24-9 pics

Started out walking around Rib Mountain with Cindy and Kelsi

Set up pits with Tony

Paddy and Dallas stop by to say Hi

Getting ready to rumble

Tony and I setting our bikes up fot the run

Game On !

Night time and hungry I finaly started to feel good ( friend Bob watching )

214 miles later and good enough for 2nd place

On the podium for my first time as a 24 hr solo freak

Chris Eatough and I after he signed my # plate

stopped to get some food and straight for the hot tub

Mark Hendershot and I outside the Hotel Monday morning

2007 24-9 on the podium !

I'm sitting here with a big cup of mudd,not feeling to bad and glad I made the trip up to Wuasau,Wi.The race turned out great for me and some other PAMBA and FORC members with podium spots for some of us.

I can't say enough how it feels to have so many people ecouraging you to keep pushing and great job solo keep it up when you are digging so deep just to get another lap in and knowing you have such a long way to go before you can call it a day.Thanks to everyone !

Cindy,Kelsi and I got up to Wausau on Thursday so I could help out at the course and get a good spot for our pit and I did get one of the best spots that we like.I had Tony next to me and a spot saved for Paddy our friend from up north,but a little confusion on where I was and Paddy had a pit already set up in another location. Thanks for coming over to say Hi Paddy,Dallas and Hal ! Let me know how your foot is !

I also got to say hi and meet Chris Eatogh and his main support guy Posh ! on Thursday as he was preriding the course, great guys and very approachable on my way out I meet Mark Hendershot from Michagan and talked to him.On Monday morning Mark and his wife were packing up their van and Cindy and I went over to talk and get a pic of us together,Great guy, Thanks Mark !

Well I guess there was a race ! Soooooooo!

I took off with Tony who was doing his first 12 hr solo and thought I might be able to keep up with him knowing he would have to pace himself,well that lasted about 2 miles in the singletrack and that was the last time I saw him until he was done at 10:00pm.Nice job Tony ! To keep up that pace and not really get the training in you would have liked to,you had a great race !

The one thing I did differant this year is switch bikes at the first part of the race I rode my NRS 2 for 3 laps and then my Composite NRS for awhile then back to the #2 so Cindy could get the lights on the Composite for the night time laps.My upper body never really hurt and that was a first for me.I think I read to switch from Eddy O's blog

The first lap is always fast and the course feels like you can go for ever,the small inclines are nothing to fly up and the rocky sections you roll right over,but this feeling goes away after your 3rd or 4th lap and you need to slow down for the long race ahead.On my 4th lap I wasn't eating enough calories and the cramps started in on my inner thighs when I was climbing at the begining part of the course,all I could do is stand on the pedals and deal with the pain until they went away.It was the 4th lap I think when I put my right foot down to let a rider go by me and when I pushed off to go my calf cramped up do hard and long I almost passed out from the pain,I was hurting...I came in to start my 5 lap and I could not eat,nothing sounded good my mouth was dry and I know I'm going to be in trouble if I don't get some calories in me.

Sometime before dark I was having some peeing problems and was concerned about my overall health,as I was really feeling bad and was looking for any reason to quit,mentally I was breaking down and could easly stop if someone would tell me I need to.Cindy talked to Terry and told him my problems and when I came in for that lap him and Bob Woo were there to check on me.Sometime on that lap I started to get some energy and get hungry so when I hit the pit I was ready for the night time laps and eating some much needed calories.Mentally I was ready to go knowing I was holding 2 place ,but didn't have time to jack around.

My night time laps were slow but I felt good and really focussed on the trail I was still riding all the course with a few spots I put the foot down,but not many.My lights were a disappointment and couldn't even get 2 laps out of them.On my secound lap in the dark both went out and I was glad I had a road bar light to get me back to the pits...It did get cold right before morning and it was starting to take a toll on me and I could feel myself getting drained on every climb and I wasn't recovering as fast...I'm tired !

