I feel like Ive finally gotten a chance to do some legitimate training the past few days. On Monday, after seven straight days of work we did a shop ride out to mammoth. I was on the on single speed and was working like a dog to keep up on the ride out. it was good, i needed the spin. rode some sweet gravel, got muddy and averaged a cadence of well over 160rpm for 2hrs. Ill take that.
I had all day Tuesday off of work, so after spending 2.5hrs of mowing the lawn i met up with James for the Lifetime fitness ride. This ride is a joke, so straight up jackass's where there that do not know how to work in a group. it was a Yo-Yo, i had no fun at all. But i worked the legs and the lungs really well, so you gotta take what you can get i guess...
On Wednesday 1x9'd the caffeine, man that bike is fast. i loved it as a single, but with the speeds i can now carry the geometry of the bike really shines, its meant to go fast. So i took it to battle creek, yea it was the slowish morc group ride, but coming off of Tuesday's efforts i was happy. Still got to ride ride really hard and work on my bike handling skills.
For today Im going to go hit up Murphy before i go to the circus Friday ill commute in, Saturday will be a rest, and then Sunday is my favorite mnmtb series race of the season. Bluff Riders charge. So if your in kato on Sunday, come and cheer me on!
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Monday, May 21, 2012
The Good. The Bad. The Royal 162
First off i would like to congratulate every one that showed up and took part in Saturdays events both the Royal, and Almanzo are tough races, and the conditions only added to the harshness of the days. Back in January Drew Wilson twisted my arm into signing up for the Royal 162. Id done this distance before, but never in one shot, always over the course of 24hrs. I new the distance was manageable, but just not how well. Race day showed up and ready or not there I was.
The 50 or so of us rolled out of Spring Valley at 7am. I looked over at Drew and he comments on how the pace is too high too early. Then he promptly moved off to the front, that was the last I would see Drew for the rest of the day. My legs didn't seem to want to function, 17mph was all i could muster in the early part of the day so I settled into the groove and let the pack ride away. I thought back to Ragnorak and how I utterly destroyed my self trying to hang on after we got lost, and how fast rides like Drew really are when they put their mind to it. So i let them ride away and then i heard a voice "Hey man think we can catch them?" it was Farrow of the DBD. No they're gone. So we settled in together and rode smartly, we picked up another rider Alex and there was three of us. The conversation was good, the pace was what we could muster. We took water at all available stops, we lost Alex at Harmony, but gained Kershaw and Oney. The four of us worked against and into the wind for what seemed like hours, we drank copious amounts of water and consumed a lot of food, and yet there was no urination to be had during the day, every thing i consumed got sweated off right away in the 95 degree heat.
After what seemed like hours of going in and out of Iowa and the wind we where headed north again, just before our 100th mile we came upon a little town and a bar. Bob Gritman was there, he was done. Bob is a really strong rider, it was disheartening to see him out so early. Water filled we got back on course and worked up towards Forestville, my spirits lifted as we re-entered the Almanzo course, but my physicality dropped quickly on me. 123 miles in we finally reached the state park and I was out of water again, had consumed all of my allotted food for the time thus far on the bike, I new I would need more to eat. Bob was there, he had gotten a lift from the bar. He gave me his left over food and it really did save my day. Bob if you read this, Thank you so much, I don't think I would have finished with out that help..
We left Forestville, just 30 miles to go and we dropped Farrow on the climb out. It sucked to see him drop after riding so long together, but we did what we must and we rode on. the last section of the course is the most physically challenging. But I rode it all, I actually started to feel pretty good, but at the same time we really did ride conservatively all day. I new I did not have a chance of winning this thing, and so while I didn't ride as hard as I think I could have. There was just no point at going that hard given the weather. People where dropping like flies out there that day.
Kershaw, Oney, and I crossed the line together and we all got to shake hands with Chris Skogen. We had just ridden 155miles of loose gravel, in 95degree heat, with sustained 20mph winds. It felt really, really good to be done.
Thanks to Chris Skogen for Putting on such a great even. Thanks to Drew Wilson for twisting my arm into doing it. Thanks to John and Alex for letting me stay with them, it was really really good to see you guys.Thanks to the city of Spring Valley and all the awesome volunteers that made this happen. Most importantly thanks to Charlie, Ben, and Jeremy for sharing such a great day with me. Maybe next year ill be strong enough to win this thing, till then Keep the rubber side down.
The 50 or so of us rolled out of Spring Valley at 7am. I looked over at Drew and he comments on how the pace is too high too early. Then he promptly moved off to the front, that was the last I would see Drew for the rest of the day. My legs didn't seem to want to function, 17mph was all i could muster in the early part of the day so I settled into the groove and let the pack ride away. I thought back to Ragnorak and how I utterly destroyed my self trying to hang on after we got lost, and how fast rides like Drew really are when they put their mind to it. So i let them ride away and then i heard a voice "Hey man think we can catch them?" it was Farrow of the DBD. No they're gone. So we settled in together and rode smartly, we picked up another rider Alex and there was three of us. The conversation was good, the pace was what we could muster. We took water at all available stops, we lost Alex at Harmony, but gained Kershaw and Oney. The four of us worked against and into the wind for what seemed like hours, we drank copious amounts of water and consumed a lot of food, and yet there was no urination to be had during the day, every thing i consumed got sweated off right away in the 95 degree heat.
