My World

Where did the time go

2012-02-02T11:02:00.002-05:00

Well January went by in a blink of the eye, February is already upon us. Scary stuff. Got 75% of the stuff I need to get the road/cross machine built. Skimped in a few places but I can upgrade later. Riding is starting to pick back up. Did 60 last weekend with Pat Phillips. Rode the WOD out to Reston and took the CCT back into Alexandria, I bailed at Van Dorn ST and hoped a metro....yes HTFU...whatever.

Been commuting still, went down to Hains Point yesterday on the way in and hoped on the Noon Good Pain Train. Hung on for 3 laps and the pace was still going up, fenders and lights got some funny looks. Good workout, going to make it a regular thing for me.

No racing in March did some research on the Michauex Enduro, and well no reviews on the trails + Zach Adams = I will not be attending. After last years cluster fuck, forget it.

Niner needs work, it currently needs a new front tire, brakes bled/rebuilt badly and the fork looked at.

Welp thats it later folks.

2012

2011-12-27T17:03:00.003-05:00

The year is coming to an end way to fast. Holidays are almost over and the new year will be here before we know it. Damn it went by way to fast. I'll be 29 in 6 1/2 months scary shit. Got the word from Ergon and Twin Six I will be on board for next season, awesome things! The 2012 catalogs are looking excellent from both companies.

TwinSix is coming out with some money stuff. They got the BackSack coming out which is a waterproof messenger style backpack which holds a shit-ton of stuff. As well as some 3/4 length pants or Man-Pries which ever you prefer. I wear em I'll admit it. They are great for the cooler days when pants are to much.

2012 training hasn't started yet. Racing won't start till about may so its fun rides and base building till Marchish. The Kona still isn't built, zero parts acquired. I'm beginning to think I shouldn't of sold my road bike....

Mid Atlantic Super Series still hasn't kicked out a 2012 schedule, slackers. Been talking with Fernando about a 3 person co-ed team at the Crank Monkey 12 hour. Will see. The Hoo-Ha is on the schedule as well down in H'Burg. Its part of the US Cup again this year so the big boys and girls will be there to lay it out.

The commuting is picking back up. Made it all of last week minus Friday, I was off work. I could tell waking up in the manana my legs aren't used to it.

Any ways that's enough for now. I'll try to keep this thing updated as best I can.

Damn.....

2011-12-19T15:14:00.002-05:00

Well its been awhile since I have put anything of substance up on here. Facebook and Twitter are taking over it seems. No riding the past 2 weeks. The week of Turkey day I was in New Jersey with my lady, went over the river to the Big Apple had a good time. Visited with her family all the usual stuff.

The week after that we were in Philly. Lisa had a work conference and I went to tag along and get a break in. Philly is a very cool city, people are nice, very down to earth and lots of history there. I wandered around for most of the week, checked out a few bars known for there beer selection. Epic. One place was called Monk's Cafe, Belgium place excellent food and a great beer selection. It doesn't need to be said but my fitness went right out the window.

Getting back into the swing of things, went up to the Frederick Watershed yesterday. Cold snowing and slick, 2 good wrecks, forgot my warmer gloves. Bailed out on the road about 1/2 way though the ride. Today the hip flexors are tight, and I rode into work. Smart huh?

Holding steady at 170lbs still. Next season I'm going back to XC racing no schedule yet. But Greenbriar and the Hoo-Ha are on the list of definites. Looking into the MASS series, may do the 12 Hours of Cranky Monkey with Fernando and Loretta as a 3 person co-ed but that will be it for "endurance" races next season. Staying with Bike Line, got back on with Ergon for 2012 and sent my "resume" into Twin Six for the 2012 season.

Later

DCCX

2011-10-24T17:51:00.013-04:00

So I have come to the conclusion that CX racing hurts and that commuting doesn't cut it for training for 45 minute controlled heart attacks. I wasn't last but I wasn't mid pack. It hurt, it hurt a lot. But I sorta finished I got pulled right before the leaders sprinted it out for the finish. 77th out of I don't know. Next season will be better for cross. XC all summer carry the fitness into the fall. Maybe. Saw Erik B he finished around the mid 30s good work dude. Afterwards there was multiple beers and heckling the tandem racers with Lisa always a fun time. Rocked the skinsuit and didn't look like a fatass doing so. I'm happy with my finish wasn't expecting much, super fun course. DCMTB did an excellent job with it as usual. I think I'm going to wait till January and Capital Cross to return to racing cross, who knows.

To be honest I think the social aspect is more fun then the racing. Drinking and yelling at friends pedaling around in circles

Getting Ahead............

2011-10-13T21:09:00.006-04:00

Already looking forward to 2012. Taking a break from the all day stuff. Want to get back to the shorter stuff, cross country fast burn versus the all day sufferfest. Next season the key words are Cross County and Cross. No Shenandoah 100 its an epic event but takes all season to train and ramp up for. This year was my 4th time competing in it.

Making plans to get back to North Cakalkai to hook up with some boys from down south from Mississippi and Alabama at the KnobScorcer, that sentence has homo written all over it eh? Still planning on doing Lodi 3 man again with the usual suspects. Going to be racing sport again. Don't think I have the speed for Expert yet.

Professional Eh?

Staying with Bike Line for another season. Hoping to do the same with Twin Six and Ergon great people awesome products all year long. Thinking positive here.

In other news a week or so till DCCX. Hyattesville was a bust. I lasted a lap and a half then pulled the plug. Cramping big time in the stomach felt like I was gonna shit my chamois. Not used to going out that hard that fast. Been doing intervals on the commute to work this week. Its been hurtful hope it pays off.

Darren did a kickass job with the poster.

Anywho more updates later.....

Later

Hyattesville Cross

2011-10-11T21:58:00.000-04:00

1st cross race.

Course- 1
Me - 0

Didn't have the cardio for it. Started fast and stayed fast. Intervals on the commute from now on. Got 2 weeks to regroup for DCCX hoping its cold and rainy for it. Bring it on.

Weekend Happenings

2011-10-06T18:25:00.005-04:00

Well my first cyclocross race of the season is here. Its this Sunday at 2pm I'm already liking the start times for Cat 3/4. Its also about 2 miles from DC which is another excellent plus. Have I been training for cross....well no. Just commuting and running into car doors

That's the result of an after work Giant Food run when a cabi cut me off and the drunk in the back opened the door into the bike lane. Wet roads + going to fast = locked up bicycle brake = me into door. To pissed off to call the cops or think I walked home with my bike over my shoulder. No damage to it to speak of. Live and learn.

The new frame showed up.

Digging the tapered head tube and the big ass BB30 bottom bracket. Going to be a stiff ride. Its going to be my road/gravel and cross bike. The Allez was sold 2 weeks ago. A lot of fun memories on that bike, new bike = new memories right? Got a build laid out on an Excel spreadsheet. Looking like Sram Rival everywhere except for the crank going Force there. Mavic Askium wheels and another set for road riding. Will see.

Any who racing this weekend, drinking beers afterwards heckling the pros after us. Pictures to come. I am hoping for a mid pack in front of Eric "roadie" Bloomquest but that is questionable at this point.

Later

New Bicycle.....

2011-09-26T16:31:00.002-04:00

Yes indeed I have a new out of the box certified bicycle coming. It has a BB30 bottom bracket a tapered head tube and a fancy carbon fork.

Before my time and a bit funny for my taste. But it has the same name as this fellows nickname.

I will leave it at that for now.

It's going to be built up over the winter as usual.

It may be a road bike....it may be a new fancy mountain bike....Who knows

Tis the season for............

2011-09-13T17:09:00.003-04:00

Suffering. Cross season is upon us I think I have my season laid out.

10/9 Hyattesville CX 3/4

10/23 DCCX 3/4

11/6 Ed Sanders CX 3/4

11/13 Schooley Mill CX 3/4

11/20 Rockburn CX 3/4

12/4 Capital Cross 3/4

6 Races. This Saturday Erik Bloomquest and I are doing a little skills practice. Remounts and Dismounts. Need to get it dialed in to where I'm not racking myself getting on the bike and not tripping over myself at speed getting off the bike. Going to be entertaining for sure. Pictures and hilarity will ensue I am sure.

Got my Twin Six fall stuff in. Super nice jacket and the SkinSuit...which I am wondering about. Seems like its going to be to warm unless its 30 degrees outside.

So thats it. The Shenandoah 100 is over, no Paranormal staying local and doing DCCX.

Its all downhill from here.

Shenandoah 100

2011-09-09T16:53:00.010-04:00

Well just a week late here. Been lazy and off work and didn't really feel like typing this up....here goes.

Planned on heading down to Stokesville a bit earlier then we did. Left DC around 3 or 4 got down there just in time to eat some pasta and relax for a bit. Shoot the shit with some Bike Line people, suck down more water. Headed into the tent for the night around 11pm. Thinking I'd have no problems sleeping as its my 4th Shenandoah 100. I wake up thinking its gotta be around 5:30 check the phone nope its 1:15am....damn. Get up take a piss and check out the starts for a bit pondering about whats going to go down the next day. Before I know it I hear Mumbles on the PA calling the wake up call, they were lacking this year no dirtbikes or fireworks...whats up with that?

Do my morning routine, oatmeal and coffee hit the shitter. Get dressed temp isn't bad didn't need the arm warmers or knee warmers. Chamois cream put the kit on...new bibs are money. Grab my nutrition that I would be carrying for the day, hammer gel, 2 honey stingers, 3 bottles, 2 with nuun in them. Give the girl a kiss get a good luck and head down to the starting line. I line up in the 10 hour slot hoping to avoid the mess at the power station single track. Gun goes off and off we go.

Road section goes by fairly fast and before I know it we are heading up hill, remember this being a lot tougher last year and we are up at the bottle neck before I know it, run into Shawn Tevendale and a guy that goes by Shuggs I met earlier in the year at the Michauex Mistake race. Get though the single track with no mishaps. Down the sweet singletrack and out onto Tilman Rd. Stop and swap out a bottle and get on my way.

Tilman Rd

Up next is the Lynn hike-a-bike I see a few people that are 9-10 hour finishers, thinking I am going out to hard. Ride, walk, ride and walk is the name of the game up Lynn. It goes by decently calves feel really tight, didn't do any hike-a-bike training this year. Suck down some Nuun at the top and pop a few E-caps. Off we go up some more before we drop down. Hope off for the rock garden, ouch fucking cramp. Hamstring locks up I have to bend over to get it to loosen up. Bunch of people pass me. Suck down some Nuun and soft pedal hoping they go away.

