Sunday, February 2, 2020

Back in Crested Butte for Fat Bike Worlds 2020

Welcome Back To Crested Butte!! MAD Racing was once again honored to provide a professional service during Borealis Fat Bike Worlds. Couldn't Be Happier


While driving the Tundra with the Red Trailer in tow, about to put on my pissy pants over the lack of wildlife, a magnificent Bald Eagle perched the ready on a winterized Cottonwood limb. The streams flowed crystal clear, creatures of all sorts on the hunt, and my heart was once again rejuvenated with excitement. Elk? Yes Rams?? Yes A Fox or Two? Yes Common Mule Bucks? Yes


We rolled our wheels into Crested Butte on Thursday by check-in time, dropped the timing trailer in place, and proceeded to stroll forward in search of a beautifully prepared Nepalese meal. Our warm cups of chai was exactly what I dreamed of. Oh Baby


My bedroom window showcased this majestic view that commanded my attention whenever possible.  First thing I did was pull the wooden curtains from my viewing area. Having said that, didn't spend much time THIS spot. A local watering establishment offered up a stool with my name on it. And I Was Quite Thirsty 


I am a people person generally and enjoy engaging in human interactions. Those conversations that lead to stories and background perspectives. Asking one another how about the workings of or from what part of the world. Maybe its because I appreciate the term/word sympathy. Thats a noun that means to have compassion for or feel sorry about, someones else's sorrow or misfortunes. We all share these styles of tales, just choose to express them differently. Or maybe its empathy as a noun that refers to understanding or experiencing someone else's emotions, or as a shared experience as if it was your own. Or maybe its the simple possibility of stepping into someone else's shoes.


Ether way, creating space for those moment in times are why any one of us travel to destinations known or unknown. Even better, really helps to take advantage of all the FREE public transportation. Insert Your Thumb Up Emoji Here




FAT BIKE POLO:

Fat Bike Polo matches Friday Night took place in front of the Brick Oven Pizzeria and what a Hoot. Wouldn't catch me participating but totally entertaining and highly recommended. Two separate courts on Elk Ave. Timed matches narrowed the field down to two undefeated teams. The final six or so matches were really good and the final was impressive. 



SATURDAY MORNING:

WELL, not really morning as the race didn't start until 11am. Ok, Sort Of!! I obviously was up sipping a cup of joe and wide eyed to embrace the sunrise in real time lapse mode. What A Beauty 


By 8am, we were in the timing trailer to organize, executing protocol procedures, fire up computers, and anchor the finishing arch in its final resting place for the day. The tepid 8F / -13C doesn't really bother me because the UV rays felt ever so balmy and NO WIND.


Last minute registrations went smoothly and everyone was"alert" for the racers meeting. Which was actually tastefully conveyed. Not just your typical "watch out for each other" approach.  


I took that time to explore the venue and see how vendors merchindicesed their products. Notice, minimal movement in the flags?? 


Shortly after the announcements, mortar style fireworks were launched into the sky. Riders mounted up, gears were changing, and they navigated over to their starting positions. Right at 11am sharp, with a proper count down from 10, a flare gun shot a vidivd red flare into the sky above. Racers tore off and the amateurs gave their best battle cries while rolling out. 


Numbers were up this year but a low costume turn out. Thankfully, Scooby saved the day!!


By the afternoon, the winds blew in from the west. Not strong winds but chilly winds. Riders of all ages dug deep and grinned it out. Ready For This??? Only One DNF 


Above is a photo of Steve and his Daughter Sara finishing together. Notice the breeze??


And what a backdrop to the event. I am completely bias for sure but Crested Butte is truly a magical treasure. Look At It, Even The Sky Is Gorgeous 



And then the Alternative People from Gunny plugged in and ripped out a few groovy / funk tracks. Durango's own Ska Brewery poured the night away and the tribe dance like nobody was watching. 




SUNDAY:

Celebrating The Boy Dog with a Hike


I headed out Sunday morning after a VERY relaxing morning and made my way towards the north side of the ski area. While calling CB home, The Boy Dog & I would climb Prospector Hill almost every evening after hours. Both Summer & Winter Conditions 


The snow crystals were popping off in full effect under the Colorado Bluebird Sky conditions. Those crunchy sounds were aloft with each snowshoe step. 


The ski run could have easily been walked on without snowshoes but my thought was to break off the slope and climb up in the powder. 


