tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46435135437101149672024-03-13T16:48:58.483-05:00Jumanji CyclingRobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465334843487977163noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643513543710114967.post-32761956305115151842010-08-17T20:09:00.001-05:002010-08-17T20:09:01.009-05:00Mountain Bike Monday with the ladies!Last night was the first installment of mountain biking on girls ride night. It seemed like everyone had a great time. There were at least 10-12 women that came out to Sugar. We did it in anticipation of the Chamois Time race schedule for tomorrow. Due to the pissing rain we had all day today, the race likely won't happen. There was agreement though that we should have ladies mountain bike nights more often.Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465334843487977163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643513543710114967.post-61326634418682745642010-08-17T16:33:00.001-05:002010-08-17T16:33:30.472-05:00I love this thing!Apparently I can even update my blog from this phone. How cool is that? I am officially hooked :)<br/>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465334843487977163noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643513543710114967.post-47476546123515280262010-08-09T09:14:00.005-05:002010-08-09T09:55:56.442-05:00State Road Race ChampionWell after ignoring this thing for months I suppose I should finally write something. Saturday was the state road race championship. I have a strong love-hate relationship with this race. This is only the 3rd time I have raced it, but the previous 2 years did not go as well as I had hoped. Last year, my chain got sucked up into my frame on the second lap and it took me at least 20 minutes to get my bike functioning again. I had to ride the last 40 miles by myself. The other downside to this race is the lack of participation. There were only 6 of us this year which was still an improvement from the 4 that did it last year, but not really a the turnout you want to see for an 80 mile race. I really love this race because it is one of the longest road races in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">midwest</span>, 81 miles to be exact.<br /><br />With only 6 of us, Sandy, Amy, and I from Mercy, Katie from PRC, Lacey from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">DMOS</span>, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Rebecca</span> from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Colorbiotics</span>. We started out relatively slowly, no attacks through the first 15-20 miles. At first, everyone seemed content to have Sandy and I sit up front, but after a while there was some turn taking. When we crossed the Cedar River the second time, which is probably 12 miles from the start/finish area <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Rebecca</span> accelerated splitting the group into 2 with Sandy and me in the front and Amy, Katie, and Lacey behind. We decided to work together. I personally thought dropping the group that early was not necessarily to our advantage with 65+ miles to go in the race, but what was done was done.<br /><br />The second lap stayed pretty tame as well. We echeloned the entire time, each of us taking between 2-3 minutes at the front each time. The start of the third lap is when things got a bit more interesting. Up to this point the 3 of us had stayed neutral through the feed zones and through town, but suddenly Rebecca was pushing her way through West Branch. She almost passed our lead car. Then we got out on the road and you could tell she no longer wanted to work with us, but she made to serious attacks. About 10 miles into the last lap, I attacked up a hill. I was hoping to put some distance between me and Rebecca, but all I ended up doing us gapping off Sandy. I sat up and made Rebecca come around if she wanted to keep the pace up.<br /><br />She and I rode together the rest of the race. We took turns trying to gutter the other person, but the wind was not enough of a factor to hinder either of us. When I pulled through I slowed way down to the pace that I was comfortable with. I think it was probably driving her crazy, but the worst thing that could happen is that Sandy would have caught up and I would have had a teammate to work with again. After we crossed the Cedar River the last time, Rebecca hung me out front. I did as I had all day and just rode my pace. Finally, with 50-100 yards to go before the last turn, Rebecca takes off. I had been dicking round enough that it caught me a little off guard, but I was on her wheel after 20 seconds or so. After rounding the turn though we still had at least 5 miles until the finish. I just sat there and let her do the work. Surprisingly, she kept the pace up even though I was just sitting back there on her wheel.