Snake Alley Crit

The Snake Alley Criterium is held on a fifteen block course, with differences in elevation from 555 feet to 678 feet. The course is entirely on city streets, mostly in a downtown commercial area. A one block long climb is on the historic brick street named Snake Alley, dubbed "the crookedest street in the world." The 276 foot long Snake Alley has 5 switchbacks in a sixty foot climb. The average grade is 12.5 percent in that one block. Bring a suitable gear cluster for that kind of climbing. This is one of the most physically challenging races in the Midwest.

The Cobble Climb is a 2 block long time trial straight up an incredibly steep & lumpy alley. The first block is an easy brick surface, while the second block is paved with ancient & huge cobble stones. A mountain bike with big tires and suspension is highly recommended. Experience hundreds of screaming fans right at your elbows while you try to stay upright. GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO!

Snake Alley is a fun race even if it hasn't been so kind to me over the years. Newt Colburn just gave me a CD with a couple of pictures he took of me 2 years so I'm using them. For some reason the usual top Iowa master 50+ racers didn't show up and I was the top Iowan. Not that I was that good! Had very sluggish legs.

This year the Cobble Climb was not so kind. I thought the 29er would be the weapon of choose but couldn't keep the chain on. Need to work on the front derailleur.

Had a much better day at the Quad City Crit with good legs and 24 mph avg for the 8 miles.

Cycling in Maui

Don't know why the pictures go in reverse order of how I choose them but it takes to long to redo them so here goes. A ride up Haleakala is a must for an avid cyclist. 10,000 ft in 37 Miles of mostly 6 to 8 % grades with a few 11 to 13% sections. No rest till you come back down. This is looking down in to the crater at the top.

It was cold and windy on top but sunshine was very nice. You could see over to the peak on the Big Island.

This doesn't look so bad from the bottom does it? 5:15 to get to the top and only 1:20 back down gives you some idea of how tough it is. The wind was a factor this time but at least it didn't rain.

It probably not the wisest idea to ride 52 miles of the north shoreline of West Maui the day before. Beautiful but very rugged as you can see.

You can rent a Scott road bike from Maui Cyclery in Paia. Great bunch of guys.

A spring day on Eagle Hill

The master gardener preparing for a new season.

Spectators to the activity.

The prettiest time of the year.

What an awesome weekend to be on the bike!

Cody 2 road race was pretty good for me except for the wind which made me suffer plenty. With Richard and a couple Dice riders to help me the last couple laps l had enough left in the tank to win the sprint out of our group up the finish line hill. But still way behind John's group. What a strong ride, John.
Went down to Sylvan Island and checked out the layout for Sunday's mountain bike race. It was good because they had a new course laid out in the reverse direction from previous years. It also helped me decide which tires to run. The bigger the better cause there was so much rocks, bricks, concrete, and roots on the course.
Wondered how I would feel after a pretty hard day on Sat?
In the warm-up lap I liked what I felt in my legs and hoped for a great race. I was a bit nervous when they didn't line us up by age but did a mass start for all 86 men 4 minutes after 25 women took off. I was determined to try and get a good spot before we hit the single track. I was probably 7th or 8th into the woods which paid off as there was a traffic jam in which the guys in the back were held up. We soon caught the women which wasn't fair to them or us but we managed and by the end I had passed all but the Kim Eppen and Robin Williams. The first lap I somehow managed to endo, kerspat, but didn't hurt the body or the bike and continued on. The last two laps a Half Acre rider and I rode together. He was a little better in the single track but I could close up on the few open sections. So when we hit the finish line section it was a drag race to the finish.
I got him by 2 seconds for 11th overall and 3rd in the 40+. 5th place 40+ was only 4 seconds back. How sweet it was to be the oldest guy in the race and the first two guys in my class were 40, 17 years my junior. 40 is when I started mountain biking.
My best overall race in a long time with 4 laps of 21 min + and the last lap being the fastest.
Hope you enjoyed the race report.

Awesome weekend

What a great weekend! Got a chance to see some rowing competition with the Hawkeye rowing team. Kurt is the Athletic Trainer for them.

Had a road race and a mountian bike race over at the Quad Cities.

The daffodels growing up through the leaves shows new life.

No I'm not the guy on the bike. :<)

80 degrees at last, No joke!!!

What an good feeling to ride in shorts and short sleeves comfortably. Had a good workout with Mark and Richard on the IC roadrace course.

The Miller Sisters

Two very special young ladies.

Thanks Althea for the picture.

Winter last gasp?

After a beautiful week of spring weather we woke up to this fresh coat of snow. Thankfully today the snow has almost all disappeared. In fact the first Road Race of the year was held today in Scott County Park in cool but sunny conditions.

Daylight savings time-how sweet it is!

Got to love the extra hour. I got home after the nicest part of the sunset. Still pretty.

Beautiful weather!

The streak is broken! After 90+ days since we last saw 40 degrees it felt awesome in the sun and 47. It called for a 25 mile gravel road loop on the bike. Hope this snow melts with out causing serious flooding.

Time to get out of the bike room.

Frostbuster XV Roller Race

Today was the breakout of the new Twisted Spokes Racing Team Jersey etc. Looks pretty good in my opinion. It was fun to have everyone over for the last roller race of the year.

Breaking out the 29er

It's been a long time, Sept, since I last rode my 29er mountain bike. With the snow cover on the gravel roads fat tires seemed like a good idea. Started out at 32 degrees dropping to 24 by the time I got back 2 hours later. When we finally get into the 50s it will feel like a heatwave. But it's good to get outside.

Team Beachy

Here is the jersey my team "family" got me for Christmas. Definitely one of a kind! Thanks everyone.

Finally a ride outside!

Today the sun was shining for awhile and the roads were clear. That is reason to get out for 2 hours and ride outside. Never mind the temps were in the mid 30's and a real stiff wind out of the west. It was tough to do more than about 10 mph going west but 30+ mph going east.
Looks like snow will be back tomorrow.

Planet Bike UCI Cyclocross 55+ 2nd place

Highlight of the CX season

Grael and Lorelei

My two little granddaughters!