The Collins ride.

This is a little late, but we have had some really good Monday night rides this fall.

We've been seeing the sun go down a bit earlier each ride, and we've been rolling essentially at sunset. The two rides that stand out in my mind we accomplished the two weeks prior to going to gravel rides. Each time we had six riders, and each time, we were able to spend several miles in sync - in a real paceline. We were riding in the amber-golden sun, with our long shadows cast across the highway, each of us spaced evenly, quietly gliding along the smooth pavement. No one talked, or tried to fly off the front, and no one died off the back. We just really cruised - in a peaceful and communal way. I could imagine the view from the sunward side of things - six riders, each in colorful kits, on colorful bikes, riding past fields of sunflowers and tall green corn, legs circling with still heads and shoulders, each with a different feeling, hopefully each with a real sense of joy at living in these fleeting and glorious moments.

Unless you've done it, you can't imagine the feeling. Rolling solo in the moment is one thing, but to do it with good friends - man. I wish I could take you there. I ride for the moments like this that I can cherish, because I earned them and because they pay me back every time I replay them in my mind.

I have told friends that I'm a bicycling evangelist, and some of the more hard-core Christians among them have not understood what I mean - but these rides have had me closer to my God than I've ever been in church, and for those of you concerned about my soul - that's fine with me, and my Creator.

Micah.

I almost forgot....

What it felt like to be on a long ride. I've done plenty of running lately, as well as some off-road and gravel stuff. Yesterday, I went about 32 on gravel. Freakishly awesome. Averaged over 15, with wind, on the cross bike. Not stellar, but I'm looking to build some base miles before I kill on speedwork. I found some amazing road (tough stuff) at 200th and Falcon, going east. Get out and ride, but I'd recommend a mountain bike. I'd guess it is among the toughest roads this county has to offer.

I've got two rides in mind in 09. I'm going to 1) repeat the DK200 in 15 or fewer hours, and I'm going to do the Hoodoo 500. Training begins in earnest in January, so some base now isn't too bad an idea. I've got a few adventure races in the mean-time, so I'll continue some cross training.

I'll try and get some pics from yesterday's ride here soon. Get out there - the weather is awesome now, and in a few weeks, I expect we'll be wishing we had more of it.

Micah.

What's new....

Getting ready for this. Sean Binkley, our team captain, are going to race together, as our previous team members completely wussed out. Steve and Jason - I'm talking to you!!!

I've only ridden about 15 miles since the DK, and they've been on the mountain bike. I've done about 15 miles running since then, too. Those muscles aren't quite up to snuff, yet, but we are doing this for fun.

More adventure races are coming up. If you are interested or want to bring your own 2 or 3 person team, we'd be happy to hook up with you. Leave a comment.

Micah.

Been a while...

Really haven't been able to ride that much, but I still feel ok about my readiness for the DK. I've got 35 mm Ritchey tires on the bike now, just need some Slime tubes to keep me rolling. Otherwise I'm good to go. Had a really good ride yesterday - Love the heat, and it is good training for the DK. Weather will be 60-80 degree range with or without the potential for storms. I'll get a few 10-20 milers in this week.

Hope your Labor Day was great.

Micah.

Went short today.

New tires on the Fuji. Still got a flat, didn't find the puncture or offending barb, so I fixed the thing twice. A bit less Zen than normal, but hey, I was still on the bike.

Micah.

34 Today, and they were good miles.

I have really been cranking on hills - which I've always loved. Even after really working anaerobically for much of the distance today I was still able to work well.

I put the knobbies on the Fuji today, and really appreciated the feel. They are only 30mm wide, but what a difference! I was much more confident on the gravel and mud, and was even descending on some hills at 21-23 routinely. Still a little tentative after the wipe-out a couple of days ago. Had some rough surfaces today, too, so my average was only about 14.5 mph.

I'm hoping to get a long one in this weekend, and I'm really hoping it'll be 100+ on gravel. We'll see how social/family stuff goes, and how strong I'm feeling. As I'm planning things, this will probably be my last good weekend to get anything that long. Thereafter, I'll probably get an 80 miler in the following weekend, a 40-50 miler in the week before the event. I'll scatter a few short rides in, and then the DK! I'm just working on wrapping my mind around the distance and challenge. The legs are feeling good.

Micah.

35+

In wind, in the country, on gravel. Rode it hard. It was a good day.

Micah.

Got a short one in!

Just went about 21, but did them on gravel, and fairly fast. One wipe-out and minimal road rash. First wreck in a LONG time, and hopefully the last. Just a reminder to treat dried silty roads with more respect than I was. Plus, time to get the nobbies on the Fuji. Just using Armadillos right now. Thank goodness - the gravel roads are drying out enough to get on routinely.

Micah.

Ooooof. I suck.

Just got a long one in. My second trip home from Omaha in 2 weeks. Trouble is that I really hadn't ridden in-between. I never bonked or cramped, but I was pretty desperate that last 3o miles or so. The taint was shot, and my punch was GONE. Finished the ride, though, 126.4.

