12/31/07 Final Ride of the year

Had a great time out there today in the Owyhee Mtn range in SW Idaho. Rugged, snowy, full of wildlife (mule deer, wild horses, many many many cougar tracks!) and a great group of BOMB and other local riders.

Slacker!!!!

I forgot I even had this blog! Jeez, what's my problem?! News since last update?

-Got a job
-Lost that job
-Got another job
-Still have that job (it's a good one!)
-The Coiler is out of commision for a bit
-A new bike for the skillz park(er) emerges at a bargain of a deal!

Update

Been busy lately - got a new job. Been coming home and putting as much time and energy as I can to get this project of ours done before the cold comes.

Updates here, pics and videos: http://picasaweb.google.com/bombing4x/BackyardSkillzParkEr

Running short on wood, going to have to put the feelers out for more!

Until the nets are full,
cp

Skillz session saturday - VIDEO slideshow

Fun times!

CP

Skillz session saturday

Tony took these from our "ride" this morning. Curt, Daryl, Tony and I sessioned the park in progress. Will post video later.

http://picasaweb.google.com/tony.hetrick/CraigSSkillzPark15Sept07

cp

More updates to the skillzone

first section of the connected teeter completed. running short on hardware though...

Skillz riding - JB & Tony

JB riding the beginner line (Cbro's old stunts with some additional pieces) and Tony riding the first line backwards. Since Tony busted his rear der & hanger hopping up on a section a few days ago, I let him ride the Coiler. He did pretty well. We're working on the return line also..

This video makes me cry, everytime

Check out this video: Lifehouse Everything



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Skillz Park(er)ing with Urban Tony

The guy's got mad trials skills, at least I think he does. Came over for dinner tonight and rode the new sections added to the skillz area. I had a little spill and banged my knee hard. Ow. Video of Tony riding it.

skills park(er) take 2

added another section today.
haven't actually ridden it yet.

Foothills Riding; Skills Park(er)

Went out with CBro's Barney Squad last night, started at Fort Boise and rode around the Military Reserve area. Up to Central Ridge, up Bucktail to Shanes then 3 Bears via Curlew. Curlew is like a mini-Por Rim section. Rocky, fast, etc. Daryl was climbing like a madman on his 5-Spot. We turned around and I led the bomber session. My phone flew out coming down and had to have Curt (new guy from MASS) call it so I could GPS in on it. It's not a cheap phone - I need to be more careful. We then continued down Shanes to the bottom of MR, the Coiler was rocking it. I forgot my bike computer so I have no idea what kinds of speed I hit but it felt like mach 10. Got back to the park and CBro, Ultra Barney BBQ host, had dogs and a few cold ones for us. What a stud. No pics sorry. About 3pm or so this afternoon a pretty wil storm rolled in, high winds, thunder, lightning, rain. It went from 93 degrees to 69 degrees in about 30 minutes. Wild weather. Here's a little peek right before it got nuts:


I do have few pics of the work done on the skills park(er) today. Looking forward to being able to ride this. Out of deck screws, but getting some more tomorrow. yay!

skills park(er), take 1

So we've been messing around with some wood and stuff. honing skills. getting 40 mosquito bites in one evening. ya know, fun stuff.

Wow an update - how surprising is that!

Been consumed with family stuff, vacations, work, etc. I want to get back to posting more of my boring stuff so you can read it and really appreciate the wonderful lives you all live....HA!

Anyways....been watching a lot of Nacho Libre. Not riding the foothills at all. None. Been riding up in the trees around Bogus Basin and up at Tamarack. The dirtbag is a wonderful bike - really enjoying learning how to ride it. Been promising Hack that I would come to OR this summer to ride and it's looking worse every day. I need a breakthrough between free time and the cashola. Hack even offered to pay for 1/2 my airfare. What a dude. My pride keeps me from taking that offer. I so want to come experience the OR trails he posts in his great blog, but I'll be candid. I'm looking for a job again since the local RE market isn't supporting our family. We picked about 2 years late to have really launched our business. The Lord must have a plan for this to work this way....

I'm still concerned with everyone's salvation and stuff...

195 - and a new bike

Been working hard for a change, which was about time. Limits my blogging time. Like anyone reads this anyway!

