Church of the High Pines: November 2011

11/30/11

Day At The Park

Think it's hokey at first?

These guys, and the production techniques, are remarkable.

Recommend Full Screen

11/29/11

The Sonntags

Papa, Ben, and Carmen

Celebrating Carmen's Selection to:

2012 Summer Olympics

United States Cycling Long Team

Other Durangoans Selected:

Todd Wells - MTB

Kristin McGrath - Road

Willow K Rockwell - MTB

Krista Park - MTB

Final Selections In June

When you see 'em

Wish them Goshspeed

11/27/11

Todd Wells

Todd Wells

Wins a Stage of JingleCros

Wells Claims First Cross Win At Muddy JingleCross

Posted on 26. Nov, 2011 by lyne in race

On his penultimate race this season, US Cross ChampionTodd Wells (Specialized) finally got his first cross win this year. Though he says that he doesn’t have his top fitness, Saturday’s race was all about finesse, choosing the right line and staying your bike. Hours of overnight rain continuing throughout the day turned the course into a slipe and slide in some spots, especially the zigzag descent down Mt Krumpet – simply it was mud everywhere and staying upright was tricky.

Todd Wells was locked in a duel with Chris Jones (Rapha-Focus) for the final three laps until he took advantage of a bobble on the final lap to take off and take a solo win. Chris Jones (Rapha-Focus) is chasing Well

Tristan Schouten (cyclocrossracing) battling for third

Todd Wells (Specialized). “Today I felt like I didn’t have a lot of power but knowing how to ride in these conditions and when to put the power down, just how to be as efficient as possible out there on a course like this. Of course, staying on the bike is a big key.”

About being at the front with his brother. “It’s awesome being up there with him. I was happy to see him riding so well and I hoped that we would be able to ride off together and spend the day at the front but it didn’t quite work out that way. It’s still a good ride for him so I’m proud of him.”

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Scribe's note: Durango's Todd Wells, two-time Olympian, is actually finishing up his best season ever. See what the Wall Street Journal said about him in July.

11/26/11

Dana Shinn Smokin' Cross

Dana Shinn wins 3 Races

Back-to-Back and Then Some

In Boulder... "The course was muddy but easily rideable. I started once again near the back. I jumped once again up to the front. I followed a few women for the first lap and then felt good enough to attack. Again, I thought it’s only 35 minutes. So I put my head down and hammered. No one else kept up. I was so focused, I didn’t even notice when I was on my last lap so I did an extra one. Silly but hey, it was only 35 minutes! Super fun and what great schwag for 1^st place!"

In New Mexico... "The NM CX race in Pojoaque, NM the weekend of 10/15 was much warmer. In fact, it was hot. The Dash for Life folks know how to put on a race. The course was long and tough with lots of turns, a nice hill, and a great descent. I raced both the 3/4 and 1/2/3 womens races and somehow worked my way into 1^st place in both. So fun! I’m hooked!"

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Scribes Note: OMG!

11/23/11

The Pope, Who Art In Aspen

(click play - and full screen)

La Posta Road

Sunday 11:00 a.m.

11/22/11

Tino Rockin' in Boulder

11/20/11

Technology for the Church

(click to enlarge)

Technology

For the Congregation

11/19/11

The Group Ride

The group settles into formation meters after leaving the café. Like the table manners learned as children the formation is innate to us. Two abreast, tight against the curb we form two lines. Cars pass us with ease as we pedal out of town and into the countryside. The pair on the front increases the tempo as soon as we are out of traffic and onto the rural roads. From experience they quickly find the rhythm of the group. On the rural roads, we’re in synch. Knowing how to ride properly in a group is taught and learned.

I was introduced to cycling as a boy. On my first group rides, I was taught how to ride with others appropriately. As we pedalled along with our club mates, my father explained ride etiquette to me. On open roads, the group stays close to the shoulder. To allow cars to pass and to benefit from the riders’ slipstream, the group stays compact. It is often easier for cars to pass a group of cyclists who are riding two abreast near the road’s shoulder than a group, which is single file and much longer. We must be aware we are sharing the road with other traffic.

Each pair pulls off the front sharing the workload with the others. To peel off the rider on the right moves right, the rider on the left moves left, reducing their speed gently to let the others pass. The pair who has been following slice through the pair to take the lead with the rest of the group in their slipstream. The two who have just finished their turn on the front, move back into the slipstream at the back of group rapidly to avoid being in the way of the traffic for long.

Within the group riders should always be paired up. Two abreast is acceptable, three is not. In an odd numbered group, the single rider sits at the back. Each rider has his or her turn being alone at the tail-end. In a group, everything is shared.

A group is concerned with others’ well being. We point out obstacles in the road, we signal directions and we take care of each other. A rider who is struggling is sheltered from the wind and given food and drink. We wait for those who have punctured and help them repair the flat. Every cyclist has a bad day. A group will get you through the bad moments.

Like bragging at a dinner party about wealth, nobody appreciates a rider who constantly forces the pace to prove his strength. Half-wheeling, the term used to describe a rider who is constantly pushing the pace half a wheel in front of the others, is an insult not a compliment. Group rides are not races. Good riders are in tune with each others’ abilities and the groups’ objective. At the right moment, when everybody is ready, the tempo will increase, the group will splinter, the strongest will surge ahead, and then only to regroup again at a designated spot.

A group ride should be challenging but also pleasant. Experiencing an achievement is often richer when shared. On the bike, each pair of riders converses as if they’re across from each other at a dinner table but in the fresh air the conversation is often more animated. On the roads, societal hierarchies are muted. A CEO is just another wheel to follow. A professional cyclist is just another face glistening sweat.

Together, a group of eight eats through the hours. In nearly six hours, we’ve seamlessly devoured mountains, cut through valleys and popped through towns. Even our stop at a café failed to break our rhythm. On the terrace, everything continued to flow.

Michael Barry

Team Sky

Click HERE for the Michael Barry Website

Ben's Mountain Bike Adventure

No Brunch, No Brunch!

Howard Grotts, Fort Lewis College

Howard Grotts

Winning the

National Mountain Bike Championship

Last Week

Leading Fort Lewis College

to the

Division 1 Overall Cycling Team Winners

Joe Burtoni Rockin' Cross in ABQ

Joe Burtoni

And his Durango Moustache

ABQ Cyclocross last week

Marisa Asplund, the New Ride

Marisa Asplund

Durangoan and Professional Triathlete

New Ride

11/16/11

Gail Smith

Gail had a bit of a bike crash on Saturday (10/29/11) west of Mancos, on Hwy 160.

Tues Eve 11/15/11

Gail and I wish to express our thanks for the well wishes, cards, and prayers. Gail continues to heal and will be home for Thanksgiving. We are now looking forward to getting our lives back to normal but we still have another month or so of no weight on the right leg, routine physical therapy and further recover from the knock on the head. Still another month for the brain to fully heal from the bruise and get past the headaches and sleepiness. She is looking forward to returning to work after Christmas. We will be doing allot of spin classes over the winter along with some lifting to get her back in shape although I'm not sure about her return to cycling. She is planning a 1/2 marathon as her big come back with our daughter, Michelle.

Scott