<br /><br />As we approached the finish, she started to accelerate one more time. I just took off around her hoping she would not be able to sit on my wheel and recover. After 50 feet or so I looked back and she was just sitting there pedaling. I finally won the Iowa state road race!<br /><br />Sandy rolled in 3rd, Amy in 6th. In the women's 4 race, Cara was 2nd and Darcy was 3rd. It was a great day for Mercy women.Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465334843487977163noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643513543710114967.post-82233873536850730492010-03-31T15:16:00.005-05:002010-04-01T19:37:09.286-05:00Kent Park Race Report<div>I'm not going to get all worked up about race reports this year. Last year I tried to include every little detail and it just made me not write my races up. So, in short, there was a great women's turnout, 23 total I believe. My legs felt kinda rough on the warmup laps, but I was hoping it was just nerves. As we made our way around the first lap, I got antsy and decided to attack on the second to last hill. I spent the rest of the race time trialing off the front. With a lap and a half to go, the men's 1,2 caught me and I hung with them for a half lap just to get a break from the wind. </div><div><br /></div><div>It was a wonderful race. Michael did an excellent job promoting the race and Atlas did a great job with the prizes. </div><div><br /></div><div>I was so impressed with the ICCC ladies. For many of them, it was their first race ever and they rode their hearts out. Great job ladies! I can't wait to do it again! </div>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465334843487977163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643513543710114967.post-21392906380290337892010-03-30T07:09:00.003-05:002010-03-30T07:19:04.336-05:001st Ride at Sugar for the yearKyle and I headed out after work yesterday to turn out a loop at Sugarbottom. The trails are in amazing condition. We were able to ride the entire south side minus Hell Trail and Troll Bridge (since they are both closed). We also rode the last green on the north that takes you to Cyclocross. Funny enough, as we crested the hill headed back to the south end, we ran into Burvee and Jody. We ended up riding with them around the south loop again. <div><br /></div><div>Fun was had by all. I can only hope that time allows me to enjoy the trails again soon!</div><div><br /></div><div>Kent park race report to come...</div>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465334843487977163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643513543710114967.post-13261430931893517202010-03-29T14:53:00.002-05:002010-03-29T14:56:49.561-05:00cycling Photos on CyclingDirt<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://c0179261.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/452241_xdmis34twby1z9bqfts3_60.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="http://c0179261.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/452241_xdmis34twby1z9bqfts3_60.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />T. Wells riding a Syntace Vector carbon bar at Fontana 12 degrees of goodness there! Syntace stuff is simply the best. It's always a great testament to a brand when Pros are running gear they actually choose themselves, rather than what they are simply given.Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04068588898430411389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643513543710114967.post-33002955278977606382010-03-29T13:28:00.010-05:002010-03-29T13:54:54.204-05:00Kent Park Pics!Kent Park was this past weekend. Robin raced and did very well! I'm sure she will post up a race report with some more details soon. But, she put in an attack about 3/4 through the first lap and ended up riding the rest of the race off the front of the women's field to take the win. <br /><br />Here are some pics from the day:<br /><br /><br />Robin coming up the hill:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/5120/img6882b.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 651px; height: 1241px;" src="http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/5120/img6882b.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/9772/img6885o.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 640px; height: 427px;" src="http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/9772/img6885o.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Oh yea.... Duethman was an animal! Don't mess with him.... he will eat your children.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/8910/img6880y.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 602px; height: 1314px;" src="http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/8910/img6880y.