Yay, Kelly!!!

Congratulations to Kelly, who correctly identified last weeks' contest legs. The legs did, in fact, belong to Julie.

Julie had read in the rule book that no acrobatics were required in a 'cross race, so, being the rebel she is, was determined to do some. She managed to accomplish four perfect cartwheels over each of the four barriers on the flat section of the race. I could not convince her to try cartwheels on the steep run-up barriers, however.





You've gotta appreciate someone who knows how to have fun!

I did not make it to last week's 'cross race at Draper. So instead of posting pictures of legs, I'm just going to post some of the pictures I took at the previous race at Heber, on Nov. 21. Keep in mind that all these were taken with my phone, since my regular camera is on the blitz, so quality is not the greatest.

Laura P. at the beginning of the A Women's race. I like the misty mountains and the train in the background.

Shanna M. at the beginning of the B Women's race.

I like this shot because it gives you a good idea as to how steep this run-up really is.

This is Julie on the steep run-up. Too steep for cartwheels, I guess.

Kara, who took second in the Women's Bs, shows how the flat barriers are usually done.

I'll Make This One Easy

So, last week's leg...no guesses, huh? And I thought I made it easy: DZ.



Anyway, if you were at the Heber Cyclocross race last Saturday, this one should be easy for you.





That's all I've got time for. Have a great Thanksgiving!!!

Stuff

I know. I slacked. Even after ALL your MANY comments and obvious enthusiasm. Yes, Anonymous Commenter got the answer to the last picture partially right by answering that the person's name started with an "a", but I can't give credit if I don't know who you are (or if you don't answer all the way)!

The marvelous legs from last week's contest belong to Canyon rider, Alex W. Yay, Alex! Way to show off your sexy, shaved legs!



Since there wasn't a race last weekend, I had to dig deep into my photo stores to come up with a photo for this week's contest. This photo comes from the start line of Stage 2 - 2009 Tour of Utah.

Mind you, I had to cut off the other leg to avoid giving you any clues as to what team this leg belongs to. Sorry. But, what a great leg! I guess if I was pro, I would have such great legs too.

Enough about legs. Let's talk about bikes. Sadly, I'm selling my cyclocross bike. I really would rather race the bike, but it's just not going to happen this year. Bummer, I know. But, I'd rather sell it to someone who will use it than watch it gather dust around here. I bought it in April for $925 from Canyon Cycles in Draper, and I have yet to ride it. It has lived a cushy life in my bedroom, so it's in primo shape. It is a 48 cm Redline Conquest. Let me know if you, or someone you know, would be interested in taking it off my hands.








I also have Shimano SPD pedals that I bought to go with the 'cross bike. $50 if you want 'em.

Okay, last item of business before I close this post: I am planning a group ride on Thanksgiving morning. I like to earn my turkey and pumpkin pie with a good, hard ride. The group HAD planned to meet at 11 a.m. to give the day a chance to warm up before riding. However, after I announced this to MANY people, the group decided they wanted to ride earlier in the morning. I'm still planning to ride at 11, because a) I don't like the cold, b) the people I announced the ride time to might show up, and c) I'm stubborn. But, I would also like a decent group to ride with, so if you're up to it, meet me at the flagpole at Macey's in Orem (800 N State) at 11 a.m. next Thursday, Nov. 26th. Thanks!

Hello???

I can't believe none of you posted a guess from last post! Do you need a clue? Here's a hint: the person the legs belong to races in the Men's B cyclocross races. Here's a picture from the start of that race last Saturday at the Weber County Fairgrounds:



C'mon, don't be shy about posting a comment on my blog. Facebook may have taken over your life, but I know you still read blogs. Besides, I need an excuse to continue taking candid shots of peoples' sexy cycling legs to post. :)

Keeping the Blog Alive and Lively

I recently told one of my teammates that I came to the races to take pictures of legs, then I realized that I hadn't taken any pictures of legs. So, for my new weekend entertainment, I've come up with a little weekly contest.

This week you get to guess who these marvelous legs belong to:

I'll TRY to post something new every week.

Enjoy!

Something Lost - Something Gained

I wanted to go for a bike ride yesterday. I promised myself that I was going for a bike ride yesterday no matter what. Then I discovered that someone had stolen my bike pump. My tires were too low to go anywhere. So I didn't make it out on my bike ride after all. I was really grumpy because I was so sure that the weather would be crappy today and that I had lost a prime opportunity to ride.

Aside from my regular work duties, today's schedule was supposed to filled with thumb therapy, allergy doctors, and a hair appointment. But when I walked out of the therapist's office at 9 a.m., and the weather was so pleasant I didn't need so much as a jacket, I knew I had to go for a bike ride. Screw everything else!

