Living Above the Geoid: End of the Year, End of the Line PART II: 'Cross Edition

New season, new team, same old bike. <--- This was written like 2 weeks ago. Shows my commitment to keeping up this blog over the winter when I really have nothing to write about. Whatever. I retroactively and proactively use my 45+ hour a week job, plus all the riding I have been doing as an excuse. So there blogosphere, take that.

So far, I'm enjoying riding this year. I got a new bike. I've ridden it a handful of times, although not on open (i.e. snow-free) trails yet. Therefore I have yet to completely dial in the suspension. I'll post pictures of it once I get some more parts swapped on (got some ENVE bars coming) and race wheels finished. Hopefully the weight will be between 24 and 25 pounds, which is pretty awesome for a FS 29er with second shelf parts. Top shelf parts are a project for next year, since I have officially spent all my extra funds for the year on this bike.

I've started my training a fair bit earlier than I usually do. I think that's a good thing overall, since I'm planning on doing a bunch of NUE races this year. I've already signed up for the Mohican 100 and the Lumberjack 100 (which sold out in 14 minutes... WTF...), and am planning on hitting the Wilderness 101 and Shenandoah Mountain 100 as well, once those reg pages open up (if they are not already). Not that I think they will sell out as fast as Lumberjack did... jeez. So those four races are going to be my focus for the year. I think that it should be good fun season. Already looking to stay with some good friends for the Lumberjack. Needless to say I'm really excited.

I need more of this in my life. (c) A.E. Landes Photography.

So anyway, I had a really good ride with Fatmarc. He tells all about it so I don't feel the need to. It was good to get out with some good friends on a nice mellow road ride. Perfect way to start the week in my opinion. Anyway, as promised, I'll leave you with some pics from 'cross season. Not as many as I originally planned to, but some...