Dusty

Here is a picture of my bike after 40+ miles of trail riding at Wagon Train. Even after last weeks rains/storms moving through the area, it is still dry as a bone. Get out there and enjoy the trails before the next batch of rain moves in.

Riding when I can

Last week (Thursday) I was lucky enough to get out to Platte and ride with some friends. I had a great time on the hills. I'm actually starting to like climbing these days, but I'm still not that great at it. Trail conditions were great.

Friday I got out to Wagon Train and Rode with Ryan for a quick lap of the area. About 10 miles, which felt great but I could tell I was tired from the day before. Funny how those hills really sap the power from your legs.

Sunday I got a lap of Lincoln done on the paved trails. I would say I got about 21 miles in. Nothing spectaular, but still some good miles.

Last night I had a chance to ride at Wagon Train again. I met up with Jim Craig and his cronies for a quick blast through the trails. I met up with Shawn and Phi, but not for too long before it was time for me to head out. I'm guessing we may have gotten in 12 or so miles.

The new bike is getting dialed in and I feel really good after my rides. I'm using all of the suspension travel, and the fork and shock feel nice and firm. I can get out of the saddle and pedal with no problems. What a great combination.

TTT, this one was so much better than the first race

Race report:


I got up to Omaha in enough time to get a pre-ride in on the more technical sections of the course. There was a ton of water on the access road so I was worried that there would be a lot of water standing on the trail. There were only a few areas that were really slick, and of course every one of them was in a corner. I quickly remembered the trail and most of the areas of concern, so I took it nice and slow and just rode the parts I wanted to see.



(photo from J. Cook)
We lined up behind the open, cat 3 class and some how I found myself in the front row. As we got started, I took off with a guy from KC that is leading the point series for my age/cat. I hit the trail in 2nd place and held that through much of the first 2 miles. Then things kind of fell apart for me. I got passed by some quick riders, and I got dropped down to about 5th place. I kept going and didn’t get passed again until the later half of the second lap. I guess the worst thing that happened was I felt a bit nauseous ½ way threw the first lap, but it passed fairly quickly. I never felt chest pains or had my legs cramp up, so maybe my work on the bike lately has paid off.

The trail was torn up by some city crew that is moving dirt around the park. Earlier that week they had to make some by-passes to get around some of the damage. There were a couple of really steep downs and ups that un-nerved a few guys. I saw some get off and walk. In typical fashion, I threw caution to the wind and figured I hadn’t crashed in a while. I never did crash or even un-clip for the entire race.

Late in the second lap I did get passed again on a long uphill climb. I tried to reel in a couple of them on the down hill, but couldn’t get around one rider. In the end, I finished 9th out of 22 and there were 3-4 of us that were 1 second apart at the finish line.

The bike was awesome. It climbed, descended and soaked up everything I threw at it. I used all but ¼ of an inch of travel at both ends. I loved that I could get out of the saddle and peddle hard and not have the suspension bob up and down. I would like to hit the last couple of races this year to make sure I’m staged for next years season. I’m going to do cat 3 for one more year and then move up to Cat 2. By then I will also be in a new age group. I would love to hit the podium at least once this year, but I’m not sure it will happen.

Friend and local racer Harp got a well deserved 2nd place in Cat 2. Dave and his siter Linda were out and braved the heat. Linda took home the honors for the Womens Marathon. Ryan rode well but suffered an injury to the back. Shawn (JoyRide) looked really strong for the first 4 laps and then got hit with the heat which was 100 degrees and still managed to get another lap in for the marathon event. Over all, it was a great time and a well run event

It makes me all squishy inside

After the first race of the year, I found quite a few technical issues with the racing equipment. Not only was the engine "me" in a poor state, but the bike had a few issues of it's own. A quick stop at my new favorite hangout/bike shop, JoyRide, got me back on track with the latest and greatest that the Big Red S has to offer. Gentlemen, I present you with the 2009 S-Works Carbon StumpJumper FSR.

A full 5" of travel front and rear aided by the Brain Technology for the rear and now for the front. You talk about a nice riding rig; this one will truly do everything I want to do on a bike. After the last 6 weeks with this beauty, even the engine is starting to purr. It may still cough and sputter going up-hill, but it smooths out nicely for the flats and descents.

At a flat 24 pounds with UST tires and pedals, it bests the last S-Works stumpy by more than a pound. Light, Fast and intelligent; now if only the rider was this good.

Soon to be "pimpin" a white Phenom SL, it will add just enough visual flair to make this middle aged fatso look the part of a racer on the next starting line. Boys, who will be joining me at TP for the next race?

Teaser

Last, I guess that someone has to come in last

Not a stunning performance from the race at Branched Oak over the weekend, but about what I thought would happen. I only had one small mishap on the trail, and otherwise the race was uneventful; if not long...

Dmars finished stronger than I did, so I think we are tied for overall points for the season. Harp got a well deserved 2nd place for his efforts over the weekend. Robb got a win in my category. And Ryan continued his streak of podium finishes with a solid 3rd place finish. Yep, I need to get out more and pound out some miles.

After reflecting on my race, I need to really think about the following for next year: pass more often, take more advantage of the downhill sections where I am a little stronger, work on climbing (a lot) have more fun.

4 laps at Branched Oak????

Just saw that we are doing 4 laps tomorrow at the Branched Oak race. I'm not sure I even have one "good" lap in me, and now I have to do 3 more... some one had better bring the oxygen and portable defibrillator to the race, this old heart just can't take that much abuse.

Greg, are you coming down with Dmars? I haven't heard if Linda is coming down. Things got a little goofed up with the reschedule.

I hope it cools way down on Saturday night; that way I won't feel bad about firing up the jacuzzi for a soak.