Driftless Area: Dec. 2-4, 2011

I got the opportunity to go trout fishing in Northeastern Iowa in an area called the "driftless area."

This area is incredible.  I hope I get to go back sometime when I have more time to explore. I don't think I can do it justice with a write-up.  So I'll just say that the trout were wild and tough to catch (but we managed a few) and post the few pictures I took.  I wish I had taken more pictures because this area is fantastic--unfortunately I only managed a few pictures.

Day 1: North and South Bear

(Highlandville general store--across the street is the South Bear Creek)

(North Bear Creek entrance)

(North Bear Creek)

(North Bear Rainbow (part 1 of trifecta))

Day 2: French Creek and Waterloo Creek

(Waterloo Creek Brown trout (Part 2 of trifecta))

Day 3: Trout Run Creek

(Trout Run entrance)



(Trout Run Creek Brook Trout (part 3 of trifecta))

Cross Out Cancer- Late report

In the words of a wise man, "Sometimes you eat the bar; sometimes the bar eats you."  This race falls into the former category.  Pretty much everything went my way.   Although I had a few minor mess-ups, none of them slowed me down too much.   Luckily I was able to get my first win of 2011.

After a few laps it became a battle between me and one other rider--we had gapped the rest of the field by a pretty good margin.  After putting in several digs, I could see that I wasn't going to open up a gap on the rider in second.  Instead, I let him come through on an open section and just followed him for the final 3-4 laps of the race.  

Throughout the entire race I bunny hopped a set of small barriers.  The other guy always ran them and was about 2-3 seconds slower.  I decided to jump him right before the barriers in the final lap.  After attacking him in the section leading into the barriers, I had a big enough gap to cruise across the line uncontested for the win.  Hard race--but fun.

Boss Cross 1 & 2: An hour is a long time

Boss Cross 1 & 2 were my kickoff to the cross season.  The races were at Barry-Platte park.   I raced the men's category 3 both days.  Both races were 60 minutes long--which is a ridiculously long time to race.  Now that I got my first taste of cross, I'm excited for what's yet to come.

Race recap:

Boss Cross 1:  I had a front row start and was sitting third right behind the two guys who would ride away and win the race.  I was feeling good and not under any pressure.  Then I screwed up on a steep run/ride up and had to put a foot down because the guy in front of me slowed.  I struggled to unclip and get going again.  I lost about 5 or 6 seconds and tried to chase back to the two leaders.  I started to close the gap but blew up in the process.  Shortly thereafter, a guy from Colavita passed me. I tried to get his wheel but was still in the red and he opened up a gap pretty quick that I had no chance of closing.  I spent about the next five laps in "no-man's" land riding by myself.  After a while, I could see Adam Keck and Mark from KCBC closing on me and slowly they caught up.  I'd been riding the steep hill by the road all day (maybe that was stupid-since that is where I lost the leaders and would mess up again [spoiler alert]).  Finally, when Mark and Adam caught me, I got nervous and fumbled on the steep run/ride up trying to ride it and Mark (who ran that section) ran past me and was gone.  He accelerated on the hill after the run up and immediately had a gap.  He opened up a large enough gap that I never saw him again.  Adam Keck also passed me at the same time but I was able to get his wheel and keep him in sight.  Adam and I battled the remainder of the race.  With about four laps to go, Adam opened up about a 15-20 second gap and I mentally checked out and stopped chasing, conceding that he got the best of me.  Maybe not having to chase helped with my form, because before I knew it Adam was in sight and I was getting closer.  To my surprise, I caught him with two laps to go.  He dropped his chain running the 180 after the run/ride up and I put in a big effort to open up a gap and held it to the end.  It was kinda of Contador-ian (Yes that is a word--because I said it is) in last years TDF.  I'm not sure if the same etiquette applies in cross (I'm thinking absolutely not).   If he hadn't dropped his chain it would have been interesting. I'm not sure what would have happened because I was hurting.  My back was killing me.  5th place.  That was hard.

