Chicken Wings, Spirit Fingers and Looking to Victory!

So while Bethie went to Las Vegas(never call it just "Vegas" she always says...) this past weekend to visit her mom and sister, I went to school...mountain biking school. I've always been an "I can figure it out on my own" kind of person. I have mountain biked since the early 90's before the idea of "full suspension" bikes and disc brakes became the trend. All the challenging trails my friend Rick and I would go out and conquer. So, with all this "experience", why do I need to take lessons on how to mountain bike?

Maybe it's because I haven't ridden solidly for 8 years and the sport has changed in that time. I know for sure that I am working to adapt to a larger bike frame (29 incher) as I've been a little more reserved on some technical sections that I used to have no problem with. Giving security to Beth that I can handle Leadville was probably the convincing factor. So how did I find out about the class? That's where facebook and those computer/marketing genius's come in. It still amazes me that when you're on FB or simply browsing the internet how those advertising windows pop up on subject matter that you are actually interested in. No, I'm not talking about those ridiculous sex sites or those "5 ways to make a living from your home" sites. Not me..no way! I am talking about ad's that really know what one is in to. One was advertising "10 mistakes that mountain bikers make and how to avoid them". It caught my attention and I actually clicked it (I never go to those sites...all the virus's that my kids computers got in years past taught me to avoid this urge). This took me to register with Gene Hamilton's "Better Ride" website and I have to admit that I was very impressed with the way he presented bike skills and it somehow spoke to me. You think you know everything and yet how do you if you've never been taught properly?

From this I found out that a clinic was being held in San Diego. It was not coached by Gene himself (he lives in Colorado) but by a female pro rider from Ventura County named Christine Hirst. I was skeptical at first, especially after seeing her "I'm hip, yo-yo" photo on her website(sorry Christine, just being honest). Yet in reading her background(she's a teacher by profession) I was convinced to throw down the money and sign up. I couldn't have invested my money better!

First off, the class was held 2 miles from my house in Penasquitos Canyon, a great local spot for mountain biking. That sure was a positive for me! 7 other people showed up and we learned basic skills of bike handling in the parking lot. Christine told us all that we needed to park our "attitude" and come with an open mind to learn and to be positive. The group had a various range of skill; from a couple that seemed like they were just getting into biking to a 66 year old teacher who has done almost every endurance mountain bike race imaginable including 5 Leadville races! We were all there to learn something. Christine was amazing in how she taught, demonstrated, and reinforced the basic skills that we would build upon over those two days.

I have to admit that while I tried to come in with an open attitude, I quickly thought - "oh, I can do all this, I'm not sure if I need this". But day two really changed things for me as I really learned techniques and skills and especially an attitude that I never ever thought of. Arm positioning (or as she called it "chicken wings"), lightly holding the handle bars and feathering the brakes with fingers that she called "Spirit Fingers", putting your body into neutral positioning (such as standing while descending), the importance of vision and how it helps you through turns or difficult sections as you "ride to victory" as Christine would say. I learned that there is more than one way to do a "wheelie", I found out how to use my hips in turning (not just for dancing!)and I discovered that I can actually "seperate from my bike" and not need a lawyer to do so (mtb humor). This experience puts a new spin on the concept of "it's just like getting back on a bike". You really do have to work at it if you want to improve your ability to be not only faster on the trail but, more importantly, safer! This will make Beth a very happy person

Both days were hot and we actually lost 3 of our riders half way through the first day. No fault of Christine's, it just didn't work for them. The remaing group stayed together for both days and we had a great time! There was How (yes, real name!), Beth and Wendy (no, not my wife and her sister-Wendy...but 2 friends that are inspirational riders for their age! Wow!), and Merideth (she was there to learn to ride better so she could spend more time with her boyfriend...now that's commitment!). We supported each other, cheered each other on as we put into practice on the trail what we learned in the parking lot.

We all taked about how we would get together and ride and Beth and Wendy discussed with Christine about an Idywild session. For me, I got more than I expected and I am glad I did what I did. I also connected with a veteran of Leadville who already gave me precious tips on what to expect. With 2 months of training to go I honestly feel more confident now to take on the challenge of the Rockies! My plug for BetterRide (go to www.betterride.net) is on my own. If you're reading this blog, whether you are a casual weekend rider, you race on the weekends, or you just want to get into mountain biking...register on the site and look for a camp in your area. I was really impressed and can only hope that the other coaches are as personable, encouraging and capable as Christine was.

...Oh, and that picture of her and the race team she rides for? Go to www.vixenracing.org and see what her team is up to. I wouldn't want to have to race against them. They'd kick my b###!

Still winter in June!

Months ago when I first signed up to do the Leadville 100, I took out my calendar and started to write out a training schedule. Gotta do it, right? Can't go into this ride likes it a "regular" century, what with the altitude, potential weather adversities, the extreme distance (100 miles on a MTB is like 200 mi on a road bike...take away 75% of your oxygen and, well, you get the idea). I listed out the "organzied rides" like the Grand Fondo, the San Diego Century, and such. I also realized I needed to get in some serious altitude training as I got closer to the date. Having a place at Mammoth Mtn has its advantages for just this and so I talked to Beth and we scheduled in a few trips to go up. It's bad enough the 7+ hour drive but to have your husband take 2-5 hours a day riding...well, I DO have the best partner in life and Bethie has been an amazing supporter. (Let's re-address that as we get into the dog days of summer and the training goes up a few notches.

