June 13, 2011
8 days streak
8 days. 1 day of cycling and 7 of running. At least three runs over an hour. What is the significance of that? It's the most training/exercise I've strung together in a row since 2009. I know, pretty pathetic. But, a win none the less. After a week of running in worn out shoes my knees are saying "loose some weight, get some new shoes or ride some of the $6k in bikes you have rotting in the basement." My mind and body seems to say " I want more." I am amazed at what 9 hours on a bike ending in near exhaustion results in. Besides some sort of a spark in motivation, it's made a 45min run fly by in what feels like 15. Now that "fingers crossed" the weather seems to have broken, I think I'll plan to get up in the am and climbs some hills on the cx bike. Maybe get in a couple of loops on Maybury this week as well. Hoping to make it out to Poto or somewhere fun this weekend.
June 10, 2011
More rain = Buzz Kill
Rain Rain go away. I wanna ride my bike today. Well tomorrow. But the forecast is worse. Guess I am back on the bi-weekly cycling program.
June 06, 2011
Mohican 100 - A Suprising Success
Wow. How to summarize a 100 mile race. Especially, one with as versatile and challenging of a course as the Mohican. I could write a novel.
Short Version…
What a grueling course. It was packed full of the widest variety of terrain I’ve ever ridden. And who could forget, climbing. A ton of it. It was certainly a challenging course and day. Poor choices in what I put in my mouth and heat made it even tougher. It took everything I had to finish up the last 10 miles of single track. Overall, just finishing the race was extremely rewarding. Pulling off a near 9 hour time and hanging about after the race knocked it out of the park.
Long Version…
Pre-Race:
After a panic packing session and minor freak out over fear my bike was not fit to cover the distance Thurs., teammate Bryan Deal and I headed out after cutting the workday a little short on Friday. Thankfully, Loundonville, OH is only a 3ish hour drive. Even though I had to take a few work calls in the car, the drive seemed to work out of my pre-race jitters that had me squirming in my chair at the week wore on. We arrived in the knick of time and picked up our race numbers and drop bags. We had plenty of time to grab dinner and a beer or two at the Mohican Tavern and discuss drop bag strategy before a minimal amount of pre-race prep and lights out at the Blackfork Inn bed and breakfast. Which turned out to be a great place. Not only for the fact it was about ¼ mile from the start of the race but, the owner’s (Sue) hospitality, ice cold a/c and complementary ear plugs if the trains that ran near by. Which certainly wasn’t an issue on the either of the nights. It had been a long week at work. Lights out by about 11pm was no struggle.
Start:
Moments later, alarms were going off and after a snooze button or two, we were up and around. Breakfast and dropping off our drop bags at registration left us with an hour to spare before the start. Which raced by. Before we knew it, we were pedaling to the start. Since Bryan and I signed up, race strategy was going to be to ride together, just finish and have fun. We hadn’t discussed race strategy for about a week and I am pretty sure our conversation amounted to “ok, I’ll see you out there.” However, though was due to the fact that we had heard there was a good deal of flats on the course, on the SS, I’d likely be naturally faster on the climbs and considering Bryan is a dive bombing death machine on a geared bike, he’d likely catch me on the down hills and on the flats. Given my race strategy was “just finish and have fun” and I didn’t plan on going all out any time near the start, that was probably a decent plan. Bryan and I showed up roughly 5 minutes before the start and lined up near the rear. We were informed about a minute before the start that most of the 100k field was in front of us waiting to start 15min after the 100 milers. We did out best to work through the pack but, we didn’t make it far enough to the front. I am pretty sure we were the last two people to leave the line for the 100miler after fishing our way through remainder of the 100k racers ahead of us. So, that race strategy we worked on. Yeah, that didn’t last a mile. There is a pretty decent climb just about a ¼ mile from the start. Seeing the rate of climb I knew there was no way I wanted to hit it with zero momentum. So, I hit it with speed and rode up it off the saddle and probably put 50 people behind Bryan and I. I figured things would probably flatten out at the top or even better descend. Giving Bryan the chance to catch up. Wrong.
