Still Bad, But Could Be Worse

Need to get to bed so I can get up mega early and drive 3 hours to race 6 hours and drive 3 hours home, but wanted to post.

Just saw on OLN that it was the team managers that pulled the riders from the Tour not any OFFICIAL Tour organization. Good move on their part to try to nip some trouble in the bud. Hope this all gets sorted out and I can get back to respecting these guys instead of being embarrassed for them.

Later.

Sick!

This is a sick, sad day for the sport. F*ck road racing.

Viva la Dirt! Lets keep dirt clean. Go here- now.


Later, I gotta go down some juiced up cow's blood for the race tomorrow. Mooooooo

j

Another Hot One

Not much on tap tonight. Did some bike stuff and some minor equipment packing. Not sure if I'm driving out to Marysville, PA on Friday and camping or getting up mega early Saturday a.m. to drive out. Leaning towards Saturday so I can get a quality nights sleep in my own bed and a good cup of coffee. Should have plenty of time to make it there by 9 or so. Plus I can drive out with my new DJ Logic "Zen of Logic" bumpin' in the E. DJ Logic you ask? In a word: DJ-Turntabilist-Jazz-Hip-Hop (ok that was more than one, sorry)

Weather looks to be drying out for the race (good) but it looks like it's gonna be another HOT one at day time temps in around 90* (YIKES!). Need to try to focus on what I may have done wrong at the Hardcore 24 and correct the problems.

Having the debate- bottles vs. Hydration pack. I tend to drink more with the pack but was that my problem? OVER hydration or dehydration??? I would be nice to not have the weight of the water on my back for the race. Hmmmm. Unfamiliar with the course so I'm not sure about places to grab a bottle etc., Going prepared for either + my normal assortment of goodies for the pit area and will make the call pre-race.

Can't imagine anything blogworthy will happen in the next day (not like any of the shit I blather on about actually is), so good luck to all those racing this weekend and for those of you not- get some miles in and have fun.

Later

Beatin' Rain Like Meat

Whooo, just got the ride in tonight before the sky opened up (again!). Put in a hard effort tonight for 2 hours. As I was riding I was thinking how kick ass my road loop is for where I live. It's got cry for momma steep climbs, some 40 MPH+ down hills, rollers, and a nice flat mile or two to put in some time trialing into action.

I have two variations for post work loops. 1 starts with a nice mostly seated climb for 2 miles the other starts with a real nut drop/knee popper of a climb. Did the dropped the nut tonight. Got in about 34.5 miles in 2 hours. Just as I pulled in to the parking lot where I start a thunderstorm came beatin' down on the 'Port. Good thing I pushed it tonight instead of piddling or I would got soaked.

Big thanks to Tom (sticking with just TOM) my good friend and wrenching guru for his help in getting the new cassette (stayed with the 12/25 even though I said I was moving up to 27. Guess I lied) and chain on the Trek. Also got the rear wheel trued, and the Dos Niner's brake pads engaging like they are supposed to (I of course ephed them up when I put them in before Mohican). Thanks Tom!! I've said it a million times- without Tom, my racing would be f*cked.

Trying to firm up my race schedule for the rest of the year (after this Saturday). Trying to balance racing, recovery and finances is proving to be a bit hard. Possible races to do are as follows...

07.31.06 The Wilderness 101
08.06.06 MASS 6 Hour Race
08.19.06 18 Hours On The Farm/Scouts Honor
09.02.06 24 Hour Champion Challange OR 09.03.06 Shenandoah 100
10.16.06 Iron Cross IV

Hmmmm, might skip the 101 even though it's a fab race and do MASS, Scouts Honor and the 24. Then ICIV in October. Hmmm. Lets take care of Saturday first.

Later.

Doing Some Thinking: (That's NEVER Good)

"I got enormous pleasure simply from riding a bike. So I guess racing was a reason for riding it more." -Eddy Merckx

That quote is what it's all about for me. I think I forgot about that during the last race. Started thinking about "placing" and "lap times" and WHERE I might finish. Ended up not finishing at all.

It's hard not to start thinking about those things. That is why it's called bike RACING, and the more races you do, the more you expect of yourself. You train hard all year and you want to see the results to feel like you weren't wasting you time.

There was a day when I was proud as hell just to say I FINISHED a race. It didn't matter whether it was 4th, 10th or 30th place. Sometimes you have to realize that when you do an event like a Solo 24. Just lining up for that first lap is a major accomplishment, turning out laps for 24 hours is another, and finishing, whether in 1st or last is the freaking balls!

In reality finishing a Solo 12, 24 or 100 mile mountain bike race is NOT something too many people do. WE may think TONS of folks have, but that's because we're in too deep. Surrounded by too many skinny, heart rate monitor wearing, funny tanned cyclist to realize that there are millions of American's that won't even walk down the block for a loaf of bread, let alone enter a race where they push their bodies to the absolute limit and most time it's not even for money! I've had great races, with some great memories and many times all I get is empty pockets, a good saddle sore and a free T-Shirt.

Take a look at race results from the UCI XC race at Mont Ste Anne last week and these random examples... Christoph Sauser finished in 2:00:29 and took 1st. Ryan Trebon finished on the same lap in 50th place 23:11 down, Nicholas Rano finished 5 laps down at an unknown time and Nick Waite DNFed.

What I'm trying to say is- everyone of those guys is a GREAT cyclist! I'm sure Nick Waite is disappointed with a DNF, but I'm also sure he knows that in racing "shit happens" whether it be mind, body or bike and there's always that chance that the next race HE might be up in the top 5 and Sauser might be crying in the tech zone for a new wheel. That's why I admire all those guys and gals (except the dopers of course. (*cough*, *cough* FILIP *cough*)

A few of us have had some tough races recently. I DNFed the HC24, Dicky DNFed in Michigan, Adam at the 12 Hours of Endurance, and even pro Jason Sager was "on the couch" lamenting what "it" was all about after DNFing at the NC NORBA XC.

Rich (Dicky) has already bounced back with a great race this past weekend, Sager is Sager and while I don't know him at all, he seems like he's having fun whether it's on the trail or roads via Vespa. I'm sure Adam will regroup, and comeback strong too. You can tell his desire to race and push himself in his writing and photos as well as the results and accomplishments he puts up (can you say KTR finisher???).

I've somehow alredy forgotten the sufferfest at the Hardcore 24 and now I'm focussed on the this coming weekend's 6 hour race. I feel refreshed and I'm ready to get back to my "ride hard, have fun and the results will come" philosophy. If they don't- hey I think I get free beer at this one!