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04068588898430411389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643513543710114967.post-8313456353193409982010-03-26T12:17:00.003-05:002010-03-27T17:27:22.793-05:00Kent Park is this Sunday!So, like many of you, this is my favorite early season race. When I first started racing in 2006, it was my second race ever. I was very disappointed that it was canceled last year. Aside from being excited because it is <a href="http://www.kentparkclassic.com/?page_id=187">Kent Park</a>, I have a new sense of pride this year for this race. There are more than 20 women signed up AND 8 of us are racing for ICCC. This will be the start of a great racing season!Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465334843487977163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643513543710114967.post-30618335718678401302010-03-14T12:45:00.010-05:002010-03-14T13:13:47.111-05:00Ride 3.14.10Robin and I went on a road ride this morning with Kevin and Brit. We had thought about heading out on some gravel with the Hopson crew, but with my knee is limbo and Robin having raced yesterday.... we thought a road ride would be the smart choice! <br /><br />Anyhow, we rolled out a bit after 10am, under cloudy skies, into a NASTY NNE headwind. Battled that all the way into Cedar Bluff. But after turning around it was SO worth it! On the way back home the sun even came out.... simply beautiful. It's amazing to be out on dry roads, with the sun shining. <br /><br />I got Kevin at a stop ahead sign, by boxing him in behind the girls (hey! whatever it takes!), and jumping real early. he got me on the next one though. <br /><br />Great ride and good times. Hopefully in another week my knee will be back to 100%. <br /><br /><br />Here are a couple videos of the wonderful conditions.<object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/uenZBix-TdE&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca&hd=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/uenZBix-TdE&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca&hd=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KyWSxnBp5OU&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca&hd=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KyWSxnBp5OU&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca&hd=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object>Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04068588898430411389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643513543710114967.post-90926683221782479482010-03-13T15:54:00.003-06:002010-03-13T16:06:56.795-06:001st Race of the SeasonToday was the 2nd installment of Bart's Spring Classic Series. Kyle and I had both intended to race it, but a nagging knee injury kept Kyle sidelined. Instead he served as corner marshal and coached me as I raced. Conditions were great for an early season race. Rain, low 40s and a stiff wind. There ended up being 5 women that did the race, 3 cat 1,2,3 and 2 cat 4. Bart sent us off with the cat 4,5 men. We were to do 4 laps. Lisa for PRC and I rode the 1st lap together, right behind the men. As the 2nd lap started, I missed grabbing the tail end of an attack and found myself in the chase group with 4 guys. Lisa managed to hang on with the lead 3 guys. That was pretty much how it stayed for the rest of the race. Kyle would give us a time break as we came around the back side of the course and it pretty much stayed at 30 seconds. So, I was kinda bummed that I missed out the move that separated us, but it was a good race all the same. I don't mind taking 2nd place.<div><br /></div><div>All in all it was a great race. I appreciate Bart taking the time to have this series so that some of us who haven't been on the bike in awhile (like not since Jingle Cross last year :) can ease back into racing again.</div>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465334843487977163noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643513543710114967.post-79868834204293587852010-03-12T19:50:00.001-06:002010-03-12T19:50:59.506-06:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; white-space: pre; "><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_EhgQwZ6QwM&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_EhgQwZ6QwM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; white-space: pre;"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/27LKeeYjD84&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/27LKeeYjD84&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; white-space: pre;"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/I0_Vze0O6e8&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/I0_Vze0O6e8&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span></span></div>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465334843487977163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643513543710114967.post-58729475615868563452010-03-06T18:32:00.009-06:002010-03-06T19:35:29.923-06:003/6/10 RideWe went out for a ride today.... planned on just a little gravel. Started out quite nice. Sun was out, temps were up, roads were dry. <br /><br />Then we decided to see how far we could get on Swan lake, since the the