Decisions, Decisions

I guess it was about a month or os ago, when Mike K started talking about doing a road race on April 2nd. There was a lot of talk and I think 5 of us actually registered for the race. My thinking was it would be a good training ride and a little bit of fun thrown in. As the race drew closer we started talking a little strategy. We had a plan, well so did mother nature. Since the beginning of the week I knew we were going to get rain today, and I was kind of on the fence about doing a road race in the rain. I have spent all winter busting my ass to try and be ready to race expert. I didn't want to see it end with a crash in a road race that didn't mean anything.

Sure enough I woke up this morning and it was raining pretty good, but then it stopped. I called Marc ( the instigator ) V, and he said he was racing. I called Mike K and he said the rain wasn't that bad and he was racing. Then I called Matty T, and he was having problems with his "Skirt" and decided to sit this one out, I really don't blame him. I decided to give it a go, and just as I was getting ready the sky opened up. I called Mike and said I wasn't going to race. I started thinking about it and, Hell I already paid and the rain is slowing down, so I was off. I called Mike from the road and told him I was on my way. It wasn't far, about 25 minutes away, but the directions were messed up and I got there a half an hour before the race. So much for a warm up.

We lined up and off we go, or should I say off Marc goes. He tried a flyer right away, this caused the pace to pick up quick. It was raining a little but the worst part was the road spray from the other bikes. My glasses were useless so I took them off, now I had rain and grit flying into my eyes. This made me back off on the downhills a little. That and I didn't know how any of these people road. I didn't take long to get the group back together. The course was Hard but fun. There were some sharp turns and few good hills but nothing too brutal. We were doing 4 laps, the laps were 7 miles each. Towards the end of the 2nd lap there was a big break, I managed to catch on but Mike and Marc didn't. Not long after that there was another break. I caused up to it, but the pace was tough and I couldn't hang on. So I was on my own. I saw a small group in front of me, and Marc and Mike a little ways behind me. I decided to try and catch the front group. I started gaining on them just as the group was coming apart. So I was passing all the guys that couldn't hang on. By now the rain had stopped but the wind was brutal. I didn't notice it when I was in the main group, but now I was all alone and it was killing me. Fortunately, we only had the headwind for the first half of the course. The back half was no wind, or tail wind. I caught a few more stragglers on the last lap but that was it. I had a group of 3 in my sights but I couldn't quite catch them. So with no one behind me I backed off abd cruised across the line.

A couple of minutes later Marc and Mike came across. Marc decided to do another lap, he needed the extra time to get his hours for the week. Mike and I went to get changed. While I was cooling down one of the traffic control guys asked me," How do you keep the mud out of your eyes ?". I told him I just kept them closed most of the time.

I did talk to couple of folks after the race and they all agreed, it was Really Fast for the first race of the year. I think I managed a top 20 or 25, not that it matters. The important thing is I didn't crash, and I got a great 1:19 work out.
Well, Later

Wrong Gear at the Wrong Time

Yesterday I went to granogue to do some raking and ride a couple of laps. I got about half way through Deputy"s woods and broke my rake and just about that time Matty T showed up so it was time to ride. This was my first chance to ride the course in this direction, which is a figure 8. I loved the start flying down to the river, but I knew what was coming. For starters I was running too hard of a gear. I didn't have time to change it the night before. I am hoping it will be just a little easier when I gear down. I think the course is definitely harder this year, but I also liked it alot. I believe once I have the right gear ratio, the whole course will be ridable. We managed two laps, but they weren't the fastest that's for sure. I am a bit nervous about doing 3 laps on a single speed but it should be fun.

The best part of the ride was, drinking a beer after. Matt and I had a couple of Dogfish Head 60 minute IPAs, good stuff. From now on I will be getting a lot of laps at Granogue, starting next week it will be our Tuesday night ride. Next time I will be ready with a slightly easier gear.

