So what else is new?

I'm planning on racing this weekend. So mother nature is going to rain on my parade. =[

Oh well. At least everyone's going to face the same conditions. I'll just grease the ol' hooligan up good to protect the bearing and moving parts and hopefully won't have to replace too much.

It just occured to me the other day that this is going to be my first "regular" XC race since Iceman last year. I've been racing all time trials and endurance races where I've not really gone heads up against my competition. And Iceman wasn't exactly a stellar performance for me.

So, this will be a good test. A gut check. And I'm ready.

Where is everyone?

Ok. After last nights excitement, I sill managed to haul my ass out of bed this morning at 7:30 and get over to Stoney Creek Metro Park for a little Stoney Marathon training.

Now. There was talk of some other people meeting at 9am to do 3 laps of the course. Or was there? Maybe I was mistaken.. ;)

Turns out while I was off getting beaten up by guys twice my size and half my age, it seems these other people were off pounding the crap out of their livers.. =D They had a little trouble getting up the next morning, and were off eating breaky while I was out putting down some fast laps. They're just lucky their not racing in my class.. ;)

Felt good out there. Even on an empty stomache with a hangover and a pounding head. Thankfully I only need 4 laps. With some good rides this week, I think I'll be ready.. I'm really looking forward to this race.. I think it'll be a blast!

Call it a return to my youth.

Ministry came to town this weekend at Harpo's. Who could pass that up?? (judging by the turnout, just about everyone my age could.. )

What was I thinking? No one may ever know. Perhaps I thought I was 19 again. Perhaps I just wanted to see if those 250 lb guys flailing and slamming about would REALLY hurt when they ran into me. Whatever it was, I couldn't resist the urge to mix it up in the mosh pit when Ministry broke out some oldie but goodies like Thieves, So What, and Stigmata.

I don't think I was that tired after the Pontiac Time Trial! I'd forgotten what a pit of seething testosterone will take out of you! I was exhausted!

I'm not sure when this happened.. I didn't even notice it until I got back to the car. At least I have something to remember the show by...

I've got all sorts of bumps and brusies to work out before the marathon this weekend... But it was worth it!

Now, what time am I supposed to up for Stoney marathon training?? =]

Supporting Lumberjack

This weekend was another first.

I went to the Lumberjack 100 mt bike race in Manistee Nat'l Forest. I didn't got to race.

I was there in support of 4 of my friends. You know, hand them water bottles, food, tools, and give them a little encouragment when needed.

These guys are my Hero's! It was crazy hot, no wind on the course, and bumpy as hell. Sure, I've done those before, but not FOR 100 MILES!! How bad was it? over 60% failed to finish. At one point there was a line at the scorer's table of people withdrawing from the race.

Unfortunately my friends were not spared. There was a back injury due to the rough trail, and combination back and stomach pains, and a whole lot of heat exhaustion! One of the 4 finished the entire race, but I'm super proud of them all!!

I had no idea what I signed up for. Comparing the stress of racing to the stress of race support, I'll take racing anyday! There was the Recoverite fiasco, which lead to me running the 40 yard hurdles in 15 seconds! And then the inevitable "i've got two racers at opposite pit areas at the same time and someone's getting screwed" botch. I really learned alot about running support for multiple people. Unfortunately I'll probably never get to use that knowledge, cuz I don't think I'll do THAT again.. =] And I'm definitely racing the Lumberjack next year!

What I was also impressed with was my fellow race supporters. These are some really great folks. Giving up an entire weekend to help their friends do ungodly things to their bodies and well beings. Even though most of them were supporting a close friend or SO, they're were all more than earger to help ANY racer on the course at a moments notice. Of course we're all racers and know what we'd like, but how many other places do you see the Golden rule practiced with such enthusiasm?!?

Whew, what a weekend!!

soup

Ahhhhhhh

Now I remember what started it all.

Sunday, on my way home from Chicago, I made a stop at Ft. Custer State Rec Area.. It was a BEAUTIFUL day! 70 degress, sunny, nice breeze... You couldn't ask for more in a day to ride.

This ride really helped me remember how it is I got started in mountain biking in the first place, some 14-15 years ago..

I can't explain it, but I know we've all felt it. That shit-eating grin as you ride whoops up and down, go high into banked turns, and hear the wind in your ears as you sail down a sandy hill, fingers tensed on the brakes, unable to decide whether it would be worse to grab too much brake and endo into the sand, or let loose and spend 20 minutes picking yourself out of that bush at the bottom of the hill.. :D

I rode hard, I enjoyed the scenery, I had fun. But most of all I rode for myself. Not to train for the next race. Not for a girl. Not for recognition. I rode because it had been too long since I'd been on my bike, and even longer since I'd been on my bike to ride at my pace, at my favorite trail, on my terms.

I highly recommend it.

