So today I woke to the freezing cold temps and had thoughts of what is to come! Winter. I pretty much hate every aspect of it and can never figure out why I live in Wisconsin. Something tells me this will be a struggle for years to come cause Michelle absolutely hates the heat! I usually try every year to find someway of escapping some parts of winter, even it it comes in short weeks spent somewhere riding my bike that doesn't require an hour of getting dressed! There is something wrong when you get back from a winter ride and you had enough clothes on to fill the washing machine!! Not right! Eitherway my search is still on for where to head this year. In years past I have done Arizona, California, and last year I even hit up Kentucky just cause I saw a forecast in February that said it would be in the 40s!! I know I will be at camp again in March, but there is still January and Febuary to deal with! The search will continue!
In the meantime, I think the only thing that is falling faster than the temps outside are my power numbers. I must admit though, it has been nice to just go ride my bike. The bad part is that The Iceman is really going to hurt! In the short term, I am planning on cross on Sunday at Camrock and in a weird kind of way hoping for it to be wet??
Friday, October 22, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Curly bar racing, dirt style?
Went cross racing this past weekend, if you want to call it racing.
So I showed up and there were lots of people looking like they seen a ghost when they saw me there!
Luckily Brian took me under his wing to show me the ropes. Brian's mountain biker rules to cross racing:
1:) Yes they give you 2 numbers, but neither of them go on your bars?? What? Yeah place them both on your back like a big wind sail.
2:) Watch out for the guy who has two different style of brakes on his bike, I didn't even know that mine did? Never paid attention! Guess the ones on the front are wide stance for power and the back narrow stance for aero dynamics??? Like that matters with the number sails they give you!
3:) Doesn't matter how you get over the barriers as long as you do not fall!
4:) Not supposed to have a bottle cage on your bike! Most bikes do not even come with the mounts anymore? Good thing there were people out there giving beer hand ups!!
I think that covers most of them?? Anyway, my idea of racing cross is to line up in the back cause it is more fun to pass people than to get dropped by the lead group. So thats what I did. I had worked my way up on the first lap till someone slid out in front of me and the rest of the gorup behind decided to pile into us!! Ouch! I laid there for a second trying to decide if I wanted to get up or not, then when I did get up, I had to decide if I wanted to keep racing or not? All these decisions!! I decided to get up, cause you can never just pull the plug 5 minutes into a race! So I got up and started chasing. My chasing kept getting derailled though by my seat post slipping down for some reason? Thinking I might of split it in the crash, but haven't looked yet? Either way on the last lap I saw Brian coming up on me. I warned him not to lap me but I think that did nothing but fuel his fire cause all I got was a big grin! In the end coming down the finish stretch he sprinted me like I was in 2nd place to end my race early and increase my cost per lap! He thought he was ending my suffereing, which in hindsight, he was! I really wanted to finish on the lead lap though, even after everything what had happened. I think at the end of the day I finished in 13th spot, a fitting number considering my luck for the day.
So now whats next, I think I am going to try it again this weekend?
So I showed up and there were lots of people looking like they seen a ghost when they saw me there!
Luckily Brian took me under his wing to show me the ropes. Brian's mountain biker rules to cross racing:
1:) Yes they give you 2 numbers, but neither of them go on your bars?? What? Yeah place them both on your back like a big wind sail.
2:) Watch out for the guy who has two different style of brakes on his bike, I didn't even know that mine did? Never paid attention! Guess the ones on the front are wide stance for power and the back narrow stance for aero dynamics??? Like that matters with the number sails they give you!
3:) Doesn't matter how you get over the barriers as long as you do not fall!
4:) Not supposed to have a bottle cage on your bike! Most bikes do not even come with the mounts anymore? Good thing there were people out there giving beer hand ups!!
I think that covers most of them?? Anyway, my idea of racing cross is to line up in the back cause it is more fun to pass people than to get dropped by the lead group. So thats what I did. I had worked my way up on the first lap till someone slid out in front of me and the rest of the gorup behind decided to pile into us!! Ouch! I laid there for a second trying to decide if I wanted to get up or not, then when I did get up, I had to decide if I wanted to keep racing or not? All these decisions!! I decided to get up, cause you can never just pull the plug 5 minutes into a race! So I got up and started chasing. My chasing kept getting derailled though by my seat post slipping down for some reason? Thinking I might of split it in the crash, but haven't looked yet? Either way on the last lap I saw Brian coming up on me. I warned him not to lap me but I think that did nothing but fuel his fire cause all I got was a big grin! In the end coming down the finish stretch he sprinted me like I was in 2nd place to end my race early and increase my cost per lap! He thought he was ending my suffereing, which in hindsight, he was! I really wanted to finish on the lead lap though, even after everything what had happened. I think at the end of the day I finished in 13th spot, a fitting number considering my luck for the day.
So now whats next, I think I am going to try it again this weekend?
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Attacked!
