Well, it's day one after the big race. The race was a HUGE success. I will post a race report with all the details but I wanted to give you a quick update. I won the Pro Solo SS category and was also the second fastest overall. I completed 19 laps covering 11.5 miles and 1500' elevation gain per lap. As a result of the generous donations I was able to collect over $3200 to help fight cancer.
When I get a moment to process all that took place, I will post again. Right now I need to rest.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
1 week out...
The Coolest 24hr Race Against Cancer is only one short week away. I am getting super excited about this event. The conditions don't appear to be AS BAD as last year but either way, I'll be there! I want to say "thank you" to all who have supported me financially. I will post a picture of the collage as soon as it is done. I keep getting more pictures so I am waiting until the last minute to put it together. I consider it a huge privilege to be racing in honor of so many people who are either fighting cancer now or whom have lost their battle.
Stay tuned, more posts to follow.....
Stay tuned, more posts to follow.....
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Boggs V in the bag, not the race I was hoping for.......
The alarm clock woke me from a coma at 5:20 in the AM. I crept downstairs and quietly fixed up some scrambled eggs, turkey, toast, and coffee trying not to wake up the grommets. Loaded up the bike and fellow racer and friend Adam was outside waiting for his ride. We headed over to Brian Staby’s house to pick him up and then head to Boggs. It was chilly cold out but not raining. The first glitch to my plans came when we were forced to wait for Adam’s friend whom we'll call Larry The Late Guy. Larry wanted to caravan with us to the venue. Needless to say, I was frustrated with the delayed arrival time. We arrived after 7 and the time seemed to tick away at a rapid rate as I scrambled to get registered, find a solo pit location, and meet up with the film crew for the documentary. My pre-race rituals were totally thrown out and I barely made it to the starting line.
Carlos (the event promoter) declared a “neutral” roll out start up the fire road. The first selection was made as the relay team racers set a solid pace up the climb. I found myself getting unhitched as a result of the single-speed. No worries, I was racing those guys anyway. I just wanted to get out to the single track in the front group to keep out of traffic. I was successful and hit the single track in perfect position. In what seemed like only a few minutes I was already at the fire road hill climb at the finish of the lap. I rolled past the eventual Pro Winner Kevin Smallman and we exchanged pleasantries. For a second I thought this should not be happening but I felt solid and kept turning it over.
As I rolled through the start/finish of lap one I knew that I was the first solo in the entire field to go through and I felt untouchable. So where did everything go wrong? Well, sometime during my first lap I started to not feel my fingers in both hands. I didn’t realize the negative implications of this issue until I made an attempt to get some necessary calories to keep fueled. I could barely reach into my back jersey pocket and literally could not grab the food. This was a problem. I knew that I HAD to eat to stay in this race. I had the lead and felt awesome but if I wasn’t able to replenish the calories the infamous BONK was going to get me. I knew this yet I continued to hammer away. It also wasn’t helpful that I wasn’t drinking either. I usually tape GU packets to my top tube but because of being rushed during the pre-race prep I forgot to do it.
I think it was on lap 6 that my fuel tank’s idiot light (no pun intended) began to flash brightly. I had just lost the wheel of the eventual Pro SS Winner Matthias Behrends and I then got passed by Yuri and Sully (Sean Sullivan). It all happened so fast that I was left in their wake thinking, “Wait, what just happened?” I needed to get food on board. I pulled over and after fumbling for what seemed like ten minutes trying to get my stump like hands to work, I finally got some calories. I dejectedly rolled on and lost the mental fight to continue on. I didn’t know if they were only 3 minutes up or 20. Before finishing the lap I stopped off at fellow racer Keith Flood’s pit and discussed my issues with his pit guy Kurt Pickle. He gave me some food and encouraged me to stray in it. I reluctantly went out on my 7th lap. By this time, my mind was my enemy. My body and legs actually felt great (the calories had been successfully converted to fuel) but I just lost the mental fight. I put in a respectable 1 hour lap and then rolled into Keith’s pit once again. This time I told them that I was done. I powered a bunch of their food and became a spectator.
Kurt came over and wanted me to go out on one more lap with Keith when he got back. Keith was in 2nd or 3rd place in the Solo Sport Division but only had it by a few minutes. He needed to do one more lap and fast. Kurt wanted me to stay with him and encourage him along. I agreed and then waited for his arrival. I think I waited about 35 minutes before he rolled through. His last two laps were around 1hr 10 minutes. We rolled out together and I actually felt amazing. I wanted to just hammer away and look for other SSers to put the hurt on. However, I didn’t. I stayed with Keith the entire lap yelling at him to “Turn yourself inside out” and “Come on, this is your last lap, make it count.” We passed a number of geared and SS riders and rolled through the finish in just over 1 hour. Keith was able to not only stand on the podium for the first time in a long time, but he was successful in getting 1st place by a mere 6 minutes.
