Todd Wells

The South

We're living large at the Bump and Grind. The flights were great, our bags made it and weather is perfect. I hope we don't get beat up for speaking in our "southern voice" in the wrong situation. Last night the hostess at the restaurant asked Rude and I to take off our hats, they do things different down here.

The Maples are a staple of Durango. The family has run the Coke plant in town since it's inception. There is an article in the new Durango Magazine about the family. 

 

Flying out of Durango we had this guy on our flight. Check out his sweet duffel bag and backpack. 

When we got to Birmingham we ran into to Greg in the airport. His teammates left him stranded at the airport last minute but luckily we had room in our car and Rude had an extra bed in his hotel room. Greg's free hub blew up yesterday too so needless to say he isn't having the best trip so far. Sometimes that's when you end up having your best races though. 

Thursday, Bowman and I went roosting up in Mancos on the Alpine Loop. We only got to do a portion of the ride though because Bowman's radiator blew up halfway in. Luckily it was mostly uphill till that point so he could coast/push most of the way out and I was able to drive pretty far in and pick him up. We were riding up at like 10,000 ft and it was freezing, muddy and lots of puddles. The trails were really fast and I actually got it into 4th and 5th gear a couple times. 

The Pro course runs the opposite direction of the amateur at the Bump and Grind. I'm looking forward to riding on a closed course today after having a few near head on collisions with other riders yesterday. There's a lot of single track and a long downhill paved road section. The course is much different then the World Cups we've been doing but should be fun. 

I wonder if Winston is playing with Sammy right now.....

Early Mornings

I always wake up early when I get back from Europe for a few days. I managed to sleep in the first two days but am up early today. I got my pictures downloaded from my phone so here goes. 

Europe usually never has any lines at security or customs but this line was crazy in Brussels. 

So the Dart and I got randomly drug tested at the race while we were riding the course. Check out the guy's sunglasses. 

Now that I get my own room at the races my stuff blows up in room even more then before. 

My room had some sweet pictures, I'm not sure if they're as good as Houffalize though. 

Susi was throwing up gang signs while we were training in the park, I think this is the only picture I have of the Dart riding where he isn't doing something goofy. 

When we rode to dinner we didn't have a bike for Claire, our swanny. Susi took care of it though, what a nice guy. 

The Dart was making fun of me for wearing so many clothes on our ride. I knew I was going to get hot and sweaty riding the course and then cool down while we were eating lunch at the trailer before we had to ride back. The guy is bundled up in towels, Claire's vest and guzzling the chocolate milk. 

Starbucks are taking over the world, Madrid Spain. 

It's hard to describe the feeling you get after finishing a World Cup. I am usually very stressed and focused leading up to the race because it's so hard, hurts so bad and is so exciting. I am super relaxed after the race knowing it's over and I don't have to race for a few more days. Spain was extra nice because we raced early, 12:30 and had more of the day to hang out and relax. Sunday post race. 

I just unpacked 2 days ago but it's time to fill up the bags again for Alabama this weekend. They decided to change the start time of our race in past few weeks from 9am to 3pm. That's just great since my mechanic Myron was suppose to fly out at 4pm. 

I wonder if it's going to rain again this afternoon....

Madrid

Forgot my USB cable to connect my phone to the computer so I won't have any pictures up till I get home. 

The trip over was good, had business class for the long trip and first class for the domestic portion(except out of Durango, there are no different cabins). Slept most of the Euro flight and all of the domestic Euro flight. Benno was at the airport when the Dart and I got in and we were at the course less then an hour after landing, that's nice. Not only did Benno dial in the airport pickup, he had my bag I left in Europe in my room along with fruit and water when I got here. He also had this cool new Maloja clothing we got there too. Jackets, hoodies, etc.... This team is dialed. 

The Dart and I had some lattes and busted out an ez ride around the park. They have moved almost all the hookers out of the park this year, not much going on there other then people cruising around on bikes. The did build a huge new roller coaster at the amusement park adjacent to the race course. The thing is gigantic. 

It was really hot the first two days we were here, maybe in the upper 80s, lower 90s and the course was super dusty. It rained today and I don't think it got much above 70 degrees and tomorrow looks like more of the same. If it doesn't the rain the course will be in perfect condition, if it does it could be a little slower then normal. 

I don't have the best start position for tomorrow since I didn't finish the last 2 races and didn't ride well at the first one. I'm lining up 48 which is risky on this course since the first K is down a single wide dirt road lined with trees where guys can comfortably ride 2 abreast but at the start we will be banging elbows four wide. I'm hoping to avoid the crashes at the beginning and the rest should work its self out. I'm riding the 29er as long as it doesn't rain too much since I worry about the extra weight of the mud sticking to the tires. 

We have been eating dinner at some Texas Steakhouse place near the hotel the past two nights. Last night Susi rode with Claire up there on his handle bars since it takes like 15 minutes to walk or 5 minutes to ride. The hotel has a good breakfast and Merida, Topeak Ergon and the Bartman's team are all staying here. 

It's almost time for dinner and I don't have much motivation to update with out pictures. 

I wonder how Meg is going to do in the half marathon tomorrow....

Edge of your seat

It seems like I haven't been on the site in weeks, probably because it has. 

The training has been going good. The trails are all in great shape and there are wild flowers booming everywhere. 

Herting I went dirt biking the other day. It was awesome. First he helped me install my dirtbike/bike rack in the back. 

Speaking of the bike, it's looking it awesome. I still haven't got it registered yet but it's just waiting on the paper work. 

The 3D head quarters is pretty cool. That's a single speed belt drive 29er at the bottom of the picture and a soap box derby car at the top. 

This is what Meg and I need in Mexico to ride to town on the beach. 

