Missouri's Finest In Leadville

The Leadville 100 mountain bike race will commence in just a few days.  This ride is a grueling 100 miles throughout some beautiful Colorado trails, complete with climbs that will literally leave you gasping for air.  I will not be attending this race, several of my friends will.  I admire them for signing up and doing the required training needed to complete this challenge.  I have stalked them on FaceBook, followed their long training rides, and tried to help them maintain positive attitudes along the way.  Allow me to introduce them........

TEAM SEAGAL SOLDIER

Scott Piepert Scott joined our team of jerks last year.  He has chosen to nut up and be Team Seagal's representative. Working hard with THE Zach Brace, another seasoned endurance rider, has made him stronger inside and out.  Scooter  has logged the miles necessary and has done them in the 100 plus degree weather we have been experiencing here in the mid-west. Dennis Fickinger photo   He has also attended every secret Seagal meeting to learn the ways of Superior Attitude and State of Mind. I have absolutely ZERO doubts in his ability to bring home a shiny buckle. THE LADIES In no particular order, these are four of the toughest women I know.  They all have children, husbands, and hold down jobs.  Where did they find the time to ride???  And the answer is.... they made it a priority, they made training important and found a way.  These women have very supportive families and friends who are behind them.  I believe in you girls.....  Laura Scherff aka FAF Karen Holtmann Kerri Schewe Mia Russell Phillips

THE FELLAS

The men pictured below are super badass endurance athletes.  They all have a wealth of racing experience to draw upon.  Todd recently crushed the DK200 in Kansas.  Both Nathan and Jay are super f'in fast but, will need to hone their patience skills for this challenge.   Craig is a triathlete and this will be his first 100mile mountain bike race.  

Todd Holtmann

Jay Wright

Nathan Lafferty

Craig Bakker

When I asked Craig what he expected from the experience he said,

 "As for the race I expect it to be fun, painful, and rewarding but not sure in what order." 

Take a few pointers from Scooter.  The hard work is done.  Relax, YOU GOT THIS!

Kids Racing

The littlest trail monster's steed

 When the Alpine Shop Dirt Crits started on June 30th, there were only a handful of kids participating in the kids race.  This past Thursday, the kids race had over 25 participants!  Yes!  I believe this falls under the statement, " if you build it, they will come".





 I knew my six yr old Sydney wanted to race. She talked about it all week, checking the calendar daily, counting down the days, hours and minutes. I was worried that the temps would melt her.  Yea, I'm a mom like that. Immediately upon our arrival at the park, she wanted to hop on her bike and be just like all the adults whizzing around warming up for their race.  It was six o'clock and 102 degrees.  I was able to talk her out of it, for about 30 minutes.  Then I gave in.

Sydney 

She had the opportunity to play /ride with two other girls close to her age.  So, I let her go.  She changed into her bike shorts and her pink jersey and all I saw was her back.  The three girls took off to ride the open field area.  I stood and watched, and hoped she wouldn't overheat.  Yea, I worry too much.

Number 354 reporting for duty

Every few minutes she would yell " IS IT RACE TIME YET" or   " WHEN IS MY RACE MOM".  The kids race was the last race scheduled for the evening.  She was not the only one eager to ride the dirt.

Muscles

 Around 8pm, it was finally race time.  While the race director tells the kids the rules, mine goes for the front row.  She is just like her Daddy.  She had a game face on that I had never seen before.  She even told me " I want to win".  Both a good and a bad thing.  There were no prizes, no medals.  Just the satisfaction of putting out a good effort and hearing the crowd of parents yelling for them.  Truly awesome.

THE Peat Henry

  She was tickled that her favorite racer, Peat Henry, stayed to see her race.  Thanks Peat, that meant a lot to me too.

Twenty-five plus kids ready to pedal

Enjoy the video below.  My husband took it with his phone and he may have been a little excited.  Who can blame him?  You will hear both of us, we tend to be a bit vocal.

The kids did two laps on a flat course with a mix of grassy field and single-track.  I wanted to follow her but she informed me that I was not allowed to be with her during her race.  She said " I can do this without you mommy".  I knew she was right.  I was comforted by the fact that there were other adults following their kids and they assured me she would be fine.  She was fine and she did great.

Post race 

  When she finished she looked over her shoulder to make sure she wasn't last.  She was NOT last. Plus, she did it on a single-speed.  That's my girl!  Jim and I have already decide to upgrade her bike with.... of course, a KONA.  We will soon be a six KONA owning family.

There is one more chance to race coming up on Thursday, August 2nd.  Bring your kids. The kids race is FREE.  Get them involved in what you love.  Show them why riding a bike is so awesome. I guarantee they will sleep very well that night. My girl was out within ten minutes.  While she slept she smiled, giggled, and moaned a little.  I smiled because I know there is a little pain involved with your pleasure.

She slept in by an hour

  I wish there had been races like this when I was a kid.

