PFT

In AUgust of 1986 I headed Southwest of Lexington via the Bluegrass Parkway, Past the Bourbon Distilleries and Pot fields of Washington and Marion County.  I made it to I-65 without incident, strangely. We then headed south past Mammoth Cave and Cave City. Took Exit 28 right by the Corvette Plant and headed into Bowling Green. 

I loaded my crap up PFT. I think I was on the 12th floor, can't remember too much. Met my roommate. Victor, from Fulton, Kentucky, he was a walk on injured football player.  He got me into some trouble almost immediately by setting me up with this guys girlfriend.  Well maybe not a set up, but an introduction that led to 'hanging out' I made it out alive. 

The most vivid memories I have from that year and a half are Drunken nights at the Kappa Sigma house. A drunken canoe trip in Arkansas.   Drunken afternoons at the Barren River Locks. Not making it to too many classes. Never failing a class. Chasing girls. Waking up in time to go play Soccer on the athletic fields. Rappelling off the parking structure, for a class.

I also remember the elevators in PFT were not in the best shape, they were loud, scary and occasionally stopped in between floors and opened the doors just for the heck of it. I have had nightmares about those damn elevators for years.

You may ask where the hell this came from, well earlier this week, News broke of shots fired in this dorm and other places at WKU, luckily none of it has been substantiated, and no one was hurt, thank goodness, but it did bring back memories.

Flat, Straight

I agree that CX courses need straightaways, but almost a miles worth, come on. I had fun for 40 minutes riding alone due to being the last one off the line, stuffed into a metal pole and off the back. the last 20 minutes was slow, parade waves and crowd heckling. I really enjoyed the way we used part of the steeplechase course.

photos stolen from TC

The Father in law visited all weekend, it was a nice visit. He cooked for us a few nights and we mostly just relaxed.

watch out Cottle

I got me a new CX bike, while she is really just a platform for future upgrades, she is pretty and about a pound lighter than the Cross Monster already. Zoom.

Also the Revolution-Peak Fasteners compound will be massive come Saturday. Well at least the Custom 10x20 Canopy will be when I show up to set it up. The Revolution Logos Are the size of a small car at least.

Lets make a Pact

To my loyal readers (all 4 of you). I am going to get on a soap box of sorts, so hit your back button if you please, log onto your favorite forum or read on if you will.

The Internet has opened the world of communication and community for all of us blessed enough to have the means. With every blessing comes curses.

I have noticed something 'out there' that causes me distress. There is a culture of Blame, Aggressive Disagreement, Self-Righteousness and Anger that is Distasteful and Boorish. I myself have fallen into this trap, although I try to never use this forum as one for complaint. My number one reason for this forum is to log my racing career, as modest as it is.

The discourse of our world has turned so adversarial and mean. Lets make a Pact loyal reader;

Today and every day I will focus on the positive. I will look at the good in the world. I will treat others with respect in person or in writing. I will respect others opinions and beliefs. I will stop taking myself so seriously. I will have fun. I will live.

Who's with me?

Even though

Critical issues face us, every day people are heroes.

I don't get out much

Thursday nights ride set precedent. Friday was to be the Pilling's going away party at the Pogues. Lyna and I picked Ty up and headed down. There were a lot of folks there and good food and fellowship. Brad and Toni were milling around saying their goodbyes. We stayed as the crowd thinned and sat around with Ty, Rich, Greg, Jamie, Brad and I recounting how we all met, races we had done. The origins of 'Try Harder' etc.... It was bittersweet, well it was sad. I really don't know what else to say about it. I hope they get back here in 2 years. I hope we make some summer trips to calgary to race/ride with them. It sucks.

photo courtesy of Todd Neumarker

Saturday was the Heber CX race. I was under-motivated for the race, Tired and almost cranky pre-race. I warmed up with Rich listening to 80's music on 1st Wave and Embrocated again. The wind was howling and cold, but it was dry. I botched the start because my rear wheel was in really soft soil. I was gapped immediately. The head wind sections were brutal on me, although I was able to pull people back on the tailwind sections. My back was starting to hurt. My first goal was to hold Pratt off and then my second goal was to pull Jay back. I f I would of had a few more laps I may of been able to get Jay. But I ended up 11th out of 12 finishers. My Hr climbed but I had no zing in the legs for the race. Post race MK figured out why my back hurt, my tires had about 50-60 pounds of pressure in them. Dumb.

Gangs in Draper

Met around 20 others at the Equestrian Center last night for a night ride. about 1:45 of fun. r. Post ride, BK, Kenny, Aaron, Brandon and I made it to village inn for healthy recovery food. I should feel really fresh for Saturday seeing that I got to bed around 2am.

View Larger Map

Meanwhile

Critical Issues are confronting Americans.

Vote

CrossRepublic

Verrah Nice.

We had planned on having the Revolution-Peak Fasteners end of MTB season BBQ at the 1st cx race of the year.  My evil plan was to get more teammates hooked. That and people could go ride trails if they wanted to. Well Mama Nature had CX in mind. It pissed rain all day long. I stopped by the shop to get a C-Dale Canopy to warm up under and MK and I did one lap before the A women. 35+B men went off.

The course was sweet, lots of dirt, a nice off camber slick DownHill (see photo from Forrest below) and a long paved climb. We warmed up under the canopy and embrocated again.

We had quite a large group at the start, looked to be over 20, BK even joined us. I lined up on the front row next to the Throttle.  We were off and I found myself climbing at the front and comfortable, until we came over a little rise and the headwind hit, I slowed and finally someone came around, I tucked into 5th wheel and then on the DH and right turn into the horse corrals about 4 more got by me.  That section got me every time.  The first lap was pretty tight, until the barriers, where I got gapped due to the run up, which I suck at. That gap was decisive. I was alone on the road climb, into the headwind, no good. On lap 2 I dropped a chain on the singletrack climb.  I kept going and slugged through, I grabbed wheels when I could and got around the doc, MK, Freebairn and Iltis with 2 to go, I built a gap and was feeling it. At the bottom of the reservoir on the last lap I dropped the chain again, Iltis got around me and that is how we finished.  Gotta move that 3rd eye in closer to hold the chain on.

Great course, huge turn out, good times. Nice jobs out to Tanner on his win and Pepe' on his.