Racing and training is a challenge whether you're a pro, expert or wannabe racer shlep like me. Just remember "the enormous pleasure you get simply from riding a bike"

Later

Sunday, Sunday, Here Again...

Wasn't sure if I'd ride today or not since I put a high tempo effort in yesterday, but I woke up today and was feeling some morning bike wood, so I after I downed some bagel with honey and a mug or two of Starbucks, I hit the road.

Did basically my same local road loop, but mixed it up with some different directions and added some of the real hard climbs in. Figured I'd give my lungs a break and push the muscles more.

I did do did more than usual in my 39 just to back off a bit since I coming off of a recovery week and heading into race taper week (Isn't this easy to figure out? Ah- NO, but it is freaking fun!!). Yesterday's avg. speed was 17.5 MPH, today was like 15.8.

Other than riding I just went out to Papy-M's with B-Man and now I'm blogging, watching the Tour preview on OLN and enjoying some Pale Ale.

Took the camera along today to help slow down my effort and give you all something to look at to hopefully make your trip to the Chamois seem a little less like a complete waste of time.

Cue photoblog:


This section of road rocks for gettin' your TT on. Today I went up the slight grade and held a steady 21 MPH for most of the mile or two. Not sure if that means anything at all, just though I'd mention it. Might suck.


This is right a the bottom of a 1 mile+ long climb that makes me cry like a little girl-boy. Hard to tell from pict but this hill goes from flat to STRAIGHT up with a few switch backs. I was litterly grunting and making noises like a pig in heat. Sorry for the blur but the camera was dewing up due to the vadge-like humiditiy.
Note the building off to the left. A no windowed, cement block square that I'm pretty sure is some sort of down-low biker gang hang out.


Another shot in artsy-fartsy B&W. You can get a little bit more of an idea of the steepness of the BEGINNING of the climb. It gets MUCH worse at the mid-way to top area. No way I was stopping to take photos there or I would have had to walk the bastard.


Obviously I haven't taken too many Blog self portraits. At least you get to see my swank ass Twin-Six Argyle jersey and one of the "guns", ha!


This is a great out of the saddle grade climb. At the top is a cool switch back that every time I do it, it reminds me of the Tour climbs where they round the corner and can look back at the pursuers. The base of the climbs is surrouded by some cars on blocks, dogs tied to trees, sofa on the front porch scarryness, but after a while it becomes better. One of my faves.

Oh well, that's it. Time to watch the Bucs lose their 11th in a row and get some grub for me and Wifey.

Oh yeah...

Sweet ass day. Got up and downed two XL mugs of Starbucks (Karma)Sumatra, and a whole wheat bagel with Nutella and Peanut Butter. Mmmmmmm. Breakfast-gasmic. Then I hung with the B-Man whilst Wifey went jogging (it might be pronounced yogging with a soft J) with me Sis-in-law.

Talked to Tom (I need a blog name for Tom. "Tom" just isn't working. How 'bout the "not so angry asian" or T.Hong or The Honger? sorry Tom) Oh well, I talked to Tom and we're gonna hook up this week for a bike maintenance session on my road bike and go over the Dos Niner for the upcoming races. Looks like T.Hong will be heading out to the Nationals to wrench for a local chicky that's racing. Good luck! Nothing can calm your nerves on the start line like knowing The Honger has looked your rig over.

Hit the road around 11 for a sweet two hour ride. Nothing like some rest and cooler temps to make you feel like some sort of EPO roadie freak. Nice ride. Really pushed the tempo and got the heart rate up. Legs were feeling it at the end though. I needed this ride.

Check this out... Wasted some time with PhotoShop today looking at what the Dos would look like "raw"

Just a thought. Would be nice to have some pin striping on it too. hmmmm.

Off to make up some Mexican and down a couple Pale Ales. Wifey and B-Man are at Kennywood (local amusement park) so I can get a nice base on and just sit around in my own post Mexican food stench for a while. Think tonight might be brown rice, with black/red beans, ground turkey, taco seasoning, onions, peppers, salsa and of course low fat mexican cheese. Ohhhhhh yyyyyyeaaaaah. Can you say "dutch oven"?

Later.

Friday: Doin' The Worm

Had it my mind to do nothing this evening but drink a few pale ales and make some grub for me and Wifey. Got home and the house was emty. Perfect conditions to lay back, listen to some music and drink a couple beers in peace...

NNNNNNNahhhhh!!! Chamoised up and got another mini session on the trainer to get the legs ready for tomorrow's road ride. Only did an 1/2 hour of steady gear climbs. Just enough to break a sweat and get warm. Then I got El Santo all gussied up and back to semi new. THEN I downed a few pale ales and made up some lemon pepper chicken breasts, cheezy cauliflower and smashed 'taters, oh yeah.

Been doing a lot of blathering about some sweet ass Ti 29er frames this week. I got me a case of bike lust (I'm kind of a slut that way). Still not ruling it out in the next year or so, because I still think Ti rocks for frames, but you know doing my research most 29er hard tails (Ti and scandium) are within a few ounces of a Dos Niner (which has 1" of rear travel) and many steel frames weigh MORE! Nuts! 1" of travel from the Relish shock, plus 3 extra inches of wheel = 4" of added oomf over rocks, roots, and what not. Yeah, blah, blah, blah, might be harder to accelate etc. I'll take that comfort, stability and low weight Salsa cooked up any day! Salsa just needs a better clear coat on that paint. I say strip, and go natural with a good layer of clear coat like the new Niner and add some sweet red and orange pin striping in non rub areas. Just my 2¢

Thinking of ditching the 3rd MASS Enduro and Seven Springs and replacing them with the 18 Hours On The Farm and The Shenandoah 100. Just a thought. Two new races for less than the price of one, travel not included, but that's kinda part of the adventure.

Gotz to go. Crime needs fighting, beer needs drank and logs need sawed. Have a good weekend and get some miles in. Good luck to Dicky, Jeff and other readers racing this weekend. May no DNFs be with you.

Later

Scabby Sweet Cheeks

Got a mega quick interval session in on the trainer tonight to open up the legs. Felt great to get the legs moving and get a sweat on, except for a small scab in a certain area that is a tad bothersom.

Y-Nizzle came over to help me plan out a potential dishwasher installation. Yeah, $6K+ worth of bikes and no dishwasher. Gotz to have priorities. Threw down a couple of Stoudt's American Pale Ales too. Mmmm.