Start to Aid Station 2:
It wasn’t long before we were off road. It’s really tough to describe this section. It’s about 30 miles with some pretty technical sections. Log piles, rock gardens, some stream crossings, at least one hike a bike and lots of roots. Not to mention climbing. Lots of climbing. Then descending. Then more climbing. I think the only way I can describe it or put a frame of reference around it is riding Poto and Pontiac Lake back to back with more climbing and obstacles. I certainly wasn’t burning the candle at both ends but, I was catching and passing quite a few people just due to the fact I went with 2:1 gearing and the geared bikes were spinning away in granny gears on the slightest sign of ascent. For a guy that has been riding on a trail about once every 2 weeks, this section was tough. I was feeling really off in regards to my handling skills. I managed to pull off two endos. One on the first log pile. Which I going to blame on rider traffic and not having enough speed to clear it. The second was entirely my fault. I got hung up on a root in a corner and went right over the bars. When once I got up I realized that my bars had twisted all the way around and were locked by the fact I didn’t raise my brake levels high enough to clear the frame. It required use of my multi tool to loosen then retightened the lever and get things back in order. I later discovered I had been exchanging places with the 2nd place women for most of this section. After my crashes I was getting pretty cautious in the rougher sections. I found it easier to follow her and as literally ran away from me on the descents and I caught her on the climbs. All of the climbing and single track with little room for passing pretty much put a bullet in the plan to ride with Bryan. I was highly doubtful he had the opportunity to close up the gap.
Aid Station 2 to 3:
After some 40+ mph descent and a decent amount of climbing on some dirt roads just prior to aid station 2, I was excited to make my first stop of the race. I had made the mistake of only taking 2 water bottles at the start and not stopping at Aid station 1 to refill. Plus, I was basically out of gu, shot blocks and etc. I was thirsty and starting to get hungry. So, I drank and ate a little of everything that was there besides restocking and ensuring I left with 3 water bottles this time. Coke, Heed, Endurolytes, etc, etc. Now the first 30 or so miles were definitely tough but, even though it was nearly 100% road, the next 14-16 were honestly the toughest part of the race. At least from my perception climbing wise. By this time, I had thrown out my initial race strategy and like a whiny kid, I was honestly upset I put a big scratch in my top tube when I drug my brake lever over the top of it during my second endo. And for some sadistic reason, I love climbing. Pedal mashing, leg burning, shoulder cramping, wind sucking climbing. So, I let it hang out a little more than I should have. I rode every one but, one climb until the next aid station. Which I didn’t make it up due to traction.
Aid Station 3 to 4:
I had no intention of stopping at aid station #3 when Bryan and I prepped a bag for it. I figured it’d be a good “just in case” decision. Boy was I glad did. I had already knocked back two water bottles in my fit of climbing. Primarily because my stomach was rather upset from the mess I put into it at aid station 2. I asked to have my water bottles filled with just water and rolled out. By then it had gotten pretty hot. The aid station was approx. 46 miles in and I figured that it was time to see what I had in the tank. So I mashed up the hill that immediately followed the aid station passing a guy in an ASU jersey and another rider. As soon as, we hit the single track (again up hill) I realized I my legs were fried. So, I hopped off and walked it. The single track portion of this stetch seemed grueling. I felt like I had very little left in my legs so, I walked most anything uphill and remotely technical. I rode most of the leg with Ryan (guy in the ASU jersey). We eventually got out of the single track. We seem to both feeling about the same and riding/walking the same sections. Turns out he’s also from Michigan and is running the GLR (http://greatlakesreleay.com) this July. I was glad to have him around. I think we kept each other moving. Eventually, we got onto the road and things got easier. At that point, I realized if the race was indeed 100 miles of single track, there was no way I would have been able to finish. We were probably about 60 miles. I was honestly worried there was going to 40 miles of single track ahead.
Aid Station 4 to 5:
At this point the race is a bit of a blur. Aid station 4 was approx. 72 miles into it. I ditched my spare tube at this point so, I could carry more food and was still riding with Ryan from ASU. I also believe we caught a guy in an orange bike barn jersey and we rode together a bit. Could have been just before it. Things are pretty fuzzy at this point. This stretch had some monster hills I had to walk but, if my somewhat delusional memory servers me, it had a good 10 or 15 miles of rail to trail/roads. This terrain felt effortless for me to spin on when I was seated. I dropped everyone I was riding with and picked off a few single speeders in the process as well. Which I admit got my spirits high and motivation up. I stopped in at the unofficial mile 80 aid station, refilled on water and kept rolling. Picking off people along the way. I was geeked I hadn’t run into much, if any single track. I still felt like I had nothing left if I mashed off the seat but, great if I could stay in the saddle. At this point I started to get mixed in with some 100k riders. Which again gave me someone to catch & pass. I caught and traded positions with another 100 miler for at least 10 miles. Oddly, I’d pass him on the flats and he’d catch me as a walked hills.