Me at age 6 in 1975

Thanks for reading,
Sasha

Polk Audio UltraFit 3000's

In for review are a pair of Ultra-Fit 3000's Sport Headphones. If you are in the market for headphones, are tired of throwing money away on cheap crap that lasts about a month, read my UltraFit 1000's review, or the UltraFit 2000's review before wasting your hard earned dollars.  These headphones have been made with the active persons needs in mind. In a nutshell, they take a sweating and sound fantastic. If you like to workout to music, you know how important an awesome set of headphones is.

  I have been on a few sweaty runs with the 3000's, but do not have enough time in them yet to provide you with a full review.  Look for it soon.

The purpose of this post is to let you know that Polk Audio has a great contest going on right now, I don't want you to miss it. The Polk Audio 40 in 40 days giveaway has a couple weeks left.  If you are on FaceBook you can enter here:https://www.facebook.com/polkaudio?sk=app_143103275748075&app_data=dlt-1.  It's simple, enter your name, address, and email.   As a bonus, if your friends enter, you get two bonus entries per friend.  Polk Audio has some awesome stuff, try your luck. Let me know if you win.

Friday Adventure And Kona Love

Happy Kona in the woods

It was a beautiful Friday morning, and it wasn't supposed to be so hot it would melt my face off. With my girl at a sleepover, it was time to take advantage.  I woke up early, took care of my chores and hit the pavement. Within 5 miles I would hit some single-track that lead to my gavelicious breakfast.

No whining now

 My last post had my whining that I haven't had time to ride and today I was ready to put the hurt on.  You have to admit, you love it when your legs feel like jello and it hurts to walk.  I know I can respect and appreciate self- induced pain. I was definitely due.

NEVER leave home without Road Id

Do these socks make my thighs look big?

My weapon of choice was my Kona JTS cross-bike, of course.  I absolutely love this bike. He has tackled every challenge I have set before him.  Everything from commuting to the store to completing the Dirty Kanza, 202.5 miles of gravel heaven in Kansas.  After nearly 6000 miles, we are just like an old married couple.  Comfortable enough to leave the bathroom door open, without the fights.

He loves having his picture taken

I think very highly of Busch  Memorial Wildlife Area and enjoy the many different routes I can take to get a great workout in. I use this place as my training ground during winter and bad weather.  There is a small amount of traffic between the lakes, fishermen trying to catch the big one.

Riding this double-track near a cornfield.  Around the bend I almost hit a deer eating. 

By the time I arrived, it was only about 80 degrees and cloudy.  I got to watch the wildlife wake up.  I saw several deer and a family of turkeys early in my ride.  I was in absolute awe when I saw the owl flying right above me.  What a beautiful animal.  I slammed on the brakes to get a picture, I think he was frightened of my phone.

Click to see Whoooo is in the trees.

It was very hard to take in the damage a drought takes on the lakes and the water fowl protected area.  As you can see, the lily pads are no longer in water.  I did not see a single bird in this area.  Very disappointing.

Missing water and waterfowl

With views like this, it's hard to keep from smiling.  There are many back roads to ride and a few hills to keep the heart rate up.

Blue skies and gravel.  What more could you want?

There is a restroom and a small concession window located at the front of the conservation area.  I headed there to refill my bottles and met a fella who was watering flowers in a memorial area.  We spoke for a few minutes and I thanked him for taking such good care of the sunflowers and butterfly bushes.

My pic doesn't do this area justice

I ended up getting 40 miles of single-track, pavement, and gravel.  I was home by noon.  What an awesome adventure!

I got what I needed

Hopefully, I will get out there again soon.

Sweet single-track

Shy turtle

My mission this week is to find a knight on a white horse to help me with my front brake.  I want to ride the BIG UNIT!!!! 

Bike Sadness

This post is a bit on the whhiiinnneeeeyyyy side.  However, it's my blog and I can whine, bitch, and cry if I choose to.  A couple weeks back the husband and I were headed out on an EPIC mountain bike ride, 4th of July Firecracker ride.  We were going to meet up with friends and ride roughly 40 miles and end with a beer.  Even the best laid plans get screwed.

As we were attempting to leave our driveway, Jim noticed my front brake rubbing.  I removed the wheel and he went to work.  Within seconds, hydraulic fluid can spewing forth, all over my Jeep.  No worries, it's just a vehicle. My new Kona was all I cared about.  I would have liked a front brake for the ride, we had no way to fix it.  I know absolutely nothing about Juicy 7's, neither does my hubby.  Now would be a great time to educate myself.

True!

I am a very lucky girl.  I own TWO Kona's, so I put the Big Unit back in the stable, held in tears, and hopped on my cross bike.  I love my Jake the Snake, but my butt really wanted to be on the mountain bike.  After all, it is mountain bike season.  I have not gotten really any opportunities to ride, something always happens/comes up.  Nor have I race for that matter.  I don't fancy myself as being much of a racer anyways, but I like to participate once in a while.

Finishing the BT Epic 2009

I have realized, over the years, that this life is NOT all about me.  I get that. I didn't mind going to soccer games in the spring every Saturday.  Nor do I mind watching my nephew and niece to build up babysitting time with the relatives.  I did get to do my most important ride of the year, I should stop belly-aching already.

Finding the door.....

School is back in session in a month and my ride time will resurface again.  Unless, I get that job I just applied for......

Yes sir!