The Picacho Peak TT #2 was today.  I participated in both the 20K and 40K.  The course was good with a head wind out and a tail wind back.  Thanks to Nancy Ellis for allowing me to go off first in the 20K, in order to have time to recover for the 40K.  The temperature reached just under 100 degrees by the end of the race.  This is another long standing TT series in Arizona that is always well run and attended.  Thanks to Saguaro Velo for sponsoring the series!

Today was the final 3 Bears TT in Red Rock Arizona.  Summit Velo has done an outstanding job of putting on this Time Trial Series.  The course as I mentioned before, is excellent and challenging.  I look forward to this series in 2010.  We had Dennis Mong and myself to represent AZphalt Cycling.

Many thanks go out to Summit Velo for putting on the race and series.  I would strongly encourage you to go out and do this race series.  The course is outstanding and the management of the race is even better.  The weather was good again with a tailwind out and headwind coming back.  I look forward to the next and final race of the series in mid July.

Summitt Velo did a great job of securing an new TT course in the state and putting on the first of a three race series. The course had 680 feet of climbing on the way out and we got to scream home. The weather was perfect with a slight bit of rain to cool the Arizona desert off all morning. I look forward to the remaining two races.

Yesterday I raced the annual Hungry Dog Criterium in Ahwatukee Arizona.  Honeywell Cycling has put this on for I believe 12 years now.  As always, they did an outstanding job.  The entire family was out to see the Masters Men 40+ race.  It was fun to be on the bike.  I took one of the three primes and the cash went to Landen.  It was a gentlemen's agreement before the race.  I raced agreesively in a number of breaks and chasing down any potential breaks that countered after my efforts.  In the end, it came down to a field sprint.  I ended up 11th over all and was pleased with a safe fun day on the bike.

The weather held out today for the Flapjack Time Trial #1.  It is great to have this course back on the race calendar.  The series will be three 20K races.  Summit Velo did a great job of putting on the race.  They even served everyone pancakes after the race.  I was pleased with my ride today finishing 8th in the field.  I look forward to getting back to a steady training schedule with Barney King.  I have developed a greater appreciation for others that have limited time to train for races with the expansion of the family.  There has not been much time devoted to training over the past four months relative to our usual schedule.  I would not change that for anything!  It looks like a few Criteriums over the next month are going to be on the schedule next!

The first race of the year will be the Flap Jack Time Trial in Florence Arizona.  This is a flat 20K effort that will be a series in the state this year.  We are hoping for good weather all weekend.  I am looking forward to the race and getting back on the TT bike.

The 2009 Cycling season will be tempered to a few focused races.  The addition of the latest Powell came on November 7, 2008.  Lincoln Douglas Powell was 6lbs. 12oz. and 20in.  My better half is doing great recovering after a C-section.  Tomorrow is our first ride back on the road together with getting back to training.  I have been able to complete 12 weeks of lifting and core workouts over the winter.  The usual base miles of four thousand miles was cut in half.  Once we get back into a routine training schedule, I will look to set a few goals for the year.

The 2008 season has not been one with a huge focus on racing.  The few time trials that I competed in over the summer months ending with the Elite National Time Trial were outstanding to go to.  Any day on the bike is a good day.  We are currently expecting our second child in November.  We are extremely excited about having another addition to the Powell household.  It has been a long hawl over the past few years with number two.  I am really looking forward to Yolanda getting back into race shape after November.  She has been so focused on our family and completely put us infront of her training and racing.  Look out when the management is focused!!!!

tenth season racing with AZphalt Cycling.