Aid Station 5 to Finish:
Aid station 5 was approx. 10 miles from the finish. I let the guy I was riding with know I had enough to drink and nothing in the tank. My 2:1 gear ratio had finally taken its toll on me. I was concerned if I stopped, it’d take a fork lift to get me on my bike again. So I rolled right past the aid station. The single track started almost immediately afterwards. Luckily it seemed to be more downhill than up but, my legs were toast. Any climb that required me getting off the saddle got walked. Anything technical, again, walked. The rider that hit the aid station with me caught me nearly immediately. I think he ended up putting 7 minutes on me in the last 10 miles. Thankfully, there were more 100k riders on the trail so, there were riders to chase. The distraction really helped. Though it excruciatingly difficult (probably the hardest 10 miles on a bike of my life), the last 10 miles actually passed rather quickly. I rounded a corner and could see Mohican Adventures. Unfortunately, as they had done many times in the past on the course. They directed the course up more climb, then across the stream and eventfully across the finish. I was exhausted but, very happy with my finished when I looked up and saw that I was near 9 hours. I had decided about ½ through the race anything under 10 hours would be a success. I hung around the finish and chatted with racers that I had recently finished with about the race. I was wiped and had put a 9:09. Good enough for 15th. Not too shabby for a washed up distance runner that only rides his MTB once every two weeks.
Post Race Party:
After riding back to the bed and breakfast, Bryan and I showered up and headed back to the finish to collect our drop bags, eat and sample some of fantastic Great Lakes Brewery beer on tap. I have to say I enjoyed hanging around after this race more than any other. May of the top riders were still hanging about to watch the awards and Bryan and I got a chance to meet some great people. I am interested in seeing some pictures of the race. I must have looked like death on two wheels at points during the race. Especially at the end.
Will I be back next year? Possibly? Will I be rocking the single speed? Probably going to take a challenge of my manhood or a request to pace or ride with another fellow single speeder.
Results
Short Version…
What a grueling course. It was packed full of the widest variety of terrain I’ve ever ridden. And who could forget, climbing. A ton of it. It was certainly a challenging course and day. Poor choices in what I put in my mouth and heat made it even tougher. It took everything I had to finish up the last 10 miles of single track. Overall, just finishing the race was extremely rewarding. Pulling off a near 9 hour time and hanging about after the race knocked it out of the park.
Long Version…
Pre-Race:
After a panic packing session and minor freak out over fear my bike was not fit to cover the distance Thurs., teammate Bryan Deal and I headed out after cutting the workday a little short on Friday. Thankfully, Loundonville, OH is only a 3ish hour drive. Even though I had to take a few work calls in the car, the drive seemed to work out of my pre-race jitters that had me squirming in my chair at the week wore on. We arrived in the knick of time and picked up our race numbers and drop bags. We had plenty of time to grab dinner and a beer or two at the Mohican Tavern and discuss drop bag strategy before a minimal amount of pre-race prep and lights out at the Blackfork Inn bed and breakfast. Which turned out to be a great place. Not only for the fact it was about ¼ mile from the start of the race but, the owner’s (Sue) hospitality, ice cold a/c and complementary ear plugs if the trains that ran near by. Which certainly wasn’t an issue on the either of the nights. It had been a long week at work. Lights out by about 11pm was no struggle.
