In years past fatmarc, Alan(the cleaner) Turns and myself would ride Rittenhouse on the Saturday before every race. Rittenhouse is a fun little out and back that takes just under an hour. It is a tricky little trail, that is always changing. There are no climbs or fast descents but it is twisty, rooty, and just plain fun.
Today was the return of this ride. Marc was unable to join us because he is racing the 12 hours of Lodi Farms with Lauri the IF chick. We did have a nice little group of Alan, Matty, and myself. We rolled out at 8:30 and were done about 9:30. It was a blast, except for some really sandy sections the trail was in great shape. I felt on today, I was handling the bike very well. I hope that is a good sign for Neshaminy tomorrow.
After the ride I took a trip to State Line Liquors. Or, as I refer to it "the Church". They have the best beer selection around and I am always looking to try something new. I picked up a six pack of Stoudts Double IPA, a liter of Urthel Samaranth ( a Belgian Quadruple ale) and for Rachael, a 4 pack of Corsendonk Christmas Ale( her favorite Belgian) and a 6 pack of Brooklyn Brown Ale, a beer she likes but hasn't had in a long time. I will let you know how the Stoudts is, but I may save the Urthel for special occasion.
Thanks for reading.
Buddy
Saturday, May 14, 2005
Thursday, May 12, 2005
Weird Thoughts Running Through My Head!
My original plan today was to do the group ride at Fair Hill. Well, I got out of work early and decided to ride alone. I was hoping for 2:30 - 3:00 hours. I headed to White Clay/Middle Run. I rode all of Middle Run and Judge Morris. Th whole time my mind was wondering aimlessly. I was thinking about everything form upcoming races to what I would do if I won the lottery. I was picturing myself winning Neshaminy this Sunday. Like I said I was in a fantasy world. I was having a really good ride though.
After Middle Run I headed for White Clay. I was feeling pretty good so I thought I would give Andrew's gauntlet a shot. Andrew put together a little loop to test his fitness. His fastest time was an 8:03, my coaches was 8:25, so I was hoping for under 8:00. I hit the loop with just about everything I had and in the end I came in at 8:08. I thought "I can do better" so I did it again and did an 8:00 flat. I gotta tell you it was really hard, I was pegged the whole time and it was all I could to pull that time. Then later on I find out I wasn't doing the right loop. The loop I did was a little longer than Andrew's. So I was feeling pretty good after that. Now that I know the loop I will try it next week just to make sure.
Well my beer is empty and I need to flip the burgers so Later.
After Middle Run I headed for White Clay. I was feeling pretty good so I thought I would give Andrew's gauntlet a shot. Andrew put together a little loop to test his fitness. His fastest time was an 8:03, my coaches was 8:25, so I was hoping for under 8:00. I hit the loop with just about everything I had and in the end I came in at 8:08. I thought "I can do better" so I did it again and did an 8:00 flat. I gotta tell you it was really hard, I was pegged the whole time and it was all I could to pull that time. Then later on I find out I wasn't doing the right loop. The loop I did was a little longer than Andrew's. So I was feeling pretty good after that. Now that I know the loop I will try it next week just to make sure.
Well my beer is empty and I need to flip the burgers so Later.
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
NOT AGAIN.......
I am by no means a small guy, but I am not the biggest mountain biker either. Yet I have broken 3 carbon seat posts in the past 6 months. The first was while racing at Michaux last fall, it was an Easton. The second was an Answer about a month ago. Yesterday I hit the trifecta. While riding the skills trail at White Clay I snapped my FSA carbin post almost on half. I had to ride about 20 minutes standing to meet up with Matt. He was nice enough to give me a ride to his house and lend me a post so I could finish a ride.
The ride was a blast, except for the broken post. The folks at White Clay have added a teeter totter to hte skills trail, it is really cool. Matt and I hammered for about an hour and a half, which was good because I had an hour in already. While we were headed for the church we passed thr Tuesday night Titans ride. Todd looked to be leading at a blistering pace. It was a good group with my boy fatmarc riding second wheel. I also caught a glimpse of; John C, Paul G, Jay C, and Andrew. There were a few others but I didn't have time for intruductions. Like Matt said, 70 degrees and sunny and everybody is out riding there bike. I was gald to see so mant folks in the group.
Well I have a shiny new Thompson post on my bike now, I gave up a few grams of weight but at least it won't break.
Well thanks for reading.
Buddy
The ride was a blast, except for the broken post. The folks at White Clay have added a teeter totter to hte skills trail, it is really cool. Matt and I hammered for about an hour and a half, which was good because I had an hour in already. While we were headed for the church we passed thr Tuesday night Titans ride. Todd looked to be leading at a blistering pace. It was a good group with my boy fatmarc riding second wheel. I also caught a glimpse of; John C, Paul G, Jay C, and Andrew. There were a few others but I didn't have time for intruductions. Like Matt said, 70 degrees and sunny and everybody is out riding there bike. I was gald to see so mant folks in the group.
Well I have a shiny new Thompson post on my bike now, I gave up a few grams of weight but at least it won't break.
Well thanks for reading.
Buddy
Sunday, May 08, 2005
Rock & Roll
I am fortunate to be able to ride at a lot of cool places within an hour of my house. There is none better than French Creek. I love riding there, and today we did 2:30 hours. Matty T, fatmarc, Billdo and I met up with big Ben, Bob, Ryan and a couple of other Beans guys. Ben owed us for letting him ride Granogue so he was kind enough to show us the race course at French Creek. It is going to be a blast. It is a long lap with a few tough climbs but it was a lot of fun and all ridable. After a lap we regrouped at the parking lot, then after some debate went back to this cool baby head rock garden for some picture taking,(see www.fatmarc.com for some more pics.)
Marc had to roll out so the rest of us headed over to Millers Point, lot's of tough climbing and fast bone jarring downhills. I was feeling great, which was a little surprising after yesterdays ride. This was one of my favorite rides to date. I want to make sure I get up there more often, it is just soo much fun and it's only 45 minutes away.
I am looking forward to the race, it should be awesome. I am feeling mat's pain already because he is doing the 6 hour endurance race there, he should do fine but it will be tough.
Well it is time to take a walk and stretch out the legs so later folks.
Marc had to roll out so the rest of us headed over to Millers Point, lot's of tough climbing and fast bone jarring downhills. I was feeling great, which was a little surprising after yesterdays ride. This was one of my favorite rides to date. I want to make sure I get up there more often, it is just soo much fun and it's only 45 minutes away.
I am looking forward to the race, it should be awesome. I am feeling mat's pain already because he is doing the 6 hour endurance race there, he should do fine but it will be tough.
Well it is time to take a walk and stretch out the legs so later folks.
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