Just launched a new site for the National Interscholastic Cycling Association. This was all about getting ‘er done quickly on a low budget.

Also doing a huge relaunch for Backshop loan origination software. I re-designed the user interface to make it cleaner and easier to use; while they were at it, the engineers converted the application to the .NET platform.

Meanwhile: Working on the coaching manual for NICA (due in a few weeks; yikes!), planning a new book (stay tuned), trying to get stronger and trying to be a good daddy. The Twins are almost a year old!

Whatever you’re doing, give it!

We tried this yesterday but fled back to the hotel because the power was out. Right now we’re de-evacuating (un-evacuating?)—bringing stuff in, putting stuff away, emptying the refrigerator. The babies have been asleep since we loaded them at the hotel. When they wake up Life (capital L) should be back to normal.

We feel very blessed that our family and house are safe. Our heart goes out to everyone who lost their homes. Huge thanks to all the firefighters who rocked it. Helicopters are still pulling water from our reservoir to fight the remaining fire. I hope everyone comes out of this OK.

Clouds are gathering above the Fourmile Fire, and solitary drops are falling in town. Hoping for the best.

These maps were posted about an hour ago.

Overview of the fire area. Yeti racer Joey Schusler’s house is in there. Dude, I am really sorry.

It takes about 20 minutes to climb from my house (blue icon) to the eastern edge of the fire. That’s a bit close.

Best wishes to everyone for safe families and homes.

• The fire seems to be slowing down. Conditions today are good for fire fighting. Go Fireman Jeff! I know you’re out there, and I know you know the terrain because we’ve ridden it all on moto.




• I want to run up to the house, grab the digital proofs of Pro BMX Skills then ride down on the Stumpy, but that would be a disrespect to the firefighters. Next time I’ll be a member of the volunteer fire department. This time I’ll let the pros do their thing. Go Jeff!




• Thousands of people are displaced from their homes. Many have lost their homes. That really sucks. Right now the difference between watching the news and living the news is one gust of wind.




• There’s plenty of general info, lots of emotion and way too many real-time home destruction shots—but real, useful info is hard to get.




• Hey news crews: While you’re hovering over a burning home (it’s a home where people live, not a ‘structure’), can you please whip out a map and tell us where you are?




• Or better yet: Will someone fly around the perimeter of the fire, calling out streets as they go?




• I’ve been processing Pro BMX Skills orders, and I will try to bring Mastering Mountain Bike Skills 2nd Editions to the post office today.




• Sacha, Diane and their boy Amato came by for a swim and dinner last night. That was very kind.

So far our house looks OK. We are all healthy. We are blessed. The babies will appreciate today’s room upgrade. I hope everyone is OK, and that the fire lays down.

My wife, who came to Boulder after fleeing Hurricane Katrina, declares this “The best evacuation EVER!”

We are at the hotel this morning, pushing late checkout as late as possible, placating the babies, planning our next move. The mountains are shrouded in smoke. Last night I could see our house was safe. This morning, not so sure. Reports say the fire line hasn’t spread east. Good news for us (maybe), terrible news for others.

The printer for Pro BMX Skills just called. He needs the digital proofs returned so he can fire up 5,000 copies. DOH! I left them home. With the Stumpjumper. Oh Stumpy … how shall I live without thee?

The 200-acre fire is now over 3,000 acres. Homes are disappearing and the fire is still growing.

We got out safely. Oscar Dog is cowering at the shelter. Ian is hanging with a friend. Finley, Fiona, The Wife and I are spending money at the Marriott in downtown Boulder. The babies are going ape shit. From the hotel roof I can see smoke billowing, planes circling, flames spreading.

The ridge behind our house is burning. The valley glows red. I can see where we live. OK for now.

A wildfire is burning in the hills near my house.

We’re as ready as we can be: The kids and dog are ready. Mom is ready. Essential papers and laptop are in the van. The P.3, Tricross and Enduro are in the van (which bikes would you save?). The roof and rain gutters are clean. Combustibles are away from the house. I’m ready to grab this Mac.

The wind is shifting.

Now we wait.

I did this email interview for Chris O’Brien writing for Examiner.com. Might as well post it here.

(more…)