After what seemed like hours of going in and out of Iowa and the wind we where headed north again, just before our 100th mile we came upon a little town and a bar. Bob Gritman was there, he was done. Bob is a really strong rider, it was disheartening to see him out so early. Water filled we got back on course and worked up towards Forestville, my spirits lifted as we re-entered the Almanzo course, but my physicality dropped quickly on me. 123 miles in we finally reached the state park and I was out of water again, had consumed all of my allotted food for the time thus far on the bike, I new I would need more to eat. Bob was there, he had gotten a lift from the bar. He gave me his left over food and it really did save my day. Bob if you read this, Thank you so much, I don't think I would have finished with out that help..
We left Forestville, just 30 miles to go and we dropped Farrow on the climb out. It sucked to see him drop after riding so long together, but we did what we must and we rode on. the last section of the course is the most physically challenging. But I rode it all, I actually started to feel pretty good, but at the same time we really did ride conservatively all day. I new I did not have a chance of winning this thing, and so while I didn't ride as hard as I think I could have. There was just no point at going that hard given the weather. People where dropping like flies out there that day.
Kershaw, Oney, and I crossed the line together and we all got to shake hands with Chris Skogen. We had just ridden 155miles of loose gravel, in 95degree heat, with sustained 20mph winds. It felt really, really good to be done.
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| Oney, Kershaw and I, Crossing the line. 155 miles, a hair under 12hrs |
Thanks to Chris Skogen for Putting on such a great even. Thanks to Drew Wilson for twisting my arm into doing it. Thanks to John and Alex for letting me stay with them, it was really really good to see you guys.Thanks to the city of Spring Valley and all the awesome volunteers that made this happen. Most importantly thanks to Charlie, Ben, and Jeremy for sharing such a great day with me. Maybe next year ill be strong enough to win this thing, till then Keep the rubber side down.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Thursday Night Worlds...Buck Hill Style
Well I made it to the kick off to the Thursday Night Worlds.... Buck Hill style. I hate the course. Its short, always hot, and there is always a killer case of rush hour traffic not only on the way to the race, but also during the race. And ya know what? I had a great time and a great race tonight. All the riding ive been doing seems to be paying off. I had a great finish given how far back i started. (at buck if you pass 20 people during the race you did really really well as its a mass cluster fuck start of 200 people). So I started back 3rd and finished top 3rd. It was a really good race for me. The Cannondale Caffeine is fast, it fits well and is by far the smoothest rigid bike Ive ever owned, im on my 3rd. My good friend Rob came with to spectate, so not only did i get some photos, but i think i may have spread the cycling bug to another friend. Any way here are some photos.
Not sure how many more of these i will get to go to. but those are the woes of working retail...in a bike shop...in spring...any way 49/137 is not too shabby at all. here are results
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| holy heck that is a lot of people |
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| Rush Hour!!! |
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| new bike, new kit, and still only one bcr represented... |
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| best fitting bike ive ever had! |
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| I think this is the one rob was fond of... |
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| carving it |
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| sand trap |
Monday, May 7, 2012
Stolen BIke
David Brunning got his Redline Monocog SS stolen yesterday. this is his daily driver as he dosent have a car, keep your eyes peeled and lets try and get this back.
from his facebook page..."biked stolen just had my bike stolen around 6pm from 4061 snelling S mpls. Black redline monocog ss, redline hubs alex wheels, banjo brothers saddle bag, bb7 disc, silver paul levers, red/black wtb saddle with electrical tape, snap on frt/rear fender, 29er schwalbe big apple 2.3 tires, two black knog front lights, brass japenese bell on left, mount with unattached sensor for computer wrapped around bars on right, capital brewing gold bottle cap as headcap. Please pass along."
here is a photo of the bike and a link to his CL add.
from his facebook page..."biked stolen just had my bike stolen around 6pm from 4061 snelling S mpls. Black redline monocog ss, redline hubs alex wheels, banjo brothers saddle bag, bb7 disc, silver paul levers, red/black wtb saddle with electrical tape, snap on frt/rear fender, 29er schwalbe big apple 2.3 tires, two black knog front lights, brass japenese bell on left, mount with unattached sensor for computer wrapped around bars on right, capital brewing gold bottle cap as headcap. Please pass along."
here is a photo of the bike and a link to his CL add.
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| obviously missing the big apples but its a pretty darn distinct bike. lets get this back. |
Thursday, May 3, 2012
B.A.L.L.S.....
Well better late than never i bring you the B.A.L.L.S. recap.
