Aspen Tunnel singletrack

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Gotta get my real helmet cam mounted soon. Tired of shaky video at poor resolution, making me ride one-handed. Soon my friends, soon. From a high temperature and growth perspective, it is full-on mid-summer and lush, even with no rain. sent via Treo by AT&T

Dropping in

From the top of the mine on the lower section of Aspen Tunnel trail. Another day of threatening skies...but no precipitation whatsoever.

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le Tour

woke up around 5:30a to watch some of the great stage 16 action in the alps. They were mid stage, on the ascent up the Col de Lombarde. What an incredibly beautiful climb. About as wide as a bike path, lush green forest, towering jagged rocky mountains above. 222km climb. That's a huff. Then they have another giant climb...the climb to the Cime de la Bonette averages 6.2 percent for a daunting 26.7km — and the most difficult part is at the top. The final 9km average 9 percent, with the maximum grade of 10.2 percent continuing for a whole kilometer. From the 9,193-foot summit (the highest in France), the survivors can look forward to a rapid 22km downhill on a recently resurfaced road to Jausiers (population 1,100) and 1.5km of valley roads before the finish line. Can't wait to see the action unfold tonight, thanks to DVR. I don't care for the prime time broadcast format nearly as much.

a few more from the kids' museum in Rochester

DIA

while waiting with our luggage while Helen was talking to United about our lost childseat, I snapped a couple of quick pics of this gargoyle coming out of a suitcase.

Rochester trip

Thanks to Bill & Mary, a quick weekend trip to Rochester to see Helen's cousin Sara's wedding. Mike and she were married in a beautiful church at a divinity school in the Ithaca College. No pics at the wedding, knowing I'd have my hands full with Alina. But here are some pics from our visit to the children's museum.

O'Hare

Waiting to hop on a 767 to fly back to Denver. Pretty nice waiting area at the gate. Flat screen tvs show standby and upgrade passengers, flight info, etc.

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atari

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Waiting...

At O'Hare...on a small plane trying to get to Rochester. Flight from Denver to Chicago delayed by almost an hour. O'Hare seems to be a mess now. Not sure why, but most all traffic in and out is delayed. Weather doesn't seem bad. Alina and Helen are 2 rows behind me. This little jet only has 2 seats on each side of the aisle.

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Carter Park swings

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Peaks Trail TT, downhill direction to Frisco from Breck

I'm already salivating over this one. Definitely going to bring my big bike for this course, with it's overall downhill course profile, littered with roots and rocks. Next time I ride the Scott hardtail...might not be til mid August.

race #11, Swan River Rampage

was one of my better races of the season, coming in 2nd. Tough road climb to start, but the singletrack on the CO Trail is unbelievable, that made forgetting the pain that much easier. I don’t think I spent too much energy early. I wasn’t warmed up, felt like shit. For some reason, the initial road killed me. But I didn’t panic, and rode into the race well once on the CT. No mistakes at all on the first section, passed a few bumblin'-stumblin' fools, didn’t spend much energy, it was still kinda tight with racers. Then on Westridge I felt awesome. On Sudayn I rode up the Westridge climb on my 5.5 in middle ring the whole way, after having already ridden 21+mi earlier int he morning via Great Flume, GA Pass and the south fork section of the CT. So in the race I told myself having a 5lb lighter hardtail should enable me to ride a couple gears bigger. I rode 3rd cog & middle ring and passed so many guys. I'd guess at least 15 people in my class. It was a rare good moment this year. The end, I don’t know, empty tank? Zeke is strong, I was riding his wheel, then he left me with about 1/4mi left, but only by about 50yds. never could close the gap. But I held off the 3rd place guy too. Fun stuff. Results are by no means super important, but they're nice when they come around.

Westridge

The joy of racing on the legendary Colorado Trail, especially the high-speed roller coaster sections descending from Westridge, will be mine tonight! Almost 5mi of continuous, delicious descent through a dense forest, mixed in with some cool switchbacks and peppered with a few small rises. Super high-speed. Summit Mountain Challenge race #4 tonight!