Michael Henry

Olympian

There are many exciting elements to this summer’s Olympics, but for me the one thing that stands above all others is sprinter Oscar Pistorius. I know there’s been some controversy and the conversation continues as to whether his cheetah blades give him an unfair advantage. I don’t understand how anyone can think that, though IContinue reading “Olympian”

Why I Should Never Go Food Shopping After a Long Ride

I seem to gravitate toward the spicy and the chocolatey. And the kielbasa-ey (which I find mildly odd, and embarrassing). Also notice how one needs a few buffalo-bleu chips in order to have the energy to take such a picture.

Acrophopbia

(Note: This dispatch was originally written in April 2012, during a trip to Grand Junction.) It wasn’t easy, but I’d conquered my fear—mostly—of Zippety-Do-Da, one of the more exposed trails in Grand Junction/Fruita area. I’d ridden all of the spine of Zippety—a very narrow singletrack that runs along the Bookcliffs, undaunted by the long drop-offsContinue reading “Acrophopbia”

Living Fires

I rode a very short loop the other day on a trail just south of Boulder. I’d planned to drive into the mountains to Walker Ranch, but at lunchtime lightning struck the Flatirons and started a wildfire that quickly loomed over Boulder in a massive gray-blue cloud. I guessed—correctly—that Flagstaff Road would probably be closed,Continue reading “Living Fires”

Summer Heat

Oh, summer has clothed the earth In a cloak from the loom of the sun! And a mantle, too, of the skies’ soft blue, And a belt where the rivers run. –from “In Summer” by Paul Lawrence Dunbar Sure, summer has come and cloaked us and all, and here in Denver, the cloak is madeContinue reading “Summer Heat”

I Heart Colorado

Biking–and living–in Colorado is pretty great. I am very lucky. Let me show you why. I mean, let me count the ways. 1. The sky. 2. The mountains. 3. The strange things you see while in those mountains. And… 4.The neat public artwork. 5. The awfully cute and amazing Colorado gals I know,Continue reading “I Heart Colorado”

Back To Back

Working out on back-to-back days ain’t what it used to be. Back in the day (i.e. late 1980s) for college cross country, we’d run twice a day for an entire week to start the training season. Running doubles. Around 15 miles total per day, and then on the last day we’d get up early andContinue reading “Back To Back”

Go West (Not So Young Man)

I’ve taken a week off to ride and write in Grand Junction and I’m feeling a bit scattered since I’m filled with endorphins, Gatorade, and caffeine. My legs and brain are tired but I want to fit in as much as I can before I have to drive back east, to Denvah. That’s how itContinue reading “Go West (Not So Young Man)”