They don't I fight them all the way to CP2. Stop there and stretch a little eat some and get some ecaps from my drop bag. Up Hankey we go riding with Emily McDonald from the Spokes team ride and chat with her for a bit. She drops me when it gets steep, cramps are creeping back. I hop off the bike and walk a little, change it up for the legs. At this point my front derailleur is driving me nuts, it doesn't have enough drop set to not rub in little and big. Hit the final meadow on Hankey and the fun begins down down down we go, pass a few people and drop into CP3. Have one of the wonderful volunteers adjust my derailleur for me suck down a bottle and swap it for for a fresh one.

At this point I'm still feeling decent aside from cramping, I find a big guy to sit in behind on the road. He realizes I am there and pulls to the side, my turn. I crank it up a bit look back and he isn't there. Pull into the Braileys lot jump off the bike to stretch a little. Crew of people pass me, I'll regret that later. Start up the singletrack and I catch them..hear them saving this is unridable. I work my way though them up and over to CP4. Pass Pete Fraker who is walking with a flat he looked like a zombie he ended up dropping at 4.

Up the road to 5 I am feeling a lot better, pass a bunch of people thinking they will catch me when it gets steep. I just keep thinking SkyMass all the way to 5. I ended up riding with Larry Camp for a bit on his SS. I catch up to Scuba Steve who is usually a 10ish hour finisher here, says he isn't feeling good at all. We roll into 5 together. Chris King, no not THE Chris King, Steve and I roll out of 5.

ToShun again

We hit the long downhill with the waterbars into the meadows. As I am trying to hang with Steve I take the wrong side on one of the mudholes go to turn and bounce off the tree. Hit the ground start laughing, thankful I didn't cramp up. One, Two, Three meadows go by where is the fucking top. Finally we make it, they drop me on the downhill, damn roadie. Descending skills need some work. Roll into 6 no issues, hit the road for the last climb up Hankey. One and off the bike thinking walking is faster then my pedaling pace.

Via ToShun Campbell right before CP6

In my head at this point I am sure its going to be another 13 hour 100 for me. Some kid asks where is the top I say up the hill, he gives me a glare. Finally I hit the turn and it keeps going up, when does it stop. Up, Up and Up we go, finally hit the fireroad with a few more shortish ups. I see the waterbars dropping into the campground and start to get sloppy. Drop further down and see the tape, thank fucking whoever you believe in. I cross the line 11:56.57 damn another hour off. Girlfriend greets me and Chris Scott gives me a handshake. I am told I look like death I'd believe it. Get cleaned up and grab a burger.

What went wrong- Front derailleur misadjusted rubbing when in little big.
Cramping- can't get away from it. Hydrated and stretched all week.

Other then that I didn't have any mechanicals, rode with some friends I haven't seen in a while. Finished under 12 hours barley which I am happy with. Should of pushed harder on the last up hill. And spent less time at Aid station 5. Very happy with my Niner and the Ergon Gloves and Grips

I was happy with the 3 bottle setup think I killed 12 or 13 bottles the whole day. Nutrional was on didn't bonk or die inside slowly at all. Had some good tunes going most of the day. Thinking about doing the Paranormal 6 hour race solo in Cville again this year. Then its onto Cyclocross......maybe

Its Time

2011-09-03T09:35:00.000-04:00

Leaving for Harrisonburg in a little while. Updates to come later once I recover. No blogging on weekends.

SkinSuits and The Shenandoah

2011-09-01T17:43:00.003-04:00

Got my email from Twin Six that the skinsuits and winter jackets will be in next week. They are going to have the same Metal layout as the team kits do

.

Same fit as the bibs I currently have just a 1 piece kit versus 2. Never thought I'd be purchasing a skinsuit. Hope my fatass doesn't look to fat in it otherwise I won't be wearing it. Also the winter jackets are going out as well. Bitching.

Picture is to offset the gayness of talking about skinsuits.....

Same chic, badass road biker Liz Hatch

The Shenandoah 100 is this weekend.....weather is looking decent. Everyone is worried about it. 40% chance of scattered showers, its the summertime in the mountains deal with it and pack extra chamois butter people. Looking forward to it, good long ride on the Niner. Getting tired of talking about it just want to line up and pedal.

Looked at the last time I did any real climbing....July 24th that kinda freaked me out. I broke my Niner shortly after that at the Shed, felt great on both those rides. Felt great on the Fairfax Epic. So we shall see if I get bitch smacked by the Shenandoahs, I am sure I will a few times.

Bring on the weekend.

Oh yea and this...........Tommy you get any of this?

Ergon Goods

2011-08-31T15:26:00.004-04:00

Well I have been using the Ergon GX-2s for about 3 years now with and without barends and have zero complaints about them. No numbness, soreness or blisters on the long rides love em! This year I upgraded to the carbon barend GX-2s talk about stiff and light. Mr. Kerkove and Ergon keep kicking out awesome products to keep your hands happy.

Early this summer I acquired a Ergon BX-2 backpack, it has not disappointed either. Been using it for commuting pretty much daily for 4 months now. Tons of storage for carrying all sorts of stuff. It has 2 separate compartments as well as a zipper to expand the main compartment. The front compartment has 2 separated zippered pouches to hold whatever your heart desires. The main compartment has a water bladder sleeve just like the older BX-2. As well as a zippered pouch up top. I've been using it to hold my wallet keys and such commuting. It also has some longer skinny pockets in there to hold a shock pump or a pen. On the outside it has an optional rain cover, as well as 2 zippered pockets on each hip strap, real handy for e-caps and gels. The adjustable fit is rocking!

The final product I have been using for the past couple months commuting as well as on training rides and races are the HX-2 gloves the fit and finish on these is top notch. They seemed like they would be a tight fit but they are very comfortable, they fit with the GX-2 grips like butter. Making a great product even better! Did 60 miles of mostly singletrack riding last weekend, no complaints from my paws. Another awesome product. Hope they keep this up in the upcoming 2012 season.

Looking forward to using the GX-2 grips and the HX-2 gloves in the Shenandoah Mountain 100 this coming Sunday. Looking forward to rocking it!

5 Days

2011-08-29T21:17:00.003-04:00

Till we ride our bikes alllll day long!

Got a new granny gear on the Niner after much fighting with getting it shimmed right. Always fun making stuff work that wasn't designed that way. Mechaining skills are up to par for it. Found my arm warmers and my knee warmers they will be needed to start as always....insert shaved leg joke here.

Picked up my nutritional stuff at Performance the other day paid nothing for it. Gotta love the performance points. Going to be running cliff blocks, honey stinger waffles and nuun as well as using the aid stations and the wonderful volunteers their.

This year I am venturing into the unknow....no camelbak. 3 bottles. My last big ride the Fairfax Epic I ran a camelbak. It was hot and muggy out and my core temp was cooking. If I can feel it that's pretty bad. I am usually warm, high metabolism and all. So 2 on the bike on in the jersey pocket. MP3 player in the other and food. Already tried it out not to bad at all. Just have to stop and fill the bottles at all the Aids minus #6 when I get there.

This past weekend we were supposed to get slammed by Irene the hurricane, well after surviving Katrina in the fine state of Mississippi I wasn't expecting a whole lot. So what did we do? We went for a road ride. Hooked up with Steve from the Gripped Films squad and headed out though George Town ended up with about 3 hours. Finished up in the rain slumming it back up 14th street. Got home and I could smell the funk coming out of me. Fun stuff.

The rest of this rest week entails stretching every night and in the morning before I head off to work. Drinking a ton of water. I will be commuting tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday.

Time goals.....dare I say sub 11. Few people think I have it in me. Will see come the 5th.

9 Days

2011-08-25T15:42:00.002-04:00

Its almost here. Tonight is bike prep, restaning the tires, swapping my shed tire (exiwolf) out for my Maxxis Aspen sub 550g tire....weigh weenizm shut up Tommy. Throwing another bottle cage on the bike. All that good stuff. Going over my camping gear to make sure I have everything. Yes we have a week to do this but I want to get it done now so come Saturday I can throw my bike on the rack load the trunk and roll west.

Getting closer

2011-08-23T22:08:00.001-04:00

Well down to what? 11 days now Mr. Garrison? One more weekend of riding and before we know it we will be grinding up some seriously stout climbs.

I think this weekend I am heading to Patapsco with some bikeline peeps. 3-4 hours then its time for hydrating and resting the legs....is a one week taper sufficient? Who knows guess will find out.

That close......

2011-08-22T15:57:00.002-04:00

I have been trying to bag this ride for a while now. It entails hitting all the southern Fairfax County Parks. Starts out at a park and ride lot on Gambrill road. Head up Rolling road and drop into the back of Accotink hit most of the singletrack there, hop on the CCT and boogey over to Wakefield ride what you like there. We hit the race course for the W@W only good stuff there. Hop back on the CCT and head south to Laurel Hill. This is where Erik Stulee bailed he had 35 miles logged on his GPS. I rode most of the trail there, grabbed some water at the Shell on 123, then hoped on the wonderful Hampton road and scooted up to Fountain Head park. I got some funny looks asking for chain lube....I didn't drive here dickhead. Did a lap there it was kinda slow but I was still passing a few people, makes ya wonder. It started thundering and blowing pretty heavy. Felt a few drops in the woods. Made it though the loop no issues, slight cramp on one of the steep hills.

Finished up there and sat by the vending machines watching the skys debating calling for a ride or slumming it back 15 miles to Springfield. I ended up calling for a ride, as soon as they got there it cleard up....dammit. Oh well another shot will be taken this year. No GPS for me prob did another 15 miles after Laurel Hill. Lets felt good I was ahead of Erik on the climbs he is a consistant mid 10 hour SM100 guy, he isn't racing this year. Good ride, one more good push next weekend then its sucking down water and stretching all week to prep for the 100.

Later

Getting Closer....

2011-08-19T15:48:00.002-04:00

Right around 2 weeks out from the big chalupa. The Shenandoah Mountain 100 word is that it sold out a few weeks ago. I know a few people that are missing out this year. Goals this year are to not cramp, that's always been an issue. I have been strecthing more then years past this year. Time goal.....I have been told I can cut a sub 11 hour, I'd be happy with a sub 12. Shit happens, I could wreck, mechanical, weather it all plays into the big picture. 1st attempt was in 2008 big fat DNF at AS3. 2nd year was in 2009 I cut a 14:10. Last year was a 13:01 a minute faster then Mr. Garrison. How will 2012 play out? Find out in about 2 weeks.....