When I came in and was able to take my light off and I was still 26 minutes ahead of 3rd place and Cindy didn't see him for awhile so my gap my have gotten bigger which was good news so off for another lap and counting down the number of laps I might have to do to hold 2 place.I came in on my 14 lap at around 9:00am and the 3rd place guy had just taken off at 8:30 for his 14 lap,he would have to bust out a 1-1/2 lap to catch me before 10:00am ( his last 4 laps were over 2 hrs long) I could wait and hope he dosn't make it before 10:00am or I could cross the finish line now and clinch 2 nd place and ride a 15th lap...I washed up, put on a fresh Hammer outfit, ate,and kissed Cindy as she cried and told me I was awesome for going out for my 15th lap to fished in 2nd place ! At around 11:20 I came in with 214 miles and my first podium spot in a 24 hr race !

Cindy did a great job in the pit! I didn't have Mids this year as I always have before and he knows he was missed,but Cindy really stepped up and put up with me,Once I was in secound place she said I was to hold this spot and she wasn't going to let me give it up,she wanted it as bad as I did,Thanks Honey you were awesome yourself !...Tony finished up his 1st 12hr race and stayed up and helped Cindy with my lights and made sure I was ok before he tried to get some sleep Thanks Tony !It was great to have Bob Woo the main wrench from Bushwhackers help out all the racers from Peoria.My friend I grew up with Bob Grace came up just watch and cheer us on,It was great to see him on course and encourge me on ! Thanks Bob !...It was great to see some of the guys on course that said hi and keep me going Chris,Brad,Ray,Bret,Dean,and of course Scott he always pumps me up when he comes flying bye.

I think I said this would be my last solo up at 24-9, I wanted to hit the podium and secound place is better than I thought I could ever do,If the Nationals come back next year maybe I'll try for a top ten Finish with the big boys ? ( 14th place this year)

Getting ready for 24-9 !

No more long rides for me,I'm not going to gain anymore endurance before the Nationals in Wausua now it's a trick to keep the legs feeling fresh and snappy.PAMBA has a race this weekend at Jubilee and the weather looks like it's going to be great,I hate to pass on racing but this is the toughest race on the I-74 circuit and It's to close to sitting on a bike for 24 hours for me.



I pretty much used the weedeater on the whole course at Jubilee over the last three weeks so we won't need a trail work day on Saturday, I'll get some help on marking it Saturday afternoon and we'll be good


Tony and I at the PAMBA meeting at Little Aides Bike Shop

I finally bought me a good first aide kit for my Bike Patrol backpack so I'll be in full Bike Patrol dress this weekend.

I'm trying to download some pic's,but the new camera was set on the highest resolution and I'm still on dial up ! Sucks !

My pit at 24-9 is going to be busey with Tony and Ryan doing the 12 hr solo race,Hopefully Midz can still make it up and help out.I'm going to get ahold of Jet lights today to rent some batteries and I should be set.

I took the family up to the windy city Saturday and spent the day walking around,I like watching all the people,but love going back home to the quiet of the country.

Kelsi, me,Stephanie and Chicago

Cindy entertaines herself pretty easey


this is fun for awhile

Steph getting tired and B%$#$y

Mike jr. is on his tour out west with his buddy's from the band and he called from just outside Denver and sent a e-mail pic of the mtn's,they should be heading for Las Vegas then California...Ahh to be a young punk again thinking you have life by the balls !

Day off it's raining,no mowing today,the tour is on,I need to get some kind of a workout in !


Why I'm not riding today

See ya !

Proctor race

Tony and I had a fun road race,we stayed with the lead group throughout the race and got to sprint to the finish with Tony edgeding me out at the finish line for 8th and 9th place. Pics and more info soon !

The bad news a young lady from Team triple XXX lost her life from a head on collision with a truck pulling a horse trl.More info coming !

