Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Going Home

That's about all I have to say after the past 31 days in Butte, Montana.
Where ol' Man Winter just can't seem to give it up!
Finally will get sunshine and warm temps to ride.
I'll come back to Montana when it warms up!

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Heading Back To The Mojave

Got a date to rebuild my new Stumpjumper Expert Carbon 29er when I get back to Vegas this week. The Thule travel case with my baby tucked away inside arrived at the house yesterday. Can't wait to get her back together and out in the desert at Blue Diamond and Red Rock Canyon.

The weather here in Montana has been awful and I have lost my training edge being here the last 30 days.

Aim to hit it hard when I get home. The weather is forecast in the low 80s for the next 10 days.

Ya...freak'n... hoo!

Friday, April 22, 2011

Heading Home to The Mojave For A Cycling Fix












There just hasn't been the kind of weather for cycling opportunities since I got to Butte in late March. I really had expectations of getting some top tube time on my new Specialized Stumpjumper Expert 29er. Apparently this has been one of those long winters in SW Montana. Pictured is a portion of a mountain bike route  I have ridden during the summer. On this date, I encountered slushy conditions which weren't conducive to a clean bike or dry, warm feet. And, with the gradient, the traction was tenuous at best.  This is the same route the Tour Divide racers use to leave Butte on their way to Wise River, Polaris, Lima, and points south. I've ridden across this railroad trestle on several occasions getting to Pipestone Pass, but I wouldn't attempt it in conditions such as these.

Well, after several frustrating false starts on the 29er, I finally threw in the towel this week, broke the bike down, boxed it up in the Thule, and sent it packing southbound on a FedEx truck this past Thursday to the warmer climate of Las Vegas where I live during the Winter. It will be waiting for me when I return home next week. I hope I haven't lost too much of the conditioning I had before I came back to Butte some 27 days ago. 

Yes, my fellow MT cycling friends, it should be clear why I choose to live in the Mojave during the Winter months. I get to ride everyday as sunshine is always plentiful and the temps are usually 30+ degrees higher there than here in Silver Bow County. 

I'll be back with the bikes in late May, but am well aware there might not be an appreciable change in the conditions. It's Montana after all! It snows all year round at altitude. But, when the weather is good, there isn't anywhere I'd rather be across the top tube.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

My Spring Fling in Montana

It all started in Las Vegas on a clear, sunny day on March 27 as I boarded a Delta jet bound for Butte, Montana. The purpose of my trip was to cover the Outdoorsman for two weeks while the owner, Rob Leipheimer, was off on a European ski adventure. The trip to Salt Lake was uneventful, although I noticed the storms to the north of SLC on approach to land. After a short transfer, I boarded my flight to Butte with about 23 other folks.

The flight to Butte was scheduled to last 53 min, but at 57 minutes into the flight I knew we were in deep kimchi. As a pilot, I know all too well what an entry into a holding pattern feels like. After about two complete holding pattern loops the pilot came on the intercom and said that snow conditions in Butte had shut down approach into the airport. He said we had enough fuel to circle for about 30 minutes before attempting to land. After 37 minutes we exited the holding pattern. The pilot came back on the intercom and said we were heading back to Salt Lake. Ten minutes south bound back to SLC, the pilot came back on the intercom and said there had been a break in the weather and they were going back to Butte to attempt to land. Well, things were looking up! It didn't last long. As you can see from our aborted landing in a snow storm over Butte, Montana shot on my iPhone.

As luck would have it, we climbed out and headed to Helena to refuel, as at that point the plane didn't have the required fuel reserves to make it back to Salt Lake. We landed in Helena and were given two options: to stay on and attempt another landing in Butte and if aborted a second time head back to Salt Lake; or get off without our luggage. I decided to get off! I managed to talk the ground crew into getting off my carry on bag that had a week's change of clothing and headed off to see about a car rental. I was in luck and rented a car that I would drive to Butte, some 63 miles to the south.


This is what I encountered. A nearly 50 mile drive through the same snow storm that forced the aborted landing in Butte. It was a Butte-e-fully adventurous day. One I'll never forget. At least I made it to Butte. The flight refueled in Helena, went back to Butte for a second landing attempt which was also aborted. They flew all remaining passengers who didn't bail in Helena back to Salt Lake for an overnight. My luggage didn't get back into Butte until Tuesday morning, two days later. I made the correct decision!