Got my bike back last week, breaking it in this weekend big loop around FunFax 40-50 miles of steadily pedaling, dirt,singletrack,pavement mix.

Trying out the new Ergon HX-2 gloves I got in last week. Worn them on a few commutes this week and so far so good, they are supposed to pair up with the Ergon GX-2 grips like butter and toast or something like that.

Undecided on bottles of a pack for the 100. 3 bottles is doable I think. I use the awesome strap to carry most of my stuff. Just have to stop at every AS and refill the bottles, I sweat like a pig so getting the pack off my back would help. Will see.

Well Then...

2011-08-08T17:28:00.003-04:00

Saturdays ride was very lackluster....headed out the door after getting kitted up, new Sugoi team bibs...very comfy. Anyways, heading out the door at 800am to meet up with Mr. Bloomquest at the 14th Street/Mount Vernon trail. I arrive shortly after Steve from Gripped shows up. We get rolling, the first two hills I have a holy shit reaction they are walls you can see the top its just a straight shot up. Was not expecting that. Legs felt okay after commuting all week, my head on the other hand was not in the game. Steve dropped off a few miles later, he did the W101 last weekend and still wasn't recoverd.

We rolled down route 7 into Fairfax, head still wasn't there. Though Ballston into Claradon we went, stopped at a coffee shop I grabed some caffine in a cup. Didn't bother me. A few miles later I pulled the plug and rolled back to DC.

The ride into work today I felt better thinking about cutting a sub 11 got my head going in the right direction. I would be pumped if I could pull that out of my ass. Bike will be done Friday. Hoping to get in the dirt this weekend, to much road riding does not make for a happy cyclist.

Its Time

2011-08-05T09:55:00.002-04:00

Well Mr. Garrisons ticker says under 30 days now. Its getting close....damn close. My bike is 90% done, talked to TBL yesterday they bled the brakes....they needed it. And apparently I am not a bike mechanic, the steerer tube was not long enough so they took a spacer or 2 out it was making a ticking noise according to the shop? I never noticed it. I am picking it up weekend afternext. A few people think I has a sub 11 at the SM in me....yea kinda hard for me to see that we shall see come labor day.

This weekend Mr. Bloomquest and I are doing an Arlington Hills ride. Lots of short up and down. Should be fun.

Later

Damn Roadies

2011-07-25T15:20:00.002-04:00

I was suppost to be going up to Jersey this weekend, that got pushed back to next weekend. Sunday I headed out to Front Royal again for another edition of Sky-Mass, met up with ToShaun Campbell a buddy of mine from Mississippi who lives in Rocktown aka Charlottesville, Va. We got started a little later then I wanted 930ish. The opening climb he was dragging way behind I got to the visitor center and didn't see him. I run in to use the bathroom, I come back out still no sight. Ask another guy if he did, nope he didn't stop. I jump back on the bike and hustle I catch him right before a long downhill. Turn out his rear brake was dragging, he was better on the climbs I still ended up dropping him on most of them. Its kinda scary how much my climbing has progressed. We drop off on 211 down in the drops for the nascar like turns. Head though Luray hit up the Shell for fries, a coke and more water.

Up and over Massanuten I get up first Toshaun rolls over about 5 mins later. We start to roll off the backside and he asks "How the hell did you find this hill?" I just laugh. We roll down the backside about 1/2 way to the store there is a Mustang up on its side. Kid tried to dodge a deep and over corrected. Kinda stuff is always in the back of your mind....wrong place at the wrong time. We hit up the store and roll out. I did my usual big ring attacking all the hills I wait up a few times for him at the intersections. I usually fade hard once we get back onto 340, that didn't happen this time. Did a few hill repeats looping back for ToShaun up on the drive.

Really?

2011-07-18T13:08:00.002-04:00

Well I broke another Air9 frame. It has had a shotty looking weld from day 1. Spent 6 hours on it at the Shed on Saturday, that finished it off. Dropped it off at the Bike Lane this morning so July 18th starts the clock on how long it takes them to get my shit done. The mechanic seemed to not think it was a crack. It pops when you pedal going up hill its fucking cracked, aside from the visible damage.....

Oh well back to being a roadie. Maybe ride some gravel on the CX bike.

Perfect timing eh?

Lets try this again

2011-07-11T18:25:00.002-04:00

I had a nice long post typed up and I fucked it all up somehow.

Anyways. Saturday was a wash. Was at a BBQ all day then down to a shitty bar is DC for a birthday. Think I was up at 9am and into bed at 230am.....long damn day. Getting into bed I was thinking I can get up and make it to the ride. Well yea that didn't happen. Woke up at 7:15 was suppost to meet Erik at 7:30 at his place. Sent him a text said no go. Ended up doing the Coppi ride again.

Its making me faster I hope. Would of been nice to get out to Skyline, I heard some guy fucked up and wrecked his motorbike in a bad way. Out and back to 211 sucks big time.

Anywho, 5 hours in the Shed this Saturday with a small group of hammers. Unpublished rides eh Tommy?

Friday Happenings

2011-06-30T15:32:00.004-04:00

Well I am off work apparently I put in for it back in April and forgot.....this is the result of my senior year of "high" school....all I gotta say.

I am planning on riding Accotink/Wakefield for a few hours then maybe ride the CCT down to Laurel Hill or FH. Depensds on what time I get my ass out of bed. Need more seat time in the dirt. Sunday I am planning on doing the Coppi's Dying a Slow Death Ride. Mr.Bloomquest is venturing up to Delaware and no one else wants to come out and play. I will be venturing into the ring of fire solo again. Joy. Apparently misery doesn't like company. When is Tommy going to come down and join the Sunday ride?

My other question is who is going to buy me this?

Closet Training

2011-06-27T14:53:00.002-04:00

Well, went out Sunday AM well 1030am to Skyline Drive and started climbing. Got about a mile from the car and realized I forgot my bottles. Went back and started over. No GPS, no bike computer no stats. Its 82 miles and 7k or so of climbing. Felt strong the whole time. Was in my big ring all the way though Ft. Valley standing up attacking most of the climbs. Had the tunes going, no way I could of done the whole loop solo without them. Took about 5 hours I think. Stopped twice. Once in Luray for water/food and another off of Ft. Valley for water/food.

Rode 8 of the last 10 days I was off work. The past two rides were 80ish miles. Calfs are definally feeling it. Recovery socks on here at work.

I am off next Friday, I'd like to get up to the Shed. Anyone riding?

Road Ride

2011-06-24T23:49:00.003-04:00

Got in a solid 5 hours of steady cranking today. Rode out from NW DC out the Mount Vernon Trail to the Four Mile Run to the WO&D. Did 25 out 25 back on the WO&D, 50 there and probably another 10-12 on the other trails. Mostly flat so it was pushing it the whole time, cranking over the big ring. Good day. Looking like a SkyMass run is going to happen on Sunday....solo most likely.

They go the results up from the W@W race. Talk about tight, and no I do not ride for the Bike Lane, its Bike Line dummies at registration.

32 total in sport. Solid finish on my part. Won't be at next weeks race. But the following 2 you bet your ass I am going to try to get there.

Either my hand writing is that bad or they can't read...I think its my penmanship thought.

Anywho. 2 blogpost in a day that's far to much work for a vacation.

Solid week-

Saturday/Sunday was Harrisonburg not as much climbing as I would of like but Meh.
Monday was a preride of the W@W course.
Tuesday was a 2 hours road ride with 5x2 min hill repeats.
Wednesday was a 49 min interval
Thursday was a rest day
And today Friday was a 5 hour road ride.

SOLID!

Sunday is going to be the nail in the coffin for this training block. A sub 11 hour SM100 is looking doable as long as I keep the fitness up. Next week I will be driving to work. Give the legs a break. They need it.

Cross County racing is stupid......

2011-06-24T09:52:00.002-04:00

FUN!

I forgot how much fun cross country racing actually is but it fucking hurts. I signed up for the yearly Weds night race at Wakefield on the 22nd. Got there with plenty of time, rode around got my legs warmed up. We lined up on the gravel road, looking around I don't recognize anyone....oh boy. Off we go around the corner up the hill, wait there's a pile up. Ride around them and push it up the hill. Cleared the pile up and off into the single track. My heart rate is already way up there. I was stuck behind a guy in baggy shorts, this won't fly. I am all over his rear wheel on the singletrack. We hit the first open section and I pass 3 people. Into the woods again, I pass the owner of Oasis bike shop. At this point I am hurting, I keep pushing. I caught up with another guy who had a good pace. We hit the powerline climb and we make the turn for the rollers. There is a group of people on the trail watching, I over hear them say that is 3rd, 4th, and 5th. I think holy shit!

We go into the second lap I am sitting in and recovering. We hit the open section on the 2nd lap where I passed a few people. I grab my bottle to take a drink, what do I do? I drop it yes, no camelback for this guy. Its to hot for that nonsense. I considering going back for half a second and decide I'll be fine.

Photo courtesy of Chris Barnes

3rd lap its me, and 3 other guys I don't know. Final lap we get though the singletrack clear we start the switchback climb. The 3rd place guy in a Bike Lane kit is prob 19-20 years old isn't pushing it to hard up the climb. We are all taking turns buzzing each others tires. We clean the hill and we all gas it trying to get past him. He does the same....shit. We hit the bermed down hill. I usually loose it here. The guy in the Bike Lane kit eats shit. If you know me you know I am not a real big fan of the Bike Lane YES! We all get past him its ugly but we get past.

Photo courtesy of Chris Barnes

Last 1/2 mile or so. The PVC guy in 3rd shoots off the front, I loose a bit of ground on the rollers on 4th. The Bike Lane guy is now in 6th, I'm sitting in 5th. I keep looking over my shoulder to expect him to be pushing it. He didn't I guess he said screw it after he wrecked. I come across the line maybe 30 seconds behind 4th and not much further behind 3rd. Best finish in a long time. The total sport field was looking like 25-30 people. So a decent finish for me.

Learned a few things, gotta be a lot more aggressive in XC racing on the passing, be stupid if you have to. I could of finished higher if I hadn't gotten past by the other guy that finished 4th. We caught up to 2nd place and 3rd place. The switchback hill would be a great place to throw in a pass and an attack.

Now I need to talk to work and get out of work the next 3 Weds to get back to that crazyness. Results aren't up on there site yet.