Saw my bud Fernando and fellow blogger Fat Marc are signed up for the MASS Enduro next week. Thowing down with some buds. I love it! The Dos Niner looks to be primo for the course, anxiuos to redeem myself for last weeks heat provoked implosion.

Not much else shaking. weather here has been on the wet. stormy side of the shit stick this week so the trails may not be in good shape for a Saturday MTB ride, so looks like "road head".

Rick "My Little Pony" Nelson wrote up a great Dos Niner review over on his Blog. Check it out. I agree with everything he said, looks like there's no need for me to write a review now.

Later.

Taint a Scab

Still off the bike. Legs are feeling really spanky. I can just feel the "mo" ready to "jo" in 'em. Gonna save it all up for a 2-Niner ride on Saturday I hope. If not some "road head" (as KoKo calls it) will be just fine. Hard to imagine that Saturday I had a bonk so bad that I couldn't imagine pedaling another stroke now I'm so jazzed up I could bite the head off a chicken.

Question: What do people that don't ride do? Life is pretty lame with out cheeks in the saddle.

Gussied up the Dos Niner tonight and have it looking all pretty and ready to roll. Next up El Santo.

In the future if I switch back to a one bike Ti 29er life style I got it narrrowed down to the following two builders... DeSalvo or Quiring Cycles

Editors Note: Been thinking and just want to make sure you all know I only speak of Ti frames because of selling my Titus this year and missing it. No reflection on the Dos Niner or El Santo. Both are tits and alway find it hard deciding which frame to use! The ONLY problems I've found with them is that 1. El Santo is a bit heavier than I would like, but a lighter wheel set could help solve that and 2. Both Salsas have freaking SWEET paint jobs, but can scratch a dull easy. I know Rick is using some addded frame protection products on his, but I just so used to the abuse that a Ti frame can take, so it's dissapointing to see any paint wear, and lets face it doing endurance racing puts a LOT of abuse on a frame. As I've mention before, for me the 29er just FEELS right on the trail, so If I'm going down to one frame in the future it will be a 29er. Whether it be a Ti or the Dos with some spare lighter weight parts. I'm pretty sold on 29ers and just hope that more forks become available in the future (ahem, FOX??)

UPDATE, more bike lust: Check out this link over at mtbr.com of some of the UCI rigs. SSSSSSSSSSWEEEET stuff. Without a doubt the Cannonadle Scalpel is the fastest looking ride I've ever seen. Too bad to get a good XT/XTR build it'd run ya about $5K, can't even imagine what the one in the pict is worth. Yikes!

Time for some grub.

Back On Track, But Not On The Bike

Cheeks haven't hit the saddle since Saturday p.m. and it's gonna be like that for a day or two more. I'm giving myself a mental and physical rest for a few days. Putting the Hardcore 2-4-DNF behind me and refocusing on upcoming events like the M.A.S.S. 6 Hour Race the first week in July. That race should be fun since I think I've convinced one of my buds (Y-Nizzle) to come with to do the beginners race.

Thanks to you all for helping me realize I did the right thing pulling out on Sat. Better to regroup and refocus.

Non bike life has been a whirl wind of shit so it's been easy to look at the DNF as no big deal. Lots of extended family issues that Wifey and I can't control but need to deal with. The very least of which was my dumb ass backing into a little old lady's car in the Element and now having to come up with 5 bills to fix it. F!

The Bikeman.com team kicked some NORBA ass up in Vermont this past weekend as did blog-mate Jeffrey (with 2 Fs) W. Great job on a tough course. Got me thinking how I've yet to fulfill one of my season's goals which was to do a few XC events to see how I could do. Hard to schedule them in though between family stuff and endurance races.

Pondering, thinking out load....

Why am I not looking forward to the Tour this year? It's not a "No Lance thing" I think it's a "They all f*cking dope thing" Hmmmm, who am I kidding, I'll still be glued to the tube for a month.

I have no beer in the house. Damn.

I'm craving Gin & Tonic (must be summer).

I got made fun of at work today for not knowing who some Steeler dude was. Hey, they didn't know who Jan Ullrich was. so eph them!

Even though my El Santo and my Dos are the bee's knees, I still miss my sexy, silky, durable Ti frame and bike lust is so damn fun. So as soon as lottery coinage comes my way (or I go on another eBay selling binge next year) I might be visiting this web site, this one, this one, or if they can ever get their shit together- this one. Make it a 29er please! Or eph Ti and go with this one.

I've also been thinking that since I only plan on doing 1 or 2 Solos a year why do I need two bikes? Thinking 1 super durable 29er could be the ticket and maybe get a beater as a back up and use the extra cash for stuff like beer or paying the mortgage. Hmmm.

Why couldn't Salsa just make a Ti Dos Niner and be done with it? HA! That would be freaking HOT! Or scandium 29er with carbon seat stays ala Moto Rapido, oh I'm burning up! SOME BODY STOP ME! Time to email P. Man on this one.

Enough

Hardcore 24 - June 17/18, 2006

The Heat. My God The F-ING HEAT!!!!
The Hardcore 24 (Solo)
Naples, NY
June 17/18, 2006

Packed up the E. with all the gear, B-Man and Wifey and headed up to Naples, NY on Friday a.m. Trip was a tad long and B-Man got a little cranky, but not too bad since he took advantage of the Father's Day gift he bought me (a portable DVD player) and watched Herbie about 5 times in two days.

Got up to Camp Cutler site of the my first solo 24 of the season late Friday afternoon and set up camp close to the course in the "RV section" The Element qualified as an RV/Camper due to the HC24 guys being super cool. Our spot was great and could be utilized as a 3/4 way stop or stop about 200 yards from the check in.

Once all set up I took the Dos Niner out to check out the course. At first I was not impressed. It started on a section of wood chips (which usually = splinter flats) then hit some double track followed by a nice single track climb up to a grass section. There were a couple grassy sections on the 8.5/9 mile course and they were energy suckers for sure, but the rest of the course was so kick ass that I can't hold that against 'em.

The course had some fast rocky descents, some pretty long granny gear/walking climbs, nice, flowing, rocky, rooty single track and a couple super sweet pine forest areas that were amazing. Like I said baring the couple grass sections the course was great and one of the best 24 hour course I've ever done. Not too short, not too long and a bunch of stuff to keep you on your toes. It was the balls.

Piddling around on the pre ride it took me just under one hour. It was pretty hot during the pre ride. but not nearly as hot as it would be at Saturday's noon start.