Thursday night i drove down to Madison to hang out with my old college roommate Justin. We drank beers, rode bikes, crashed bikes, and had an all around wicked hangover come Friday morning. Late start on Friday and we cruise the town while we wait for my brother to get off of work. He joins us and we explore the isthmus stopping for a beer brake at the Jennifer street market, just in time for all the school kids getting out to terrorize the place.
we rode around for a few more hours then went our separate ways. Peter and I headed back to his place in Barnevedlt for some dinner with friends. Saturday morning i woke up bright and early to the sound of rain on the roof. I knew it was going to be a long day and i promptly burned the bacon, gathered my gear and drove to Scotts house in town.
The group set off as Drew, Don and I. others would leave shortly and the pace was set as relaxed but don kept picking it up. In Dodgeville Don and I stopped for some chocolate milk and caught up with the rest of the group just in time for the 35degree rain to hit hard. we rode into mineral point, cold and miserable, my feet were frozen, but the coffee was so hot and the conversation was good as riders slowly trickled in. many however including don rode on. as we sat out the storm i purchased some good ole medical gloves from the pharmacy down the street, for those that have normal sized hands they worked great as a vapor barrier. for Butch, they were too small.
Back out there we hit the Cheese Country Trail, 50 or so miles of soft and pebbly ATV trail. the bike went through a through trashing on it, and survived. groups came together and separated but it eventually came to Drew, Butch and Myself riding together. we eventually found don. in his car. Cold Feet Im OUT! well at least he got to ride 50 of it.
The rain continued on and off and we hit the last 8 miles going into Monroe for lunch, and i started to bonk. i think mile's60-70 are turning into my danger zone of i need to eat. and eat we did at a nice little German cafe. the food was hot and filling and we sat there a long time, none of us remotely interested in going back out. but when we finally did, the sun cam out, the layers came off and the ride to Broadhead was awesome.
arrived at camp to my bags already laid out in the cabin. Holy awesome that was. Hot shower, Cold Beer from Aleasylum and a belly full of hot food i settled in around the camp fire for a good night of drinking. woke up early sunday morning, found a deer tick in the lawn, had to get that out, then early ride with Don, cause he made it back! we rode, it was sunny out, we caught Bear, Mark, and Todd. had an awesome ride in. The tunnel was epic. Got a flat .5miles away from Bears house, it sucked, 169.5miles and i flat. F'uh! oh well that is how it goes.
Big thanks to Scott for putting this event on. i had to miss it last year do to finals. i will be back!
Thursday night i drove down to Madison to hang out with my old college roommate Justin. We drank beers, rode bikes, crashed bikes, and had an all around wicked hangover come Friday morning. Late start on Friday and we cruise the town while we wait for my brother to get off of work. He joins us and we explore the isthmus stopping for a beer brake at the Jennifer street market, just in time for all the school kids getting out to terrorize the place.
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| late night at the quary park. |
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| crappy shot from picnic point |
The group set off as Drew, Don and I. others would leave shortly and the pace was set as relaxed but don kept picking it up. In Dodgeville Don and I stopped for some chocolate milk and caught up with the rest of the group just in time for the 35degree rain to hit hard. we rode into mineral point, cold and miserable, my feet were frozen, but the coffee was so hot and the conversation was good as riders slowly trickled in. many however including don rode on. as we sat out the storm i purchased some good ole medical gloves from the pharmacy down the street, for those that have normal sized hands they worked great as a vapor barrier. for Butch, they were too small.
Back out there we hit the Cheese Country Trail, 50 or so miles of soft and pebbly ATV trail. the bike went through a through trashing on it, and survived. groups came together and separated but it eventually came to Drew, Butch and Myself riding together. we eventually found don. in his car. Cold Feet Im OUT! well at least he got to ride 50 of it.
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| cheese country |
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| 29er, fat bike, 650b lefty, and a cross bike. run what ya brung |
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| handlebar bags!!! |
The rain continued on and off and we hit the last 8 miles going into Monroe for lunch, and i started to bonk. i think mile's60-70 are turning into my danger zone of i need to eat. and eat we did at a nice little German cafe. the food was hot and filling and we sat there a long time, none of us remotely interested in going back out. but when we finally did, the sun cam out, the layers came off and the ride to Broadhead was awesome.
arrived at camp to my bags already laid out in the cabin. Holy awesome that was. Hot shower, Cold Beer from Aleasylum and a belly full of hot food i settled in around the camp fire for a good night of drinking. woke up early sunday morning, found a deer tick in the lawn, had to get that out, then early ride with Don, cause he made it back! we rode, it was sunny out, we caught Bear, Mark, and Todd. had an awesome ride in. The tunnel was epic. Got a flat .5miles away from Bears house, it sucked, 169.5miles and i flat. F'uh! oh well that is how it goes.
Big thanks to Scott for putting this event on. i had to miss it last year do to finals. i will be back!
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