Happy Belated New Year

Happy New Year to all. Hope everyone had a great holiday. Certain individuals have complained to me about my lack of blogging so here it goes:

Training has been going okay. I haven't been out on the road a lot due to the nasty weather. I particularly want to get out on the weekends but everytime the weekend rolls around it is pouring raining or snowing. Finally this past Saturday I went out and rode with my friend Mark, mostly on snow (and ice) covered paths but we did manage one short section of singletrack. Figures that it section I nearly slide into a gully trying to navigate a short, narrow bridge. Anyways we went out for 3 hours and surprisingly I didn't not feel all that tired. I thought it would have been worse. I think my biggest issue is going to be the fact that I put on some Christmas weight. I always say I won't let it happen but never have much luck with that.

On the team front I am riding with Team Recover-Ease for 2006. Recover-Ease (www.recover-ease.com) is a new recovery supplement on the market and they are trying to promote it in part by sponsoring a team of atheletes. I didn't go for much else in the way of sponsorship....I am happy with what I have now so I didn't feel there was a need.

As far as races go this year, once again my season will begin with with the 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo in Tucson, Arizona. This race is always a toss up in terms of fitness so I never expect much out of it and just go to have fun.

Next race might be 24 Hours of Adrenalin in Idyllwild, California at the end of April. I am going to be in the area for business during that time so I might take my bike with me and do the race. Perhaps as a tag team with my brother. This is the location that I rode the 24 Hour World Solo Championships in 2001. It won't be as hot this time, but could be very cold a night.

In May I am going to do the Burn 24 Hour (www.burn24hour.com) in North Carolina which I did a few years ago. It was a fun, low key event so I am looking forward to doing it again.

In June is the 24 Hours of Summer Solstice (www.chicoracing.com) which is the largest 24 hour race in North America. This was the scene of my infamous crash last year which basically ruined my season. If I can be in as good shape this year as I was last year at this time then the race should go well. I'll be plenty rested with 4 weeks between the Burn and this one.

July is totally up in the air. I'll be on vacation and might just use the month to recharge my batteries for the 2nd half of the season. There is a race in Wisconsin at the end of July which is the NORBA National Championship....it is intriguing plus many of the racers will be going for the national title which I would not be eligible for so I would be in a different catagory. It might end up in a good result.

August is the 24 Hours of Albion Hills. I haven't decided if I am going to do this as a team or solo yet. I haven't done a team 24 hour in so long it might be fun. But then I would envy the solo's.

September brings the 24 Hours in Pisgah (North Carolina)....I've been eyeing this race for awhile, but I think I will wait and see how I feel. September also brings the Dirty 100 and an 8 hour the following weekend which are both close to home.

Lastly, in November is La Rute (www.adventurerace.com) in Costa Rica. I have wanted to do this 3 day stage race across Costa Rica for a long time. I almost went in 2001 but then qualified for the World's and did that instead. It would be an expensive adventure but something I would remember forever.

Sprinkle in a few "regular" mountain bike races and maybe even a road race and you have my season. An aggressive one for sure, but hopefully everything will work out and it will be a successful one to!

Steve