CX mods

On Friday, I made some mods to the CX bike. First off was a 44 tooth large chainring. I swapped the 48 for a 44, in the hopes I could push the big meat longer in a race. It is paired with a 26-12 cassette, so I have a nice range to work with. Next up was a set of tubular wheels. This allows me to run the challenge grifo tubular tire. 34c gives you a tone of air to ride on, and really smooths out the ride on grass, and gravel. Both performed flawlessly yesterday. It is good when the machine performs to your expectations. Stay tuned for a race report.

Burning 6 Hour

Finally feeling the postive energy of recovery today. Burning was high on my list at the beginning of the year, but after a long season, the motivation was not all there. Still, I packed up and trugged forward. My goal for the weekend was fun and four laps. I have never done 4 laps in one day before, and only done 3 laps consecutivley one other time. I was a bit nervous about my preperation when lining up. I have not faired well on the long MTB rides this summer, so the name of the game is disapline for me. This was my second burning, last year being my first racing the fast class with tim and tony.

Lap 1 and 2 were pretty consistant. I was about mid pack for the Lemans start, and going down the hill. There was a pile up at the drop in, and the switch back onto the lake loop was a choke point. The first lap was crowded and bunched up a bit. The most frustrating part is when I would pass people, and then mess up a tech section. I really did enjoy the company though, and for me this made the time pass quickly. It was nice to ride with friends new and old. Lap two was cleaner, and had me feeling great. I took a 20 min break after lap 2 and had a sandwich. Probably not the best idea, but the hunger was intence, and I really wanted to rest up for the second half. Lap 3 was on a full stomoch, so it took a while to get the blood flowing again. I was definatly feeling it on the last hill, and ended up walking a portion of it with Scott P. The fatigue was setting in on my legs, but I still felt good. A short break, and some gels had me feeling good enough to tackle the last lap. I felt the best on this lap until I hit the beach, then the cramps set in. It is hard to keep those negitive thoughts from coming in, but I tried my best. I was covering the doors and windows like in that move "Birds", trying to keep the darkness out. I had been feeling the twitching coming on since about half way around the last lap, so I was standing alot on the inclines, and spinning the flatter stuff. The last hill had me walking again, cramps came on strong right at the end. I really wanted to ride across the line, but had to limp like a stray mutt into the finish area. I didnt care at that point. I ended up in 6th place for my first real endurance race. I was ear to ear about that.

The rest of the day is kind of a blur. We ate, drank and cheered until Zach B. came across that line with hands in the air. What a sight to see.

This was a test of will for me. I had a ton of fun with the trail, conditions, and all of the great people that made this event happen, and participated.

No complaints about the trail condiitons. It was super fast, no dust, and perfect temps for the whole day. C-bluff is an epic trail, at 13 miles, it never really lets up. The legs were super spent and warrented an Ice Bath. Man this is the ticket to a fresh pair of legs. Maybe could have used a little more ice, but the feeling is great. This was a nice end to the MTB season.

Short Track

Got up on Sunday, and felt pretty good about my self. So I loaded up and headed to C-wood for some short track/dirt crit. I only did one other short track race over the summer, same course, but opposite direction. Fair consideration was given to using the cross bike for this, but at the end of the day, the creek crossing helped make up my mind. I scoped the creek on Friday night. The recent heavy rains had made it wider. There was a small muddy puddle as you dropped in, then a long gravel bar, with a deeper creek section. The trail leading out had been paritaly washed away, and was wet from everyone crossing in the same general area. It made for some great fun. The race was set for 45min and 2 laps. I gave it little thought as I lined up. I started second row, not getting in a big hurry. The start was side open and quickly funneled into narrow switchback sections just like cross racing. We get on the single track, and I make some moves. As we roll into the field, I make a few more, and try to get some distance from those around me for the creek crossing. I made most of my moves in the first 2-3 laps, kind of hard to remember at this point. I do know that I moved around Ralph and Robert in the field, and Russel the Mussel at the creek during a bunch up. I had my sights set on a guy rolling a cross bike. He was flossing big time on the roots, and the drainage wash. I was able to pull up to about 10 sec. gap, but could not close the deal. Greg from Segul came around me super fast in the field. That sent me reeling and scrambling for power. Also around that time, Robert came around me, and slowly pulled away. At this point I was deep in the red, and asking buddy if there was only one lap left. In reality there were 4. I put in some hard efforts to bridge up to metz, but every time I would see him, I biffed the creek crossing, or exploded my form. I was able to finished in good shape, 9th overall in the A race. I feel pretty good about the effort, and my discipline. I tried to keep it in check for the first half. I did that pretty well, still need some work on staying smooth.

For me, the main goal for the day was to not get lapped. While this almost happened, I crossed the line before CP was able to pass me on the final lap. It was close though.

The race promoter, Ralph Pfremmer did a bang up job for the race and the series. It was nothing but good people and good times. The 2 man really was awesome to watch. People were turning some hot laps.

Getting stoked for burning. I could feel the effort last night, even after a nap yesterday. Some quality recovery is in order, so I can be fresh for c-bluff, and an epic race.

