FJ40 Land Cruiser Pics. FINALLY......

The FJ is back, and we are enjoying it while the weather is still nice. Would have been great this summer with the hot temps, but it took a lot longer to get finished than I had thought. Here are some before and after pics. Just the body work is done, now it is time to accesorize. Future plans:

New Suspension & Lift

New Wheels and Tires

Roof Rack

Brush Guard & Winch

Getting Closer.....

Before........

After.......

Before........After..........

I'm putting the top back on it tonight, so I will post some pics tomorrow of the top on. The top looks just as good as the rest of it. All the emblems are new, new quarter panels, new rear sill, new running boards, the entire inside is rhino lined and then painted blue. I like it!!!!!!

Callin' Smokey the Bear!!

Well, another Lightning storm came ripping through last night, and started another blaze out the back out our house. Pretty small still, but really windy outside, so it'll move quickly. It was super small this morning when I was out riding, and we went to Costco, and by the time we came back, it was MUCH bigger. Here are some pics..

We'll keep you posted, Joanna is starting to pack the house up already. Man, I had bigger bonfires in high school than this, Monica did too!! (Right Moo?)

Oh Yeah, I got bite by the damn softball this week too! I was always told to keep my eye on the ball!!!! Guess I did a good job of that!

I swear I will post FJ pics later.........

Tri-Glenwood Triathlon

After all my celebrating last weekend for the end of the MSC race series, Joanna had one more major task in front of her for the summer. Her very FIRST Triathlon!!!!! Joanna and one of our good friends Nicole decided about 2 months ago they were going to do this triathlon that Glenwood has ever year. Sounded like a good idea right????? Well neither of them have ever done one, neither were real good swimmers when they started, and Nicole didn't even own a road bike! Idea sounding better and better all the time! Todd (Nicole's Husband) and I were like there is no way they are going to "actually" do this. Well, after months of training, shopping for a new bike for Nicole, "special" triathlon gear for both of them, the day finally came! Over 450 people do this tri every year, so they break it up into heats with about 50 people in them. The swim (1/2 mile) takes place in the Glenwood Hot Springs pool. Nicole was in the first heat and she had to start at 6:30 this morning!!!!!! BRRRRRRRRR

Yep, Still Dark out! Good thing the water is warm!!! (This is Nicole before her start)

Joanna was in heat #3 so she started @ 7:30. A lot lighter outside, but still in the upper 40's!

I think I would start DUNKIN' people!!!!!! Joanna is by the big orange buoy.

After their 1/2 mile swim was over they had to hurry up, and run over to transition #1. They quickly dried off a little, got their bike shoes and gear on, and headed out for the 15 mile bike portion of the race. The headed west on I-70 towards New Castle, then turned back, and ran directly into the morning westerly head wind!!!! How those legs feel now?!?!?!

Here is Joanna heading back in from her bike leg. Sorry Nicole, I didn't get any of your bike pics!

Nicole lacing her shoes up tight in transition #2, heading out for the 5 mile running portion. Looks like she's having fun doesn't it!!! 2/3 finished almost there!

Joanna lacin' up for the 5 mile run!

Gotta get that hat on!

Faster Faster, he's catching you!

Nicole, kicking it strong to the finish line!! This was Nicole's first entry back into working out. Let me tell you, SHE ROCKED IT!!!! I was really impressed with both of them. Their were times leading up to the race, I think even maybe 6:29 am this morning, that Nicole could have been talked out of it!!!! She persevered, and did a great job. Congrats Nicole!!!!

Joanna coming into the finish line strong. Joanna ended up finishing 3rd overall women 25-29! First Tri ever. I was really impressed. They called her name at awards, and I think she was really surprised too. They didn't post any results prior to awards, so we didn't know where she ended up. We were at the awards for a chance to win some freebies, then they called her name for the podium!!!
Here is who Joanna and Nicole owe a huge thanks to. Jen is our trainer at the gym, and has been doing sessions in the gym with both of them, and writing up training programs for them to do on their own. Thanks Jen!!! Well, enough bloggin for now, not much happening now till Moab, so maybe I will take my camera with me on some of my training rides and get some scenic pics of CO for everyone. After all Todd and I found some cool trails yesterday while we were off-roading in the FJ40. Oh-yeah, I will post some pics of the restored Land Cruiser tomorrow. Meet the Fockers is on TV right now, and I am having a hard time typing and laughing, its that whole circle of trust thing. FOCKER OOUUUUTTTTT!!!!!!!

In the Books!!!

COMotion Sports 5x Regional Mountain Bike Champions!!!!!!

The last Mountain States Cup race has come and gone, and its official, COMotion Sports is the 5x regional Mtn. Bike Champions!!! The week leading up to the race was hectic, trying to manage to find time to get over and preride the course, and the drama of blowing up the rear shock on my bike on Thursday. Specialized was "suppose" to overnight me a new one for Friday delivery, and I could put it on and be ready for the short track XC race on Sat a.m., but they decided to ship it on Fri for Sat delivery. So I spent Friday afternoon calling every bike shop in the state to try and find a feasible XC race bike. Finally in Boulder I was able to rent a nice Yeti (one of the team sponsors!). One of my teammates Boni, was nice enought to drive up from Denver and pick it up for me and deliver to Keystone for me to race on Sat. Thanks again Boni, you are a lifesaver!!! Anyway, the overall points series for me was all wrapped up, so this weekends race was more about patronizing our team trailer than racing!There was still some racing to be had, I suffered again in the short track on sat, and pretty much went for a leasurly bike ride during Sunday's cross country race. Motivation and fitness have been at bay for the past 2 weeks or so, so I was glad Sunday was over, and no more racing til 24 hours of Moab in Oct.

Joanna on the other hand was still in a points battle coming into the last race weekend, so she let her competitive side come out and decided to race her first short track race ever on Sat, "I need the Points!" She would say!!! She was on the edge for winning the overall beginner women 19-29 class, and by doing the short track pretty muched locked it up. So she mustered her courage and got out there and raced against all the sport women as well.

So here is the aftermath of all of our hard work, training, racing, & traveling all summer long!

(By the way, that is Mike Giem from CoMotion in 2nd overall with the Mexican Wrestling Mask on!)

Overall, a great first race season for both of us. We met a lot of really nice people, and being part of COMotion has added the "fun" element for both of us to racing. Nice to have people to hang out with after the race, the support of the team during the races, especially short track! Thanks to everyone, you all know who you are!!!!!! Here are some random pics..........

Hey nice Rental bike!!!!!

Here is Joanna and her friend Anita that she raced against all season. Joanna would beat her on the up hills, and Anita would catch her on the downhills. Guess we know what we need to work on for next season.

Pure sufferin' for 30 mins during the Short Track, I was glad it was over!

Illes and Chambers battlin' in the Pro Men Short track race! These guys FLY!!!!!