Road Tires and Hard Tails

"OUCH"


Well has been a slow week since the Dauset Race on Sunday mainly due to the fact that I had to put the ETSX into the shop to repair the brake break (ha ha). Took the Vertex out to Thompson Wednesday for a lap need to get used to the hardtail on the trail again so I can race it at the Pig in August. Changing the priorities this summer though after this weeks race(even if I was a little more competitive) I realized that unless the top 6 decide not to ride 3 of the next 5 races I will still not crack the top five for the category since I missed the first 3 races of the season. Still going to race but races like the Ft Mountain may fall off the schedule that is little far to drive if I am not competing for the series. However that allows me to add a second endurance ride on my schedule for example The ORAMM which from what I have read is a real test of dedication as well as skill. As for the hardtail comment the wife is joining the fun and getting a Trek 6500 WS and joining me on some limited road riding. Not sure if I want her to though after she nuked me with a real stinger, after hearing about Ms Universe pageant were Ms USA took a tumble and finished as the 5th runner up she turns to me and goes "Hey Honey, look Ms USA wrecked too and she still finished better than you!" Anyway the Hope tech guys are suppose to get my new line to Charles tomorrow so I am hoping to be ride ready by Saturday and out on the trail Sunday morning again. Not sure where I am riding but will be somewhere in Macon if I can make it up to E. Macon on Saturday I plan on helping out Dean with the trail maintenance. So if you are out there I Will See You on the Trail!

Look Ma - No Brake

Well Dauset was a good race today, not quite what I had hoped for but considering the spill I took the first mile into it I wont complain. Managed a 10th place overall for the beginner group both SERC and GSC 30-39yrs out of 27 riders pretty respectable for my first series race this year. A Good start got me out in the top 10 but several of us got caught behind a slower rider with about 6 riders behind him and my patience wore out quick so about a mile into it I tried to make a pass got caught on the outside of a turn rubbed a tire and went down hard. Once I got up straightened out the handlebars and realized that my front brake line was torn out of the reservoir I was passed by pretty much the entire field. So with rear brake only I took off after the field and over the course of the next ten miles managed to work my way back up to the top ten, tried to pass two riders for about the last two miles but had wore myself out getting back to were I was by then so finished as strong as I could. Still Chasing Ron Fields - great race today believe he was top 5, will be interesting to see were I fall in with the GSC riders after they post the split results on Gone Riding. A shout out to Charles for setting up my pop up for me and letting me know what to expect out of the trail conditions and a thanks in advance for fixing my brakes as I know how much he enjoys working on my Hope M4's. Well it is the Ft Mountain Race on June 10th so I will be doing some road rides in the morning and some trail rides locally here at Thompson or something so if your out there I Will See You on the Trail!

Triple Threat

Work Sucks I'm going Mountain Bike Riding!

"Tires Anyone?



"Is it a garage or a Bike Shop?"
Well that was the thought this afternoon when I drove out to Dauset and hit the trail today. It was a enjoyable 17 mile ride with some good efforts thrown in on Huff and Puff and the other hills. Was definitely a better way to spend the afternoon than sitting in a classroom all afternoon and good prep for this weekends race since I hadn't been out to Dauset since I got home. Anyway with was feeling like the blog needed some photographic enhancement and gotta keep up with Charles with all those pics of great biking stuff usually found at The Bike Store. Well its late and I need to hit the hay for a early wake up for work so if your racing on Sunday I will See You on the Trail!