Anywho. I am heading on the W0&D today doing an out and back. Sunday I think I am going to hit Skymass up.

Weekend Review

2011-06-22T12:16:00.007-04:00

Well I wanted to get out of town earlier then I did. Was hoping for 1pm, nope rolled out of the Burke Safeway at 5pm. Ugh. Crossing my fingers 66 is clear. It wasn't bad rolled down to Todd Lake in about 2 hours. Rolling 80mph steadily. I roll in and Eric got the last campsite. Thank you sir. We sit around shoot the shit eat diner and hit the sack.

Saturday morning came and Tommy, Doc, Randy and Scott roll in. We gear up and head out, we roll down out of the camp, I slow down thinking were the hell is Tommy. Him being an expert mechanic and WORKING in a bike shop you'd think he could rebuild a hub. Hell I have done it.....his hub wasn't engaging so he had to swap a wheel out. We hit the climb to Hankey. It Eric, Randy and I off the front.

The 3 of us get the meadow portion and wait up for the rest of the crew. We regroup and start to roll. Another guy is coming up the hill...who is that? Oh yea Rob. Sorry I forgot about you.

You can see how excited Tommy is about his mechanicing skills.....

We roll up the rest of Hankey and down Dowells draft stopping to look at the overlook.

We eat and roll out. Me being the smart guy I am I roll thought a giant pile of horse shit on the way down Dowells, its on my leg all over the damn place. I can hear Bloomquest behind me so I boogie. I manage to avoid the rest of the horse shit. I keep waiting to come around the corner and be greeted by a big horses ass, it doesn't happen.

We roll up the road to the Quick-Mart, grab water and jerky and a coke. James grabs the traditional PBR.

We roll on up Rt.250 toward Mountain House/Braileys. I'm riding in the front with Randy I take a pull and look back and he is dropping off. I'm the first one to roll into the parking lot for Mountain House. There is some weird dude on a single speed we chat with for a bit.

We do the creek crossing and the always hateful climb up Braileys. Eric and Randy are at the top when I roll in...where the hell is James he has the beer. We all take a turn then roll on. Tommy takes a dive over a log rather graceful crasher for a big guy.

Doc manages to not go swimming in a mudhole this time. We roll the fireroad back to camp.

On Sunday we did Trimble Mountain, Eric and Rob are hurting. Was hoping for more mileage but it is what it is.

Racing the Wednesdays at Wakefield tonight, sport class. I prerode last night and it was a little wet. Hoping things dry out a little.

Training Weekend....

2011-06-16T15:39:00.002-04:00

Heading down to Todd Lake with a few buddies this weekend to log some climbing and actual mountain biking. Tommy, Erik, ToShaun and a few others are heading down as well. Saturday we are hitting up the Hankey>Dowells>Mountain House>Braileys Pond loop out of the campground. Sunday I really want to hit up Elliotts Knob. Need to look at a map and lay it out. Supposed to be some finnnne singletrack. Pictures and such to come, no GPS track. My garmin took a shit. Really want to pick up a Edge 500, got a check coming from Carquest for some money they owe me that may cover it.

No Riding...

2011-06-13T15:34:00.003-04:00

Well no riding this past weekend. Spent some time with the girlfriend. I'm heading out of town Friday mid morning can't wait. Going to be a long week. We have a new guy that started here and he moves as slow as the old lady we have here.....anyone hiring?

On a side not its no deck like Mr. Garrison built but its not my forte....is that the right word here?

Did it myself....like I said its far from a deck but I'm sure Tommy will appreciate my humor here.......

Let this week fly by.

Later

Iron Hill

2011-06-07T15:26:00.002-04:00

Well I felt a lot better then the results show. There are some fast people at the Mass series apparently. Went into the course blind, no preride, showed up later then I hoped to. We pulled in I kitted up threw on some chamois butter and made a bottle and hustled down to the start line. They fed us up a gravel road into the single track. Course was a blast. Hung a hard left onto the trail and went downhill for awhile. It reminded me a lot of Quantico with less climbing. Few short rock gardens reminded me of the top of the 1st climb at the Shenandoah 100 chunky but ridable. Few other tech spots. One long downhill that just wanted to make your legs cramp by the bottom, some sick bastard put a log in right at the bottom had to pop up and over it.

I'd say it would be worth the drive up to do a few laps and hit Fair Hill as well. I ended up 21st out of 30. My 6th lap I went though the start finish back to the pit then crossed over the line again, gave me a 11 min lap. Had me marked as 6th place....yea right.

They also started the 60+ entry sport field in the middle of the Endurance race. They held us up at a turn to let them come though. It was like trying to merge onto Route 66 from a back country road, hit it and hope to not get hit. I ended up passing a few of them they made some super shitty passes, and once we hit the 1st climb me and another endurance guy passed the ones that made the dodgy pass on the uphill.........thanks guys good work on blowing up.

I felt great all day laps were fairly consistent. My last lap was hurtful the 1st up hill had me question if I'd make a full lap or not. Legs started cramping up, had to stop and try to get it worked out took a minute or two. My rocking girlfriend was doing bottle hand ups and feeding me. My awesome Ergon GX-2 the right side barend popped off a few times. Me being the smart person not carrying a allen wrench with me, or a quick link....smart eh? No mechanicals thank whoever you believe in if you do so. I don't.

No Cranky Monkey 12 this year. I may do the Wednesdays At Wakefield June 22nd race seeing how I am off that week from work, might as well go try to hang with the XC crazies. Other then that its ramping up training for the Shenandoah 100 in September. Under 100 days not huh Tommy?

Iron Hill

2011-06-05T23:15:00.001-04:00

It went very well more details soon.
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Iron Hill

2011-05-31T17:57:00.002-04:00

Never ridden there, it looks like a fun loop. Lots of short up and downs. It has a MEGAAAAA DIPPPPP looks like a blast. Haul ass down one side and carry that speed up the other. Reston has something like that at there trail, its a little more violent though. Found some video of the trail also looks to be pretty flowing no real killer hills. Heading up Saturday with the girlfriend, getting a hotel.....yes a hotel. To damn hot to camp. Hoping for a decent finish seeing how everyone is off at the Hoo-Ha in Harrisonburg. I am sure there will be a bunch of race day regs. But we shall see.

Anywho Later

Memorial Day Weekend

2011-05-24T18:50:00.001-04:00

Nope. No Stokesville for this guy. First year I have missed it in 4 years. Definallty bummed. So I think I will make it up to myself by calling in sick on Friday and heading out on the Niner for 5 hours. Do a big local loop. Accotink>WakeField>CCT>Laurel Hill>Fountain Head and home. 50ish miles. Really need to get a new Garmin mine took a shit.

Later

It has started....

2011-05-23T14:53:00.006-04:00

Shenandoah Mountain 100 training that is. I met up with Mr. Chazelle out at the base of Skyline Drive Saturday AM, we got rolling after my late arrival. Out of the gate I was ahead of Denis kept waiting for him to get warmed up and steamroll past me. Never happened. We kinda went back and forth on the flatter sections, if there is such at thing out there. He did 60 miles the day before and he was running a massive standard crank, versus my compact 50/34 and an 11/25. I was definably working to stay out front. We rolled into the Shell station at Luray earlier then I had expected, making very good time. Up Massanuten we went Denis was hurting on the big gearing rolled down the back and back to 340. I felt great all day up until the last mile or so to the car.

Denis jumped out front after I pulled us though Ft. Valley Rd, he is a freak. I was in my upper range he looked down at his heart rate he said it was 128........how the fuck? We were staying steady at 17-20mph.

Overall a good ride. Ride time was 5:14 for 82 miles and just shy of 7k feet of climbing. Stats are here Legs felt great, no cramps or anything of the sort.

Looking forward to upping the fitness toward the 100. A sub 11:30 if not better is doable if I can fight the cramps away. Got a nice loop worked up I think me and Mr. Bloomquest are going to tackle it in July sometime. Unsure if there is gravel or not, part of the adventure I guess.

Doing the Coppi hammerfest this coming Sunday. Up next is the Iron Hill 5 hour in Delaware going to head up to the Bike Line shop and scope it out never been there. Be a good test for the fitness as much as I hate the multi lap deals, its only a 7 mile course but a lot of short punchy climbs.

Anywho Later

Whats Happening

2011-05-16T17:35:00.002-04:00

No riding this past weekend. Did take a nice walk around DC with the girlfriend, had a good dinner Saturday and Sunday. Planning on heading down to Harrisonburg June 17-19th to get some good miles and climbing in. Sent out an email no bites yet. Still early. Saturday big ride I am thinking about riding out from Todd Lake over Hankey hit up the Braileys Pond climb then maybe head back up the backside of Hankey and back to Todd Lake. Or ride up to CP5. I want it to be an all day ride. Sunday not sure yet. Do the start of the race around to CP3. See how the legs are feeling when that comes around.

Doing Sky-Mass this coming weekend. 82 miles 7kish of climbing. The real start of Shenandoah 100 training. Shooting for a sub 11:30 this year. Weight is holidng 168-170lbs scary stuff. Haven't been this light in a while.

Got in my replacement pack the Ergon BX2 been using it for commuting the past couple days. Its got a few seperate zippered pouches inside which is great. Has a seperate section on the back for food and such. As well as 2 zipered pouches on the waiste band which is really nice for e-caps and small stuff. Planning on trying it out in June in the Burg.

12 Hours of Lodi

2011-05-11T15:40:00.000-04:00

I was waiting to see if any pictures turned up. None of me other then on Facebook.

So anyways. I left the house around 7:45AM only took about an hour to get there. Was expecting worse. Eric B rolled in right after me, we set up tents and BS'ed for a while. Franando and Rob rolled in shortly got the EZ-Up setup and all the pit stuff situated. A buddy of mine from Mississippi showed up ToShaun he was racing solo male, brave soul to do it there.

Raced started shortly after 12PM, Rob started us off strong with a 1st lap. I went out second turning another quick lap. Unsure on times they don't have results up yet. I paced Bob Anderson for most of my first lap after passing a DCMTB team member when he bobbled on a climb. I could defiantly tell the Coppi rides made me faster. We kept the pace up for most of the day no mechanical. Had a great time, we turned out 11 laps, I did 4 Rob did 4 Fernando did 3. I did our 11th lap and Rob and Fern being the awesome teammates they are met me at the finish line dressed in street clothes. We had 30 mins left in the race and I was given a choice, do another lap and hold off DCMTB for 5th or settle for 6th.....Beer and Pizza took rule over another lap I had another quick lap in me but no podium = beer and pizza. We finished in 6th out of 7th. Eric Bloomquest ended up 2nd in Solo SS he was riding solid all day.

