All that rain drained and dried quickly for the Prunedale race. It made a bit it tacky, though sand drains fast and the warmer than home temps(shortsleeves) loosened it up again. One can never really trust those seed grain rounders on the ball field.
So, it was a Strawberry-fest, and a great race at that with the Madman Myall digging deep and blasting by in the final few meters. He can really gather it when he needs. Some how he gets speed out of those legs... figure some guys get that twist. The field was a good size and it seemed everyone had lots of stories on the big Monterey opener.
Great race to all the fellows who showed, cool new course Keith, and Rod thanks for the finish!
See ya at the Wednesday Vegas-baby after bedtime race.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Rain, Rain, here to stay!
What a storming start to the new cross season. Caly got rain, and it's dry and warm in motherland of cross, Belgium. There season is kicking in full steam. What I would pay to spend a month there. Well, you can bet it is going to be hot in Vegas, even at 9 at night. Now that will be an elite race, and will be happy just to get a chance to race, thanks Anthony.
But tomorrow is a day with my master and berry brethren in Prunedale.
Wonder how the snow was for those who went to Northstar today. Here we just had fun getting an early season soaking on the roads of Woodside. See ya tomorrow.
But tomorrow is a day with my master and berry brethren in Prunedale.
Wonder how the snow was for those who went to Northstar today. Here we just had fun getting an early season soaking on the roads of Woodside. See ya tomorrow.
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Forget those file treads
Well, those snake skin treads caught up with me today, as I was able to jump away from Josh and Howy with just under 2 to go. Minutes earlier, thinking how will it brake apart, not wanting any kind of sprint. Then, was able to open up a gap through the sand and by the top of the stairs had some room,... that is when the attempt to go a bit faster in those ball bearing turns, I slipped so quickly, like street shoes on ice... WHAM, that hurt, then my chain came off and that gave them the gap, ... when I gathered things and got going again, was able to close it down with just under one to go and thought, it was still possible....WHAM, AGAIN those darn file treads are history,... thought they would improve my skills, maybe, but they are wearing holes in my hips and knockin' me off the top step. Someone else can master them. Great race to Josh and Howy and all else out there...if you want to try those file treads, I'll bring them to the next race for anyone to use.... I am treadin' up....
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Dirt Cross Sandbagging
Well, the cross season started, dirt cross that is, and the new promoter did a stellar job in setting up a challenging par-course for the venue he has and a good production. Not many are interested in showing in this blazing heat and "so early" in our very short cross season, ...it was good fun anyhow.
Usually the quality of racing and racer improves as the season goes along, and with nationals (only) 14 weeks away, it is a short season for most. That makes peaking a fine art in cross, and it seems, those that win, do it well.
Local races vary in popularity and competition.. the quality of racing is generally very good. The USGP races offer some real tough competition, traveling restricts many of the players, although this is true in any sport, at any level. Nationals draws the best US competitors, as in all events, it is broken out every 5 years, worlds are the same. Heck, if you go mtb racing, they automatically put you in age categories, unless you race pro or semi-pro. On the road, a lot of fellow never upgrade when they can or ride age groupings as soon as they are able. Few of us have had the opportunity to make a living as an athlete, let alone the capability. As one matures, make the choices to enjoy yourself as well as challenge yourself. Like Pietro said, "I hope they enjoyed the ride, I did"
Usually the quality of racing and racer improves as the season goes along, and with nationals (only) 14 weeks away, it is a short season for most. That makes peaking a fine art in cross, and it seems, those that win, do it well.
Local races vary in popularity and competition.. the quality of racing is generally very good. The USGP races offer some real tough competition, traveling restricts many of the players, although this is true in any sport, at any level. Nationals draws the best US competitors, as in all events, it is broken out every 5 years, worlds are the same. Heck, if you go mtb racing, they automatically put you in age categories, unless you race pro or semi-pro. On the road, a lot of fellow never upgrade when they can or ride age groupings as soon as they are able. Few of us have had the opportunity to make a living as an athlete, let alone the capability. As one matures, make the choices to enjoy yourself as well as challenge yourself. Like Pietro said, "I hope they enjoyed the ride, I did"
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Sunday, the day after
Well, I did not need a pill for this one. It was great to be able to relax for the first time in a long time, it is about time, the bike stayed in the car. It was pay back time to my French buddy, that was a bad draw… of course over here, if your anyone, there is a following and you are takin’ care of. No matter, he was not to upset when I fell asleep after he was lapped on the third lap, and they pulled him. Cedric, super guy!
The races continued all day, not finishing till almost 6pm. Believe it, the average times were all pretty close. Boy, they love their sport here in Europe. There were not a lot of Americans here, a Mike Patrick finished 9th in the 35s race at noon. Contrary to what so many think, no one hates ‘you’. This was a great Championship event, and “I’ll be back”.
So after all the fun and games, the place deserted, and here I am with a gratis cabin for the week, but there are too many places to go. to stay cooped on this hill side. Won’t be riding many of those famous col’s on a mt bike, but will drive them and take in some sites, Looks like this is probably the only real down time I might manage before Anthony flicks the switch on cross season…. Let’s see,…. that starts, for those hard core e mailers, in about two weeks, give me four, so I can rest up and work on my start.
