Mountain biking FINALLY

I got the chance to ride for 1.5 hours last night so after seeing postings about hillside my destination was obvious. I took the SS Mary (of course) and did learn a few things. After not riding single track for a while you ability to clear stuff doesn't diminish, your bravery does though. I forced myself to ride over everything on hillside did 2 laps then closed out on Rollercoaster. The creek crossing needs a little work and I need practice, there used to be 2 lines between the creeks now there is a hole and only one line I think I need to practice the other line. Also that hill is brutal on the single speed! I am riding the SS for the Mullet classic but I will need to disassemble and grease it this next week (you can put grease on bikes?) maybe some fresh Stans too. The other thing is 2 parts go on the list for next year : shock fork for the SS (yesterday killed my shoulders and arms) and EXIwolfs for the geared bike. I got purgatories this year for the indestructible factor but way too heavy, not a bad purchase over all though they will be great snow tires since they are 2.4" (measuring 2.6) and ride fine at 15 psi (well it's like dragging a burley but not too bad) and for some reason the exi's have been the only tire that I've mounted tubeless with no issues at all (I mean you don't even have to air them up very much)

Running

Last night was the 3rd week that I've gone running. Did a 4.5 mile loop around the junction in 40 minutes with very little muscle fatigue. This morning I'm not feeling it at all so it might be time to ramp up the distance a little bit. Something happens to me at around 190lbs and I'm able to run for some reason. I can now comfortably get into a zone 3 and recover without walking. I know that is the key to distance. I really don't enjoy running as much as riding but if I can do it there is no reason not to try again to hit a half-marathon. I really would like to get a full marathon in someday though.

Mary's First cross race

2nd place

Mary's First cross race

2nd place

and she got $$

Sundays Race

Mud anyone?

Good Race yesterday I finished 23rd both days had a good finish line sprint. I fell down afterward to catch my breath so I at least put forth a good effort. I managed to break my shifter (defect not crash) but finished the race anyway. I had a little back pain today so I might need to take it easy for a week or two. Also need to get my shifter fixed, I'm thinking I'll skip racing next weekend and rest up for the "mullet classic" on the 10th. I have to work the next weekend after that so my next Cross race will be Spooky cross I think.

Season's first cross race

The final results are not in, but I lost. I did finish ahead of a lot of people so it was still all good. The goal for races this year has been upgraded from finish and not last to, somewhere in the middle and it seams that I will be chasing Bobby from the tap most of the season.

I started strong for the first 4 laps or so sitting in the middle. I dropped my bike on a bad remount at 25 minutes and jacked up the rear shifting so I finished on one gear, the leaders passed me at 3 laps to go so I was happy with that. The rain made for probably the hardest race I have ever done including Cirrem (well close at least) now back for more.

Thanks to Julie Hugo for the picture.

Ready For the Fall

Went for a rain ride last night. I was going for Martensdale but, as usual the gravel called I answered. My bike on the other hand complained the whole time "creek crunch bang" for the whole hour I spent on the gravel. I think you are suppose to replace ten speed chain after a few thousand miles or something like that. So in the future for rain rides it's single speed. I do have a long term product review :

MINewt Usb

I got mine when it came out in 2008 and used it as my only light until spring 2010. I still use it since it is the only light that will fit on my k-wing handle bars on the cross bike. It has never let me down even an hour past it's "run time" of 3 hours. The light does get dimmer after an hour or so now and seems dim on a bike trail at 18-20 mph. However for the sub-hundred price I paid when it dies I will purchase another one.

Mmmm Pumkin Ale

well in 6 weeks or so.

Coffee Crit

I got my butt out of bed at 4:50am to catch the coffee crit this morning. Fail. They passed me on mills and I turned around but do to a biomechanical (I'm too fat and slow to turn the pedals faster) I was unable to catch on to the group. 30 mph on EP true and still falling back. I am always reminded why I don't do road racing, mountain bikers are not so serious and would have waited up for a rider to catch on a 'training ride', but I know the whole rodie thing is fast as you can. This is why I don't even own a road bike, I did get a good hour work in gave up on seeing the group at the mall after 15 miles in 45 minutes I decided to go home and have coffee and ride a little later in the morning. It's bad when 8am is later in the morning.

Funny Stuff

Here

Fail...

