tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26487914130237594592024-03-05T03:27:34.817-08:00MinistorMarchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215063900997518187noreply@blogger.comBlogger165125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648791413023759459.post-56887751417549340662013-12-10T14:42:00.002-08:002013-12-10T14:42:27.247-08:00Wisconsin State Cyclocross ChampionshipWe are not heroes. So I don't give the following details to make you think we are tough, hardcore, or even "dedicated to the sport." These are simply the details. The observed temperature for the start of our race on Saturday was 16 with a "feels like" temp of 4. It was cold. Very cold. Several things got me to the WI state championship race though.<br />
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First, it was my last race of the year. Meaning, I probably won't see some of the folks I see at cx races for a while. Second, I was really curious about the course at Dretzka Park (it is anew venue). Third, it was only 15 minutes from my front door.<br />
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Thankfully, Mike, Heidi, and the Magnus crew set up a two-tent and trailer heated wonderland. Sure, you could still see your breath, but it made warming up and hanging out actually possible. I am very thankful for that tent. Even with that tent I ended up with some frost bite from the day. The tips of a few fingers are still numb. It was cold. It was beer-turning-to-ice-in-the-spout-of-the-bottle-while-you-drink-it cold.<br />
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I've got clothes that allow me to ride outside quite comfortably at such temperatures, but cx is different than just riding. In cx, feeling the bike is very important because of all the technical handling. I don't know of a glove that gives the feel needed for cx that can keep hands warm in such temps. Other than my hands I was good though. I had a nice warm-up in the tent. And, this course suited me and I think it was well thought out.<br />
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It had long straights, a good hill climb, off camber hill turns, a longish sandpit, well-thought out barrier placement, and perhaps the best thing that a lot of course designers forget--it had about 6 back to back short 180 turns. These turns were technically difficult and more importantly, they offered a place to catch your breath so you could really lay it out the rest of the course. Combine all that with frozen grass and you got a fun course on your hands.<br />
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I had a great start and was next to Tyson in the first sweeping turn. I conceded the first corner to him because I knew he was going to win the race. I stayed on his wheel for a bit, than got passed by Al and Angry Andy. I slid out in a corner and gave up some time to them but could still see them. Eventually, Mark passed me, but I worked back up to Andy. We wen't back and forth for a while. We both had different strengths on the course. It was lots of fun. Then Andy, somehow, found moisture on the course. He got dirt in his cleat and it froze solid. He couldn't clip in anymore. I think I could have gotten him anyway, but after that he didn't have a chance. That stunk because we were having fun going back and forth.<br />
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I finished 4th in our race and apparently 3rd for the 35+ 1,2s. Coming in 3rd for my category brought me one of the more unusual prize packs I have received.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ministor/11309137333/" title="20131210_093004.jpg by mtengelhardt, on Flickr"><img alt="20131210_093004.jpg" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7386/11309137333_3ded539244.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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That's a Timex woman's watch, a pack of blister pads, embrocation (my second this year and enough for 4 years), and a non-resealable bag of Gatorade mix that makes 6 gallons of drink. I love it when bike shops clean out their inventory and it becomes prizes. If anybody wants the watch or the embro, let me know. I actually will get some blisters when I start trail running in the spring, and I'll find a way to store the drink mix.</div>
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So, the season is done. My consistent upper end mediocrity secured a 3rd place finish for the overall series. that wasn't a goal, just nice happenstance. I felt better this year than I thought I was going to. I got on the podium, had 5 top 5 finishes, and 9 top 9 finishes. </div>
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Thanks for reading about the season. It's time for fat bikes and skis!</div>
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Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215063900997518187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648791413023759459.post-20737351373310519522013-11-27T10:23:00.001-08:002013-11-27T12:29:47.004-08:00Kringle Booty 2013Kringle Cross takes place at Hales Corners park. The course doesn't change much, but they seem to add more course on every year. The crazy thing about this year's race was the high 50's temp, and 1.20 inches of rain we got that day. Oh yeah, and the tornado warnings. The races still happened though, which made for the muddiest wettest race I have ever done.<br />
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Prior to the race I had been sick with a nasty cold for almost two weeks. (I'm just now getting it out of my system altogether almost a month after it started.) I felt pretty good though, had the bikes dialed in (including fresh metallic pads on the disc bike), and liked my chances in the mud. At the start I pushed forward too much and the rear wheel spun in the mud. I picked a good line though and was 4th wheel going into the first corner.<br />
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After a 1/4 lap it was Chad, Al, and me with a little gap. Al slid out in a corner and I let him get up and back bike on his bike before we headed up the greasy hill. It didn't take long for him to get back on Chad's wheel and pass him, but I was slower on the hill. And that was it. The rest of race we stayed in that order.<br />
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At one point, Andy, who was behind me 10-20 seconds said I could ease up because he wasn't going to catch me. So the last lap I did back off a little, only to see that with a 1/4 lap left Andy was trying to catch me! I had to hustle a bit for the last 200 meters just to make sure he wasn't close enough to be in contention.<br />
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Check Out Eric's view of the race.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/79oRcVPe1FA?list=UUwBBSpcrQRYIYZomMotBwfw" width="560"></iframe></div>
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Booty Cross</b></div>
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This was my first time making it to Madison for this race. And true to Wisconsin weather, it was a 180 from the previous week. Windchill had us in the low teens for temp and the ground was frozen. Accept where the sun was beating down and the previous races made the corners nice and greasy. I don't really know of anyone that has this course as their favorite, but I know more than a handful who don't like it. Mainly because a giant hill is the center feature and we went up it 4 times per lap. I don't think the hill is really what makes it hard for people though. It is the technical difficulty of the race. There is very little flow in the course. Almost none really. So riders can't really get faster with each lap as they learn the course. If I do this race again, it will be to support the team (Magnus) for putting the race together.<br />