Dr, the HR climbed through the race, I just can't upload it. Charging to the front was fun, but dumb, a few too many matches. That DH into the horse corrals ate my lunch all day, no speed at all. The crowd at the top of the runup was great.  I'm sure they did it for others, but at one point there was a large group chanting 'Bob--Bob--Bob--Bob-Bob'  So I gave them the Royal Wave.  Good times.

More Photos

Evil Run up from Jenelle

I'M WINNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All i know is....

I saw Faceshot doing some training up Emigration yesterday. He will be drinking the blood of his rivals soon enough.

Me on the other hand, I had a feeble attempt at 4 sets of 90 at certain wattage. Emigration is bad for that, too much rolling terrain and not enough straight up.

Lemond

All over the interwebs people are calling Lemond a whiner and bitter. I am sickened by this. The press and the bloggers all say he is jealous, crazy and ignorant and longing for the lime light.

I do not know any facts about any of that, but I doubt all of it and it is irrelevant. I do know that he has valid points and concerns about the sport and the clip below is not bitter, finger pointing or crazy. It is right on point.




The funny thing about Lance and his new Doctor is when you think about Lances old Doctor,

well here is fictional story;

5 years ago, I was rich, no one knew how I got so rich all of a sudden. I told them after I was living in the poor house, I worked hard and made money. Lots of my friends were associated with this gangster, Lets call him Mike Lamborghini. They all claimed he was a legitimate business man, so I got involved with him. I got richer after associating with him. He was just giving me investment tips. Mike and all my friends got convicted of crimes, but I got richer. You can't say I'm guilty just because I hung out with and took advice from guilty people. That just isn't fair. I then took some time off to date barley legal, almost anorexic starlets, but I was missing all the hard work of getting rich. So I un-retired. I want ot be transparent. So I have hired a regulator to be sure I break no rules. Thats right. I am paying somebody to make sure I am legit. Yes. I write a check and employ this person to say I am all legal and shit. I mean if I associate with people that are good, it makes me good right, thats fair, right?

Cross Crit Cross

Friday I bailed from work early to head up to  Ogden to hit the second pre-season Cross race. 

MK was already there, so we hit a few laps together, seeing a few 11 year olds on their dads old MTB's made him decide to race A's.

Justin Wilson got the W in the B's in his first ever CX race, puttin the wood to a, um 14 year old, although that 14 year old would of been 4 pro at the Evanston Icup final.

I got a good warm up in on the trainer watching the B race. Then hit a few hot laps. Prior to that I embroacted with some Mad Alchemy all natural medium blend. There was around 11 of us at the start.

BZ, MK, Me, Daren, Mitch. BG, Robby, Cavey, Chrispy, Brandon and a contender rider.

As Jon G mentioned, the start was NOT safe. abut 20 yards with a hard left, followed by a hard right into a parking garage, a 180 out of the garage followed by 2 short hard lefts into the barriers. I didn't even attempt to get a good start, then at the barriers, Robby went down. he got around me a bit later and at this point I was in 10th.  The course was fun and short, around 6/10ths of a mile.  I got 22 laps in. Bart and Chris got 24.

Mike had about the same gap on me for 2/3rds of the race. probably 10 -15 seconds, on about lap 5 i went through some course tape and had a delay. 2/3rds of the way through I started to pull him back. With 3 laps to go we were together, I tried some feeble attacks but we stayed together. He got in front of me on the last 4 corners, which was the race, he got me by a wheel. Towards the end of the race it was getting really dark on certain course sections, but by then we knew them well enough. My average lap time was 2:39, with none of the laps diverging more than 5 seconds. My fastest lap was the last one. actually 3 of my fastest laps were at the end of the race. It was good to have that effort and ability to keep steady and accelerate when needed.

My HR climbed steadily, which is a good sign as well.

After the race my legs started to get REALLY hot. REALLY hot, that embrocation worked.  Mrs. Caveman, Cavey and I went to Dinner and ended up eating with the Peterson clan and my legs finally cooled down in time for the salad.  We had a nice dinner then I headed home.

I took a shower and my legs heated up again and it took an hour to cool down. Good stuff, maybe I'll wait for it to be below 40 before I use it again.

Saturday, I pretty much did nothin.

Somebody has to go back and get a shitload of dimes.

So, took  a nice brain emptying ride on the Shoreline this evening, from house to zoo to dry creek and through the U. home, 1:15 of work related crap removal.  

 Saw Fearick up there, running, thats just cheating, running, I mean, its not like running helps, wait, maybe it does.

I ran enough in the 80's, base training.

Caveman throwing it out there

Nice.

My rant was generic, his was specific.

Hey sandbaggers,  if you need a blue ribbon or need the 50 bucks, I can probably get enough of the other riders to take up a collection.

And remember to review this post.

Yippppeeeee

Thursday night was the first Doctor Cross Clinic at the park, 30 minutes of barriers, flubbing the re-mount with my normal stutter step. then a few laps around the park. Friday I was already sore from the run-up and barriers, hips, knees, shins and feet. Friday I did some 20 second efforts up emi and almost keeled over.

Saturday as the Canyons CX race. I was looking for a good CX workout and that is what I got. The course was about 1/2 mile long, with an evil double run-up that was the whole race. Since I can't do run-ups very well, after about 4 or 5 sub 2 minute laps, i gave up and soft pedalled, stopped and talked to people, took a 1 dollar Priem from the Husla and just had fun trying different lines. The official results had me dead last and 3 laps down, although I am quite sure I was dead last and about 8 laps down. I did win a sweet pair of Scott Usa uber pimp carbon road shoes, that fit Lyna perfectly. Good times.

This photo stolen from Flahute, I like it cause it actually looks like I'm trying.

The A category was small and would of been bigger if several who should of raced in it did. The B category was too big and too many people were in the wrong category.

Sorry, but true.

Sunday was the best, met Ty, Carl, Jen and Shannon at Guardsmans, road up puke hill, down the Crest (Carl took off down Mill D) Down to the canyons on Mid Mountain, Up Powerline and back to guardsmans. @25 miles, nice pace in about 2:45. The trail was buff, the air cool, the sky blue, the leaves are changing and the DH was a blast.