water was down. Well, the road was a little damp at first, but not terrible. It lured us in. Quickly it turned to a mix of snow, ice, and mud... We pushed onward. <br /><br />Soon it was a slog, but it was more fun to just keep going and see how far we could get. Then we started seeing snowmobiles! Then a few token rednecks in their trucks. The trucks turned back, we pushed on. As the sun went behind the clouds and the wind picked up, we though it best to turn back at the second significant water crossing. It was fairly frozen over, so we could have gone on. But, with the weather closing in and the fact we were soaked, we made the right choice. <br /><br />The ride back back was actually better. Although it was soft and soggy, we were so wet that we weren't trying to pick drier lines. Got back into N. Liberty and stopped at Casey's. Thank God for that place! The looks we got from the other customers were priceless, as we ate some type of friend potato goodness and drank a cup of coffee. <br /><br />All in all, great ride. 5 hours on the bike. Who knows how far. Sweet. <br /><br />Tried ou the video thing today. Need to get a little better at it. Note the gentleman in the second clip, on the side of the road just shooting a handgun at nothing in particular. At least he wasn't shooting it at us!<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz3yD7wlMIIA1tv2ycB4zFawfnMR-5Oob8w1KOR_6sJ9BJ0Qrbus_begWPPVkTEPPAmI9QPO6hWMXBUYQOVIg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxDj1G73-v3iwWkalAHkMRWX44DgJD4p3LkPwAU4Wz2jEjITlVej01A75iKrnRu-AJnBR3fN4VvabPcYM7yDQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dypTl-KxRT8Qj168NC2uYO-GHwxUbM8nNmrzf3gUScLAiEqItDCilcaZkg42vDmi8macHDV6JgFKvb3MT8Qew' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04068588898430411389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643513543710114967.post-69126701061911134282010-02-18T20:38:00.003-06:002010-02-18T20:54:51.755-06:00New Bike HotnessSo, we got my new MTB pretty much put together and ready to roll. Had to take it down to the shop tonight to get the brake hoses cut and let the guys drool over it a bit.<div><br /></div>Of course we had to throw it up on the scale to see how it came in. Here are the results: 18.98lbs! That is with pedals and a bottle cage, so no cheating! Crazy light considering it has an XT cassette and not the lightest pedals out there.<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_n-xrTFxonjA/S337FV9qQmI/AAAAAAAAAaE/H54TnpJqO1o/s1600-h/IMG_6862.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_n-xrTFxonjA/S337FV9qQmI/AAAAAAAAAaE/H54TnpJqO1o/s400/IMG_6862.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439779994147111522" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_n-xrTFxonjA/S337FxHAP4I/AAAAAAAAAaM/uQHlZacUJYY/s1600-h/IMG_6863.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_n-xrTFxonjA/S337FxHAP4I/AAAAAAAAAaM/uQHlZacUJYY/s400/IMG_6863.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439780001434058626" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div>Pretty sweet for an aluminum hard tail that is build up pretty solid. Can't wait to get it out on the trail. </div><div><br /></div><div>Gotta thank Kyle for putting together this sweet package and the guys at <a href="http://www.geoffsbikeandski.com">Geoff's</a> for working to get me the Yeti frame. After being on the ASR last year I knew I wanted another Yeti. The fit is spot on and I know the hard tail is going to be a rocket. Many thanks also to <a href="http://www.magura.com">Magura</a> and <a href="http://www.syntace.com">Syntace</a> for their great components again this year. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now... if that pesky snow would just melt! At least Kyle and I have been getting a lot of XC Skiing in. (Got skate skis for Valentine's day!)</div><div><br /></div></div>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465334843487977163noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643513543710114967.post-3252954245833382862010-01-26T12:10:00.006-06:002010-02-16T17:11:36.591-06:00Syntace and Magura are on board for another year of hooking Robin up with their sweet parts. Expect her to be sporting Magura Marta SL brakes, a Durin SL fork, as well as Syntace cockpit components. <br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.magura.com"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.magura.com"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 187px; height: 147px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aEQOScYARc8/S18y46GjoFI/AAAAAAAAAAs/it41IAYwMC8/s200/magura_logo.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431115628882927698" /></a></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.syntace.com"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.syntace.com"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 36px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aEQOScYARc8/S18y4n4EyUI/AAAAAAAAAAk/jeE4TqdVM9c/s200/SyntaceLogo.