(chasing Adam)

Boss Cross 2:  The course ran opposite today and started with a fast gravel section that was pretty loose.  I got a crappy starting position on the third row and was about 15th into the gravel.  It took me about a lap to move up through the field when I finally got behind my nemesis from Boss Cross 1 (and Boss Cross 2 as it turned out [double spoiler alert]) Adam Keck.  By the time I caught him, I had no idea who was in front of him.  I later learned that the three leaders had a huge gap in front.  I never saw them.  Once again Keck and I did the dance were I would make up time on him, then he would open up a gap.  Back and forth it went for almost the entire race.  Unlike last race though, we weren't swapping positions.  I was trailing him the entire race.  Racing so many laps from behind, I picked up were I could make up time and Adam wasn't going as fast and vice-versa.  I learned pretty quick that I was getting destroyed through the barriers, the steep 180 before the barriers, the steep root-ladden climb, and through the sand.  I felt like I could make up time on long slow up-hills and the curvy sections.  We were equal everywhere else.  Finally, I caught Adam with about two laps to go.  In my mind I caught him in one of the better places for me on the course based on the way the race had been going.  Typically, I would make up time during a long slow false flat, a curvy section, and a slow uphill (then Adam would take it all back in the sand).  I caught Adam in the false flat and figured what the heck and put in a big effort in a spot where I thought I could gap him.  I knew I could probably get a gap on a few twisty turns and a slow up-hill right before the sand.  I just hoped that I had enough power left through the sand that my gap wouldn't get erased. 

Amazingly, my plan worked.  On my final lap, about 20 seconds before the finish, I was passed by the Men's Open leader, thankfully I was done.  4th place.  I won some cash that I redeemed on the way home for this:

(the wine is for Ann)

Life is good. 

Plus, the best show on television has its season premiere tonight. 

I'm pretty content with my place in the world and in both races.  Not a bad start to cyclocross 2011.  Next week...Shawnee Mission Park. 

Another Reason to like Andy Schleck

Click this link.  http://www.steamboattoday.com/news/2011/aug/15/about-150-ride-andy-schleck-steamboat/

Great story about Andy Schleck.  I think its pretty cool that he opted to lead a local, amateur ride in Steamboat Springs....plus his preparation for the Tour of Colorado includes fly fishing. 

I already was a Schleck fan--now I'm a much bigger fan.  Seems like a pretty nice guy. 

Crane Creek- 8/6-8/7

I was able to fish Crane Creek Saturday and Sunday morning last week.  This creek is a gem.  

Temperatures were HOT--upper 90's both days by noon.  The Creek was gin clear and average flow both days despite a short shower Saturday night.  Even though it was hot, the trout were fairly active.  There were only a few rises but lots of activity that was visible.  On every single hole that looked good, if I didn't catch a fish I would spook a few small ones on the way out.  I saw more fish this weekend then ever before at Crane including a few that would easily go 18-20 inches.

I fished the upper part of the Creek both days.  No particular fly seemed to be working well but a caddis emerger pattern was what worked best.  I caught 4-6 and had just as many takes that I didn't land Saturday morning, including one that was probably 12-14 inches, which is pretty nice for a creek this size.  Even the small fish fight like they're bigger though.  Sunday I didn't do quite as well but still landed three and had a couple on that were lost. 

This stream humbles you and teaches you a thing or two.  Here are the major lessons learned from this trip:

• with spooky trout in clear water under blue skies, approaching the holes from downstream is critical. 
• previewing the creek on your way downstream is the best way to fish the holes
• I need to work on getting my fly to the front of the hole on the first few attempts to have a chance at catching a 15+ inch trout in a stream like Crane.  I've been working the holes back to front and pulling out smaller guys but probably spooking the larger trout that occupy the primo spots at the head of a seam.  Although I had multiple takes from the same hole, after catching a fish out of a hole I don't think I ever had a take afterwards.
•  I NEED A SMALLER ROD.  I had way to much rod for such a small creek. 