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That being said., I had a horrible start and let a bunch of guys get in front of me before the first climb. I took a cruddy line that was clear of people and passed about 4 guys on the first climb. I did a lot of work and was just off the front 5 when we got to the short, nearly vertical, frozen dirt run-up. I took a reeeeaally bad line up it and almost fell 3 times while numerous guys passed me. I worked hard to get in front of them again our 4th time up the hill. Then, after Eric slid out in a corner, I worked up to 4th but by then the front 3 had a good gap.<br />
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I got passed by one guy the second lap (he took 2nd eventually) and then stayed in 5th the rest of the race. I did go down once when I over corrected a turn and let Eric back on my wheel. I thought for sure he was going to pass me the second last lap, but I was able to hold him off. Check out his video below of the first and last laps. You can see me just out of reach for him the whole last lap.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ctdxCwLFkTM?list=UUwBBSpcrQRYIYZomMotBwfw" width="560"></iframe>
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State is the last race on the agenda for me. It's a week and half away and looks like it may be in the 30's with snow on the ground. Should be fun, we have had a wonderful array of cross weather in WI this year!</div>
Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215063900997518187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648791413023759459.post-48478233964819478742013-11-08T10:02:00.002-08:002013-11-08T10:02:31.526-08:00Washington Park and EstabrookWork has been busy and this week our household has been in the trenches battling a cold, so the race reports haven't been a top priority. I find myself with a bit of time between appointments so I'll fill you in on the haps.<br />
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Two weeks ago was Washington Park. It 's the costume race. I love the course. I never race well there. This year was no exception, but it was still a lot of fun. Especially because I dressed up as Maciej.<br />
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<a href="https://s3-us-std-111-prod.digitalhub.com/CAEQARoQkiIrcuow5yZgfoXUgXsjAQ/01be27981110d2abe25e73c2477f462d97530b46b7/IMG_8514.jpg?v=0&p=1&x=1&a=AwlvQ92Uk5zaBPAe&e=1383955433000&r=9b52f6ce-da6f-48d5-a456-c11d52432dd5-11&s=osCEp-WQzMxeMbgCi2slX8-1zeI" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://s3-us-std-111-prod.digitalhub.com/CAEQARoQkiIrcuow5yZgfoXUgXsjAQ/01be27981110d2abe25e73c2477f462d97530b46b7/IMG_8514.jpg?v=0&p=1&x=1&a=AwlvQ92Uk5zaBPAe&e=1383955433000&r=9b52f6ce-da6f-48d5-a456-c11d52432dd5-11&s=osCEp-WQzMxeMbgCi2slX8-1zeI" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Thanks to Joe Curtes for the photos</span></div>
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I could blame the broken spoke hitting my rotor or my poor diet choices for the cramps, but I think it was the twins on my back.</div>
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As an aside, I think the Velo Trocadaro guys are running the state champs too. If you guys haven't got a course yet, do it at Washington Park, but backwards. That would be a super hard course, even without babies strapped to my back.</div>
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Last week was Estabrook, and due to some construction the promoters were forced to make some course changes. The changes were awesome! The course had better flow and more variety. For this race I made sure to actually eat, and eat better. I even warmed up and did some course recon with different tire set-ups (like a real bike racer!).</div>
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I felt and raced probably the best I have all year. No mechanicals, no cramps, and no spending the whole race in no-man's land. I was in the mix and kept the pace going for most the race. After the first lap I lost two spots but throughout the race I caught three more guys.</div>
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Mike dangled in front of me the whole race. With a couple of laps left I started to make up some time on him but then two guys wiped out on the steep climb right in front of me. Mike was gone. I got a hard fought 6th place.</div>
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There are things I could have done better and I think I am just now coming into my fitness (or maybe Jake is right, I should be warming up to race). We will see how this cold fares this Saturday. </div>
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As for Clutch Corner, no one got the disc as Washington Park because I forgot about it. I mean, I forgot totally about the boombox being there. Luckily, the park is about 5 minutes from my place so I was able to recover it (this is also why I lock it to a tree). At Estabrook the CD went to Travis again because he led a Junior around for the whole race and then out sprinted him for the win (this isn't your normal junior). Honorable mention goes to Alex who somehow put his hand into his front wheel and cut his palm, but rode the rest of the race strong.</div>
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Washington Park</div>
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<ol>
<li>(Notes From The Trial Of) La Curandera: Blast Tyrant</li>
<li>Smoke Banshee: Pure Rock Fury</li>
<li>Profits Of Doom: Heard It All Before - Live At The Hifi Bar</li>
<li>Ghost: Blast Tyrant</li>
<li>You Can't Stop Progress: Heard It All Before - Live At The
Hifi Bar</li>
<li>Profits Of Doom :
Blast Tyrant</li>
<li>Big News II: Clutch</li>
<li>10001110101: Heard It All Before - Live At The Hifi Bar</li>
<li>Wishbone: The Elephant Riders</li>
<li>Crackerjack: The
Elephant Riders</li>
<li>King Of Arizona: Heard It All Before - Live At The Hifi Bar</li>
<li>Army Of Bono: Blast Tyrant</li>
<li>When Vegans Attack: From Beale St. To Oblivion</li>
<li>Impetus: Live At The Googolplex</li>
<li>Bottoms Up, Socrates: Pitchfork & Lost Needles</li>
<li>Eight Times Over Miss October: The Elephant Riders</li>
<li>Subtle Hustle: Blast Tyrant</li>
<li>Animal Farm: Clutch</li>
<li>Earthworm: Transnational Speedway League: Anthems, Anecdotes
& Undeniable Truths</li>
<li>12 Oz. Epilogue: Live At The Googolplex</li>
<li>Who Wants To Rock?: Live At The Googolplex</li>
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Estabrook<br />
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<ol>
<li>Texan Book Of The Dead: Full Fathom Five</li>
<li>Ship Of Gold: The Elephant Riders</li>
<li>A Shogun Named Marcus: Transnational Speedway League: Anthems,
Anecdotes & Undeniable Truths</li>
<li>10001110101: Full Fathom Five</li>
<li>Rock & Roll Outlaw: Clutch</li>
<li>Opossum Minister: From Beale St. To Oblivion</li>
<li>Cypress Grove: Heard It All Before - Live At The Hifi Bar</li>
<li>Escape From The Prison Planet: Live At The Googolplex</li>
<li>The Dragonfly: Full Fathom Five</li>
<li>Big News II: Live At The Googolplex</li>
<li>Black Umbrella: From Beale St. To Oblivion</li>
<li>Spacegrass (Live): Pure Rock Fury</li>
<li>One Eye Dollar: From Beale St. To Oblivion</li>
<li>Tim Sult Vs. The Greys: Clutch</li>
<li>Struck Down: Strange Cousins From The West</li>
<li>Land Of Pleasant Living: Robot Hive / Exodus</li>
<li>Ship of Gold (West Virginia): Slow Hole to China: Rare &
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Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215063900997518187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648791413023759459.post-35566769611765483812013-10-22T18:36:00.002-07:002013-10-22T18:36:35.979-07:00Sun Prairie Wipe Out and Doyne Park Cross<div class="MsoNormal">
I doubled up again last weekend; Sun Prairie on Saturday and
Doyne Park on Sunday. The Sun Prairie course is awesome and hard. It’s a
combination of punchy hills and long straightaways. Unfortunately, it was a
disappointing race for me. It wasn’t great from the start. You see, I’ve grown
accustom to starting in the front row, especially when the hole shot is dicey.