Ronde Von Evergreen

Yesterday had me headed to Evergreen park in Carbondale IL. I was stoked to ride this course. I remember it being fast and mostly grass. The course was the opposite direction of last year, with some added features. It was slightly more technical in the parts of the course that changed terrain conditions from tarmac to gravel. These were slick, and need some attention when passing through. The rest of the course was tight turns, a short steep ramp, and a gravel pile that was a momentum sucker. The corners were dragging on me toward the end, I think a smaller chainring will do the trick, something like a 44 o 46. The start of the race was fast and aggressive, with MJ, Russ and Christopher off in the front pack. I found my self separated from it, and chasing to catch the train. There were others in that group, Mark Shae and Casy. It took me two laps to get into a nice rhythm, I was feeling strong, and my HR had come back from the stratosphere. I made a quick stop at the pit for a rear wheel change. I lost many positions before this as I soft pedaled back to the pit. HUGE THANKS to Boz for loaning me a sweet pro mavic cosmic wheel. That was the difference between a DNF and a finish. I buried myself trying to catch back up to the pack, but could not get back in the groove. I was taxed pretty bad with one to go, and could only see Boz several turns infront of me. I had no gas to try and attack, so cruised in. Not sure where I ended up, 15th or so I am guessing. A finish is always better for the ego and confidence than a DNF. Mesa had a good showing for the day. Christopher and Matt took 3/4 respectively, I wish I could have been up front for the party. Ill have to wait two weeks for another chance.

This was a well promoted event. The A race was super fast, with some drama, and mechanicals. Scott P stepped up and did the first series race in the A's. I had a total blast cheering the A race on.

Herman Cross Race

Cross is Back!!!

First cross race of the season has come and gone. What a great time that was. The course was shortened, but packed a punch. There was some smoking fast grass sections with zig-zags, and switch backs. Most could be carved at high speed, or pedaled through. There was a bog section to give you the winter feel of cross, but with out the coldness, or sport balm smell. The stairs were also there in a shortened fashion. I had a bad start, losing me about 20 positions before we started down the pavement hill. I tied too hard, too soon to regain, sending me into the red. I focused on staying smooth. I really wanted to keep the strokes smooth, and constant. If you can do that in the big ring, the speed comes along. I was able to keep some consistency toward the end, and really turn up the heat. On the last lap, I heard the bell, and saw the group of 5 ahead of me that I needed to pass to get in the money. They were grouped tight, and moving. I believe Jason Watkins was pulling the train. I was able to pull up to them, but ran out of course to pass. The stairs came, and I was not able to move around, but managed a 10th place finish. I am stoked for that, since it is the first race of the year. I have alot of time to build on those results. Should be a sweet season.

The new bike ran flawlessly. No complaints what so ever with the bike. The gearing up front is dialed for some smooth operating, and the fit is perfect. I have finally dialed in the Sram shifters. They took a few rides to get used to, but now I have mastered them. I am not sure about the bottle cage I put on. I like to drink in the race, got 4 chances to do so in this one, but it gets in the way when soldering.

We got to rock the new black CX kits. When I put it on and looked in the window of the car, the song This is why Im hot from Lil wayne ran through my head. They are pro. It was nice to enjoy the party atmosphere of the race, and see some friends.

Now I need to clean up and get ready for carbondale. I hope the grass is dry, so I can run the Grifo sx tires. Those things are true speed. The Grifo performed well at Hermann. I did not have any issues with grip, braking or spinning in the mud. I was really impressed with the handeling in the corners as they sofend up. I did unseat the rear, which rubbed up against the brake, and wore down the bead, but that was probably piolot error. Overall I felt good with my form and my fitness. A few more races should hone in both to a higher level.

Tony "yanagi" Rocca

Spoke with my friend Tony today. He is in Skagway AK working as a raft guide. He has been up there since April, and is working on his first year as a guide. Tony has guts and that is what counts. These are a couple of pics of us on the Grand. His first trip out there and we rip off a single day ascent in a shade over 18...hours. That was including an hour nap I took while sitting/leaning up against a rock at 11k. On the way down we run into a griz coming up the trail, and torrential rain in the last mile. All this did was fire us up more for the icing on the cake. A pitcher of Moose Drool Brown Ale, and a pizza... EACH! Ohh, thats not your call, then lets have a Bitch Creek ESB. The second pic is us with my dad in Teton Canyon for some "Moderate" trad climbing. While we were ther we met Jimmy Chin http://www.jimmychinphotography.com/, I got my balls kicked by a super hard sport rout, climbed some moderate rock, got the rope tangled, discussed the finer points of henson clutches with the locals, and as depicted, threw down on some more local Micro.

A true friend, that knows how to live the good life, a pint at a time.

ToM Stage 7

We had kickass seats for this. I was in the grass area on Forest park Parkway in between Compton and Grand. We got to see them from both directions, and had awesome photo opportunity. Here are a few pics. The weather turned out great, the beer was good, and spirits were high. Afterward we went down to the south grand neighborhood and ate at Pho Grand. That place is sweet. A new favorite in my book, I am stoked to try the Afghanie place next door also.

Pictures from stage six are at home, so I will have to get those tomorrow.