Fair weekend of riding

My goal was a couple of centuries Saturday and Sunday ,but work and the weather had other plans.I was able to squeeze out 60 miles Saturday between thunder storms and 90 on Sunday before I needed to be home,so I did what I could and now it's time to get ready for the Proctor Classic the rest of the week.

The weather looks like it's going to be great for Saturday and Sunday both,Tony and I are doing the road race on Saturday and I'll go down town and watch the crit on Sunday.

Godd luck to midz on his first 6 hour trail run race in Indiana this weekend,he has trained hard and should feel pretty good.

See ya !

Yep Still here !

Not much time to update or I don't take the time,I still look at a few blogs to see whats up in the endurance world of racing and get ready for 24-9 in July.

I had a couple 6 hr rides planned for this weekend,but rain on Saturday might screw things up,I should still be able to get a good ride in with Tony on Sunday morning.

I didn't have much time yesterday to get on the bike after a long 14 hr day at work so I did my 20 mile loop on the road bike.When I don't have time to get at least two hrs in I will do a time trial on this loop,my last average speed was 19.5 yesterday was 20.6 with about the same conditions.Legs felt good,I need to keep this up each week until 24-9.


Race at Farmdale went good ! I did what I expected and finished feeling strong with alot more laps in my legs.It was fun to ride with Matt for awhile and get in a good endurance zone.My new Maxxis Ignitors was a great choice and will stay on the bike for awhile.


Kelsi giveing me some more Hammer Heed


Tony leading the Experts on the start I'm back there somewhere !


After I had my Hammer Recoverite post drink I like the choc. milk for some added calories.( dig the new PAMBA uniform )


Megan and Kelsi was my crew for todays race !

One and only road race next weekend Proctor Classic !

Race on Sunday

I-74 race #2 at Farmdale in East Peoria,IL is this Sunday,I still don't know if I'm in or out ! I'm feeling the effect of another fall yesterday while Tony and I was riding the course...My camera is broke so I can't show the nice red tattoo I have from the frame of the NRS,perfect outline on the inside of my knee...I'll get some miles in this week and see how things go Saturday ,but I'll be at the race for sure,I need a good hard effort to get in that suffer mode and get my head back in the game.


Ribs seem to be getting better every day,if I can just keep my bike upright it might help in my recovery,but 24-9 is looking alot better.

See Ya !

Time in the saddle

I had some good time on the road bike yesterday without any pain in the ribs,three hours and a 100 k day so I'm happy I can medicate and get the saddle time in.

Rain for today and most of the week means I may be getting wet on some rides which I don't mind as long as there is no lightning.

See ya !

On the mend

I went to another Doc yesterday to get some advice on what I can and should do to heal up my upper rib and I knew there wasn't much info but time.He did say I won't hurt the healing proccess to much if I keep riding ,but just don't fall on it again.He gave me some meds to take before I start riding and I should be able to deal with the pain,the same thing Doc John told Midds to tell me...I'll see what kind of long rides I can get in on the road bike,which by the way I got my friends Specialize Allez sitting in my garage for a crazy price and this thing is a rocket for a road bike.

Cookout at Jubilee today will be a mudfest ,but we are still going to meet-up and have something to eat,but I think I might ride the new rocket over their to get some time in.

New Mexican place in Farmington rocks ! I can see some food rides going down this summer !

24-9 might still be up in the air ! I'll see how much time I can put in on the trails at one time come July...Wausua trails will beat the crap out of me.

Early Saturday morning I didn't work last night NICE !

See Ya !

Now what did I do ?

I'm trying to decide if I can still make it up to my first 12 hr race of the year on the 26 th of this month,but a little fall on Friday morning might make my mind up for me. I wish I could say I was tearing up the trail having a great ride when I fell ,but that wasn't the case...I was carrying a 2x8x36inch board with my left hand trying to get it out to a bridge I rebuilt and was one board short,when I went off the trail and tried to stop,but I couldn't get uncliped...opps ! Fell to the right side staight on to my chest,no big deal,I thought I was fine.