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431115623990348098" /></a></a>Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04068588898430411389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643513543710114967.post-38540535776855155872010-01-25T15:32:00.003-06:002010-01-25T15:36:29.468-06:00Back in the saddle...sort ofSo after who knows how many weeks off, I got back on the bike this weekend...on the trainer of course. I rode for almost 2 hours on Saturday while watching the 3rd Pirate's of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Caribbean</span> movie and then for an hour Sunday while watching the Colts game. Now if the weather outside would just cooperate and get warm, I would be one happy camper!Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465334843487977163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643513543710114967.post-86319802903917026282010-01-24T22:11:00.007-06:002010-01-24T22:34:46.202-06:002010 saddle experiment and other tidbits<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aEQOScYARc8/S10bwoxdQYI/AAAAAAAAAAM/JNt8Xw1FnvY/s1600-h/speedneedle_leder_2008.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aEQOScYARc8/S10bwoxdQYI/AAAAAAAAAAM/JNt8Xw1FnvY/s200/speedneedle_leder_2008.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430527248071213442" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.starbike.com/images/tune/hires/speedneedle_leder_2008.jpg"><br /></a><br /><br />Trying out a new saddle on Robin's bike this season. Light, sexy, and reportedly very comfortable. <div><br /></div><div>If she doesn't like like it... I can always steal it!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Hopefully we will be able to get some more specifics up soon on the bike(s) Robin will be rockin' on the MTB front this year.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> </div>Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04068588898430411389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643513543710114967.post-18073316435583744302010-01-24T21:45:00.001-06:002010-01-24T21:47:09.376-06:00Looks like I've been brought on as a contributor! Something else to help me waste time while I'm supposed to be writing my Thesis :)<div><br /></div><div>Who thinks we should get custom jerseys made up? Oh yea...</div>Kylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04068588898430411389noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643513543710114967.post-32740230006185710412010-01-13T15:45:00.003-06:002010-01-13T15:50:57.504-06:00DFLSO, last night was the 1st Ashton cross country ski TT. I managed an astounding DFL. Brian Eppen, who was also classicing, managed to pass me as he was finishing his second lap before I had even finished one lap. He did start a couple minutes ahead of me...but damn. The classic tracks did feel slow, but that is really no excuse. It was a lot of fun. My girl Cara even won for the women on skate skis! Go Hamann!<br /><br />Maybe spin class tonight...maybe CC skiing out at Hick Hill. Last week was a blast, I think I may have to hit that up again. Although my body needs a good thrashing on a bike. Either should be fun.<br /><br />Back to clinic.Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465334843487977163noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643513543710114967.post-31083665452945318062010-01-08T16:24:00.002-06:002010-01-08T16:26:27.798-06:00Bonus post...I solved Kyle's Rubix cube yesterday. Probably not worth blogging about, but I have been working at it since he got it for Christmas. I figured I would share my excitement.Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465334843487977163noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643513543710114967.post-72986343740707414052010-01-06T15:59:00.004-06:002010-01-06T16:13:22.561-06:002010...week 2I can't remember if I put in my last post the fact that I wanted to try to keep my blog updated weekly. Whether I did or didn't that is my intention and I can now say that I have been successful for 2 weeks.<br /><br />Nothing ground breaking to report. I started a new semester of clinical rotations. Over the next 12 weeks I will do 3 rotations, 4 weeks each, which are collectively known as my ambulatory block. The first of the 3, which I started yesterday, is outpatient internal medicine and I am doing it here in Iowa City. Then, in February, I will go to Davenport for a month for Community Based Medicine. Finally, in March I will do Family Medicine in Hiawatha.<br /><br />Enough about ridiculus school stuff. Brian and Cara took Kyle and I out to try skate skiing today. It was a blast. It is very different from classicing. I fell down a lot and was pretty slow, but I could feel when I was doing it right and when I was doing it wrong...so now all I need to more practice. Brian is a great teacher...He doesn't give himself nearly enough credit. We really appreciated his help today!