2010 Race Schedule

5/16/2010 Spring Cup, Inver Grove Heights, MN
6/06/2010 Afton Avalanche, Afton Alps, Hastings, MN
6/27/2010 Bluff Riders Charge - Mt Kato, Mankato, MN
7/04/2010 Memorial Classic, Red Wing, MN
8/01/2010 Buck Hill Birch Bump, Burnsville, MN
8/08/2010 MNSCS/WORS Trek Border Battle, River Falls, WI

That's it 5 maybe 6 races. And yes, no road races form me this year.

TdF Picks

1. Lance
2. Wiggo
3. Evans
4. Contador

Yes, I realize how great of a climber Alberto is, but take away the team he had last year that brought back all the attacks and there's his chink in the armour. Wiggo's performance last year was proof to himself that he can win and I expect him to come back in better form. Evans got screwed last year with a weak team that couldn't support a tour contender. I see this as his best chance to make something happen. If he approaches the Tour with determination and not a whiny attitude, he could do better than 3rd. Then there's this Lance guy that no one has heard of (7 times). The 'Old Guy' came back after 3 years off and finished quite well wouldn't you say. There is no doubt that he could have done more damage on GC had he not had to support Contador. He's playing down the teams focus at the Tour and talking up Alberto's climbing ability, I ain't buyin it. Sure I'm a big fan of Lance, not afraid to admit that, but if your from the MN WI area you gotta support a team that picks up riders like Bjorn Selander.

Echooooo Echooooo

Wheeeeeeeeeew

Cough, cough...

Man this thing has some dust on it.

Don't know why I care to ask but...

Does anyone look at this anymore?

I'm suprised I could remember how to use it.

If you need to reach me try Facebook or twitter @mlwiken

Lance to Team Radio Shack 2010

http://www.teamradioshack.com/getready/

Update- MNSCS #2 and Road Stuff

For starters, this blogging thing is kinda the last thing on my list of things-to-do. Just like everyone else, FB and Twitter (@mlwiken) have pretty much taken over and are hella easier to use.

MNSCS #2
There is a reason for this late race recap. I'll get to that in a sec.
I was really looking forward to this race since I like the climbs and prefer them to the flatter courses. Once at the line, not liking this 35+ Comp class, I decided that I would first focus on catching and passing as many young bucks as I could. That went quite well so I knew I was riding strong. Except when the f.der. wouldn't drop to the granny >:-( I stopped fixed the der and continued on still feeling pretty good. Then with one lap to go I decide that I would attack on the Man Handler to pull back as many positions as I could and then bring it on home. Well, the MTB Gods had different plans for me. I flatted heading over Porters Pile. I changed it in record time, for me, and only lost 8 or so places. Then just before the base of the Man Handler, Pffsssssssss. Damn, flat number 2 and I ain't got no more tubes. DAMN IT!

I'll just have to wait to get my revenge at Mt. Kato.

In the meantime I'm planning on hitting up the State Fair crit tomorrow 3/4, Stillwater on Sunday, then focus on Mt. Kato.

I need to get one of these...

I think I might know of someone who makes furniture like this.

MNSCS #1

Racing the mtb this Sunday in the MNSCS Spring Cup. Looking forward to racing in the dirt with a team that has some real potential. I was really concerned about not being ready for this race with this damn cold, surprise, but seeing how my teammates are riding, I'm not really that concerned about myself. How big of me I know. But seriously, the Grizz is looking like he did 10 years ago. If you raced against him then, then you know you're in trouble. One of the best single track riders I've seen. Then there's Dan, this cat starts out nice and easy, then ramps it up and starts chasing everyone down. You can always count on him to grind up riders. Chris, well I don't know much about this guy since I've been racing road for a few years, but I do know he's fast. Smoked me at the Leb TT a few years back, he's a hammer. Tybo, well if he upgrades to Comp it's all over. Neil and Scott seem to have put a ton of miles in already this year. Neil did this 100 miles to nowhere thing (crazy) and some other 100 mtb race. Scott, don't think I forgot about how you almost passed me at our little BCR Paper Plate Shout Out. Damn! And finally, I think, we have Andy M. coming back to the BCR fold. He always finished well up in the results.

So you see. That's why I'm not to concerned with how I do. It's going to be a great show either way.

Now lets go get some point shall we?

BCR Paper Plate Shoot Out race location and other details

Please follow this link to find out where the race will be held:

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dhdhdsx2_140f7h4kcfc

BCR Paper Plate Shoot Out Invitational

It's more like an organized mtb ride with a race feel

Deets go here: http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=cGJDQUUza3owYWh0TWxyLVZ3NnA4SWc6MA

Another group ride

Rode with the GP group this morning. Put in a some good efforts but realized that I still have some work to do. Not sure that Durand will be in the cards, just not ready yet. Besides, It looks like I might only be doing maybe 3 races on the road bike this season. Not sure it's worth it to fork over $60 for my license. Only time will tell...

Prescott Ride

What an awesome ride today. I was jazzed, yes jazzed to get out on a group ride today. The route was nice and hilly.

Thanks everyone for showing up even though it was a little chilly. Does anyone remember who got the state sign at the end of the ride?