Tour of Lawrence--"Africa Hot"

Tour of Lawrence circuit race was this weekend.  This race is on a great course that goes through the campus and is HILLY. 

When I got out of the car it was 98 degrees with a heat index of infinity.  It was "Africa hot."

This ended up being a race of attrition.  Every lap we lost more and more people--riders would just pop on the sunflower hill and lose contact.  We started with around 40-50 riders and with three to go there were less than 20 riders left in the group.  I was feeling fine and under no real pressure....then the heat hit me like a ton of bricks.  Suddenly, with about a lap and a half to go, I found myself dangling on the back of the group.  By this time there were about 15 riders left in the group.

With a lap to go I began to lose contact on the sunflower hill.  I reached down in my "suitcase of courage" and realized I'd only packed a "man-purse of mediocrity."  The group of 15 riders road away from me.  I road the last lap solo and finished 17th.  By that time, I was ready to get the hell out of the heat and out of Lawrence.  Such is racing.  I should have packed two more water bottles full of ice water to spray on myself and keep my body temperature regulated--that would have helped.  Hardest race of the year but fun.  Highlight of the race was soaking in the fountain on campus post race.

Tour of KC- Day 2

Tour of KC day 2/3 was held at the Kansas City Police Academy.  Although Steve Guttenberg failed to make an appearance, it was nonetheless a chance to bring out the big guns--"Tackleberry-style:"

The course was pretty fun.  It had lots of sweeping, fast turns on a closed driver training course.  I felt great the entire race and never really felt stressed.  I was in one short break away that only stayed away for about a lap and I still didn't feel like I got into the red zone.  Unfortunately, a lot of other people were feeling good as well and the last lap was a struggle to get into the right position.  I was about 5 or 6 wheels too far back and didn't get a chance to contest for the win.  Instead, I sprinted past four or five people and ended 7th.  After Friday's disastrous last lap and feeling pretty cooked from Friday's heat, I was pretty happy with my finish.  Guttenberg would be proud...

Tour of KC- Day 1

Friday night the Tour of KC kicked off at the Longview lake course.  The course is more of a circuit than a crit course.  The course has three technical turns--one that is especially nasty-- a long slow false flat, and a short punchy hill after a 90 degree turn. 

I hate this course.  It seemed like I constantly was out of the saddle closing gaps.  Plus, I (stupidly) cleaned up my rims prior to the weekend so my brakes were extra "grabby."  That was stupid and didn't help my cause.  With about three laps to go my calves were cramping up and I was just hoping to sit in and salvage an okay sprint.  Unfortunately with about a half lap to go I got pushed to the shoulder and had to lock up my back wheel to avoid a crash.  A small gap opened up that I never really managed to close up to the lead group of about 10 guys.  I finished 11th about 30 yards behind the lead group and one spot out of the money.  So it goes. 

Best Ride of 2011

I played hookie for the last hour of work and got in an unusually long weekday ride for a Thursday (almost 50 miles in all).  The weather was perfect.  The air was crisp, but not hot, the sun was shining and there was little to no wind.  The route was perfect, it was mostly low traffic country-ish roads that passed numerous lakes, rivers, ponds, climbs, descents, etc.  Rides like this are why I ride bikes.  I've ridden longer routes this year and faster rides this year (average was only 19 mph), but for whatever reason, I thoroughly enjoyed every second of this ride--just being out on the road by myself was awesome. 

This was almost the "perfect" ride--if not for a near miss that would have made this perfect.  I was feeling pretty good and going at a pretty good clip down a long descent on 139th Street in a tucked position.  I looked down and saw that I was going 43mph.  All of a sudden I looked to my right and saw a cop hiding on a side street shooting his radar gun....YES! I thought.  Finally a chance to get a speeding ticket on a bike--the crown jewel of cycling dork-dum!  That would have made this the best ride of all time.  I'm not sure what the speed limit is there (maybe 25 or 35 mph), but I probably was speeding.  Unfortunately, Barney Fife didn't budge.  Still was the best ride of the year, but would have been icing on the cake to get my first speeding ticket on a bike...maybe next time.

