Hey, do you know what you want? You want a new bike! And you really want a super-pimp Cannondale Flash 29er! You should check out the one I'm selling
Here
In other news, I had a super slow week at work, and am really looking forward to getting my 'cross on in Dirty Jersey this weekend. See you all out there!
Friday, October 29, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
All Things Granogue
Granogue is awesome. There's no two ways about it. And as usual, I have had a full week to reflect on its awesomeness before my blog entry. So after two days of cross practice on the course, and a 15hr work day on Friday, I made it to my parents house just in time to eat dinner and go to bed. The next morning I was up normal time and headed to Granogue with Ms. Geology. She was doing reg, or something, for the day. I wasn't technically doing anything until after racing was over, but I figured that showing up would be good. Team spirit and all. Plus I love Granogue. It is by far my favorite course out there. And my favorite race in general, I think, because of the whole atmosphere and all the great people who run it. I am very proud to say that I am one of those people. The proudest I have ever been. It means a lot to me to be part of a community like that. You all are awesome.
To top it off, I had a weekend of great racing. After a so-so start position on Saturday, I moved up into 28th place. I had ridden Saturday's course a bunch, so I knew its flow. That helped a lot, but having good legs didn't hurt. It was super convenient that Granogue happened to fall at the end of a training block. The whole course, in my opinion was super flowy and hard, with some interesting elements including a fun downhill section to the greenhouse, and the awesome tree-root corner where I passed tons of people (roadies). I can't say enough about how much fun I had, or how hard it was, so I'll just stop talking.
Sunday was equally as awesome. Great course, No barriers, which was interesting. Shortened Tower run-up with an awesome downhill remount to a ripping fast off-camber corner. Then there was that back slalom section through the trees, which was fun to rip up and down. Had a much better start position this time, so I had to actually fight for my position all the time. It's a really nice feeling to actually have to race, something I hope to replicate in next year's mountain bike season. I did pull back a few spots (finished 24th), though I did not accomplish my goal of winning Granogue. Someday, maybe someday, I will win Granogue Cross. And Granogue Mountain Bike too. That would be nice.
Yesterday I traveled with Jewelry Store Ben to DCCX, another iconic east coast cross race. It was fun. I was really excited when I saw my number was 414. That meant I would start on the second row! I'd have a chance at a result! When I got to the start line I was told to move back. Numbers started at 300. FML. Still pulled back 70 some places to finish 42nd. Not a great result, but an effort I am happy with. Next weekend I'm going to try and make it to Beacon Cross (assuming I can get off work), but I will definitely be at HPCX. See ya'll out there!
To top it off, I had a weekend of great racing. After a so-so start position on Saturday, I moved up into 28th place. I had ridden Saturday's course a bunch, so I knew its flow. That helped a lot, but having good legs didn't hurt. It was super convenient that Granogue happened to fall at the end of a training block. The whole course, in my opinion was super flowy and hard, with some interesting elements including a fun downhill section to the greenhouse, and the awesome tree-root corner where I passed tons of people (roadies). I can't say enough about how much fun I had, or how hard it was, so I'll just stop talking.
 |
| Leading a group up the road |
 |
| Cross skillz??? |
 |
| This shot should be used for both C3 and Granogue publicity |
Sunday was equally as awesome. Great course, No barriers, which was interesting. Shortened Tower run-up with an awesome downhill remount to a ripping fast off-camber corner. Then there was that back slalom section through the trees, which was fun to rip up and down. Had a much better start position this time, so I had to actually fight for my position all the time. It's a really nice feeling to actually have to race, something I hope to replicate in next year's mountain bike season. I did pull back a few spots (finished 24th), though I did not accomplish my goal of winning Granogue. Someday, maybe someday, I will win Granogue Cross. And Granogue Mountain Bike too. That would be nice.
 |
| Tower Run-up in traffic |
 |
| Amphitheater run-up, last lap |
 |
| Charging to the line |
Monday, October 4, 2010
Apples
Got some apples from the cross race this weekend. Don't really have much to say about it. The apples are tasty. Had a really good race, and I could have gotten a higher start if I had read my number correctly (that's another story all together. Finished 22nd in the 3/4 race. My legs are finally getting some pop back, out of corners and such, so kicking out of corners (which there were a lot of) wasn't as much of a problem.
