Haute Route Dolomites compact !

Arrived into BOLZANO, the perfect blend of German sense of tidiness and organization with the undisputable magic that only Italy can offer. Bolzano, while being in Italy present itself and refers it self as a German town. Class, style and awesome genetics are just one of the few reasons why any Rancher should consider coming here and check this place out.  

Stage One- Bolzano to Cortina D'Ampezzo - 175km +3,700 metres 

The dolomites a truly outstanding ridding territory with breath taking views.

After finishing HR Compact Stage one, with my pal Sebi, who after a day of fiercely competition beats me in the grueling stage into Cortina. Compiting has never been sooo fun!    

Stage 2 HR Compact - Cortina D'Ampezzo to Venice 175km +1700metres.

Early start to tackle a beautiful stage. First the Passo Giau and then a long decent and very fast flat section to finish the timing section at the top of Passo San Boldo, committed to set the record straight on the ranking Seb and rider Eazy-E had yet another day of fiercely competition ...

finished in Venice, always tight on time we packed bikes and rushed to the Airport to take the Sunday afternoon flight back- it was a fantastic weekend where the only thing pending was the Bellinis at Piazza San Marco, next time!!

2016 Ride The Rockies

RiderMama and RiderTurbo back at it again.

10 years of marriage, 2 kids later, still committed and going strong!





Battle Mountain


Independence Pass outside of Aspen, Colorado


Trail Ridge Road, Rocky Mtn. National Forest, Elevation 12,183 feet


Finish Line in Fort Collins, Colorado

IRONMAN 70.30 AIX EN PROVENCE - JESUIS PIERRE!!

At very last minute my friend Vincent from Place Vendome got me a spare number to take part of this IronMan. I was very keen to do it given it's superb location and challenging course but when I tried to sign up a few month ago it was sold out.
Logistics were classic Eazy-E - jumped into plane last minute, no bike, no wetsuit... just strong will and the thinking that it will all be cool. Got into Nice airport on Friday, got my Avis car, drove to our beloved Hotel de la dare en Ville Franche -where No show will surprise me the next morning!- did a nice spin up to La Turbie and hit the sack early. Saturday morning drove all the way to Aix to meet Vince and sign up.

Vincent thought I was a bit crazy not to have a bike ready... and started to get stressed out of my logistics, he did all my registration under my racing name "Pierre" which was great as it allowed me to get to the check in cut off time right on time!!

Luckily for me our friends at Rue Libre in Nice had sorted me up with a nice Giant bike. The wetsuit I got it last minute in the TRI exhibition -it was going to be of no use as the swim got cancelled due to extreme weather conditions-



By the time I was crossing the finish line with a very respectable 4h:34' I knew all the last minutes effort had paid off!






Pushing hard on my rental Giant to complete the 90km with 1200 meter elevation in 2hs53'. The ride was challenging due to strong winds but the views of the Provence, which were outstanding, and the feeling of satisfaction of blowing off guys in their super TRI AERO PRO bikes kept me inspired and focus all the way!!














As any experience of life, its better when you are sharing the moment, Vincent and twin brothers Aurelien and Julien were great host and made me feel part of the team... they also beat me!!! To my surprise the customary Ranch farting contest was very well known by my new French fellows, specially by the twins who competed fiercely on the space! Merci beaucoup guys for a fantastic weekend!!

Chamonix

It's been some time since I have posted so I thought this might be a good one.  It was a weekend of the Mont Blanc Marathon so a great time to go check out CahLi's investment in his future.
I took off the Friday in oder to take the train to GVA and Matthew was kind enough to pick me up in his beast of a Land Rover.  Benno came in later that eve as he made the giant effort of flying to GVA, getting to Verbier then driving down from Verbs.  Hugely appreciated and great to see him.

Well, I figured since we were in chamonix - The center of outdoor activity in the french alpes that a bit of mtn biking should be in the cards and Cals had already taken care of logistics.

We had a terrifc ride if not somewhat technical!

Then to fuel up for the 10km the following day we stopped by Tom Teague's home for a wonderful steak and pasta dinner.  And when it became dark we all were amazied at the 80km runners coming down off the  Mont Blanc in a line of headlamps.  Something quite beautiful about the human condition when watching something like that.

Next day as Cals went off to run a vertical kilometer, Ben and Noshow headed off for the 10km with 1498 other folks which while difficult was great fun as Mr. and Mrs. Calner were there to show support taking pictures as well...  While Ben was setting a new course record for old guys, Noshow was dieseling along huffing and puffing and the water the Sharkbite provided before the finish was enough to see him through...

And so went the day of fun and sun and athletics bodies.  The sunday we decided to attack the vertical kilometer and as we began all nice, Ben soon decided he had his eye on some New Zealander babe who passed us and soon left NoSHow and cahli in the dust,.  Noshow suffered and Cahli was kind enough to wait at certain rest stops on the way up!

We were treated to a nice view from the top where Cahli and Ben discussed...no, not the way to world peace, more likely it was how firm so and so's derriere was.....