Start:
Moments later, alarms were going off and after a snooze button or two, we were up and around. Breakfast and dropping off our drop bags at registration left us with an hour to spare before the start. Which raced by. Before we knew it, we were pedaling to the start. Since Bryan and I signed up, race strategy was going to be to ride together, just finish and have fun. We hadn’t discussed race strategy for about a week and I am pretty sure our conversation amounted to “ok, I’ll see you out there.” However, though was due to the fact that we had heard there was a good deal of flats on the course, on the SS, I’d likely be naturally faster on the climbs and considering Bryan is a dive bombing death machine on a geared bike, he’d likely catch me on the down hills and on the flats. Given my race strategy was “just finish and have fun” and I didn’t plan on going all out any time near the start, that was probably a decent plan. Bryan and I showed up roughly 5 minutes before the start and lined up near the rear. We were informed about a minute before the start that most of the 100k field was in front of us waiting to start 15min after the 100 milers. We did out best to work through the pack but, we didn’t make it far enough to the front. I am pretty sure we were the last two people to leave the line for the 100miler after fishing our way through remainder of the 100k racers ahead of us. So, that race strategy we worked on. Yeah, that didn’t last a mile. There is a pretty decent climb just about a ¼ mile from the start. Seeing the rate of climb I knew there was no way I wanted to hit it with zero momentum. So, I hit it with speed and rode up it off the saddle and probably put 50 people behind Bryan and I. I figured things would probably flatten out at the top or even better descend. Giving Bryan the chance to catch up. Wrong.
Start to Aid Station 2:
It wasn’t long before we were off road. It’s really tough to describe this section. It’s about 30 miles with some pretty technical sections. Log piles, rock gardens, some stream crossings, at least one hike a bike and lots of roots. Not to mention climbing. Lots of climbing. Then descending. Then more climbing. I think the only way I can describe it or put a frame of reference around it is riding Poto and Pontiac Lake back to back with more climbing and obstacles. I certainly wasn’t burning the candle at both ends but, I was catching and passing quite a few people just due to the fact I went with 2:1 gearing and the geared bikes were spinning away in granny gears on the slightest sign of ascent. For a guy that has been riding on a trail about once every 2 weeks, this section was tough. I was feeling really off in regards to my handling skills. I managed to pull off two endos. One on the first log pile. Which I going to blame on rider traffic and not having enough speed to clear it. The second was entirely my fault. I got hung up on a root in a corner and went right over the bars. When once I got up I realized that my bars had twisted all the way around and were locked by the fact I didn’t raise my brake levels high enough to clear the frame. It required use of my multi tool to loosen then retightened the lever and get things back in order. I later discovered I had been exchanging places with the 2nd place women for most of this section. After my crashes I was getting pretty cautious in the rougher sections. I found it easier to follow her and as literally ran away from me on the descents and I caught her on the climbs. All of the climbing and single track with little room for passing pretty much put a bullet in the plan to ride with Bryan. I was highly doubtful he had the opportunity to close up the gap.
Aid Station 2 to 3:
After some 40+ mph descent and a decent amount of climbing on some dirt roads just prior to aid station 2, I was excited to make my first stop of the race. I had made the mistake of only taking 2 water bottles at the start and not stopping at Aid station 1 to refill. Plus, I was basically out of gu, shot blocks and etc. I was thirsty and starting to get hungry. So, I drank and ate a little of everything that was there besides restocking and ensuring I left with 3 water bottles this time. Coke, Heed, Endurolytes, etc, etc. Now the first 30 or so miles were definitely tough but, even though it was nearly 100% road, the next 14-16 were honestly the toughest part of the race. At least from my perception climbing wise. By this time, I had thrown out my initial race strategy and like a whiny kid, I was honestly upset I put a big scratch in my top tube when I drug my brake lever over the top of it during my second endo. And for some sadistic reason, I love climbing. Pedal mashing, leg burning, shoulder cramping, wind sucking climbing. So, I let it hang out a little more than I should have. I rode every one but, one climb until the next aid station. Which I didn’t make it up due to traction.
Aid Station 3 to 4:
I had no intention of stopping at aid station #3 when Bryan and I prepped a bag for it. I figured it’d be a good “just in case” decision. Boy was I glad did. I had already knocked back two water bottles in my fit of climbing. Primarily because my stomach was rather upset from the mess I put into it at aid station 2. I asked to have my water bottles filled with just water and rolled out. By then it had gotten pretty hot. The aid station was approx. 46 miles in and I figured that it was time to see what I had in the tank. So I mashed up the hill that immediately followed the aid station passing a guy in an ASU jersey and another rider. As soon as, we hit the single track (again up hill) I realized I my legs were fried. So, I hopped off and walked it. The single track portion of this stetch seemed grueling. I felt like I had very little left in my legs so, I walked most anything uphill and remotely technical. I rode most of the leg with Ryan (guy in the ASU jersey). We eventually got out of the single track. We seem to both feeling about the same and riding/walking the same sections. Turns out he’s also from Michigan and is running the GLR (http://greatlakesreleay.com) this July. I was glad to have him around. I think we kept each other moving. Eventually, we got onto the road and things got easier. At that point, I realized if the race was indeed 100 miles of single track, there was no way I would have been able to finish. We were probably about 60 miles. I was honestly worried there was going to 40 miles of single track ahead.