Sun Prairie had a dicey hole shot, and no call-ups. There were guys lined up 5
minutes early. Guys I was leery about be behind on the warm-up lap. I started
second row on the outside, knowing that I was not going to be very aggressive at
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I was probably 15th at the hole and passed a few guys right
after. And as I had figured, two guys went down in front of me within 200
meters. I got around those guys and passed a few more. Jake went around me with
his freakish Jake speed and by the time we hit the hill I was 5th or 6<sup>th</sup>.
After battling back and forth with a few guys for a couple of laps I was
setting up for some speed around a 180 corner into a bunny-hop barrier and got too wide into some deep leaves.
I got that icy slide feeling and knew I was going down. I hit the ground hard,
got up, started going and realized my rear derailleur hanger was bent. I pulled
off the course to check it out as about 10 more guys went by. I just about pulled
the plug, but figured I could hobble to the pit and get my other bike. <o:p></o:p></div>
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After I got my pit bike and started at it again I realized
that I had tweaked my wrist and my back when I went down. Thinking about how I
had prepaid for Sunday’s race and my complete lack of power, I pulled out of
the race. I wasn’t real happy about it, but it was the smart thing to do.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Sunday, there was a mix of sun and drizzle. The course was
close to my house so I had plenty of time to get there after work. My wrist
felt much better but my back wasn’t great. Even with that,I had a much better attitude than on Saturday. I
was there to have fun, do the best I could, and actually hang around after the
race this time.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Doyne course was a lot of fun. Long straightaways, fast
corners, and good use of a hill that we went up 3 separate times. Doyne also
had call-ups. Looks like I was starting in the front row! <o:p></o:p></div>
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I had a decent start and Jake was on my wheel. I knew that
he had to get around me and a few other guys to really contend with Joe and
Tyson, so I slowed down and told him to pass me before we got into a 180 turn that
headed into the hill. Jake took off and did his thing, but I also let Mike get
about 5 seconds on me in the process. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I was trying to get back onto to Mike’s wheel. It even
seemed like he was waiting for me. Then JW came around me. I couldn’t match him because I was already working to catch Mike. JW bridged to Mike and Mike was
able to hang onto JW’s wheel and get pulled about 20 seconds ahead of me. And
that is how it stayed for the rest of the race. I was out in no man’s land. No
one catching me and occasionally I would come up on a guy who had a mechanical.
I started to reel Mike in a bit, but it was lost cause.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I really had fun and my back was fine as long as I was in my
drops. Thankfully, it was a great drop course. I rolled in 8<sup>th</sup>. Not
great, but not bad considering the field. The biggest bonus is that I didn’t
lay it down at all. Clean kit club, yeah!<o:p></o:p></div>
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As Chris N. was leaving and we were harassing each other about our less than stellar performances, I said that I come for the people and stay for the bike racing. And that's true, it's the people I come out see that makes it worth while, the racing is a bonus. When I get that order right my attitude about what happens on the course is where it should be. Although, now that I have accumulated all this race-into-shape fitness, I should probably taper to really peak. How does one taper from 3 hours a week of exercise? Just do nothing?</div>
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Clutch Corner only appeared on Sunday, but it was in a sweet spot. This week the CD is awarded to Mike C! Here is the playlist:</div>
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<li>Passive Restraints (Demo Version): Pitchfork & Lost
Needles</li>
<li>Hoodoo Operator: Slow
Hole to China: Rare & Rereleased</li>
<li>Rats: Transnational Speedway League: Anthems, Anecdotes
& Undeniable Truths</li>
<li>(In The Wake Of) The Swollen Goat: Blast Tyrant</li>
<li>Minotaur: Strange Cousins From The West</li>
<li>Mr Freedom: Earth Rocker</li>
<li>Brazenhead: Pure Rock Fury</li>
<li>10,000 Witnesses: Robot Hive / Exodus</li>
<li>The Bakerton Group - 1906 - Great Bakertons: Heard It All Before - Live At The Hifi Bar</li>
<li>Worm Drink: Blast Tyrant</li>
<li>Brazenhead: Live At The Googolplex</li>
<li>Small Upsetters: Robot Hive / Exodus</li>
<li>Big News I: Clutch</li>
<li>Far Country: Pitchfork & Lost Needles</li>
<li>Basket of Eggs: Jam Room</li>
<li>Escape From The Prison Planet: Clutch</li>
<li>Power Player: Heard It All Before - Live At The Hifi Bar</li>
<li>King of Arizona: Slow Hole to China: Rare & Rereleased</li>
</ol>
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Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215063900997518187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648791413023759459.post-33703808945783873852013-10-07T19:13:00.001-07:002013-10-07T19:16:03.441-07:00Bring the Noyes Cross! Day 1 and 2I nearly doubled my exercise for the week by competing in not one, but two races, this weekend! <a href="http://www.mwicross.com/">MWI</a> knows how to put a cross course together (although their choice of music is what I would call far from cx-like, unless it was meant to heckle riders, since I heard it described as lame 90's alternative/Goo Goo Dolls Pandora station). The course was great though, well put together on a Milwaukee County golf course, which is good because golf courses normally drain fast, and we got a lot of rain this week.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Day 1</span></b><br />
After two days of on and off rain, Saturday was mostly dry and somewhat sunny. That is until we lined up. As we waited for the whistle to blow the thunder began. We were going to get wet.<br />
<br />
The whistle blew and despite some rubbin' is racing with Mike, I got off the line well. I was third wheel and feeling pretty good for the first quarter of the lap until a tight turn on the top of a green berm with a 10 foot slope fall away came up and I leaned too much in the greasy worn track. I slid out hard and my bike slid down the slope. I knew from the sound that my shifter busted from the slide-out, and I hoped that was the worst of it since Chris did his best to avoid my bike but still hit it pretty hard. I'll come back to that. I brought my other bike and it was in the pit, so I shouldered my crippled bike and started running.<br />
<br />