I went on to finish the bridge and then get a good 1-1/2hr ride in ! I felt fine until I went to get off the bike then it felt like I was being stabbed on the right side of my upper chest ! Crap this isn't good !

To finish this up, it got worse has the day went on, I still went to work that night then went to First Care in the morning after work.Badly brusied if not cracked upper rib,they didn't do a x-ray because they wouldn't treat it any different so might has well save me some money( good choice doc)

I'll see how things go for the next few weeks on the bike I don't want to screw up training for 24-9 in July,Meanwhile don't laugh,caugh,or sneeze...ouch !

Happy Mothers Day to Cindy and all other moms out there ! Steaks on the grill today will be on the menu !

Caution ! X-rated- big pussy ahead

Still pissed off on my effort at T3 It was so doable with the great weather, I don't want to talk or think about it anymore !

Ken Stuckart if your reading this congrats on your finish ! send me a e-mail and tell me how it went for you (sngltrk2061@aol.com) I knew I should have stayed with you,I was by myself and talked myself into quiting at Traer.
No way should I have broke mentally, I learned a big lesson !

The Big Puss !

A successful turkey hunt

What a morning I had yesterday while hunting ! I wish it could have been taped,but there was no way I could have because I had turkeys fly down right onto my lap.

My brother in-law had seen them fly down from their roost Saturday morning so yesterday we set out at 4:45am to ambush them.He brought his jon boat down so we could cross my creek and we snuck up along a grass open hill facing the west and we put our backs up against a couple trees and waited.Rick was about 10 yards below me and it was my turn at first shot this year and the toms were gobbling right at day break.All of a sudden I see a small black bird come flying from across the tree tops right at Rick and me then flips out his big wings and lands 15 yards infront of us A BIG TOM ! then one by one about 12 to 15 turkeys do the same thing WOW ! what a sight this is something you see on tv !

Needless to say we can't move or twitch a muscle or they would be gone,turkeys have great eye sight and will bolt on out at the slightest movement.To make this shorter I watched 4 toms chase off some jakes and strut around until I seen the one I wanted and when he turned the right way I shot ! and he was mine ! Rick was trying to get a shot at one but they went the wrong way and couldn't get a shot off.

22lbs
9.50 inch beard
1 inch spurs
I would say a 2 year old bird may be three

Can't see me !

The beard

Tucker don't know what to think but "thats a big bird"



Getting ready for this weekend with some small 20 miles rides and short efforts I was hoping to have some bigger miles in before the race but the weather and work took a sharp turn for the worse,but we'll still give it a good hard try and I do plan on making it all the way. I hate quiting on anything I do !

See YA !

Those pics

I said I would post are ready so here is some runners at that ultra run Midz and I was at.


Midz before he goes out later and runs twenty miles with a Navy Seal


Tony and I catching some singletrack at Indy


Tony doing the cramp pain dance after 3-1/2 hours of riding! He has been way to busy at home and work and let himself get dehydrated it was worse later in the day for him.


I did get a small ride in at Jubilee after I went turkey hunting this morning and Midz and I got one ten foot bridge built,I'll work on the eight foot one this week after work...No I didn't get a turkey I didn't get in the woods until 9:00am after work but Dad and Rick seen 5 Toms with a bunch of hens and thats not good. I'll be out at 4:45 in the morning and try again.

See ya !

OK I'm still here !

I wish I could say I've been gettin in so much riding that I havn't had time to post,but thats not the case just LAZY ! My last big weekend of long miles didn't happen and it really got in my head and just plain pissed me off ! The weather took a dump and I had a couple of bad weeks of minamal bike rides ,but I'll just call it a long taper period Yeah thats right a long taper period !

The good news is the trails have dried out and I have been getting some rides in to keep the legs fresh.

Bad news on my T-3 partner Matt, he took a spill up at the Sylvan Island race and banged up his knee so no T-3.I was looking forward to riding with him at a normal pace, all we ever do is compete against each other when were fying down some trail.
I hope it's not to bad if a injury and he can still race this year.