Up Powerline

We ran into Aaron Jordan on the spine, later Shannon mentioned something to me, hmmm.

It seems Team Porcupine-Specialized is actually becoming a Mtb-CX team, what with Rico, the Cottles, Chris B, Michelle H., Pietrzak, Caveman. Dave and Mike seem to be the only true roaders left, cept Dave races CX too.

That and Shannon says he always sees Aaron on the trail.

thatsa-Nice

Rollin

After short discussions with BartMan over the last 2 seasons and further discussions with the mechanic yesterday I took the plunge. I took these sweet ass rims I go last year.

And these sweet ass clinchers I got last year.I removed the tube and the mr tuffy. I took 2 new MTB Tubes, cut them apart to make a seal on the rim and a rubber on rubber connection, added some stans, had Ty and mechanic help get the bead over the rim and presto chango....

Ghetto Tubular. They are holding air and ready to roll.

We will see how it all works out.

alive

So for Bart, Rico, The Wolfe and Brandon.

When we got home, Lyna played around with that thing a bit more. I was putting groceries away and heard her say. "I bought something that doesn't work.... OUUUUCCCCHHHHHH, OH MY GOD, it works.

Good times.

ZING

What is it?

For me it is that feeling of having good legs for the race/ride. Last Sunday at the Brian Head national, prior to the flat tires, I had no ZING. Saturday riding the cross monster on the shoreline and around town, I had ZING. Sunday riding the Scalpel on the same trails I had no ZING.

Funny thing about ZING is that it is only slightly faster than no ZING. But it feels good. ZING is the feeling you want on race day. No ZING is the feeling I don't want on race day.

I would rather have ZING and come in 5th place than have no ZING and come in first. ZING is happy. No ZING is sad.

ZEN

Politics

Community organizing is how ordinary people respond to out-of-touch politicians and their failed policies.

- David Plouffe


Yes, I get spam from him cause I added a few bucks to the money machine cause I am a LIBERAL (oh heavens)

1.00.55

Yep, that was my time back from the, winner of my 6 person category, whoopppeeee.

I made it almost all the way through a season without any mechanicals or DNF's. I had the same spare tube in my seat bag all season. No broken chains, no broken body, nothing. That is one heck of a streak.

They started the 35-39, 40-44, 45-49 group together, so we had a pack of @ 20 going up the road to heaven. I tucked myself in about mid pack and halfway up the pavement when the group split, I was with the front group. I dangled off on the dirt road climb, but I did not want to light any matches in the first 30 minutes of the race. I caught Racer on the Louder DH and we went up the sidney peaks road together working a bit together.  I could see the lead group less than a minute up. Up the steep single track racer was on my wheel and the lead group was still just a bit up the trail. We traversed at 10500 feet for awhile and came to the Dark Hollow descent, I was looking forward to this for some reason. I hit the first 2 switch backs just right and felt that would set the tone for the tech sections ahead.   Halfway down the first tech section I hit a rock straight to the rim of the rear tire. I kept going,  ripping it up, although I felt the rear getting soft. I pulled over in the meadow before the road descent and felt it, still about 2 pounds, I then stopped at the road and filled up a bit with CO2. I then hit the Road DH pretty fast and went into the technical One track with speed.  I passed 2 riders on the inside of 2 sketchy, tight switchbacks.  I made it halfway down the dark rocky section, once again I felt the tire going soft.   I stopped to top off the tire again and bent the valve core, so I then put the tube in, only to find its valve core bent. I got some air in the tube, but I was out.  I waited until Newby came by a few minutes later and he threw me a CO2. I filled up and was on my way.   Made it through the rest of the gnar and just onto the soon to be smooth one track when all the air left the tube. I was at this point about as far from the finish line as possible. I started walking, walked for 45 some odd minutes.  Where I was walking was a fast rolling one track descent, so people were going way too fast to even ask for a tube or air. Finally right before the scout camp, Monique saved me with a tube and a big air. I put like 50 pounds in the tire and took off to the finish. I figured I may as well finish the damn thing.  I bonked pretty hard about 2 miles from the finish, since I was out there an hour longer than expected. I got 6th.  Everybody was getting ready to send a search party for me.

My race plan was to keep the leaders in sight, DH fast, catch the leaders at scout camp and ride with them through mosquito lane and attack on the gravel road climbs to the finish. ALl was going to plan, until my rookie move of not filling my tires with stans the week before the race blew it all. Oh well. It was a good weekend any way. We expected armageddon weather for the race and got 60 degrees and sunny.

Carson won 35-39, Racer got 2nd, Newby 4th. Monique took 1st in women Expert women 30-39 and took 2nd in the series.  Erika had an awesome first Pro weekend.  Alex killed it for top 10, BZ did well more results can be found at mtbracenew.com.  

Kathy and Chris stopped by the Parowan house on their way to vacation,  so we all headed to Cedar for dinner.

Bobby need sleepy.

Depression Sets in...

So I head just north from work to get lunch at one of my regular spots, they know my order, Hot Italian Sausage Sandwich, Green Salad with Balsamic and a coke, plus a few bags of Kookaburra for the boys at the shop. On the door is a sign that they are shutting down the retail location on 9/6. Dang, that is no good. I have been lunching there once a week for over 2 years. Just sad. At least I can still get there sausage at Smith's and even Costco.

I guess getting them to sponsor the team is out of the question now.

Speaking of Conspiracies

Driving home today, northbound I-15, just after the 33rd south on ramp and just be fore the I-80 EB off ramp, which by the way is always a clusterf***, I was in the right traffic lane, going about 60 mph waiting t get a chance to merge right while the countless masses were trying to merge from the lane I wanted in to the lane I was in, I was patient and found a spot safely, soon there after a 80's Ford Pick up pulled from behind, with both people in the cab giving me the bird with very visible anger.   I assume they felt i impeded their MERGE. So I waved Hello at them, they pulled up next to me and kept giving me the bird, so I flashed them a Peace Sign, no dice, this made them angrier, so I blew them a kiss, dang, what will work with these 2, well I continued on the off ramp to I-80 and noticed over the Jersey Barrier those 2 were still giving me the bird. Bet they vote for McCain.