As I ran, the rest of my field passed me, then the 45+ guys passed me, then the 55+guys passed me. About 20 seconds after I had seen the last 55+ guy I got the pit. The SRAM neutral support guy jogged toward me. I said I broke my shifter and as he was grabbing a SRAM bike, I said I had one but asked if he could look at the shifter. I hopped on my pit bike and was off.<br />
<br />
Now, I could have been crushed by what happened but I figured I needed the fitness so I started to chase hard. I reeled in the 55+ guys in a about a lap. Then the storm hit. Driving rain and high winds. The course got slick and soggy. I started pulling in the 45+ guys. Then I started to work my way into the 35+ field. I never let up my chase, to me everyone was in my race. I got some good practice passing in corners and dropping guys. In the end I took 9th. I'm happy with that. Best of all, SRAM neutral support <i>replaced</i> my shifter while I raced. That's right, brand new and ready to rock! SRAM performs great and the company supports local racing, you can't beat that!<br />
<br />
<i>(I'll cover Clutch Corner at the end)</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Day 2</span></b><br />
Day two was Sunday, but because the race was so close I could make it after work. It had rained all night but Sunday was sunny and by the time we raced, the course was tacking up. MWI switched the course up a bit and lengthened it. Just enough change to make it seem like a new course. We had a small field, 10 I think, and we were missing some speed, but Maciej made this one after watching his boys on Saturday.<br />
<br />
Despite being sore from the high speed slide-out the day before I had a good start again but right away I didn't feel it. I had a weird headache and anywhere my helmet touched my head it throbbed.<br />
<br />
I gave chase to Tyson and Maciej but they accelerated out of an uphill corner faster then I could. That's when Alan went around me. I stuck to him for a bit, but didn't have it. For a moment I relaxed. Then I realized that Eric was closing fast. By the end of the first lap it was my mission to hold Eric off and hope that Alan would pop. Then the 45+ leaders caught me and I gave chase for a bit, but just like earlier I couldn't match it. Alan, Eric, and I stayed in about the same places for the whole race with just a bit of yo-yoing. The last lap Eric made a charge with Paul on his wheel. I wasn't going to let it happen. I heard Eric go down in a corner behind me with 3/4 of a lap to go, but Paul was really trying to bridge. So I tried to be a rabbit for Paul. The last paved uphill I hit harder than I had all race to give Paul some training motivation, there wasn't much left after that and I rolled through in 4th place.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/UfePgPleXtw?list=UUwBBSpcrQRYIYZomMotBwfw" width="560"></iframe>
This video is by Eric Brandt (the guy chasing me). Follow this video to his YouTube channel to see all the races this year. </div>
<br />
As for Clutch corner, there was concern after the stormy race on Saturday about the boombox. It had standing water in the CD compartment and wasn't working. But it dried out overnight and worked on Sunday!<br />
<br />
I awarded Saturday's CD to myself, and Sunday's CD went to Travis again because he got faster and faster in the P,1,2 race and almost caught the 4-6th group.<br />
<br />
The playlist is as follows:<br />
Day 1<br />
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</div>
<ol>
<li>Motherless Child: Strange Cousins From The West</li>
<li>Day of the Jackalope:
Slow Hole to China: Rare & Rereleased</li>
<li>Pigtown Blues: Pigtown
Blues – Single</li>
<li>Four Lords (And One More): Slow Hole to China: Rare & Rereleased</li>
<li>Burning Beard: Heard It All Before - Live At The Hifi Bar</li>
<li>Never Be Moved: Heard It All Before - Live At The Hifi Bar</li>
<li>Red Horse Rainbow: Pure
Rock Fury</li>
<li>BIG News I & II: Heard
It All Before - Live At The Hifi Bar</li>
<li>Let A Poor Man Be: Strange
Cousins From The West</li>
<li>50,000 Unstoppable Watts: Strange Cousins From The West</li>
<li>Pure Rock Fury: Live At The Googolplex</li>
<li>The Mob Goes Wild: Full Fathom Five</li>
<li>Never Be Moved: Robot
Hive / Exodus</li>
<li>Mice And Gods: Heard It All Before - Live At The Hifi Bar</li>
<li>Impetus: Impetus – EP</li>
<li>Promoter (Of Earthbound Causes): Blast Tyrant</li>
<li>Texan Book Of The Dead: Heard It All Before - Live At The
Hifi Bar</li>
<li>Promoter (Of Earthbound Causes): Full Fathom Five</li>
<li>Tripping The Alarm: Robot Hive / Exodus</li>
</ol>
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Day 2<br />
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<ol>
<li>Sleestak Lightning: Strange
Cousins From The West</li>
<li>Walking In The Great Shining Path Of Monster Trucks: Transnational
Speedway League: Anthems, Anecdotes & Undeniable Truths </li>
<li>Electric Worry: From
Beale St. To Oblivion</li>
<li>10001110101: Robot Hive / Exodus</li>
<li>Willie Nelson: Slow Hole to China: Rare & Rereleased</li>
<li>Burning Beard: Robot Hive / Exodus</li>
<li>Arcadia Clutch: Pitchfork & Lost Needles</li>
<li>The Incomparable Mr. Flannery: Robot Hive / Exodus</li>
<li>High Caliber Consecrator: Impetus – EP</li>
<li>Cypress Grove: Full
Fathom Five</li>
<li>Cyborg Bette: Earth Rocker</li>
<li>Effigy: Transnational
Speedway League: Anthems, Anecdotes & Undeniable Truths</li>
<li>Oregon: Slow Hole to
China: Rare & Rereleased</li>
<li>Crucial Velocity: Earth
Rocker</li>
<li>Pure Rock Fury: Pure
Rock Fury</li>
<li>The House That Peterbilt: Clutch</li>
<li>Nickel Dime: Slow Hole to China: Rare & Rereleased</li>
<li>Basket Of Eggs: Heard It All Before - Live At The Hifi Bar</li>
<li>Passive Restraints (Demo Version): Pitchfork & Lost Needles</li>
</ol>
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Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215063900997518187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648791413023759459.post-48778638966113649342013-10-04T08:20:00.002-07:002013-10-04T08:20:48.862-07:00East Troy Twilight CrossEast Troy Twilight Cross is a bit of a misnomer. It is daylight for a lot of the races and then night for the 3's and everyone after. That being said, the course is an excellent use of space and riding at night under the lights adds a fun element.<br />
<br />
For the second race in a row I thought it would be cool to show up so late that I wouldn't warm up at all. Well, that wasn't my plan actually, but that is what happened. I got to the parking lot 20 minutes before post time. Allowing just enough time to register, change into my kit, get my bike ready, have Maciej move my number to the left side, and do one lap before we lined up. Oh, and did I forget to mention that it started to rain steadily about five minutes before I got to the parking lot? Good thing I brought the right bike this time.<br />
<br />