Been hovering around 195, trying to schedule and stay disciplined to get my workouts in. Riding a little. Got a new ride that should prove to be really fun this summer. I got the frame on closeout, some parts locally off craigslist.org, fork from Rollo (thanks dude!), eBay, Pricepoint, Cambriabike, and from my other bikes. Total build was under $2k which tickles me. Like $300-$400 under $2k. Tamarack, Brundage, and OR with Hack and Casey in June should be more fun now. Check it out!

Back in Boise, Back in action

Sorry I've been flakey on updating this blog. Moab and Fruita was a great trip. Justin and I loaded up the Minima and hauled balls down on a Monday, returning Saturday. I rode Amassa Back, Sovereign, and Fruita (18 Road & Kokopelli trails) for the first time, and then hit up the traditional Porc Rim shuttle run. We camped at Pack Creek campground, which was a bit ghetto and politically charged (the owner posts his anti-Bush venom all over the campground) but cheap. We camped next to Jeep and son Daniel. Rollo camped with us between sites, and chilled out in the big tent at night. It got really windy and ripped our tent. I was about a minute away from pulling up stakes and finding a hotel when Daniel suggested we move our tent down below, out of the wind. Duh - I felt like a dope. That's where we were supposed to setup the tent in the first place! HA! Hack and fam, Dave Ritz, Dave from WA, and Jim from WA (aka "Chip" from last year)and fam were also shacked up at PCCG. It was a funfest.

Justin's first trip to Moab turned out to be a success. He handled himself on the trails very well. He's got to look into getting an AM bike though - the lightweight XC racing bike that's too small for him didn't handle the rocks and terrain very well, but he managed to make do. What a trooper! I was surprised about a few things the day we arrived: Chile Pepper bike shop had moved and was under new ownership. That part wasn't the surprise though - it was the attitude that the place has now. Unfriendly, too "cool." Bye bye, spending no $$ there. Headed over to Slickrock Cycles, which was cool last year. One person working, apparently the barrista, a young gal who didn't know how to say "hello" either. Had a demon who robs customer service from local vendors rolled in occupied? Jeez.. these people survive on tourists dollars. Amazing. OK, first trip over to Poison Spider bikes, and wow - surprise - they say "hello, how are you guys today?"!!!! Amazing. Just for fun we spend some time looking there. Head over to Moab Cycles and they seemed ok there too, not really any attitude. Moab customer service lacks. Maybe I can go put on a clinic there for all the local vendors.

OK I will post some pics soon. There are a lot here to view: http://www.ridedirt.com/moab07/

200 - It's official!

I guess since there's not much I can do to get below or above 200 that this is my select weight! Fired up about Moab. Been riding at least 3 times a week, not super long mega epics by any means (or at all), but time on the bike no less. Been working on the rock sections here in the foothills (rare Boise riding...)

Got the tent out on Sat nightm put it up for the first time to see how it worked. The kids talked me into camping out overnight, and in the spirit of adventure I agreed. It started raining at 10pm and didn't stop. At all. Saturation point came at about 5am and I had to drag the troops into the house.

I never said this was going to be an interesting post.

198 - What the? refocusing!

I got Rachel (my wife) out again on her mtb today and we had a great time! I sure like the opportunity to get out and do things before going to work in the afternoon. She did a great job and enjoyed the downhill sections. Hopefully she'll continue to enjoy riding. Justin and Emily (his wife) went with us on a "double-date" of sorts since they were off work today. Fortunately Emily survived the OTB experience coming down Hulls Gulch!

I was shocked to see my weight down to 198 again this morning since i've not been eating too great. I have decided to refocus and concentrate on that 190lb target prior to 4/16's departure for Moab.

My son Ethan celebrates his 10th bday tomorrow, wow. A decade blew by without me even noticing. We're having a party at Pojo's (a Chuck-E-Cheese type joint of mayhem). Elle's got her first soccer game tomorrow and as the head coach and daddy, I will be very proud of her!

200 - Hmmm

Had a really fun ride/session with Justin, Swede, and a new guy Andrew last Saturday. About a year ago a group of guys got together with the local IMBA group and created something cool called "Rock Islands", a "XC technical" trail. Nothing too death-defying, just really tricky lines that should provide plenty of room to grow for a while. Prepping for Moab next month!

Here's the guys having fun. Oh, and I think my weight-loss has plateu'd indefinitely. Not sure what else to say..