I finished the race with my head held high. I didn’t land a coveted spot on the podium but I was able to help my friend accomplish a long time goal. I learned a lot from this race and I am confident that it will make me better on the next one. I think that if I had had a designated Pit person giving me food and split times, the race would have had a different outcome.
Anyway, I am hungry for the next endurance test……the Coolest 24hr Race Against Cancer on May 1st-2nd. Stay tuned…….
Carlos (the event promoter) declared a “neutral” roll out start up the fire road. The first selection was made as the relay team racers set a solid pace up the climb. I found myself getting unhitched as a result of the single-speed. No worries, I was racing those guys anyway. I just wanted to get out to the single track in the front group to keep out of traffic. I was successful and hit the single track in perfect position. In what seemed like only a few minutes I was already at the fire road hill climb at the finish of the lap. I rolled past the eventual Pro Winner Kevin Smallman and we exchanged pleasantries. For a second I thought this should not be happening but I felt solid and kept turning it over.
As I rolled through the start/finish of lap one I knew that I was the first solo in the entire field to go through and I felt untouchable. So where did everything go wrong? Well, sometime during my first lap I started to not feel my fingers in both hands. I didn’t realize the negative implications of this issue until I made an attempt to get some necessary calories to keep fueled. I could barely reach into my back jersey pocket and literally could not grab the food. This was a problem. I knew that I HAD to eat to stay in this race. I had the lead and felt awesome but if I wasn’t able to replenish the calories the infamous BONK was going to get me. I knew this yet I continued to hammer away. It also wasn’t helpful that I wasn’t drinking either. I usually tape GU packets to my top tube but because of being rushed during the pre-race prep I forgot to do it.
I think it was on lap 6 that my fuel tank’s idiot light (no pun intended) began to flash brightly. I had just lost the wheel of the eventual Pro SS Winner Matthias Behrends and I then got passed by Yuri and Sully (Sean Sullivan). It all happened so fast that I was left in their wake thinking, “Wait, what just happened?” I needed to get food on board. I pulled over and after fumbling for what seemed like ten minutes trying to get my stump like hands to work, I finally got some calories. I dejectedly rolled on and lost the mental fight to continue on. I didn’t know if they were only 3 minutes up or 20. Before finishing the lap I stopped off at fellow racer Keith Flood’s pit and discussed my issues with his pit guy Kurt Pickle. He gave me some food and encouraged me to stray in it. I reluctantly went out on my 7th lap. By this time, my mind was my enemy. My body and legs actually felt great (the calories had been successfully converted to fuel) but I just lost the mental fight. I put in a respectable 1 hour lap and then rolled into Keith’s pit once again. This time I told them that I was done. I powered a bunch of their food and became a spectator.
Kurt came over and wanted me to go out on one more lap with Keith when he got back. Keith was in 2nd or 3rd place in the Solo Sport Division but only had it by a few minutes. He needed to do one more lap and fast. Kurt wanted me to stay with him and encourage him along. I agreed and then waited for his arrival. I think I waited about 35 minutes before he rolled through. His last two laps were around 1hr 10 minutes. We rolled out together and I actually felt amazing. I wanted to just hammer away and look for other SSers to put the hurt on. However, I didn’t. I stayed with Keith the entire lap yelling at him to “Turn yourself inside out” and “Come on, this is your last lap, make it count.” We passed a number of geared and SS riders and rolled through the finish in just over 1 hour. Keith was able to not only stand on the podium for the first time in a long time, but he was successful in getting 1st place by a mere 6 minutes.
I finished the race with my head held high. I didn’t land a coveted spot on the podium but I was able to help my friend accomplish a long time goal. I learned a lot from this race and I am confident that it will make me better on the next one. I think that if I had had a designated Pit person giving me food and split times, the race would have had a different outcome.
Anyway, I am hungry for the next endurance test……the Coolest 24hr Race Against Cancer on May 1st-2nd. Stay tuned…….
Thursday, March 25, 2010
The plot thickens....
