Gila... rar!!!

We're at the tour of the Gila in New Mexico all week! Check out the website and/or Race Bible.

http://www.tourofthegila.com



~~


kate

Meet Bernie.

Meeemmmmmmorrrrieeeeeesssss....
Photo from the archive--

This is from the Cowgirl ride in Madison a few weeks ago- Gabe and his bro joined us for the ride from Madison to New Glarus. Classic photo- Gabe looks like he just finished a shot of espresso... and I'm, well, probably talking. It was a good day, but we were all glad to get back to the arboretum. AND I'll be glad when Gabe gets himself to Colorado! :)






OK>>>> fast forward to now.

I work for Joan and Bernie in their yard. Remember the sunburn? Well, Greg (Cari's husband) emailed me a photo of Bernie. Take one look and you'll see that he is wise. A retired dept. head of psychology department at CU. Yep-- it's a bronze sculpture of his head w/ his glasses on it. His hat was made for Greg by Joan, it has rottweilers on it.

If you're wondering, my sunburn hasn't peeled yet, so I trust that I just won't blister and it will turn into a sweet, sweet tan. Maaaaarumph!

Here is another sweet shot of the track yesterday--- It is steep! But not as steep as the one that will be built in Boulder County. This track in Colorado Springs has '33 degree' banking and the track that is going to be in Boulder Cty is going to have about a 48 degree bank... or grade... all we'll say is yah. that is steep. damn.

Remember in life... "when in doubt, string it out"

Quick photo from tonight at the bike shop. We closed at 7 pm... and that is when it gets crazy! Not too crazy... it is just that the guys pump some rockin' metal and work really fast. You can't tell really, but there are 6 stands that you can see in addition to about 5 others stashed throughout the shop. Big store-- I even had a couple bike sales today! party on.

I showed up to Cari and Greg's house about an hour ago. Bowl'o'pasta waiting for me, Cari watching Grey's Anatomy and Greg watching stupid videos on the internet....waiting to read this blog. Anyhow, much is happening, big day tomorrow! Only 3 hours left to be 26. I should probably go do something crazy. hmm...

Just another day at the track... or my first one...

Here is the track bike-- a Specialized Langster. It is actually a bike that was made for the national team- and it was a fun ride! Now if you'll notice, this bike has no breaks OR gears... and a lesson for my mom-- When the back wheel turns the crank arms do too... if you go fast on a bike like this, your legs go fast too... if you want to slow down, you have to slow your pedal stroke! This was my first day on the track AND my first time trying a 'fixie.' And I guess you'd say that I'm addicted already...

Here is the locker room that we used-- I definitely felt like I had some special treatment! Thanks to Cari and Greg.
Track bike storage! This is where we dropped off the Langster after my maiden voyage AND you can see Cari's pink Tiemeyer.

Here's Cari after working on the tandem with Karissa--another GREAT facial expression. :) Miss Clare is wrappppped to get on the track. finally.
Serious track face.
Greg- the guy who waited patiently for us this morning... as we were running BST (biker standard time)... our lateness made the three of us right on time for the worst grid-lock traffic I have ever seen. ever. gotta love Denver.

Thanks again to Greg for making my first track day impeccable.

And a little pic of us on the track! Mucho fun. It doesn't look that scary... but the turns are banked quite high- we may have more photos from Cari's camera.

Tomorrow is a special day... only one more day to be 26. hmm...

New Job, sunburn and a mtn bike ride that rocked!!!!

Today, I started helping Joan and Bernie in their yard today. I cleaned a couple beds and pruned some trees. A lot of raking and pruning.... pulling grass, etc. They are quite the couple- truly fun to be around and I think I'll have a lot to learn from both of them! The interesting fact is that Joanie actually officiated Cari and Greg's wedding in the mountains! How cool is that!? I'll be introducing you all to Marvin who is actually a statue that resides in their garden...he has lived in Boulder, Hawaii and then was shipped back to Boulder... hmm...