Expert is fast there was some ringers that finished 1st and 2nd. DCMTB was 3rd/5th. I believe Blue Ridge Cyclery was in there as well. Next up is Iron Hill 5 hour in June. Other then that its SM100 training rides. This coming weekend is a rest weekend. After that its this "Fun Ride"

Lodi

2011-05-06T10:59:00.002-04:00

Is up next Saturday at Noon. Been busy here the past few days. Nothing new in my world. I will post pictures if I remeber to take any. And how we did.

Later

Lackluster huh?

2x9 is functional

2011-04-26T15:19:00.001-04:00

It passed the up and down the street test. Need to get it in the dirt to really try it out. Gearing seems perfect. Need to get a new chain. Not sure what's next for the Niner.
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Weekend

2011-04-25T15:00:00.003-04:00

Did the Coppi ride again on Sunday with Mr. Bloomquest. This ride was a bit more tame me and Eric where up front a few times. Same loop as last time probably the same speed. Me being the smart person I am had to chase when people jumped....don't ask me why it seemed like the smart thing to do. Well once we dumped onto Clara Baron Parkway I paid for that. There was one or 2 people in above their heads on that section, when they got to the front they didn't have the legs to pull up and drop back in. One chic got left out there, not a place to be left in no mans land. Its kinda like being on 95 on a scooter if I had to describe it. Scary. The main group roll high 20mph. Doing that by yourself out there hurtful. Me and another guy got dropped after that. Took us about a mile to link back up with them drafting each other and taking pulls. Defiantly could tell I commuted to work all week. Drove in today. Picking back up on commuting tomorrow.

Next weekend I am relaxing no riding. I will do my stretching and core work. Weekend after that is Lodi 3 man expert with Rob and Fernando. Hoping for a good finish there.

Later

Thinking......

2011-04-20T16:56:00.003-04:00

Niner is sitting at 25ish lbs right now. Wheels would drop a little more then 1/2 a pound off the bike. Plus I'd have another nice set of wheels. I'd really like to build them myself which would save on labor and I'd have a massive headache and the experience to boot. I have a 36tooth chain ring on the way, looking at swapping to a 24 tooth granny up front as well. And loping the big ring mounts off my current crank XTR M960. I'll have to wait till I get it set up and ride it before I make that decision. Looking at the new Sram XG-999 cassette as well. That would drop a little more weight. From there it would be picking stuff. Lighter chain, bolt tuning, stupid small stuff. Its obsessive I know.

The Chris King/Arch wheelset is my current wheelset. I've heard good things about Hope's they are friggin noisey. Louder then my Kings, can't be worse then my old DT 240s I wish I didn't sell. I'd really like some Industry 9s but that would have to wait till next tax season. If I do this I will be buying it over a few months.

Just using Colorado Cyclist and NoTubes for pricing. I'll get it though BikeLine most likley

Hump Day

2011-04-20T14:40:00.002-04:00

Another Wednesday another bike commute in. I need to start carrying a camera with me. My commute isn't anything big but it beats 4.19 a gallon....my car takes 93 octane yes it sucks. Its parked. I start out in NW Washington DC head south on 14th street down to the 14th street bridge. I take that over and hit the Mount Vernon trail south to Regan National Airport. I then hope on a metro and slum it down to Springfield. From there its 3 miles or so to work. About 13 miles a day. Today it was all into a frigging head wind. It sucked. Tis life.

Saw this over on the Fat Cyclist blog thought it was pretty cool.

Later.

Well that hurt......

2011-04-18T15:42:00.002-04:00

Started out heading down 14th street at 7:45AM to meet up with Eric Bloomquest at the intersection of the Mount Vernon trail and the 14th street bridge path. He rolled up about 8:10. 20 minutes to make it to the ride start. I figured we would have to hussle took about 10 minutes to ride there. Not bad at all. We got there and it was carbon bikes, tubular tires and a bunch of skinny roadies. I thought shit this is gonna hurt, boy was I right. Started off out the gate rolling as a big group probably 40 of us taking over lanes, thought that was entertaining. We dropped into Rock Creek and we were averaging 20ish that lasted though Rock Creek. We came out into some rollers and it was on, I about died hanging with the lead group. 4 of us got dropped I looked back and Eric was wayyyyy off the back. I let him catch up and we worked to bridge back up to the 4 others. Roadie tactics aren't to hard I guess. We met up at one of the big turns few other waiting. We rolled a bit further with the group and dropped onto McCarther Boulevard which is a 55mph zone. 15-20 of us in a rotating paceline. It was my turn on the front, we were moving probably around 30mph. I got the front and said now what, the guy behind me yelling get off we were taking pulls at probably a second a piece then falling to the left and rotating back up. Pretty cool did that for about 7 miles back to the Key Bridge.

50 miles in 2 Hours and 20 minuntes. Had a latte and rolled back to DC, Eric split off for Alexandria. I'll be going back next Sunday for more pain. Good 3 person expert Lodi prep.

Weekend Happenings

2011-04-15T17:51:00.005-04:00

I got my "official" your a fool who wants to ride his bike all day email from Mr.Chris Scott so that is a wonderful thing. He puts on a fine event if I do say so myself. I am all recovered from Bakers took yesterday and today off from the commute let the legs rest up.

Saturday is no riding. Sunday I am riding down to Arlington from DC to meet up with the Squadra Coppi Sunday AM ride. From the sounds of it its going to be a hammer fest. They are calling 18mph a casual pace, 50 miles. Pacelines and shaved legs new to me. I will be hanging out in the back with Eric Bloomquest I blame him if we fuck this up and cause a huge wreck....knock on wood.

141 days till the Shenandoah Mountain 100 according to Mr. Garrisons countdown calander.

This Mr. Garrison

Not to be confused with this Mr.Garrison

Well thats it for now. Later

2x9 is slowly coming together

2011-04-14T12:14:00.000-04:00

Waiting on a custom chain ring. I will be running a 36/22 up front and an 11/34 out back. Going to take a little getting used to.
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Da Bakers Dozen

2011-04-11T15:33:00.002-04:00

Well the first official "race" of the year went down this past Saturday. It started out with me at Giant food on Friday afternoon buying food and such, water, pasta you know how it goes. From there I headed home to cook up and pack the car up...al the while it was pissing down rain steadily. I headed to the venue about 7pm on Friday. When I got there it was still raining....SURPRISE! Met up with Rob ate some food had a beer and called it a night.

Got up around 9am and it was actually nice out mid 50s, looking like a nice day. The race started at 9am prompt. I kited up, did the chamois butter thing and made up my bottles. The first lap was a mess, think riding on ice.....

First lap went off without a hitch I didn't hit the deck. I stopped at our pit coming though and found a stick to try and take the 10lbs of mud off the front derail er. I was stuck in a 1x9 for the rest of the race, no worries no real climbing. Knocked out 2 more laps and my stomach went south, as well as I started cramping. I am blaming it on the Dales Pale Ale I had Friday night. I took a long break after my 3rd lap and ate some real food sucked down some water and redbull and got going. Got in 2 more laps and called it a day. Ended up with 6 laps total. Not a bad day, decent training. Think I ended up 25/26 out of 70 couple. And I am starting to value the big SM100 type loops versus the multilap events.

Aside from the mud on the first lap it wasn't a bad course. It got better as the day went on but it turned into a velcro like mud that slowed you down on the downhills. The last pine section was uphill and it was hateful.

Next up is 12 Hours of Lodi with Rob Campbell and Franando 3 man expert....my first expert class race should be a most excellent time.

Mother Nature.............

2011-04-07T18:34:00.003-04:00

What is with the friggin weather. Today its nice out.....Tomorrow its supposed to rain for most of the day, 1/4 of an inch so that's not to bad. I'm sure the trails will be fine for the Leesburg Bakers Dozen on Saturday. Looking forward to it after the 2 shitfest races. I'll lie again and say I am taking my camera and taking pictures but you know how that goes. I'll be swapping my tires around tomorrow and hoping to get out on the Allez for an hour or so to stretch out the legs. Last time I rode was when I did 2 laps at Fountain Head its been a week and a half or so.

I'll post up and let you know how the race went.....

Feeling Good

2011-03-29T17:34:00.003-04:00

Did 2 laps at Fountain Head this AM. Felt decent going in, Fountain Head is a test of fitness I think. It'll break you if your not up to par. Apparently I'm doing pretty well this Spring. My first lap I felt decent middle ringed most of the climbs. Going into my second lap my legs woke up fully. Stood up on most of the climbs was able to power up a lot of stuff. Feeling good for the Bakers Dozen Solo weekend after next. Was hoping to get back out there tomorrow AM before work, but looks like the weather is going to shit again. Maybe get out the door early on the road bike.

In other news I got on the scale today first time in a few weeks. Dropped down to 171.5 6 more pounds and I will be at my goal for the Shenandoah 100. Looking to be a good year.

The Mash of Mud

2011-03-28T14:57:00.003-04:00

The Mash can be summed up in one picture. I did 2 laps and bailed. Didn't want to trash my drivetrain for Bakers. Waste of 60$ and a drive. Should of gone to the Shed and ridden for 4 hours. 0/2 on races this season.

Lazyness.......

2011-03-24T23:03:00.001-04:00

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Michauex.........

2011-03-24T22:17:00.003-04:00

Well the Mash has been moved to Carlisle, Pa the land of car shows and ummm I'm sure its know for other things. The race director moved the start time to 9am, that means we have to leave Robs house by 530am....ouch. The field is stacked with the likes of Jeff Schalk, Chris Beck, Jerry Pflug and Sologoat. Its going to be entertaining once the laps start ticking off. It won't take long at a 4.3 mile loop those big boys are going to be killing it. I'll post up results and I will try to remember my camera but you know how that goes. I am pumped about this race. First endurance race effort of the year. Been doing 4-5 hour rides on the weekends and commuting during the week. Legs are feeling good. Will be my first mountain bike ride in a few weeks. And my first time on my new Ergon Gx-2 Carbons.

Tonight its water and stretching and tomorrow more of the same. I took the day off work. I will be cleaning and relaxing after commuting all week, need to rest the legs up. After the Carlisle Mash its off to Leesburg for the oh so fun Bakers Dozen for a solo 12...there is a free IHop riding on that race between me and 2 other people. I don't think its going to be to hard as long as I keep my nutrition game on and hold a decent pace.