Gotta get more intense. Maybe if I quit my job I could ride my bike more. Not sure how well that would go with my lovely wife.

Anyone want to sponsor my mid-life crisis?

Micah.

119.3

Made it from 72nd and Q Streets in Omaha, Ne to Hiawatha! Felt great - if I can get my video editor figured out I'll post some stuff here. Nice day. Little tailwind, lotta sun, sore taint, and feeling better about the DK200. Toward the end I was certainly fatigued, but was still able to push up hills, and maintain pace on the very few flats I rode.

Good day, eh?

Micah.

Gearing up!

Got the new ride. Fits nicely and is cadillac-stable on gravel. The rims are way heavier than I would like, so I'm going to swap them out for some Ultegra hubs/Mavic rims I've had around.

Made it to Seneca this weekend (yes, on the bike) with a few extra miles in the county for 68 total. Rode my old Litespeed, which was great. I'm going to scavenge some parts off of it for the 'cross bike, so it'll be my last ride on this fantastic gear. I've given the handlebars to a good friend, and I'll use the headset, rear derailleur, chain and pedals on the new bike. Anybody need parts?

This weather continues to dampen the training schedule. I desperately need a century this weekend, and we're expecting RAIN and SNOW with highs in the 40's. In April. There isn't a gravel road in the county that'll allow me to pass on high-pressure tires. I expect it'll get done,regardless.

A couple of long ones...

With a short one in-between last week. Got a roadie 60 miler in two Sundays ago, a 24 mile ride in the middle of last week (winds gusting over 35 mph) and a 50 miler on gravel, riding the Pig, this Sunday.

Still not confident I'll be ready for the DK, but gunning for it anyway. I'll be running this week in the mornings as most of the week will be raining when I'm out in the early am. The running I've done has really helped me on the bike thus far.

Edurox Accel Gel is the stuff, too. I feel stronger longer on the bike with it. FYI. It's a little more expensive than other gels, but I really do think that there is a difference. I'm bugging Joe, the main guy at Steve's Pharmacy here in town, to carry it. I'll comp a pack to anyone who wants to try it - just let me know!

The weather is starting to shape up!!!!! This week we're not supposed to drop below freezing, although the weather forecast looks like the monsoon season is upon us. Good for crops, not so hot for pasty aging guys who turn into babies about bike riding.

Hope all is well with you!

Micah.

But the map said it was a maintained road.....

My drivetrain got so caked, and my rear tire flatted, I called for rescue AGAIN. More and more roads are drying out, and it was a beautiful day for a ride. Got in 40 (should've been 45). The hills here are awesome. Felt like I was on a roller-coaster at times.

Here is a thought for another ride. I'm thinking about making a loop of the ENTIRE BROWN COUNTY. It'd be right at 100 hilly gravel miles. Anyone out there ready to tackle it with me?

Micah.

34, rest day, 30 this weekend.

Had a good weekend. Got in some great mud, some fierce headwinds, and really worked some long and steep hills. I'm sticking almost excusively to gravel (mud/slime/clay) and using the FSR. This bike weighs about 10 lbs. more than the bike I anticipate using for the DK, and has much higher rolling resistance. I'm going to use it until the 50 hills, then switch to a cross-bike or a modified road bike (we'll see about the $). Oughta be pretty good strength training, and I'm certainly getting some good bike-handling skills off-road.

Come along! Give a call.

Micah.

The spring thaw.

About time, too. And I'm not complaining about the mud. It is a very real and potentially helpful training partner. I took the FSR out for a spin today, and man, it was a terrific mess. Slipped on the country roads like I was rolling on Crisco. Mud EVERYWHERE, and well worth it. My legs are finally coming back, and not a minute too soon. Once I got out of the slippery stuff I was able to really hammer some wet gravel hills. Felt great. If anyone is interested in rolling with me anytime soon, just give a call.

Micah.

27, 26, ??

I've had a couple of good rides. Went 27 yesterday after having run 4 1/2 at 8 min/mile pace. I died in the last few miles but pulled in with an average mph of about 17. Today I rode 26 HARD hills/wind (well, hard for being in winter shape) and finished with an average of 16.5. This is all very scary as I've got 3 months to get ready for 200 miles on gravel.

If this freakishly relentless winter will give us even the most modest of breaks soon I'll be THRILLED. I'm going a few comfortable miles tomorrw (rest-day). If anyone wants to come along, give a call.

Micah.

Well, training again, sort-of.

Freaking weather. This winter will NEVER END. I'm dying to get back on the bike, but right now am running/doing elliptical when I get the chance. Roads have been icy, winds have been bitingly frigid, and I'm just not interested enough in frostbite research to get a flat 10 miles from home with sub-zero wind-chills.

The few times I've spun for short distances I've been impressed at how well the running is crossing over to the bike. I'm hopeful that we're heading toward spring soon!

A hiatus.

The training for the DK 200 begins in earnest in 2 weeks, give or take. I'm going to do some running, ab training, and more or less not ride a whole hell of a lot. Then it'll be a focused effort with the DK in mind. Maybe I'll get the schedule listed here, and anyone who wants to can tag along.