Thanks for all the support, and remember,…. sandpaper all the carbon metal contact points and special grease for that carbon on carbon slippage, because a mechanical is worse than a fall (if you don’t mind the site of blood).
The races continued all day, not finishing till almost 6pm. Believe it, the average times were all pretty close. Boy, they love their sport here in Europe. There were not a lot of Americans here, a Mike Patrick finished 9th in the 35s race at noon. Contrary to what so many think, no one hates ‘you’. This was a great Championship event, and “I’ll be back”.
So after all the fun and games, the place deserted, and here I am with a gratis cabin for the week, but there are too many places to go. to stay cooped on this hill side. Won’t be riding many of those famous col’s on a mt bike, but will drive them and take in some sites, Looks like this is probably the only real down time I might manage before Anthony flicks the switch on cross season…. Let’s see,…. that starts, for those hard core e mailers, in about two weeks, give me four, so I can rest up and work on my start.
Thanks for all the support, and remember,…. sandpaper all the carbon metal contact points and special grease for that carbon on carbon slippage, because a mechanical is worse than a fall (if you don’t mind the site of blood).
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Its done, use a scram derailleur
Saturday – World’s
Had some trouble sleeping last night, but when the call came at 7am, I was dead to the world. No rolling over, 3 hours to race start. Mixed a fruit muesli bowl and was actually hungry. Packed and headed out. Stopped at the cafeteria for a java and the gal offered me a roll. Jumped into the car and headed to the mountain…. Figured to stop below the hill and warm up on the flats for 20-30minutes and finish up on the mountain. Found a good parking place, not my usual,… looks like those Italians got the last spot, but found an even better one.
A neighbor had a pump that his wife was happy to lone, but he was a bit upset, and quickly grabbed it away—yes, took a few pound out. Ran into Cedric and he said he would hand up a bottle… so my worries were gone… the warm up went well and I felt ready. Had a front row start (guess I won’t get that back next year). Then managed to easily roll off the front at the start, the Italian stallion began to gallop away, and no one was very close behind as we hit the descending road to the single track. Figured hordes would be roaring by, but that did not happen. I felt pretty good. Went into the single track 2nd with Silvano just ahead and felt pretty good about my skills on this patch.
In the middle of the woods section, is a short road section and this is when two fellows came up to me, but they seemed to be pushing the climbs a bit to hard so early, so they went around wheel to wheel, and kept them in site. Did not want to overcook it on all these tough climbs right away. Having them in site Rob Anderson, last years champ, came up and he was working very hard and he pushed by me and I followed. We hit some more single track and as much as I respect Rob, he struggles on the descents and being behind him at this stage was slowing, even when we hit the run up, he was slow to get on his bike and I even gave him a push as was trying to get going again on a much to steep section. I waited a few more steps, for a flatter spot and mounted, …here was a very steep switch back section to a short steep climb. We crested on a narrow trail with a drain ditch on one side and a 2 foot berm on the other, this lead to a nasty whoop-de-doo, across the road, with a tricky entry onto a steep gravel road. This where Rob slowed, so I went around him, but he jumped me just before another series of switchbacks, so gave him some room as these were steep and sharp (which ones weren’t on this course). After came the feed/tech zone, which next lap because my stop. This wide flat, 20 meters leads to the last switchback climb. we could still see the other 2, but Silvano was gone. Turns out he cramped, was caught and must of dropped out. The descent off this last climb, gave me an opportunity to pass Rob, as he had the drag shoot out for these high speed sweepers, the first two on gravel and last on grass, but they were easy to make fast., the last, 180ed back up the grassy hill and rose then dropped towards the finish. Was able to put a good gap into Rob,.. but this is when my problems began. I could not get into the very very valuable and necessary little ring. After the finish, the wide track in front of the lodges snaked up and around till it doubled back through some trees and down a flight of stairs…look out for the steel fencing, s turns into a sharp drop and a hanging single track, only for a moment and then 180 onto the descending fire road of mixed large gravel, roots boulder and trenches. This is where my front derailleur took over.. not being able to get in my big ring, I could not keep my speed up to stay clear of Rob, who I did not want to follow into the long single track section, where I knew I could pick up some time. Spinning as hard as I could, I thought I had it, but he jumped by me at last minute, I scolded him, that he would be faster to follow me. Not completely sure, I gave him some extra room and he took advantage and he opened it up. Now I began to sink, realizing my front drailleur was not working at all. Pick a ring, that is what you get. Things were alright till we hit the up and down and the run up, where I got off early and reached down to put it in the small ring. Thinking this was it, race over, I carried on because of all the fans yelling!!! Can’t stop now….rode on to the feed zone, asking for mechanical help, they said that was just up the way…Cedric ran with me and tried to help figure out what had happened.. a young Belgium helped too. I knew it by his colors he was champion. I began to give up hope and said so… he said, NO!, you must finish…I knew he was right. They figured out that the derailleur had slipped down and was blocked by the chain stay and was now jammed. (this is an issued to be worked out)… They said you must go and off I went… many people had passed me and I quickly went by 5 or 6 guys. I was still stuck spinning the tiny ring the whole rest of the race, but figured this was better than jumping off and on the bike, ... managed to pass several more riders.
