Bill's Blog (Web Log)

Nerves

In 48 hours from this very moment of writing I will be riding with Tinker and company through Elk Park and preparing to plunge into the Nez Peirce Trail. 

The first year of the Butte 100 it was just a few of us riding along at a easy pace. The second edition had some frolicking at the beginning of the race. Last year many folks converged into the course going full tilt and I was not up to the challenge. This year will be mayhem as 50+ will be racing and I suspect there will be no loly gagging. I hope I am better prepared.

Most of the day yesterday was spent thinking about the Butte 100. There is so much talent this year and just so many riders that it becomes more competitive.  I am sure that is what it will be like until we all hit the wall and wish we were not going so fast in the first 50 miles. The rest. The ones that still have it will ride away and get to stand on the podium.

I want to ride the course. I want to push my limits against the terrain. But now I have to share it with 50 others. No so much fun.

Today is the weekly Thursday Night Ride and it is out at the Rattlesnake. There is a lot of the people that are doing the Butte 50 so we will split up into the Thursday Warriors and the Taper Parade. The Taper Parade will loly gag around and then head to a plate of pasta while the Warriors will do something more Thursday Night like.

The Journey

It has been another good year, training wise. First it was a training plan just to get into good enough shape to start the double peak plan that ended last Sunday. Now I am on a taper and finally this weekend the final test to see if all that time was wasted. I don't care though, because I love the journey. The journey is where it is all at. I may not do very well on the test but the journey has made me much stronger and through hardship comes that one time a year when you are supposed to be in top form. I guess we will see.

The Butte 100 is in 3 days and I will be racing against the likes of David 'Tinker' Juarez, half the population of Draper Utah, and some local talent. If you look at the current start list (and I have) you will see names from all over the country. It will be truly an epic race as it deserves to be. I hope it all goes well for Bob and crew (Triple Ring Productions). They deserver it. Thanks Bob for assembling a great chance for me to race with some great talent.

This season is just a subset of a much larger scheme and no one has been along for the ride in this overall journey then my friend Paul Bardis who is currently visiting Missoula. Last weekend was just another chapter in our journey and it was another great installment.

Loop Lolo

New Wheels

I got the call from Chad last Tuesday afternoon. "I am looking at a set of wheels right now", he told me. I should of ran down right away but instead I opted for the "try to take a half day on Friday boss deciding to be mean denied" route. So when I called late last night he said come on down to the shop. I'll stay open for you. What a guy. Chad is the man!

I don't know what was more beautiful the majestic Bitterroot Range surrounding the bike shop and towering in the setting sun OR the Stans ZTR Alpine wheel set that was waiting for me on the bench.

I took no time to strip off the old heavy wheels I had on my Turner (place keepers until I could get new wheels). Unfortunately the rear wheel will not make the second string lineup as it is totally trashed. With the new hoops on my rig I jetted home. On the way I took time out, we took time out, well Ross said, "we could do IT now".  Of course he was talking about the clam chowder at that restaurant in Victor, Hamilton House I think.

I took off early this morning to do some hill repeats and a wooded single track test session. The wheels are fantastic. I think tomorrow will be a great ride. Who is in?

TNR : Patte Canyon

It was a good gathering of Missoula's finest mountain bike folk. We started out ascending from town via the Fire Road Trail and the MoZ Trail. Soon we were in Pattee Canyon where we hit the Sam Braxton Trails.

On the Sam Braxton side we all had our own style of going down the Huckleberry Headwall. Some skidded out of control, some in control, and some even on their ass. Some walked but we all got down one way or the other.

The best part of the Sam Braxton is the big sweeping switchbacks with 1/4 mile straights to really bomb the downhill. The late evening sun was peeking through the trees and the scenery was as good as it gets.

One person did not make the entire downhill as he snapped off his rear derailleur. I tried to fix it into a single speed but the chain kept creeping up towards the spokes and breaking off. Those damn pick up ramps on the cassette were way to freaking efficient. Even in the middle ring the chain would dance its way to the top in the back. Chain line problems ... don't know. In the end we just coasted down the Pattee Canyon Road and back into town.

Once in town we did the old tube tow down to the local Dairy Queen where we met the rest of the group that finished the original plan. Great times...o/o

Jumbo Pains

Today I visit my bank. It is not planned but due to an online business called Quicken Online I am left without a personal finance solution. I don't have much, maybe $23.45, but I do have bills and all the things modern society forces upon us. I have to see where things are coming and going. Quicken Online was great because it worked with my iPhone but recently they have decided to shut down the service.

I spent the entire day yesterday (when I wasn't working, eating, and wondering around aimlessly) trying to get another solution running. So now I have to go into my bank at lunch and request some kind of access credentials. What crap. I remember the day when a new computer came with MS Money and it just worked seamlessly with your bank. Now it is complex.

I woke up from the couch last evening realizing that I had a mental breakdown pass out and fall asleep episode. The first thought was to do a relaxing ride with a few little sprints to air out my physical being. I decided upon Jumbo Saddle and then over to Kim Williams. A nice little 1:20 jaunt.

It was nice to finally get out and hit the trails. Soon the stressful day melted away and I found the earth to be embracing me with its warm afternoon sun.

Riding on my old bike the "Leader" I found the evening sun was lighting up the landscape in such a way that I found it very healing and it rejuvenated me enough to pull out my camera a snap off a couple beauties.

Today is Missoula Thursday Night Ride. Who is going? see you at Maurice and South around 6...o/o