Saturday, July 10, 2010
In awww
Weather is to nice to sit inside this morning. Coffee is good, energy is high and the to do list is long. Updates later. Looking like Mother Nature has run out of steam and is offering up some nice weather for those playing hard at Buckwallow this weekend.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Coffee and ?????
Dragging today, the bikes are in the basement warm and dry. As a rest day was consumed with abuse that I wonder if it was really a rest day. The weekend brings more of that self abuse stuff as continued time will be spent finishing up the deck, pedalling both road and mountain bikes and trying to bend my body back to it's original height.
Though I'm taking some time off from racing over the next couple weeks, there will be lots of race associated stuff that will be done, course to ride. The 8 hour course is now posted. Next weekend I'll be surrounded by a bunch of multi sport type athletes while representing Infinit. I'll have them drinking kool-aid, beer, and the best sport drink in existence in no time. Use a few of those minor things I learned in marketing, maybe I can convince them that the Maytag Man is not the lonely also.
Is there disappointment about not racing this weekend, not really. I like buckwallow a lot but after such a long block of racing up to Solstice having this break is needed. The long block coming up I'll be thinking about how good a decision it was to have the break. My yard is thanking me right now also.
I need more coffee or I'll be back in bed. The blame to my tiredness. BOB the cat. He is a little bit of a disappointment to his species when it comes to the intelligence side of things. It had something to do with rain, I'll leave it at that. At least he has his looks and that seems to get a lot of people through life.
Though I'm taking some time off from racing over the next couple weeks, there will be lots of race associated stuff that will be done, course to ride. The 8 hour course is now posted. Next weekend I'll be surrounded by a bunch of multi sport type athletes while representing Infinit. I'll have them drinking kool-aid, beer, and the best sport drink in existence in no time. Use a few of those minor things I learned in marketing, maybe I can convince them that the Maytag Man is not the lonely also.
Is there disappointment about not racing this weekend, not really. I like buckwallow a lot but after such a long block of racing up to Solstice having this break is needed. The long block coming up I'll be thinking about how good a decision it was to have the break. My yard is thanking me right now also.
I need more coffee or I'll be back in bed. The blame to my tiredness. BOB the cat. He is a little bit of a disappointment to his species when it comes to the intelligence side of things. It had something to do with rain, I'll leave it at that. At least he has his looks and that seems to get a lot of people through life.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Round ?????
Yet again what could have been just a mellow night with some intensity training at a local cycling venue turned into another intergalactic championships race. With the return of a little vomit paced riding to my training the weekly series at Hardwood Ski and Bike which has now moved it it's venue onto the sun ended up being the place to play. Seems that everyone was feeling the same way.
After a half decent warm up which consisted of actually riding and not just rolling from the car to the start line, settled in behind a wall of pre teen riders. Amongst those late stagers like myself were Mr. Spurr of now Tag Team superstardom, Andrew Watson, who thought that he was going to have an easy night, Jeremy Simmons, the man who has attempted to turn himself into the bionic man with multiple knee surgeries and of course Brendan Matheson of elite fame. The only man that could be vomiting while climbing a hill and still be smiling.
To say the start was calm would be a lie, I really had concerns with flash backs of the last time this type of crowd lined up together. Because of the heat there were less on the line, less small children to run over and sacrifice for the greater cause. It took about 20 seconds before 7 off us split around the crowd and another 5 seconds before Tristan blasted off the front splitting the group again. 25 seconds in it's already going to start hurting. First climb spits out the couple extra riders that tried to mix it up. Jer faded back a bit. You are only bionic on one side, time to wreak the other knee and get balance back to the legs or start learning to ride one legged!!!
As we hit the first couple single track sections a regroup of Tristan leading, Brendan, Andrew and myself happened. It instantly felt like a Monday Night recovery ride, then we hit a double track section and T just blasted off again with all of us in chase. I'd fall off the back, my top end power has yet to fully return but once the trail narrowed would catch back onto the group.
This continued over and over again, until Brendan mentioned to Tristan something about a turn he just went through, explaining the better line. For some reason T thought he was talking about the corner coming up and blasted way of line blowing a tire and having the three of up roll by. Then it just fell apart. Brendan in stress mode with Watson on his wheel kept riding faster and faster, I just watched the gap grow with no real attempt to hold on. Tristan began walking.