So here we are, sitting on a little over a week until Boggs 8hr XC and the weather pattern looks grim. All models are showing copious amount of wet stuff falling from the sky starting on Monday and lasting through Saturday. I've been able to pre-ride the course on three different days in the last two weeks logging 4hrs each visit. I'd say that I know course quite well. It's going to be very interesting to see if the inclement weather keeps racers from showing up. My hope is that all arrive ready to battle for 8hours and 45 minutes. I don't know what the deal is with endurance races. Boggs V is listed as an 8hr XC race but we will be racing for almost 9 hours????? Not sure why they don't just have us actually race for 8hrs? Anyway, I can't wait to see how it will all shake out. Stay tuned.....
Sunday, March 21, 2010
T-minus 12 days until Boggs 8hr XC
Time is ticking. I just got my bike together and took it out on it's first ride since it's makeover. I dumped the Lefty like yesterday's trash and installed a Fox F29 FIT Remote. The last time I mounted my SS bike was back in early November. I figured I should probably get in a few dirt rides before racing for 8hrs. So last Tuesday my friend Adam and I blasted out to pre-ride the Boggs course. It was as if I had been riding my mtn bike all winter. The bike performed flawlessly on the 4 hour ride. I decided to go back to Boggs on Thursday to hit it once again for another 4 hours with my friend and fellow firefighter Keith Flood. Like clockwork my trusty 29er SS crushed the descents and blasted up the climbs. I think I'm ready. I might just go back for another 4hr day on Tuesday with Brian Staby and Keith. I'll post a pic of my bike soon.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
"Taming the Beast": A little bed time story for y'all......
It was just one of those perfect days. The weather report called for clear skies and highs in the 80’s; epic Annadel conditions. We set out for our "get to know each other" or better yet "who's the alpha" on a foggy later summer's morning. The ride was to last over 5 hours so I loaded up the camel back and filled my pockets to the brim with the usual supplements to get me through the day.
Before we plunge into this "Who's the Boss" adventure, let me first bore you with some details. I'm the guy that fought tooth and nail before making the switch from the antiquated V-brakes to disc brakes. I'm the guy who frowned upon any and all who mounted full suspension rigs. I would raise my nose in disgust and go on and on about how "vertically compliant" and "responsive" my trusty steel hardtail SS bike was. You wouldn't even want to get me started on the whole 29er verses 26 debate.
So back in May, when I participated in a 24hour solo mtb race and during the wee hours of the wet and muddy night, I catastrophically carcassed my full carbon full suspension bike. Go figure. I finished the race on my faithful steel hardtail SS. To make a long story short, I ended up selling that bike. For a few short weeks, I was for the first time in 15 years, without a mountain bike
The guys down at Breakaway Bikes offered me a great deal on a Cannondale 29er SS. With much reluctance and hesitation, I pulled the trigger and bought it. When it arrived the uneasiness and finality of the deal was starting to stress me out. What did I just do? The bike was just so big. When I stepped over it, I felt like a child sitting on his dad's bike.
Back to the epic day. The moment of truth came; it was time to see if my svelte 145lb frame could submit this new black and grey stallion. We set out not talking to each other trying to see who was going to test who first. The silence between us was shattered as soon as the wheels hit the dirt. It was as if the bike was a reckless wild horse making every attempt to buck me off his back. Suddenly I found myself entertaining thoughts like, “could I sell this bike as "Brand New" even though I had ridden it no more than two miles?” I bet I could clean it up and make it at least "look" brand new.
We fought each other for the next couple of hours as we toured some of my favorite trails in the park. Due to the elevated riding position along with a more compact geometry, even the trails that I once dominated on my 26er, felt different. It was as if I was riding a borrowed bike on trails I’ve never been on. I told myself, “Don’t give up, and don’t let the bike win.” The undisciplined steed was not submitting and took every opportunity to toss me on to the jagged rocks that appeared sharper and angrier. I found myself talking to my bike and almost pleading with it to comply with my input.
The tides turned when the elevation gain ended and descent began. All of a sudden the stubborn mount started to picks its own lines. I began to think that this out of control thoroughbred displayed some hope of actually being tamed. As I descended, it was a surreal experience as the serrated razor like boulders started to level out and almost vanish right before my very eyes. The 29inch wheels gobbled up terrain, leveled, and spit it out like a John Deer Tractor.
What was happening before me was indescribable. Not only was the bike beginning to obey me but we were starting to get along and have fun together. Although I received no verbal feedback from my new friend, it was obvious that our relationship was vastly improving. When we reached the bottom, I knew that there was one more obstacle that we had to overcome. This willful downhill charger knew how to descend, that was obvious. He needed to learn how to climb like a mountain goat. I thought what better way to teach him a lesson than to hit one of the hardest climbs in the county. We departed Annadel and headed towards Pythian Rd.