Later

Weekend Ride

2011-03-14T02:07:00.001-04:00

Don't have the GPS uploaded yet but we ended up with about 50ish mile and 3k of climbing or so. Good early season build. We did stop twice for coffee and once for Quiznos....ah the joys of riding in Fairfax.

Also just ordered up a foam roller so the stretching I was lacking last season will be improved upon.

Shenandoah 100

2011-03-11T21:33:00.003-05:00

Pulled the trigger on it. Figuring as fast as some of the other endurance events have filled up this year it will be up there as well. We are doing a 3 man Bike Line team this year the Black and Blue duo team is no more. Jeff hasn't been riding either. Oh well more beer for me.

Weekend Plans

2011-03-10T22:09:00.003-05:00

I have been working on getting a 100 mile road loop worked up around Fairfax County. Well its done link is here . Somehow I talked Eric Bloomquest into joining me this Saturday. They are calling for low 60s and sunny, gonna work on that biker tan. 100 mile ride in March......it'll pay off this summer. I need to find my Garmin to log how much climbing is on this ride. I will post it up once we are done.

In other news the Michauex Mash has been moved to Carlisle, PA. It's suppost to be a bit flatter and more Wakefield/Leesburgish. Sounds good for early season legs. Gonna give it a shot, use it more as a training race then a race race.

Bike commuting is picking back up shortly, need to get a few things for the bike.

Yea rambling here......later.

Cough Cough

2011-03-03T21:34:00.001-05:00

Called in sick to work yesterday it was just to nice out not to. Put in a little over 5 hours on the road bike. 55-60 miles few short climbs and into a head wind. The year is off to a good start. The Michauex Mash is fast approaching its going to hurt quite a bit. Haven't gotten a ride in on the Niner in a bit. Doing the roadie thing logging miles and saddle time, it'll pay off this summer.

Later
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Sunday Plans

2011-02-11T18:04:00.000-05:00

Looking like a good base mile session out of Fredrick, MD sunday. Starting at Baker Park and heading north to Gettysburg, PA. 90ish miles round trip.

The Allez has a fresh tune up, new wheels and tires. I'm taking my camera so I will try to get some pictures.

Later
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Twin Six!

2011-02-08T20:16:00.001-05:00

Got on with Twin Six this season!.....awesome people who make some damn nice shirts and jerseys. I have a few in my closet already planning on adding a lot more now.

New gear for 2011

2011-01-26T14:53:00.001-05:00

Fresh Gx2's with carbon bars ends via Ergon-International.

Shoes are Northwave Aerlite SBS's my Sidis were going on 5 years. Due for replacement.
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Bakers Dozen

2011-01-20T16:49:00.001-05:00

Well damn. That race filled up in 8 minutes friggin crazy. Going solo, did duo last year. See how it goes. Still need to register for Lodi and the Mash.

More to come.
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Snow Ride.

2011-01-11T16:03:00.003-05:00

Well this past weekends ride.....was entertaining at best. I rolled out onto 14th st at about 730AM. It was snowing hard and sticking. Hooked up on Rock Creek Parkway down the Chesapeake and Ohio towpath. Hit pat up said they were a few miles up, they soft pedaled till I caught up to them. Eric B was there as well. We ended up doing about 30 miles before the big wreck. I got caught up in some ruts that were covered in snow, bounced over Rob Dutcher he went OTB into a ditch. My front wheel was tweaked, thankfully Dutch's truck was a few miles up. They dropped me off at the Metro and I sat in a warm train all the way back to DC. I have a few pictures on my camera I will have to get up here shortly.

Good ride. Legs felt good for this early in the season. SnotCycle is in a few weeks. Its going to hurt A LOT.

Gravel Grinder

2011-01-07T18:26:00.001-05:00

74ish gravel ride planned for tomorrow am. Starting in Georgetown on the C&O going out to Whites Ferry. No idea after that. Its going to be an adventure. Hope my legs are up for it. Pictures to come.
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Ride a bike to work

2011-01-05T19:11:00.002-05:00

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2011

2011-01-04T17:24:00.002-05:00

Well Happy New Year and all that good stuff! More updates looks like I am onboard with Ergon this year. Always a good thing they make excellent products that work, which is rare now a days. Updated the race list for 2011 as well. Still on the Air9 loving the hardtail still. Steadily commuting rain or shine keeping the legs going round and round.

Few weeks till the 1st race. Snotcycle in Leesburg. I hope the weather is a bit better then last year. Snow and 20 degrees hurt.

Trying to keep this updated on a regular basis.

Been wayyyyy behind here

2010-12-07T15:50:00.002-05:00

Well I thought this thing had died off in the fall. Well I was right. Haven't updated in a long time.

So whats been up? Been commuting by bike since say a week or so before Turkey day. Rain and shine. Scary eh? I've dropped some more weight. Still mountain biking. Did one cross race it hurt a a lot......more then say a 12 hour. Sorta.

Riding for Bike Line now. Franando hooked me up with them. Good people all around.

Well I will keep this updated on a regular basis now.

Up next 2011 races in the near future.

Whoa Nelly

2010-08-16T16:34:00.002-04:00

19 Days and 14 hours till the Shenandoah Mountain 100 according to Lil Tommy's ticker deal. I'm feeling good about the race, fitness is a lot better then last year. I'm sitting around 180-185 vs 195ish last year. Legs defiantly have it in them. Gonna make this short.

This past weekend we did a road ride from Frederick, MD up to Gettysburg, PA. 80ish miles 16mph average 5k or so of climbing. Never seen the battlefields before which was neat. Feel even better about not driving there..........my inner hippie coming out. Next weekend.....I'd like to get a long trail ride in not sure where, maybe skymass. Who knows.

Later

Camp Hilbert 9 Hour....

2010-08-09T21:40:00.002-04:00

It was a fun time. 8 laps on a 6.2 mile course, just short of 50 miles. About 3 laps in my stomach went south. It could of been the 3 laps I turned in all sub 35 min laps. Not a good way to start a solo event but I was feeling okay. Live and learn. I took a short break and went back out for 2 more after I ate a little. I said screw it after that......but got dragged back out by Lorreta and Franando to be a carrot and push them or let them chase me around. Got 3 more laps out of me that way. Legs were cooked after doing 3 more hot laps. They ended up 3rd in there class (duo co-ed). The guy that won solo Sean Tavendash rides for the Trek Co-Op squad he ended up with 16 laps his first lap was 28 mins......talk about getting it.

Other then that and bailing on the SM100 preride not much going on. Doing SkyMass this Saturday with the Frederick crew. Maybe log some dirt miles in on Sunday at Fountain head. Hoping to get another century in before the 100 maybe weekend after next. Only about 3 weeks left till the big Ho-Down.....bring it on.

38.......

2010-07-28T18:17:00.002-04:00

That's the number of days left till the big enchilada. I'm excited, the training has been going a lot better then last year. I didn't stay on the Eatough plan as I thought. It lasted about 2 weeks. I'm feeling good though. When I was in Stokesville for the IMBAfest this spring I was hanging with Dennis on the climbs and leaving James behind. It was scary. Done SkyMass twice now, an 120 mile road ride as well as a hand full of 60 milers. Been doing longer intervals as well yea they hurt.

I'm heading down to Camp Hilbert in 2 weeks for the 9 hour. Going solo on a 6 mile course lots and lots of circles.

Still loving the big wheels.

Later.

Training...........?

2010-06-21T19:26:00.001-04:00

Started the E-Tough plan last Monday it hurt. Intervals during the week never really done them before felt good though. For the weekend it called for a 3 hour ride Saturday and a 1.5 hour ride Sunday. I decided a loop of SkyMass would be good instead. 82 miles 7k+ of climbing and 6 hours of saddle time. Gotta be good for SM100training right? I think I'm gonna stick to doing long rides on the weekend and short stuff during the week.

Next weekend we are talking about doing a century including Mt.Weather. I'm set on doing the Wilderness 101 just need to get my mountain bike back before I sign up for anymore races. Pulled the trigger on HotCycle to...........first XC race in 2 years. Its gonna hurt....alot.

Killed it......

2010-06-15T17:51:00.003-04:00

Well the Air9 died a good death at Elizabeth Furnace. Noticed a popping on one of the fireroad climbs. It probally started in Stokesville the weekend before. Probally the not so smart lines I was riding coming off of Mankea peak trying to loose Tommy. Oh well its life.

It cracked around the bottom bracket weld on the non-driveside. Its at The Bike Lane, hoping to have it back for the 12 Hours of Cranky Monkey solo....but I'm not holding my breath.

In other news I'm thinking hard about doing the Wilderness 101 as a warm up for the Sheandoah 100.

Well.....

2010-05-03T01:29:00.002-04:00

That was a waste of a trip and entry fee. Ended up in DC Friday night on a date. Needless to say Lodi wasn't fun it hurt I puked on my 1st lap. Got in a 35 mile road ride today felt 100x better then I did Saturday. I'll leave it at that.

Lodi Lodi Lodi

2010-04-28T00:31:00.003-04:00

Tommy before I go any further I am blaming you for any rain, your last comment. Yea its your fault if it rains. I'm not saying its going to and certainly not hoping for it.

There calling for a high of 88 its gonna be a little on the warm side. Not ready for that yet. And if you have ever ridden Lodi when its wet well its not a pleasant experience. Anyways its coming fast this weekend. I'm looking forward to it.

Here is a visual for after last years race. That is after sitting out all night in the rain.

Saturday

2010-04-24T18:12:00.001-04:00

Did a big road ride today. Felt good the whole time. Got turned around in old town Alexandria now down there a hole lot. 65ish miles few short punchy climbs.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/31120097

Up Next............?

2010-04-19T23:55:00.003-04:00

Would be the not so famous 12 Hours of Lodi Farm. Its a rooty twisty make your head spin around mess. Great atmosphere, good people, grass roots fun. I'm hoping for a podium finish this year. We have been 6th, 5th the past 2 years. After Bakers I am feeling alot better about that. Assuming my back holds up to the roots on the hardtail we should be good to go.

The weekend after that I am heading to Richmond for Camp Hilbert Numero 2. I am doing the 6 hour solo. I have never ridden there so it should be a good time.