 |
| C3 army present and accounted for for the 3/4 race |
 |
| Movin' up... |
 |
| Money shot from the road |
 |
| As a sucky runner, I chose to ride the run-up, which was to my advantage except for this lap where the other guy in the picture caught me... I dropped him on the next climb though. Might race next weekend, might not. It depends on plans of friends, how much work I do this week, and other things. This rain we've been having has been a blessing and a curse: on the one hand, I don't have to work so I have time to do other things, on the other hand, I don't have to work so I don't get paid. I got billz to pay yo! Pictures from Ms. Geology again... |
Monday, September 27, 2010
Whirlygig
Been a few years since I hit Whirlygig (bird) Cross. Last time I raced there it poured all day, and ended up being a little less than fun. I had bike issues, which led to a crap race. Yesterday. I did not have bike issues. I did not have leg issues. I did not have cramping issues. In fact I had a pretty good race. It would have been nicer to have a higher placing at the finish (50th), but I started further back than that, so I guess that's good. I guess that since I missed the first two rounds of the MAC, so I have absolutely no points. I am relegated to the back of the pack, and unless I produce some super-human efforts (a la Cameron Dodge who won the B race starting from 1 row in front of me... good on him), or just get faster overall. I'm thinking that faster just might be in order. Faster over barriers, faster in the start, faster in the corners, faster on the flats. Faster means training, which means fun bike riding all the time. I suppose that's the best way to think of it. And fun bike riding means 'cross practice once a week, which makes me excited. So I had a good race this weekend. I really don't have much more to say about it. I'll leave you with a few pictures, courtesy of Ms. Geology.
High speed barriers are sketchy...
Ms. Geology thinks that this is a happy face... it is not a happy face
She also likes taking pictures of me immediately post race...
Going to hit up some MABRA races for the next two weeks, then the infamous and awesome Granogue Cross... I'm excited, are you excited, BECAUSE YOU SHOULD BE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
There's a cross practice at the end of the rainbow...
Indeed there was last night. Attended my first official cross practice, which I had been planning on doing a month ago. Not having a bike built up kinda put a stop to that. Now that I have a bike, though, you will see me at practice every week from now until the end of the season. Now that I have my cross bike built up, I can race too, and I did that last weekend. Last Sunday (had to work Saturday) I pulled on the colors of the Dark Side and let my legs do the talking at Day 2 of Charm City Cross. I suppose that's my home course now. Well, since I didn't race the MAC opener at Puma Cross, or Day 1 of Charm City Cross, me legs managed to talk their way from a start in 105th to a finish in 78th. There's only so much you can do when you're starting two rows from the back. I would have almost rather started twenty or thirty feet off the back of the pack, but the officials were standing there and looked like they would have none of it. It was a fun race though. Had to wait a lap or two until the pack thinned out (and I remembered how to race cross) before I could start making moves. After a complete screw up over the barriers first lap (hope nobody saw), I remembered how to do it and felt pretty damn good doing cross-type things that I don't normally do during the year; like dismounts, remounts, and carrying my bike over stuff.
Dark Side!
A pink staircase run-up should be a must at every 'cross race
So I've started training again, because it's 'cross season, and I'm sick of sucking (results wise) at 'cross. It's time to pony up... Whirlybird is next weekend (held at my high school wrestling rival school... boo ANC), and it's off to the races from there, literally. I leave you with the money shot, courtesy of Ms. Geology (other photos courtesy of her too).
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Oh Shenandoah, I long to see you, and hear your rolling river
This year marks the first year that I have really begun to fully enjoy myself at 100 mile races. I had a blast at the Wilderness, and an even bigger blast at Shenandoah this past weekend. Shenandoah is a race that will definitely be on my calender next year. After that, who knows. The unfortunate thing is that it conflicts with 7 Springs, which is another race that I like. Maybe one of them will have the heart to change, although it's not like I would attempt to do them back-to-back.
