The Mongolia Chronicles

The Battle........Rolls On

There are days when the world collides. Often, this is a Monday. As I write this the sun is setting behind the flatirons. It is 3:22pm. Even mid-day - the light is low. The woods are dark. But - down here in the flatlands - they are dry and fast and I'd rather push my bike any day of the week than not 'get out' using my bike for at least part of the trip. Appears the 'Gold Dot Mafia' has also moved to lower environs. Cracks me up to think the distance between that dot and it's nearest cousin. So, some riding, some rolling with The Man of Joe, always worthwhile and refreshing and energizing and now I think I am ready for this week.

Making Long Term Deposits: Never out of style

This pic w/Quinn @ 21 months - we grafted some grip tape and he rode (illegally) between my legs for the tail end of the 2007 Snow Season. We'd ride the lift w/his little plastic ski's and then stash the ski's in my pack, and we would ride down double. We rode putt-putt mountain and we rode Cannonball (OHMY) and it was grand. In my mind (and soul) I was trying to plant the seeds of flow and feel and the bliss of a waxed surface sliding and metal edges biting...before he could possibly understand what these things were. he just needed to FEEL them - and I needed to try and offer him the opportunity to FEEL this feeling that has driven such a huge part of the joy in my life.

Fast forward to this week. Snow is pretty good. We had 2 days on EZ Lift - and yesterday Q got taken out by a 90 pound idiot kid - totally out of control. Coming across the face in a death carve, Quinn's back to him - my wife below - me about 7 feet too far above wishing I could take the hit - and this kid takes Quinn out blindside and flips him backwards onto his head. It was all I could do not to become violent. Quinn recovered, finished the run and today was on the cusp. Do we take him back up and push through or give it some time to rest?. I went up early and burned some 'Adult Turns' to get some mental space and serendipitously Q decided to come up. We did 2 'warm up' runs on EZ and he didn't fall once - then we transitioned to the 'Big Boy' mtn and he RIPPED off Cannonball - 1,400 vertical feet without a fall. I was hovering above like the nightmare helicopter parent - ready to take out - with force - antything that came near him. But - he rocked it and proved he could stop, and turn and aim. Now, Gawd's postage stamp - that finite yet infinite little patch of woods we call home in the winter months - is his oyster. I have never been more excited about a sliding season: Ever. Bring it Q. You rock - and you embody what I need to retain to thrive.

 

Moving Kate (s) B(r)ush

Laird says it well. When mentally distressed, he goes into the countryside and literally clears brush. Well, all I can say - is - it works wonders for quieting the mind. A 53 degree turkey day yesterday replete with two - wheeled and 4 - wheeled excursions and a moonlit walk. Turkey for lunch. Turkey for dinner. Pumpkin pie for breakfast. And now - back to the mountain with little man. Maybe he will do a 540 on his second day on the mountain.

I think I died in the accident......

'Cuz this must be heaven.

Captions only, or I will be here all nite.

24 hours ago we are hauling ass home from Salida with Dude Man sounding like a baby seal. We turned the corner - but - basic statement: Nothing in the world is right when your kid can't breathe.

This was yesterday's 'sprited exploration'. I hesitate to call it a ride. Mile 1: 18 minutes. oh my. I did get into some stuff that I don't usually have chill time in, and that was cool. But I ask - KB - is that you pushing your bike? Maybe R? I can't imagine who else would be in there right now....

 

 

And this - I swear - is Q's FIRST RUN OF HIS LIFE on a snowboard. I carried him down the first pitch as it is kinda steep - then - he did this. Edge control, on your first run - ever? I hesitate to extrapolate this into the future. He has a gift - as proven in the salida skatepark on his bike. He can feel angles and edges. May he ever be so gifted.

I loitered until sinset on the nose of the ridge and had a quite intense staredown with this Buck. Sun setting on buck. The ultimate bonus - to an unreal day.

What Wind?