More single speed rocks

1. Another 45 mile gravel grinder last night. Took the Booneville route to the tap for taco Tuesday. I ordered a coke (seriously) at the tap and had my 3 tacos (yes they are small). I did detour alittle bit to 120th street for some additional climbing since I'm lazy and have to force myself to work out when the opportunity arises. Vintage rd (loosely called a road) was my cut back to Adams ave it was about a half mile in the middle of peanut butter goo, I couldn't tell from the top of the hill but after a semi-uncomfortable 30 mph decent I hit the muck. Good ride I felt refreshed and energized afterwards that is not normal for that much spinning on a single speed. Took the kids out on the newly repaired tadpole after I got home at 7:30 (yes, pm) Patrick loves it I see some gravel rides in there future.

Mmmm peanut butter mud :)

.5 miles of goo hiking and 1.5 miles of goo riding

Center Trails

Back on a mountain bike yesterday. Took the single speed for a partial lap at center (thanks to everyone for Denmans) we have a ton of work to do down there. This also was my first ride on the new 34x18 gearing on hillside. Not as bad as I thought it would be, but ouch. I then took a reverse booneville loop and headed to my Dads for some home brew beers. After too many of those it was off to home....well like 10 more miles real quick then home. Tonight I get to take Austyn down and teach her how to mountain bike. Starting at J-11 then maybe to hillside

Go Fat boy.

I have been off the wagon in a way for several weeks now (only drinking 1/4 days or so)  I am now down to 191lbs the lightest ive been in 12 years.  I can now run in zone 2 and do sit-ups I feel faster on the bike but im not sure on that.  I'm now thinking its time to turn up the intensity on the bike and see if the last 16lbs will go away.  I have noticed i feel great. 

Location : 1105 67th St, Windsor Heights, IA 50324,

Renegade Cross

Photo by Rick Bachman

Second week of cross practice. We had a good course at Good park (sorry couldn't help myself) I took the 60 minute plus 2 laps I know I'm not in the 123 cat but if you want to ride with the fast guys you have to put in the time. I noticed that my diet and small amount of weight loss the last month have made a big difference. When ever I hear Race I think why am I doing this? Should I be here? Then it starts and I get that Adrenaline boost and it's all out then. I started this week in a group of over 100 (seriously) people, but left alot of them behind right away. I have noticed mountain bikers have the advantage some people slow down for holes and rocks we speed up. I took the first 30 minutes (not sure how many laps) in a zone 4-5 effort. After almost throwing up I turned it down a little. I was proud of myself after holding Squirrels wheel for a couple laps and my last couple laps on Blackfords. Second to last lap I sprinted the last 3 straight sections (20 mph) and it hurt top of the hill I was a little dizzy. I think you almost crave that feeling of burnt lungs and twitching leg muscles after a hard effort.

Gravel Metric #11 and 24 hours of seven oaks

I'll start with I really wanted to do this race this year, I made excuses and talked myself out of it. However I still got the weekend off so I loaded my touring bike and hit the gravel for a 65 mile adventure to boone. So this race is the primary on my radar for next year. I had planned to ride 65 miles of gravel on the way home (it's only 50 without detours) but I just ran out of energy around 30 miles and then it was survival. The 15-25 mph headwind can take alot from you really fast my front and rear bags like sails hanging from both wheels like climbing a 3-4% grade all day long. Good times :)

Rasmussen team

24 hour Solo winner (front) 21 laps 168 miles. This is Kyle telling him at 20 laps to do one more lap.

Tom coming in from his last lap and Rick heading out so one more the team got 2nd

I can't remember exactly were this was but it was at least 20 miles from home. Even knowing I was going to get wet it was beautiful my camera didn't do it justice.

Perfect timing

sort of

I love visiting new places

Ogden, Iowa

Location : 1200-1276 224th Ln, Boone, IA 50036,

Fall

With the cold temps last night and the start of cyclocross I have that fall feeling. I actually like the fall/winter season now that I've learned to endure the cold. The other things we get in the fall is good food/beer and the countdown to the worst holiday of the year (xmas). Hoping for some good rides in the snow this year now it's time to go to Boone for the 24 hour race. I really wish stuff would have worked out for me to race this year, but there is always next year :) I'll still have fun watching and get a couple metric gravel grinders in.

Running

Took the first run for the season last night 4.5 miles or so. I was amazed how good of shape I'm in actually usually the first run is shorter and involves walking, but I didn't walk and actually got some sprints worked into my route. My legs don't hurt this morning either. Looking forward to gravel rides the next 3 days though. Leaving late morning saturday for Boone to watch the 24 hour race. I really wanted to race, but I have excuses that out way my will power. Really hoping to see the single track again soon though.

I was saying about braking stuff

spoke next to mavic sticker popped out

Cyclocross :) Starts Today!

My little girl is TOO big

Bob is now 6, man I'm getting old