2006...you were a good year.

In every aspect of my life, 2006 treated me well. On the bike, or off, it was a year of growth and success. There were good times, and not so good times, and everything in between, but on the whole, a steady cadence was spun up a long rewarding climb. And now, as it comes time to look back, I do so with an excitement about what 2007 holds in store.

If one thing stands out above everything else, it is the people I got to meet, ride, and race with. Many people who were simply internet personalities became living breathing acquaintances, who, after not a very long time became genuine friends.

I think in nearly every event I raced in somebody would mention this blog, or cheer for me by name as I rode through an aid station or checkpoint. That meant a lot to me. It does wonders to hear friendly voices out on the course. As much as I love racing just for the sake of competition, it is the people that make these events so memorable.

I can't talk about 2006 and not mention a friend I only knew for a few minutes. On March 25th 8 of us set out on what promised to be a great day in the saddle. Instead it turned into a nightmare. Bill Corliss died that day. Not a day has passed that I don't think about that accident. I will admit...I don't ride my road bike as often these days. I like to blame it on a new love for the local trails, but I know that is only part of the reason.

However, each ride and each race took on extra meaning for me. I raced in honor of a friend I never got a chance to know, I raced knowing that life can go, as quickly as it comes. I savored each sunny day, each single track switchback, each day with my wife and kids...a little bit more.

As 2006 prepares to become a part of history, I am excited about the potential that 2007 has. New races, rides and people all await to be discovered.

So, here's to a happy new year, and one filled with long rides, tailwinds, and good people. Keep the wheels down, and your head up!

I took a page out of Sager's book....

Well I made it home. The roads were a mess coming up from Vegas. Lots of accidents, some more serious looking than others, along the way. Seems the blizzard that Colorado has been seeing is making its way into Utah.

The game went well. BYU dominated :D


The Strip...
I can only dream of the day...
National Anthem
My street looks like some sort of Christmas movie

I am off to Las Vegas today. We are heading down to watch the Las Vegas Bowl. Go Cougs! Sadly, there will not be enough time to get out and ride while we are down there.

All the snow here is reminding me that I need to break out my XC skis. Sundance, Soldier Hollow, and Park City all have great Nordic trails. My skis are "classic" style, so I need to have the cut grooves to be able to really use them. I think this winter I want to get out and try snowshoeing also. I like the idea of traversing over the many bike trails I ride in the summer. Ridge Trail winter adventure anyone?

The mailman brought me an early Christmas present the other day. I am now the proud owner of a pair of "Free Sager" sweat bands. Now, I am not as high profile as some of the guys wearing them, but I will do my part and rock them at the events I race in. I am sure the throngs of people lining the course for the KTR will be impressed :D

Friday I managed a road ride with Keith and Chris. The rail trail in Provo Canyon was clear until just above Bridal Veil Falls. After that, well it was a little sketchy on the thin tires.

Saturday the snow started to fall. By this morning we were socked in by the first real winter storm we have seen here in the valleys. I had to shoevel my driveway twice this morning.

It's a good thing Jason keeps the Chamois mixes coming...they are all i got to get me through the basement trainer "rides".

There has been a lot of talk about a governing body taking endurance racing under it's ever-caring wings. If there is ever a sure way to kill a sport, it would be to instigate, from afar, a set of rules that make little or sense.

Many of you have no doubt been following the case of Jason Sager. His situation is not unique. WADA and USADA are as "good ole' boy'd" up as it gets. The rules and regulations are tilted against the athlete. Recently an LA Times article detailed some of the problems that WADA and USADA like to scoff in the face of.

After reading the article, and some of the highlights below, is it any wonder why endurance racers balk at any mention of a governing body?

Some things in the article that stood out to me:

Athletes are presumed guilty and denied routine access to lab data potentially relevant to their defense.


Arbitrators, theoretically neutral judges, are bound by rules drafted and enforced by the World Anti-Doping Agency and its affiliates, including the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. They have almost no discretion to adjust penalties to fit individual circumstances.

Many arbitrators have current or prior professional relationships with USADA, WADA or other sports organizations that frequently serve as the prosecution in anti-doping cases.

Of the 45 members of the North American branch, at least 24 have such affiliations.

And possibly the most disturbing of all was the closing quote of the article, from Dick Pound himself...

"The system, as a system, is a pretty good one," he said. "It can be tweaked here or there, but we're not sitting down with a blank sheet of paper and redesigning the entire world anti-doping system."

The KTR is going to happen in 2007. And it seems that by setting up an informational blog site I have become the defacto organizer of the race. That is fine. I am up to the task. There is currently a conversation over at MTBR about the race. Mike Curiak saw our date of May 4th, and pointed out that parts of the route are not yet plowed of snow that early in May. So the date will most likely get pushed back a couple weeks.

Dave Harris suggested a Fruita start. Hmmm...I like the sound of that.

Are you planning on being there in 2007? Sound off over at this thread.

When the chance presents itself, I like to get outside, even in the cold. The Provo Canyon race course is still ridable. It is cold enough that the dirt freezes, and the snow remains crunchy. I miss the heat of summer of already.

A few of you have had questions about the Van Dessel frames. I am going to point to this thread on MTBR that details the new line up.

Other than that, there is not a lot going on right now. I am itching to get back down to the desert soon. The white rim is calling my name.

Here are a couple pictures from yesterday's ride with Chris.

I am excited to say that for 2007 and 2008 I will be racing under the Van Dessel Cycles banner. I will be rockin' the Jersey Devil HT 29er in endurance races throughout the intermountain west.

Ride Inspired

I rode today out in the cold. It was absurdly cold. I could feel it in the back of my head, in my legs, in my lungs. 30 minutes after I was done, I was still cold. Got to love Utah in the winter.

Looking for a good Christmas present? Just want to help spread the word about USADA's insane operational procedures? Look no further than these....

I have a feeling they will be everywhere in 2007. Get 'em here

And speaking of 2007, I see a devil in my future. Details forthcoming.