Just another great weekend

I would like to take this moment to say that I can't believe how amazing my teammates are. How did I get so lucky to ride along side these wonderful people? Stu, you saved me. Thanks for the water when the aid station wasn't there. When I couldn't eat anything because my mouth was so dry and you gave me your water bottle to wash down my food, I knew then that I was apart of something special. That was the best part of my entire 9 hours and 59 minutes of racing. And Jeff, for pushing and encouraging me and Laura, making believe that it was all possible. THANKS!!! And of course, for Alpine Orthopeadics for making it possible, for letting me have the opportunity to even start the race.
So, now you know how I feel you need to know what I did. It was the Breckenridge 100. Which is a sweet 100 miles mt bike race in Breckenridge, CO. Any time you think you want to race a 100 miles on your mt bike and you hear about the Leadville 100 remember this, it sucks compared to the Breck 100. You could either ride 100 miles on a road (in Leadville ) or you could ride sweet single track and mt passes in the Breck 100. Which, of course, is what I did. We do three different loops, the first one topping out at 12,500 feet on single track with a sweet little steep sketchy decent. More single track back to the pit area. Next is the lap with 4,600 feet of climbing, which keeping in mind means you get to descend 4,600 feet. Part of which is the famous Colorado Trail. Then the last lap over another pass to Como with a steep climb but lots of single track and one impossible long (at least for that time in the race) climb back to the pass for the FINAL descent. Yep, there are such things as final descents and they are things of beauty and wonder and all things good. And that is just how I felt when I knew it was all downhill for a little more than 8 miles.
And then the finish line. Ahhhhh. What a wonderful site. And as it worked out I was able to pull off a first place.
So here's to great weekends in the mountains with Great Friends and Teammates.
jari

Greetings from a very green and flower filled Colorado. It has been a few weeks of training and racing and I just wanted to keep you in the loop.

First, I placed 2nd at the Teva Games in the All Mountain Challenge. It was a great weekend with 4 hard fast events. The first was a bit scary because the water level was above flood stage and I ended up swimming in the white water portion of the event. It was cold and fun but a little stressful. Then a mt bike race with 30 pro's. SWEET. I was able to get a great night sleep and then the 10 trail run first thing Sunday morning. It wasn't like any trail race I have ever done. It was really just a hike strait up then as fast as you could strait down, repeat a few times. All followed by then uphill time trail. Which I can't believe I could do after running strait down Vail mt. All in all it was a great weekend and I can't wait to do it again next year, without the swimming part.

Three weeks again I raced the Mountain States Cup, here in Crested Butte, the Wildflower Rush. The 44 mile course was perfect and at the day was ended up 6th. My best MSC race finish to date. Finally I am getting into my grove.
Then this last weekend I went to SnowMass and did another MSC. It was only a two hour race with the last ten minutes pouring down rain and hail. I pulled out a 6th place and feel like I am ready for the Breckenridge 100 this weekend. So wish me luck and hopefully I will have good things to tell you come Monday.

Till then

jari k.

MSC #5 - Blast the Mass

Team AO had a great showing this past weekend in Snowmass at Blast the Mass - round #5 in the Mountain States Cup Series.

Young Gun Travis Scheefer has been working with Dr. Griggs all year and is coming into shape as planned. He rocked a 2nd place finish in the Short track on Saturday despite the hail that was landing, and then 4th on Sunday in the XC. Travis was incredible in the XC race, duking it out at the top of the climb on the 2nd lap with none other than Jay Henry (Tokyo Joes). A flat tire ended the possibility of throwing down with Jay at the Finish, but to be there riding with Jay at the top of the climb - well that says it all about what kind of shape he's in right now. Even with the flat, 4th place was rather awesome.

New cat to Team AO, Bryan Dillon in his first pro race, got 10th. Bryan is only 22, has been in 2 races this year, and he won them both, and in good fashion. In applying for his first USA cycling license, he was put right up into the Pro category with the results he's proven so far, and he proved it with a 10th place finish in his first pro race - and with a crash. A bit shooken up with the crash and being up against the big dogs, he had quite a result. Jeff Irwin dogging a little mid-season malaise in the legs finished 14th.

For the Pro Ladies, Jari Kirkland finished in 6th, and Laura Anderson 7th on the rather unrelenting Snowmass course. Laura finished just as the heavens were releasing their fury again this past weekend.

Dave here got 3rd - Cat 1 (30-39)- thanks to a little assistance by Doc G! I was pretty bummed about my race in Breck the previous weekend, but Doc G has advised me with a training schedule to keep my sights in focus, and try to eliminate those doldrum days. Stew Gross rocked another 5th place - Cat 1 (19-29). Stew has been on the up and up all year - keep at it man!

The Team AO Juniors Blasted their own Mass and rocked the scene over there.

Pete Landry got 2nd - Jr Men 14 and under, his sister Arly got 2nd place - Cat 2 women. Then David Duesbout got 11th in Cat 2 - but had some mechanicals.

All in all - great weekend, and the good stuff is still to come. Team AO RULES!!!!!!!!!

Firecracker 50

Travis Scheefer put in a huge effort to crack the top 10 at the US National Marathon Championships. Travis rocked a 9th place finish, 22 minutes behind 2 time Champ Jeremy Horgan Kobelski. Travis rode real smart and put in a solid 2nd lap to jump places and eventually get into the top 10. The lad is getting the distance down, once he gets that to match his speed - watch out Past Marathon Champs!

Heather Irmiger took the title for the ladies, keeping it in the family with JHK being her husband.

Gunnison Legend Dave Wiens turned on the heat himself to knock off all the younger fellas and slot into 3rd place, 11 minutes behind JHK. Wiens picked em off one after another on his 2nd lap. Damn Leadville is going to be good this year!

Awesome event in Breckenridge, sick weather, and a HUGE result for Scheefer and Wiens.

Allison Gannet's Rippin Chix Camps

Over the course of Fat Tire Bike Week, Alison put on some Women's clinics and had a sick turnout. I heard nothing but love for the time spent and the girls seemed to really pick up a good bit of advice, tips, and support.

Alison had several local ladies out there as additional instructors/support. Missy Ochs, Sydney Fuller, Stacey Van Aernum, and Sarah Ballantyne amongst them - nice job ladies!

Check out Alison's Camps at http://www.alisongannett.com/Alison_Gannett/Rippin_Chix_Bike.html