BUT that never happened. I hugged the tree line and focused on task at hand. Thought about the times that The Boy Dog & I shared together as I powered on up the groomed slope. Didn't try and kill myself but never rested ether. Wasn't sad by any means but I really miss talking to the Boy Dog. Not all that busy but a few folks snow boarding effortlessly carved the beginners run. 


As I crested the ridge of that baby hill, huffing and puffing by the thin air and belly still full of adult spirits, I felt victorious!! 2.39 miles "straight" up sub 40 minutes. Reference Here - The 95 pound Boy Dog wore a full harness and we would climb this run in the Summer in UNDER 20 minutes. ( In the photo above, the white area right of dead center ) The Boy Dog & I would then hike up the run and button hook around that tree line opening. This was our No Excuse Loop. I would look down at him, he would look my direction, I asked if he was busy, he always replied with," My Agenda Is WIDE Open." No Excuse 


I headed East along the ridge and meandered along the groomed service road. Its a two way dirt road in the summer but its purpose now is a supply trail. Along that route were all these snow "hut" , "cave" , "igloos". Of course I felt compelled to leave someone a heart in the name of The Boy Dog. SHADOW BOY LIVES


Clipped along until I came to the "loading dock" area and removed the snowshoes. Back on pavement, snaked myself back on down the hill. I couldn't believe my eyes by the amount of new homes and under construction newer houses. Unbelievable 


But if I could afford it, I'd purchase two of them. So feel free to call me an american hypocrite. And Yes, If I was independently wealthy, not at all how I would disperse that capital. 


With The Boy Dog on my mind, no apperceiving visceral feelings, I recognized my awareness. It was satisfying to identify inner thoughts without festering or allowing it to consume me. And making these notes here and reflecting on those good times helps. 


It was a simply wonderful outing of observations, processing old engrams, and projecting unconditional love for this beautiful valley known as Crested Butte Colorado. 

Off The Balcony Looking North 
MONDAY MORNING:

After packing up, time to embark, started snowing as we made our last looks under beds, refrigerator, and living corders in general.  Can You Say Dicy??? And With A Trailer In Tow?!? I gingerly tooled on down the highway. Thankfully, I was at the helm as we skirted not one but two separate automobile accents. My Guess, Speed Related 


JANUARY NUMBERS:

Ride - 20
Miles - 322.2
Actives - 27
Snowshoe - 9.2 miles
Hikes w/Doc - 8.28 ( mainly Serpents Trail )
PR's - 9
Push Ups - 2,400 ( 100x24days ) Pyramid Program
Travel Days - 7
Days Off The Bike - 8

View Out The Front Door Of The Condo 


Like I Have Always Said," If I Didn't Have To Live With 9 People And Work 5 Jobs, I Would Move To Crested Butte Tomorrow."

Think Of Others First,
Cheers

41 comments:

  1. Hello, looks very cold but beautiful at the same time. I love the mountain scenery! My knees would be knocking if I had to drive a snow covered mountain in Colorado. Gorgeous scenic photos. Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy new week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You Are So Right!! Beautiful And Chilly Willy.

      Cheers

      Delete
  2. I am not a lover of Winter. I can tolerate the cold, but not the snow so I hibernate. However, your descriptions of your weekend were glorious and the scenery and blue skies just beautiful, No thank you to that snow covered road, bad enough in a car, can't imagine towing a trailer. I would have opted for another day or two at the hotel until the storm blew over. You're a better man than I, Gunga Din. šŸ˜‰

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I Wish We Could Have Stayed All Week. Thanx For Checking In And Hope You Enjoyed The T Brady Commercial.

      Cheers

      Delete
  3. Geweldige reportage van deze stoere sport.

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  4. I haven't seen snow in the while, miss that, thanks for the photos!

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    Replies
    1. Pleased Knowing You Are Enjoying The Snow Photos. More On The Way!!

      Cheers

      Delete
  5. Just such beautiful snowy landscape. That was rather busy but good weekend for you.

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    Replies
    1. Very Busy But Way Good. Thanx For popping In Mr Drew!!

      Cheers

      Delete
  6. Omg I'm sitting here in 38C it's soooooooo good to see these snowy images Padre, merci beaucoup šŸ˜Š Well you certainly have had a busy and fun time since you last checked in, Crested Butte looks amazingly fabulous and so many cherished memories of Boy Dog along the way šŸ’™ Have you had any thoughts about rescuing another furry friend ✨

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rescuing A Dog Isn't Even On My Radar These Days. Plus, Here In Colorado, Everyone Ether Has A Dog Or A Subaru. So I Get My Doggie Belly Rub Fix Often. Like On Super Bowl Sunday, I Played With Five Different Dogs Throughout The Day. Unfortunately, No Puppy Breath!!