Had fun Saturday at the Race For Everyone at Sundance. It was me and Racer and 4 Mad Doggers at the start, I held on for 3rd expert. 1st 40+ mostly due to Tim getting a flat. Good hard effort, fun DH and nice charity to boot. I won a set of Stans ZTR 355 rims in the silent auction if anyone wants to buy em from me, let me know. If not I will build up a wheel set for the 1993 KHS hardtail frame with gold anodized answer bar, purple stem and marzocchi xc 300 fork, sweet, so I don't have to blow kisses to anyone else on I-15 after work.

I guess I just ain't right

Related to this post.

On my commute home yesterday I heard a story on NPR that discussed this study.

According to NPR's review of the study puffing your chest and spreading your arms is similar to a gorilla doing the same when they beat the shit out of another gorilla. PRIDE. Isn't that one of the 7 deadlies?

The study proves my point that it is a ME-ME-ME reaction. It also proves that, apparently, I am not human, nor of this planet, since it is an innate behavior.

dang.

Camping and Racing- No photos.

Many people know that I have a very strong aversion to tents and racing. I like camping, a lot, however,not combined with a race. Well I surprised even myself when I agreed to meet several teammates Friday afternoon at the primitive Bear River campsite across the road from the start line Friday afternoon. I picked Wedge up at 3 and we took the scenic route over Bald Mt pass to the site. We kitted up for a half lap pre ride, came back, sat in the river for 15 minutes numbing the legs, set up camp and ate a great fireside pasta dinner, tans to Jenelle, Ryan, Rhonda, Andy, Heather and Steve for the fixins. Some nice fireside chat then 9 hours of sleep in a tent with a river running by it.

The race started with 7 of us, Neither C Bingham nor Art where there. Daren and a Young Riders rider took the lead, across the bridge it was Fred, Daren and I at the front. I had fully planned on taking an relatively easy 1st lap, as to have something left at the end, as it is a long, brutal race. Halfway out on the flat road to the lap, I went to the front, and just kept a steady pace. Halfway up the Sage Draw climb, I turned around and could see no one in my group. So I decided to keep it at the same pace. I passed Mikey(30-39) from UtMTB.com on this section and he said to me that either he was really slow, or I was really fast. My reply was 'I am dumb' I made it to the long dirt road climb, and still could not see anyone, even on the sections of trail that you could look a long way back. I made it up the steep singletrack climb without trouble (except for my heart wanting to explode) Passed Brian Gillespie at the top. Traversed over to the rough doubletrack DH and decided not to risk anything on the descent. Came through the lap zone, picked up my bottle from Dusty (thanks) and proceeded to go just as hard as I thought I should(or could). At the neutral feed zone I grabbed a water bottle and sucked 1/2 of down quickly, as I did not want to dehydrate. I almost puked due to the speed of the water intake. The rest of the climb was intermittent moments of power and oh dear lord I am going to DNF. I again took the dh easy and started running into lapped traffic up the short Dead Mans climb, I got around everyone safely.

Coming around the final lap zone, you still have 4 some odd miles to go to the finish, not so easy either cause there is still close to 500 feet of climbing left. On one of the small rises before the lap zone, I got out of the saddle and felt my right quad start to cramp, I sat down immediately and spun.

I made it across he line with the win, with about 40 seconds to spare over Karl. I faded over the last half of the race. The first time around the 11 mile lap, my time was about 58:30, the second time was @ 1:01:30 . 3 minutes difference. 3 minutes is a LONG time. Funny how circumstances ended up making me race the exact opposite race I had planned on.

Oh yeah, On Friday during the pre ride, I noticed my spider was bent enough that when in the big ring the chain would swim between the outside and inside of the front derailleur cage ever revolution. I had to put that out of mind during the race, and it all worked out.

Lots of carnage on the course, lots of opportunity to over cook the DH with big consequences, glad I chose to take it easier on the appropriate sections.

I walked away with the Expert 40+ season championship. The season feels better as I had 3 wins, last year winning the 30-39 championship was less exciting, cause I had no wins.

The team lost the team comp, not enough beginner racers. We did have a large number of series winners and podiums though.

Great ICUP season again, fun party afterwards.

several years ago, Lyna took 3rd at the race and got a sweet beer mug, I wanted one of those mugs. The next year I got 3rd and got a headset cap, which when you have a lefty, does one no good.

The next year I got 4th, by 7 seconds in and epic battle with hooptedoodle. Last year I got second, again, to my nemesis Paz and got a huge county fair ribbon. finally, this year i get the win and a nice coffee mug and coaster, that actually says the race and the placing on each, as apposed to my nice NMBS medal that says neither.

Do Something worthwhile

We live in a selfish world, All about me world, where is mine world. It is their fault world, woe is me world.

It is good to see people making a difference where they can, risking their careers and livelihoods. Spreading the word, striving for justice and peace (without big ass guns and carpet bombs)
Heck a CX star is even on board, maybe we should be on board as well.

Really

I call this one 'STORMY'
 I swear i was not posing, really.  More photos from Solitude Tuesday here.  Superfly, tuck yer shirt in you slob.

Went down to draper for a nice 2/3rd's night ride tonight with one of the Brad's, Steve H and Erich. Up Ghost falls, Down Clarks, up Clarks, down Ghost Falls.

Leaving my house around 7:30 I saw a women on a fixed gear bike heading down the street, i waited till she passed to start driving, as not to make her nervous, as i pulled into the street I then noticed she had a skinny, flat handle bar with bar ends and was wearing bikini bottoms. I swear. better than wearing capris I guess.

Jackson-Teton-Bear Attack

"Pain Don't Hurt" -James Dalton, bouncer

The Bull Elk and I headed up to Jackson on Thursday. We got there a bit too early to check into our condo, but soon enough we were in. I went out for an easy spin on my road bike and threw in a few short hard efforts. We tried to go to Dark Knight that evening , but the little theater looked to be overrun by Touron's, so we headed back to the condo. BZ and Elena showed up around 9 or so, Erika, Dusty and Monique a bit later.

Slept in Friday, tooled around a bit and went for a pre-ride of the course around noon. I love this course. Thanks to Mikey and Jay there was a line up the service road steep pitch. That evening we had a team pasta feed in the condo, around 20 - 25 people eating pasta and salad.

