Happy Memorial Day.

This goes out to all the Soldiers in all branches of the Military, Past and Present

Patrick

A dead sprint victory (Summer series wrap up race 4)

Before I get into the race events of the evening I want to give credit to the Mutt for taking the picture of my injury. Thank you for getting the picture of me at my finest.



Now for the race report. I didn't suck today!. A middle of the pack finish for me.
No crashes, all and all it was a good day for a race. I really wasn't feeling like going for 2 laps at the USNWC today when Neil shouted "Racers ready.....GO" But I took off like a bat out of hell anyway.


After a decent start I was in the middle of the pack and feeling pretty good. I wasn't getting passed by anyone in my class and the age group above me hadn't caught up to me until after the carpet trail and even made a few passes of my own. This was a new feeling for me.

I kept pushing myself and got to lap 2 still feeling good. After some encouraging words by The Mutts significant other Little Miss Sunshine at the start/finish line I decided to see what my body could do in terms of keeping my heart rate up. Instead of going at my normal lets ride for hours and hours pace I kicked it up. I ended up passing a few of the older class that got me on the previous lap.

Anyway after what I thought is a blistering pace I neared the end of the 2nd lap and I saw a rider ahead of me. Not thinking of looking at his number plate I passed him near the parking lot. As we exited near the walking path around the whitewater I caught up to another rider. I yelled and asked him what class he was in "Over 45" he replied. I yelled up "I'm not in your class, I wont do anything stupid" Then like a flash I see the rider I just past not long ago and get a glimps at his number plate. Crap he was in my class. He had a 15 foot head start on me with only 600 feet to go till the finish. I put the Culprit into the big ring and start grinding away. I notice the guy is running a 69er (not as dirty as it sounds, it means a 26 inch wheel on the back and a 29 inch wheel on the front). 50 feet to go and I am standing up mashing my pedals and within 3 feet of his front tire. 10 feet to go and I pull even with him, and at the finish I squeak by him by by less than a wheel. After catching my breath I go back to the start finish line and ask "Did I get him?" I just wanted to be sure. "Yeah you got him".

All that for a middle of the pack finish. On the plus side I have never lost a sprint at the finish. Granted I have only been in about 3 or 4 of them, but it goes to show what the power of the big ring can do. Also shows that small wheels are again superior in the sprint.

With no new parts to be excited about for the culprit and a long weekend, hopefully I get get a few rides in between all of the alcohol that is going to be consumed.

Have a good long weekend.

The Race Report (biking related) - Riverfront Classic

So after trying to re-hydrate myself after completely wrecking my body the day before it was time for the Tarheel Trailblazer fundraiser race, the Riverfront Classic, and it is also part of the Southern Classic series. After doing some socializing and a quick couple of sprints to try and get the blood going it was time for the race.

It was a pretty decent size group with around 15 riders. I took my usual place near the back and waiting for the “Racers Ready…….Go!” And we were off. Well we weren’t like I said I took my usual place near the back. The first sprinters were off and then the race of the pack gets tied up on the first turn into the singletrack. By the time that is all sorted out I get caught up to the tail end of the group and hit the trail. I was following the local BikeSource rider and competitor Daniel through the trail when we hit the Figure 8 black trail.

After heckling him for not going fast enough we get to the first tough trail feature. Actually we were supposed to go around it but a non-local rider decided to do a 6 foot drop, unsuccessfully I might add. Seeing as I was already in last place I dismounted my bike and moved his from the trail. He tried to get up but got right back down to the ground. Luckily he just had the wind knocked out of him but I would rather be safe than sorry as that has been me in the past. Well the rest of the first lap was pretty uneventful except to say that my running training has been paying off. My climbing improved tremendously but I still was in the back of the pack.

