Pearl Jam

Bakke loves PJ. We crossed paths at the right age back in the 90's, and they sound un-aged and original live. Trip down memory lane.

Tuesday 'cross 3

I’m three for three on Tuesday ‘cross so far this year, which has put a big smile on my face and made the fall fun.  Beautiful weather again.  Great course layout by Keith and crew.  Great turnout.  I’m feeling consistent – each time I start and am passed by say 5 who are hammering harder off the start.  I pass them back after lap 2 and hold on for a few more laps, then a couple pass me at the end.  It’s better than going out super hard and blowing up, and I’m always milking the couple linked turn sections for an extra half second to help make up time without burning more energy since I’m pinned.  Overall I finish like roughly a dozenth out of 30 or 40 showing up for the A’s, but nobody counts that high, it’s just a guess from how many people I see strung out ahead on the first half of the lap when you can see a climb.  It was also nice to have an enthusiastic spectator out – thanks Cindy!

Bow 80ish

My body woke up early in anticipation of the longer drive to Bragg Creek from Banff than from Calgary, despite the fact that we left the dance floor just as a table ornament went up in flames (in a log cabin style building) and the courgars were out in force on the dance floor.

Nice drive in the dark, saw a few deer that decided not to jump out on the road - but pulling into Station Flats the thermometer never budged over -3.5C. I haven't been in below zero for a while. I've felt better before in the morning, and more rested. Part of me wonders why why why one would do this.

I walk to checkin and even with gloves my hands sting. I ended up being in the top 5 at checkin ; ) which is the last top 5 I'll do today. But I see the Ger, and that always makes things better. Then I hit up a few more minutes of tunes, race package and heated seats. Deadgoats stream by. And the sun comes up. Why? Because it is. It's mountain biking. Its awesome to breathe cold air on a Sunday morning.  I was thinking more like this.



Until the fail part. I was riding say 25th with all the fast friends up front and out of sight, then my rear shifter pod stopped working. I bailed at the checkpoint before going on Powderface. At least it happened near a good bailout point. It didn't seem like a good day to try to grind it out in some hard gear single speeding. My achilles felt a little wimpy at 'cross two weeks ago when the course had more run ups on the big hill.

That's all. Underwhelming. Oh well.

Cindy and I did a couple hours of urban cyclocross after which helped round out the afternoon.

Bow 80 Warmup

err, not exactly warm up. But fun. I hope I can be in the finisher category at least still.

Deadgoat year end party

Oh so much fun... Great to see everyone. Tori was nominated to DG hall of fame. I think Pat and I tied for longest skid contest held in the alley on some sketchy old bike. Yes, fire was involved.

Midweek Mayhem 'cross 2

Well, no action shot, but pre race sign on and backpack drop.

Fast flowy course of diagonals more than last week's right angles.

Finance crowd had a good showing. Bunnin appeared for real, Hooper I'd guess was 10th after he passed me on lap 5 or so, I was probably 14th. Of course none of this matters as only 1-5 count, but on one of the first big hills I could count the string ahead of me.

Probably 40 showed for A's and more like 60 for B's - great turnout!

Decade, sort of

Decade at FirstEnergy. CFO Chandra, VPD Mr. Ha, CEO JimmyD (fingers say "ten" not bunny ears), Bev office manager, BikingBakke, Liz database manager and translator of all things British.