Saturday am was nice and cool, but it was not to last. We had 6 at the line for 40+ Chris, Fred, Alex, Karl and a local. I got the hole shot and tried to keep it smooth on the technical sections over roots and rocks, Chris was behind banging around a bit. He got around me where I expected, on the double track before the new singletrack traverse. I charged up a bit to him on the next double track section. Fred was not too far behind. Chris ended up getting by a few SS'ers on a few short climbs, I got stuck behind them on descents. He was still in sight at the end of lap one. Lap 2 i settled in a bit on the initial single track, Fred was still right behind me maybe 30-45 seconds. After I got around Jamie P (SS winner) and The Bull Elk, I throttled up in the rolling sections, taking it smooth on the steeper ones. I was likely less than a minute down on Chris going into lap 3 and less than a minute up on Fred. I kept the pace up through the initial ST again and hammered the gradual climbs, When I dropped into the deep woods Singletrack I was feeling good, when with out warning, I was attacked by something on a slow speed corner I took a bit to wide.
I felt a scratch, but nothing too bad, but when I got on a straight stretch of trail, I looked down and saw my right shin was mostly red and damp. So of course, I start freaking, I slow down, try and calm myself, and keep checking the wound. It took about 10 minutes of this before I finally realized the bleeding had stopped and I would be ok. So I ramped it up again, in case Fred was close.

I ended up in Second, again, 3 minutes down to Chris, who said he had a horrible 2nd lap. Maybe without the shin attack (i think it was a Bear) i could of been close. Fred blew up on the last lap and came in 5 minutes behind me. The weird thing about the shin, was it didn't even knock me out of my pedal, I kept pedaling and moving forward. Kind of bummed about not being able to hit the hot tub post race though.

Saturday evening we went out for Mexican, and watched a DVD and blew of the Zeppelin tribute band, cause we are old.

Sunday we were going to ride, but being old and tired led us to do a short hike and head home.

I was happy to see the 5 year old raggedy Element got 27 mpg for the trip, with the AC blowing. Gas is 30-40 cents a gallon cheaper in Jackson than it is in SLC.

Reasons not to raise hands when crossing the line in victory

The number one reason is that, well, no offense to anyone, but really, what did you just win?

• The Expert Age group local mtb race?
• The Cat 3 crit?
• A Pro 1-2 race with 20 riders in BFE?
• A Mid Week Training race?
• The Bigwheel circuit race (well this may be an acceptable venue)
• A small town festival race with 20 guys on huffy's and you on your 5,000 dollar super bike?
  

Seriously, this is small, the self aggrandizement does nothing but turn me off, even in big races.

Look At Me. I'm a WINNER, WHOOPPPEEEEEEE shit.

More tangible reasons


Go Eric Z

Go MTB Race

Have you ever tried to ride no handed on a Lefty? Not impossible, but not easy.

Plus, it has a tendency to accentuate the mooseknuckle.

Discuss

It is inevitable

That it will rain in the mountains, really it is. I want to ride the high alpine trails, but I do not want to ride through 6-12 inches of silt for hours on end.

I also would like it to rain in the valley, as the 24th is a few days away and my backyard once again is like a tinderbox.

On an unrelated note, Jackson Hole weekend coming up, the race is fun, the rest of the weekend is much more fun.

Tonight is the mid week race at Solitude, maybe it will rain before hand so the 12 inches of powdery silt on the service road turns into a play dough like substance.

I got these photos in e-mail yesterday.

Ouch.

Lots of open space on the course

Well, once again, low turnout at Snowbird, I admit the course is not the most exciting, but it is a race and I will show up.

Lyna wanted to race but took the day off as her hip has been bugging her a bit. The night before the race we went to a birthday BBQ and ate salad and grilled chicken, which was a step outside of my ritualistic pre race meal, I did eat some pasta before bed though.

When we got to snowbird, it was cool, but that would not last. I did a pre race lap as part of my warm up, to remind myself how sketch the DH was, yep, sketch.

There were about 8 of us in the 40+ group, Fred made a return and right before we went off Daren asked if I was going to let Sam lead into the single track. I told him I didn't know, but this is Sam's course, he has always done well here.

Sam led into the singletrack, with me on his wheel. Fred and Daren were right behind us. We made our way to the Dick Bass climb and I got around Sam here, Fred came around me and I was right on his wheel, a bit later, as expected, Chris B motored past us, Fred slowed and I went around with Sam on my tail. On the first DH, Sam got around me towards the last couple of Switchbacks and I got around him on the short climb up above the Gad lift.

For the first 3 laps Chris was in sight on the Dick Bass climb, the last lap I lost him, and ended up coming in second 3 minutes down. Sam was about a minute behind me.

Lap times were close, although the first la was a bit fast and I likely paid for it on lap 3 and 4.

22:13

23:38

24:36

24:53

Nice

A lot of people run a race to see who is fastest. I run to see who has the most guts, who can punish himself into exhausting pace, and then at the end, punish himself even more.
-Steve Prefontaine

Blah

Another lieutenant goes down, Tick Tock......

Out past my bedtime

2 nights in a row, last night it was Real Salt Lakes game,Thanks UTRider, that was a good time. They got smacked around all night.

Tonight it was my Shoreline Loopy, starting around 8 pm.

I went to pump irons at the gym right after work and prior to that plugged in the minewts to charge. Didn't get anywhere near a full charge, but i didn't turn them on till I started to descend City Creek. Good thing, cause the battery low indicator came on 2 blocks from the house.

It was nice and cool and empty up there. Relaxing, fun ride.

I discovered a new TT format. You have to keep your Ave. HR Below 130, Climb Dry Creek to the second over look. My Ave HR tonight, 128, time 16:00.

DO IT.

I Am Not A Victim

I have witnessed and seen many things recently that lead me to a new rant. In the vein of this, this and this i need to rant. Although i am pretty sure my politics are far left of the previous 3, I agree about at least 1 important thing. People complain, bitch and moan and blame others way too much.

I Am Not a Victim.

give me a break.

Thats all.

Totally unrelated soliloquy;

Oh, Todd, Chocolate Milk is the nectar of the gods, it is an all encompassing encapsulation of that which is good and holy in the world. Rice milk is an abomination sent to us by the communist infiltrators via the California fault zone.