Coming around the start/finish line I saw my race nemesis Daniel again about 45 seconds ahead of me as I made it my goal to catch him. Then disaster strikes again, this time to me. Along the figure 8 section again there was a small creek that opened up due to the WWC starting there pumps. Normally a little water never hurt anyway, but when that water gets onto a wooden bridge, it hurts a lot. My front tire slipped and I dropped face first 3 feet to the ground. Luckily I was ok but my face was a little tore up, I got a black eye and most importantly I lost a lot of ground to Daniel. After taking a GU pack, 15 minutes later the caffeine of it kicked in and I got a second wind.



I saw him up the carpet trail and tried to catch him before the downhill section. Didn’t get him. I kept seeing him on the switchbacks and knew he was in sight. Finally we get to Goat Hill, which is probably the toughest climb in the Charlotte area and he dismounted as didn’t take the right line and off I went! He never caught me for the rest of the race and I was just happy I passed someone in my class.

The rest of the trail was pretty uneventful, no crashes or many other people. I didn’t stick around to see what place I got as I knew it was near the back, but I will check it online one of these days. Anyway with the Summer Series race coming up on Wednesday, also at the WWC, I should be in good shape for that one as it is less mileage. But as we discussed earlier, I really need to focus on 6hr races or longer as those seem to be more my style. Thats the new goal for next year

The Race Report (Non Biking Related)

It is that time of year again in Charlotte N.C. in which we lose our fair city to people who live in RV’s. Yes NASCAR season is once again upon us and we are doing our annual All Star race festivities. Now I’m not a NASCAR fan by any means but I can struggle through 100 laps of watching the cars turn left. Plus the winning driver gets 1 Million Dollars for winning so there is a lot of unnecessary chances getting taken to win that money.

Heres me and Danica getting a little cozy


Well I primed myself for getting ready for the race like any good redneck should. Get beer. Check. Ok, that was about it. Couple of chairs to sit in, a card table, ladder golf set and some turkey burgers and me and the burrower are set to go.



First drink…9:56 a.m. We have 2 of the 3 cars we are driving to the track waiting in the driveway and getting ready to load up. Finish first drink 10:00 even. Then there was another beer before we left and blah blah blah we get to the track and set up camp like pros. Well to make a long story short I will just supply the pictures and you can put the story together. Hint, each one of these pop tabs once belonged to a can of beer that I once drank (14 total, 16 for the day).




Needless to say I was carbo-loading for Sundays Riverfront Challenge at the WWC. That race report will be tomorrow but enjoy the pictures for today.

This Training Thing sucks

Ok, not that its true training in the sense where I am doing windsprints up and down the stairs, but just trying to not be last during the races.

After waking up this morning with a slight hangover and a dry mouth I made the last minute decision to ride my happy self to work. I grabbed the mp3 player and off I went. Its a 14 minute sprint to work (including waiting on crossing WT Harris during the morning rush hour). Morning work out complete.

Work hard for the money for 4 hours, resolving problems, kissing babies, etc and then the afternoon workout. Ok, this one really is as my running partner is a former US Marine. You would think that me being 4 inches taller than him would result in a longer stride and make sure that I can keep up with him. Negative. Anyway, about a 3 mile run on lunch. Legs are hurting as they have not been on a run since about a full year ago and they do not like it, they prefer the low impact (except when I hit a tree, miss a bridge, fall into a creek) excercise of biking. Then my 17 minute sprint home (its all uphill)and again crossing WT Harris during the evening rush hour. It does give you a thrill to cross 8 lanes of traffic (including turn lanes) on a yellow light with cars behind you, but I am a thrill junky, just not a very bright one.

Anyway not a lot of time on the Culprit and a very short test run with new parts and I should be ready to go for the Southern Classic Series on Sunday. That is of course I can make it through my unit softball game tomorrow, an all day drink fest at the All Star Race Saturday, and then manage to choke down some food before completing a 20 mile ride on untested equipment on Sunday. Yes, all and all it should be a good weekend.

Race Report...

Cancelled.

That was my twitter update for the day. The USNWC trails were closed. I was hearing reports that a full inch fell last night and just soaked the trails. I was ready to go.



In my back seat was an entire bike and then some more ready to be sold to the highest (or lowest) bidder. I am doing this for a friend and taking a small cut. And by small cut I got a chain whip tool. What can I say, I'm cheap labor.

