"Are you ready?" Been an interesting question I've heard over the past couple days and today provided me with plenty of opportunity to think about this question...I'll elaborate more in a minute.
So, we made it through a day of sign-in, registration, and support krew "set-up". Was a busy day but everyone is settled in and ready to go. Our very special guests, Gary and Shelli Wilmarth, arrived this afternoon. We gave them a big welcome, were able to get them up Vail Mountain on the gondola, had some dinner, and now we're all settling in for the night...going to be an early start tomorrow!
We have new members of the Peloton to recognize:
Calvin & Jenny Deetz
Jerry & Rosalie Hartman
And we have new members of the Challengers to recognize:
Todd & Gen Missel
Dan & Mary Smith
Thank you so much for your support and welcome to the Krew! We have reached $5,600 as of today. We are less than $2,000 from reaching our $7,500 goal!
So, let me go back to the title of this "post"..."Are You Ready?"
Bike checked over, tuned-up, and ready? CHECK!
Clothes packed for all conditions? CHECK!
Equipment checked, packed, and ready? CHECK!
Physically trained and prepared for the toughest 100 miles to ride? CHECK!
Support Krew gathered and ready? CHECK!
Carb loaded, Sodium Loaded, and hydrated? CHECK!
Acknowledged that this is only the LT 100 and that I'm riding for a cause bigger than this race will ever become? CHECK!
Asked God in prayer for the personal strength, the personal courage, and His power to help me accomplish the task before me? CHECK!
Am I Ready? Are You?
Tomorrow morning I will Saddle Up, Dig Deep, and Ride Hard! Let the Glory be God's!
TNT OUT-
This BLOG is dedicated in memory of Kailey Wilmarth and in support of Kailey's Krew, a not-for-profit organization. This BLOG will share the story of Kailey as well as my challenge to complete the Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike Race. Our mission is to give Hope to other families that need support during their trying times. Your contributions to Kailey's Krew can help us reach our goal.
12 August 2011
09 August 2011
On the LT 100 Course
Hello from Colorado. All is going well here and I am hoping that my training and preparation is hitting "peak" at the right time. Alec and I drove up to Leadville and rode 24 miles on the course. Poor Alec is a true "Flat-Lander"...the slightest hills are avoided and those that he can not avoid are dreaded, cursed, and hated. So, he enjoyed a part of the ride...the downhill part! Ha-Ha!
We had a riding companion from New York with us. This is his first time in the LT 100, drawn from the lottery. Later in the day, while hanging out in Leadville, we ran into Mike and his family at the local bike shop, Cycles of Life.
We had six more members of the "Krew" arrive today...Jim, Dawn, Celine, Jenny, Ken, and Jandy. We all headed out to dinner and now we're resting up for a busy day tomorrow.
With the legs feeling good and as we are only a couple days from the race, the "training" will taper to some fun time on the bike...tomorrow we ride the gondola up to the top of the Vail Ski Mountain and then ride the tech trails down. And we may possibly be hitting the tech trails located not far from the condos.
We have gained another member of the "Challengers" team...
Joe Klinger
Thank you Sir! Very much appreciated!
Here's a quick picture of Alec and I when we stopped along the course...how could you not stop to take in the scenery, huh? Okay, when the clock is running against you I suppose!
Until my next "Post", Saddle Up, Dig Deep, and Ride Hard!
TNT OUT-
We had a riding companion from New York with us. This is his first time in the LT 100, drawn from the lottery. Later in the day, while hanging out in Leadville, we ran into Mike and his family at the local bike shop, Cycles of Life.
We had six more members of the "Krew" arrive today...Jim, Dawn, Celine, Jenny, Ken, and Jandy. We all headed out to dinner and now we're resting up for a busy day tomorrow.
With the legs feeling good and as we are only a couple days from the race, the "training" will taper to some fun time on the bike...tomorrow we ride the gondola up to the top of the Vail Ski Mountain and then ride the tech trails down. And we may possibly be hitting the tech trails located not far from the condos.
We have gained another member of the "Challengers" team...
Joe Klinger
Thank you Sir! Very much appreciated!
Until my next "Post", Saddle Up, Dig Deep, and Ride Hard!
TNT OUT-
08 August 2011
Last "Big" Ride
Holy cow! Woke up this morning with the temps in the "cold range". Had some breakfast (oatmeal, yogurt, and a banana), prep'd the bike (well, Alec took care of that part) and then headed out to ride the Vail to Copper Mountain route, and back. Had a great ride of 45 miles round-trip. Had a couple great experiences during the ride to share with everyone.
