Looking for a way to burn off all those calories from Thanksgiving? The Gravel Grovel will be a 63 miles of what looks to me to be very hilly terrain. I have done an event called the "Brown County Breakdown" before. That was a mtb event that was on the trails of Southern Indiana. Lots of loooonnnng climbs, but with fantastic views accompanied by by sweeping downhill runs. This looks to be the perfect way to end your mtb season.
Who's in? Register at TRUESPORT.COM
Monday, September 14, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
At least I got a T-Shirt
So I decided on racing the DINO Series race at Versailles State Park Sunday with my friend and teammate Bridget. The trail wasn't too wet even though the race had been postponed for two weeks while DINO waited for the trail to dry out from heavy rains. Today's forecast was 95 and HUMID
We started in the shade then rode about a quarter mile foot path that was dry and fast once we entered the woods and the single track that all changed to a slick and slim covered hard pack. No sooner do I make a mental note of this then two riders go down right in front of me blocking the trail. I do my best not to run them over or crash myself.
The course was not tight nor were there any climbs and really just one difficult section where my race came to an end. There was a short section of trail that was cut into the hill with a tight switchback added in to it. Well my brain had one idea but my bike and every other body part had another. So with the hesitation I ended up endoing over my bike and down the hill. The ground didn't hurt because my handlebar cushioned the blow. This gave me two nice, perfectly shaped bruises. One round about the 1 1/8" right below my belly button and another just shy of my handlebar width across my thigh.
After I caught my breath and collected my nerves I pedaled on but I just didn't have the same fight that I started with. Each pedal stroke was a painful and difficult one. So as soon as the Pro/Cat1 riders started to lap me I knew I was done and just had to make it back.
This was my first DNF in several years and I am still disappointed. But like I said at least I got this t-shirt.
We started in the shade then rode about a quarter mile foot path that was dry and fast once we entered the woods and the single track that all changed to a slick and slim covered hard pack. No sooner do I make a mental note of this then two riders go down right in front of me blocking the trail. I do my best not to run them over or crash myself.
The course was not tight nor were there any climbs and really just one difficult section where my race came to an end. There was a short section of trail that was cut into the hill with a tight switchback added in to it. Well my brain had one idea but my bike and every other body part had another. So with the hesitation I ended up endoing over my bike and down the hill. The ground didn't hurt because my handlebar cushioned the blow. This gave me two nice, perfectly shaped bruises. One round about the 1 1/8" right below my belly button and another just shy of my handlebar width across my thigh.
After I caught my breath and collected my nerves I pedaled on but I just didn't have the same fight that I started with. Each pedal stroke was a painful and difficult one. So as soon as the Pro/Cat1 riders started to lap me I knew I was done and just had to make it back.
This was my first DNF in several years and I am still disappointed. But like I said at least I got this t-shirt.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Pisgah Mountain Stage
This sounds like fun. I won't have to travel to Costa Rica, the Alps or even Brekenridge, Colorado to ride in an epic stage race. I will only have to travel to the town of Brevard to ride the backcountry of Western North Carolina.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Is it too soon to think 2010?
I hate this time of year. The summer heat is on, races take up most of my weekends, race finishes aren't what I trained or hoped for. Then news stories and photos of next years bike start rolling out.
For example, Velo News just posted this story about Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (JHK to his friends) and his sub 20 lbs Superfly Hardtail.
Not to mention JHK also won Bump n Grind in Alabama a few weekends back on a new Superfly Full Suspension.
Vacation from work and rides is coming up...let's make the best of it and come back with an attitude adjustment. This should help me focus on a couple races and prep for a few better finishes to help me to feel like I deserve one of these and don't look like a total Fred out on it.
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