Current River 5/14-5/15; Crane Creek 5/16

Fantastic fishing trip last weekend on the Current River.  The Current is quickly becoming one of my favorite rivers for several reasons: (1) its a large river, yet not so big that you can't wade any section; (2) there is enough water that even on days were its "crowded" you can go hours without seeing other people; (3) the fish always seem willing to cooperate.   I already want to return.

The trip itself turned out to be surprisingly good, given the potential conditions would could have faced.  Although it rained all Friday night on the way down, the rest of the weekend the weather was great and, surprisingly, the river was not blown out.  It was cold and overcast all weekend, but at least the river was in good shape.  We fished the Tan Vat access Saturday morning and in Montauk park Saturday evening.  As is the norm, I forgot my camera in the tent and didn't take any pictures.  We had a good day fishing picking up quite a few fish throughout the day.  At some point during the day I caught fish on just about everything I had in the box: steamers, nymphs, emergers, and dry flies.  

Sunday we fished the tan vat access up towards the park.  I started off slow but then picked up a bunch swinging streamers.  Lots of fun. 

I was able to cap off the weekend with a Monday work/fish combo.  Work took me to Cassville, Missouri for a morning hearing that was finished by 10am.  So I got to fish a third day in a row. I hit Crane Creek and had a great afternoon. 

The contrast between the Current and Crane is dramatic.  Crane is a small Creek that is narrow enough to jump across in some spots.  The creek holds wild, genetically pure McLeod rainbow trout.  Trout in this river survive by being skittish.  If you approach to quickly or cast a shadow near the river, they bolt.  Decent size trout in this river are like ghosts.  They are present but not seen, they're always hiding in cover.

This was my third time fishing Crane and I finally think I'm figuring it out.  The key is patience and stealth.  You literally have to crawl to some holes on your hands and knees not to spook fish.  Fishing this way is fun.  It slows you down.  Instead of just heaving flies at good looking water, you have to spend ten or fifteen minutes approaching a hole and really evaluate your approach, ie where your first cast needs to be, where your shadow will hit, etc.  Fishing this way is lots of fun, it definitely makes you more connected to the stream because you've really got to absorb your surroundings and if you don't take the time to do so, you won't be successful.  I managed to pick up 4 and had three more on that I lost.  This is a very rewarding style of fishing.

The "Dragon Slayer"

Great race report, from a great guy. 

The best thing about sport is setting a goal and making it happen--even if it seems impossible.   I can't imagine anything more ridiculous ambitious then 320 miles on gravel roads.  That's a major achievement.

When life gives you lemons...go trout fishing

After a particularly hectic couple weeks, I was looking forward to a weekend on the river.  In fact, weather permitting, I had even planned on a multi-day fly fishing extravaganza.  Weather did not permit.  Nor did practically anything else for that matter.

Early in the week the forecast called for heavy storms Sunday, so the fly fishing extravaganza was quickly downgraded to a one day excursion on the niangua-- the red headed step-child of a "fishing extravaganza."

Then, to top off this turd sandwich, my car decided to break down 30 minutes before I planned on hitting the road.  Normally I think I would have bailed on the trip and dismissed it as bad luck.  For whatever reason though, I was determined to get in some river time....so, thanks to the generosity of others, I was able to burrow a car to get out of town.  Unfortunately, I didn't make it to my destination until 2am due to the logistics of locating a car.

The fishing was tough---make that VERY tough.  I even tried to pretend I knew what I was doing by looking around for bugs. I found this golden stonefly that was about a size 14 under a rock (as well as a some fresh water scuds and some other small nymphs). 

I tried matching some flies to these bugs but nothing seemed to work that well.  In all, I landed 5 trout, all on either rubber legs or streamers.