Does this mean that racing has taken over, the way that I promised I wouldn't let it? Maybe. Maybe I should forget the CPS, forget the Michigan TT series. Race the fun races. Leave the local races to the racer boys. Keep the weekends for myself. Maybe.

Afterall, I've accomplished my goals for this year. Now I've got biggers goals, some that *gasp* don't involve mountain biking. Perhaps it's time to give them some attention.

By no means does this mean I'll stop mountain biking. But maybe it's time I go back to riding for myself.

Then again, maybe I'm just tired. ;)

soup

4 for 4

Once again, I race, it rains!

It was a beautiful, though hot day at Pontiac lake State Rec area for the Time Trial this past saturday. I got there early to setup the team tent even though I didn't race till well after noon.

Despite the sticky day, there was lots of good racing on a fast, mostly dry course.. There were a couple puddles from a previous rain, but the times were pretty fast.

But, as fate would have it, my race was yet to come, and so was the rain. The forecast was for chance of rain at about 1pm.. my race was to start at 1:19.. It figures the weatherman would be spot on today.. >=[

After a short delay, the race got underway. The first section of trail is pretty high and dry, so it soaks up the rain pretty good, and was still pretty fast. The rain helped traction on the typically sandy and loose "two mile" climb. But man, the second half of the trail had me going through Addison flashbacks something fierce. Most of the second half, though not nearly as deep, was just as sticky and slick as Addison, with the same "velcro" sounds as the tires churned through the mud.

I decided once again to set my priorety to keeping the bike upright, and hope that would put me in contention in the end. I was still able to push pretty hard. The practice I put in lately on the flats and corners came in very handy, allowing me to eek out every bit of speed I could.

At one point there's a looooong sweeping right hander with sand at the entrance and sand at the exit. In between it was very geasy. I hugged the inside as best I could, but when I hit the middle the front started to push out, I turned a little too sharply into the turn to correct, and thought forsure I was going to be eating mud pie. At the last second my Specialized Fasttrack hooked back up and I shot through the exit. Talk about inspiring confidence. I was pretty surprised that such a low knob tire would hook up like that. I'm liking those things more and more every day. Thanks Dustin!! =]

The rest of the race was fairly uneventful. With the exception of the steep climb after the whooping switchback downhill. I don't even know what happened. I stalled halfway up the hill, and with the slick mudslide to the left side of the trail, I figured it best to dab and get going than to risk a tumble down the hill. Then, seemingly from nowhere I hear tires zooming up behind, and just notice a familier orange streek out of the corner of my eye. Jay Jones, a fellow Cycletherapy teammate had run me down! Unfortunately, my troubles on the hill delyed him a bit as well, but I let him by, and off he went.

I pushed the rest of the race as hard as I dared. The final straights leading to the final two downhills were like running a guantlet. Branches weighted down with water slapping me in the face and shoulders, and HUGH puddles of water soaking my feet and bike, it almost got to be funny.. Almost.. =[

After pushing the last hill hard, knowing I was very nearly done, I started down the final downhill, one that I'm always a little leary of as the sweeping turns are very loose to the outside. This was not a pleasent time to discover I had no rear break. I mean the lever pulled to my handlebar with no effect. Gulp..... Well, better no rear break than no front. With the damp conditions, I figured there was no better time that to just let it run. And run it did. Man, what a great way to finish that trail. I was just on the edge of control, but I got down and on to the two track in one piece, and spun my little legs as fast as they'd go to the finish.

In the end, Cycletherapy racing took the top 3 spots in the Sport Singlespeed class. My time was just good for 2nd place, just 12 seconds off the lead! My goal was to win this race, and then spend the rest of the season racing Expert SS when there's a choice. So, I guess I'll just have to give it another try.

Not sure what my next race is going to be. Possibly the 8 hours of Pando. I'm really enjoying the endurance race format. I'm not sure I was built for the shorter races. We'll see.

Happy riding!

soup

Long overdue

Ok, the week is almost over, but here goes... My in depth Boyne Race Report! (better put a pot of coffee on.. ;) )

I thought I had an idea of what I was in for. I was a little right, and a little wrong.

Somehow, my SE Michigan brain couldn't wrap its head around running a gear easier than 2:1. I shoulda listened to Andy. I started in 2:1, and let's just say, it wasn't that much fun.. =[

Combined with the part that I wasn't warmed up, the going was slow. On the first of the long climbs, Erin passed me with words of encouragemetn as I hoofed it up the hill. I soon caught back up to her and hoped to use her has a rabbit to get me through the rest of the 1st lap. The second hill had other plans. I was off the bike again, and Erin's blue Darkhorse jersey disappeared into the distance. Back on the bike after the climb i started to close the gap again, but then ran into traffic. 3 slow guys in front of me taking their sweet time. We were in the tight single track now, and being a 24 hour race, I didn't want to be "that guy" and try to blow by all three in a bad spot, so I waited. I eventually got by, and Erin was no where to be found.