Wrong Gear at the Wrong Time

I got to ride Granogue for the first time in the direction. It is definitely harder. Of course I was running too hard of a gear. I wanted to change it before I rode, but I didn't have time. Matt and I did manage 2 laps tonight though. It's kind of scary knowing I have to do 3 in the race. On the bright side I really like the course this way. I was also surprised that no one else was out tonight. We spotted Andrew's truck but he didn't stick around long. Starting next week this will be our tuesday night ride. It should draw more folks. I know it is hard, and not as much fun as White Clay and Middle Run, but to have it ready for May 1st we have to ride it. While Matt and I were relaxing and having a beer after we were done, and some kids were showing off on there dirt bikes. I hear Matt yell HOLY SHIT! One of the kids launched off of the bank by where we park and landed abot a hundred feet away. As coocl as that was, these guys are really tearing up our trails. The problem is we can't tell them not to ride hear because they all live there. It is a bit frustrating considering all the work we've put into the trails.

I am looking forward to Tuesday night, and hopefully riding with a big group. It's been a tough week on the bike,so i will take tomorrow off and hope for no rain on Saturday.
Later

Back On Track

Not only I am I working again, but I also feel like my riding is back. After a little over training and being sick, I am feeling good again. Last night I didn't have a lot of time so I did a spinnervals tape on the trainer. These tapes are great, You get a great, hard work out in a short period of time. Today was the return of Matt Doyles HILLS FROM HELL. I have ridden these hills several times, but it's not to often that they get strung together. It was supposed to be "the kinder gentler" version. I DON'T THINK SO. It hurt, there is very little recovery because the pace stays pretty high in between. I felt pretty good today. It usually takes me an hour to get warmed up, but I didn't have that luxury today. I didn't attack as much as I usually do because Matt Doyle always catches me, hell he always catches everybody. I almost got him once on the climb after the neighborhood climb. He caught me at the top but I think it hurt him. It was a great group we had: Ted logic, Tom Mc, Jay, DenS, Paul G, a few guys I didn't know and of course Matt (laying down the pain) Doyle. It was a good time. We rolled into the parking lot in under 2 hours. I was a little surprised to see we averaged 18.3 mph.

Tomorrow I will ride my single speed at Granogue for the first time. I have to admit I am a little jacked for this ride. I just hope I have something left after today.
Well that's all folks.

"Almost there Dan"
Posted by Hello

It's good to "the Cleaner" out riding again
Posted by Hello

All Good Things Must End

I found myself waking up at 5:00am, needing to go to the bathroom and feeling a little foggy. The weather outside was cloudy and chilly, but even with all that I had smile on my face. We were going to ride White clay today, which meant showing off the fine trails I get to ride all the time. None of us was feeling very frisky after yesterday, but it was all good. We started with a nice group this morning. We had Todd, Keith, Matty T, Alan, Ted, Danno, Karl and myself. We shot straight down the Brian's field loop, We were just starting the little climb from the bottom when Alan shouted HOLD UP. We had lost Karl already. I was thinking where could he have gone we had only meen riding for 3 minutes. I turned around to go find him, I got all the way back to the parking lot to find him fixing a flat.

We took off to meet up with the other guys again. We hit the skills trail, which is really cool with the stunt taht goes around the rocks. It is about a foot off the ground and about 10" wide and twisty. We didn"t run into the others so we went on. We got to the bottom of Shock and Awe and then I remembered Keith telling me we will meet you at the skills trail. So we waited at the big map and evetually everybody came down and we were a group again. I have to tell you my legs were dead. I think all the guys that did the Icicle yesterday was feeling the same way. We rode steady and regrouped at all intersections. It wasn't a very long ride but we had a good time. I think Dan and Karl liked our trails. Hopefully next time we can show them everything. We did hit all of White Clay and nobody else really wanted more.

I want to thank Alan for escorting the boys to I-95, because none of us could think of simple directions from where we were. I hope you guys enjoyed yourselves this weekend.
Well I need to go hit the couch so I am out of here.