The wind gusted all morning just hard enough to make casting nearly impossible.  Nonetheless, it was still nice to get on the river.  Though it would have been about 200% more relaxing if I wasn't working on 4 hours of sleep and I didn't have to immediately head back to return the loaner car.  Se la vie. 

Wake Up Call

The euphoria that comes with "springing forward" comes with an unfortunate side effect--its sucks to lose an hour of sleep.  After a week of early wake up calls that left me groggy and annoyed, I figured what better way to get out of the "time-change funk" then make my 2011 road racing debut.  This proved to be another wake up call.

The Perry Road Race is a five mile circuit at Perry Lake that crosses the dam then circles back on the spillway before ascending a steep half-mile climb to repeat the process.  The race was seven laps, which is 35 miles to those who flunked algebra. 

The first lap felt like we started off pretty fast (but I didn't get too great of a warm up).  Then the second lap I settled in and starting feeling better.  So towards the end of the second lap, when five guys attacked, I was attentive, but didn't care too much at mile 10 of a 35 mile race--especially since the wind was howling and a breakaway seem destined to fail.

I noticed a guy in front of me, who was obviously trying to position himself in the pack to bridge up to the move.  I'd raced with him before and knew he was pretty strong so I figured, "what the heck?"  Sure enough, he tried to bridge.  Since I saw it coming a mile away I had no trouble keeping his wheel.  We immediately cut their lead from about 15 seconds to 7 or 8 seconds.  I looked over my shoulder and saw that we picked up another strong rider to make three chasers.  I pulled through several times and we were making steady progress on catching.  On about the third time I pulled through, I took my pull, then looked over my shoulder to see that my other two counterparts in the chase had sat up.  Unfortunately we were about 30 seconds away from the "dam hill" and I was feeling cooked.  I sat up and fell back into the peloton where I was immediately shot out the back on the hill like crap through a goose--the peloton picked up the pace and caught the five riders in the break on the hill.

I ended up riding the next two laps with two other riders that also got dropped.  We almost caught back onto the peloton but never quite made it.  With three laps to go, my group of three became a group of one, as I got dropped again on the hill.  I think the peloton slowed considerably with two to go because the two guys I road with eventually caught back onto the peloton.  Unfortunately, I road the final two laps solo--which sucked because it was windy as hell.  As usual, I continued my tradition of getting dropped in early spring races.  So it goes.  There's always next time. 

Springing Forward

Daylight savings time is here!  My heart is a-pitter-patter with excitement-- and I'm not the only person who feels this way evidently.  This is one of the most underrated days on the calendar.  If you disagree, you are simply wrong.  I feel sorry for Arizonans, not only do they have to constantly show their state issued ID's to prove they aren't illegals, but they'll also never know the joy of officially giving the finger to 5pm sunsets for another 9 months.  If you're keeping score, that's three embedded links in one paragraph--an "Off the Front" record.

In honor of the first unofficial day of spring (and not having to endure the embarrassment of proving I'm a naturalized citizen) I rode at Swope Park.  The trails were in great shape.

Unfortunately, I couldn't say the same for myself.  Its funny how on good days--when I'm dialed in--I'm focused on the trail, the next obstacle, spinning a good cadence, etc.  When I'm not on good form, my mind wanders, I feel weird aches and pains that usually don't bother me, and I feel like I'm pedaling in squares.  Today was weird.  For about a third of the ride I felt great and another third I felt pretty weak and another third indifferent.  Strangely, these "thirds" came in no particular order and for no particular rhyme or reason.  This was probably the result of a series of minor myocardial infarctions--you can't argue with science.

If not for the clear medical evidence pointing to the myocardial infarction, I probably would have blamed it on the after effects of this:  (hint: not the disembodied hands, though they have been known to cause trouble)

We're having a heatwave, A tropical heat wave

The dirty, dirty bastard that is winter is finally begining to relent.  We're having a heatwave.  Even Walter Matthau agrees. 

