Just got back from an hour “off the clock” at Valmont Bike Park.

What a great little adventure—and a test of the new 2.3 Specialized Renegade.

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Hey Lee,

I read your articles involving your shoulder surgeries and issues. I myself have a torn labrum and am looking into surgery due to the instability of my shoulder and it’s frequent dislocation. I was curious if you went with the open surgery or if yours was laproscopic and how that is working out for you as a rider. On a lighter note, i’ve purchased all three of your books and can’t put them down. Thanks for such a great contribution to the biking community.

Jordan C.

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Last week, before we re-built the Lyons pump track, I rolled a new 100-lap record. This is despite more work and family time—and way less time on dirt. It gives me hope.

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I’m in the Cabella’s parking lot in Reno (gotta check out the aquarium with the largemouth bass—so rad), taking care of work and saying “Whew!”

It’s been a heck of a two weeks:

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If all goes well, the Stumpjumper HT EVO-R experiment will come together tomorrow.

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24-year-old ripper Nick Moore from Demon Dirt and Demon snow has a degenerative eye disease that requires an expensive surgery. Friends in the bike industry have donated lots of cool items to help raise money.

Check out the eBay auction.

Auction items include bike frames, helmet cam, tires, bars, stems, pedals, wheels, sunglasses and signed copies of Pro BMX Skills and Mastering Mountain Bike Skills 2nd Edition.

A fire is burning in Boulder Canyon. I canceled today’s skills clinic and am staying home in case we need to evacuate again.

Feeling pretty anxious.

11:45 a.m. Friday – The order came in: Prepare to evacuate.

1:15 p.m. Friday – Van contains the essentials: P.3, Stumpy, Enduro (Tricross is race-prepped at Boulder Cycle Sport); trainer; laptop; cameras; MMBSii books; Ian’s X-box and clothes; family photos; essential papers; a bag of my dirty clothes; diapers; baby wipes. The Wife is handling baby supplies and her clothes. I’ll grab this Mac workstation last thing. Prepared for the worst. Hoping for the best.

5 p.m. Friday – Waiting. The latest map shows the fire 2-3 miles and 1-2 ridges away from the house.

10 p.m. Saturday – Whew. The fire is mostly contained, and evacuations have been lifted. This morning was looking good, and today The Wife, babies and I attended the Golden Bike Park grand opening. I had a great time riding the flow trail and pump track. I’m all ready to race the Boulder Cup cyclocross in the morning. The back of the van is crowded—it’s still packed for evacuation.

Thanks to all who sent good wishes, and thanks to the firefighters. Rock!

After last weekend’s coaching sessions, I really needed a good ride. The kind of ride where you go so fast you can’t think of anything. The kind of ride where training and skills and preparation and technique all dissolve into a cloud of braaap!

Actually, I’ve been needing that ride for a long time.

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It is SO hard to get them both to sit still long enough for a photo.