Later

Well that was fun

2010-04-19T23:40:00.003-04:00

Well the Bakers Dozen was a lot of fun. Ended up leaving the house around 3 on Friday and getting to the venue around 5 after a few stops. Ran into Rodger Dutcher on the way in, ended up doing a short preride until the rain started. Course was really dusty before the rain, to the point that the wind was blowing it around. My teammate Jeff never showed up on Friday he had me sweating, wasn't wanting to do a solo. Talked to him around 11pm and confirmed he would show in the AM.

Saturday AM was uneventful, getting bottles ready filling up the camelbak with Infinite Nutrition and looking over the Niner one last time. I started the race off with the 1st lap, it was the typical ride ten feet and stop. That rock ledge really threw people off.........it's not that hard. There are a few other tricky spots on the course. Next time I need to hammer it out and get up front. By the time the lap was over I was just warming up. 40 minute lap or so. I felt great the entire day, no cramps no butt pain ( I love the Fizik Gobi XM). Popped a few endurlytes ever lap kept up with water and such.

Overall a great race. We ended up 11th out of 25. I rode 11 of our 19 laps. 75ish miles, would of kept going on another lap if my bike didn't break. Ran into a bunch of friends, rode with a few. My XTR M960 cranks shit the bed on my last lap. I have a new crank arm coming, 40$ can't beat that for a 400$ crankset. Hope that's all it needs. My wheels are also getting dropped off at A1 Cycling Wednesday, they need a little loving. First time they have loosened up since they have been built.

Stats for the day.

13 split 2 ways.....

2010-04-16T12:53:00.002-04:00

Is 6.5 if my math doesn't fail me as usual.

Bakers Dozen starts tomorrow AM bright and early. Bags are packed bike is primed legs are rested. Not sure about my teammate but I'm ready. Heading out here in a few hours to Leesburg, Virgina. Going to get a lap or 2 in, get cleaned up and find a Chilis or something along those lines. Pictures as usual.

I'll leave you with this.

Great Weekend

2010-04-04T19:51:00.002-04:00

This past weekend was a great one for riding. Weather, good people, good beer. Started it off Saturday AM, after waking up late and hauling ass to Front Royal we rode Skyline. Yes, its only April and yes it hurt a lot. I burned to many matches going out didn't have much left in the tank on the way back. It didn't help that when we got to the turn around point they hadn't turned on the water or unlocked the bathrooms. So the 3 of us had maybe 1 bottle of water left between the 3 of us. That had to last hmmmm 20 miles and 3 long climbs. We made it back to the Visitors Center at the end of the long last climb. I rejoiced then drank a lot of water. After you leave the Visitors Center its all downhill back to the cars. And boy is it fun. 40-45mph rolling on a 1/2 inch of rubber. Talk about fun. We ended up with 50ish miles and 5600ish feet of climbing.

Today I went out to Fountain Head not expecting a whole lot. I actually felt really good. It may have been the 3 tall Dogfish 60mins and the wings I had in Arlington Saturdaynight. I ended up doing 2 laps passed a few people and generally felt good. Legs where a little heavy but not bad.

I'm still digging the 29er and I feel a lot better this time of year then I did last year. Training plan starts June 14th its gonna kill me.

Later

Elizabeth Furnace

2010-03-29T00:08:00.012-04:00

25ish miles 2600 feet of climbing. James Anderson, Joe Castle and I. James decided to go swimming in a creek crossing in 30 degree water. Good ride. Legs felt good on the way up. I died on the way back. Good start to the year. Training plan starts June 14th so its all base up until a week or so before that. Lots of long rides.

Getting the road bike fitted this coming Friday at Sport Fit Consulting. Hopefully take care of my knee issues on the bike. 180$ or knee pains and possibly surgery down the road. Money well spent I think.

Night Riding

2010-03-25T01:20:00.002-04:00

Had our first night ride last Thursday at Difficult Run in Reston. Started at around 9:30PM, no this is not Moreon approved. Haven't done a night ride since I was finishing up the SM100 last season, my skills need some work. Had a good time. Few of us showed up. No major wrecks, our roadie of the group needs some work on his tech skills.

This past weekend we did a local loop from the commuter lot. Rode up though Springfield over to the back side of Accotink, over to Wakefield and back up the CCT to the Parkway. I haven't ridden Wakefield in a long while. I forgot how um boring it is. I learned to mountain bike there so I can't knock it to much. Plus its another local place to get in some dirt. Fountain Head is definitely the local choice though.

This weekend coming up we have a ride at some place called Elizabeth Furnace. First big climbing ride of the year. Its gonna hurt, I'm sure its gonna hurt the day after as well. I'll be riding the Air9 guess I will get to see how it performs on some real rocks. All the local stuff it just plain rolls and gets it. I'll try to remember my camera and get some pictures for this here blog.

Later

Turning into a Roadie

2010-03-07T15:07:00.001-05:00

I have more road rides then mountain bike rides already. And its only March. This winter sucked for being a Mountain biker. Oh well come summer time I guess I will be stronger for it. Got in 3 hours today. 32ish miles 2100 feet of climbing. Good base to build off of. Need to step the mileage up however.

Later.

Stokesville-Douthat-Stokesville

2010-03-05T00:18:00.005-05:00

Stokesville-Douthat-Stokesville. There is talk of this happening this year May 12-16th. I would reallllllllllly like to do this. But depending on fundage at the time and getting more time off work. Well that may be an issue. But 5 days of riding in some prime singletrack, how can you pass it up.

I shot Chris an email earlier. And it sounded like they are trying to figure out what they are doing about food and lodging. He said they are debating camping or booking a lodge, but with the lodge comes more money. I'm all for camping whenever possible. Not to just save money but because I love it. Great outdoors and all that good shit.

Lots of info on the past events here.

The 2 day trip has a Garmin GPS track someone hooked it up with. Lots of climbing. Definitely would be good training for the Shenandoah 100 this year.

Heading out on a ride before work in the AM. Also April 2nd is my last day at the part time job. If I make it that far. Place is stressing me out. And cutting into my riding time BIG TIME neither of which are good.

Later.

March is here

2010-03-02T17:42:00.003-05:00

And yet there is still snow on the ground. Got in a good 3 hour road ride this past sunday. Ended up with 30 couple and about 2500ft of climbing. The way back was into a headwind which killed my time and average speed. I had to stop and kill a redbull and a snickers to get going again. Planning on doing the same loop this Sunday with James A aka Vescus. Possibly throw some more miles at it.

I got my email from Shenandoah Mountain Touring to let me know I'm in for the Shenandoah Mountain 100 this year. Shooting for sub 12s or 1130, a certain French Man seems to think I can do a sub 10. Its a real nice thought but I don't see that happening. It could but doubtful. I do have a Chris Eatough training plan on my side. Its laid out pretty well easy to follow see how that goes.

Bakers is coming fast. I'm hoping the course is dry by the time it gets here. Soggy soil will zap alot of energy and speed out of that course. Which would suck....big time. After that its for to Frednecksburg, Virginia for the 12 Hours of Lodi Farm which is always a good time.

Anyways thats it for now....

Later

Road Ride

2010-02-22T00:40:00.002-05:00

Well I had this decent post all typed up then I went and fucked it up. Had hotlinks and everything. Oh well. Short version.

Got a road ride in with Vescus today got about 26 miles in total with 2 laps. Ended up riding at Prince William National Forest down in Woodbridge, Va. Its right down the road from Quantico where they hold the 12 Hours of Cranky Monkey.

Bakers Dozen is coming fast. After that its off to Frednecksbugs, Va for the 12 Hours of Lodi farm. Always a good time to be had there.

Later

Good Stuff.

2010-02-20T21:20:00.002-05:00

Great Music. Singing about questionable things . Sounding damn good while doing it.

Fancy Smancy

2010-02-20T21:10:00.002-05:00

I got my Blackberry set up so I can blog from my phone. I figured you could do it just had to figure it out. Should make life a little easier. More blogging for sure............maybe. I can upload pictures to pretty cool.

2010-02-20T20:52:00.001-05:00

Testing testing.....does this actually work?

New bike = Big smiles

2010-02-13T00:06:00.007-05:00

Well the 29er is done. Have yet to get a real ride in on it seeing how we got shat on with 300+ inches of snow the past few weeks. I did ride it around the hood and I like it a lot. Fit is great. Instant engagement is awesome.

Not much else in new news. Sending my check off in the AM for the Shenandoah Mountain 100. I got in for a duo at Bakers Dozen...Black and Blue is our team name. I am also signing us up for 12 Hours of Lodi Farm you hear that Tommy get your ass in gear. Not much else to say so I will leave you with a few pictures.

2010

2010-01-20T15:14:00.002-05:00

Yes its here and I have been slacking on posting up on here. Gotten a few decent rides in so far. Got out on the WO&D this past Monday got 60ish in. Legs felt fine during the ride but I'm feeling it now...need to work on that. I've been trying to get out to Skyline Drive to get some climbing in every time I do its closed due to ice.

Anyways coming up quick is Snotcycle then onto Bakers Dozen both at the Leesburg course. Great trails, great flow and good times to be had for sure.

The Niner is coming along nicely as well. Its still lacking wheels, drive line, stem and seat post. My budget kinda went out the window when I got the itch for King hubs. Its been downhill from there. XO shifters and Derailleur. XT cranks. Arch rims. Another $$$ bike. Its a love hate relationship mostly my bank account doing the hating. Hoping to have it done in time for Bakers but money is deciding that.

Later.

2009..........

2009-12-02T23:55:00.003-05:00

Where the hell did it go? Feels like just yesterday we where in Stokesville hanging around the campfire drinking beer. Good greif 2010 already............? I guess onward and upward if we have to.

What does 2010 hold for me? Another Shenandoah Mountain 100 for sure. Possibly the Wilderness 101. Lots of road bike time climbing up and up and up on Skyline drive..........its good for the soul right? The usual Lodi and Bakers Dozen. May do the BD solo. Lodi no way no how it f'ing rains everyear and it turns to shit quick there.

Other then that working and living enjoying good beer and friends over the holidaze. Trying not to put on to much weight if any. Ha!

Anyways a have a Happy New Year to anybody that actually reads this abortion I call my blog. Colorful words today huh?

Later

Gots me some of dem big wheels..........sorta

2009-10-29T01:42:00.002-04:00

Yea been lacking here latley, just like everyone else. The "racing" season is over and is back to normal life I guess. Doing the occasional ride during the week and hitting the trails everyweekend still. Have a big ride up at Patapsco planned for this Sunday, assuming the trails are in good shape.

