"Made my day"

       Today was a good day.  It got even better when I went for a ride at Hartman's with good friend Bryan Miller.  But, the moment that made my day was when Bryan, riding ahead of me, pulled over and commented, "man you'd have to be gutsy to ride that".  The line on Gateway, which I've worked multiple times, was not an obvious one and to make it worse it had a slight uphill so that you can't even see the huge rock to be descended.  "Here's the line" I called as I rode past and cleaned it.  Bryan of course turned around and had no problem.  No before you go thinking I'm all cocky and live to emasculate men, let me explain why this was such a moment.
        Bryan is an amazing biker, and I've been lucky to have him as a bike mentor.  A pro for 20 years, it doesn't seem to matter that he's been retired for 10 and is old enough to be my father.  His skills, efficiency, and huge lungs have me constantly on the chase.  But he doesn't seem to mind this.  He rode with me 5 years ago when I first moved to Gunnison, when I had a hard tail with flat pedals, caliper brakes, and sea level lungs.  I remember rides where I would finally catch up to find Bryan LITERALLY taking a nap on the side of the trail.  I don't know what gave him the patience to ride with me, and encourage me, and teach me.  And that's what why clearing that rock and showing Bryan the line meant so much to me today.  It was a concrete example of how much I've learned from him.  And a really good reminder of why I need to take every opportunity possible to ride with him in the future.

A tire is not a wheel

I'm searching for the perfect bike tire.  I've yet to find it, and I've been told by some that it is a lifelong journey :). So far I've learned 3 things:
 1) A tire is not a wheel.
 2) Don't race on tires you've never ridden.
 3) Bike tires and car tires cost the same amount.

The search continues...

Why do you race?

My good friend Janelle Smiley and I managed to grab a quick bite to eat last week before her an her husband headed off on a climbing trip in AK. Over teocolli tamale burritos we had a great conversation about why we race.  Janelle, even as reigning US National Ski Mountaineering champion might have the best perspective of anyone I know.
So as I headed into my first mountain bike race of the season in Rabbit Valley(Fruita) this past weekend the question was fresh in my mind.  Why do I race? Is it the challenge? My ego? to win?  I spent a considerable amount of time in the race pondering this question, but with no clear answer. 
So, I'm curious, why do YOU race?