On the final lap, a bunch of different people yelled I was in 5th, turns out the guy in front of me was. I closed to him but didn’t quite catch before the line.
I was exhausted after the race and I had made many friends. Happy with what turned out, as this is what can happen. Rob finished 3rd, an Italian 2nd and a Swiss won. I managed 6th, but content in knowing I had a real chance to win. You bet “I’ll be back”.
Had some trouble sleeping last night, but when the call came at 7am, I was dead to the world. No rolling over, 3 hours to race start. Mixed a fruit muesli bowl and was actually hungry. Packed and headed out. Stopped at the cafeteria for a java and the gal offered me a roll. Jumped into the car and headed to the mountain…. Figured to stop below the hill and warm up on the flats for 20-30minutes and finish up on the mountain. Found a good parking place, not my usual,… looks like those Italians got the last spot, but found an even better one.
A neighbor had a pump that his wife was happy to lone, but he was a bit upset, and quickly grabbed it away—yes, took a few pound out. Ran into Cedric and he said he would hand up a bottle… so my worries were gone… the warm up went well and I felt ready. Had a front row start (guess I won’t get that back next year). Then managed to easily roll off the front at the start, the Italian stallion began to gallop away, and no one was very close behind as we hit the descending road to the single track. Figured hordes would be roaring by, but that did not happen. I felt pretty good. Went into the single track 2nd with Silvano just ahead and felt pretty good about my skills on this patch.
In the middle of the woods section, is a short road section and this is when two fellows came up to me, but they seemed to be pushing the climbs a bit to hard so early, so they went around wheel to wheel, and kept them in site. Did not want to overcook it on all these tough climbs right away. Having them in site Rob Anderson, last years champ, came up and he was working very hard and he pushed by me and I followed. We hit some more single track and as much as I respect Rob, he struggles on the descents and being behind him at this stage was slowing, even when we hit the run up, he was slow to get on his bike and I even gave him a push as was trying to get going again on a much to steep section. I waited a few more steps, for a flatter spot and mounted, …here was a very steep switch back section to a short steep climb. We crested on a narrow trail with a drain ditch on one side and a 2 foot berm on the other, this lead to a nasty whoop-de-doo, across the road, with a tricky entry onto a steep gravel road. This where Rob slowed, so I went around him, but he jumped me just before another series of switchbacks, so gave him some room as these were steep and sharp (which ones weren’t on this course). After came the feed/tech zone, which next lap because my stop. This wide flat, 20 meters leads to the last switchback climb. we could still see the other 2, but Silvano was gone. Turns out he cramped, was caught and must of dropped out. The descent off this last climb, gave me an opportunity to pass Rob, as he had the drag shoot out for these high speed sweepers, the first two on gravel and last on grass, but they were easy to make fast., the last, 180ed back up the grassy hill and rose then dropped towards the finish. Was able to put a good gap into Rob,.. but this is when my problems began. I could not get into the very very valuable and necessary little ring. After the finish, the wide track in front of the lodges snaked up and around till it doubled back through some trees and down a flight of stairs…look out for the steel fencing, s turns into a sharp drop and a hanging single track, only for a moment and then 180 onto the descending fire road of mixed large gravel, roots boulder and trenches. This is where my front derailleur took over.. not being able to get in my big ring, I could not keep my speed up to stay clear of Rob, who I did not want to follow into the long single track section, where I knew I could pick up some time. Spinning as hard as I could, I thought I had it, but he jumped by me at last minute, I scolded him, that he would be faster to follow me. Not completely sure, I gave him some extra room and he took advantage and he opened it up. Now I began to sink, realizing my front drailleur was not working at all. Pick a ring, that is what you get. Things were alright till we hit the up and down and the run up, where I got off early and reached down to put it in the small ring. Thinking this was it, race over, I carried on because of all the fans yelling!!! Can’t stop now….rode on to the feed zone, asking for mechanical help, they said that was just up the way…Cedric ran with me and tried to help figure out what had happened.. a young Belgium helped too. I knew it by his colors he was champion. I began to give up hope and said so… he said, NO!, you must finish…I knew he was right. They figured out that the derailleur had slipped down and was blocked by the chain stay and was now jammed. (this is an issued to be worked out)… They said you must go and off I went… many people had passed me and I quickly went by 5 or 6 guys. I was still stuck spinning the tiny ring the whole rest of the race, but figured this was better than jumping off and on the bike, ... managed to pass several more riders.
On the final lap, a bunch of different people yelled I was in 5th, turns out the guy in front of me was. I closed to him but didn’t quite catch before the line.
I was exhausted after the race and I had made many friends. Happy with what turned out, as this is what can happen. Rob finished 3rd, an Italian 2nd and a Swiss won. I managed 6th, but content in knowing I had a real chance to win. You bet “I’ll be back”.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)