I had another good start without having to work too hard at it. Tyson took the hole, then Maciej, then me with a train of a few guys behind us. That was the order for most of the first lap. Tyson was probably taking a few more risks in the corners than Maciej and I and so he had a pretty good gap already after the first lap. I was feeling alright and actually got in front of Maciej to pull for a while. I slowed up a bit thinking Maciej would come around to pull but Chris attacked. Maciej matched his jump, I however was unable to after the pulling effort.<br />
<br />
Angry Andy pulled in front of me as well then, but I was able to stay on his wheel. That is until a tricky fast downhill into an off camber 180 uphill turn took Andy out. I safely navigated around him, but that gave Chris and Maciej an even bigger gap.<br />
<br />
It was shortly after that, about 3 or 4 laps in, that I had my usual "I can't keep this up" mental break. I believe this is when one rider got in front of me and I stuck to his wheel until the 45+ winner came by us. I was riding with them until a lapped rider got between us and I didn't put in a big effort to catch them. Then Mike caught and passed me and I pulled my head out of the fog and hit it again. Mike wasn't far ahead when he made his own mental mistake and went off course on a big ol' off camber downhill turn. I passed him and made sure he wasn't going to catch up without some big efforts.<br />
<br />
Chad was on a mission and caught me but I wasn't letting him go until a lapped rider pushed me into the tape right before the run up and then proceeded to stay in my way until I could out run him. Chad was gone.<br />
<br />
That was the way it stayed for a while. I saw Andy slowly catching me. He was riding one section faster than me. The last lap he caught me but I had plenty to stay on his wheel. I was content and even a little excited to let him pull me to the line and then see what would happen. Then in the last slow techy corner my foot pulled out of my pedal which caused me to drop my chain down into the small ring. It took a few strokes to get it back up (in retrospect I should have just switched gears in back) and Andy had 10 meters on me that he kept until the end.<br />
<br />
The race was great and I feel like I actually raced this time, not just survived. Racing into shape appears to be working. A couple more and my excuses will be even more unfounded.<br />
<br />
Due to my tardiness, there was no Clutch Corner this week. I will be looking for a good spot to set it up at this weekend.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
On a side note, check out these giant white puffball mushrooms I saw while riding in Tosa.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ministor/10085666525/" title="20131002_181839.jpg by mtengelhardt, on Flickr"><img alt="20131002_181839.jpg" height="375" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3697/10085666525_1417cb1e9a.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That's my foot next to it for a size reference.</div>
Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215063900997518187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648791413023759459.post-55599676580274634272013-09-20T08:10:00.001-07:002013-09-20T08:14:06.580-07:00Shaving My Legs Made Me Faster<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
This little one came about 9 months ago. Right at the end of cx season in WI. Now I don't know if this is the case with every expecting couple, but the last two months of the pregnancy were rough on sleep for the both of us. I also had a location change and responsibility shift in my job. This all lead to my riding less than 2 hours a week for most of the cx season last year (2 hours of exercise a week may sound like a lot to some people, but for a competitive cyclist it pretty much equals zero). I didn't have a strong season. I felt slow and weak, and I didn't have the mental toughness to race hard.<br />
<br />
After Lulu was born, Lauren was very good about encouraging and allowing me some time to ride every week so I could stay sane. Although for a stretch of about 6 weeks I did nothing athletic, unless you count playing Dance Central 3 a few times as exercise. Spring rolled around and I got to ride a bit more, but it was still spotty. I would go weeks without exercise.<br />
<br />
Then things changed.<br />
<br />
I've heard all kinds of reasons for guys shaving their legs when they are cyclists. Some say it is more aerodynamic, others say that it is better for getting massages on tired legs. For me, as an off road rider, shaved legs are easier to clean up after a ride and I pick up way less ticks. Whatever the reason a male cyclist gives you for shaving his legs, what it really all comes down to this: it is part of the culture.<br />
<br />
Which is why early in the summer I heard comments from friends on group rides like "Nice hair pants." I actually got harassed for not shaving my legs! The fact is, it wasn't high on my list of to-do's. I had other things to get done and I was happy to just get out and ride. Then one Friday I decided I had time to take the hair pants off. And suddenly, I was faster.<br />
<br />
No, seriously. I got faster by shaving my legs. Not for any of the reasons I listed above other than the fact that it is part of the culture. The week after I shaved I exercised more than I had in months. Something clicked. I was a cyclist again.<br />
<br />
Here is the reason: if I shaved my legs and didn't ride my bike I was just some guy who shaves his legs, and that's sort of weird. But if I shaved my legs and rode, I was a cyclist.<br />
<br />
It is a constant reminder of the culture and community I am part of and it gives me motivation to exercise and ride even when I am tired or at odd times of the day. I may not be as fast as I once was. I still don't have a ton of time to exercise, but now I make sure I at least do something and I make my time on the bike count.<br />
<br />
I feel stronger physically and mentally than I have since last Summer. I am stoked that the cx season is upon us because my cycling community is getting together again and I think I just might get faster as the season goes on (as long as my legs stay smooth).<br />
<br />
I think there is a lesson to be learned from this, but I'll let you work that through on your own.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215063900997518187noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648791413023759459.post-23948902288936589152013-09-17T09:42:00.003-07:002013-09-17T09:42:52.973-07:00Lake Geneva CX: Muddy FunAs I was driving to the race in Lake Geneva it was pouring rain so I was excited. Racing in the mud is fun. Especially when it isn't too cold. While I was excited, however, I couldn't help but think to myself that I had only brought a bike with disc brakes. Disc brakes don't do real well in extended wet, muddy, sandy, conditions. The pads wear down, and with mechanical brakes you quickly lose the ability to brake. But that was the date I brung to the dance.<br />