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Don't laugh!
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Tuesday, October 12, 2010
WORS.12
WORS Race #12, Done. What an awesome season. I counted quickly, but looks like 34 top 5 finishes, and 7 wins throughout the season! As a team I could not ask for more and I love the way the 212/Specialized team feeds off from each others success. There is no selfishness and the decisions are made on the fly on who has the legs and who is going. This past weekend it was Mike. The race before Darrin. Mike put it best, it is a good feeling to be out front knowing that you have a teammate behind you controlling things and not chasing you down.
So onto my race. I think most people heard Lisa announce my birthday at the start, so I really was out to have a lot of fun! I still wanted to ride fast but the result was less of an issue this week with 5th overall already wrapped up, sorry Ryan. Anyway, when Don said go I decided my own fate when I missed my pedal, not once, not twice, but three different times!! I settled in and just tried to remain as patient as possible and move up. At the end of the 1st lap I moved up into a group that was 4th-6th on the trail and had Mike and Darrin up front. I then started to play around some by trying to attack and open gaps on the road sections and then holding things up in the singletrack trying to get Ryan back up and maybe get him the 5th spot on the day. My strategy almost worked cause I did blow up Scott and Seth, but Ryan was unable to get the 5th spot with Ron having a great ride and taking the last step. The end of the day had Mike taking the win, Darrin 2nd, me 4th, Ryan 6th.
The girls had fun and rode hard to finish out their season with Lisa having 2nd overall wrapped up and looks like Michelle will be 7th overall for the year. Nice work everyone.
Now it is back to some JRA(Just riding along) Or as TSP and I put it, TITS (Time In The Saddle). I love the part of just riding my bike! I have always been one that likes the long 4-5 hr rides with no real purpose. I did glue some cross tires on though and have my cross bike ready for some racing. Might see me out?? Might not?? The only definite is Iceman, for a nice ride in the cold northern woods of Michigan followed by an awesome year end party! Cannot wait!
So onto my race. I think most people heard Lisa announce my birthday at the start, so I really was out to have a lot of fun! I still wanted to ride fast but the result was less of an issue this week with 5th overall already wrapped up, sorry Ryan. Anyway, when Don said go I decided my own fate when I missed my pedal, not once, not twice, but three different times!! I settled in and just tried to remain as patient as possible and move up. At the end of the 1st lap I moved up into a group that was 4th-6th on the trail and had Mike and Darrin up front. I then started to play around some by trying to attack and open gaps on the road sections and then holding things up in the singletrack trying to get Ryan back up and maybe get him the 5th spot on the day. My strategy almost worked cause I did blow up Scott and Seth, but Ryan was unable to get the 5th spot with Ron having a great ride and taking the last step. The end of the day had Mike taking the win, Darrin 2nd, me 4th, Ryan 6th.
The girls had fun and rode hard to finish out their season with Lisa having 2nd overall wrapped up and looks like Michelle will be 7th overall for the year. Nice work everyone.
Now it is back to some JRA(Just riding along) Or as TSP and I put it, TITS (Time In The Saddle). I love the part of just riding my bike! I have always been one that likes the long 4-5 hr rides with no real purpose. I did glue some cross tires on though and have my cross bike ready for some racing. Might see me out?? Might not?? The only definite is Iceman, for a nice ride in the cold northern woods of Michigan followed by an awesome year end party! Cannot wait!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Get in my belly!
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Sunday, September 26, 2010
Top step
Me 3rd
Ryan 4th
Scott 9th
Lisa 2nd
Mark 2nd in age comp
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Friday, September 24, 2010
How quickly we regress....
To normal life that is. After Chequamegon I have been on the bike once. Life has taken priority and I have started to complete the things I have put off all year. It is nice to step away, but at the same time I quickly miss riding the bike. Usually this time of year riding my bike is the number one priority and training is at the back of my mind. All the "A" races are done and beside the Cohutta result, none of my other goals were met for the year. Kind of a bummer, but it happens. If there is one thing I have learned over the years of riding a bike, you do it for yourself, and yourself only. So your results are exactly that, your results. If you are happy with them and had a fun season then that is all that matters.
So the last "A" race of the year, Chequamegon. The race did not go as I had intended. I put all my eggs into that one bascket, blew off a month of WORS racing and was wanting the podium. Well, a no go. The team did everything to position me and I just could not respond. So what did we do to make up for it. We tried to burn down the woods in Cable with a Phillips size campfire. Which means 2 bundles of wood, a half bottle of lighter fluid, and a bag of charcoal, match light of course!! Set a blaze and enjoy with you favorite beverage. Then once that gets boring, add bottle rockets!! Learned that they blow up under water!! Freak'n sweet! After all this, the police never showed, no one lost a limb, and with all the beverages the long, drawn out, freezing cold, slide show after everyone had already left, awards party was bearable at best. The best part of the awards party was putting 10 people in the McFadden NASCAR van for the trip over there!!
