Steve Tilford

Yesterday I didn’t ride my MTB like I said I was going to the whole time in Cable. We rode on road bikes for 45 miles. I thought I was more beat than I actually was, but that was fine. Last night we went to eat at the original Famous Dave’s BBQ on Round Lake. We ate outside in the back, overlooking the Lake Owen and it was perfect. Not a bad way to spend a Monday night.

Today is Trudi’s birthday. I had planned to be in Utah or Colorado, but her schedule changed around, mainly because of Cadel coming to the Pro Challenge in Colorado, so we’ll have to celebrate next week. She’ll have a nice birthday in Deer Valley.

Keith Walberg’s video from the dirty Kanza is in a contest with a couple others at Dirt Rag. You can vote. Click here to go to the site and see the videos. Don’t forget to click like to vote.

The sports writers of the paper voted me 22 best athlete in there opinion. They only used file pictures they had, from way back, in the article, so there are some pretty good photos from a long time ago. One, I’m shaving my legs in my bathtub. Anyway, click here for the link.

Lots of results from this weekend. Brian Jensen, my team mater from Tradewind, won the Missouri State Criterium Championships in Jefferson City on Sunday. Brian Matter won the Ore to Shore MTB race in a sprint with Cole House. And last, but not least, Todd Wells won the Leadville 100 MTB race. Congratulations to Vincent, Sergio, Dan Huges, Drew, Lynne and all the other friends that got their belt buckles.

Today we’re going to ride the 20 miles down to the start of the Chequamegon race in Hayward and then ride the whole course and then back to Dennis’ house. That will be something in the mid-60’s range, which seems pretty far on a MTB bike. Then, of course, the after race swim in Lerche Lake.

Dennis and Catherine riding. There are nearly zero automobiles encountered on a ride. Beautiful scenery.

Dinner on the deck.

The belt buckle - Sergio's buckle from the Leadville 100.

Dennis modeling his new clothing, acting like a goofball, which is obvious.

Here’s a video of Trudi feeding at the Tour of Utah. Pretty professional.

I rode the complete Chequamegon Fat Tire 40 course today and was thinking about the course times and “records”. I was kind of thinking about reading about Todd comparing his times to JHK, etc. after winning Leadville on Saturday.

My view on comparing times in MTB races is like trying to compare times in cyclo-x races year to year. It is totally irrelevant what the winning time is. It is just who wins. The course conditions and weather dictate the times immensely.

The Chequamegon course has changed dramatically year to year. I’ve won with a 2:18 and got 3rd with a 2:02 or so. The course mainly changes from the logging, thus resurfacing roads, etc. The route has changed too, with the Forest Service closing roads and Gary just changing the course. So, a course record is not really important.

Anyway, the course right now is pretty slow. The Birkie Trail is really eroded from all the rain. And most of the road have new thick gravel, making them much slower. I’d been really surprised if the time in a month is fast.

Catherine and I rode the course in about 2:45 today going pretty hard. I rode the Seeley Firetower Climb in my big ring and felt good at the top. I doubt that was the correct gear to go up the climb the quickest, but it was comfortable. Anyway, it was a super nice day to ride out in the North Woods. I went by to see Mr. Fat himself, Gary Cradell, but he was up in Duluth hanging this afternoon. So then went by the Rivery Eatery and had a beer on the way back to Dennis’ house. It was sooooo good. We’re just loading up to go back there right now for dinner. Pretty good day.