After we got up on Sat. I set off to cut some weight, on my way I saw the familiar face of Bob Anderson (who I've race with a few times) It was great to see Bob. He and his family had just arrived from Virginia so I pointed him over our way to set up camp. It was nice to have a friendly, familiar face as a pit neighbor. Of course it also meant the competitiion just got kicked up a notch. (BAM!).

I then got the El Santo all prepped for the race. The Dos was fabulous during the pre-ride, but I figured the roots and rocks would take it's toll on my bod, so I'd just go with the red hot 26" wheeled latino broad that brung me. Plus there were some sections that would require some quick front shifting and I'm not sold on the SRAM front deraileur/X.0 Twists for accurate front shifting yet. The rear rocks, but front needs some work.

By the 11:15 racer meeting the sun was blazing! They said the temps would hit about 93*. YIKES!!! Just last week I was riding in sub 70* weather, NOW I was about to race in 90+ degrees. Like I said, YIKES!!!

There were about 15 or more Solos. Bob was the only one I recognized. At noon we set off on a short run to the bikes that were sat near the Boy Scout's ampitheatre and headed out into the woods. I half ass jogged to the bike then strapped on my hydration pack. I had thought about going sans pack, but opted for a pack filled with Heed once I heard how f-ing hot it was going to be. I also went with a bottle of Perpetuem/Gel to nurse through about every 2 or 3 laps. In the heat it would have been nice to not have any added weight on my bod, but I figured I'd be more apt to drink if it was easy to access.

Once we hit the first sun exposed grassy climb it was apparent that until late afternoon the heat was going to be INNNNNtense.

I backed off from my normal slow pace to a slower below normal granny gear turtle pace. Easing my way up the climbs, seeking shade wherever possible. That fast, shaded descents were a blessing, and a chance to cool the pits off.

I was feeling good dyspite the heat, and at lap 2 I stopped for fresh Heed, a Balance Bar and to sponge off with some ice water that Wifey had ready for me. Speaking of Wifey, chicky is the Pit Queen in my book. As soon as I would pull in, she had a fresh cold bladder ready, water, Red Bull, Endurlytes, Advil, etc., Thanks babe!! Now back to racing...

After lap 4 the heat was REALLY kicking my ass. The course was a blast but it was so f*ing HOT!! At the lap 4 pit stop I desided to be safer than sorry and sit in the shade of the pop up with some Ice water and towel off with a cold water soaked towel. This was a good Idea and many other's had done the same.

Lap 5 I felt refreshed, turned a nice lap, and beat the 6:00 deadline for lights. Nice to be able to get another lap in with no lights stuck to my skull.

Lap 6 was the opposite of everything lap 5 was. I felt like I got hit by a 16 wheeled truck full of hot feecus. I was really in the red. I thought I would be feeling better at this time of day and I now I felt worse! During this lap I stopped many times to think about puking. I could also pretty much keep my heart rate just by hearing thump in my head. I made it back to the pit and at the 3/4 lap mark to get lights ready.

I tried to take my time getting the lights ready. Ate some solids, took some more Advil and after about 10 minutes headed back out finish lap 6 still not feeling good but plugging along I made it back to the check in and headed out for lap 7.

Lap 7 gets it's own paragraph title. I call it...

"Lap 7, The Undoing"

As I clocked in for Lap 7 (The Undoing) I got a little shot of mojo as the announcer calls out my number, and gives we Solo riders some props for churning out the laps. That "mojo" lasted about oh .25 of a mile. And my legs were moving, but I was barely going forward, I made it up most of the first single track hill and then started walking up (a climb I middle ringed on the first lap).

As I made it to the grassy up hill, Bob passed me me chatting to me as we were climbing. I knew he had been in 1st for a while, leap frogging with some kat from Fisher on a 29er. As we crested the hill Bob riding and me walking several bike lengths away I wished him luck and watched him pedal steadily off. (Mental Blow #1, lapped by leader).

About 5 minutes later as I pushed my bike up the hill Fisher 29er Dude passes me (Mental Blow #2, passed by 2nd place rider) He gives some words of encouragement and I tell him if he wants to catch Bob he's about 5 minutes ahead of him. I immediately regret this, since I consider Bob a mate and feel like I shouldn't have given this dude any info. Oh well, just trying to be friendly. Dude was rocking the 29er HT so he did have it going on.

All I could think about was getting back to the pit and sitting my ass down. That lap was from hell. Totally spent when I plopped down at the 3/4 mark in pit. Wifey got me some water, and some ice water to cool down with. I was shivering and it was 85* out. I changed into a dry jersey and a base to ward off any night time chillyness (yeah right!) and headed out at as snails pace.

It was usually only about a 12-15 minute ride from the pit to the finish, but this one took forever. I knew I didn't want to clock out, but wasn't sure HOW I was gonna make it another 3/4 of a lap to the pit.

Lap 8 "Fin"

Started lap eight with all the same lack of gusto that 6 & 7 had. EVERYTHING was a struggle. The single track I found so fun and bombed down the first 5 laps was a chore to even look at. I dreamed about laying down in the weeds to sleep. Some of the views were so nice I would actually stop (we're racing here!!) to watch the final glint of sun duck behind the mountains. I was also "vurping" up some stuff that I can only compare to what rotting bile must taste like.

I made it to the pit, sat down and knew. It was over. My body had beyond shut down. It wasn't even midnight. I was 15 to 25 minutes away from completing 8 laps. I was shivering and cold (temps now in the high 70s and I was cold- bad sign) I was getting some sort of blockage in my right ear, where I would lose the hearing or at least there was some sort of fluid build up. I was also cramping like a mofo, even though I was downing Endurlytes and HEED.

I sent Wifey to bed and sat and stared at the lights of the lantern for 10 minutes or so. I didn't see HOW my body would bounce back and did NOT see the importance of getting an 8th lap in when the winner would most likely get 16+ laps in. I got out of my shoes and did the walk of shame to the check in, handed in my baton and took my first ever DNF.

The guys at the check in tried to convince me to hang on to it and even said it would be there if I changed my mind. I just wanted a shower, food and to put this experience behind me.

The heat was just way harder than I expected for a race like this. The amount of fluid I lost was amazing- Even after drinking and eating Saturday night and all day Sunday, I weighed myself when I got home and I was down about 5 or 6 pounds. That's WITH eating and drinking all day.