Crossed the line about 45 seconds after, apparently knowledge of the course over took power and gears last night, or someone was just saving themselves for Kabush. As for me, considering that my legs have felt like crap since the 24 hour I set a P.B. on that course. I guess there is power beginning to return, it's just not feeling good. That's where tonight's plan is coming into play as i visit yet another body manipulator with some very abusive myo facial release stuff being done this evening.
The next round of the H.S.B. weekly worlds won't happen for a few weeks now with some C.C., W.C, 8HRS, and life coming into play but I've heard rumours that the U.C.I. will be there next time with camera's and possibly urine testing after the race. They'll also be checking the top 5's bikes for motors. The secret is out.
Coffee!!!
After a half decent warm up which consisted of actually riding and not just rolling from the car to the start line, settled in behind a wall of pre teen riders. Amongst those late stagers like myself were Mr. Spurr of now Tag Team superstardom, Andrew Watson, who thought that he was going to have an easy night, Jeremy Simmons, the man who has attempted to turn himself into the bionic man with multiple knee surgeries and of course Brendan Matheson of elite fame. The only man that could be vomiting while climbing a hill and still be smiling.
To say the start was calm would be a lie, I really had concerns with flash backs of the last time this type of crowd lined up together. Because of the heat there were less on the line, less small children to run over and sacrifice for the greater cause. It took about 20 seconds before 7 off us split around the crowd and another 5 seconds before Tristan blasted off the front splitting the group again. 25 seconds in it's already going to start hurting. First climb spits out the couple extra riders that tried to mix it up. Jer faded back a bit. You are only bionic on one side, time to wreak the other knee and get balance back to the legs or start learning to ride one legged!!!
As we hit the first couple single track sections a regroup of Tristan leading, Brendan, Andrew and myself happened. It instantly felt like a Monday Night recovery ride, then we hit a double track section and T just blasted off again with all of us in chase. I'd fall off the back, my top end power has yet to fully return but once the trail narrowed would catch back onto the group.
This continued over and over again, until Brendan mentioned to Tristan something about a turn he just went through, explaining the better line. For some reason T thought he was talking about the corner coming up and blasted way of line blowing a tire and having the three of up roll by. Then it just fell apart. Brendan in stress mode with Watson on his wheel kept riding faster and faster, I just watched the gap grow with no real attempt to hold on. Tristan began walking.
Crossed the line about 45 seconds after, apparently knowledge of the course over took power and gears last night, or someone was just saving themselves for Kabush. As for me, considering that my legs have felt like crap since the 24 hour I set a P.B. on that course. I guess there is power beginning to return, it's just not feeling good. That's where tonight's plan is coming into play as i visit yet another body manipulator with some very abusive myo facial release stuff being done this evening.
The next round of the H.S.B. weekly worlds won't happen for a few weeks now with some C.C., W.C, 8HRS, and life coming into play but I've heard rumours that the U.C.I. will be there next time with camera's and possibly urine testing after the race. They'll also be checking the top 5's bikes for motors. The secret is out.
Coffee!!!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
J.R.A.
No nothing catastrophic happened to my bike last night but there was a true sighting. Made my way just a little south for an easy spin on the mountain bike. I haven't been to the 7th line trails in a while but heard the notorious raspberry bushes were not so overgrown that instant skin shredding would happen. Timed it well that that fun crew from C.T.S bike club rolled in at the same time. Pacing would be pretty good for what I needed to accomplish.
After being bugged about not bringing baggies yet again, we were off for a tour. It was some stop and go riding but when moving it was perfect A.R. pace while yet having fun. Secondary purpose was to get the body used to the heat even more. No wind in the trees.
There is an old saying when it comes to unusual things. You don't need to be the fastest but as long as you're not the slowest. In my case being that skinny frail racer type riding with a bunch of chill weekend warriors who are known for having chicken wings and beers as a recovery meal also left me low on the choice of potentially eaten. Yes, back to those raspberry bushes. As we bermed through one section things came to an abrupt halt. Look at the big fuzzy rock!! Wait it's moving. Now it's running away.
Yes, it was a black bear, yes he/she was eating the berries, yes it did what they normally do when they meet up with human. No there were no cyclists eaten, mauled, dry humped, hugged or robbed of gel packs. Why, because we didn't chase the bear as he walked away. Why, because cyclists are a little smarter than those other that? Maybe.
Ride continued along with the same numbers as we started with, the only blood that was drawn was from random raspberry thorns. An hour and a half of fun, they went off for wings and beer. I came home and made a salad. Eat, sleep, repeat.
After being bugged about not bringing baggies yet again, we were off for a tour. It was some stop and go riding but when moving it was perfect A.R. pace while yet having fun. Secondary purpose was to get the body used to the heat even more. No wind in the trees.