In terms of readiness I spend minutes upon minutes getting ready for these races, possibly even some of that time warming up riding. Actually it is a mixed blessing because as much as I love to ride and race I also have some other plans tonight and also am just sore.

First the soreness, I am trying this "cross training" thing in which I am running. Well my body doesnt like it much. After 2 days of running at lunch, about a 5k each time, my quads are killing me.

The other reason in which I am sort of glad its post-poned was here in Charlotte it is National Redneck Week.



Ok, that is a stereotype, but anyway its the mid-season for NASCAR. Charlotte being the official home of the sport gets 2 weeks of the fun. Well that just means free concerts! Tonight at the Epicenter, The Script

The First Ride...

With the weather rushing in on Sunday afternoon after the errand running and finalizing the parts to make the Culprit functional again I was pressed for time and limited the number of trails that the weather havent affected I headed to the Whitewater Center for a quick lap. As I am unloading the bike (now almost a full 2 lbs lighter)I heard thunder rolling in the distance.

I decided to high tail it on the trail and see how far and how fast I could go.

There is one word that describes an air folk vs. a coil fork, that word is plush. The way it takes the small bumps without a "thump". Rushing through the figure eight and the north trails I hear the rain. As I run through carpet trail I feel it coming through the canopy and I decide to head out for fear of getting soaked (but more importanty the bike getting wet) I climbed up goat hill with no issue and took the exit out. What do you know, as soon as I get the bike up on the rack, rain stops.

Not a long test ride, but should be enough for the race tomorrow, and then can really dial it in for the race on Sunday.



Tonight was bike teardown day in the garage. My co-worker bought a bike off a local trailblazer, but as it turns out the rear triangle was bent. My personal bike mechanic Leo stopped on by to help the dis-mantling of the bike. He enjoys building and taking them down more than riding, which is good for me as I am just the opposite. He also wanted first dibs on the parts.



Race report tomorrow, lets see if I can stay away from trees.

Its finally Here

Well after bidding on the Ebay for a new bike part which I won and was waiting to be shipped from Taiwan. Heres a clue of what was purchased.


That give it away?

Anyway it arrived on Saturday and after looking at the burrower with my big hazel eyes she goes "fine, go play"

Rejoice!!!!

After some carefull measuring of the new steerer tube (still haven't figure it out yet?) I was able to cut off what I needed to make The Culprit sexy and whole again.

Well, I really cant build up anymore besides the issues I had with the install. Having to make a last minute run to Bikeline to get a starnut (another clue dropped here) and 3 beers and a Ghostbusters move later I got the bad boy on the bike. Here is the first unveiling of what she looks like.



And again



And one more for good measure


Although you may not know what the line is I am sure you have heard of the brand. SR Suntour. You may know them for making entry level forks, well at it turns out they also make high end parts as well, just not in the US yet.

Long story short, after another parts run to Performace Bike for a Post Mount adaptor for my brakes I have a nice cushy air fork with a weight of a little less than 1600 grams. Dropped over a pound, maybe a pound and a half from the Culprit as not running that heavy Marzocchi 33T.

Although it did treat me well for 2 years, a 50 mile race, entire summer series and 6 hr of Warrior Creek, it was time for an upgrade to an Air fork.

Tomorrows report, the first ride, to bad the weather had to ruin it.

Race Report - Revisited

So last nights entry was written while I was all hopped up on adrenaline and thinking about how chicks dig scars. In that case I would have a lot more chicks wanting me besides the burrower, who just tolerates me.



When I had time to think about all of my injuries and show my bruises to my co-workers (who think I am nuts for putting myself through the same torture week after week) I tried to break down the race lap through lap and I came to one conclusion. Dont crash and dont hit trees. Granted it was my own fault I was getting a little reckless on the back half of the trails, but I was in the heat of the pack when I completed a 270 degree front flip with no dismount. Then trying to catch up I was also getting reckless and hitting trees trying to catch up.

Also I came to the realization that the local expert class is fast, damn fast. A few of them had the privilege of passing me on lap 5 while I was only on lap 4, Lucky them. I guess the good new is the Mutt also didn't finish last this week, check out his site for the ever ending adventures. And Maddss took a solid 4th place finish.

Also while racing I came to the realization that I might have to do the unthinkable (gasp) and train some so I don't get completely humiliated at the Mountain Bike Nationals in Colorado. This will be rough with all of my drinking holidays coming up. Speed Street, The All-Star Race, and just over all summer events. But with less than 2 months to the race date I really need to learn how to climb hills. I guess the good news is that I am good on the downhills where being reckless usually pays off.

Next weeks racing adventure, the Whitewater center.

North Meck Race Report

Ever feel like this guy?


Or I could call it "the circus just called, they want me to be the new clown". I use that reference because I was one the ground more than I was on the bike. Neil had us do 4 laps this year in sport instead of the 3 laps from last year. Just knowing that fact was a moral buster. But as always at N. Meck there was the Le Mans style start in which you place your bike down and run to it to thin out the pack. I was lucky and just happened to place my bike down in the first row which gave me a slight advantage as I didn't have to hop over anybody else's ride.

Entering the woods I was in about 4 or 5 place after my run and good start and then there is the straight, fast downhill. I love downhills and I love gear mashing. Throw the bike in the big ring and just crank. So after the slight gap I built up on the downhills the rest of the pack caught me on the up hill section. I knew that was going to happen and I hate when it does happen. Luckily there is really only one uphill section at the park so I didnt' lose too much ground.



Fast foward to the tail end of lap one in which there are 2 small bridges. Unforetunly I only hit one of them and did a complete flip off my bike and landed on my back. That was the momentum breaker for me as most the field past me while I was still attempting to figure out where I was.

I continued on the ride and was going at a good pace when I just lost concentration and hit a tree.



All of these hitting things and falling down really take a toll on your mental state and even your physical state of getting your feet set under you and ready to ride. They make you want to take turns slower and jumps not as high as you lose your confidence.

So I am beat up, bruised, scarred, and hungry (the last one didnt have to do with racing I just thought I would throw it out there). At least I didn't finish last. I believe I took 15 out of 18 or so and I think I would have done better as the guy I was following when I took the front flip (with a terrible dismount) took 3rd for the day. I honestly thought I could keep up that pace a little longer. Goes to show that anything can happen when you least expect it.

And I am still waiting for the post man to deliver the new part for The Culprit. He deserves it after the abuse I put him through today.

It was a Good Week for a Ride

In fact, I was able to do 4 of them last week. Tuesday ride at the WWC, A better than expected 12 out of 15 places at the Summer Series. And then a Saturday and Sunday Ride at as well. Add in one commute day to and from work and I have been a busy rider. Now while most of my riding buddies were doing the 6 hr Grind on the Greenway, I was busy installing a shower basin. Granted I am not that good at this home ownership/maintenance thing but only after 2 trips to Home Depot to install the basin and 1 additional trip to Lowes for tile and mortar, 2 hours in a 36 by 36 cube that is my show and tiling I am taking a break to update my blog. Everyone who is reading this should be thankful that I place all of my followers before my personal hygiene.

Also, as I am writing this the burrower is getting in shape by doing the P90X


Meanwhile I offer encouragment while eating a pudding pop.


So tomorrow is race 3 of the Summer Series and I feel pretty good after riding so many times in the past week, refreshed and rested but also got enough miles in to keep up some endurance. Granted it wasn't a 6 hour ride but I still think I wont fall behind the group too much.

Anyway between finishing my basement (yes I have a basement in Charlotte), finish power washing the deck, and tiling the bathroom I managed to get a gift for The Culprit. But you will have to wait and see what it is. It should make me faster. Ok probably not, but if nothing else it will lighten the bike so when I go to Nationals I wont get completely laughed at because of the bike, just because of my lack of skills.

At Least I wasn't Last...

