Nighttime Gravel Hundy

I met Steve Fuller around 5pm for a gravel grinder. We picked flat roads to make good time and headed north to Ogden. I probably should have actually gotten on the bike at least once since last Tuesday. I might have felt better. Lots of leg and saddle issues tonight. However Steve kept the pace up and I almost made it under 7 hours (7:02 ride time). I finished just as my light was going dead. Too much water loss on this ride. I drank 200oz of water and two 16oz Gatorades and still lost 4.5lbs., not good.

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Shopping trip

You have to have the proper attitude to shop the Plaza in Kansas City. Madison puts on her shopping face.

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RAGBRAI - day3

CY LIKES THE GRIZ!!!!
Today's ride was to Ames, home to ISU and the Cyclones. A quick 58miles, the majority with favorable wind. A nice ride to spin the legs out from yesterday's 100mile ride. Holly and the girls picked Bob and I up at 1pm and our 3day cycling vacation was over.
Somewhere near 220miles in three fun days (good food as well). Someday I'd like to do the whole week as a bagger vagabond.
Day 3 pics on Flickr.

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RAGBRAI - day2

Monday was the century loop option day. It was also supposed to be the longest and hardest day of the week. The hills weren't as steep as yesterday, but the were consistently there. Jason and I kept each other company at the stops, but he was on his "bagger" so he was slower on the open road. We also stopped alot to stay hyrdrated. My ride time was a little over 6hrs, but we were on the road all day.
Check Flickr for more photos.
I almost forgot to mention the picture. Making ice cream the old fashioned way.

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RAGBRAI - day1

We rode from Missouri Valley to Harlan today. 58miles, hilly, hot and humid. Bob and I rode ahead to beat potential storms and snag a tent space for the group.
Missouri Valley last night was packed. The locals were expecting 35k for the start. I suspect a majority were from Omaha for the party. See more pics and text from the FLICKR link on they right.

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Getting back in the groove, plus another bike trip

We made it home safely from vacation in Montana. A quick side trip through Mt. Rushmore which I think the girls enjoyed, otherwise just a quick 20hr drive. We had a blast on vacation. It was nice to see Ron, Laurie and the boys (Holly's brother). They live in Anchorage and we only see each about 2-3yrs apart. Two long to not see family....

I did a lot of mountain biking (see previous posts) and we went to the pool a few times. Otherwise, did a lot of visiting and watching the kids play together.

Here are a few random images that I had forgotten about:
Holly and her brother Ron at our final night's dinner.

The view and sunset from her parent's house. It sits up in the southern hills that overlook Missoula (Miller Creek for those that know the area). We spent a lot of evening time just sitting on the deck and staring down into the valley.
This is Brennan's Wave. A friend that I knew from college in Missoula. Brennan Guth was a world class kayaker and unfortunately lost his life in a river accident in South America. A great kid, awesome athlete and someone that I was fortunate to know.

I am leaving tomorrow morning for RAGBRAI. Just riding the 1st three days. For those from out of state, check out the links at RAGBRAI for the past info and follow the action at the Des Moines Register. This is an amazing event in Iowa. Last year was my first year and I was immediately a convert. I'm not sure I would want to do the whole week (it's like being in a traveling county fair (in a tent)), but these 3 days are fun. Look for daily posts and Flickr pictures from the road.

Lastly, I have to give a "shout out" to Tom senior and my "little bro". My dad still actively rides his dirt bike. I think he gets better each year. He and Tim went to Washougal to race the Oregon Old Timer's events. Dad took home the overall for the 60+ Amateurs and Tim took 3rd in the 30 Experts. Great job guys!!!!

Last day in Missoula

Last day in Missoula and we are at the city waterpark(2nd time). Hannah tried to butter up daddy by getting cookies-n-cream dippin dots. It worked.

Tuesday's ride up Pattee Canyon

Tuesday's plan was to ride up Pattee Canyon for 1.5hrs to see if I could find the new (to me) trail that the others rode on their hundy. After 1hr of climbing to the top of Mt. Sentinel I called Holly to see about a lunch meet-up with the family. Lucky for me they we already eating and I could add more miles. I rolled around looking for more of the past favorites and then finally down the new singletrack. 23.5 miles and another 3-4000 ft of climbing (haven't checked the GPS yet).
These posts are backwards, but the same trail that I rode down on Tuesday was where the fire started on Wednesday. As I write this post at 10:30pm, I'll be surprised if the whole frontside of Mt. Sentinel isn't charred by the morning.

GPS file: http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/6210248

I was close with my estimate. 3500 in climbing. Check out the first climb and the 1st part of the last descent (in the graph).

Fire on the mountain

Everytime that we have returned to Montana in the past few years there have been forest fires very close. This year is no exception. After we finished dinner tonight we saw this fire. It apparently started low on Mt. Sentinel and was burning it's way up the hill. It was burning just above the U of M campus. You might be able to see the helicopter that was making water drops. Hopefully they can contain it.

Sunny Sunday Hundy (attempt)

I met up with 4 others to attempt a Missoula Hundy. I had bailed on my original plans of a gravel road hundy as I was sure that I'd get lost. Instead we tried a local option of some of my old favorites. I knew it would be hard. 1st 18 miles, up and over a ridge with about 2000ft of climbing. Next 10 miles was a repeat of yesterday's ride (10miles, 2000ft). Then 30 miles up and back in the snake corrider. I ran out of water at mile 9 but pressed on (sealing my fate). I limped back to town with 63miles and around 7hrs of riding. No problems it was some great trails with some fun guys. 3 of them continue on to complete their 1st gravel hundy. I think they finished near 8:30(we started at 6:30).

Update: I still haven't talked to the others to see how they feel. After drinking about 2 gallons of H20, I felt fine the next morning. Here is the link to the GPS stats. Check out the climbing profile. No wonder, my flatlanders body was feeling it. Keep in mind that the guys did about 20 miles of rollers after this and then did a 1500+ climb for the last 20miles.

Some good pics in Flickr.

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/6194871

Saturday-Stuart Peak Trail

A pic from the start of the 5 mile, 2000ft downhill, almost 100% singletrack. For more info and pic go to the Flickr link on the right.

Lunch in Yellowstone

Lunch on the deck of the Old Faithful Lodge. A great day, sunny and around 70 degrees.

Greetings from Jackson Hole

I found these cute cowgirls at the town square. We arrived just in time to walk around and get a steak dinner. Tomorrow we head north through Teton Natl. Park and Yellowstone Park to Missoula.