<br />
My warm-up consisted of doing a half-lap right before the race started. I wasn't too worried about that though, since mud races are usually about skills over pure high speed intensity. The officials did call-ups according to last week's race so I was in the front row at the start. We got the usual instructions, the whistle blew, and we were off. I must have good reactions to the whistle because once again I found myself in front. I self-selected and backed off a bit before the first corner and was probably 5th'ish into the hole shot. (Perhaps I shouldn't count myself out so soon, and if I get a good start I should go with it.)<br />
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<br /></div>
After the first lap of trading spots with a few guys and going back and forth with them, I was riding pretty well and not too far behind Maciej. We are all having fun and enjoying the mud. Someone would go down or make a nice move and there was usually some nice commentary from a nearby racer. I was definitely taking the corners faster than the guys I was around and I was feeling strong, but my brakes were already going.<br />
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<br /></div>
After two laps it was clear that my brakes were going to be a problem. I couldn't come into the corners as fast as I had been, and I was looking for new lines. When your braking action changes constantly it is really difficult to judge technical stuff. I believe Kate described my corning as "dainty" at this point. I was wondering if I could even finish the race, but it was too much fun to stop.<br />
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For a few laps I was managing okay. Guys were closing in, especially on the gravel climb, which I could have ridden smarter (For some reason I was taking the gravel climb slow. I'm not sure why and it was definitely a weak spot in my race overall. The last two laps I actually stood up and gave it some power). I tried to hold off the guys gaining time on me, but in doing so I went down twice. Which led to them catching me pretty quickly. I lost about six spots in the last lap and a half. I finished 11th.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitcOc0hwexohrA0ZmwOPLh5mqqv0NWv258fGGfW_eKEJO5rkbKq4soAqHhlW3TGxq5a2bSHbvg0GPKXJ2ozb6R2s7PNxojVa_sEMl70OdvIGshdxQzM_Z41JPeEtnmwczmbLa9dljehKbw/s1600/GENCYL_1646_13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitcOc0hwexohrA0ZmwOPLh5mqqv0NWv258fGGfW_eKEJO5rkbKq4soAqHhlW3TGxq5a2bSHbvg0GPKXJ2ozb6R2s7PNxojVa_sEMl70OdvIGshdxQzM_Z41JPeEtnmwczmbLa9dljehKbw/s320/GENCYL_1646_13.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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After the race I discovered that I had zero braking power in the rear. None. In the front, with the lever mashed into the bar, I could slow the wheel, but there wasn't any stopping power. So all in all, when you think about it, that's a pretty good race. I finished by navigating a very difficult course without brakes.<br />
<br />
Now, you probably think that since it was raining there wasn't a Clutch Corner. Well, I found some shelter for my boombox, so there was. The disc will be awarded to Andy H. this week for his spectacular crash. I didn't witness it myself but I done heard tale that he slid on his back about thirty feet like he was one a slip and slide. Here are the songs from this week:<br />
<ol>
<li>Ship Of Gold: Full Fathom Five</li>
<li>Guild of Mute Assassins:
Slow Hole to China: Rare & Rereleased</li>
<li>Electric Worry: Full Fathom Five</li>
<li>The Great Outdoors!: Pure Rock Fury </li>
<li>Who Wants to Rock?: Jam Room </li>
<li>Juggernaut: Pitchfork & Lost Needles </li>
<li>12 Ounce Epiloque: Transnational Speedway League: Anthems,
Anecdotes & Undeniable Truths </li>
<li>The Mob Goes Wild: Heard It All Before - Live At The Hifi
Bar </li>
<li>Immortal: Live At The Googolplex </li>
<li>The Dragonfly: The Elephant Riders </li>
<li>The Mob Goes Wild: Blast Tyrant </li>
<li>Immortal: Pure Rock Fury </li>
<li>White's Ferry: Heard It All Before - Live At The Hifi Bar </li>
<li>American Sleep:
Pure Rock Fury</li>
<li>Green Buckets: The
Elephant Riders</li>
<li>Careful With That Mic...: Pure Rock Fury </li>
<li>I Have The Body Of John Wilkes Booth: Clutch </li>
</ol>
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Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215063900997518187noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648791413023759459.post-84397136305177786272013-09-09T20:06:00.002-07:002013-09-10T08:06:18.045-07:00Sheybogan CX Race<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sheboygan was the first cross race of the year. Normally,
September in WI is going to be in the low to mid 70’s, this year the high for
the race was low to mid 80’s. And while a lot of the state to the south got some huge
thunderstorms, at the race venue it just drizzled a few times and then got hot
and humid. Not the greatest cx conditions, but hey, everyone has to face the
same weather during the race.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The races got a bit of switch-up from last year. This year
the 35+ 1,2,3 goes off at 2:15pm along with the 45+ and 55+ 1,2,3 races. We are
no longer with the P,1,2 field (which is now the P,1,2,3 field.) So instead of
an hour, my race is down to 45 minutes, and if I feel like I want to puke I can
double up races.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">After watching Heidi and Kate crush it in their races</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ministor/9712223171/" title="20130907_131748.jpg by mtengelhardt, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="20130907_131748.jpg" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7448/9712223171_55ab5b62e3.jpg" width="500" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ministor/9715451442/" title="20130907_131858.jpg by mtengelhardt, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="20130907_131858.jpg" height="375" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5545/9715451442_39537f5661.jpg" width="500" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I did
one last lap to warm-up, making sure to turn the Clutch Corner! boom box on
(more on that in a bit.) We then lined up for our staggered start just off the
course. I thought we were going to roll up to the line to start but the
officials said we were going right from where we were. I was on the end of what
would be the inside of the first corner. The whistle blew and suddenly I found
myself in front. I wasn’t really trying to do so and sort of ended up taking
the hole shot. I lead for a bit until the real motivated individuals hopped in
front. There were 3 initially. Then after a bit Andy and Maciej went around me.