In order to celebrate, I double-dipped with some fly fishing and cycling--though in all honesty, the fishing was planned long before I knew the weather would be decent.

Saturday I went fly fishing.  I was hoping to get in a float on the Niangua, however, the backroads were still snow covered.  So, instead, I made my second trip to Bennett in the last month.  It didn't disappoint.  Once again, fish were rising everywhere from about 11am-noon.  Once again, a high vis parachute BWO was the fly of choice.  Once the top water action slowed, I went back to a nymphing rig that I fished deep under an indicator.  This proved to be a wise descision.  The trout gods decided to smile upon me.  I'm not sure if it was because I took a "newbie" out for his first fly fishing trip or if it was just dumb luck.  Whatever the reason, I landed the 19 inch brown below on a green sparkle dub caddis emerger fished as a dropper under a weighted nymph--my biggest trout to date.

 

Sunday afternoon the temps soared to a scorching 58 degrees according to my car thermometer.  I hit the road with 7 others and got in about two and a half hours of good, tempo road riding.  This time of the year those miles are money in the bank. 

Supply and Demand

The "off the front" readership has been clammering in anticipation for a new post.  (dad--sorry I've been busy).  The law of supply and demand dictates that I write another post in order to keep the masses happy and avoid a Cairo-esque riot.  Because I haven't been keeping up with posting, this post is a "two-for-one."  Not be confused with this.....
                                         
(This actually is a "three-for-one"--or even a "six-for-one" if you count the bacon)

(1) Fly fishing.  Over sixty fish were brought to hand in a single day at Bennett Springs.  Probably 50 of the 60 were caught on dry flies.  The action was so fast that there was no time to even take pictures.  Fortunatly, 50% of the "readership" was in attendance.  Here is the hero of the trip.

                                                  
 
(2) Cycling.  Before "snow-maggedon," I was able to hit the road for a three hour excursion through scenic spring hill, Kansas.

Stay tuned for more delicious bacon-related blog posts. 

2011- Excuses and Goals

Sunday I finally got outside and was able to enjoy the snow.  Last week it dumped about 6 inches of snow and all week the conditions have been perfect for cross-country skiing.  All week I kept telling myself I would break out the skis but I couldn't find the motivation to get off the couch.  I kept telling myself it was too cold, or the skis didn't work properly the last time I used them and I didn't want to mess with them this year, etc. (the skis I use are hand-me-downs that have been of legal drinking age almost as long as me). 

Despite all my BS excuses, I finally decided to give it a whirl and went cross-country skiing with Conrad (the wonder dog) for about an hour or so.  I had a great ski.  Here's a picture of Turkey Creek I took while skiing.

After about an hour, I started getting tired and Conrad starting getting ice between his paws, so it was time to call it a day.  I wish I had gone earlier in the week because the snow was already too melted to be worth a crap.  Hopefully it will snow again this year.  All this got me thinking about excuses.

Basically, I realized I had been a complete turd all week.  Every single time I go riding, skiing, etc. I'm always glad I got out, even in the most nasty, crappy, and miserable conditions.  (see gravel grinder post).  I know this, but even still, I fall victim to laziness.

Gravel Grinding

Chris Locke's Parkville Gravel Grinder (1/9/11) served as my first outside road/gravel ride of 2011.  Hopefully, it will also be the only ride (outside) for 2011 where temps are less than 20 degrees.  My water froze solid in the bottle before mile 2, and my hands were numb before I left the parking lot--it was really F-ing cold.  Luckily, the pace never jumped up too high because I had no water and my gels froze in the container.  Towards the end, my legs felt pretty heavy and I'm sure the lack of nutrition didn't help.

All things considered, it turned out to be a great ride once my hands finally warmed up.  We got in about 35 miles of gravel/ road in 2.5 hours.  Fun ride.  Thanks to those who put it on.

  

First blog--booyah!

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