198.5 - Back in the saddle again

I did get out for a ride last Saturday, did about and hour and a half on the bike. I was NOT feeling it either. I went to bed too late on Friday night and had eaten like junk. So I had some low octane fuel in the tank and paid for it out on the trails. I bonked early into the ride.

Looking forward to Moab!

199 - SLACKER!!!

Wow I am such a slacker! Well, I've had a major change in my life, my new career, and it's been making me focus on my business more than ever. I don't get onto the mtb forums or here as much.

That being said, I have to update that I haven't been making the best attempts to eat well or workou regularily because of this major schedule change. Things are a lot more dynamic. The good news is I have been able to maintain my weight. If I am going to get to 190 by Moab it's going to take a kickbutt effort. I think Doug's got this competition wrapped up since there's no way I will be able to beat a 10% mass reduction. Congrats Doug.

Haven't seen much from Jeep's camp so I am guessing he's conceded this battle...

200 - Freedom

So I am hovering around 200 still. I haven't exactly eaten perfectly but I am holding. Been hitting the treadmill, no riding since it's too wet in the local foothills. Now that I am doing Real Estate full-time I have been working out of my home office with lots of opportunities to graze. The interesting thing is that nothing sounds appealing to me right now, not even the thought of junk food. My weight fluctuates only about 3 pounds between morning weigh-in and before bed, which is unusual (it used to be like 6 lbs).

Riding content soon hopefully. The Owyhee Mtn Range is good when it's wet here in town. Lots of rocks, etc to ride too.

199.5 - Illness helps

The whole family has been illing since last weekend. Kids were throwing up (yuck) all night long on Friday, which pretty much blew my Saturday morning ride. Then on Sunday I started feeling yuck and it's been that way since. I am trying to stay motivated and hydrated and moving. I walked for 30mins this morning and I almost passed out after that.

One particular exciting note is that my last day of J-O-B work was last Friday, hurray and hopefully a big ADIOS to the corporate grind nonsense.

202 - Pilates, treadmills, weights

I was getting a little tired of hitting a plateau, so I decided to step it up last night. I walked for 30 mins, weights for 30 mins, and pilates for 30 mins with my wife. Wow those pilates are a lot harder than they look. Just proves to me how weak my core is, sheesh. Feels good though, and I am sure it's going to help increase my flexibility.

203 - Uh, hmmmm

Chris (CBro) and I met up for a post-work quickride, climbing and descending Lower Hulls Gulch. It was almost "warm" out but the trails were in great shape. He absolutely smoked me on the climb, even on his SS/"One-Trick Pony." I had the Yakuza back out there and she felt nice. Went home and overate though....doh. I was sooo tired too, falling asleep around 9:30..

203 - In-N-Out Burger Obsession

I got back from a 5-day trip to Reno/Sparks, NV to see the family since I didn't get time with them for Christmas. The one thing I was really looking forward to was In-N-Out Burger time, since we still don't have one in Boise. To make a long story short, 4 transactions in 5 days. Plus, my mom's awesome cooking, some birthday cake and ice cream, etc. So, I'm back for a little more flushing, riding, and workouts. I can probably get below 200 by next week which would be nice. Riding might be a possibility today, although I have a lot of RE work to catch up on and time with the kiddos. We had a great time last night playing Guitar Hero and DanceDanceRevolution on the PS2 - and that dancing game is quite the cardio session oh man.

200.5 - wahoo!

So this is (almost) a milestone for me. I haven't seen 200.x in at least 5 years, maybe more. I think I could've actually gone sub-200 if it weren't for the 15 meatballs (the little guys from Costco, out of a bag - high sodium)last night! I rode solo double squish up and down Hulls right after work. The trails were a little soft in a lot of spots, wet in others, and frozen in the shade everywhere else. Almost ate it a few times but superior bike skills (ha) saved my bacon.

Today will be focus and treadmill time. Veggies and all the usual suspects. I am going to only consume protein from my whey powder and eggs, giving my body a little meat break.

Rock on Friday, here I come.

201 - Veggie Tales

Veggies, fiber, cranwater, flaxseed oil, whey protein powder, lean meat, and exercise. Hit the treadmill for 30 minutes yesterday after work yesterday, had some steamed veggies for dinner. I didn't wake up during the middle of the night hungry (as customary) which is great news. I think this is because the less consumption I do, the less my body thinks it needs to replace. Looking in the mirror is even more satisfying than stepping on the scale because I have definitely lost size around my midsection. I am bummed I never took measurements but oh well I'm not entering a beauty paegant.

