ride solo.

I passed a guy who told me he did some of the first Shenandoah 100s back in the day. Very cool, in addition to his vintage IF. After a few more miles of shadeless dirt road, I popped out onto some pavement and aimlessly spun to Lick Fork State Park. I waved hello to Chad at SAG #2 and turned into the Horn Creek loop. Jesus, by now it was really hot and I was starting to drink more Heed. Horn Creek was covered in pine straw and was eroded like a bastard. Luckily there was little climbing so I just rolled along, enjoying the hardwoods and the remnants of controlled burning and what looked to be a few acres of harvested trees. Upon rolling back into SAG#3, which was also #2 due to the fact that it's at the start and end of a loop, I was informed that they were out of water. I could stick around or I could continue. A woman offered me a cup of ice. That was kind of her. I decided to split and as I was leaving, the lady said "Well, we have Powerade but no water" Jesus, any liquid would do so I slurped down a cup, told Chad I loved him and how proud I was of his career as an accountant, and rode away down a long, exposed dirt road. By now it was over 90 degrees and I was low on water. Then I turned onto the longest portion of pavement and my morale instantly nosedived. I have never wanted gears so bad in my life. It was maddening. I kept thinking of Eric, probably big ringing it in his drops with those two other riders, sharing the work as I rode by myself into a very stiff headwind. I hated Eric so much. After riding past some angry dogs and a church that appeared to be having a wedding of some sort, I finally reached SAG #4. Chad informed me Eric and his riding partner were several minutes ahead. Shit. There would be no catching them. The third member of their group sat in a chair suffering from the heat crazies. I drank a few cups of Powerade as I was now extremely dehydrated and was a little weirded put by the heat suffering fellow slumped over in the chair.

On a mechanical note, during Wine Creek, I dropped my chain several times and I now noticed my tension bolts had slipped a little. Huh, how odd. I took out the multitool and re-tightened everything for Modoc, the last portion of single track. I said bye bye to Chad and rode into the woods with 15 more miles of racing left. Modoc was tons of fun but the 34X19 gearing started to hurt on the handful of steep climbs. I ended up riding with a guy who informed me his wife was also riding in the race. I'm always amazed at the married couples who do races together. I don't get it but maybe you have to be married to understand it. Oh well, I rode away from him on a climb and hit the last 5 mile portion of dirt road. It sucked the life out of me but as I hit the last portion of pavement, a small shower of rain opened up and cooled the temperatures off and buoyed my spirits for the finish. I crossed the finish and vowed I would never do this race again on a single speed. Then I ate a hamburger and watched Chad talk to a woman 40 years his senior about transcontinental motorcycle touring. Hoffenchard category sweep bitches! 1st place cyclocross, 1st place singlespeed!

"Kenny, what the fuuuuuck man?"

Colorado CX Numero Dos

SO attempt #2 at CO cross racin went slightly better than the week before. Mo Diggity was in town to visit and I surprised her with her first cross race experience. I was lucky to have her to help me out with hand ups which proved to be crucial since the race was much like last week, dry, dusty and hot. I had a great start, sitting maybe 10-12ish and kept it up for the first two laps. I made two big dismount mistakes that proved to hurt me pretty bad. There was a fast straight section leading into 3 down telephone poles. I went it hot, seeing that I was a bit faster than the guys in front of me through that section. Unfortunately, my left foot did not want to come out of the pedal and I ended eating shit quite hard. My bike took a pretty significant hit, resulting in my from brake permanently rubbing HARD. I decided to pedal on until I reached the paved finishing section. I hit the pavement dismounted and gave the brake a good smack which seemed to do the trick although by that point 10-12 dudes must have passed by me. The legs and lungs definitely felt better this time around and I was able to make it back a bit and passed a few guys. I ended up 24th out of about 40 which I'm still some what disappointed with but I suppose it's a step in the right direction and I'm learning with every race. Hopefully I'll only be moving up from now on. Knock on wood.

Mo was kind enough to snap some pics and provide much needed hydration. (no it's not blurry, it was that dusty)

Although she didn't have to snap this one....As a thank you we took a trip into Denver to check out the Denver Zoo. Check out some pics of the animals here
We also took a drive up to see the remains of the Fourmile Canyon Fire. This photo really doesn't do the fire justice...
Crazy picture, diesel fuel tank=miss, house=hit, church=miss...
Definitely a fairly decent weekend. I missed my mother dearest....

F'n Rad

had some buddies who went down to yosemite to work on this project last week (filming, film support). just amazing.

intro vid:

Wall from brian kimmel on Vimeo.

- a little more about steve and his super rad foundation: HERE

- his youtube page about the climb: GREAT VIDEOS HERE

and a parting vid of him finishing this past saturday:




inspiring man. inspiring life.

Race #1 down, well sort of...

So today I went out for GSMV #1 Lookout Cross down in Golden to pop my CO cross race cherry.

Crossin in the Front RangeOpen Woman's field.
Meredith Miller = fastRad ass little staging area. Didn't see much of this back east.

So my race went off at 3:45 (last race of the day). Pretty much anyone who wasn't racing had already left. The course was super rocky/bumpy, super loose, super dry and dusty. It was also pushing the upper 90s and the course was based at a soccer field settled in between a golf course so there wasn't any shade. As a precaution race directors decided hand ups were allowed and encouraged and they also used the bike cleaning station's pressure washer to spray racers as they crossed by. So little ole no crew me I had to attempt no water. BAD IDEA! It reminded me of trying to ride during the middle of the day back in Cola except mixed in the steaming hot air was tons of dust and dirt. So imagine gasping for air but getting super hot dust in your lungs instead. I mean I'm still hacking up tons of shit and my eyes look like I just smoked a huge j.

Now some know I have a bit of an issue with saddle sores and I'm currently nursing a pretty significant one so the roughness of the course fucking killed! I'm prob taking several days off to heal up. My legs felt pretty decent but my lungs, oh my poor lungs, were destroyed! So I decided to call it a day. DNF. Yes I do hate those three letters and yes most people there were able to deal, but not this east coaster. I thought the altitude was the only thing I'd have to get use to. Better add kidney jarring rocky bumpy dusty cross courses to the list.

I did however catch this little tid bit.... HA.

Rough day, I feel like shit, FUCK!

Training, In A Snap

Fourmile Fire

In case you hadn't heard. My new home of Boulder has and is still suffering from one of the worst wild fires in Boulder County's history. Its crazy to think the area I just learned to ride is now chard and covered in ash. We've been watching the helicopters fill up at Wonderland Lake which is literal right across the street. Hopefully today's rain will help.

Check out this map of the affected area.I'm at the corner of Norwood Ave and Broadway. A little to close for comfort.