Sunday, March 30, 2008

Chains don't like me

Today, I went out for a 4 hour training ride on the Divide Loop, and POP! Again? After breaking my chain at the last race, I was pissed. First ride on a brand new chain and I tore one of the links apart. Good thing I was carrying tools.

Now, I wish I could say that I'm just so strong, my chains can't handle me. But even when I spent 6 days a week in the gym, weighed almost 200lbs and was MUCH stronger, this didn't happen. In the last year, between the road and mountain bikes, I think I've broken 5 chains.

I've seen the belt drive systems coming out, but they are only for single speeds at this point... what's a dude to do?

Monday, March 24, 2008

Feels like a vacation... NOT!

I haven't ridden a bike in 2 weeks. Neither has Jennifer. I have been working and Jen has had the nastiest flu bug to come around in a while. I must be healthy because I didn't come down with it. (can you hear me knocking on wood?) So, today we went out on the road bikes for some high cadence spinning. Funny how I always think i'm going to have to start over after a layoff, but it's never as bad as I think. I feel the same way at the beginning of ski season too, as I get to the top of that first chairlift ride. Wondering if I will remember how to ski. You would think after twenty something years skiing and racing, that I would be over that, but after my skis hit the ramp at the top and I start to ski away that instinct just takes over and I realize that it's all there, right where I left it. It's good to be back at it, though.
The next race is only 18 days away, down in Boulder City, NV for the 12hrs of Bootleg Canyon. Jen and I are both racing as solo's, hopefully with a pit crew this time, so things should go a little smoother for us.
See ya out there!

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

The bar has just been raised...

Well, it's official. I just got an email from TransRockies... we're in!!! I was surprised, since this race fills up fast, and the waiting list is usually long. This has been a dream of mine for some time now... 7 days of singletrack, suffering, and scenery through the Canadian Rockies. This is definitely a brutal race. Average days of 100km and 7,000 ft of climbing. For those that are interested in what this race is about check this out! The only catch is we have to raise the entry $$$.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

GoPro onboard for 2008!!!

I want to thank my newest sponsor GoPro helmet cameras! Small, waterproof, helmet mount, COOL! Can't wait to give the cameras a try. Thanks GoPro!

Cool MTB Race Recap


Click, click, click, POP! 4 miles. That was the extent of my day. I was lucky at first to get through the bottleneck at the start. I found myself in 2nd, trying to hang on to this guy from the Sierra Express team. Then came that familiar noise, and by the time I looked down, my chain snapped. Race over. Pencil me in for a big DNF... that's racing, right? For my consolation prize, I ended up winning a bag 'o goodies at the raffle that had some nice things in it, including a bottle of Hammer gel. At least I didn't go home empty handed, but no more master links in my chain!

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Racing Lessons

While scouring the 'net for the perfect CSS image gallery to use in a project i'm working on, I came across a hysterical posting...

Lessons learned during my latest singlespeed race in Winter Park

by fellow cyclist Scott Upton.

great pics on his site, too.
check it out...

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

24 hrs Old Pueblo Recap

What a roller coaster this trip was. It was raining when we got there, and Jen and I were thinking it was going to be a mud fest. Unbelievably, it began snowing at the venue upon arrival, and by morning, we had about an inch and a half of snow on the tent.




Doing our best to stay dry...




Jen trying to avoid cabin fever while it rains outside...




This is the last thing you want to do at Old Pueblo. Somebody told me these were called "Teddy Bears."






Once the race started, the clouds parted, sun came out, and the course got nice and tacky. Not very muddy at all. We stayed right around 3rd for a while, but by nightfall, we started having some challenges. First Jennifer had 3 flats in 2 laps, (a flat at OP? imagine that...) then the cold temps began to play a factor for both of us. We have learned a couple of good lessons about how critical it is to maintain our core temperature.

After being sidelined for around 4 hours, we were back at it, and ended up 6th. Or so we thought. To our surprise, we were called to the podium for 5th place. Something about the team ahead of us being DQ'd (never got the details why).

I made it through OP without any mishaps or flats, and then, while taking photos for the shop, I crashed on the "option." At first I thought I was just a little banged up, but later realized that I probably broke at least one bone in my left hand.

All things considered, it was a great time. OP is one of the events I think about all year. Hats off to Todd for another Epic Event, and for having a coed Duo class. Not many promoters offer a coed class, and I know a few couples who might come out to these races if they did.

Most of '08 Jennifer and I will be racing Solo, but hopefully pairing up again for TransRockies (if we get in!).

See You at the races!

First Post on Blogger

Finally getting my blog setup. Haven't ridden in a couple days now, as I've been working too much. The weather here in Auburn is amazing lately! Going to spin on the trainer before I go to bed tonight.