I'm trying to download some pic's and it's not working so I might post them later.

I did get to see Dallas last weekend at his run in Pekin ! Way crazy to run a 100 miles he was wiped when he came in and said he had enough, Nice job Dallas you are the man ! Midz got to run 20 miles pacing for a navy seal in the middle of the night and was totally pump about running and talking to this guy and a personal best for Midz to ! Great run dude !

My bike is ready for T-3 I just put on my Maxxis Larsons TT and they should rock pretty good,I need to stop by the shop and get some more gear that will help get me through this race or attempt this race...Full rain gear suit ? Maybe I should !

Oh yeah ! I did try and get a trail ride in at Jubilee but twenty min. in my egg beater pedal blew apart on me AHH PISS ! I had my running shoes so I ran for a hour and came home early.

I'll post some pic's later It's getting to be bed time it's 3:45 pm

See Ya !

Monday night ride

Midz and I enjoyed a nice ride yesterday after work the weather was great mid 70s and sunny.The way things look it might be the last warm day for awhile with a cold front moving in.I'm still planning on a 8 hr or more ride on Saturday morning,temps are only predicted in the mid 40s.

It's getting a little close to T-3 to be getting to crazy with the miles so I need to get my tapper down plans in order after this weekend.Most guys don't relize how much thats important on getting your legs feeling fresh and rested for a race ,my bad race at Farmdale last year is all I need to say.

The fuel that will get me through the season and I have not stop using since I first dicovered it two years ago.


Midz and I taking off infront of the house and yes I cut the grass yesterday April 1st "crazy"


Just to cool in my Tifosi's


PAMBA prez. showed up in his PAMBA jersey and Hammer socks same as me ! WEIRD !


As we were riding Midz said he missed our old 50 mile loop that he rode with Cindy and I on Sundays, me to and I hope we can Cindy back on the tandem soon and back to those Sunday rides !

See ya !

Weather sucks

If you live in the mid-west you know what I'm talking about !
I don't train outside in thunder and lightning storms !
Maybe Trip up to Quad cities Sunday !
Enough said !

See ya !

Sunday & Monday

Sunday was The NRS's Maiden Voyage to see how I want to set it up for T-3 and get a good feel for the bike with a full camelback.



Plan was to get 6 hrs + and stay in my aerobic base zone for as long as I could, but with the winds kicking up to 30 mph gust I knew I couldn't stay there for long.I did stay pretty close for the first 60 miles then I had no choice but to go south towards Trivoli and straight into the wind.

Did I go to far south ? Those cows have horns ! Like Texas steer !


I had around 35 miles to get home and it would take me almost 3 hours to get there,I didn't want to go anaerobic so I was going slow and steady.I had a purpose here and I wanted to see how my legs would feel on some climbs when I got close to home.

Some more fans waving me on !


I can only wish the little gravel I was on would be like this at T-3 ! Hard packed !


I was finally getting close to home and I hit the climbs with some rollers and the legs felt good and strong,this is going to be the key and part of my plan for T-3 I don't care what others do or how fast they go ! I need to stay out of my anaerobic zone for as long as I can.

Hammer gel and Perpetuem was my main fuel for todays ride !

B-day din-din was great ! Time for some peach cobbler ! Thanks Honey !


Today was a 1-1/4 hr recovery ride just to spin the legs out ! Off tomorrow !

See Ya !

Rain,Rain go away

One look outside from the front porch this morning and my plans for a long ride is not going to happen

It looks like a all day event with flood warning going on !

My ride yesterday after work was going to be a couple of hours,but the threat of rain coming at me from the west turned into a 1-1/2 of intervals so it was affective.
After I decided to kick into intervals I did 10x20sec sprints 60 sec.rest in between
sets...legs a were on fire and lungs sucking air !!

Bike Patrol class tomorrow at Farmdale,after we finish and send in paper work we should be qualified !