As we ascended I knew what was coming but this rambunctious stallion had not a clue. The climb began in earnest and we started to fight each other again. However, over the course of the climbing that beast of a hill, the stars began to align. We started to work together and nearly made the entire climb without walking. Keep in mind some sections of dirt raise up towards 20%. The reward of the climb was much deserved and we synergistically tamed the descent. I had to look at my wheels to make sure that we had the rubber side down. On our way back to Annadel to spend some more time in our park, I knew that I had just become a convert. I had not a stress or worry about having sold my 26” wheeled bike. I actually started to think about what other 26” parts I could sell.
Webster defines the word “change” as a “transformation”. I have been transformed. I have seen the light and it is bright. Like the “Horse Whisperer” I tamed the unruly and angry stallion and have turned it into a fully compliant racing machine.
Before we plunge into this "Who's the Boss" adventure, let me first bore you with some details. I'm the guy that fought tooth and nail before making the switch from the antiquated V-brakes to disc brakes. I'm the guy who frowned upon any and all who mounted full suspension rigs. I would raise my nose in disgust and go on and on about how "vertically compliant" and "responsive" my trusty steel hardtail SS bike was. You wouldn't even want to get me started on the whole 29er verses 26 debate.
So back in May, when I participated in a 24hour solo mtb race and during the wee hours of the wet and muddy night, I catastrophically carcassed my full carbon full suspension bike. Go figure. I finished the race on my faithful steel hardtail SS. To make a long story short, I ended up selling that bike. For a few short weeks, I was for the first time in 15 years, without a mountain bike
The guys down at Breakaway Bikes offered me a great deal on a Cannondale 29er SS. With much reluctance and hesitation, I pulled the trigger and bought it. When it arrived the uneasiness and finality of the deal was starting to stress me out. What did I just do? The bike was just so big. When I stepped over it, I felt like a child sitting on his dad's bike.
Back to the epic day. The moment of truth came; it was time to see if my svelte 145lb frame could submit this new black and grey stallion. We set out not talking to each other trying to see who was going to test who first. The silence between us was shattered as soon as the wheels hit the dirt. It was as if the bike was a reckless wild horse making every attempt to buck me off his back. Suddenly I found myself entertaining thoughts like, “could I sell this bike as "Brand New" even though I had ridden it no more than two miles?” I bet I could clean it up and make it at least "look" brand new.
We fought each other for the next couple of hours as we toured some of my favorite trails in the park. Due to the elevated riding position along with a more compact geometry, even the trails that I once dominated on my 26er, felt different. It was as if I was riding a borrowed bike on trails I’ve never been on. I told myself, “Don’t give up, and don’t let the bike win.” The undisciplined steed was not submitting and took every opportunity to toss me on to the jagged rocks that appeared sharper and angrier. I found myself talking to my bike and almost pleading with it to comply with my input.
The tides turned when the elevation gain ended and descent began. All of a sudden the stubborn mount started to picks its own lines. I began to think that this out of control thoroughbred displayed some hope of actually being tamed. As I descended, it was a surreal experience as the serrated razor like boulders started to level out and almost vanish right before my very eyes. The 29inch wheels gobbled up terrain, leveled, and spit it out like a John Deer Tractor.
What was happening before me was indescribable. Not only was the bike beginning to obey me but we were starting to get along and have fun together. Although I received no verbal feedback from my new friend, it was obvious that our relationship was vastly improving. When we reached the bottom, I knew that there was one more obstacle that we had to overcome. This willful downhill charger knew how to descend, that was obvious. He needed to learn how to climb like a mountain goat. I thought what better way to teach him a lesson than to hit one of the hardest climbs in the county. We departed Annadel and headed towards Pythian Rd.
As we ascended I knew what was coming but this rambunctious stallion had not a clue. The climb began in earnest and we started to fight each other again. However, over the course of the climbing that beast of a hill, the stars began to align. We started to work together and nearly made the entire climb without walking. Keep in mind some sections of dirt raise up towards 20%. The reward of the climb was much deserved and we synergistically tamed the descent. I had to look at my wheels to make sure that we had the rubber side down. On our way back to Annadel to spend some more time in our park, I knew that I had just become a convert. I had not a stress or worry about having sold my 26” wheeled bike. I actually started to think about what other 26” parts I could sell.
Webster defines the word “change” as a “transformation”. I have been transformed. I have seen the light and it is bright. Like the “Horse Whisperer” I tamed the unruly and angry stallion and have turned it into a fully compliant racing machine.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