The other, other White Meat. Rocked a few grand with The Legendary 'PoleRider'. 58 years young and attacking it with more Guston than all the lackadasical 13 year olds combined/ You go, Ray. Day 1. Season 22. Eldora delivers the bliss and warmth and love.

Soak

Our trip was cut short after Q had a brutal asthma reaction to our friends' dogs. But not until after the epic nite ride and a great meal catching up on life in Salida. We hit the Cottonwood Springs on the way back up and it seems to have he;ped everyone's lungs and state of mind. Back home. 60's on the horizon. Turns in the am at The Rock....season 22 at Eldora. It just keeps getting smaller.....

Chaffee County Bliss

'Tis the shoulder season. And one of the wild parts is looking at the collegiate range and it's 14,000 foot winter frigidness - from dry, fast trails. This is a good thing. 9 days to chill. Diggin' in.

In the face of UNBRIDLED TYRANNY At Least We Have Jason Vogel and the BOULDER MOUNTAIN BIKE ALLIANCE On Our Side

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_19343594

 

The Republic of Boulder, 13 square miles surrounded by reality are in reality a DEN OF TYRANNY AND REPRESSION. Read on, dear reader, reading this, while reading.

Yes, folks. Readers. Once again, even n my infintie lack of wisdom and NIMBY POV, I can not raise the cross and crucify JASON VOGEL OF THE BOULDER MOUNTAN BIKE ALLIANCE to the depth that he hath forked himeslf, and the organization. Many moons ago, I railed on Jason and then railed again as he dissed me behind my back, thereby asserting that his character is as wafer thin as a ritz cracker or a high priced condom. Jason: RESIGN. Stop hurting us. The Boulder mountain bike community would be better served by Hitler - I shit you not. I doubt anyone could do more damage INTENTIONALLY than you do. You alienate - not just single user grous but every fucking person on the planet. Please submit your CV to the KK, or maybe a Neo-Nazi Group. They could clearly benefit from your political PANACHE. Dude - you are making a public mockery of yourself, your organization and OUR SPORT. Pls. Step down. Don't go outside. Don't speak to anyone. Ironically - the best thing you could possibly do - would be to ride your bike  A TON..lose some fricking pounds and remind yourself of what you were like when you actually enjoyed the thing that you pose to advocate for but are actually bending over and dicking in public. Stop talking. Start DOING. It will save yourself. Possibly. Either way - shut the fuck up and stop damaging the very thing you pose to protect.

Today I WAS OPPRESSED by the man so BADLY that I only had a 2 hour ride on FRESH and legal TRAIL that is within 20 min of Boulder ON A BIKE. I did not feel oppressed. I felt free'd and BLESSED that we have the resources we do. DON'T FUCK IT UP FATTY. Pls. If you rode more - you would BITCH LESS.

Hugs, kisses, Unicorns and Baby Bunnys.

Nimby

Pre-Manhattan Spin

 

This morning's wind, and frigidity did not bode well for the Tuesday 'Men remaining men together in tight cloting' excursion. A few of us did prevail and myself, P-Fresh (aka - The Missile) and The Man of Joe did sneal out for a couple thousand feet of vertical, some lovely, lovely dirt and a great 2 hour sojourn into the woods to prepare for a couple of lang ass days. Off to the city of rot tomorrow (sorry, Howd) for a dinner and a day of meetings and then a late flight back and a hopeful ride Friday - and then -Fruita and Salida - here we come. Then back here for T-day and some massive project finishing in the woods before the heavy stuff comes in, the ground freezes and we put away that portion of our soul in the high country for a few months. Great ride guys...THANK YOU!

Keeping The Dream Alive

If an old dude - breaks through a barrier in a silent snow storm somewhere in the woods outside of Ned........Does Thrasher take notice? Who cares?! When the trails get challenged The Morning Wood Bowl Comes Alive. With enough stretching and Ibuprofen...I may yet live.