Long ride sked.for Sunday and my B-day dinner, Cindy cooks what ever we want on the Sunday following our b-day and I will need to burn up some calories before I chow down.
On the menu !
Fried smelt
coleslaw (grandma's recipe)
steakfries
cornfritters
peach cobbler (grandma's recipe)
Cindy has perfected some of Grandma's best dishes I grew up with !

See ya !

Wind ride

There is no way around not riding in the wind this time of the year so I have learned to embrace the wind and use on my interval rides.I took off this morning wearing my new jacket Cindy bought me for my b-day today,Thanks babe they can see me now !



Thw wind was coming straight out of the east so I did my regular loop then headed east to Hannacity.

No more snow around here !


I did 20 min.warmup then 20 min.at L/t 20 min.recovery 20min.at L/T 20 min.recovery then I hit some rollers on the way home,short ride but effective.

Is that a Casey's ? no need to stop today !


Above Threshold (L/T)


I live on the Hammer gels "apple-cinnamon please"


Sucking in the oxygen


Home last week having that Ice cream and cake for Steph 18 y/o


Cindy trying to get a piece !


PAMBA meeting last night had the biggest show of people more than 30 was their getting involved before the Mid-west festival hits Peoria,Il.If you havn't checked to see all the venders that are pouring in you may want to see wants going on here.I didn't get a pic until after the meeting."duh ta duh"


Rain in the forcast if the temps stay up I'll still ride !
39 more days untill T/3

See ya !

Time in the saddle

The main goal today was just getting some time on the bike no big gears or even going anaerobic,keep the h/r down and spend at least 5 hrs in the saddle.

I didn't get my ride in yesterday like I had planed so I'll get a couple in tomorrow after work I hope,we have a PAMBA metting tomorrow night so it might only be a quick recovery ride.Wednesday is a planed day on the bike to,I wonder what Rock Island Trail is looking like ?

I need to eat some Ice cream and cake for Stephanie's b-day GLAD I WENT ON MY RIDE !
I turn 46 on Tuesday I'm lucky I still have my health !

Trans-Iowa III 41 days away !!

Long weekend of road miles

I finished off the weekend with a recovery ride tonight with Midds nice and slow keeping my heart rate low.Saturdays ride turned out to be a suffer fest into the wind and keeping the H/R at (AT) for 4+ hours...Sundays was at a pace I need to keep at the T-3 race,the biggest mistake I can make is to go out hard at the start of T-3 and go anaerobic ! That really goes for any time during the race I'm anaerobic I'll be cutting off time I'll be able to ride which means I won't be fininshing the race !

I'll take a couple days off to recover from the 170 miles I put in over last few days and start over by the end of the week.

I'm heading over to Jubilee tomorrow or Wednesday to walk and clean up the trails plus look for some sheds ! almost Morel time too !


Middz coming into Trivoli

See ya !

Long miles on the road

This weekend I should get some good road miles in,the plan starts with some intervals this morning.I plan on only a 1-1/4 ride to get the legs hurting then tomorrow morning after work I plan on a 60+ mile ride and the same thing for Sunday.

I'll keep kicking up the miles each weekend and by the end of March I want to be riding back to back 100 + miles.If the weather co-operates my weeks should look like this.

Monday- recovery ride
Tuesday- yoga-weightlifting
Wednesday-Hill Intervals
Thursday-yoga-weightlifting
Friday- Intervals
Saturday-long road miles
Sunday-long road miles

Boy ! is all that wishfull thinking !

See ya !

Rest day

I ran and lifted yesterday after work so today I did some Yoga this morning and R&R for the rest of the afternoon...I need to lay down for a couple of hrs before I go in tonight at 7:00pm.I hope the wind dies down it might be a long night keeping the the big truck between the ditches!

Spin tomorrow and maybe outside Sunday morning !

The new PAMBA jersey order should go in the week !I helped Tony,Stauby with the design they did all the leg work,I think their pretty cool !



T-3 is 57 days out !

See ya !