The rest of the lap was uneventfull. More walking, and some fun downhill. It took that lap to get the feel again for the downhill leading back to the start/finish area. Let me just say I love my disc brakes!! I really got a feel for being able to stop when I needed, and as a result was able to let it run when I wanted. I hit some crazy speeds in the sandpit downhill. My Fast Tracks just floated over the sand, I got my weight back, and let it go!!

Coming back to the start I tagged Junior for his lap, and started to work on changing the gear on my steed.

That first break was spent entirely working on the bike and getting ready for the next lap.. no resting.. that sucked. Becuase I didn't have a 32t chainring, I had to change my freewheel. I was faced with the dilemma of replacing my nice new White Industries 17t freewheel with a cheep $8 BMX 18t to get the desired 1.9:1. Andy to the rescue, AGAIN. He had a spare wheel with an ACS freewheel (a little better than the BMX freehwheel I had). All I had to due was center the axle, and tighten'er down and I was good to go.. there was even a tire mounted. It was a sight. Black bike, piss yellow fork (thanks again to Andy), one red rim and one white rim. Kevin supplied some neon zip ties to complete the ensemble...

I rode my second lap on Andy's rear wheel. From the start the freewheel was clicking and making all sorts of odd noises. This was not going to do. To add to my discomfort, I forgot my water bottle!! I had my perpetuem/hammer gel/gatorade mix in one bottle, but no water to wash it down.. ugh... This was going to be a long lap in the 85 degree heat!

So, after my second lap I was off to the Latitude 45 guys to see if they could remove my freewheel so i could install my cheap 18t. With a little elbow grease it was done, and I had a full set of red rims again, and a cheap, but healthy sounding 18t free wheel.

1.9:1 was the way to go. Much less walking. On my third lap I made almost the entire grinder climb without walking. Acutally, the whole lap was awesome. I was hitting lines, having fun, and enjoying myself. When I did hit the top of the grinder, and came out to the paved part of the cart path for the last 200+ yards of climbing, I found myself behind two other riders. Now this section, though paved, is no walk in the park. I started with a slow cadance, and slowly built up momentum, even as the path turned upward. I ran down both riders, making up a gap of around 100 feet. Man that felt great!

Over the first three laps I dropped my time from 60 min to 55, then to 54 minutes. Not times I'm particularly proud of, but considering I hadn't really ridden my bike since Addison, I'll take it.

I was WIRED after that 3rd lap. High on life and biking. I wish I could've bottled that feeling and kept if for later in the season. I'm sure it'd come in handy.. =]

I began my night laps at 11:30 pm. The night was a welcome relief from the heat of the day. And the solitude was awesome. In my two night laps I think I saw maybe 4 people. My next lap was at about 3am. I grabbed my iPod, and listened to Massive Attack's Protection throughout the first portion up to the rode crossing. Then I put on Tool's Undertow to help power me up that grinder one more time.

You have not lived until you've flown downhill at 30 mph on a bike at 3am with Tool blasting in your ears!!

Safe at home base once again, I settled in to rest before my next and hopefully last lap. I'd done some math, and the chances were that I'd have the chance to ride a 7th lap. We'd been in a dog fight all day with another 4 person mixed team, though they'd steadily pulled away from us all day long, and it didn't look like they were letting up. I figured if we couldn't take 1st, and wouldn't lose 2nd, then I'd just see how I felt when the time came.

Waiting for my 6th lap I was spent. There was no energy to eat, sleep, shower, nothing... I wrapped up in a jacket and sleeping bag in my chair under the tent and just was.

The rain started about 5:50 in the morning. Storms had been spoted on radar before that, and the lightening could be seen on the horizon for hours before dawn. Paula was apprehensive about starting her lap with the threat of lightening, but she was a trooper, and off she went. The rain continued, and seemed to get a little worse. I wasn't keen on riding in the rain either. I started having Addison flashbacks.

As it was, the rain wasn't sooooo bad. I still had a good lap. It was my slowest lap, but I imagine being my 6th had something to do with that too. It was uneventful other than the mud. The rain beat down the sand nicely, and I had a blast on the downhill once again.

When I got back, I was chatting with one of the Darkhorse ladies and we heard a rumour that the race might be called at 10am. That would mean no 7th lap decision for me!! And Paula would be spared a second rain lap. Rumour turned to reality, and Andy was our last rider out on the course just after 9am. The coolers were opened, and the beer came out to play. I'm not sure I've ever had such a well earned beer. I'm sure I've never had one kick me in th head so hard. Funny what happens when you drink alcohol on no sleep and nothing but a liquid diet in your stomache... =]

Well, that's it for the race portion of the report.. Long, and not very exciting, I know. One of these days I'll figure out how to pack more exciting info into less space.

Next up, Pontiac Lake Time Trial!!

Keep riding!