I'm (not) Serious.

I Love Solitude

You can't win on the first pavement climb, but you sure enough can lose. Close to 1000 feet of climbing in 2.5 miles with steep grade, at elevation, with the false comfort of pavement making you want to burn it up, which of course for most people would entail burning all their matches way too early in the race. I have done it before.

This year I led to the gate, then BK, Tim and Chris came around me, I just settled in after that and tried to keep my brain focussed. I got around Tim right at the end of the steep dirt road climb and BK soon there after on the barely ridable rock crossing at the top of the big lap. Side note, riding that section gained at least 10 seconds, per lap. end side note.

I then kept Chris in sight for the rest of lap 1 and lap 2, even though we were both motoring through the 19-29 and 30-39 fields. I fed well and took care not to go into the red too often, but Chris was on fire and put 2 minutes on me by the end of the race. I used the 3rd place 30-39 finisher as bait on the last small lap to keep me motivated, got caught behind lappers a few times, but so did everyone else.

2nd again, not so bad, I even passed Paz, who was my major nemesis last year and he started 2 minutes ahead of me. My time was my best ever at Solitude, not that the conditions were the same, but it feels good to go faster. I'm glad the initial results had Daren's time wrong.

Lyna raced smart and came in second 44 seconds off the win.

BK looked and sounded like he was ready to throw his bike over a cliff, that is not a rigid bike course.

Tim was a DNF, hope he is ok. Caveman was playing with flowers on the side of the trail, rock induced concussion, then his wife, coming to his rescue, got a doggy in watershed ticket, what a bad day for the Wildes.

I loved how Art put the fear of god into the group when they found out he was racing with us. There was nervous laughter abounding at the staging area.

No pictures. Boo.

I'm sleepy

Saturday got up at 5am for Waffles, Lyna and I rolled out to DV at 6:35. Ouch. There were 12 of us, only 2 other Utah racers I raced smart and pushed hard and I won by about 2 minutes.

Lap Times

38:27

39:05

39:21

I then spent the rest of the day watching the Pro Women and Men race, Lyna was taking photos for MTBRaceNews and so I just cheered people on. The Utah women all did great, Kathy had a DNF due to a broken bike, Holmes was scratching on a Podium till she had a mechanical, she ended up 14th, KC did great for her first PRO race in 15th, Jen had a carreer best 19th followed by the honor of being one of the random USADA controls, which meant I got to feed Shannon for his first time through the feed zone, cause having to pee in a cup after racing for 2+ hours in 90+ degrees takes a while.

In the pro race Alex G took an awesome 11th, BZ held on for a strong 27th, and Shannon pushed through to for 41st

I went up and watched the STXC today and Kathy and Heather had a great battle for the last podium spot, Kathy took 5th, good show, after a rough spring and rough week. Heather was in 4th about 1/3 of the way through the race and went down hard on the pavement, the fact that she pushed through to come back to 6th place is awesome and shows that she is in form.

Money To Burn

The big effin white diesel truck has been Idling across the street from me for the last 45 minutes. When I took the photo I was on the way over to ask if they would like to sponsor my bike team with that extra cash, but they pulled off before i could get off my porch. Damn.

Remember, It starts Tuesday

Some may call me an ass.....

But I came up with a jersey design

I know, I know, I am multi-talented. You cant afford me. This work was done as a tribute to old style Bob a good example is here.

all in good fun.

It is ON!!!

40

Raced Soldier Hollow tonight in the Expert A group, ended up 5th out of 7 starters. DR X, don't look at the chart below, it scares even me. Zeppelin was creeping up on my halfway through the 4 lap race and I had to throw down a skinny guy sprint at the end to hold him off. Ouch, not bad for a 40 year old.

**Late Edit: 4th out of 7 starters, 2 DNF's, time on results is off, real time more like 1:02:45.

Mill Creek

Took off for a nice road ride Tuesday evening, headed over to Mill Creek via 27th and REI circuitous route. Planned on turning around at Rattlesnake gulch, then planned on turning around at the restaurant, then at the gate, then at elbow fork then.... Well ended up riding all the way tot he top, at least through the first snow patch, which was almost the top, ran into Superfly on the way down and rode down with him.

I love this time of year, 2.5 hour ride, with a late start on a week day after work. Awesome.

No race weekend and Summer Time

It was very nice to have a race free weekend. I had only 1 day off the bike all week, and Wednesday nights race was extra painful. BK put about 4 minutes on me in a 1 hour race. Thursday and Friday were easy road spins, except Thursday I went up emi too hard, not race pace, but too hard for how my legs felt.

Saturday was the team ride up in Jeremy Ranch, 2.5 hours of fun. Nice easy pace, with regroups and giggly downhills, ran into the Porculized crew midway in. Jim and Lyna were the odd ones out, not wearing their team kits, anarchists!

That evening we headed to the Hypio's for a BBQ, it was a good time, the mtb'ers turned roadie regaled us with tails of the asphalt. TC was all giddy about her impending solo Dolomite rides.

Then everyone sang to me. Nice photo (notice the sunburn, apparently Kroger brand sunscreen is not sweat proof.) Thanks for embarrassing me.

Sunday I met up with Jen and Shannon and we headed out from their house to do a nice long dirt ride, they were planning on 5 hours, I was planning on turning around when tired, we headed up emi, left into pinecrest, right onto killyons lane the 'rode' up killyon's, well we hiked a lot. We then bombed down to Affleck park and up the trail to big mountain, I turned around there and headed home , down mormon pioneer then out on the road home. Nice 3+ hour ride. Like the elevation profile, ouch.

Then I mowed the lawn and talked to dad.

Very nice weekend.

DV

I knew the course would be fine, rain, snow whatever. A shortened race was just what I needed post week in NYC.

I started in the front, got a small gap going up little stick and really it was done from there, was picking off other category riders throughout the race. Had a verbal spar with a Aggressive SS racer who wanted me to meet him by the ballpark after school, he didn't show.

Caught up to the caveman coming through the lap, and this helped give me some motivation to keep pushing. Saw Tim on the single track climb to little stick and new i had at least a minute on him and that held to the finish. Win #2 2008.  Tim had a great day to hold onto 2nd place.