Next up, sounds like a mudfest up North! So why did I put a new chain on my bike?
So the last "A" race of the year, Chequamegon. The race did not go as I had intended. I put all my eggs into that one bascket, blew off a month of WORS racing and was wanting the podium. Well, a no go. The team did everything to position me and I just could not respond. So what did we do to make up for it. We tried to burn down the woods in Cable with a Phillips size campfire. Which means 2 bundles of wood, a half bottle of lighter fluid, and a bag of charcoal, match light of course!! Set a blaze and enjoy with you favorite beverage. Then once that gets boring, add bottle rockets!! Learned that they blow up under water!! Freak'n sweet! After all this, the police never showed, no one lost a limb, and with all the beverages the long, drawn out, freezing cold, slide show after everyone had already left, awards party was bearable at best. The best part of the awards party was putting 10 people in the McFadden NASCAR van for the trip over there!!
Next up, sounds like a mudfest up North! So why did I put a new chain on my bike?
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Another one down
I will do a race run down at some point, but for now here are the results
Mike - 7th
Me -10th
Darrin - 11th
Ryan - 16th
Scott - 22nd
Lisa - 3rd
Di - 7th
Michelle - 16th
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Thursday, September 16, 2010
10 years have passed? Really!
So today Michelle and I are celebrating 10 years of multiple bike trips. Hundreds of bike races. Probably hundreds of bikes too!!! Way over a thousand lattes all over the world! Millions of laughs and fun times!! No counselling yet for Michelle after putting up with me, despite everyone's beliefs! She drinks more now than she used to though! Just kidding! Either way I would not change a thing and look forward to what's to come!!!
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Wednesday, September 15, 2010
The lists
So I have seen all the lists being generated on who is going to win this weekends big show. Time will tell. I have my picks to watch and with the horsepower coming in the form of 212 colors I am liking our odds as well! If there was a team competition there is not another out there that could compare. Judging by the weather forecast things are going to be wet and could factor in if you are caught not paying attention. Either way good luck to everyone up there!!
As for last weekend. My race was over after some roadie settled in front of us and let the 2 leaders get away. It would of been nice to been able to work together with him, but must be different on the road scene. Either way, I was happy to have the legs coming around at the right time and to post a solid result going into this weekend.
So now my own weekend list,
Sweet bike: Swork Epic. Check
Good Form: Did all I can, Check
Fast and Fun Team: Big D, RKL, Mike P, Scott, Michelle, Lisa, TSP, Di. Check
Sweet Accomodation: 5 bedroom log home. Check
Awesome Sponsors: Specialized, No Tubes, Scrub, Easton, Hidden Bay, Crank Brothers, Hostel Shopp. Check
See you there!
As for last weekend. My race was over after some roadie settled in front of us and let the 2 leaders get away. It would of been nice to been able to work together with him, but must be different on the road scene. Either way, I was happy to have the legs coming around at the right time and to post a solid result going into this weekend.
So now my own weekend list,
Sweet bike: Swork Epic. Check
Good Form: Did all I can, Check
Fast and Fun Team: Big D, RKL, Mike P, Scott, Michelle, Lisa, TSP, Di. Check
Sweet Accomodation: 5 bedroom log home. Check
Awesome Sponsors: Specialized, No Tubes, Scrub, Easton, Hidden Bay, Crank Brothers, Hostel Shopp. Check
See you there!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Scratching Rocks
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Monday, September 6, 2010
What a crazy weekend!
Good weekend for the entire 212 crew! Also lots of laughs, killer trails, crazy storms, blown off roofs, candlelite dinners, downed trees, and an awesome crew maintaining the trails to get them race ready! Nice work to the Copper Harbor Crew!!
After a long drive not much to say and looking for some couch time. I will try to make it up later in the week but in the meantime here is the paper article from today!
After a long drive not much to say and looking for some couch time. I will try to make it up later in the week but in the meantime here is the paper article from today!
Saturday, September 4, 2010
I'll get you my pretty!!
Not in Kansas for sure! So last night we were at dinner, which was candlelite due to the lack of power, then they make the announcement: " anyone staying at the King Copper please move your car, the roof is coming off!". Really!! So TSP and I drove over to the hotel and sure enough there are shingles sitting on the car! What an adventure!
So we have been hammered up here! 50 mph winds, rain from every direction, and the waves on the lake! Just crazy! There are a bunch of down trees so not real sure what the scoop is on the race. I am sure there is a lot of work to do before we'll be able to head out but the group is still planning to hit up Super D this aft. Hopefully no one gets blown off the hill.
So we have been hammered up here! 50 mph winds, rain from every direction, and the waves on the lake! Just crazy! There are a bunch of down trees so not real sure what the scoop is on the race. I am sure there is a lot of work to do before we'll be able to head out but the group is still planning to hit up Super D this aft. Hopefully no one gets blown off the hill.
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