I continued to have the ear issues all a.m. and was still cramping like crazy. I've had race were I felt like shit, but to happen this early and this drastic was frightening. I have to think I did the right thing. Too many potential signs for disaster. It's a long season and this is just one race.

When we left Sunday a.m. I said farewell and good luck to Bob during one of his pit stps. He was up about 2 laps on Fisher 29er Dude. I hope he held on and got the win. He and his Wife are real good people and an inspiration to us family guys gettin' our race on. Not to mention you gotta love seeing a 40 year old dad lay the smack down on the youngsters! Go Bob!

The El Santo was just incredible. Never missed a shift, and made those rocky down hills even smoother. As I said above Wifey gets some serious props for her job in the pits. B-Man even did a great job hanging in the pits keeping and eye on things and only crying a few time 'cause he was homesick.

All and all I can't say enough about the race, the venue and the folks from Park Ave. Bikes. One hell of a job. Great course, great prizes for the winners, and friendly. The Camp Cutler venue was great with real toilets, showers and free camping. They were fast on the results, friendly, and went out of their way to make sure racers had an awesome experience no matter where they finished (if at all, ha!)

The only thing about this DNF is thinking what could I have done differently and realizing I have no f*cking clue! I mean I did all the right things. Took it easy in the heat, hydrated, took in electrolytes, ate, rode well, aced much of the course and had way more pit support from Wifey than I thought.

I can't control the heat, I can only do what I know how to do. Sill had fun getting to ride some new trails, see some familiar faces and go take my family to a place we'd never been before, just 'cause I dig racing my bike. The Finger Lake area of NY is amazing! Nothing around for miles and so beautiful! Which led me to ask Wifey this question. "With a state this beautiful, why do like billion people cram on to that stinking island??"

The ride home sucked and seemed to take forever. I ended my McDonald's boycott and had 2 Egg McMuffins on the way home. (1st McDonald's I've had since 3 summers ago driving to Colorado). Time to start a new boycott since the ephers gave me some serious heart burn. McDonald's = The Great Satan.

Thanks to all my sponsors, Wifey and B-Man and to all of you who sent good vibes my way. I appreciate it.

Now let's Photo Blog this shit...


B-Man, all packed and ready to go.


The Pit.


Me and the pit crew, pre-race.


Bike, and pack ready to get going.


End of the run.


Here we go.


Great view off the left on one piece of single track.


Nice single track.


Coming down some final bits of double track close to the end of a lap.


Leaving that same bit of double track.


The B-Man, sacked out.


The light that I stared at for about 10 minutes before I pulled the plug on the effort.

Pie Country

Spent the evening finishing up the packing, putting some gear the E. and of course- Watching "Herbie, Fully Loaded" again! At least we're to the point were we just watch the final race scenes. But in case you want to know what else happens...

From imdb.com
Maggie Peyton (Lindsay Lohan), the first Peyton to graduate from college receives a graduation present from her dad (Michael Keaton) and as she's about to get a 250Z, she instead receives a Volkswagon Bug (Herbie) and Herbie takes her for a ride. Herbie takes her to "Kevins Custom Car Shop" run by her best friend Kevin (Justin Long) where they take Herbie for a test drive and end up at a car show where Herbie beats all-time racer Trip Murphy (Matt Dillon)in an impromptu street race. Trip demands a rematch and attempts to discover the secret behind Herbie. But Magwheels's biggest challenge isn't the up and coming Daytona 500, It's proving to her dad that she's good enough to be the next great Peyton.

I've seen this movie like 20 times and I couldn't tell you how any of this acutally unfolds.

Off to Naples, NY tomorrow (Pie and Wine country apparently) Hope to get there in time to set up, get a pre ride in, down some vino and shove some grape pie in my trap. OK Maybe just a pre ride.

My race goal: 25 eight mile laps. I'M KIDDING! Just want to race on some new trails, have some fun with my wife and son and see what happens. Hope you all have a great weekend. I'll check in Sunday.

Good luck to all the Bikeman.com folks and J.W. racing the NORBA up in Vermont and all the folks out at the Lumberjack 100.

Later.

Pack, Packing, Packed...

Any way you say it I've been preppeing and packing all night for this weekend's Solo 24. This is the worst part of doing a Solo. OK, it's not the WORST part, but it's not all that fun either. Wanted to do as much tonight as possible so I can kinda relax tomorrow and just worry about how I'm going to fit all this shit in the E. plus add in the Wifey and B-Man.



In addition to packing, I prepped the bikes and took 'em for a couple spins around the 'hood. When I took El Santo out I promptly ran over a thumb-nail and got a flat. Nice. 5 ft. from my yard. Nice.

Weather looks like it's gonna be a bum scorcher on Saturday. Electrolytes will be at a premium. All Hammer supplies packed and ready.

Later.

Don't Be A Dick

Got a nice road ride in tonight. Only went for a bout 1:35 or so once Wifey got home from working some O.T. Legs felf pretty spanky, but I limited myself to only a few hard efforts so as to keep 'em in check for the weekend's suffering.

Great weather here the past few days- warm, dry and sunny. REALLY wanted to hit the trails tonight, but my luck I would have busted something up on the Dos or Santo and would have been f*cked for the weekend.


Nice that a few miles of riding can lead me from my neighborhood (which borders a depressed steel town, ripe with urban decay) to some nice roads to ride and scenic farm land.

I remember my man in the UK- Craig, telling me about when he was in the mountains of Europe road riding last year that there was still road graffiti on the pavement from the Tour and how it was gave him goose bumps it was so cool.

Well this ain't Europe and this hardly gave me goose bumps, but it DID remind me of Craig's story...


What, you need a better look? OK....

Why? Who takes the time??

In other stuff- How many times can I watch Hebie Fully Loaded??? Looks like B-Man may have a Herbie Obsesson. Dude likes his Herbie. Hey, at least I get to watch Lindsay Lohan and file it away in the "Bank".
She's over 18 right? God I hope or I'm so going to hell.

Speaking of Herbie, today I had to go the epicenter of the above mentioned urban decay-Wall Mart to buy a 2nd Herbie "pull back" car 'cause the little dude gunked up #1 in his sandbox yesterday. Oh well, there are worse things...

Like this:

"Watch Herbie?"
"No."

"Watch Herbie?"
"No."

"Watch Herbie?"
"No."

"Watch Herbie?"
"No."
Etc., etc., etc., etc., (till he went to bed, yikes!!)

Later.