Aid Station 4 to 5:
At this point the race is a bit of a blur. Aid station 4 was approx. 72 miles into it. I ditched my spare tube at this point so, I could carry more food and was still riding with Ryan from ASU. I also believe we caught a guy in an orange bike barn jersey and we rode together a bit. Could have been just before it. Things are pretty fuzzy at this point. This stretch had some monster hills I had to walk but, if my somewhat delusional memory servers me, it had a good 10 or 15 miles of rail to trail/roads. This terrain felt effortless for me to spin on when I was seated. I dropped everyone I was riding with and picked off a few single speeders in the process as well. Which I admit got my spirits high and motivation up. I stopped in at the unofficial mile 80 aid station, refilled on water and kept rolling. Picking off people along the way. I was geeked I hadn’t run into much, if any single track. I still felt like I had nothing left if I mashed off the seat but, great if I could stay in the saddle. At this point I started to get mixed in with some 100k riders. Which again gave me someone to catch & pass. I caught and traded positions with another 100 miler for at least 10 miles. Oddly, I’d pass him on the flats and he’d catch me as a walked hills.
Aid Station 5 to Finish:
Aid station 5 was approx. 10 miles from the finish. I let the guy I was riding with know I had enough to drink and nothing in the tank. My 2:1 gear ratio had finally taken its toll on me. I was concerned if I stopped, it’d take a fork lift to get me on my bike again. So I rolled right past the aid station. The single track started almost immediately afterwards. Luckily it seemed to be more downhill than up but, my legs were toast. Any climb that required me getting off the saddle got walked. Anything technical, again, walked. The rider that hit the aid station with me caught me nearly immediately. I think he ended up putting 7 minutes on me in the last 10 miles. Thankfully, there were more 100k riders on the trail so, there were riders to chase. The distraction really helped. Though it excruciatingly difficult (probably the hardest 10 miles on a bike of my life), the last 10 miles actually passed rather quickly. I rounded a corner and could see Mohican Adventures. Unfortunately, as they had done many times in the past on the course. They directed the course up more climb, then across the stream and eventfully across the finish. I was exhausted but, very happy with my finished when I looked up and saw that I was near 9 hours. I had decided about ½ through the race anything under 10 hours would be a success. I hung around the finish and chatted with racers that I had recently finished with about the race. I was wiped and had put a 9:09. Good enough for 15th. Not too shabby for a washed up distance runner that only rides his MTB once every two weeks.
Post Race Party:
After riding back to the bed and breakfast, Bryan and I showered up and headed back to the finish to collect our drop bags, eat and sample some of fantastic Great Lakes Brewery beer on tap. I have to say I enjoyed hanging around after this race more than any other. May of the top riders were still hanging about to watch the awards and Bryan and I got a chance to meet some great people. I am interested in seeing some pictures of the race. I must have looked like death on two wheels at points during the race. Especially at the end.
Will I be back next year? Possibly? Will I be rocking the single speed? Probably going to take a challenge of my manhood or a request to pace or ride with another fellow single speeder.
Results
June 03, 2011
Mohican 100 In Less Than 24hours
Departure time is 3pm for the Mohican 100 tomorrow.
Wish me luck and that things stay dry.
- Am I prepared physically? No.
- Do I have a strategy for the race? No.
- Do I have a plan for hyrdration and nutrition? No.
- Is the bike ready? I hope so. Pretty sure it should have gotten a new chain and some brake pads before the race. Possible the ebb disassembled & cleaned as well. Gonna ride with fingers crossed.
- Am I freaking out? Totally.
- Am I excited? Hell Yes.
- Most importantly, I hope 2:1 gearing is not going to result in a death march/ride.