Rocky Mountain Mornings

The 12hrs, No Wait - 6hrs of Tsali

First let me say to the riders that were injured in paticular the one that was severly injured my well wishes for a speedy and full recovery. While I don't know the specifics there was a rider who was injured on the second lap that required a Air Evac. All told I believe they had to take 4 ambulances out on the trail in the first six hours of the race. As for my weekend I headed up to Tsali on Friday with the family we got up to the resort around 5 pm and checked in I dropped the family off at the cabin and headed up to preregister. I drove up to the park and once I got up to the registration site began to realize that the set up was going to be somewhat of a logistical challenge. So realizing that it would be a good 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile hike up hill with any equipment and family members in tow I prepositioned the pop up and some other equipment. Figured to be at least one trip up in the mornig and then the trips back down at the end of the race to get it all back at the end of the night. Anyway race day was beautiful! Wheather was perfect I did forget my sunglasses(left them at the resturaunt the night before)and a few other odds and ends but at least I had the bike and my riding shoes! Had nice stroll up the hill from the start line always fun watching them team racers sprint up the hill fighting with each other to see who gets the bike first. Anyway by the time I got to my bike and headed up the hill it was like I was on a Sunday ride out by myself. Well my first run down the first hill was interesting since I hadnt preridden the course I had no idea what to expect but it was a rocking ride! I came around the right hand turn into the section with the jump and saw the first casualty of the day, a 12hr solo rider who wrecked on the jump and was getting assistance from the EMT's with what appeared to be a race ending collar bone or shoulder injury. Turned out to be the shoulder and he was at the pop up right next to mine. From there I started to find out how much fun this course was, The downhills have great flow with AWESOME banked turns and the climbs were a challenge but weren't so rough the killed you right off the bat. I started picking off riders about halfway thru the course which wasn't a big deal since I am sure I was dead last off the start but it felt good anyway. Ran the first lap at about a hour went up the feed zone back to the pop up and took a 5min breather which was my plan for the day to do each lap with 20min breaks after every 3rd lap. The second lap I was running a little faster since I now had a idea of the course layout but as I approached the first downhill again this time there was a EMT at the turn before the jump warning of a ride down on the track. This time the individual was unconcious and bleeding he didn't look good I rode on but with the image of that in my head was a little distracting last I heard he was doing ok and was awake and responsive but didn't hear anything other than that. Any way my next three laps took me to the 6hr mark and if I had to compare this course to anything local it would be a faster flowing version of Dauset and a Kick Ass ride! However due to the afformentioned logistics and the cost of the lodging arraingments I called it a day at the six hour mark and packed up the tent as it was it took 2hrs to get everything together and get the family moved out couldn't imagine trying that at 11pm at night with everyone else doing the same thing. All in all if it works out that I can be stateside for the event next year and the weather is as good I would be willing to do it again, just arrainge to camp at the park this time. While disappointed in not completing the 12hrs as planned it was a enjoyable weekend and I rode away in one piece so I am happy with that and will look forward to this weekends race at Dauset. So if your out there I will See You on the Trail!

Thompson Evenings and Arrowhead Mornings

Well getting warmed up for the 12hrs of Tsali with a couple of back to back rides before I start preparations to head up to NC this weekend. Trying the Joe Freil recommended approach with a couple of race effort runs and finish it off tomorrow and give myself the recommended 72hrs of rest before the race. Also been trying out the Optygen suppose to increase VO2 Max and help hold of LT effects so will see what impact that has. Taking the family up to the race with me and staying at Nantahala Village resort figured make it a enjoyable weekend for everyone, my son will have a game room he can go to if he gets bored and I lose my pit crew about 7pm when the All Star NASCAR Race comes on. I am looking forward to the race I haven't done a 12hr Solo since Santos last year and from what I have heard thru the grapevine it is a challenging course so I am looking forward to the ride. Hopefully that 1500 training miles in the desert will provide me with the endurance I need to be able to keep a steady pace and ride for the full 12hrs. I will be sporting the new OMBA kits as well as The Bike Store Gear and should get a oportunity to wear the ARMY jersey and of course the Rocky Mountain jersey as well and get the wife to take picks so I can post a few here(talk about shameless promotion and I aint even gettin paid except by one and it aint for my riding skills!). Well getting late here and I am going to be up early so if your out there at Arrowhead I Will See You on the Trail!

Ergon Mania Strikes!

Can You spot the Biker in this Picture?
Well I am officially part of the Ergon grip crowd. Picked up a set today at TBS from Charles and already can tell I am going to like them on the 12hrs of Tsali. Also did the Bike Fitting on the ETSX by Jesse which was pretty informative and hopefully will help with the lower back pain I have been experiencing lately. Took the wife out to the Pig Trail Monday to allow her to get out on the trail again she hasn't been riding since the horrific wreck she had at Thompson last fall so this was a pretty big step for her it went well she managed to keep the rubber side down for the entire ride. I also had a chance to check out the new Maxxis Ignitors that I got from TBS. These tires have some of the lowest rolling resistance I have ever ridden on they are fast and reliable handling I would definitely recommend them. Tommorrow I will be heading out to Dauset for a birthday ride so will be seeing if I am still able to hang with Charles out there. So if your out there I Will See You on the Trail!

I'm Back in the saddle again!!

Thats right folks I'm back less than 48hrs after my return I was on the trail! I may have put in almost 1500 miles on the road out there in my desert oasis over the past 3 months however the technical skills were a little rusty as well as the handling skills. However I did manage to keep the rubber side down for 2 1/2 laps out at Thompson so I felt pretty good about that. I don't know when I will be called on to return to my second home however until then I plan on having fun and doing as much riding as possible starting with the 12hrs of Tsali and the next GSC race at Dauset. Speaking of Dauset my plan is to hit the trail out there on Sunday not sure of the time yet but if your out there I will See You on the Trail!!