Time to Suffer Again

All is a go for this coming weekend's Hardcore 24 up in Naples, NY. Reading about the action going on down at Big Bear this weekend has me pretty geeked up. I know I'll suffer like Stump the legless dog, but for some reason there's no feeling in the world like draining all life from my body, seeing the face of God in the bark of a tree at 3 a.m, telling myself I'll rest longer at the next pit stop then blowing through in an andreneline fueled frenzy grabbing some gels, contemplating a puke and heading out again, all for the glory of my Mid Pack Brothers and Sisters!

I'll be suffering more than normal too, since I'm going "old school" with minimal support (no mechanic/night crew) but I will have some top notch support from Wifey and B-Man, not to mention someone to drive my chapped ass home on Sunday. Without someone like Tom there to keep the bikes running and get nutrition, and lights ready I'm gonna try to have as much as possible ready to go.

Plan to pre fill all bottles, flasks, etc., have food choices laid out, clothes ready for all conditions, lights hooked up and ready, as well as a loose plan to change clothes, eat solids, switch bikes etc. Of course we all know there really is no PLAN to most of these races, since anything can happen at any time and sometimes you need to improvise. I also plan to borrow a Stun Gun to shock myself inbetween night laps and keep myself alert, awake and ready for axe-shee-on.

Side note- Recently I've been getting some motivation from looking at the NORBA Pro results. Not from the guys on the box, but from the guys that consistently finish 20 & 30 minutes down. These guys are super fit, faster than shit race junkies, that go out hard each race and never give up, because they NEVER know when it's gonna be their race! Cheers to them and their sponors that believe in them. Sooner or later it will be their day to stand on the box.

Did an hour spin last night before Wifey's B-Day festivities. Hope to get out tonight for a quicky, then home for one ;)

Time to wake the B-Man and start the day.

Later.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Wifey!

Today is Wifey's B-day and her sister Jenny's (not twins just freakish), so happy B-Day to her too.

This next month is like Hallmark® Madness!-Wifey, Jenny, Father's Day, my Dad's B-Day, Anniversary, my B-Day, my sister's B-Day. YIKES!!! If you have the coinage, buy yourself some stock in Hallmark now.

Might squeeze some trainer time in tonight to keep the legs in check.

Later.

Big Bear Results, Wow!

Wow that was a heck of a race down in WV!!!
Congrats to Steve Schwarz for knocking off reigning Big Bear winner Ernesto Merenchin. Raced with Steve 3 or 4 times. Class guy and extremely happy for him.

Just shows anything can happen in these races. Cameron Chambers finished in 8th! Wonder what's going on Cameron. Seems like he has had a streek of bad luck lately.

Rob Lichtenwalner put in a great performance too in the 1st half of the race. Looks like he must have had some issues in the early a.m. I was on the bottom end of the podium when Rob won the M.A.S.S. 6 Hour race back in April at French Creek. Good dude too.

Again, congratulations to Steve and Ernie for some great performances.

Later.

Rockin' The Saint

Wifey and I met up with some friends at J. Harvard's last night and had a good time. Didn't get home till after 10:30! Gasp!!!

After Wifey got home from an a.m. jog and we made the B-Man switch I headed over to Boyce with El Santo. First time my ass has been on it since Lodi Farms back at the beginning of May. Felt strange at first to be on a "little" bike rather than the 29er but still felt good.

The trails were in good shape except for a couple muddy areas and it felt good to be back on the dirt. Only rode for 1:30 but felt pretty good and kept a nice tempo.

I find myself still trying to figure out which type of bike best suits my riding and racing needs. Each one has it's pros and cons. I see myself only doing 1 to 2 24 Hours Solos per year and more Marathon's, 100s, 6 and 12 hour races. In the Marathons & 100s there are no bike swaps so a reliable softail or hardtail would be the bomb.

I love the comfort of a FS but just not sure it fits my riding style. I need reliable parts for these races and to build a light weight FS would be compromising dependability. With a 29er I can get some added comfort, roll over most of the same stuff I can with a FS and keep the weight down a bit.

Oh well it's nice to have the problem of choosing between two sweet bikes.

Also, Six-Six-One, maker of sweet ass gloves is back in the sponsor fold after their rider support peeps finally helped me resolve some issues. They really came through for me. Big shouts out of thanks to the rider support department. Yessssssss.

Hope you all are getting some miles in and having a great weekend.

Later.

The Vegan vs. The Castrated Sailor

They (the rain drops) tried to stop me. They couldn't! Why? 'Cause me and my bitch (weather.com) are too fast, too quick, and too sharp.

At lunch time there wasn't a cloud in the sky, bright sunshine and I was super geeked to get back on the road bike. But, being that my office building has no windows, I had no idea it was storming outside at quitting time. F!

So I drove home more than a little pissed and decided just to hit the trainer. But first I checked out weather.com. Good news, according to the radar this was just a small storm and should be gone soon. Sweet!

You would think that I could see the signs to rest. Last Saturday I spent 11 hours in the saddle racing for 100 miles in the mud. I then drive 4.5 hours home in the middle of the night and get little sleep. Sunday I eat pizza, drink beer, and watch cycling and baseball on tv (hey I'm not riding so I'm resting and recovering right?) Monday I do "active recovery" by doing yard work. Tuesday I have a sore throat and chills so no ride. Wednesday I 'm not feeling too bad so I do an hour on the trainer and feel pretty good.

So tonight despite the Cycling gods giving me a huge, blinking red light sign to rest in the form of a random thunderstorm, I go for a 2 hour ride covering 35 miles and hitting some steep climbs. I'm an idiot.

Once I learned to ignore the protests from the pimple/saddle sore in my ass-pit the ride wasn't too bad. I alternated between feeling great and my version of "The Cannibal"- Eddie Merckx (which I call "The Vegan") and suffering like a castrated sailor in a Chinese brothel on all but the easiest climbs.

Like I said the ride wasn't great, but it wasn't completely bad either I mean I was outside riding for 2 hours riding my bike and that's pretty damn sweet, but damn I MUST LEARN HOW TO RECOVER AND REST!!!

I've read the books and magazines about resting. I know what I SHOULD do, but I'm alway so damn affraid of gaining weight or losing fitness I won't let myself go too long without putting in some workouts. In the long run I'm most likey doing more harm than good. Plus many of those recomendations are for pros and riders that are working out 6 - 7 days a week. I need some rest/recovery help for a mid packer like me.

I need to figure out how to do some rest recovery that doesn't make me feel like a lazy thigh rubbing fatso. Anyone got any Ideas for some recovery week workouts or routines?? I'm all ears.