I even woke up early this morning, I think due to the excitement thinking about my pending ride this afternoon. Hack - I forgot my camera, which means no pics dude. Sorry!

202 - Outback Style

So we had a gift card for Outback Steakhouse, and we've never been there before. So we decided to cart the whole fam out for an early dinner down under (in Boise of course).

I had the Golden Hearts Chicken (breast with artichoke hearts, sun dried tomatoes and a light alfredo sauce) with veggies (broccoli, peas, carrots (didn't eat those - yuck)). I drank water with lemon and snuck two small pieces of the brown bread (it was awesome) and butter. No dessert for me (I had to watch the rest of the fam eat a sundae).

First impressions of Outback? Our server was very slow, he was personality zero, and not really on the ball. The food was OK. I bet this is another story of where a restaurant becomes really successful with a unique offering and good service, and them some conglomerate comes and buys them and it's downhill from there. I told my wife if I were still in the restaurant business I would make a lot of money - I know what kind of service it takes to make it happen. Anyway...I'm down .5 lbs and need to make a bigger dent today.

202.5 - oops

So I had a little relapse or "mad day" yesterday. I didn't bike, didn't walk, didn't do anything physical. I ate a few tortilla chips, a cookie, some salsa, refried beans, and I'm back up a little which doesn't concern me. I think the fact that I didn't totally lose it and go wild is the point of encouragement. This week I will go below 200 this week for the first time in 5 years which is exciting. And, when I do, I will reward myself with a nice In-N-Out Burger Double-Double ("Protein style" (no bun) of course) when I fly to Reno on Friday. Will do some riding this week and take pics so Hack won't be thoroughly disappointed with my blogging.

201

Just got back from a sweet little solo ride in the Boise Foothills. I climbed from Camelsback Park up Hulls and back down. I was pretty fired up to finally try what I thought was a difficult rock drop or roll coming down Hulls. It was nothing, man I was embarrased that it's psyched me out so long. Just proves how our minds create tougher situations than they really are! The neat thing is that it was snowing like mad on the way down hulls. I always leave my goggles in the car on the rides that I need them and take them with me when I don't! Funny....

That being said, I weighed in after my ride at 9:30 - 201. YAY!

202.5

202.5 this morning. I always try to weigh myself right after I wake up and do the "evacuations" necessary, you know what I mean. I went to bed last night, not feeling as good as I have been feeling right before bed. I suspect for two reasons: 1)Dinner was talapia (white fish, which was fine), grilled mushrooms and onions, and a small romaine lettuce salad. Normally I've been eating more greens with dinner. 2)I only walked for 20 minutes yesterday since I had to run off to the dentist for a cleaning. I think another 10-15 minutes would've helped. I'm glad I am at least down another half-pound and feeling good this morning. I aim to take the family out in the foothills after work and run the dog around. Derby has been dying to get out and blow out the carbons I think. Tommorow morning will be another freezeride, hopefully a nice calorie deficit. I find that I use a lot of energy sucking in the cold air and my lungs having to heat that air does the work.

Happy Friday and an awesome weekend to whoever reads this.

203 - That's the way, uh-huh uh-huh...

...you know the rest of the song..

203 on the ole scale-e-o this morning. This is getting fun. I will be excited to see 200 for the first time in probably 5 years. Plus my mid-section really is tightening up. All that water-logged mass is coming off quickly, hence the rapid weight loss. I know there's a plateau coming in the near future, when things will slow down. In the meanwhile I continue to push forward.

I have to think my 1.5 hour ride last night had to help also. I really pushed myself on the climbs, through the singletrack, trying to carry decent speed. even rode some of the frozen techie rock features which most people are careful to walk over. God's good, thank you Lord for this wonderful body and abilities to do the things I do. I never want to take this for granted.

205 - slowly but surely

205 this morning (.5 lbs less); riding at 3:30 in the freeze which should give me a calorie deficit for the day. I think I am getting obsessive. Sorry to say Hack, coffee/caffeine is not part of this phase I flush (unless it's herbal coffee which I cannot find very easily). See me in phase 3.