May 14, 2011
Dyno Day @ The Car Guys Garage
Got a chance for a little high octane, high horse power fun this morning at The Car Guys Garge in Pinckney, MI. My dad brought his car down for a little tuning on the dyno with hopes some small changes and tuning would be enough for him to break the 9 sec barrier in the 1/4 mile this season. It was a pretty eventful morning. Unfortunately, not for good reasons. I had to make run up to Discount Tire due to a screw in the side wall of my dad's trailer. Plus the car was missing pretty significantly on the first pull and the rest of the time I was able to spend at the shop was primarily used up chasing down the miss that continued occur around 6000rprm. Plugs, cap, rotors, wires etc. Plus, a jet change in the carb were all attempted. I did get a chance to watch a 1/2 dozen or so pulls. Which was a pretty cool sight and a near deafening experience. Even with the missing, the car was still putting down a solid 600hp to 630hp at the rear wheels on each pull.
Here is video and some pictures I snapped at the operation. In case you are wondering, that's a 1967 Chevy II Nova with a 572 cubic inch motor. The motor put out 958hp on a motor dyno before it was put in the car. All motor. No turbo, super charger or nitrous. The pictures don't due it justice. Especially, because I took them on my phone. It's probably one of the nicest car's I've ever seen. And I'm not saying that just because it's my dad's car. The orange car is the shop sponsored car. I beileve I overheard it runs mid 7's in the 1/4 mile.
Here is video and some pictures I snapped at the operation. In case you are wondering, that's a 1967 Chevy II Nova with a 572 cubic inch motor. The motor put out 958hp on a motor dyno before it was put in the car. All motor. No turbo, super charger or nitrous. The pictures don't due it justice. Especially, because I took them on my phone. It's probably one of the nicest car's I've ever seen. And I'm not saying that just because it's my dad's car. The orange car is the shop sponsored car. I beileve I overheard it runs mid 7's in the 1/4 mile.
May 13, 2011
Not so much Mud, Plenty of Sweat, Lots of Beers
Looks like Blogger is back in action after a short stint of technical difficulties.
The 2nd edition of Mud, Sweat and Beers went into the books this past weekend. This year's race was even better than last year's. The large start groups were broken up into smaller waves, the course was marked extremely well and left no doubt on which direction should be taken, the course was pretty much a legit 20 miles, there was an addition of quite a bit of single track, a mud pit was added to the finish and beer tents, bars within and food stations were multiplied. All of this not only made for a great race but, post-race experience. The weather forecast looked to be chilly but, the sun came out and temps climbed comfortably into the 50’s. I was happy to try out our new team shorts.
I am not going to lie. My race performance was nothing better than lousy. My start was fantastic. I shot out off the line and tucked into 3rd. A position I knew was doubtful I could retain. However, it kept me out of traffic in the narrow, winding start. The first section of the race is rather sandy and very hilly but, wide open trail. On one of the first down hills another single speeder decided he wanted around me, made a pass, jumped onto the best line in front of me (the line I was following) and almost immediately went down in the only muddy spot on the entire course. In the excitement, I tapped my front brakes in the attempt to avoid the yard sale and went down right behind him. Luckily, we didn’t connect and it wasn’t a bad crash but, my acrobatic maneuver to avoid the other rider put my stem in my crotch. Ouch! After shaking off the pain in my "groin area", I realized the largest, sandiest climb was now staring me in the face. I made an attempt to run up the hill as waves of riders passed me. To be specific, 14 single speeders and unknowly, at least one of the women experts. The rest of the race was exactly as I remembered. Besides the addition of the single track, the course was either serious pedal mashing climbs with an immediate decent following or spinning out in long flat areas. I thought I was being wise switching to back to 2:1 gearing after Yankee felt like it pushed me close to death but, should have held out another race. I was way under geared. I found myself stacking up long lines of riders in the single track, holding my own and making some gains on the hills but, I was simply getting walked away from on the flats. I’d reel a fellow single speeder in within a few yards on the climbs, at points pass them on the down hills and then they’d simply pass me back and disappear from sight on the flats. The latter ½ of the race had so much flat stretches, I lost contact with all single speeders ahead of me. I was a little bummed most of the race considering I knew plenty of single speeders passed me in the beginning and I knew even 10th place was out of reach. However, I had thought I caught and passed the lead expert woman in the early single track sections. That wasn't the case. 2 more slipped passed me at somepoint. Most likely at the wall considering I opted not to walk up it and took the winding route through the notched trees. I almost made it up whole thing until a rider got their bars wedged in between trees. I certainly was not nearly as spent at the end of the race this year as last. I remember the last climb feeling next to impossible last year. I cruised up it with ease this time around flashing the thumbs up to former highschool and college teammate Joel Gaff who was snapping pics. The mud pit at the end was pretty uneventful. I was in a pretty cheery mood considering I thought I had finished in front of the expert women and attempted to hit the deep end of it. Which turned out to be the shallow end. I am hoping to find a picture of it. I got all freaked out just before hitting it thinking I had too much speed and was going to endo. I am pretty sure the look on my face was priceless.