Finally, on the way home I drive past an ice cream stand and there are these two hot girls eating ice cream by the road. As I roll by I look and I see them look back at me, so I'm feeling all Joey Lawrence cool. Then I quickly realize I'm a 34 year old married man with a two year old son, driving a car/van that looks like a black bread truck with a baby seat in the back, a bike on top. I'm sporting a cycling cap, a jersey with dalmation spots on it, and have several mis-blown snot rockets on my sleeves. Yeah, they were looking at me alright. Jesus, I'm an idiot.

I gotta get some rest.

Later.

Turkey Ballin'

Got back in the saddle tonight for an hour on the trainer. Did some nice tempo work listening to Maximo Park's "A Certain Trigger" that I got from emusic.com yesterday. My legs felt real good, but throat is still a little sore, but that's about it, not as achey as I was, and no chills today.

Race recap, photos and results are up on cyclingnews.com for yet another perspective of the Mohican 100. I love reading all the reports from folks like Jeff, Andy, Dicky, the IF race reports and of course my own. Fun to see how it was one race but we all had different experiences over the 100 miles.

That's about it from my world of cycling. Now I'm gonna hit you with some Turkey Balled Pasta!

Ingredients:
Bag of Spinach
1 Sliced Green Pepper
1 Sliced Red Pepper
1 Medium Onion Sliced
1 Piece of Whole Wheat Toast
1 Box Of Whole Wheat Spaghetti
1 Jar of Red Sauce
1 Can of Diced Tomatoes
3 - 4 cloves of garlic
Kosher Salt, Pepper, Red Pepper flakes
Extra Born Again Virgin Olive Oil
1 Egg White
Parmesan Cheese
1 lb. of Ground Turkey
1 Beer (of your choice, just nothing suck)

Let's go!

First crack open a beer...


Pre heat oven to 350*.

Then place piece of whole wheat toast in food processor, make yourself some bread crumbs and set aside.
Now place a big ass handful of spinach in the processor with a about 3 cloves of garlic. Chop fine.

Place spinach, garlic, 1/2 cup or so of parm cheese, bread crumbs, 1 egg white and raw turkey meat in a mixing bowl. Season with some salt and pepper and any other spices you dig in your meat.

Now start mixing through. (white glove hand tan is optional)


Roll your balls...


Place your balls on a lubricated cookie sheet or cake pan. Cover with foil and bake at 350* for about 25-30 min. depending on how big your balls are.

Now, put big pot O'Water on to boil for pasta, get yourself a stir fry pan and saute some sliced peppers, onions and minced garlic in some E.V.O.O.


When vegetables are at your desired tenderness, add a can of diced tomatoes (drained)...


And some Sauce (Chunky Gu is the latest in Endurance Racing Gels)....


About this time you balls should be done, so get 'em out of the oven, add to sauce and vegies, Add some whole wheat spaghetti to the sauce, then add some salt, pepper, crushed red pepper, parm cheese and/or other spices to your taste. Or you can scoop sauce & balls on some olive oil pasta as I did.

Makes enough for about 4 people or 1 Wifey and one Cyclist taking in mad amounts of carbs and calories.


You can't screw too much up. I "eyeball" my ingredient amounts to my tastes and needs. No need to be too exact. Add what you like, exact is for roadie bakers.

Man, I must be f*cking bored.

Later.

Not Back Yet...

Recovery from the 100 is proving unpleasant. Felt good Sun. & Mon. but then at work one of the reps is sick as a f*cking dog and running out of sick days, so she's been hacking, puking, snorting and blowing her snot covered germs all over the freaking office! Now I'VE had some aches, chills and a slight sore throat for a couple days and have yet to get on my bike.

Guess my worn down body just acted like a sponge and sucked up all her freaking germs. Been sucking down the Airborne and liquids in hopes of warding in off. Sick people. Not a fan.

Hope to get in the saddle for an hour or so tonight to remind my legs why they're attached to my torso.

Still undecided on the the Hardcore 24 next Saturday, I could alway road trip to Michigan for the Lumberjack 100 or just get some kick ass training in this month and get ready for the MASS 6 Hour the first week in July. Hmmmmm.

Anyway, just checking in.

Later.

Mohican MTB 100 Race Report- 6.03.06

Took the day off of work Friday and left for Mohican around noon. The trip was a tad longer than expected mostly due to the fact that Mother Nature is a dirty hooker and dumped hard rain the entire 4.5 hour trip.

At times it was raining so hard all I could do was just stare blindly out the windshield at the wall of gray and come to the realization that I would once again be doing an epic mud race. I tried to look on the bright side- At least I put new front brake pads in before I left and of the 100 miles 60 are on forest roads, double track and road. How bad could it be? (this is called "foreshadowing"...)

Got to the Mohican resort about 4:30 checked in for the race and started to set up camp. On one trip down from the camp site I saw Skip Brown from Seven Cycles. As I passed I could see him staring at my Bikeman.com T-shirt with a "Do I know you?" look on his face. I said "I'm not from up there (Maine), just race for 'em" He laughed and we started talking about the race and he mentioned the fine showing the Lobster Posse (Bikeman.com World HQ in Maine) put in at the Camden race a couple weeks ago. I was going to mention I saw a photo of him chatting with Double-R in some picts, but thought better of it, I don't need any more enemies out there on the course, ha!

Then I ran into fellow bloggers Andy and Jeff. Nice to finally meet them in person. They would both put in great performances on race day. Congrats guys!

I really "ghetto-camped it up" with my site, I had a pop up, table, chair and more. Real overkill. Won't do that again. I think I like my usual, simpler "dirt bag approach". Sleep in the car, pee in the woods and bath in the sink (if at all).

Had good nights sleep in the back of the E. and was up at 5:15 for a hearty breakfast of a big ass peanut butter & honey bagel, Clif Bar and a Red Bull. Then I pinched a loaf, kitted up and readied my bottles and gels.

The morning was nice and no rain, but the damage had already been done from the previous day's downpours. We would be in for a mud-fest in the woods. The temp was "arm warmer cool" at the start but they would be ditchable after a few big climbs.

A neutral start lead the 167 100K/100Mile racers for a mile or so then it was game on with a steep paved climb to the single track.

The first section of trail was a blast. Worked a nice pace in a group of about 10 or so and the conditions weren't that bad. THEN we hit a section of rocky off camber trail along a river. Real hike-a-bike, slip, slide, fall in water up to your waste, think I just felt something crawl in my chamois stuff.

