Not do or Die...Die or get home!!!

Many would say that I was out of my mind last night!! Maybe rightfully so, but I knew what I was doing.
I made the call at 4:50pm that I was going to get my training ride in. It was going to be a little adjusted with the weather and the rest of the crew not making it, but that was ok. Of all people to show up though, you can count on Ben Nemeth. Ready in minutes we were on our way to what we thought was going to be a quick 45 minutes because of what the radar looked like. 1.5hrs in we still hadn't been hit with a single rain drop. We skirted the storm for the duration until it was time to head into the storm to get home. I called back home and Angela said the sirens were going off and she said don't come home now. No big deal, we rode out a little further and then decided to head in as it looked like the cells were heading further North. Not until we were less then 4 miles from home did we get wet. Wet is an underestimate, we got soaked but I rolled in with a little over 2 hours in one of the worst predicted storms in a long time. I would say Ben and I did well!!

Reading TIme

Here is a picture that was taken not too long ago of Deegan. He is growing and changing so quick now; it is so much fun.
The main point of the picture is Deegan wanted to show the Cathedral High School Nordic team how much he loves his books. Deegan, Angela and I were given these as a gift from all the kids on the ski team a couple months ago as they recognized my time and effort I put into the ski team. The CHS kids picked out some of their favorite childhood books for Deegan hoping that he enjoys them as much as they did. I have to say, he really likes his books.
 Yes, coaching does take a lot of time especially when we travel to races on an overnight but it is worth it.  What a great bunch of people to be surrounded by.  Like all the other things, like working and training, going on in my life, all is made better when I get to come home to this...

For the bike and training update all is going well. I have some exciting news coming up and also I have decided to grow up and ride some big boy bikes this year from CANNONDALE!

Deegan Williams Schroden

Deegan's Room with my paint job
My wife at 30 wks pregnant

Holding my son, Deegan

Angela and Deegan a few hours after a natural delivery

Born 10.27.11 @ 4:48 A.M.

3 weeks old

our Miracle

2011 U. S National 24 Hour Championships

Photo taken at Mueller State Park about 15 miles west of Colorado Springs, CO or directly on the west side of Pikes Peak. We stayed here two days before the Championships and it proved to be a great place to stay. The camp we set up was at an altitude of 9400ft and it felt great. A little winded the first day there, but I adjusted very well. Angela did also, who is pictured here at over 8 months pregnant, and Ben.

Walking to the start of the 2011 24 National Championships. I could not have asked for a better day with the weather. After a little stress the night before with set up, we made a wise choice to stay with some great people minutes away, and I was able to rest well the night before the race. It paid off!

This photo was taken after I paraded around the venue on the back side. Angela and Ben were able to meet me here if needed anything additionally from the pit if I didn't stop.

Here I am on the back side, riding along the edge of a cliff that goes straight down! That is Pikes Peak in the background at 14,110ft!! (Riding bike #3)



Getting ready for night time with my super light Cannondale Flash. This bike proved to be a great bike for the course because of all the climbing, however, the course was very technical that the full suspension was nice to have to take the edge off.

Here I am with what I thought was the last lap, with Ben waiting to give me a little something in that precious bottle. With the very dry climate, I drank a lot of fluids during the duration of the race, and especially when the morning temps warmed up quickly. This was not the last lap, I was feeling great, tired but still feeling like I had something left in the tank. One more lap I went; didn't even stop at the pit the last 4 laps. I ended up passing a rider in the last couple of laps to bring me up a position. Maybe I was just getting warmed up? (I wonder if there would ever be a 36 hour race?)
I finished the U. S. 24 Hour National Championships in 6th place overall. I was pleased with the end result considering many factors of the race. There are always going to be the what ifs, but that is the game of racing. I raced for 23 hours and 52 minutes or close to that, and traveled 208 miles.

With a shower after getting packed up, I drove the first two hours of our trip back to MN. Ben drove another couple and we all called it a night. A special thanks to Angela, my wife, and great friend, Ben, for all their support. Thanks to all my sponsors who provided me with the equipment that makes it possible too.

Stay tuned for what I have been up to for the last couple weeks and to what is ahead.

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Crank Brother pedals rock!!

Oakley

For the last ten years I have been supported with SMITH optics and have had zero complaints with the optics. Yes, some fit better than others, but overall, it was a good relationship but change was needed. Change is what happened.
Somewhat late in the year to make a major change with what I know that works, but I could not pass on this opportunity. Oakley is the new sponsor for me and Oakley products will soon be available at the store.

Based on how the glasses felt once I first tried them on, it was love at first sight!

The technology behind the lenses, the overall fit and functionality are remarkable. I have been testing the photochromatic lense for the last couple of weeks and report that it is ideal in many situations. No more need to have a full drawer of lenses to search through.

With the ventilation of the frame and lenses, there have been no problems with the lenses fogging over with these climate changing mornings. Awesome products. A great start to a great relationship.

Countdown is approaching fast

Colorado Springs, CO is the new host to the U. S. A. 24 Hour Mountain Bike Championships for 2011.
For more information on the race, please follow the link to official website by clicking on the logo.
Yes, I will be attending as preparation for this race has been a long time counting; over three years to be exact . Departure from MN in 1 week.