<br /><br />In cycling news, there was a WOW meeting at Hopson's house on Monday. It went great and the idea of more Iowa City women racing seems like more of a reality and less of a dream. In other cycling new, I'm still not riding my bike. :(<br /><br />Thanks for checking in!Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465334843487977163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643513543710114967.post-14973387238363188832010-01-01T13:40:00.002-06:002010-01-01T13:50:46.212-06:00Happy New Year!We rang in the new year with lots of good friends. Happy Birthday again to Jean! We had a wonderful time celebrating your birthday as well as the new year! We had to take a rain check on the ski race today because like many others we have chosen to celebrate national hangover day on the couch :) <div><br /></div><div>My next clerkship starts on Monday, so only a few more days of freedom. I am looking forward to starting a new semester and a new cycling season. I plan to make a conscience effort to update on here at least once a week. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for reading! Have a safe and happy New Year!</div>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465334843487977163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643513543710114967.post-78318496056491643712009-11-30T08:51:00.004-06:002009-12-31T16:56:37.553-06:001st Top 10 in a UCI RaceSo, I have neglected my blog for quite some time. Between my rotations and racing, there has been little time for anything else. Wanted to give up a short recap from Jingle Cross this past weekend. Friday and Saturday were a real struggle for me. We ran a lot more than I am used to. The mud was so bad on Friday night I had to take a bike every lap. Saturday, the mud was still pretty bad, but we were running through it more than we were riding through it, so one bike change turned out to be enough. Both days I finished 11th. One spot out of the points. I started to think I was destined to never make it past 11th, until Sunday when suddenly we were riding our bikes, not just running them. I had a good start and didn't try anything too stupid. After a lap or 2 I was locked into a pretty fierce battle with Marne Smiley and Kris Walker. Marne motored away, but Kris and I were back and forth for the last 2 laps. She would kill me on the flats, but I could always catch back up and then some on the climb and descent down Mt. Krumpit. On the last lap, I knew that I was able catch her wheel on the way up the climb, I would be able to finish in front and that is exactly what happened...I came out 8th!!!! I couldn't believe it. I wanted to know what it would be like to be 10th, but I made it to 8th!<br /><br />This turned out to be a very tough weekend of racing. Meredith Miller just dominated and good on her for it. The Planet Bike ladies are a force unto themselves. They each podiumed at least once and there was someone from their squad that podiumed each day. The Velo Bella ladies were in great form as well. I had a great time battling Holly Klug, Marne Smiley, and Kris Walker.<br /><br />Good luck to all of you ladies headed to Portand for the last USGP race and to Bend for Nats. I wish I could be there slugging it out with you!Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465334843487977163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643513543710114967.post-33170261609808332142009-07-30T15:04:00.002-05:002009-07-30T15:11:28.835-05:00New RotationMy first rotation (Neurology) ended last friday (July 24th), and after an eventful weekend with Kyle's folks in town to help us paint our front porch, I was off to my next rotation, Psychiatry. This rotation, like the last, is 4 weeks long. I am doing this first week on ECT (or electroconvulsive therapy) and then the next 3 weeks on med psych. This week has been a great experience. I am working with Dr. Jerry Lewis. He has allowed me to get a full range of experiences with the ECT treatment and with following his patients in clinic. I wasn't sure what to expect going into this, but I can't complain. I don't foresee myself going into Psychiatry, but I am definitely getting valuable patient interactions that will hopefully make me a better doctor someday.Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465334843487977163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643513543710114967.post-77473166604845264612009-07-30T14:20:00.003-05:002009-07-30T15:03:49.858-05:00Scott County Park MTB RaceA couple of weekends ago Kyle and I had planned to do the WORS Sunburst Showdown race up in Wisconsin. Unfortunately, at the last minute Kyle could not go because of things going on with work, so we decided to race locally instead. The race we did was on Sunday (July 19th), the ScoCoPa Frenzy, and it is part of the IMBCS and the I-74 series. Some of the kids from the shop and the like were there as well, Nickski, Robnett, Nate, and Cara. We were all decked out in the new Geoff's kits (all except Nate that is), I was the only one in red one though. We had a great time. The women went off with the men's sport field just 2 minutes behind. This was great in that we didn't have to fight them when the course bottle-necked into the single track, but it also meant that we had to go through the entire men's sport field. I had a great time though. All of the guys were great about getting over once they realized that I was the leader of the women's race. I took a heuge tumble on the first lap for no good reason. I just went from being upright one minute to endo and on the ground the next. No harm done though.<br /><br />I finished 15th overall, but I think I could have placed higher up if I hadn't had to go through absolutely all of the men's sport field. Unfortunately, it just wasn't Kyle's weekend and he had to pull out of the race because of a flat. My girl Cara finished 3rd behind me and Beverly Winslow in the women's open race, so I was very happy to see her do that. Robnett finished 3rd behind a couple of Guiness riders and Nate now knows what it is like to be absolutely wrecked after a race :)<br /><br />Good race...good people! Thanks for taking the time to put the ScoCoPa Frenzy together FORC!Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465334843487977163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643513543710114967.post-21483257861203845162009-07-15T10:03:00.002-05:002009-07-15T10:39:28.634-05:00Weekend of road miles and one of the strangest group rides ever...Kyle and I had toyed with the idea of going to Clear Lake for the Bicycle, Blues, and BBQ races. However, this being the first weekend that I did not have to work since I stared my first rotation, and still having a bitter taste in my mouth from my abysmal showing at the state crit, we decided that long, hard miles near home would be best.<br /><br />Saturday, we rode out to the state course, did a lap, and then rode back home. I have not felt that tired from a ride in quite sometime. Then, Sunday morning, we got up early for a ride with some of the shop kids. There were 7 of us in all. It was pretty fast paced at time and the pissing contest started earlier in the ride than I had anticipated, but all-in-all we had a great time. We went out Sugarbottom, to Tiffin, then out Cosgrove over to Sharon Center and back in. Another 50+ day.<br /><br />Since my first rotation started, I have struggled to maintain a riding schedule. I am starting to get back into a groove and this weekend was well spent not racing, but instead getting in valuable training miles. I am pretty excited about the Iowa State Road Race which is coming up in just a couple of weeks. I hope to be in a better place physically and mentally compared to how I was for the State Crit.<br /><br />Somehow, I managed to be finished with everything yesterday by 4, which meant that I was able to get home in time to make group ride. Since we wind was out of the south we went out of town on Sand Rd. I kind of assumed we were going to Lone Tree, but we turned left and headed east on 520th St. The pace picked up with the cross wind and I was working harder than I wanted to ended up off the back just a little before Wapsi. I was not sure which way the group had gone, so I just turned south back into the wind at Wapsi and headed toward Lone Tree. I suffered alone in the headwind past Lone Tree and eventually made a right turn onto 660th. The wind was now at my back a bit more, so I picked up the pace. I made the left onto Utah and I see a huge group of riders coming at me. I realize that it is the B ride, so I quickly turn around and stick on the back of their ride, so I wouldn't have to ride alone anymore. We make the right turn back onto 660th (the way I just came from) and are almost back to Wapsi when a group of 3 riders turns and starts coming toward us. I realize that it is Hopsin, Fin, and another Mercy rider. As they pass, I decide to turn around again and get in with them. They were moving quite a bit faster than I had anticipated, but I was able to catch just after they turned onto Utah. Hopsin eventually upped the pace, which caused the 4 of us to start a rotation. We rotated solidly pretty much all the way back to 520th. At this point we see the the front 8-10 people or so from the B ride coming down 520th and our group of 4 became a group of 12-14. Amazingly, everyone continued to rotate and we maintained a nice pace all the way back into IC. There was a sprint for some sign, but since it wasn't a town sign or a stop ahead sign, I had no clue what we were sprinting to, so I just rode really hard like Kyle and I always do to the top of the hill. It was a very strange ride, but I had a great time. I hope I can make it out for more group rides in the coming weeks.Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465334843487977163noreply@blogger.com0