There is an old saying when it comes to unusual things. You don't need to be the fastest but as long as you're not the slowest. In my case being that skinny frail racer type riding with a bunch of chill weekend warriors who are known for having chicken wings and beers as a recovery meal also left me low on the choice of potentially eaten. Yes, back to those raspberry bushes. As we bermed through one section things came to an abrupt halt. Look at the big fuzzy rock!! Wait it's moving. Now it's running away.
Yes, it was a black bear, yes he/she was eating the berries, yes it did what they normally do when they meet up with human. No there were no cyclists eaten, mauled, dry humped, hugged or robbed of gel packs. Why, because we didn't chase the bear as he walked away. Why, because cyclists are a little smarter than those other that? Maybe.
Ride continued along with the same numbers as we started with, the only blood that was drawn was from random raspberry thorns. An hour and a half of fun, they went off for wings and beer. I came home and made a salad. Eat, sleep, repeat.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Riding skill reality check
Headed out to meet the Monday Night Something crew. It was hot, crazy hot. It was great, there were no knee warmers or arm warmers needed. Those skinny frail racer types were all loving the heat. Normal time, normal place, normal group with the addition of two people riding big wheelers, off we went.
Now I'll say that I may have had better judgement had I been on a singlespeed, if the group stuck to the old rules which have gone slack. I would have never even considered my actions. One of the cool things about Midhurst is the North shore, freeride bridges along with a few obstacles etc. Like any strung out rider we all alter the routes a little to catch as many of these as possible. First couple no problem, nothing new. What's that!!
As everyone turns to the right I drift to the left. As I roll towards it on my 4 inch front and 4 inch rear travel which should be plenty for anything type racish mountain bike known as an Anthem I'd wish I'd looked before I leaped. Or in this case jumped. I rolled up the little ramp and the ground didn't seem all that far away when i looked at it from the distance so of course I didn't even pause. What I didn't realize is that who ever built this jump had dug out the dirt directly after it meaning that there is a big hole, gap, cavern that if I didn't make some very quick movements I was probably going to land in it.
No I didn't make a spectacular blooper video, what I did do though was land a little off balance and put an unusual pressure on my not designed for launching off a 3 feet drop xc tires and my front tire decided to fart. A blast of air seemed to bring things back to normal and the ride continued, for 3 minutes. A second attempt to seal the tire but failure, the bead managed to scoop up a sand box of dirt. My ride was over as I limped the bike back to the car. The others went off to play.
Lesson learned, look before you leap, xc bikes are not for hucking huge doubles and having more than mid 20 psi in a tire to do something it's not supposed to do is very important. On a good not the body is beginning to feel a little bit better each day, the stairs in my house do not scare me, the general ache of the body has gone down to a few specific spots of normal discomfort. These are all good things with it less than 3 weeks before I do it all again.
Now I'll say that I may have had better judgement had I been on a singlespeed, if the group stuck to the old rules which have gone slack. I would have never even considered my actions. One of the cool things about Midhurst is the North shore, freeride bridges along with a few obstacles etc. Like any strung out rider we all alter the routes a little to catch as many of these as possible. First couple no problem, nothing new. What's that!!
As everyone turns to the right I drift to the left. As I roll towards it on my 4 inch front and 4 inch rear travel which should be plenty for anything type racish mountain bike known as an Anthem I'd wish I'd looked before I leaped. Or in this case jumped. I rolled up the little ramp and the ground didn't seem all that far away when i looked at it from the distance so of course I didn't even pause. What I didn't realize is that who ever built this jump had dug out the dirt directly after it meaning that there is a big hole, gap, cavern that if I didn't make some very quick movements I was probably going to land in it.
No I didn't make a spectacular blooper video, what I did do though was land a little off balance and put an unusual pressure on my not designed for launching off a 3 feet drop xc tires and my front tire decided to fart. A blast of air seemed to bring things back to normal and the ride continued, for 3 minutes. A second attempt to seal the tire but failure, the bead managed to scoop up a sand box of dirt. My ride was over as I limped the bike back to the car. The others went off to play.
Lesson learned, look before you leap, xc bikes are not for hucking huge doubles and having more than mid 20 psi in a tire to do something it's not supposed to do is very important. On a good not the body is beginning to feel a little bit better each day, the stairs in my house do not scare me, the general ache of the body has gone down to a few specific spots of normal discomfort. These are all good things with it less than 3 weeks before I do it all again.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