At first, I let them go and then started to give it a bit and stay on.
The gap wasn’t growing and they were about 20 meters in front of me while I
pulled 2-3 guys along. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Then at a 180 turn I was watching Andy and Maciej go around
and without thinking I turned a full tape length too soon. I caught it before I
went through the tape, but the fellows behind me were just watching wheels so
they followed me into my wrong turn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Andy and Maciej were out of sight by the time we righted ourselves. One
or two more guys jumped 3 of us and I was last in line before we got going again. Less than a quarter lap
later in some big swoopy off chamber turns Eric slide out, so I cut the line
short on the inside and ended up back in front of the group. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">For most of the race I pulled 2 guys along as the other guys
fell off the pace. I don’t say we “pulled away” because I went basically the
same pace for the whole race; start to finish, with the exception of picking it
up the last 400 meters. We mixed with some of the 45+ guys and came up on Angry
Andy who had exploded.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I didn’t have much power; could have been the heat, could be
my fitness. But I was riding smooth and braking very little. I noticed that I
was gapping the guys on my wheel in all the techy areas, and then they would
get back on at two long straightaways. They were also trying to ride the equalizer
while I ran it. I figured that if I stayed in front near the end of the lap in
the last lap I could beat them because the end had some twisty turns that I was
getting 10 feet on them every time. It worked out that way and I
even got to sprint a bit at the end just to hold the guy off behind me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I ended up 5<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>and I'll take it. It was a good start
to the season and while I need to race into top fitness still, I feel fast’ish
now. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Now, Clutch Corner is a little bit of life I plan on bringing to
the races in the form of a boom box playing a different random mix of the 200+
Clutch songs that I have. I have also decided to give the disc away at the end
of the day to some deserving racer. This week was a tough choice between Angry
Andy going out super-fast and being in the top three then creating a Big Bang
type explosion that evolved into an 11<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> place finish, or Travis who
was absolutely crushing the P,1,2,3 for a few laps, before the ss race (which he
won), got to his legs and he hung on for third. It went to Travis. Here is the
track list from this week:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Animal Farm: Full Fathom Five<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Abraham Lincoln: Strange Cousins From The West<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Texan Book Of The Dead: Clutch<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Spleen Merchant: Blast Tyrant<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Who's Been Talking? Robot Hive / Exodus<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The Elephant Riders: The Elephant Riders<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Equinox<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>: Slow Hole to China: Rare & Rereleased<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Frankenstein: Pure Rock Fury<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Spacegrass: Clutch<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The Wolf Man Kindly Requests...: Earth Rocker<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">11.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Pulaski Skyway: Robot Hive / Exodus<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">12.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->El Jefe: Live At The Googolplex<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">13.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Wysiwyg: Blast Tyrant<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">14.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Oh, Isabella: Earth Rocker<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">15.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Hale Bopp Blues:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Slow Hole to China: Rare & Rereleased<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">16.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The Devil & Me: From Beale St. To Oblivion<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">17.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->D.C. Sound Attack!: Earth Rocker<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">18.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Sea of Destruction: Slow Hole to China: Rare & Rereleased<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215063900997518187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648791413023759459.post-50991067698006974032013-08-04T09:58:00.000-07:002013-08-04T09:58:00.783-07:00Wisconsin Single Speed Champs and Summer RecapHello all! it has been a looong time since my last post but really only a few things have happened ride-wise. I'm not going to lament over how little I have been riding or working out because I am thankful for the time I get and all in all I still feel pretty fit on the bike, just not <i>as</i> fast I as was at this point last year.<br />
<br />
I have had three races this year: Stumpfarm 100 duo, Emma 40 solo, and Beechwood SS champs. At Stumpfarm I rode the first three laps on my MKE cx bike, it was lots of fun, but by the end of the 3rd lap my whole body was angry with me. I finished out on my MKE SS which felt like cheating at that point. It was the most riding I had done in one day this year (actually more than I get most weeks all together) and thanks to Scott we won. Scott absolutely crushed it that day. So even with my wrong turn on my first lap we won pretty easily.<br />
<br />
At Emma I figured I could use some solo work so I did the 40 by myself. Two days before the race I felt what I thought were allergies kicking in but it turned out to be a wicked cold. I actually felt pretty good riding until I got the worst cramps I have ever had on a bike. I had to get off and I couldn't stretch because both the front and back of my legs were seizing up. Yet, I finished pretty close to my goal time. I paid for it though and the cold was nasty for 6 days afterward.<br />
<br />
Now for Beechwood. It was beautiful and the trails were in pristine condition. This also had to be the best turnout for the SS champs in years. Mike C. put together a great race format that involved 3 stages. I had no delusions of placing very well, yet as usual, I got swept up going too fast the first lap. Once I settled into my pace I rode very smooth and consistent. My handling skills are top notch right now. I just need to get my sustained high end back a little. I came in 12th for the cross country portion.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ministor/9434840611/" title="20130803_150431.jpg by mtengelhardt, on Flickr"><img alt="20130803_150431.jpg" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7345/9434840611_bc51a705bd.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">After the cross country stage was done we all headed out to the trails to do 3 separate time trials. </span></div>
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Randy in his sweet old school jersey.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ministor/9437618632/" title="20130803_150657.jpg by mtengelhardt, on Flickr"><img alt="20130803_150657.jpg" height="375" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3736/9437618632_0d15cda9c2.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Mike getting focused.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ministor/9437619124/" title="20130803_150435.jpg by mtengelhardt, on Flickr"><img alt="20130803_150435.jpg" height="375" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5525/9437619124_6722c10aef.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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There was a 30 second stagger to try to make-up or maintain.</div>