Chris Scott tried a different type of start for this years Shenandoah 100, staging riders by expected finish times. I lined up with the 8hr group. Lets be clear here. I did not expect to finish in 8hrs. I just wanted to avoid the logjam in the singletrack that I was sure to get stuck in if I lined up in my actual group of 10hr. I lined up next to Madison and his dad, and followed Jim up most of the first climb before moving ahead of him. I hit the singletrack and got stuck in a little traffic but generally made it through pretty quickly. I got into a good group on the roads and we began really trucking towards the next section of trail. Instead of walking most of it like I did two years ago, I made it up all but the steepest parts of the first singletrack climb. I guess that was when I realized I was riding pretty well. On the next descent (Wolf's Ridge I think...) I made a rookie line choice and ended up on my face and having to eject my bike behind me. My bike was ok (had to re-adjust one of my Ergon's), but my knee was a little banged up. It felt fine, though, so I kept trucking on, eventually catching Jim and following him down the descent at a slower pace. Jim is a good wheel to have on the road, and probably kept me from blowing myself up too early by chasing too hard. Chasing what, I don't know, but chasing nonetheless. We eventually got into a bigger group that included local superstar Jon Williams, and rolled into Aid Station #2 together.
At Aid Station #2, everyone stopped, except me. My plan was to hold of on stopping until Aid Station #3. I had enough Hammer Perpetuum and Hammer Gel to last until then, so I was just going to go. As I was nearing the top of the short road climb after Aid Station #2, I made another rookie mistake by trying to double shift while pedaling under load (Andy Schleck style) and lodged my chain against my drive-side chainstay. Twenty minutes later I had taken the chain apart, untangled it, and put the chain back together (the latter took much longer than it should have), and my knee had swelled up quite nicely from the crash. After a minute of pedaling I knew it would be slow going. Any pressure I put through my left knee was met with a nice shooting pain. I hit the next climb (Hankey Mountain/Wild Oak Trail... the real shitty climb) and started to soft pedal. Some kind soul (bless you kind soul for I know not who you are other than that you had sweet mutton chops) gave me some Vitamin I about halfway up the maintained road part of the climb. Once that kicked in, my legs started spinning more freely and I started ratcheting up my pace. I knew that utter sweetness awaited me at the top. I ripped down Dowells Draft like a kid in a candy store. That trail is truly too much fun. It is also where the lessons of fast descending finally sunk in: keep a cool head, keep loose, flow like water, go fast. Fast made all the difference in clearing the first set of loose drop-offy switchbacks. Fast made the bottom part more fun. Fast is good. When I got to Aid Station #3, I did my thing and left, eager to hit the next bit of singletrack.
After the stupid crash I caused on the road (no one injured, sorry TransSylvania Pete), I started up Bridge Hollow which is a fun, technical singletrack climb. Then it was down Johnson Draft, which is another killer descent. I stopped for a bit at Aid Station #4, even though I really didn't need to. It was nice to see Ms. Geology and my parents helping out there, but I needed to move, so I did. I moved out onto the open road for the long climb. The infamous 20 mile long climb which, although not very steep, offers up a continuous false flat-to-easy climb for about 10 miles, then 4 or 5 miles of rolling, but still climbing overall, roads, then 5 or 6 miles of steady moderate-grade climbing. When most people look at it at first, it scares them. In truth it's the easiest part of the whole course. The only thing that really starts to hurt is your ass from sitting on it too long. Alternating between sitting and standing is the key to keeping sane riding the long road sections. I settled into a good pace, with a good group on the false flat section. Once the climbing got more intense, our pace quickened slightly, but not too much, and people started falling off our group. When we hit the really climby last leg, our group, formerly about a dozen people, was down to 2, me and a singlespeeder whom I had seen earlier and passed before my chain/knee incident. The first time I saw him I wanted to punch him because he looked like Evan Plews (the link explains itself... and if you were there you can definitely sympathize). He was not Evan Plews, just a pretty solid rider who was taking it easy after trying to chase back to hard from flatting. Very nice guy. I let him go up the steeper bits so I could maintain the same pace, and so my spinny geared ways didn't step on his singlespeed-ness. Near the top of the climb I upped my pace to make up some time and caught him before Aid Station #5.
After Aid Station #5 and another bottle change, I began hammering for home. A short descent and a medium length climb later I was headed down Wild Oak, the last long descent in the race. I definitely learned the lesson that faster is better when coming down the technical upper sections of this trail. There were two moments that I remember thinking to myself, after skipping over something hairy, that had I been going any slower I would be rolling down the mountain. Speed is good. Skipping over death rocks and death roots is good. Making it down the mountain in one piece, on my bike is good. Speed is good. Speed is fun. That feeling of cleaning something that you rightfully should have is an awesome feeling, as is ripping sweet singletrack.
