CTY Rd. I

I got a call from my buddy Nate Wells the other day wanting to talk about buddy stuff. I always enjoy getting a call from my buddy Nate. We enjoy the same things, have a lot in common, and we both can never sit still.

I guess you could say I got Nate into cross country skiing, he got me into road biking, and we both got each other into mountain biking. and so through the course of our buddy conversation Nate wanted to know if I was going to do any of upcoming Wisconsin Series road races. Now this means one of two things; Nate is itching to get back into competitive riding or Nate has been riding for the last four weeks and wants to kick his buddies ass. My hunch is that it is the latter.

And so I knew it was time to get busy training. Friday I went on my first 2+ hour ride and payed for it. Saturday I decided to kayak the Eau Claire river. The trip was relaxing when I wasn't in the mild class 3 rapids with 45 degree water temps all while in a 13 ft kayak. In the end I was able to stay dry and enjoyed more than my previous trip (see previous post).

Monday came and along with it came another 80 degree day. I couldn't handle being in the office anymore knowing that Nate would be riding while I sat on my butt. So I hammered out another 40 miles in 2 1/2 hours. You don't get too many perfect days in the spring were the sun is warm and the wind is fairly calm.

When you ride in the middle of the pack, training takes on a whole new meaning. I train to become better but the more I train the more I want to be the best in the next race. For the pros, I have a hunch that they train so that they can stay the best. A 2+ hour ride is tough for a guy who always finds himself in the middle! I sometimes lose sight of why I'm on my bike. I lose a bit of perspective when my drive to be better becomes my sole motivation.

During the 82nd mile that I was logging in on my bike over the weekend, I found myself out on CTY Rd. I approaching a bit of history in my life. On my right side was my families farm. I mean, its not in the family anymore (it was sold some years ago), but I still consider it our families farm.

It is dwelling where my family roots in America began. It is where my Grandmother was born and raised. It was where my Grandfather, whom I never met, helped his in laws with the chores, it is where my mother learned how to milk cows and throw hay. My training, my passion to become better, brought me back to my roots.

And as the 82nd mile came and left, I was peddling my training back into perspective. I train not to become the greatest. I because there is an unexplainable passion that is deep within me. Its the same passion that brought my family to a farm nestled beneath the rolling hills on CTY Rd. I. Its the same passion that brought my grandparents together nearly a hundred years ago. And its the same passion that still tells me it is our farm!

Nate...its on!

Sturgie

You'll have that...

The first week of spring. I'm slowly getting my MTB built and have finished getting my road bike tuned up for some spring riding. So in the meantime I figured it would be a great day for a Kayak jaunt down Otter Creek, catch the Eau Claire river, and then onto the Chippewa to finish at Hobbs Ice Arena. I figured two hours on the creek/river and be home in time for supper at 7:00. Yea...

My brother drove me so that I could put on Otter Creek below Kohl's. Things were looking up for a great afternoon on the river, 55 degree temps, fairly high river, fast currents, and not a cloud in the sky. Adam drove off and I was soon paddling down the mighty Otter Creek...well not really mighty.

It was only 1 mile into the trip, literally, one mile, when I came into a wind fall that landed across the creek. Now you must understand Otter Creek is not really meant for a 13' kayak. And so being pushed into the fallen tree sideways, with a brisk current, it didn't take long, maybe a blink of an eye, and I was upside down in freezing cold water checking out the bottom of the creek.

This is what happens when you float the Otter Creek in a 13 ' kayak

I had to pull my spray skirt off, swim out from under the tree, and proceed to run down the creek trying to catch my paddle. It was cold, it was wet, and it was a blast. I thought it was going to be a simple trip so I had phone, wallet, and camera with me. They got soaked and are still drying out today!

After gathering everything, I managed to finish the trip in 3 hours. A little longer than I thought. I got out of the river at the Archery Park off of 53 seeing as it was 7:30 and the sun had well gone under. I walked my cold, soaked butt home, threw my clothes off and stood in the shower for a good half hour.

I think I'm going to ride tomorrow instead. Needless to say, I'm about giving perspective from the middle of the pack. In most races you will see me somewhere in the middle, but for right now how about a perspective from the bottom of Otter Creek!

Kayak On,

Sturgie

Garage

The ski season was miserable...have I mentioned that yet? In fact it was so bad that I ended up dropping a whopping $45 on wax. Now if you know me you know that $45 is unimaginable. I easily drop $300 plus on wax in a season. So needless to say, this ski season was easy on the pocket book!

So...I ordered my new wheels. Well, soon the wheels will be on but for now I have my new frame. So here is the bike that you can catch me on in the middle of the pack this summer.