      Big Hugs Perth,
      Cheers

      Delete
  7. wow...so wonderful views...
    Good luck for your racing....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yo T, Stoked You Saw These. Gr8 To Hear From You Again!!

      Cheers

      Delete
  8. It sounds as if you had a fabulous time in CB. I love that place too, although I gravitate toward the quieter parts of the wilderness. The fat bike race sounds like a blast! Very different from packing my own trails in the forest behind my house!

    I put up the Black Dog Sunday post today. Yup, running late!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Beyond Fabulous Time!! And You Understand. Thanx For The BLK Dog Photos With Is Sister. Totally Heart Melting Shots. Thanx Again For Always Checking In. Its Much Appreciated.

      Cheers

      Delete
  9. The Padre! Oh my, these views you kept giving us here are just magnificent! The window or the condo door views are just as amazing! At first I thought fat bikes are motorcycles but turns out they are very cool versions of bicycles with "fat" tires. That would suit me well with my heavy body. Great job on the January numbers, it's a great way to start the year, hope I can also make some progress with activity and exercise :)

    Stevenson

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Talk About 360 Views, They Are There. Yes, Boreals Brought A Trailer Full Of Bikes To Demo And Race For FREE!! In The Snow, The Tires Only Have About 5-9 Pounds Of Pressure. If They Have Too Much Air, You Bounce Along As If Riding Balloons. The Thin Air Would Kill Ya But The Fun Ride Was Perfect For ALL Levels. And Thanx For Your Kind Encouraging Words.

      Cheers

      Delete
  10. Oh WOW...such stunning pictures...and what a fabulous event...I would have loved to have been there!!
    Than you so much for sharing this...I really enjoyed!šŸ˜ŠšŸ˜Š

    Have a super day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Always Pleased To Share - Rather Enjoyable Weekend - Its Been A Dynamic Month So Far

      Cheers

      Delete
  11. I'm glad you were thirsty at the watering hole. Water is good for you. LOL

    Great photos, as always! Your snowy landscape is so different from what we're seeing here.

    ReplyDelete
  12. ...thanks for cooling me off, I see a few fat tire bikes on the beach here.

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  13. Hi So glad you dropped by my blog and commented-Enjoyed all of these photos-I lived in Colorado way back in the early '70s always missed those mountains Kathy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanx For Chiming In And Pleased You Enjoyed The Photos

      Cheers

      Delete
  14. Sounds like you are living the good life.
    Good air, body moving, enjoying people and wintry scenery.

    Thanks for your kind message and visit to my blog! Actually my other blog.....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You Are Very Welcome And I Am A True Winter Hound

      Cheers

      Delete
  15. Looks like an awesome weekend! I want to try the fat tire bikes in trails near me. No snow here in PA this year, but I have seen them previous years when I am running on snow-covered trails. They look like so much fun!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lets Think Snow!! Hope Steamboat Is In Your Future Here Soon.

      Stay Strong & Keep On Walking,
      Cheers

      Delete
  16. Great adventure! I wish I can join biking!
    Thanks for the wonderful photos :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You Are Very Welcome And More Winter Wonderland Photos Coming

      Cheers

      Delete
  17. That's a beautiful photo of Crested Butte. Looks like the sun is just kissing the very top of the mountain!

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  18. Im inspired! Reading about your experiences made me want to visit Crested Butte next time I'm in that neck of the woods!! The Fat Tire Bikes really looks like a lot of fun!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fat Bikes Are Very Cool - Takes Some Time To Trust The Bike And Not Ride The Brakes - Once You Overcome That Obstacle, Excitement Takes Over The Fear

      Cheers

      Delete
  19. Replies
    1. I As Well Cherish These Mountains - Thanx For Checking In

      Cheers

      Delete
  20. It was certainly an extraordinary weekend.
    I loved the landscapes, they are absolutely magnificent.
    Unfortunately I never learned to ride a bike
    Thanks for sharing these stunning photos.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. When We Cross Paths Someday, I Will Rent A Tandem Bicycle And Away We Will Ride - Thanx For All The Kind Words - I Sure Do Enjoy Snapping Off Photos

      Stay Strong,
      Cheers

      Delete
  21. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete