Mud, Sweat and Lack of Preparation

Mud, Sweat and Beers this weekend in TC. Since the Yankee TT, I've basically taken an entire week off due to Strep Throat and rode a couple of easy rides on my CX bike on the road. Expectations are not high for the weekend.

Strategy: Go out like a mother and hope I can hang on, don't lose focus like Yankee on lap two and generally for the best.

And facebook no longer seems to be picking up my blog's RSS feed. Grrr.

Westland WWF

Who needs balloons and birthday cake when you have ninjas, clowns and men and women in tights battling your very oen ring in your own backyard. Probably one of the coolest bday parties I've been to and it was for my daughter's 6 year old classmate. Apparently, the ninja was the birthday boy's uncle and a part time wrestler. Matches for the night included local favorites Nacho Libre & Doink the Clown. It was cold and about 50 degrees out. Luckily the rain held off. I was impressed with the show and probably liked it as much as the kids who enjoyed throwing popcorn at the "Bad Guys."

Check it out:

From Westland WWF

It's Ordered...

One 2010, 17.5/Medium, Stumpjumper, 29er, SINGLE SPEED on order. With a hope and a prayer, it'll be here sometime in June. With luck, I'll be rocking it at Lumberjack. However, I don't think I'll be that lucky.

Already dreaming about upgrades, though it ain't going to need much.

Ride Recap - 4/22

Rode the CX bike for the first time today on Hines Drive today. I love it so far. I think it’s the perfect size. The handlebars may be a little narrow but, I may just need to get used to it.


Small block 8's are great. Even on CX tires. 700X23 tires should be saved for road racing race days. 700X25 or bigger is the way to go.

I rode with Bryan Deal.

We chased a small dog. Bryan maintained his average of one crash per ride chasing the dog. I was happy I got to ride my CX bike in the grass chasing the dog. Bryan caught the dog. Bryan was nice and gave it back to its owner. I know he wanted to keep it.

I feel great getting out in the fresh air. So glad I got out today.

The End.

Strep Throat and Delusions

After Sunday’s race, I was totally whipped out. I haven’t been that tired in years. Clearly it was for a reason. I had a little bit of a sore throat on Sunday am but, nothing I was concerned about. It seems to go right away after drinking something. Monday am was a different story. I awoke with a pounding head ache and a pretty serious sore throat. I picked up some Theraflu on the way to work and tried to tough it out. By noon, I realized I was in worse shape than I through and posing more a risk of spreading illness than any good I was doing at work. So, I headed home and worked and took calls from there the remainder of the day. Monday night was miserable. I don’t think I’ve ever felt that bad. I am sure I was delusional. I was staggering walking to and from the bathroom. At one point, I was debating going to the hospital, an urgent care or something. 103 fever, shaking from chills and sweating. I managed to get what sleep I could but, it wasn’t much. Today wasn’t much better. My fever seemed to better but, my throat and head were not. I did what I could to work from home in the am and about noon found spots on my throat. I new instantly what this meant. Strep. I used to get it every year. I’ve been lucky to go about 3 years. Clearly, my luck had run out. I am dosed up on antibiotics now and hoping I’ll be near 100% tomorrow. That’s how it has worked in the past so, I am hoping it’s the same this go around.

On a positive note, laying on the couch pretty much all night gave me plenty of time to think. Some of which was over the great single speed debate. After last weekend, I am pretty hooked on the whole SS thing. But, I am not happy with my current set up. While my tensioner made the 20+ miles at Yankee, it definitely was looser at the end than it was in the beginning. Which leads me to believe it’s no where near reliable enough to rock in on a regular basis or in the Lumberjack. My heart is pretty much set on the Specialized Stumpjumper SS.

Full Specs

Unfortunately, seems bikes are primarily only made in the middle of the cycling season and I am being told one will not be available is July. So, looks like the waiting game begins and I am going to have to try and get by with what I have. I’ll likely have to switch back to gears in late June for Lumberjack. Which I am not sure if I am happy or disappointed about. I kinda of wanted to take a shot at the LJ with only one gear. The good news is, is I have a new cassette sitting at my house so, all I’ll need to go geared again is a chain.

I just realized that my counter slipped below 60 for the LJ. Time to get serious about trainging. Not a good time to have Strep Throat.

Yankee TT - 4/18

First race of the year and I decided to race expert on the single speed. Not the expert single speed class but, the Full Monte, 2 lap expert class. Turns out, it was a good decision. Although, being the last person to sign up online may not have been the wisest.

The day started with a 6am roll out from Westland.  Brian, Bryan and I car pooled, arrived and set up on team row about 8:30. The weather turned out to be pretty mild. Though it was about 36 when we arrived, the sun made it feel much warmer.

Time flew by and it was race time. After gearing up a short warm up with Nick and the Brians, it was time to line up and go. There was a sea of folks ahead of us since we all signed up pretty late in the game. I started a minute and a half behind Nick and the Brians and I was pretty pumped and ready to get the season started. So, pumped my heart rate was already at near 90 as I waiting to go off. Things moved along quickly and we were off and rolling. I'd never been to Yankee before and after a few turns, I could see why it may be a favorite on the West side. Tons of winding and twisting turns, rough down hills and plenty of climbing. It wasn't even a mile before the traffic started and I was heating up and pulling my arm warmers off. Everyone was very polite and I was trying not to be over zealous and make ridiculous and risky passes. But, I was already regretting my starting position. At a one point, I ended up grouped up in a pretty long train of riders. Which also included Bryan and Nick. After a climb which I ended up having to bail and run, I had worked my way through the pack and was on my way again. The rest of lap one was a blast. The traffic wasn't too terrible and I was only passed twice. Once at the uphill I ran and once by a guy on a full suspension that was simply way to fast on the downhills to contest with. I felt like I kept a pretty good pace. I didn't get hung up by riders too much but, some of the climbs were monsters.  Torwards the end of the lap, things really opened up and I didn't have the gear to more than just keep up with the guys ahead of me.

Lap two was a different story. As lap one ended, I began to find myself on my own. Only one person catching me but, no one that I didn't seem to reel in rather quickly on the turns and hills. I was really enjoying myself and often caught up in slower traffic in the rather tight single track. Most of the lap I didn' feel like I was putting out the effort I was in lap one which seems to be proven my my heart rate data from my Garmin. I also didn't feel like I was taking the turns as well but, looks like I was carrying more speed in some of the down hills. At least according to the Garmin. The hills on the other hand were pretty tough on the next go around. I ran the hill I first ran on lap one, a long hill with an erosion mat (which I rode on lap one) and a root filled hill shortly after. I felt like I finished pretty strong after that. I was chasing a guy on a Gary Fisher that was pretty good on the down hills and evetually caught him on a long uphill section.

In the end, the performance wasn't too shabby considering it was my first race single speed and I rode at least 1/2 of second lap partially blind, without a contact. I lost it due to all of the sweat that was running down my face. Seems the head bands I wear are only good for about an hour. I also edged out a couple of people I have a somewhat secret rivalry planned with this year. But, didn't hit one of my other goals. Being to finish ahead of any women. Man, those ladies are fast. Gotta respect that.

Results: 9th in Expert 30-39
Lap1  Lap2  Total
51:42 53:14 1:44:55.9

Garmin Download

By far the best pic of myself of the day. Pretty funny actually.

All an all, the day was a great success. I heard the race had at least 600 participants and we had a great team turn out. Tom Payn blazed to a 4th place in the same expert category. Brian, Bryan and Brandon survived a few of pretty rough crashes with only some bumps and bruises, scratched bikes and a broken shifter. Bryan's was apparently at the speed of about 20 miles per hour and described by Nick as one of the best he's ever seen.  As usual, Ray showed us how it was done grabbing a 3rd and putting down a heck of a time. Truely an inspiration. Joe, Nick, Scott, Dave and Roger also put in some respectable first race efforts.  Haven't looked through all of the results but, there based on today's performances team bragging rights may be a tough battle and one of the most coveted awards this year.

A few pics from today. Not nearly as great as the one's Dave Smith put on on the Precision Blog but, some the same. Gotta keep up my New Year's resolution to take pics at the races this year.

From Yankee Springs TT - 4/18/10

It's finally here...

Well, I selfishly spent the morning buliding up my new CX bike when I should have been working on the house or spending time with the family.

I am pretty pleased with it so far. If it rides as good as it looks, I'll be very happy. Hoping to take a short spin on it tomorrow. It's a Giant TCX 1. In case you missed the labels.

Before:

Looking Promising:

After: (Yeah, I know the seat is crooked, hadn't fit the bike yet)

The plan for tomorrow is the Yankee. I've never ridden there. So, I am looking forward to something new. I signed up for Expert and I'm bring the Ghetto Motobecane SS to do battle on. Should be fun.

Decisions, Decisions...

You've all been here. Chocolate or Strawberry milk, Blond or Brunette, the Carribean or Colorado, boxers or briefs, etc.

So, here's my dilema. My CX bike is here and this weekend's the Yankee Springs Time Trial. There simply is not time for both to fit in this weekend. Given, I need to build up the CX bike.

Can't say either choice is a bad one. Just a tough decision.

I 'm back in the saddle again!

The Frankendale has been resurrected once more. It took a new bottom bracket, repacking the front hub, a decent amount of cleaning and loads of degreaser in the shifters. Shifting is not entirely back up to snuff. I think it needs some new cables but, she seems to be in good enough shape to role. I officially have a somewhat working road bike again. Not to mention a somewhat working cobbled together single speed mtb. Hitting the trainer tonight and the road as much as I can this week.

I really need my new bike to be here.

Single Speed - Take #2

Stopped by the Jimmers last night and he correct the spoke tensioning on my rear wheel. He also hooked me up with a burly 7 speed change. In which a 3/32 half link fit perfectly. Got my chain just how I wanted it and I was ready to the next morning.

After a 1 1/2 hour fight with my "new" Garmin. I was able to turn it on. Yes, I charged it & tried the on button. Even the reset. Seems the 205/305 become locked at certain times when they don't feel they have a charge. After about 45 minutes of desperation, 6 inch reboot attempts, google searches, I spent 20 minutes combing the Garmin site. Apparently, there are multiple ways to reset the dang thing. Finally, success! I spent other 30 minutes or so setting it up and generally playing with it.

Fresh from the battle with the Garmin, it was time for a team ride out to Maybury and back. The planned meeting place (Nankin Mills) had been taken over by a Martian Marathon relay exchange point. Not to mention a large section than usual of Hines was blocked off for the race. After a cluster of confusion, phone calls and etc. Jim, Melissa, Tom, Lee, Bryan and I were on our way. Amazingly only 15 minute after the proposed start time of 9:30am. Right on time for our group. Our first few miles on Hines Dr. were actually through the race. Which was pretty interesting. Escpecially, when we were rather inpolitely informed by the folks maning the water stop that there was a marathon going on. Apparently, our 15 mph speed and spandex was seen as threatening.

The rest of the way out was pretty relaxed. As before, I was spinning like a mo-fo to maintain anything above 16 mph. I was suprised a how easy the climb as Cass Benton felt.

We met up with Brandon from the team at Maybury and started our first lap. We took it easy and for the most part, rode as a group. The single speed felt fantastic. I did feel a little under geared. Even on the two rather steep climbs. After we regrouped, I checked my chain tension and there was way more than I wanted there. I over tenstioned it with the hope it'd only give a little and end up perfect on the next lap.

After we regrouped, I decided I wanted to pour it on a little more on the second lap and headed out first. The trail was in great shape and the new small block eights handled amazingly. I felt pretty good on through the twisting turns but, quickly was eating my words on being under geared. The hills on the second lap were much harder. Even after a stop in between the two for an attempt to save one of my contact lenses that fell out didn't give me much help. Jim caught up and waited for me at that point. My attempt turned out to be a waste of time because my contact fell out again and stuck to my glasses. Jim and I rode the rest of the way in together. Definitely an interesting riding experience at Maybury when riding 1/2 blind. I think we ended up turning a pretty decent lap time.

We regrouped after the second lap. It was looking like my chain was going to last the ride this time. Unfortunately, Lee's chain did not fair as well. He broke his master link in his chain on the second. Luckly Melissa had one. With that crisis averted we headed for home. Me trailing behind and catching up a lights due to only being able maintain about 16mph.

In the end, it was a great ride. Decent sized group, great weather and trail conditions. With the added bonus of my bike actually making the  whole trip. I felt pretty wiped out on the ride home and really need a nap. I think we ended up getting in about 40 miles. If I don't fall asleep, I'll work on uploading my Garmin tonight. Should be an interesting experience.

I checked the chain tension when I got home on my bike. Still a little over tensioned. Looking positive this SS testing may work out with my current set up after all. Other than the road riding, I really like it so far. Enough, I am thinking pretty seriously about a single speed frame.

Out for Delivery...

My Garmin is nearly here. I am so excited, I could spit!

Was turned on to what I hope was a sweet deal on ebay. GPS, heart rate, altitude, candence, etc. You name it, the 305's got everything but maps. And who needs maps? After all, men don't use maps.

Now I just need a working bike to attach it to. And for the forecasted week's worth of rain to dry up.

Single Speed Take #1 = Failure

I brought the newly single speeded Monsterbecane up to TC this weekend. Headed out for a 50 miler from my parents house around 8am. The weather was fantastic for riding. Cool enough for arm warmers on the 36 mph descent into town from my parents but, warm enough for shorts. The ride out to Acme was as I expected. With a 2 to 1 gear ratio, I felt like my legs were spinning wildly to maintain 18mph. I backed off  as the climbs began and I neared my destination, the Vasa trail. I jumped in at Timber Ridge. About 13 miles from my parents. Home to the finish of the Iceman. This was not only was my first single speed ride but, my first ride of the year on my MTB and on my new Kenda small block eight tires. How I've missed the trails. After only a few sandy turns, I decided that I am fairly certain I made the right choice of tires this year. They seemed to hook up great and roll rather quickly. Even on the wood chips. The single speed setup was fun. However, I'd quickly run out of gear on the flats and downhills. I figured out that if I was above 23 mph, there was no use pedaling. I had to pedal like a maniac just to get the freewheel to catch. While they were a challenge, the hills didn't seem anywhere near as hard as I had expected. It was easy to see why some say riding single speed makes you a better rider. I quickly started daring myself to take turns on descents without braking in order maintain as much speed as possible for the upcoming hills and the up hills were a real workout. I am certain that I would have been faster on my geared bike though. Within no time, I had put in about 7 miles on the Vasa. I turned down a section that was marked as having significant climbs and descents at an intersection and as the sign promised, some serious climbing began. Then BOOM! Disaster struck. The sweet half link that I put in my chain to run my new tensioner in "push up" mode exploded. Along with one of the links it was connected to. I suspect that it wasn't the half link that caused the issue. When I put it on I feared the stock pin that I used on it was too short. Clearly I was right. When it let go, it not only took out the stock link but, bent up the half link too. I attempted to use my chain tool to bend it back and put in a quick link but, the quick link wouldn't fit. Even after attempting to reshape the half link to its original shape. In usual fashion, I tried to force it and put the half link out of its misery as it seemed to dissolve in my hands.

That was it. There was no way the Mosterbecane SS was going to be running under chain power again without some parts. I pulled out my phone, snapped a picture and called for my dad to pick me up at the start of the Vasa. Which I assumed was closer than Timber Ridge. I headed back running the flat/up hill sections of trail and riding the downhills. I reached a kiosk and attempted to determine the quickest route back to the parking lot. Luckily, there was plenty of  "Parking Lot -->" signs. I almost took a wrong turn at one point and had to turn back. Seems the start of the Vasa was about the same distance as Timber Ridge. I ended up running & coasting 6.5 miles to my ride home.

So 20 miles of riding and 6.5 miles of running/coasting for the day. To top it off, I am down to zero working bikes again. Even that being said, I am not giving up on the single speed thing just yet.