Race Recaps and Last day with Grandma

1. 0:22:30.90 #118 Schimpf, Peter Foxtrot-Echelon Racing
2. 0:22:33.20 #135 Burnett, Robert Primal Racing p/b 1st Bank 3
3. 0:23:10.32 #103 Dunlap, Peter Feedback Sports Racing p/b Raining
4. 0:23:49.57 #104 Burton, Michael BRC Cycling 3
5. 0:23:49.69 #126 Brummer, Nicholas Wheelfast Bicycle

The time trial was on Friday night down in Carbondale, CO. About an hour from our house. My goal was to break 27 mph avg speed for the distance. (about 20k) It's a rolling time trial along the Roaring Fork River. It is awesome! On smooth roads, and little winds. I was supposed to be checked in an hour before my race time (6pm), but got stuck in traffic on the way, and didn't even get there until after 6.... Wasn't an issue though, as the officials had yet to show up to the course when we got there.... They eventually showed up and we got started over an hour late. I was one of the few in the Cat III's on a road bike with aero bars, but the legs were feeling good! I achieved my goal of 27 mph, averaging about 27.3 mph over the course. I also got 5th in my category! This blew away my expectations! I was ecstatic! I narrowly missed 4th place, but was more than happy with my 5th and my time. I took a minute off my time from last year on this same course! The picture above is at the start, and the video is me coming in at the finish. The two guys behind me were my 20 and 40 second men. I was the only rider in the top 5 on a road bike with aero bars which makes my result feel even better! It feels good to beat guys on full time trial bikes!

Saturday was the crit. It was pouring rain and 50 degrees and I was not aggressive in the beginning for fear of crashing, and soon got dropped. Rotated with a few others for about 20 minutes before pulling out and calling it a day. Not crazy about rainy crits when I have a baby and wife at home to take care of.....


Sunday was mom's last day with us in Gypsum. After church we had breakfast at Fusion Cafe, and then watched world cup soccer for a bit before heading to Edwards for a walk. At the end of the walk we got caught in HAIL!!! (hurt my bald head) After walking a couple miles along the river we headed to Nozawa in Vail for Sushi! It was delicious and a good end to the weekend!

Brief Race Recap and Breckenridge

Last night was the Eagle Ranch race. I was hoping for a top 10 finish. I was hanging out for the majority of the race on in 6th-8th position, then had some ghost shifting on the major hill on the course and had to walk/jog up the remainder of the hill. I ended up 13th. :( Form was good, I rode a good race, but had a bit of bike trouble that slowed me down. Even after I began walking up the hill, it took several minutes for anyone to catch me. So if I could have made it over the hill on my bike, I would have had a top 10 locked up... Such is mountain bike racing though.... Time Trial in Carbondale, CO tomorrow. Hoping to break 27 mph for the first time ever.... I take off 2 minutes before the pros.... gotta prolong the catch.....


This is the finish of my race. I followed this guy up to the pavement, then sprinted around him to move up a spot in the finish placings... Sprinting skills come in handy in mountain bike races as well....

Cayle's first bike race!

Today we headed to Breckenridge with Cheryl, Jodi, Nathan, and mom. We spent the day shopping (for Christmas presents....) in Breckenridge. We ate lunch at a Rasta Pasta down by the river in downtown Breck. After lunch we did some more walking/shopping. Nice relaxing day in Breck. Stopped by Carters in Silverthorne on the way home to get some pants for Cayle.
Jodi and Cheryl sitting on the couch with Natalie, and Nathan hanging on to the side of the couch.
Lunch at Rasta Pasta in Breck. Thanks Cheryl!Trying to throw Nathan up on top of the umbrella.... meanwhile Cayle sleeps in the Chariot behind me.

Cayle's 2nd cousin ..... and....Race tomorrow

My cousin Jodi who lives in Highlands Ranch, CO, and her mom came out to visit us today and are spending the next couple of nights with us. Jodi and her husband Luke have a 9 mo. old son, Nathan, who came along to hang out with his 2nd cousin, Cayle. At this point, I'm not sure you would call it hanging out so much since Cayle doesn't really get around that well. Although Nathan did try to pull his hair a couple times.... Nice gesture towards friendship I guess.... :) Below is a picture of Nathan cleaning the carpet for us.... Thanks Nathan!

2nd race of the season tomorrow in Eagle Ranch. I don't usually pre-ride the course, but decided to today. Happy I did so, just so I know a few of the turns. I think I should be able to get a top 10 as long as everything goes ok equipment wise. It's not the best course for me, but should be fine. Starts out with an 8 minute climb on a dirt road, then dirt road back down, into a singletrack rhythm section, out into a power false flat back to the finish/2nd lap. The 2nd lap is exactly the same as the first with a granny gear climb at the beginning of it. Hope all goes well, and I can get back to back good results and more points for Mountain Peddler in the series.

laundry line

Teva Games in Vail

Leed Reservoir, Sylvan Lake, Vail, and more sleepy time...

After a dusty, bumpy drive up the dirt of Valley road we arrived at Lede Reservoir. The reservoir was more than half empty, not sure what's going on up there. In this picture, Big Ron is pointing out a point of interest...

Family portrait in front of the now half dry Lede Reservoir.
After leaving the reservoir we decided to head to the Dusty Boot in Eagle for some lunch. We figured it may be quicker to go up over the mountain than to go around it..... good idea, but unfortunately we ran into some snow in the shady areas and had to turn around. We climbed a bit to get to where we were though. You can see the dirt road far below....

Posing in front of Sylvan Lake above Eagle, CO with the snowy mountains in the background. What a beautiful day! Low 70's and sunny, not a cloud in the sky. We stopped by Sylvan lake before heading up to Vail for some lunch and more sight seeing.
Ahhh - how sweet... Dad, Mom, and #1 daughter in front of Sylvan Lake.
First family protrait! Cayle was even trying to smile. It's fitting where he is laying, cause my shirt say's, "the year of NINER," but with his head there it could say, "the year of CAYLE."
Sleeping on Grandpa's belly... Grandpa was feigning sleep in this picture, but Cayle I can assure you was not. As you can probably tell by the open mouth, HE IS OUT!

Grandma and Grandpa Hammers and Nap time...

Grandma and Grandpa Hammers made it out on Friday. Grandpa enjoying his time with Cayle.
Grandma Hammers taking her turn at pass the baby...

And..... what can I say? Guess I must have been tired.... and there was a pillow....