We planned our first venture to the Sierra's for Memorial Day weekend...its supposed to be the "official" start to summer. I decided to bring both my road and mtb bike and I had it in my mind to get as much altitude in as reasonable. There are plenty of roads that venture up the eastern flank of the Sierra's around Mammoth with the elevation ranging from 6800' to over 10,000'. The mountain biking is world class and NORBA has held their national championships here in the past. I was hoping to get some dirt in too to work on techincal aspects of riding as well as altitude acclimation.

This season for skiing was one of the bigger snow seasons and Mammoth was still open. They are planning on skiing through at least July 4th. I once skied here on July 23rd back in 1994, another hellacious el Nino year. I knew that going in but didn't expect to see what I did when I actually got there. It had just snowed 6" two days before we arrived and the air was still chilly in the morning as if it was February. We arrived Saturday early afternoon (too crazy of a sales day the day before to even think of doing a Friday after work departure...no way!) and, after meeting with a realator (sadly, we are selling our condo...any takers?) I took off on a "warm up" ride out the Mammoth Loop. It winds through forests of White Pine and Red Fir, past the Inyo Craters and ends at Hwy 395. I decided to turn left and took the hwy up over Deadman Summit (ele 8,047') to the June Lake Cutoff. I simply turned around (but not before taking in the beautiful snow filled peaks overlooking the area....one of my favorite spots on the eastern sierra) and headed back from which I came. It was a great ride and I felt better than I thought I would being the first day in altitude.

The next morning I got up early, took the dogs (yes, we have a new puppy....blog on that later....oh, so many blogs to catch up on) out for a walk, had breakfast and then got on the bike. Today was to be a longer ride with a goal to go to the top of Upper Rock Creek at Mosquito Flats. The elevation there is just over 10,000'. With all the snow still on the mountains, getting mountain bike riding in was going to be a challenge. So I decided to focus on anerobic and altitude training so it didn't matter what bike I was on as long as I was riding hard. So I took off down valley towards Tom's Place off Hwy 395 to the Upper Rock Creek junction. Beth and I have stopped here a few times for breakfast at this historic spot atop the Sherwin Grade and it was always one of those "marker spots" on the long drive from So Cal to Mammoth. When you got to Tom's Place you knew you were only 20 mintues from the cabin. Unless it was snowing hard...then it was a popular "chain up" spot.

I looked forward to this climb as my friend Susan had ridden this in the past and said it was a good training road. The climb first goes past a burned out portion of forest and then it slowly churns up grades between 7-13%, past a rushing creek of melting snow, to Alpine forests and shimmering lakes still covered in ice! The road starts at just under 7,000' and rises to about 10,200' to the trailhead. The upper valley is called Little Lakes Valley and is a favorite of my family for the hikes we did back when the kids were younger. We came here with our PQ friends- the Poggioli's-and I remember carrying Jenna on my shoulders half the hike. I came here last summer with Jenna (15 years later!) and she and I had the best day hiking, taking pictures, letting Chloe swim in the river. One of the best days I ever had with Jenna!

The road was full of holiday fisherman (and women) and the day couldn't have been more beautiful. Like the day before, I felt great and really felt like the altitude was not affecting me too much. I only hope that is the case come Leadville day. I rode as far as the highway let me which was about a mile shy of the trailhead as the road became covered in snow and became impassable. I still got most the ride in and got to just below 10,000'. The downhill was fun although I admit I am always conservative on descending. Going 40 mph on 1" tires still gives me cause for concern and I don't like the thought of dealing with road rashes. I try to be the first one up a climb but I know I will be one of the last one's down...

The ride back into Mammoth was very inspirational as I had 12,000' peaks covered in snow to move me on. If you haven't been to the Eastern Sierra in the Summer you're missing one of the most beautiful places on the planet. John Muir knows what I am talking about!

The last day of riding wsa a short one as Beth and I needed to leave. I did ride up to the ski resort and then also up to the Mammoth Lakes Basin. Over Memorial Day weekend these lakes are full of fisherman on their boats and along the shore. Not today as the same lakes were filled with ice. The road was closed past Twin Lakes to cars but was accessable by bike. Riding up to Lake Mary with 4-6 foot high snow berms was a trip. When I got to Lake Mary and I saw it still frozen over I thought I was in Siberia. I was amazed at the beauty and the stillness all around. I did come across a nice family who took my picture and I returned the favor. They owned the Crystal Craig Lodges and I vowed to come with Beth one day to stay there as they were the nicest people. They thought I was nuts for riding in the snow.

After the rides Beth and I would go to the Village and have a few beers, food, listen to local bands and laugh at the contrast of the crowd - skiers and snow boarders walking through the village while people hung out in shorts enjoying the sun and others walked by in bathing suits to the pool. After all, it was a day before June and it was still winter in Mammoth Mountain! Maybe Tipper left Al Gore because she realized the global warming thing was all a hype and she finally realized the truth! Whatever it is I am loving it!

So I got what I came for and came home with more... inspiration to keep riding, full of confidence that the altitude hopefully won't be my enemy. I will be back up the week of 4th of July with the family and plan to get some solid riding in along with fun family time in between...remember, Todd- BALANCE!

Today I am back at Sea Level and I am about to partake in a 2 day MTB skills class. I'm going in with an open mind to learn new skills and Beth believes this will give her confidence in me too for my safety in Colorado. More on that tomorrow...