Bill's Web Lodge

Last night I set a new milestone in my mid life racing career come back. This also marks the point at which I have recovered from my stint at the time trial circus where I specialized in head stands and top tube pummel horse. My ankle still looks like a big spud and I still take naps but my form and power on the bike has returned (unless grilling braughts at lunch are a new form of secret performance).

Now for the chest beating! I climbed University Mountain in 27:17.5 at an average of 169 BPM. Keep in mind I am ten steps from a retirement home at 42 years of glorious age.  In my stud days I could say that 179 was my anaerobic threshold. The climb is 1,500 vertical feet in 3.69 miles, a recepie for putting on the hurt. Here is the map ==> http://tinyurl.com/6pqt57

Now I am leaving town! I must go underground before the US Government finds out about my special powers. I will be hiding out at Painted Rocks Lake, camping, and riding epic single track in the Bitterroot. I am planning on taking a couple dudes and riding Blue Joint, Porcupine Ridge, and other trails near the Lost Trail area.

Have a great weekend and keep the tread in the dirt!

Media

• Natasha Westphal ^new
• Photo Gallery
• Video
• Off The Grind Video

Hunting for bear ground that is.  Last nights edition of the Thursday Night Rides included some dirt, some mud, and a lot of slushy snow. We have been enduring winter weather and last night we entered into the aftermath with determination and dedication to ... well, I don't know what. Maybe the loop just had to be completed this time around and by god we did it!

• My photos of TNR
• Josh's photos of last nights TNR

Man, it is weird to see me in the pro results.  Soak it in, soak it in.

Maybe it is not my energy drink mix that messed me up two days ago.  Last night I tried plain water and I could not pedal past 1 hour.  I never had a 1 hour workout take so long.  It did not help that I was riding indoors due to the winter weather that is imposing itself upon us here in Missoula. When was the last time that Mount Sentinel had snow on it in June that has stayed and even accumulated over three days.  Usually it melts right way but this morning the winter weather still rages on.  It is cold and rainy this morning and it is Thursday.  Marshall Canyon Mittower Gulch!