Lyna woke up and decided to race, she signed up for 35+ then moved to sport women when she found out the distance was the same. She ended up in 3rd, which is awesome. Her leg issues have kept her from the races and even training thus far, that was a good result. The top 3 in her group were all within a minute, 2nd was 8 seconds ahead, and 4 of the top 6 were Revolution/Peak Fastener Ladies. Superflys better half had a great 1st sport class race for 6th.

History

My politics are pretty right out there, on my title, but either way you look at it, this week is very historical, shut the talking heads up, the 'press' and the papers. Look at the reality. It is likely that a man who spent several years in a prison camp during a dead end war who was over looked 8 years ago because he was too moderate may go up against an African American man reared by a single mother.

Regardless of how you view it, cynical or not, this election is more about the mixed heritage/belief system that makes our nation great.

I say that with a full belly, sitting in a too expensive hotel room overlooking times square. Whoever wins, these are exciting times.

Feeling the Sundance DH

Saturday am was good, I was able to make my Chocolate Milk waffles and as Kathy has said before, I was hungry, which is good.

There were around 15 or so of us at the start line, including Kenny, who bagged the grand loop event due to snow. I took off easier than normal, almost took a wrong turn towards the top of the pavement, Kenny and Chris got around me there, some where on archies, Kenny was n the side of the trail, he got right back on, a bit later, his chain snapped, Fred was a bit behind and so was Jack, when we hit the dirt rode climb towards the top, i saw Chris motoring away and only Jack on my tail. We got to the top of the course in about 21.5 minutes and I knew it was going to be a good race for me, the changes to the course removed about a half a mile or so and some steep grades.

The DH was ripping, Jack said I dropped him hard on the first DH, around 10 minutes later I was climbing back up the road, when I went through the feed zone, I saw Chris towards the top and new i had to keep it steady and hope for the best, I kept picking off other experts and then towards the top started lapping riders, I DH'd about 30 seconds faster on lap 2 and hit the road with a good gap on the chasers, although Chris was long gone. I made good time threw much more lapped traffic, dh's consistently and came through in second.

I am sure Kenny would of killed it without the broken chain, but all those watts and no shifting probably works a chain hard.

The smile on my face shows how much I was feeling the DH. BK was absent, must of been a post endorphin hangover or some such.

Met up with Mikey Likey Bikey this afternoon for a lap of part of the DV course, it too is in good shape, some snow patches remain, lots of scary downed trees sticking out of corners and the finish singletrack is not built yet, ran into to Heinrich who showed a few of us where it would go, my legs were fried and I barely made it home with out falling asleep at the wheel.

He Cheated

I am not making this up, by his own admission. He is a cheat. But he had a strong day, which makes me happy for him. Now about the dang chest and back sign. I'm 'flattered????' or maybe scared.

Notice me hanging my head in shame.... (stolen from Fatty)

BZ asked me earlier

Were you shredding the nar?

My answer

On lap 1(I was), on lap 2, due to almost dying on lap one, I cruised daintily down Clark's, and on the golf course section the conga line of Sporto’s kept me from my game.

I must say, everyone and I mean everyone had issues on the the post Full/Half lap merge, so no benefit or loss there.

I went out hard, Duh, shouldn't of, duh, but on the first long climb, he who cheats and Chris Bingham had a small gap on Fred and I. Fred dropped off a bit, I kept passing some 30-39 and 19-29 experts, towards the top I saw a Porcupine jersey behind me and thought it might be Daren or Warsocki. I Hit the Clark's Descent and soon got on Scott W's wheel, he then proceeded to go off course into the weeds in a corner, soon after on the left hander with the rock, i almost did the same. Before that Chris Bingham was off course with a flat. Then it was me letting Rico around, who was the aforementioned Porcu rider I saw. We spent the rest of that lap close getting stuck behind a few other riders for a bit etc...

I Saw, he who cheats, as I was riding over the tunnel, he was entering the tunnel, about 30 seconds down at this point. I thought I could get him. I climbed the long climb pretty well, and then proceed to do the dainty clarks dh, I checked the gps track and lap 1 I cleared the DH with traffic and a near fatal dismount in 3 minutes 15 seconds, on lap 2, with no traffic and no dismounts it took me @40 seconds more. so yeah, um, could of done that faster, and then the other DH's had me stuck, liek everyone else.

Either way, i don't think I would of caught, he who cheats. He had a great day, and that damn sign.

for Dr Cross, ave hr was 170. Max 183

Oh yeah, in some strange twist of fate, PRO was my water bottle bitch.

WHEW!!!

As a sit at my desk trying to figure out just what to eat 3-4 hours before race time, when my famous (or soon to be) Bisquick waffles mixed with Horizon Organic Chocolate Milk (Thats for you BZ) are out of the question, mostly cause th waffle maker would not go over well with Larry Miller and his cronies, who own my Office Tower. I get an email from a teammate which directs me to this.

Oh thank goodness, my favorite race and course will be salvaged, positive energy, oh yeah.

well shucks

Global storming is making for an interesting MTB season, first postponed race in 15 years for the Icup. A Wednesday Night Icup race, which will be quite fun and make for some rough recovery for Sundance. Below is a shot from today of Solitudes finish and Lap area. Ummm, well anything IS possible.

I got a great nap in today though.

I had a shot back to days of yore this weekend, Late 80's in Bowling Green Ky, listening to local Punk'ish rock.  Well dang, I forgot how fun that was, incoherent evenings in dark dank cellars getting bounced around with the speed guitar and lyrcis, sounds is if homeboys got some Cartoon Network love recently. Oh yeah, they are HUGE in germany. 

Lets Do it Again

Please help get the word out. Lucy and I are competing in the BC Bike Race on June 28th. We have submitted an essay to win free entry including new rides on Trek bikes. Out of all the entry's they picked three finalists. Lucy and made the final cut and are competing against two other teams. Please go to the link below and cast your vote for finalist #3. Please get the word out and send this to all of your friends as well. Thank you in advance!!!!!!!!!