Well, I thought I'd share a photo with you all... I was just reminded of a place on my body that has not seen the sun yet... my lower back! While at work, I spent a large majority of my time with my back side towards the sun and needless to say, I forgot to put sunscreen on my back. OUCH. You can see for yourself! It does look bad, but no worries, I think it is much worse than it looks.

After working at J & B's, I met up with Missy and Greg for a sweet mountain bike ride. We rode up some dirt mountain roads-- they could be compared to Iowa's level B roads... if you've ever been on them. Anyhow, we specifically rode up the long grueling way up to the top, we didn't have time to do the Betasso loop, so we basically rode up to ride down... The ride down was fun though. Lots of rattling and banging on rocks and roots! My kind of riding. Although, I must say that I will miss the singletrack back in Wisco and Iowa.

Good night all... be prepared for the post of my lifetime tomorrow! It will be Kate Ross: visits the velodrome OR picks up another hobby OR needs another bike. Who knows!

good night all.

Snake Alley...and FRANKIE!

Upon talking to Leda--- Snake alley came up. So I searched for snake alley and a video came up. What a great way to show her the crazienessss of snake alley. We watched a couple and we all definitely groaned at the thought of climbing. The second video we watched was done by www.missingsaddle.com . Funny. So this is what we saw-- Frankie Dierking! Anna! Have you seen this?

Watch and laugh! (but be warned... they do drop an f-bomb or two...)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sRcjrPeme8&NR=1

A week since the last post?? what!?

From hearing from a few people... the University Bikes webcam has been a hit! I received an email from my dad today saying that he could see me on the web-- lets hope I was working! :)

Today WAS an excellent day at work. I am in the middle of taking my written 'mountain bike test' and am actually having a hard time with it. To be honest, I haven't really paid attention to the techy mountain bike stuff and now... I'm 5-6 years behind my high-end mtn bike knowledge-And there is a lot to learn. Here it is: you have Horst links, ABP, G2 geometry, hydraulic disc brakes (w/ different types of oils...), float technology.... I don't know!!! WSD, FSR, ABP, EX8, EX7... All I know is that I am behind and I am learning a lot.Basically, working and training... that is about it.

Last Sunday, Clare and I set out on a wonderful adventure- to Estes Park. The ride ended up being 90 miles and was very beautiful. We climbed 9,685' feet and my garmin said that I burnt 4932 calories. (That is either 3.72 large chocolate malts from DQ OR 8.56 Big Macs). It was a beautiful ride with excellent views. The next time, clare and I go we will stop at The Stanley Hotel- the very hotel that the Shining was filmed... and we'll also take a ghost tour.

Clare doesn't know about this yet, but that's okay.

She'll just have to be scared!!!

redrum... redrum...

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

Warm-up music.

I have had a realization. While at Illegal Pete's (a hip burrito joint) for dinner with Greg and Missy, Rage Against the Machine began pumping over their pretty sweet sound system in the restaurant. A bit edgy, yes... but it got me all pumped up! It made me think of when I saw them in Chicago (probably 8-9 years ago), and to put it plainly THIS is what I need to listen to before races!

This is embarrassing, but I'll put it out there...
the current warm up mix:
Gotta Get Thru This- Daniel Bedingfield
everyday people- arrested development
beercan- beck
devil's haircut-beck
Everybody wake up- dave matthew's band
Rodeo-g-love and jack johnson
unknown track - g.love
Doublewide- galactic
Ronin- J. Davis Trio
LDN- Lilly Allen
Smile- Lily allen
I've committed murder-macy gray
life i chose for me- nappy roots
track 1- slightly stupid
runnin' with the gun- slightly stupid



New warm up mix (well not quite yet):

Rage Against the Machine x 100

done.