On the way to Copper Mountain and near the Vail Pass, I came across 2 riders who appeared to be helping a 3rd rider. I stopped to see if they needed assistance. And as bad as I am with remembering names, I do apologize to them. So, the gentleman who seemed to be getting attention by the other 2 cyclists (okay, the lady's name was "Kat", I believe...maybe the rest will come to me as I write this) appeared a bit uncertain and having some discomfort. Turns out he was having some dehydration issues and even some light-headedness. Water levels were a bit low for the 3 of them and I assumed they may not have had any sort of supplement to help. So, I filled his water bottle from mine and added some "The Right Stuff" to assist with easing the cramps and help him get back to being able to finish his ride. When he asked if he could give me anything for the help, I simply asked him to recover and enjoy his ride. After helping out, I headed on my way and can only hope they made it fine as they were nowhere to be seen on my return trip from Copper Mountain. My stop to assist made me feel pretty darn good and I can only say it was simply the Christian thing to do.
With only 12 miles or so left on my ride, I stopped at a familiar location to ask a couple riders to take my picture. Same location I had a picture taken this time last year. Talk about a small world...the two ladies were both from Illinois, currently living in the Chicago Suburbs. Isn't that just crazy? We shared a few stories and then we were on our separate ways. Thanks for taking my picture for me, Ladies!
After getting back from my ride (over 3 hours in the saddle), I joined up with the family and we went for a walk around Vail Village, stopping in and out of shops. Then we made it back to the condo to cook on the grill. Followed up with some time at the pool...I think Julie will be posting some video's on Face Book of the boys being a bit nutty.
And finally, Todd and Cade Trautvetter arrived this evening - Todd drove straight through from Chatham! Shauna wasn't able to join us on this trip but she spent a very special gift that I will be wearing when I ride...a pendant of St Madonna del Ghisallo, Patron Saint of Cyclists. Thank you so much Shauna! So, a big woo-hoo as the "Krew" is beginning to assemble! Tomorrow evening we'll have another six members arrive.
We have new members of the "Challengers" group. A huge thank you to the following for your challenging pledges...
Brian and Melanie Tober
Doug and Beth Zimmer
I hope all are doing well and until next time, Saddle Up, Dig Deep, and Ride Hard!
TNT OUT-
On the way to Copper Mountain and near the Vail Pass, I came across 2 riders who appeared to be helping a 3rd rider. I stopped to see if they needed assistance. And as bad as I am with remembering names, I do apologize to them. So, the gentleman who seemed to be getting attention by the other 2 cyclists (okay, the lady's name was "Kat", I believe...maybe the rest will come to me as I write this) appeared a bit uncertain and having some discomfort. Turns out he was having some dehydration issues and even some light-headedness. Water levels were a bit low for the 3 of them and I assumed they may not have had any sort of supplement to help. So, I filled his water bottle from mine and added some "The Right Stuff" to assist with easing the cramps and help him get back to being able to finish his ride. When he asked if he could give me anything for the help, I simply asked him to recover and enjoy his ride. After helping out, I headed on my way and can only hope they made it fine as they were nowhere to be seen on my return trip from Copper Mountain. My stop to assist made me feel pretty darn good and I can only say it was simply the Christian thing to do.
After getting back from my ride (over 3 hours in the saddle), I joined up with the family and we went for a walk around Vail Village, stopping in and out of shops. Then we made it back to the condo to cook on the grill. Followed up with some time at the pool...I think Julie will be posting some video's on Face Book of the boys being a bit nutty.
And finally, Todd and Cade Trautvetter arrived this evening - Todd drove straight through from Chatham! Shauna wasn't able to join us on this trip but she spent a very special gift that I will be wearing when I ride...a pendant of St Madonna del Ghisallo, Patron Saint of Cyclists. Thank you so much Shauna! So, a big woo-hoo as the "Krew" is beginning to assemble! Tomorrow evening we'll have another six members arrive.
We have new members of the "Challengers" group. A huge thank you to the following for your challenging pledges...
Brian and Melanie Tober
Doug and Beth Zimmer
I hope all are doing well and until next time, Saddle Up, Dig Deep, and Ride Hard!
TNT OUT-
Getting Acclimated
Good morning from Colorado. It is early morning here in Vail and the current temperature is 42 degrees. The sun...okay it's actually only light from the sun as the Mountains block the Sun for another hour or so for us here. But anyway, the daylight is creeping above the mountains and will start warming things up a bit for us. Looks like we have a high of 68 degrees in the forecast. We have some rain in the forecast for later this week but only at 20-30% chance.
We had an un-eventful trip out here over the weekend. That is pretty much a good thing, right? Temps were as high as 100 degrees as we drove through Kansas. As we passed through Denver yesterday, though, temps started dropping into the low 80's and high 70's. We finished the drive in the high 60's with the windows down and the great scent of hot brakes from the semi truck/trailers. Woo-hoo!
Training has not been everything I had hoped for over the past few days but I will make up for it in the next few days and will be ready for the big race on Saturday. I went for a quick spin to start getting the legs and body used to the change in altitude yesterday. Was only gone for just over an hour but I wont kid you. That was long enough to feel the burn. Today should be a fun 50+ miler as I head down the trail, over the Vail Pass, down to Copper Mountain and then back to Vail. Road distance is only 20 or so miles but trail distance and a few detour trails that I found last year will give me nearly 60 miles and some good altitude.