Big news is I am the proud owner of a Tang Air9 frame. And a few assorted parts. I'm taking my time with this build getting the good stuff the 1st time. Going XO all over with XT Cranks. Probably Thomson seat post and stem, I've heard Ti is better? Won a front King hub on fleabay today for 140$ NIB now I just have to wait and find a deal on a rear, does that exist? Going with black hubs resell is easy laced to white Flows or Archs can't decide. Should be a fairly light build considering its a 29er. I'm debating on parting out the Scalpel. I've heard a lot of people just stop riding them when they make the jump to Big Wheels? Any input on that? I have a bit of coin in it could use some of the parts on the Air9.

Anyways that's it for now. I'll update this when I feel like it.

Later

Whats Been Up..........?

2009-10-14T01:24:00.002-04:00

Haven't posted up since a few days after the Shenandoah Mountain 100.

Since then I did the EX2 Day of Endurance 6 hour solo Mountain Bike race. Finshed up with 6 laps and MADE the cutoff for the 6th one. Only 4 people in my class all but 1st got 6 laps so I didn't slack it to bad. Legs felt good the entire time. I do think it was tougher mentally then the 100. Getting back on the bike after 4 laps is tough. Riding the same lines seeing the same trail. Kinda boring. Oh well. Added another pint glass to the collection.

This past weekend was quite entertaining. After work on Saturday I hauled ass down to Stokesville for the fall fest. This was the COMPLETE opposite of the Spring fest and the SM100. Complete party scene. There where adults racing BMX/Kids bikes down a slalom course. That was BIG fun! As well as a Beer Criterium (sp?) . They set up picnic tables just wide enough for 2 riders to ride a 16 inch wheeled bike though under the pavilion. There where 4 or 5 people on each time. There was a table 1/2 way though covered in glasses filled with beer. You did a lap, while trying to avoid wiping out in the beer puddles and riding over a few boards. 2nd lap you stopped at the beer table down a beer. Finish up your lap hand off the bike to a team mate. Repeat till beer is gone. Everyone was a bit intoxicated by the end. I had a blast. There was also fire jumping which I did not partake in. I would reccomend all attend this next year. I woke up with more bruises then I have had in a while.

That was Saturday night. Sunday James and I rode the Southern Traverse. It was epic, just as IMBA says. It starts off with a 1 mile or so climb up a fire road. We made it up no issues. My legs felt better that day then they did at the 100. After you reach the top its a roller coaster ride to the bottom with a few little climbs. 20 or so miles. Go ride it when you have a free weekend.

Swung by Shenandoah Bicycle Works on the way out of Hburg. Picked up a snazzy SBC jersey support the LBS and all that stuff ya know.

Anyways. Next year.....12 Hours of Bakers solo, 12 Hours of Lodi Duo, 12 Hours of Cranky Monkey Duo/Solo we will see, maybe 18 hours on the Farm and I am thinking about adding the Wilderness 101 to the mix along with the SM100. Depending on money and training. Lots of road bike time and climbing next year. This is getting wordy and long so.

Later.

Shenandoah Mountain 100

2009-09-09T16:24:00.002-04:00

Well. Its been 3 days since the race and I feel normal. Yesterday the legs where still a little tight. Today they feel fine. The Scalpel is still filthy covered in the good stuff from the Shenandoahs. All 100 miles of it. That's right I actually finished this year. I missed my mark by 10 minutes and 22 seconds. 14 Hours 10 Minutes and 22 Seconds. I'm happy with that.

Only a few minor issues during the race. Right after the decent off the 1st climb you come though a creek. The guy in front of me dismounted, I tried to pass wrong gear. Yup. CRAMP. 12 miles in or so. Right as I got onto Tilghman Rd I knew it. Yeouch. To soon for that.

The next was the retard that ran into the back of me. I was standing on Tilghman rd rubbing the cramp out after taking some E-Caps. I look up and see this dousce hauling ass at me with his back tire skidding. To late to try to steer I guess. I say wtf man. He says sorry this is my first race. I think No way who would of though that. He was starring at his computer. We had 85 miles left. Whyyyyyyyyy. Thank god it wasn't my derailleur side. He would of got the best of the worst of me.

Other then those 2 issues the race went off without a hitch. I spent to much time at aide station 3 and 5. 3 I was trying to get the cramping to go away. And well 5 its 80 miles in. I wanted to have a few cokes and a few wraps. They where sooo good.

I think the best part of the whole race had to be the decent off of Shenandoah Mountain. Once you got past the rocks you could roll that as fast as you could control, after riding 90 miles. I had Pink Floyd rocking on the MP3 player coming down. Life doesn't get much better then that.

The bike held up wonderfully. Zero mechanicals. I'm gonna give it a look over once I was all the crap off it and clean up the drivetrain.

That's it. I'll be going back next year hoping for a 12:45-13:00. Alot of time riding the road this year. Skyline drive. Mt. Weather.

Up next I think is the 6 hour in Charlottesville. They call it the Paranormal. Should be a good time.

Later

Good Golly

2009-09-01T14:25:00.003-04:00

I hope the weather forecast for Bridgewater stays this way. *Knocks on wood* That would be some amazing weather for riding 100 miles in the woods.

4 Days

2009-09-01T11:27:00.002-04:00

Its amazing how fast the past 6 months have flow by. Logged alot of miles. Climbed alot of hills. And this weekend is gonna hurt. After last years piss poor dnf I want to get my pint glass and ring that damn gong. I'd really like to finish under 14 hours. But i'm not gonna push my luck.

This past weekend had a fun ride. Went down to Quantico with TommyG, and a few of his Maryland boys. That ride is what I miss about MTBing. Going out and having fun. Bullshitting at the top of climbs playing on logs. This whole training thing is wayyyyyy overrated. Making it seem like work to much. Maybe next year I will reevaluate my riding style. Probably not I enjoy the endurance stuff to much.

October something or other is the Paranormal 6 hour down in Cville Va. Thinking hard about doing that.

Well enough of my rambling. I may or may not update this before I leave on Saturday. I may forget my camara who know.

Later.

SkyMass

2009-08-23T23:26:00.003-04:00

Had a good weekend on the bike. Started out on Saturday, easy spin out to Burke and down though Gunston and back. Got about 30 in with about 1k of climbing.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/11727664

Today. Well it was a long day in the saddle. Not quite as long as the SM100 is gonna be. But a good day none the less. Went out with Vesus, Pete and Snappster. We rode Skymass. It hurt. It hurt a good bit. Alot of that had to do with my new road bike not fitting properly. Gotta talk to the LBS about that. Was having some knee pain. And I think the seat is to narrow for my ass. My sit bones where hurting all day.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/11796320

So a little over 100 miles for the weekend. Next weekend is gonna be a nice good ride. Then taper week starts. I'll probally ride to work 2 days that week just to keep the legs loose. Then its off the Harrisonburg for the Shenandoah Mountain 100. Hoping to finish. Hoping to finish up 14 hours. I'll be real happy if I can get my pint glass and ring that gong.

Later.

2 Weeks.....

2009-08-21T21:15:00.002-04:00

2 Weeks until the SM100. The past 6 months have flown by. I haven't been riding as much as I should. I gotta loose this part time job its killing me. The extra money is nice. Taken a few trips thanks to them and bought a new toy last weekend.

Got a few big rides in. Last weekend was a bust. I did pick up an 08 Specialized Allez, compact double. Got about 55 in on it Sunday afternoon. Heading out on the Scalpel tomorrow with Jeff. Planning on doing the Wakeatink/CCT loop from the house. About 25-30 miles depending on singletrack.

Sunday we have a BIG day planned. Not sure what we are thinking. Must be the motivation of having a road bike now. Vescus and I are heading out to Front Royal and gonna get a Skyline Century in. Doing the SkyMass loop and gonna throw on another 20 somewhere out there. See how the legs feel after that. Its alot of climbing but no 14k like the SM100.

Later.

Fall Plans..........?

2009-08-13T18:22:00.003-04:00

I've been doing some thinking lately, I know scary huh? I wanna get away for awhile and I mean away. I'm thinking about taking a week off work this fall and go hike some of the AT hike out 3 days and camp then turn around and come back. By myself. Nothing huge just a few decent day hikes. Do some camping along the trail. I did it a few times growing up and really enjoyed it. Some alone time, some thinking time.

No races planned for this fall. I am picking up a real road bike this weekend if everything lines up. Specialized Allez double/triple still undecided on that. I want a triple for this long days when I really want to kill myself, SM100 training days. If I decided to do it next year. I'm sure I will. Ask me again on September 7th.

Anyways just rambeling here. Later.

Go Time

2009-08-13T18:18:00.002-04:00

Well the SM100 is right around the cornor it seems. Legs felt pretty good last weekend on the SM100 preview/training ride. Sunday they felt good to once I got warmed up. I am not looking forward to climbing up Wolf Ridge again though. That climb sucks. Ran into Chris Scott and all the locals at the Campground while we where hunting firewood. He said they still have a little trail clearing to do before the race. The decent off Wolfs was still really grassy but definally fun.

I think we ended up with 70ish miles and 8600ish climbing for the weekend. I'm just hoping to finish this year.

Big Weekend Planned

2009-08-04T17:01:00.002-04:00

I'm planning on heading down to Todd Lake in Staunton,Va this weekend. Friday though Sunday afternoon/evening sometime. Picking up some National Geographic maps this week and gonna go do some exploring.

Hankey, Braileys Pond, Dowells Draft are on the list and if anyone else wants to come on down I'd be up for suggestions. Planning on killing my legs with climbing.

Later.

Ah Ha

2009-07-30T14:49:00.002-04:00

Tennesse trip has been canceled. Time to ramp up the riding the next 5 weeks till the 100. Ignore the previous entry. Feeling a little better about it now.

Shenandoah Mountain 100................?

2009-07-29T15:23:00.003-04:00

I am really questioning my ability to do that this year. I have the time off work. But I have not been getting the big quality rides I have been needing. This weekend I promised I would help a friend put a transmission in his Rodeo. And the following weekend we are taking said Rodeo to Tennessee to go offroading and camping.

That leaves me....................3 weeks for some big rides. This is not going to end well I'm thinking. I do not do not do not want a repeat of last year. Working 2 jobs is really cutting into my training time. Go figure.

I'm actually fearing it this year. Last year I wasn't and I got some quality rides in. I do know what to expect for the 1st half of the 100. Just not the 2nd.

Anyone want to buy a SM100 entry ticket? Lol.