I rolled through Aid Station #6. It was time to be done, and I wanted to beat the myth that your Shenandoah 100 time is your Wilderness 101 plus one hour. I hit it as hard as I could up the Hankey Mountain climb (version 2), ripped down the next descent, and hammered the slightly rolling roads just before the campground. I dropped down through the campground with some dude on my tail. He jumped out ahead of me onto the campground road, but missed the turn into the field. Sorry dude. I did my trademark manual over the jump in the field (a la the road in R.B. Winter at TransSylvania) and rolled into the finish with a time of 10:18:17, well under my goal time. I was happy. I am still happy. Cross is soon. It is fun. You should come. Some Shenandoah pictures are included below courtesy of Bob Popovich.
Peace...
Chris Scott tried a different type of start for this years Shenandoah 100, staging riders by expected finish times. I lined up with the 8hr group. Lets be clear here. I did not expect to finish in 8hrs. I just wanted to avoid the logjam in the singletrack that I was sure to get stuck in if I lined up in my actual group of 10hr. I lined up next to Madison and his dad, and followed Jim up most of the first climb before moving ahead of him. I hit the singletrack and got stuck in a little traffic but generally made it through pretty quickly. I got into a good group on the roads and we began really trucking towards the next section of trail. Instead of walking most of it like I did two years ago, I made it up all but the steepest parts of the first singletrack climb. I guess that was when I realized I was riding pretty well. On the next descent (Wolf's Ridge I think...) I made a rookie line choice and ended up on my face and having to eject my bike behind me. My bike was ok (had to re-adjust one of my Ergon's), but my knee was a little banged up. It felt fine, though, so I kept trucking on, eventually catching Jim and following him down the descent at a slower pace. Jim is a good wheel to have on the road, and probably kept me from blowing myself up too early by chasing too hard. Chasing what, I don't know, but chasing nonetheless. We eventually got into a bigger group that included local superstar Jon Williams, and rolled into Aid Station #2 together.
At Aid Station #2, everyone stopped, except me. My plan was to hold of on stopping until Aid Station #3. I had enough Hammer Perpetuum and Hammer Gel to last until then, so I was just going to go. As I was nearing the top of the short road climb after Aid Station #2, I made another rookie mistake by trying to double shift while pedaling under load (Andy Schleck style) and lodged my chain against my drive-side chainstay. Twenty minutes later I had taken the chain apart, untangled it, and put the chain back together (the latter took much longer than it should have), and my knee had swelled up quite nicely from the crash. After a minute of pedaling I knew it would be slow going. Any pressure I put through my left knee was met with a nice shooting pain. I hit the next climb (Hankey Mountain/Wild Oak Trail... the real shitty climb) and started to soft pedal. Some kind soul (bless you kind soul for I know not who you are other than that you had sweet mutton chops) gave me some Vitamin I about halfway up the maintained road part of the climb. Once that kicked in, my legs started spinning more freely and I started ratcheting up my pace. I knew that utter sweetness awaited me at the top. I ripped down Dowells Draft like a kid in a candy store. That trail is truly too much fun. It is also where the lessons of fast descending finally sunk in: keep a cool head, keep loose, flow like water, go fast. Fast made all the difference in clearing the first set of loose drop-offy switchbacks. Fast made the bottom part more fun. Fast is good. When I got to Aid Station #3, I did my thing and left, eager to hit the next bit of singletrack.