Drew & Lucy Jordan

https://www.bcbikerace.com/Contest/

Soon

Turned a corner

Wednesday Night SH race, I really did feel slow, nothing in the tank. Last lap blow ups in last 3 races are not fun. But I kept telling myself that a breakout ride was right around the corner. I had no idea that it would happen today. I went to sleep and woke up telling myself that i was going to do an easy lap 1. Well, I just don't have it in me. Lap 1 I was off the front with Jack and Fred chasing and my time was at least 3 minutes faster than Wednesday night, but i felt good. Lap 2, Fred had dropped off and Jack was yoyoing closer to me, I still felt good, Jack and I came through the feed zone together into lap 3. I gapped him a bit on the first Singletrack climb and a bit more on the next, but he was still right there. I was forcing myself to not panic and not expend too many matches to stay in front.  I made it over the top with about 30 seconds on him. The rutted, loose DH was my friend today, I flowed like butter, i felt good, That last steep climb was always on my mind and I was caught off guard a few times by the interim climbs, but held it together. I kept seeing Chris Bingham, Fred and occasionally BK, but that dang course wraps all over itself, so I had no idea of the gap. I ended up winning by abut 30-45 seconds. Lap times were good.

41:40, 43, 45

First ICUP win since Bordertown 2006, 2nd ever Icup expert win. I won my first sport race at SH in 03.

Today was a good day for me on the bike.  Led from Giddy-Up to whoa. 

Cribs

While the PRO and her man are out of town, Bobby Fresh takes it upon himself to check out their CRIB.

Not much food in the Kitchen

Pepe says that this is where the magic happens, I am not sure what that means.

Oh Yeah, did the SH race tonight. I feel slow.

Mooooosssshhhhhyyyyyyy

Not really sure how else to explain it. Driving into the race venue at 10ish, I had to carry speed into the field to keep from bogging down. The kids racers bikes were covered in mud, the soil smelled like Kentucky soil. I knew it was going to firm up and dry out though. Hung out with Ryan and Jody and Bart for the pre race BS and got dressed and went out for a pre ride lap at around 12:30. I got caught up in how fast and tacky and fun the old DH sections were. Ignored the new stuff, as I was trying to ride it slow. Only 5 of us at the start line. Fred, Daren, Karl, Mark Skarpohl and I. Those 4 others are enough to know that it was not going to be easy. I of course took off from the gate, Daren and I think Fred got around be on the long soft climb about a mile in, but I jumped them into the single track and got around Jen to give myself some breathing room. For thee rest of the 1st lap and all of the Second Skarpohl would surge to almost my wheel and then drop off on the technical sections, or maybe I dropped off on the smooth and surged in the technical, who knows. about 1/3 of the way through lap 3 Fred charges out of nowhere and gets around me, but I stick with him till almost the end of lap 3. Caveman was riding with us for a while then too. I heckled him, but i believe it made him smile. Fred was 20 yards ahead of me going through the feed zone into lap 4, once we hit the soft traverse and Climb my llegs were done. Daren then passed me 1/3 of the way into lap 4. I was almost to the point of getting off the bike and walking, the legs were fried. I was holding on for dear life. Literally .25 miles from the finish, right before the hike a bike, well I hiked it, Skarpohl got around me and Karl was right there, I jogged pas the hike a bike and tried to stay in 4th, successfully. 3 minutes separated 1-4. I lost 3-4 minutes on lap 4. Lap 2 and most of lap 3 I felt awesome, flowing and riding fast, I hit a brick wall though. Part of the course was like riding on a long line of pillowtop mattresses, Bart explains the reasons better than i could.

Lap times (approximate)
1-27
2-28
3-28
4-31

Lyna, Scott and I went and saw Forgetting Sarah Marshall Saturday night, I thought it was damn funny.

Sunday Lyna and I went down to Corner canyon to ride, an out and back on Shoreline, Up to ghost falls up clarks and down for a few hours, somewhere on the shoreline i looked down at my garmin, and it looked very different.
REI owes me a new one. Lyna found the GPS inards, but the face plate and the rest were gone.

Really

7+ Hour conference call today, really, let me count the absurdities. When I was begining my Masters Degree in Library Science in 1996 I dreamed of wearing Birkestocks to work and going 'SHHHHHHH' for years, not outsourcing 40 jobs and 7+ hour teleconferences. But, really, I did take the call from the comfort of my living room. The job is flexible and lucrative, and it did move Lyna and I to Utah. So I can't complain too much. I still plan on, some day, in oh 10 years or so, 'retiring' to a job that am surrounded by books and get to go 'shhhhhhhhh' all day.

Ramblings and 5 mile

First Things First.

On to trivialities...

5 mile is evil, dusty, double-track. But usually a good gauge of fitness for me, It is good to race close to home. Eat at home, sleep at home.

We had a few more than 10 in our group at the start. Including a former DH World medalist. The Good Doctor was there, Daren, BK Fred and some others. The start was rather calmish, I like to be closer to the front, In case things get animated. I won the race to the first Hike A Bike, where Fred and BK got around me, I kept them in sigh for the rest of lap one and actually got around Brad before the lap was over, Fred was not too far ahead of us and Brad and I went back and for a bit on lap 2 until he dropped off a bit on the long downhill. About a mile or 2 from the finish of Lap 2 Glen and Chris caught me and I had t ramp it up a bit to stay with them, Brad was coming as well, after we went through the feed zone the 4 of us were together, right after you lose site of the feed zone, I lost contact. I had 2 really good laps, consistent, pushed hard where it was good to and spun where it was good to (for me). From this point on I was in damage control mode. Daren finally caught me almost exactly where his teamates did a lap earlier. I think I actually asked him what took him so long. :) 6th place was good, time was 10 minutes faster than last year in slower conditions.

check the HR negative drift....
Sunday was to be a 2 hour recovery spin, cept Bart emailed me to meet up for a 2pm Shoreline ride, hmm, why not? Jared, Matt, Alex and Ty yep lots of recovery potential there.

Bart took us up some death climb just n the southern edge of Red Butte, straight up, some 15-20% climbs with rocks and water bars to make it even more fun, I knew it was rough when Alex asked early ' Who picked this route?' and we were all grunting and moaning except for Bart. The DH was fun, and all the elevation we gained in 1/2 mile (@500 feet) we lost in 1/4. Then we still had to climb up dry creek and all to hit bobsled, luckily the pace went down. It was a good ride and with the DH and Pavement to and from my house my average HR was low, I likely will be out for MTB Monday fer sure now.