Another Wednesday night race in the Summer Series and another race in which I did not do well. At least I wasn't last. I checked the unofficial results and was 12 out of 14 or 15. It is nice to know that I might have gotten a little bit better without actually training, but I don't really enjoy Reni Park either. The trail knomes were kind to the place with the 2nd half of the trail being a lot better than the first half, but maybe thats because there is an actual flow to the course and not just an up and down trail for 3 miles.

Actually the race was pretty uneventful for me as only one tree hit and no crashes. I just go to these races for the people though. A bunch of bike race pro's wannabe who all enjoy a nice beer afterward. To bad they don't allow beer at the park so we got hotdogs instead. Provided by the local club Tarheel Trailblazers

All of the members do great work and really make Charlotte a mountain biking mecca.

I did have a request for the burrower to come and take some action shots of the races as she did capture me in my finest on the boat.


I will see if she can make an appearance for a few of these just for the photography.
Anyway tonight is one of the first Summer Concert Series at the Whitewater Center. I just love being outdoors, listening to music, and watching people fall off rafts.

I also received a text message from the Burrower stating there is going to be no rain foretasted for the next 10 days. Lets go Ride!!

I really need to ride the bike

So as of today it has been 6 days since I last rode. Which was also my great last place finish in the summer series at Beaty Park. I feel another last place finish coming tomorrow. It has been really hectic around here and then the rain, stupid stupid rain keeping me off the trails.

In other news it is officially warm enough to go swimming in Lake Norman as we took the boat out for a spin again this weekend. The usual crew was there. And we got to have some fun out on the water.


No it wasn't a complete flip. I couldn't decide if I wanted to dive in or do a flip so I compromised and landed on my back. Thanks to the burrower though for the cool action shot.

Another reason there is no riding yesterday and today **update as Shermans branch is now open** and I am going to go after the contractors leave. Oh yeah, I need to show the pictures of my old and moldy bathroom and my new non-moldy one in which I think the burrower is going to use all of her create talents to make it what she wants.



And after.



And the basement



There will be more to come as I learn how to tile and such, but for now, getting ready to hit the trail!

"You can get smaller ones if you want"

**Sorry for the crappy pics, all I had was my cell phone**


Those were the one of the final words left by our waitress when Me, the Cas of Cashley and Jay-J were out Friday night in Raleigh.


Needless to say for that comment she got a good tip from the 3 of us she wasn't making fun of. Oh, and to put it into context it was about Casey 2nd pint of beer which he said he couldn't finish because it was to full so don't go getting any bad ideas in your head.

But this was another week with no riding since my last disaster of a race. And even as I am recapping there is rain on the way. Hopefully if nothing else it will spare Sherman's branch to get a ride in before the race on Wednesday.

But as a quick recap of the weekend with no riding it was a boys weekend in Raleigh N.C. as our friend Erik moved from his sisters apartment to his own. We are all so proud of him for growing up and getting his own place. But the move was a total wreck, luckily he didn't have much stuff in his possession. Nothing was packed so we threw everything in garbage bags for the 2 mile journey to his new bachelor pad. Other than a lot of times drinking a lot of beer (we missed a few meals because we forgot to eat) it was a lot of fun hanging out, playing video games, bar hopping, and seeing the sights. Here was something in which North Carolina should be proud of. We were driving around the capital and just happend to drive past a whole lot of dreaklocks.

It was their yearly protest against the eradication of cannibus. Now I am not very politcal but isn't it more effective to have these types of rallys when the capital is open? Saturday didn't seem like a good day to get their word out. Well at least they didn't do the cliche thing and have it on 4/20.

Anyway, here is another picture of beer. The 100 ouncer at a wing place.

Notice it is over halfway done.

Anyway I have Mon and Tuesday off while my bathroom is getting its emergency remodel so I should be able to post up about the weekend boat ride and put up some pics. Still wondering about the Nationals in Colorado though, I really would need to start training and this rain doesn't help. I did put the slicks on the mountain bike though so I can ride to work. 3 miles each way up and down hills is better training than none. Enjoy your week as I am only on the clock for 3 days.