Durango had it's first ever Area Cross on Saturday at the Fair Grounds right in the middle of town. It was Rad. The Fun Center supercross team was there as well as a bunch of other moto guys. It's amazing how good those guys are. Myles Rockwell won his class on the Kawasaki. The last time I was at the Fair Grounds Mapel's Dad was buying full cows at the auction and the 120 truck loads of dirt later it looked like this. Notice the racer in the lower right boosting the triple. 

I rode the new Three Springs trail off Horse Gulch yesterday. It's a little sandy but a great addition to the existing trail system. I can't believe how many awesome trails we have here right from town. I don't think their is anyplace with as many single track trail systems right in town as Durango. 

I've been getting on Euro time for the past few days. I don't mind getting up early but I hate going to bed while the sun is still up and eating dinner at 4pm, at least I'll get to have RGP's for dinner tonight.

Saw Absalon was 3rd in some UCI race in Belgium last weekend to Nys and someone else. That guy never wins a small race and only seems to go full gas at the World Cups and Worlds.  He doesn't waste energy when it doesn't matter and appears to have his training completely figured out, must be nice. 

I can't wait to get over to Madrid on Thursday, hope I can sleep on the plane. My upgrade went through so I'm also hoping I'm on a 767 because those are all newly converted to lie flat seats in business. 

I wonder what Gullys' doing right now..... 

Durango

I'm settling in nicely back in Durango. With clear blue skies, temperatures in the low 80s and not too much wind I have been loving it. It doesn't get dark until 8:30 and I have had no problem getting back on US time. I am hoping to lose about 4 lbs in these next 2 weeks. I always gain weight when I'm on the road in Europe. Could be the sea level, the minimal riding between races, all the chocolate I eat or other away from home comfort food. Meg has been taking good care of me though so I think I'm on track. 

I'm up to 35,000 flight miles so far this year, not bad considering I didn't start traveling until the end of March. 

I have had great training the past few days, which doesn't always translate to great races but I'm hoping it does this time. It was a little strange to be home this weekend and not at a race. It was a nice break but I'm chomping at the bit to get back out there. Less then 2 weeks until Madrid!

After being canceled at the beginning of the year, the Durango Tuesday Night Worlds are back. They even have their own website and an earlier start time. http://tuesdayworlds.blogspot.com

Even though I didn't race today, Meg did. There was a 10K trail run in Horse Gulch today so I was the support person, well Winston and I. We had the water bottle ready and did a perfect hand up. 

Luke from Peak PT has been working on my knee/fibular head everyday. We are trying something different today so I'm hoping tomorrow it will feel even better. I'm also looking to break out the new dirt bike tomorrow for the first time since I've been home. I have a short spin in the morning and then hopefully I'll be roosting in the afternoon. 

No pictures for the site, I know lame but when I'm home I have too much other stuff to do. 

I wonder what the Darts' doing right now.....

Home and Healthy

I'm back home in Durango after 6 weeks on the road. It's nice to be home but I feel like I didn't accomplish what I set out to on this past trip so I'm looking forward to getting back out there again. I started feeling better the day after Houffalize, go figure. That is my favorite race of the year and the one I was hoping to be good for. I watched it from the window of our hotel and on Freecaster. Watching a race has to be the hardest thing to do as an athlete. 

The weather here in Durango has been amazing. The temperatures have been in the upper 70s and low 80s. It's been bright blue sky with no clouds and only minimal wind. I rode in the passes a few days ago with just shorts and ss jersey. The trails are perfect as well since it rained/snowed a week ago, fast and not even dusty yet. 

I have been spending time with Dr. Frank and Luke trying to get my femoral head squared away. It has been bothering me for over 2 months and I'm hoping to get it taken care of before I head back to Madrid for the next World Cup. I can't wait to get back over there and race, back to the big show. 

I wonder what Winston ate while I was gone because he is BIG right now....

No Race For Me ):

I won't be participating in the World Cup today in Houffalize. I have been fighting a cold all week and the past 2 days have been the worst. I have been spending the past few days holed up in my room doing nothing other then wiping my nose and trying to rest for the race. 

Now I'm just hoping I'll be OK to fly home tomorrow. What a waste of a trip, a DNF in Offenburg and a DNS in Houffalize, not what I was hoping for. 

Entourage is Kicked

Well I finished my last episode of Entourage today. That sucks since I still have a few days with nothing to do. The Tour of Romandie has been on but how much fun is it to watch a TTT in french? I would rather watch Euro MTV then that. 

I have been fighting a cold all week and it has been morphing slightly each day but it hasn't cracked yet. I've still be riding, very little but holding out hope that I will be better by Sunday. I have been consuming large amounts of Zicam, vitamin C and B. 

Rode a few laps of the course today and it dried out so much. It's super fast and tacky. Right now I'm leaning towards the 29er since it looks like it will be dry. I feel faster in most sections but there are some that are really bumpy and feel great on the Epic. Choices, choices. 

Meg is still in Mexico and hoping they don't close the border so she is able to fly home on Monday. If they do close it though San Panch is a pretty good place to be stuck. I think it would be hard to catch the Pig flu on an empty beach in a tiny town. 

Oh yea, have some more gossip from the race. Miguel Martinez is here racing. He got fired by his Felt team b/c he was found guilty of beating his wife and wasn't allowed to leave France for what I thought was 6 months. Somehow he is here and he even has a new lady with him. She is bigger then him which isn't hard to be since the guy is a midget. It makes for some good jokes at the dinner table at least. 

Houffalize is packed right now. It takes forever to go anywhere since there are so many people everywhere. Everyone is here for the race and it is amazing how much different mountain bike racing is here in Europe versus the US. Belgium and Germany are hot spots for it and the people show out in force. 

I wonder if TT is still parked out in front of our house......