After the stupid crash I caused on the road (no one injured, sorry TransSylvania Pete), I started up Bridge Hollow which is a fun, technical singletrack climb. Then it was down Johnson Draft, which is another killer descent. I stopped for a bit at Aid Station #4, even though I really didn't need to. It was nice to see Ms. Geology and my parents helping out there, but I needed to move, so I did. I moved out onto the open road for the long climb. The infamous 20 mile long climb which, although not very steep, offers up a continuous false flat-to-easy climb for about 10 miles, then 4 or 5 miles of rolling, but still climbing overall, roads, then 5 or 6 miles of steady moderate-grade climbing. When most people look at it at first, it scares them. In truth it's the easiest part of the whole course. The only thing that really starts to hurt is your ass from sitting on it too long. Alternating between sitting and standing is the key to keeping sane riding the long road sections. I settled into a good pace, with a good group on the false flat section. Once the climbing got more intense, our pace quickened slightly, but not too much, and people started falling off our group. When we hit the really climby last leg, our group, formerly about a dozen people, was down to 2, me and a singlespeeder whom I had seen earlier and passed before my chain/knee incident. The first time I saw him I wanted to punch him because he looked like Evan Plews (the link explains itself... and if you were there you can definitely sympathize). He was not Evan Plews, just a pretty solid rider who was taking it easy after trying to chase back to hard from flatting. Very nice guy. I let him go up the steeper bits so I could maintain the same pace, and so my spinny geared ways didn't step on his singlespeed-ness. Near the top of the climb I upped my pace to make up some time and caught him before Aid Station #5.
After Aid Station #5 and another bottle change, I began hammering for home. A short descent and a medium length climb later I was headed down Wild Oak, the last long descent in the race. I definitely learned the lesson that faster is better when coming down the technical upper sections of this trail. There were two moments that I remember thinking to myself, after skipping over something hairy, that had I been going any slower I would be rolling down the mountain. Speed is good. Skipping over death rocks and death roots is good. Making it down the mountain in one piece, on my bike is good. Speed is good. Speed is fun. That feeling of cleaning something that you rightfully should have is an awesome feeling, as is ripping sweet singletrack.
I rolled through Aid Station #6. It was time to be done, and I wanted to beat the myth that your Shenandoah 100 time is your Wilderness 101 plus one hour. I hit it as hard as I could up the Hankey Mountain climb (version 2), ripped down the next descent, and hammered the slightly rolling roads just before the campground. I dropped down through the campground with some dude on my tail. He jumped out ahead of me onto the campground road, but missed the turn into the field. Sorry dude. I did my trademark manual over the jump in the field (a la the road in R.B. Winter at TransSylvania) and rolled into the finish with a time of 10:18:17, well under my goal time. I was happy. I am still happy. Cross is soon. It is fun. You should come. Some Shenandoah pictures are included below courtesy of Bob Popovich.
Coming off of Wolf's Pond
Ended
Peace...
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Rattle and Hum
I suppose it's good to make big changes in one's life every once and a while. I think I've made the biggest change yet in the last few weeks. No, I didn't get a sex change; I just got a job. A big one. Not big as in 75k per year salary big. Big as in it's currently Saturday 5:40AM and I am up to go to work. I have already worked at least 45 hrs this week. I don't know how long I'll be working today. I'm not riding as much anymore because I simply don't have the time. Most nights I'm not home until 6:00PM, and I really don't have the energy to go out and ride for 2 or 3 hrs. I may put an hour of hard effort in, but that's it really. So there goes the cross season, right? I'm hoping not to have to give up racing. My work will get lighter as the year progresses. In the winter I may not be working at all. I'll probably be adopting the Vegan Rob training plan. As for now, I'm riding when I can, and trying to get parts to build up my cross bike so I can hop in on some road rides.
I am still racing, though. Last weekend I hit up the Rattling Creek 50. It was fun. Those trails rock. It was nice to see people. I'm not super pleased with my time (5:33), but I had a good time ripping those trails. Next weekend I will not be working Saturday, but driving down to Stokesville, VA for the Shenandoah Mountain 100. That is the funness. Lets just hope my lack of riding recently hasn't put me in a huge hole; one that I can't crawl out of after 60 miles in the VA mountains.
Oh, and if you go to the Dickinson Website and refresh it a few times, you should come up with a picture of me and Zach. Interesting stuff.
I am still racing, though. Last weekend I hit up the Rattling Creek 50. It was fun. Those trails rock. It was nice to see people. I'm not super pleased with my time (5:33), but I had a good time ripping those trails. Next weekend I will not be working Saturday, but driving down to Stokesville, VA for the Shenandoah Mountain 100. That is the funness. Lets just hope my lack of riding recently hasn't put me in a huge hole; one that I can't crawl out of after 60 miles in the VA mountains.
Oh, and if you go to the Dickinson Website and refresh it a few times, you should come up with a picture of me and Zach. Interesting stuff.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)