derailluers, hangers, and more

Well since I have returned on Sunday that was the last day I have ridden but I have been on the internet and on the phone between Rocky Mountain, Performance Bike. com and Ebay I should be broke for a while! Rocky has done a outstanding job taking care of me with the derailluer hanger issue sending me 3 of them to replace the one I bent like it was cool as well they are hooking me up with upgraded rear suspension arms for the ETSX at least a upgrade for my 2003 model, great customer service with these guys seeing as the closest dealer is up in Atlanta nice that they work direct with the riders. Looks like I will also have to replace the rear derailluer as well at least to relegate the current one to a back up if needed. works out good though with Rocky sending me three hangers and having a spare rear derailluer( might have two depending on how things pan out on Ebay) I can just have prebuilt replacements take off the hanger arm derailluer and all and slap the replacement on there takes two screws and quick link on the chain and your ready to roll! So anyway after torquing down the current hanger arm this afternoon I shall be shooting for riding friday afternoon and Sunday morning if the weather cooperates so hopefully this set will hang in there and work for me. Need to get some workout time in with the Time Trial coming up next weekend at Snake Creek 32 miler that outta be a kicker! Nothing to exciting other than that, once I get the camera developed should have a couple of pics for the site from Razorback. NASCAR season is upon us as well so I will make sure to harrass any Jeff Gordon fans each time he wrecks and Brag loudly each time Dale Jr. wins! Until then if you hit Thompson, or Arrowhead I will see ya on the trail!

Razorback bite

Well after much preparation and looking forward to the 12 hrs of Razorback there we were - BEA-utiful day, prerace ride preparation all done smoothly and just chomping at the bit to go racing. Well I started out lead lap enjoyable little 1/4 mile run to the bike and then off we go- at least for the first hundred yards and then the cattipillar begins, the first two miles had a lot of stop and go with the back up but it wasn't two bad was working my way thru the field little by little just making moves when I could. Mile 3 and we are off to the races baby, passing and moving hooking it up at every opportunity so by mile 7 I am sure I have to be close to the front at least definitely in the top half and then as fate would have it rolling thru a sharp right hand turn to a rooty uphill I spot a rider getting stuck, no problem a little harder to the right around the tree and the rider and I am----oh no what is that jammed thru the long cage and up into the rear derailluer sticking into my wheel but a nice big branch!#%$*!!?*! (by the way did I mention I suffer from a mild case of tourettes when riding?) so about 15 min later and the majority of the field later I manage to make the bike rideable and cross the line at a 1hr and 14min Well to make a long story short the repair job didn't take and 1/2 mile into my second lap the spring screw went missing leaving me with 3 gears and no chain tension making for a 1hr 48min second and final lap. Lessons learned always bring a spare derailluer to the race and never let someone else tell ya "oh yea I fixed it". My apologies to my teamates on burning up the daylight and for the next 12 hr race I figure I will go a two person team or solo just not enough time in a 12 hr for a four person team. Anyway I am replacing the derailluer hopefully the derailluer hanger is salvagable because there is no authorized Rocky Mountain Dealer within 70 miles of here and then it is off to the Snake Creek Time Trials on the 4th of March were hopefully I will have better mechanical luck. While the racing for me may not have been all that great the group was a good group to ride with Dave, Courtney, and Ryan and hanging out with all the riders from the area was cool. Also I rode Santos on Sunday before departing figured since we were there might as well enjoy some of the riding and see what the race might have to offer, man there is alot of trail out there! Anyway I should be out at Thompson and possibly Arrowhead this weekend so as usual I will see ya on the trail!

Florida to Arizona

Well here it is Race weekend - a year ago it was the same thing just at a 24 hr race in Az, this year a 12 yr in Florida if variety is the spice of life then I should be Cajun! I am psyched for this looking forward to a great race and at the same time thinking of my riding buddies in Arizona racing in the 24 hrs of Old Pueblo, that is a awesome race course and race event! Well keeping this short just dropping a note if your interested in the kind of terrain and riding we do out there check out the site www.gearmashers.com will give you a idea of some of the guys out there - not much different from anywhere I suppose just enjoying a common love of mountain biking and sharing good times with like minded people-anyway if your going to Razorback this weekend I will see ya on the trail! (and hopefully while I am passing ya!)

T-3 and counting

Well 3 more days till race day fans, 4 if your counting the Daytona 500 which I will have to watch on tape again this year- these event coordinators have to consider NASCAR schedule when putting these 12 and 24 hr races together! Anyway I am stoked! The bike is cleaned and ready to go the weather is looking better and I am looking forward to a good time. Rebuilt the pedals yesterday as well as some regular maintenance and once I get the new tires in will be putting those on with some STANS and should be ready to go. I am going to have to pass on the hardcore training Charles is going to be up to on Wednesday there work calls - Sorry Charles but you put in a lap out there for me and I will see if I can make it next time! Took the wife out to dinner tonight at Johnny Carinos, the place was packed but not as bad as Olive Garden, no chocolates - went with the candles cheaper and last longer! She loved it anyway! Well if your out there sooner or later I will see ya on the trail!

Panaracer/ Imitation

These are the Panaracers being sold on PricePoint if you are considering buying the Panaracer Fire XC Pro make sure you check the label on the tire the smaller print in a flame design is a OEM tire not the actual factory made tire it has half the TPI count and is heavier than the actual Panaracer Fire XC Pro which will have the Large print on the sidewall without the flame outline on it- Just so you know in case your looking , this version cost about half the price of the original but your getting a low quality product.

Race Prep time

Well it is fast approaching race time and I can't wait. Of course for those of us watching the weather once again it is holding true to form for a February race, at least for now the 10 day forecast is calling for a chance of showers, bringing back the dreaded memories of the 24 hours in the Old Pueblo where it rained for 18 of the 24 hrs! Just hope we can have better luck this year than we did last! Anyway got in some good riding last week getting back to form after three weeks of no riding but good cardio at about 5500 ft elevation and hiking in the mountains. That was some good change up training and helped out with getting the legs a shock. After hearing from several people about the Snake Creek I am looking forward to the March weekend where I will finally get my shot at the 32 miler and see if I can cross the line in decent time frame, hopefully the weather will be cooperating there better than it did in February! Anyway it is off to Dauset tomorrow for a team ride and planning session and then a easy ride at Thompson on Wednesday and then off to Razorback on Friday so if it is tomorrow, Wednesday, Friday or Saturday at some point I will see ya on the trail!

Long Cold days

Well it has been 27 long days away and I am finally back. Washington may be some beautiful riding country during the summer but it is some seriously cold snowy heavy pack moving, snow shoe wearing, artic sleeping bag nights country during January! And for a boy from Arizona, the last place I want to be! Anyway I made it through what has been some of the funnest training in my short military career - that is sarcasm your hearing in my tone there. Picked up the bike on Friday Charles kept it stored for me while I was away and will hopefully put in a couple of laps out at Thompson tomorrow and a trip to Dauset this weekend before I head up to Razorback on the 18th can't wait to get rolling up there! Anyway hopefully I will have the chance to get a couple of races in at the beginning of the season. Hopefully the training I did for the last three weeks at about 5,000 ft altitude climbing the mountains will improve my riding time down here at Sea level well thats all for now and as I venture back out to ride I will see ya on the trail.