RXC Team: Felt Superlight XC Series Easton Scandium, with Carbon Fiber Seat Stays, Integrated Cane Creek Head Set and it weighs in at a scrawny 2.86 lbs!

Most of the components will come from my former race bike with the exception of the new 2007 XTR components. My motto is that I may not be fast but at least I look fast...somewhat.

The temps for this week will be in favor of a biker. Which is good considering all my cronies and fiance are all in warm weather this spring break.

Bike On!

Sturgie

Three's Company

This last week has been a week of adjusting and preparing. The weather is getting pretty sweet in E.C. With a week of 40 degree + weather the snow levels have gone from 12" to 6" in a matter of days. And as I write this the red stuff on the thermometer is nearing 52 degrees.

My motivation for skinny skiing after the Birkie basically falls off the radar. The weeks after the Birkie are filled with work, eating food that I would not necessarily eat during the season, and an occasional ski with Nikole. Its a time where my brain can relax and my body can enjoy exercise a little bit differently.

So with the lull in training, my mom thought it would be a good idea to tell Nikole about this dog that was being given away. For those who do not know, I already have a dog and Nikole has a dog as well. Two dogs is enough, right? Well not for Nikole and me. After caring and mature conversations about getting a third dog, which only lasted ten minutes for Nikole (which she dominated), we found ourselves heading up to Philips, WI to pick -up what is now our third dog. Yea...you heard right, welcome little and energetic Chessie, a Vizsla with some sas.

Chessie is settling in quite well and is finding her place. Deuce doesn't care, Stella wants to play but is scared to, and Chessie just wants to be on our laps. We are officially "that couple" with "those dogs."

So if two dogs kept us busy, now three keeps us on our toes. Its a nice change from skiing to biking by hiking through the beautiful E.C. trails along Eau Claire Country Club with three dogs. So with rain in the forecast I plan to hang the skis up for the season and get my bikes of the trainer.

Hike On

Sturgie

Birkie or Bust

After the Chequamegon Fat Tire I usually need a break from training. I tend to take a couple months off and it usually ends up being a couple too many. And as soon as the snow flies I bring out the running shoes and anticipate the first snow storm that will being the first ski. This year was different.

After the Fat Tire I kept my road bike out and logged in a couple of hours here and there and before I knew it I was biking well into November, something that was new for me. I also ran across a kick butt deal on a pair of Marwe roller skis on Ebay. And so I had a wonderful transition from the bike to the snow...oh wait...that transition period, yea, that ended up being four months instead of what use to be the typical two and half months.

I was stoked for the cross country ski season. I logged many hours on both my MTB and my road bike. I even managed some great roller ski workouts later in the fall and was raring to go come snow time. And so November passed with a small snow storm that left 8" of wet stuff that was gone by deer season. December came and so did the rain. Christmas was brown and the new year was brought in with a mix of rain and snow. Great...eight weeks till Birkie and I have yet to get on snow.

We eventually got our snow on January 15th and by the 24th we actually had poor skiing. But I was skiing and by then I had spent so much energy watching the weather and thinking I could control it that I lost all motivation what-so-ever to train and before I knew it I wasn't looking forward to the Birkie. Weird feelings to not be looking forward to Birkie time.

And so last weekend was Birkie weekend. On the Wednesday before the race it looked as if it were going to be a bust. 50 degree weather and rain! But by Friday the call had been made. The elite would competitively race while the remaining 5,000+ would ski the Birkie non-competitively and untimed. I was bummed and yet in the back of my mind I jumping up and down.

And so here is your perspective from the middle of the pack. Man was it a blast. I skied with Aaron Halberg, Hank, Sarah, and Kevin Westlund. Kevin is my mentor and its because of him I'm the skier that I am today. Aaron, Sarah, and Hank are all friends who encourage each other, give a little competitive trash talking here and there...but most importantly they are there to make the sport what it is.

And so we all skied together. Talking, laughing, and having a great time. Was was great to ski the Birkie and finish with the people who care for you and the sport of cross country skiing. I admire those people, my friends. For it is in them that find encouragement and dedication! Kevin passed on the passion for skiing that I have today. And it is because of this passion that I someday yearn to have the perspective from the elite wave. I strive for that Birkie race day when I will have that perspective. Till then, enjoy the view from the middle of the pack...with friends!

Ski on

Sturgie

Three time Olympian, 1998 Birkie winner, and former professional Mountain Biker Carl Swenson wanting his picture with me.

Saturday Night post race party at the Sawmill! Two suave dudes with their fiances!

Sunday took the dogs out on the lake for a post Birkie ski! Wouldn't you know it...night after the Birkie Hayward gets hit with 10" of snow!Taking time out from wedding planning to do a little R & R on the skinny skis!