205.5 - Flushing never felt so good

205.5 this morning - I look and feel better too. More energy. No coffee cravings.

Boise Sat Freezeride

("Clown Ride style)


(This is freaking steep and with snow it's twice as tough)

So a lot of the folks in town complain about it being "too cold" to ride their bike in he lower temps, that's cool. As Gary, SaraJo, Bret and I ventured out into the cold I wondered how it would feel riding at about 11 degrees with a bit of snow on the ground. I donned a few more articles of clothing than normally:'

-1984 Protec Skate lid (red in color)with skull cap and neck warmer headband
-Riding pants with a thin microfiber running pant over that and board shorts over that
-Hawaiian shirt over the normal jacket and wicking layer underneath (red in color as well)

We climbed up trail 4 (deathgrinder in my opinion) through the snow, up to 5, down Sidewinder and then Crestline to Kestrel and back to Gary's house. Almost 3 hours of riding, I must've blown out a lot of calories. It was great fun and I didn't freeze at all.

Activity

I am determined to shed this weight. Yesterday I:

-Ate fairly lightly
-Walked then ran on the treadmill for 30 minutes
-Full-body weights session
-5 laps around the pump track

I am almost down to my challenge starting weight now. It's 7 degrees here in Boise this morning, which means the trails have got to be really nice, maybe a little slick because of some wet (now frozen) spots. I am going to ride tomorrow and hope not to freeze the boys off.

Not much progress at present..

I have been back on the bike, riding for about 1-2 hours each session, so I got that going for me. Which is nice.

CBro, flip and I rode up 8th street (nicely graded but steep) and dropped down into Hulls Gulch which was in pretty good shape. Temps are dropping (especially today-we got a sdecent snowfall last night) and trails are firming up, hurray! Tested out my new Pearl Izumi Amfib Lobster gloves yesterday and those were nice and toasty. Getting used to always having to two-finger it but no worries. I rode the Yakuza hardtail again and really was pushing myself on the climbs and the descending. Thinking about eventually slapping the Pike on the Yakuza and putting a 150-160mm single crown on the Coiler somoeday. Or not. Who cares - they are great bikes as-is!

Weight update: I am actually down to about .5-1lb above my starting weight. Blech. Who's idea was this anyway?

Feels so good to be back

Loaded up on Sat morning with CBro (Chris) and Justin (new friend who moved from Seattle last year) to take on the frozen Boise Footies with flip (Gary) and RocknRoll Barbie (SaraJo) at 8:30am. Gotta be quick since I've only got 2 hours to ride. Up and over into Military Reserve via the secret chute, up Shanes and down Bucktail and back over in 2 hours. Had to be one of my favorite rides since moving to B-Town. Why? Firm trails only got more firm as the snow began to fall about halfway through the ride! Packed and fast, the Yakuza rocked it on rails. I hate to say this but I am enjoying riding this hardtail more and more in the footies. I love the Coiler but it's a little sluggish for climbing and zooming the trails unless I lighten her up and swap some tires out.

208 - Fat Flush Game (back) On

OK so Doug in SD is kicking my and Keith's butt in this Biggest Loser challenge. I am stoked for him! I weighed in at about 208 today and am not too concerned. I've been eating better, working out, and started riding again. My goal is still 190 by April. I intend to hit this by February though. Keith's getting nancied and I for sure am going to beat him at this. Doug seems to be my only competition.

Don't call it a comeback...

...I've been here for years. My first real ride back last Saturday was great. 3 hours of pedaling, puffing, and cramping. Bring it on 07! Took the hardtail Iron Horse Yakuza Bakuto out with the trail riding setup. Gary and SaraJo and I had some coffee at their Northend house, I got a tour of the "bike shop" (wow) and we were off. Climbing over into Military Reserve from a new route, up the newer switchbacks and then Shane's clockwise was good to get the blood pumping. Slowly but surely I made it. Down Shane's and then an icy Bucktail (yikes). Over the river and through the bloodthirsty connector back to the Freeway. I had to dismount and walk up the steeps on that connector too, dangit. Cramping, little steps, finally I made it. Down Hulls was icy and fun, but I didn't hit the drops that I've been eyeing...nope. Not on that hardtail and not after being off the bike so long. Nope.

I was greatly pleased to not piss any blood either post-ride. Good times and lookout 07, here I come.