Once I was back on the bike the trail was kinda like a creek/trail. At times you were riding in hub deep water, the chamois was soaked and I was only about an hour or so into the race. The "boyz" were in for a long day in the saddle. Yikes!

Before the first aid station there was a SERIOUS hike-a-bike climb. Riders strung out up the trail walking at a snails pace. Once at the top there was no signage. What the F? A group of us were standing around, riders coming from all different directions. Chaos! Some local yocal thought it would be fun to tear down the course markers and tape. Anyway some racers were bitching about it, but what are you gonna do? Over 100 miles shit happens. The course marshals corrected it and it was all good.

So far the Dos Niner's shifting was great, I was singing SRAMs praises to myself, but eventually the epic amounts of water and mud took it's toll and chain suck was all too common. Should have done as Jeff W. and Andy did and took some lube. Note to self: take some freaking lube.

My nutrition was working much better than at the 12 Hours of Lodi. Hammer Gels, HEED, and a quad dose of Perpetuem & Hammer Gel in a bottle to sip on during the race was working great and got me through the first half of the race. Then it was the aid station provided PB&Js, Gatorade and even a brownie here and there!

The course was proving harder than I (and most) expected. Some of the forest road climbs were damn steep. None as long as at the Wilderness 101 in State College, but combined with the muddy single track sections it was making for some slower than expected times.

It was nice to have the Dos Niner on the road sections. Throw the Reba's lock-out on and let the Maxxis Ignitor 29ers roll. Standing power climbing on the rollers felt good and it gave the ass a brake and a chance to breathe.

The worst section for me was a flat section of "rail trail" and service road. Although only a few miles it seemed to go on forever, much of it wet and muddy spraying gritty mud in my eyes that I'm still picking out.

On a few of the forest road climbs there was a group of hawks or turkey buzzards circling above. Felt like they were just waiting for me to drop so they could swoop down and peck my eyes out for dinner. Some people call this "hallucinating". I call it "Epic Imagination".

The BEST sections were the single track though a pine forest. The smell of the pine and the cool breeze coming from a nearby storm made me feel like I was bombing some of my fave single track out in Crested Butte, CO.

At about mile 75 the shifting issues switched to my rear derailleur. A twist of the shifter would result in nothing but some slack cable and F-Bombs. After multiple tries I could get a few gears to work but I was basicly stuck using either middle/27 or granny/27 and the chain sounded like rocks being tossed in a dryer. It was all quite maddening, and slow!

After Aid Station 4 there was only 11 miles to go, so I shoved a brownie in my face, got filled up with some Gatorade and set out to finish this one off.

Most of the remaining miles would be single track, there was another storm moving in and the forest was getting dark inside. Although it never really rained on me, with the storms always nearby I was glad not be out on some exposed climb.

Cruising around one corner I came face to face with a big ass deer! It froze not knowing what to do. I finally said "go ahead, it's cool" (all Grizzly Adams cool like) and it took off. Then I was on my way, rattling chain and all.

With the bad shifting, the last miles on the single track were very unenjoyable and it was a blessing to hit the pavement again. Cruising fast down hill at 30+ mph I was grinning with the thought of completing the 100 soon. But then course went off into a flat, mucky trail for a mile or so ending at a dam. Then it was a STEEEEEEP up hill hike-a-bike on some primitive concrete block steps to the road again. Legs were moving in slow motion at that point.

After one last pavement climb it was a fast down hill to the Mohican Resort and up the grassy hill to the finish were my finishers pint glass awaited me anxious to be filled up with some hoppy goodness.

I finished in 19th place/Open Class and 28th/over all out of 80 100 Mile Racers (Note: results are unofficial and may be updated through the week if the promoter gets lip from someone). I felt pretty good and I am happy with my results. The unending mud and water has left me with an epic case of "monkey butt" but a little extra Greyhound Juice on the buns will ease it.

The race was tough but in a good way. I love the ultra/marathon format and I am WAY more into it than Solo 24 stuff right now. I'll talk about that another time.

The course was fun with some real nice single track parts, I enjoyed many of the road sections too, looking out on some picturesque farm land. All the mud was a drag, but you can't control the weather you just have adapt and do your best.

Good cash payouts for the top riders and choice swag deep in the field. Cash winners also got free entry into next year's Mohican 100. The folks that put on these races treat you well for your entry. Free camping, Tech T, pint glass, free post race beer, food, aid stations stocked with water, gels, and best of all friendly volunteers who would take your bottles, and bladder fill them up with whatever you wanted and get you going. Thanks guys!

Looking forward to my next 100 miler in July at the Wilderness 101, sooner if I can get to one.

Hope to have some picts soon too.

Later.

Mohican 100 (The Short Post)

Friday Drove 4.5 hours in the pouring rain.
Raced 100 miles in a river of mud , some great single track and service roads.
Felt pretty good, but course was way harder than most expected with the mud.
Marathon races ROCK!
Met Andy and Jeff W.
Final 30 miles my shifting sucked the big hairy one due to all the water/mud. Only had like 3 of 27 gears.
Great swag (Pint glass, Hammer stuff, Tech T, free food and beer)
Finished in 27th I think (confirm later for all I know it said 77th). There was about 80 in my cat.
Beer ran out early.
I missed Wifey and The Boy.
Left Mohican at 10 PM.
Drove 4.5 hours.
Got to "the Oak" at 2:30 a.m.
Kisssed the B-Man and Wifey.
Woke up in my own bed, hung with the boy and Wifey made me French Toast.
There's left over pizza and a six pack in the fridge and cycling on this afternoon.
I'm going back to bed.

Gettin' Ready

Tonight was spent getting a million things together for traveling and racing.

Camp wise I'm gonna sleep in the E. and put up the new 10'x10' pop up in the camp area to use as a place to store my bike, gear, etc. as well as a common area to chill before/after the race. (Andy & Jeff, you're welcome to stash some gear under it if you need some room)

Put fresh tubes in the Dos Niner, aired up the Relish and Reba and cleaned and lubed the chain.

Food and race nutrition prepped and packed along with snacks for traveling, the few tools I know how to use and my team kit as well as my beer drinking clothes for Saturday night.

Really anxious to do this race. Looking forward to racing along side some of the best racers in the country, and riding my bike in the woods for 100 miles as fast as I can without croaking.

Have a good weekend. Good luck to all those racing at Mohican or wherever your knobs might meet dirt this weekend.

Gonna let my ears chew on THIS on the way to Oh-HI-O tomorrow.

Later.