We have new members of the Kailey's Krew Peloton and Kailey's Krew Challenger families.
New to the Peloton are:
Laura Karpen
Julie Greer
The Voss Family
Lance Williams
Hannah Wilmarth
Donna (from Mt Morris - Sorry Donna, I didn't get your last name but send me a note and I'll make sure to get you mentioned in the Blog)
New to the Challenger family are:
Russ Lutkehus
Mark and Carol Humphreys
Thank you so much to everyone that has made a pledge and/or donation! Your support is greatly appreciated!
And the update is in...we are just over the $5,000 mark in donations and pledges. So close to our goal! I hope the Blog keeps the pace and we continue to close on our goal...then I hope we push over the top and raise the bar!
Well, it's already 0630 here. Time to get some oatmeal, a yogurt, prep the water bottles, check the bike, and then head out for training!
Take care everyone and again, thank you for your support and words of encouragement! Until next time, "Saddle Up, Dig Deep, and Ride Hard!"...there may not be a chance to ride tomorrow!
TNT OUT-
We had an un-eventful trip out here over the weekend. That is pretty much a good thing, right? Temps were as high as 100 degrees as we drove through Kansas. As we passed through Denver yesterday, though, temps started dropping into the low 80's and high 70's. We finished the drive in the high 60's with the windows down and the great scent of hot brakes from the semi truck/trailers. Woo-hoo!
Training has not been everything I had hoped for over the past few days but I will make up for it in the next few days and will be ready for the big race on Saturday. I went for a quick spin to start getting the legs and body used to the change in altitude yesterday. Was only gone for just over an hour but I wont kid you. That was long enough to feel the burn. Today should be a fun 50+ miler as I head down the trail, over the Vail Pass, down to Copper Mountain and then back to Vail. Road distance is only 20 or so miles but trail distance and a few detour trails that I found last year will give me nearly 60 miles and some good altitude.
We have new members of the Kailey's Krew Peloton and Kailey's Krew Challenger families.
New to the Peloton are:
Laura Karpen
Julie Greer
The Voss Family
Lance Williams
Hannah Wilmarth
Donna (from Mt Morris - Sorry Donna, I didn't get your last name but send me a note and I'll make sure to get you mentioned in the Blog)
New to the Challenger family are:
Russ Lutkehus
Mark and Carol Humphreys
Thank you so much to everyone that has made a pledge and/or donation! Your support is greatly appreciated!
And the update is in...we are just over the $5,000 mark in donations and pledges. So close to our goal! I hope the Blog keeps the pace and we continue to close on our goal...then I hope we push over the top and raise the bar!
Well, it's already 0630 here. Time to get some oatmeal, a yogurt, prep the water bottles, check the bike, and then head out for training!
Take care everyone and again, thank you for your support and words of encouragement! Until next time, "Saddle Up, Dig Deep, and Ride Hard!"...there may not be a chance to ride tomorrow!
TNT OUT-
03 August 2011
Back on the Bike
Well, took a day off yesterday as R&M Cyclery had my bike for a day to give it a total "Go Over" to make sure it is ready for the big trip to Colorado. Went for a ride tonight and "rode" the brakes quite a bit as we had new pads installed. Seems like they are good to go now! Not that I plan on using them in the race, though...ha! I'll get one more spin on Friday before we make the long trek out to the Rocky Mountain State! Then back into the groove on Sunday to get my legs loose and ready.
We have new members of the "Peloton" (contributions) to mention. Annie Anderson, Rob & Linda Bauckham, Jenifer Johnson, and Greg & Roxanne Gardner have all joined the Peloton. In addition, Jenifer Johnson is a member of the "Challengers" (pledge based on my race performance).
We have new members of the "Peloton" (contributions) to mention. Annie Anderson, Rob & Linda Bauckham, Jenifer Johnson, and Greg & Roxanne Gardner have all joined the Peloton. In addition, Jenifer Johnson is a member of the "Challengers" (pledge based on my race performance).
So, this morning, Gary and I visited with the Glenwood Middle School Cross Country Team. Gary talked to them about the Kailey's Krew mission and I talked to them about the Pedal of Hope mission and the Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike Race. Kailey was XC Runner at GMS! Welcome to Kailey's Krew GMS XC and best of luck with your 2011 season!
So, the trick is, can you find me amongst the kids? When did 11, 12, and 13 year old kids get so darn tall? Only reason they were asked to sit or take a knee was because you couldn't find me in the picture if they didn't. Ha-Ha!
Will be on the road for work but will return with a Blog update Friday night, before we head west. Until then...all together now, "Saddle Up, Dig Deep, and Ride Hard"!
TNT OUT-
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