The post race festivities didn’t disappoint. Fellow teammate Bryan Deal made the trip up with me. We hung out with my childhood through college friend Sam & Brent Sheffer. We enjoyed some of Sam’s famous home brew, some of Traverse City’s finest Right Brain micro brews and pulled pork sandwiches. Even though it never made it passed the 50's, I managed to get a little sunburn.
Will I be back next year? I certainly think so. My personal fear is the popularity of the race will increase and force the number cap to be raised to point it it’s simply not fun anymore. Like a similar race in November in the area. I am hoping that fact that parking is so limited will prevent such a tragedy from occurring. Unless the organizers loose all senses and think shuttling folks around is a good idea. There is even talk of friendly wagers on fastest time on a bike costing <=$50 next year.
The 2nd edition of Mud, Sweat and Beers went into the books this past weekend. This year's race was even better than last year's. The large start groups were broken up into smaller waves, the course was marked extremely well and left no doubt on which direction should be taken, the course was pretty much a legit 20 miles, there was an addition of quite a bit of single track, a mud pit was added to the finish and beer tents, bars within and food stations were multiplied. All of this not only made for a great race but, post-race experience. The weather forecast looked to be chilly but, the sun came out and temps climbed comfortably into the 50’s. I was happy to try out our new team shorts.
I am not going to lie. My race performance was nothing better than lousy. My start was fantastic. I shot out off the line and tucked into 3rd. A position I knew was doubtful I could retain. However, it kept me out of traffic in the narrow, winding start. The first section of the race is rather sandy and very hilly but, wide open trail. On one of the first down hills another single speeder decided he wanted around me, made a pass, jumped onto the best line in front of me (the line I was following) and almost immediately went down in the only muddy spot on the entire course. In the excitement, I tapped my front brakes in the attempt to avoid the yard sale and went down right behind him. Luckily, we didn’t connect and it wasn’t a bad crash but, my acrobatic maneuver to avoid the other rider put my stem in my crotch. Ouch! After shaking off the pain in my "groin area", I realized the largest, sandiest climb was now staring me in the face. I made an attempt to run up the hill as waves of riders passed me. To be specific, 14 single speeders and unknowly, at least one of the women experts. The rest of the race was exactly as I remembered. Besides the addition of the single track, the course was either serious pedal mashing climbs with an immediate decent following or spinning out in long flat areas. I thought I was being wise switching to back to 2:1 gearing after Yankee felt like it pushed me close to death but, should have held out another race. I was way under geared. I found myself stacking up long lines of riders in the single track, holding my own and making some gains on the hills but, I was simply getting walked away from on the flats. I’d reel a fellow single speeder in within a few yards on the climbs, at points pass them on the down hills and then they’d simply pass me back and disappear from sight on the flats. The latter ½ of the race had so much flat stretches, I lost contact with all single speeders ahead of me. I was a little bummed most of the race considering I knew plenty of single speeders passed me in the beginning and I knew even 10th place was out of reach. However, I had thought I caught and passed the lead expert woman in the early single track sections. That wasn't the case. 2 more slipped passed me at somepoint. Most likely at the wall considering I opted not to walk up it and took the winding route through the notched trees. I almost made it up whole thing until a rider got their bars wedged in between trees. I certainly was not nearly as spent at the end of the race this year as last. I remember the last climb feeling next to impossible last year. I cruised up it with ease this time around flashing the thumbs up to former highschool and college teammate Joel Gaff who was snapping pics. The mud pit at the end was pretty uneventful. I was in a pretty cheery mood considering I thought I had finished in front of the expert women and attempted to hit the deep end of it. Which turned out to be the shallow end. I am hoping to find a picture of it. I got all freaked out just before hitting it thinking I had too much speed and was going to endo. I am pretty sure the look on my face was priceless.