I hurried home, changed my clothes, hopped on my bike (the lack of a pump problem had been solved), and rode away. I didn't know where I was going, but I didn't care. I was on my bike. And it felt GOOD!

I had ridden several blocks before the thought came to me: "You're not thinking about your thumb!" It was true! I hadn't thought about my thumb. Amazing! That hasn't happened in nine weeks!
"Wait. Yes you are thinking about it! You're thinking about it by telling yourself you're not thinking about it."
"Maybe. But I'm not complaining about it, and it's not bothering me, so it counts."

When I had left home on my bike, there was no wind. Not even a couple of miles later there was a fierce cross wind blowing, and by the looks of the direction the flags were pointing, it was going to be a headwind on the way home. By mid-ride, the fallen leaves were swirling around me so violently that I thought I might be carried off to the land of OZ. Nnnnn...ok, maybe it wasn't THAT bad. I've ridden in worse. But the effect of the swirling leaves certainly made it seem worse than it was.

Speaking of leaves, I made it a game to try to run over the biggest cottonwood leaves I could find. They made a great "Kapow" popping sound. I also enjoyed listening to the way the layer of thousands of fallen ash leaves sounded like someone had just lit off a bundle of Black Cat firecrackers. This is the sort of stuff I only notice when I ride by myself.

Because I was by myself I was able to do a lot of thinking. I thought about how, even though I feel like lately I've been lazy; in truth, physically I'm doing great. Cardio-wise, I felt better than I can ever remember feeling. The only time I even felt like I was pushing it at all today was during the 14 percent (actual) climb combined with the 30 mph (estimate) headwind. That got me breathing pretty hard.

But much of my thoughts were about how mentally defeated I feel. I was really on top of the mental game by May of last year. Probably to the point of cockiness. At that point, I knew I had finally achieved prime mental and phyical strength. And then I proceeded to destroy it all with accidents and injuries. I couldn't help but notice how tentatively I rode today. I hate feeling like that! It's going to take some time and many confidence building rides for me to feel like I'm mentally back on top of things again.

I really needed today's ride. I'm crossing my fingers for more beautiful 70 degree days for me, and you, to enjoy. I know it won't last too much longer. That doesn't matter: there's always Nordic skiing to look forward to.

Living Vicariously

So, I spent another weekend WATCHING other people race their bikes. Funny, but I seem to be okay with that.

Honestly, I think I'm ready to come back to the bike riding world. My thumb is almost healed. I've still got a little nerve damage and scar tissue issues to deal with, but it's getting better every day.

But, in taking time to heal, I've gotten lazy. I've found that it's nice not to have to worry about the weather and what to wear in it, or having to religiously follow a training plan.

But, this new, relaxed attitude has me worried. I've lost the lean look I had finally developed, and the old pudge is starting to reappear. Ugh.

So, today, I started building my training plan again. I've left it pretty open, because I know that it's going to take some extra motivation to get me to WANT to follow a plan again. What I found while building my plan is that I really don't have much time to train anymore. Not that I had much time in the first place, but now, I've added in full-time college since I last seriously trained. Plus, I still have two jobs and a house to run. So, for now, I've got myself lifting weights only one day a week. It's not going to be enough, I realize. Every week I'm going to be sore the day after lifting, followed by nearly a week off before starting over again. Lift... whine about sore muscles...recover for too long... repeat. It's better than not lifting weights at all, right?

Plus, I'm having a hard time scheduling in real bike time. It's been too easy to justify missing outdoor time by riding indoors. I just don't know when I can squeeze in a road ride now. It used to be a priority in my life, but now I spend too much time with school and making money. At least this week is nice weather, so I won't have that excuse to keep my indoors. I have tentative plans for a group ride on Thursday. We'll see if I can make it.

Anyway, I've gotten away from the topic I wanted to write about. I went to the 'cross race at Wheeler Farm on Saturday. It was fun to see so many people dressed up. Some of the costumes looked impossible to race in, but everyone was having fun. My teenage son has taken up 'cross racing (better than 'cross dressing, right?), so I don't feel bad about going to the races and not racing. He wears my kit, so I feel like I'm living vicariously through him.

Here are some pictures I took on my phone's camera:

This guy dressed up as a triathlete, complete with aeorbars on his bike. Brrr!

Racer dressed up as Tigger. At least he stayed warm.

I overheard this guy saying that he was going to stick a ANSI sticker in his helmet so it would be considered an approved helmet.

Where can I get a pair of those pink fishnets, Clint?

Sly Fox scaring racers in his gillysuit.

Near the end of the race, I had already determined that Tri Guy was insane. Then he took a dip in the duck pond. BRRRRR!!!!

Yes, I dressed up too. People kept asking me if I had raced in the heels. Um, no.