Matt Matteson

Thanks to a project at work, a Powertap has been attached to my bike and a Garmin Edge 705 placed in my jersey. While I am out of shape – I still recommend you take a look at two of my data files I have uploaded to Garmin’s site. For a free site, Garmin does a great job of showing elevation, speed, location and power all on the same page. The first file is from riding up Lookout Mountain then coasting back into Golden. The second is from a slower group ride with my tech friends in Boulder, but has a few fun sprints in it.

I do like Garmin’s site but I feel like there is an opportunity to display this kind of data that tells a story. On a ride with John Grano I had the Garmin collecting data and also put my Canon PowerShot on my handlebars. In time lapse mode I was able to capture a photo from each second from the ride. What do I use to combine all this data into a story?

One thing I have noticed about having the two expensive devices, the Powertap and Garmin, is how little I have learned about them. When I purchase a device I put hours in, learning everything about the device to make the best purchase. Then, once the widget shows up I know exactly what features it has and what I really want to explore. With the Powertap and Garmin, my base knowledge let me use most of the functionality, yet I never searched the manuals for complete mastery. Is this because I am not financially invested? Is it not my passion?

About 30 years old, he wore breathable shorts so clean he could of just purchased from REI this morning, he sat on the side of the single track trail with his fist to his mouth. The sound he made was similar to a sucking noise, a wet sucking noise. I slowed my jog to a walk and looked the direction he had his binoculars pointed.

Two magpies hoped from bush to bush, with long chirps. To my surprise, the birds took turns swooping down to pick on a coyote. The wet sucking noise hiker seemed like more nature than the bully birds.

I resumed running pace as I crested the hill pick-and-sludge trail lead me to. The green valley below looked out of place for the foothills of the Rocky Mountains; it’s never that green. As I ran down into the valley, back into the trees, a loud scream filled the air. It wasn’t a human cry or scream, but something was fearing its life. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a fawn at full speed in the field at the bottom of the valley with two coyotes biting at its legs. The deer was worn from it’s long scream and fleeting. I continued down the hill down the single track with a new energy in hopes to at least find a better perspective. Each step I was sure the scream would turn to a more pulsed final cry. My eye then is pulled from the action in the valley towards the crest of the opposing hill where mama doe enters the valley a pace scooter drivers often hope for. From a better view I watch the fawn get chased into the bushes by the two coyotes with the doe making up ground. The cry ended, now standing on the trail I wait for the resolution. Little fawn then left the bushes to the field, with mom close behind.

Casual Version:

I was running up Apex today and run into this guy making what I can suppose is a bird call. He’s watching two mag pies pick on a coyote across the way. Then, about a mile further in the next valley I hear this scream. It’s a baby deer running across the field with two coyotes chasing it down. Mama deer hears the call and comes running from over a mile away and saves the day.

Hello friends! I’m sitting in my bed on the 3rd floor of the Hotel Bílá Růže, in Pisek Czech Republic. There’s a slow, wide, meandering river out the window keeping me company as the water stumbles over a small dam. It’s late and I’m looking forward to sleep, but I wanted to take a moment and say hello and bring you up to speed.

The trip is with the Cherry Hills Community Church Choir, yes choir! We’re singing, serving and touring through the Czech Republic and Israel.

You can keep up by watching photos at this Flickr Page. Also, an amazing singer on the trip, Janet, is posting to a trip specific blog.

Next week will be spent in Israel, and I’ll be back in Golden by the 12th.

Wonderful 7 hours and 20 minutes on the mountain bike with 5 friends down the Colorado Trail.