The post race festivities didn’t disappoint. Fellow teammate Bryan Deal made the trip up with me. We hung out with my childhood through college friend Sam & Brent Sheffer. We enjoyed some of Sam’s famous home brew, some of Traverse City’s finest Right Brain micro brews and pulled pork sandwiches. Even though it never made it passed the 50's, I managed to get a little sunburn.
Will I be back next year? I certainly think so. My personal fear is the popularity of the race will increase and force the number cap to be raised to point it it’s simply not fun anymore. Like a similar race in November in the area. I am hoping that fact that parking is so limited will prevent such a tragedy from occurring. Unless the organizers loose all senses and think shuttling folks around is a good idea. There is even talk of friendly wagers on fastest time on a bike costing <=$50 next year.
Did someone say beer?
April 29, 2011
April Showers Bring Big Giant Dandelions
Things have been very busy since the arrival of our newest. Especially, given he's been pretty fussy. As always, my wife has been amazing with him. I do what I can but, certainly don't have the stamina or maternal instinct to make me Super Dad. Certainly an area I need to improve in. It's been a realy joy. It's already hard for me to remember life without 3 kids.
What’s up with this weather? There seems to be no end to the rain and cold. Despite the cold, Spring seems to have powered through and started making an appearance. Things are beginning to green up and before I know it, there may even be leaves on the trees. But, what did all these April showers bring my lawn? Big giant dandelions. Hundreds of them. Huge ones. Even after I treated the lawn. I didn’t notice until my Grandfather commented on them the last time he was over. So, now we have bare spots from lack of watering, areas of dead grass due to grubs and weeds galore. I need to take some pictures of these beasts. Not only do I have some work pulling weeds ahead of me, I think it’s time I hire a professional to battle these lawn issues before things get even more out of control.
I mailed in our team’s GLR entry yesterday. Team name is officially “End of Days.” I am pretty excited. In preparation for the race in July, I’ve been trying to run 3-4 times a week the past two weeks. At least 45 min at a time. I still have a loooong way to go. However, my 45-50+ min loop is becoming a 43-45 min loop pretty consistently. I am sure it’s in part, due to the weather and lack of snow on the ground. But, I am hoping it’s partially due to my conditioning improving.
I haven’t ridden a bike since Yankee. Not good. There has just been too much rain and no chance to hit the windows when it’s let up. I hear the trails aren’t terrible but, they still have to be pretty muddy. I am hoping to get in a ride early tomorrow am before the kid’s karate class. It’s going to have to early. It looks like it’ll be chilly and I am doubting Maybury, the only chance in close enough vicinity to me, is going to be in good enough shape. So, I’ll likely be Hines and hills in Northville.
What’s up with this weather? There seems to be no end to the rain and cold. Despite the cold, Spring seems to have powered through and started making an appearance. Things are beginning to green up and before I know it, there may even be leaves on the trees. But, what did all these April showers bring my lawn? Big giant dandelions. Hundreds of them. Huge ones. Even after I treated the lawn. I didn’t notice until my Grandfather commented on them the last time he was over. So, now we have bare spots from lack of watering, areas of dead grass due to grubs and weeds galore. I need to take some pictures of these beasts. Not only do I have some work pulling weeds ahead of me, I think it’s time I hire a professional to battle these lawn issues before things get even more out of control.
I mailed in our team’s GLR entry yesterday. Team name is officially “End of Days.” I am pretty excited. In preparation for the race in July, I’ve been trying to run 3-4 times a week the past two weeks. At least 45 min at a time. I still have a loooong way to go. However, my 45-50+ min loop is becoming a 43-45 min loop pretty consistently. I am sure it’s in part, due to the weather and lack of snow on the ground. But, I am hoping it’s partially due to my conditioning improving.
I haven’t ridden a bike since Yankee. Not good. There has just been too much rain and no chance to hit the windows when it’s let up. I hear the trails aren’t terrible but, they still have to be pretty muddy. I am hoping to get in a ride early tomorrow am before the kid’s karate class. It’s going to have to early. It looks like it’ll be chilly and I am doubting Maybury, the only chance in close enough vicinity to me, is going to be in good enough shape. So, I’ll likely be Hines and hills in Northville.
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