Twas a lovely weekend and one to remember with good buddies.  The only regret was there weren't more of us together..  Stay fit boys.  NS

Mama Wins Again - Pumpkinman Victory

Rider Mama just won the F40-44 age group of the PumpkinMan sprint distance triathlon in Las Vegas, placing 11th out of 186 women overall.  The race was festive preceding Halloween and included racers from many collegiate club teams including Stanford, the University of Colorado, Colorado State University, BYU, the Univ. of Arizona, Arizona State Univ. and others.  The Hoover Dam towered over one end of Lake Mead where the picturesque 750m lake swim was held.  And the 300m elevation gain over the 20km bike leg gave Mama a decisive advantage after a summer training on the bike for the Haute Route Alps.

 Most of all, Mama appears to have inspired the next generation of Ranch racers who look not too much unlike herself...

Haute Route Alps 2014

Photo and Video Essay

Geneva, Switzerland to Nice, France 

904km Distance / +21,400m Climbing / Prologue +7 Stages / Aug 23-30, 2014

Geneva Prologue Start - Cut, Polished and Ready to Race!  

Eazy Blasts Out of the Start House for the 9km Prologue Time Trial.  Ranch riders solidly bunched together in the 12-14min time range.

Ranch Video Summary of Haute Route Event Produced by RiderSwissTrain, a

Hugely Valuable and Newly-Added member of the Ranch

STAGE 1 - GENEVA TO MEGEVE - 130km/+3100m


Col de la Columbiere - Spectacular Mountain Landscape Ridges, Peaks, Valleys and Clouds

"Le Petit Ranch" Ascending the Columbiere


Col de Croix Fry - Gorgeous and Green with Sharp Teeth

Col des Aravis  - High Alpine with Surrounding Rock Faces

Hotel Recovery Lab with Normatech "Space Boots" and Marc Pro EMS  (Rider Mama sleeping with head under blanket)

STAGE 2 - MEGEVE TO COURCHEVEL - 130km/+3900m

Cormet Roseland - Picturesque Mountainside, Lantern Rouge Approaching from Behind

Courchevel - Finishline after Big Day of Climbing +3900m

STAGE 3 - COURCHEVEL TO ALPE D'HUEZ - 137km/+4650m

Col de Madeleine  - Rainy, Windy and 5deg C  -- 50 people Dropped or were Forced to quit by Broom Wagon on the Col d'Glandon, including all but 12 women

SwissTrain's Wash Rack after Cold, Rainy day on Bike
STAGE 4 - ALPE D'HUEZ TIME TRIAL - 15km/+1100m


Descending from Alpe D'Huez to Bourg D'Oisan to Prep for Individual Time Trial Back Up

Turbo in the Alpe D'Huez Time Trial Start House Sporting US National Haute Route Jersey

Mama Climbing Alpe D'Huez in 1:21h time, beating 17% of Male Field

Rider Turbo giving 100% to cover the 15km and +1100m in 1:08h Time following Myers 59m, Cah-li 1:02, Eazy 1:09, Armstrong 39m,  Pantani 37m, site of battles between Hinault, Lemond, Indurain and myriad other Tour de France Champions and Ghosts of the Past.  Beautiful Weather, Legendary Climb, Electric Ambiance.

STAGE 5 - BOURG D'OISAN TO DIGNE LES BAINS - 187km/+2900m

Sporting "Ride the Rockies Kit" for a 187km Day with Three Big Climbs in South of France

Lookin' Good, Feelin' Good


STAGE 6 - DIGNE LES BAINS TO MT. VENTOUX - 145km/+3050m

Top of the "Geant de Provence" after 145km stage and 2 hours of hard climbing at the end.  Epic.

STAGE 7 - DIGNE LES BAINS TO NICE - 160km/+2700m

Final Day, Five More Climbs

Last Stage Team Push -- Mama Borrowing Watts with EZ's "Carlos" Technique

Final Timing Mat atop Col de Vence- Team Crosses in "Ranch Style"

Finish Line in Nice- Meditteranean Backdrop - Vive Le Ranch!

June Lake Triathlon

This past weekend, RiderTurbo busted out a quick triathlon to stay competitive and mix it up:  The June Lake Triathlon near Mammoth Lakes, California. 

Billed as the "toughest race in the most beautiful place."  Olympic distance "plus" consisting of 1500m Swim, 40km Bike, 6.5mi Run.  High altitude hematocrit-builder at 7000-8000 ft elevation.  Hilly time trial bike leg with no drafting and plenty of climbing.  Grueling run with a mix on and off road plus 1100+ft. elevation gain on rocky single track trails. 

Great cross-training for the upcoming Haute Route Alps.  RiderTurbo results: Time 3h 6min. Rank 38/150 overall and 6/13 Men Age 44. Struggled on the swim, strong on the bike, gritty on the run. Just the way it should be given the recent focus on cycling preparation.

All followed by three more days of mountain cycling, kayaking, paddle boarding, hiking, picnicking, waterfall hunting and frolicking in the mountains with the wife, kids, aunt and nieces!

1500m Swim: 35min
Swim @ 8000 ft. and Gasp for Air!
Ear Plug Out!

40km Bike: 1h 14min w/ Hills
32.2km/h avg speed
Smooth!

6.5mi Run: 1h 14min
Hot, Tough Mountain Trail Run
Ok!