0.0007366 kilometer

I've been hoping to get a new mtb for this season. If all goes well I'll need to decide on what to get. But being a traditionalist it won't be an easy decision. It appears that the 29 inch craze is here to stay. I'll admit that I'm skeptical. It's not like this is the first time that a larger wheel sized mtb has been introduced to the industry. I'm sure some of you recall the Override series, I'm sure there were others, from Diamondback that Dave Weins and crew were rockin back in the early to mid 90's. They eventually failed because they didn't hold up and DB pulled the plug on them. Sure they were 700c wheels and wheel technology has come a long way since then. But maybe, just maybe the technology isn't the only thing that has changed. I recently read Doug Swanson's post regarding how mountain bike courses have changed. Maybe that's why these 29'ers work. I keep thinking back to the strength of the 26 inch and the fact that the smaller wheel is physically easier to get up to speed. But then there is something to say about a larger wheel being easier to maintain momentum of choppy stuff.

I'm interested to hear from anyone who has a 29'er out there. Are they happy they switched? Is it better suited for today's race course? Is there a brand that is considered an expert in the 29 inch world?

Waiting

Seems like these days all I do is wait.

Wait for the days to tick off the calendar till the weather gets nicer and the races start. I've been pretty dedicated to training which compared to some might not be that much but I'm feeling good about it. Can't wait to see if it was all worth it.

There will be no early racing in Iowa or Missouri for me this year.

Here's my tentative race schedule for 2009:

Durand RR
An Opus or 2

5/17/2009 Erik's Spring Cup, Inver Grove Heights, MN
5/31/2009 Afton Avalanche, Afton Alps, Hastings, MN
6/28/2009 Bluff Riders Charge, Mt Kato, Mankato, MN
7/12/2009 Memorial Classic, Red Wing, MN
7/26/2009 Hillside Park Single Track Attack, Elk River, MN
8/09/2009 Buck Hill Birch Bump, Burnsville, MN
8/16/2009 MNSCS/WORS Trek Border Battle, White Tail Ridge, River Falls, WI


I'll probably add some more races for the latter part of the season but we'll see how it goes.

It's too bad that my teammates haven't real bought into my mtb schedule. They still think that I'm racing on the road. Where's the faith? Maybe I should look for another team? Ha ha! Lets face it, who would want me. Maybe they'll believe after I kick the Grizz's ass at the Spring Cup!

What a day for cycling; Pugfest, Ride with Fin, Lalla in AZ, AToC

The Grizz and I got out to Elk River to get some footage of the 2009 Pug Fest. Tom Miller took top honors by catching and then passing the Pugsley leaders. Nice work Tom!

I think we got some great footage that the Grizz is cutting up as I write this. Can't wait to see the final product. We'll have some stills up soon as well with links to the video on MORC.

So that made for a great morning but it got better when I arrived at my house. Finley was dressed and ready to go riding with Dad. Way cool! We ended up riding for almost an hour and a half. He is way more hardcore than his old man. Speaking of old man, I hear this a lot from Lalla, I wonder how racing went for him this weekend down in Phoenix for the Valley of the Sun race. I'm expecting a race report soon...

Now I'm ending the day by watching the AToC that I recorded from earlier today...

Just got a quick update from Lalla, 10th in the crit today. Very well done Mike. You're livin' the dream!

Back to AToC. too bad to hear that Fabian had to drop out with illness. Guess that makes it a little easier for Saxo to pick their guy for the week. Wonder who it will be. I'm hoping for Jens. We'll know after today. Either way though it looks like Rock Racing is going to score big today. This will be a great week of racing.

How about Lance wearing a mtb visor on his helmet, NICE! So how many people will be sporting them at Durand and Ken Woods?...

I'm not Tuft

Read this article from the NY Times.

Poor Michael

They're tough on swimmers.

Forget Belgium

Lalla put your euro plans on hold and check this summer job out.

Cabin Fever

Yeah it's really starting to settle in now.

Got a race recap from Lalla last night and with the Tour Down Under about to start I'm really getting the itch.

The training has been progressing, I've been out skiing a few times but I'm sooooo looking forward to May 17th so I can start my season on the dirt. I'm guessing that the Cat 2's (previously Comp) will be pretty tough with the existing pool of riders plus all the roadies making appearances through out the season.

It's going to be a great year!

bjorn gets picked up by livestrong www.velonews.com

http://www.velonews.com/article/86531/the-trek-livestrong-u23-team-tunes-up-in-austin

lacin' em up | 26'er, 29'er, 69'er, why not 24?| 24 | Skiing

On the skates again

So it's been ten years since I last laced up the hockey skates. Finley had his first skating lessons on Saturday and so we went out again yesterday at the neighborhood rink. I was able to bring my stick and slap the puck around. Man it was nice to get out there again. It all came back fairly quickly. Come to think of it I haven't played in a hockey game since my days at Erik's playing with Lalla and Erik himself. Those were the days.

New bike, what to get?

Now that things are finally happening at work I might be able to afford a new mtb for my return to the dirt. So the question remains, do I get a 26, 29 , or some funky combination of the 2? I remember this whole 29 craze back when Dave Wiens was racing for Diamondback. The Overdrives were 700c mtbs. They didn't last long with only a handful of other manufacturers jumping on the band wagon. It makes me wonder if this trend will really last. Sure the wheels are better engineered now but what about the physics involved here. Is a 29'er really any better than a 26, especially on tight single track? I've heard they are good for taller riders, is 6'1" considered tall?

24

Jack is back. I'm guessing Tony is actually good and working for the now defunct CTU. We'll see...



Skiing

Got out this weekend and did a few laps at Lake Elmo. I've been struggling with my climbing. I've felt like a deer on ice. My legs would get further and further apart. But yesterday I think I figured out that you want to keep your strides short. I used to have a hard time getting my legs back together in time for the next push. I've found that if you keep your legs from getting too far away from you that you can find a rhythm and climb more efficiently. So all you experienced skiers, am I correct here. I'm kinda learning this on my own and would appreciate any advise.