This week was pretty eventful! I worked for about 2 days- it is really great to get working again- especially in such a hip place... which is located in an even hipper place. Here, I'm working tomorrow, so if you check at the right time, you just may be able to see ME at work. Check the instore web cam:
http://ubikes.com/page.cfm?PageID=42

And outside of the store:
http://ubikes.com/page.cfm?PageID=41

And check the MTNs:
http://ubikes.com/page.cfm?PageID=214

For the weekend, Clare and I will be riding up to Estes Park on Sunday! I think she is even making me cookies for our ride. It shall be an excellent all day adventure-- we will be sure to take some photos.
~
ciao. kate.


PS... No matter what... Just know that I NEVER listen to Tom Ashbrook while warming up-- only for my cool down.

Wisco for the Weekend!

Time to head to Madison for our Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board Photoshoot-- It is always a good time! I mean, who wouldn't want to get their hair and make-up done AND drink vanilla shake AND get a series photos taken of you with a bunch of serious camera equipment!? Oh, AND hang out with some great women! :) I am very excited. Even though I couldn't possibly get more excited... check out the weather for this weekend-- it might even be better than the weather in Boulder, which would be very surprising... but welcomed.

FridayPartlySunnyHi 55°F
FridayNightMostlyCloudyLo 32°F
SaturdayPartlySunnyHi 61°F
SaturdayNightMostlyCloudyLo 41°F
SundayChanceRainHi 58°F

Nice. We can deal with that!
On the list of things to do this weekend:
1. buy cheese curds, so I can bring them back and make more friends in Colorado
2. have a many glasses of coffee & vino with Rebecca
3. wear as much blaze orange as possible...

4. try NOT to snuggle with Clare...

5. AND have plenty of cowgirl funtime time!

6. Give Missy an immersion course on Wisconsin Beer.  (and cheese curds)

time to pack...

Lee Hill & Jamestown delight!

Who knew. Clare, Leda, Greg (team mom) and I went on a great ride today- Up Lee Hill and down the back side, up to Jamestown and back into Boulder. The assignment 4-5 hrs today. All of us but Greg are supposed to ride in the hills today! So we did. Lee Hill was a pretty steep, long climb. I felt like I slogged up the thing, but Greg was convinced I wasn't working hard simply because I can still look and appreciate rock formations as I am riding... whatever... I was convinced I started going cross-eyed. And besides... who doesn't get excited when they see a great example of exfoliation?



When it came time, Leda, Clare and I departed from Greg and headed up to Jamestown- he had to go do sprints in the 'warmer areas'. We began our climb. It really wasn't too cold until we actually got to Jamestown and quit climbing. Clare and I decided we would ride up past Jamestown for a little while, as did Leda. We decided we would meet at the top, however Clare and I began to get really cold... so we turned around, and hoped that Leda's hands would be okay. When we got back to Jamestown, I went in this cafe and picked up these magazines to put under our jerseys. I couldn't believe how warm they kept us. I definitely couldn't feel my hands for the next 1.5 hrs, but our cores were kept warm by the peak to peak restaurant guide! Thanks to all who advertised in this free guide... it kept us warm and probably saved us from hypothermia! Clare will be the first to tell you that it was a bloody cold descent back into Boulder. We were surly destined to stop in at Amante for some tea and a latte so we could warm up.



Back to tucson weekend. Here are a couple funny things that happened...

This guy IS actually warming up in the back of his pickup with a spin/exercise bike. For real. This was the warmup for the Circuit race on Sunday.. you'll never believe this, but he actually had the bike dropped off at the start of the Time Trial course on Friday. I wonder if he actually ot THAT great of a warm up!? Hmmm......

For this next photo.... I do not need to say anything more. This photo is for all of my Wisconsin home slices. Cheers to your next Pabst.

And last but not least... here is Cari... If you notice, she has something STUCK to her hand. It is literally stuck. She tried to put it down but it wouldn't allow itself to be set down. I don't know what she will do, I am worried about her hand getting sore from holding it.

:) Good night all!