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I did really well in the enduro challenges and I was told I moved up to 11th over all. </div>
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The third stage was only for the top six riders. And what better way to figure out the winner than a tricycle race!</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ministor/9437590646/" title="20130803_162238.jpg by mtengelhardt, on Flickr"><img alt="20130803_162238.jpg" height="375" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2813/9437590646_2bb071cf06.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ministor/9434811409/" title="20130803_162310.jpg by mtengelhardt, on Flickr"><img alt="20130803_162310.jpg" height="375" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3716/9434811409_b35ffeea36.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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It was a battle in the beginning until the clear overall winner, Jake, took a commanding lead.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ministor/9437590066/" title="20130803_162400.jpg by mtengelhardt, on Flickr"><img alt="20130803_162400.jpg" height="375" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3729/9437590066_b6cd99256a.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Trike racing wasn't for Andy.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ministor/9434810907/" title="20130803_162402.jpg by mtengelhardt, on Flickr"><img alt="20130803_162402.jpg" height="375" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5538/9434810907_d4da42f323.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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It was even less for Ronsta!</div>
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All in all, it was a super fun day. And now there is only a month until cx begins! I plan on racing into shape this year so hopefully I will be at all the Saturday races. Plus, if I can work it out, I'm going to set up <i>Clutch! </i>Corner. That's right, a place on course that will be blasting Clutch from my extensive 200+ song library. Some folks will love it, others might hate, either way it will be a thing.</div>
Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215063900997518187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648791413023759459.post-64043862516880554742013-03-04T10:59:00.001-08:002013-03-04T10:59:32.371-08:00Thank you Fat Bike Riders<div style="text-align: center;">
Packed down snowy/icy trails plus these bad boys equals 5.5 miles of leg burning fun.</div>
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I had the choice of a 50 minute bike ride or a 40 minute run on the Tosa Trails. I had to go with the higher energy output to time spent ratio. Surprisingly not destroyed though, so that is good sign.</div>
<br />Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215063900997518187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648791413023759459.post-87006215616186956522013-02-18T12:30:00.002-08:002013-02-18T12:30:59.607-08:00Late Winter UpdateThis morning I rode the trainer for an hour. It was glorious. It is the first time I was on a bike of any kind in over 5 weeks. It is the first time I did anything athletic in the same amount of time. As long as I have been riding as an adult the longest I have gone without riding until now has been 10 days. Most people can't stand being on a trainer, this morning it was one of the best places I could have been.<br />
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I've been swept up in a perfect storm of gifts from God: new baby, new job, new home. And as is the case with all gifts, I have been given more responsibilities. And while I believe that taking care of my own health is responsibility, for the past 6 weeks other peoples needs simply had to come first.<br />
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It looks like I may have hit a turning point though and perhaps I will be able to ride more often (that is the goal anyway). To mark the turning point Lulu slept through the night for the first time. It freaked me and Lauren out as we both hurried to her room in the morning to check on her. I guess we are pretty used to being woken up several times a night! I'm not counting on this being a regular thing at this point, that would be nice, but I won't be planning my schedule around her sleeping through the night for a while.<br />
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I want to race more endurance mountain bike races this year and the first one is in May. I have a little over 3 months to gain back the 6 pounds of muscle I've lost since November. It comes back quicker than it is lost, right?Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215063900997518187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648791413023759459.post-76868491692737813472012-11-07T10:38:00.001-08:002012-11-07T10:38:44.237-08:00Estabrook CXAfter a poor start in my last few races, at Estabrook I finally got off the line well and did a little pushing for position. About a minute in I was in a great spot, like 4th wheel, and Maciej was behind me. I let a little gap form into a corner so I wouldn't have to brake as hard and Maciej jumped around (he doesn't like any gaps forming). Everything was going well until halfway through the lap and we got into the pinwheel of death.<br />
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There were no brakes in the pinwheel until we got to the crux of it, suddenly Chris slams on his brakes, Maciej slides into him, and I slide into Maciej..<br />
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To stay up, I crushed a stake with my foot like a giant and somehow, on the other side of me, I came into Maciej's wheel in the perfect way to make it catastrophically fail. It bent up like a dna helicase. He has trying to ride it still and stuck a foot or something into my front wheel, causing my bike to rear up and me to slam my danger zone into my headset. Behind me, Andy was like "Whoaa!" as my rear wheel was in his face. (This all took place in about 5 seconds in the crux of the pinwheel of death)<br />
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Andy went around me and I started going again as I yelled at Maciej to grab my wheel out of the pit. I kept yelling but he just stood there catatonic. I needed to get onto Andy's wheel since the front 4 had created a sweet gap on the rest of the field at this point. I never closed the gap on Andy since he dropped the hammer to catch the lead and I was nursing a sore stomach from having my danger zone pushed through my back.<br />
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I then spent a lot of time in the wind by myself. Two mwi guys passed me fast. Then the eventually winner of the race passed me and I couldn't hold his wheel. Then another guy passed me and I held his wheel for a bit but eventually failed. At the same time I was passing guys from the p,1,2 field. But I pretty much moved backwards in my own race for 2 laps. Then a group of 4 guys were working together to get me. I wasn't going to let that happen.<br />
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In the last 2 laps I started to catch Chris who apparently exploded, but once I got within about 8 seconds he started to push it again. As I ran up the hill with one to go someone yelled "slow down, the leaders are coming". My will was relatively crushed by then and I didn't see much gain in doing another lap, so I did slow down and let 1st and 2nd place of the p,1,2 race pass me just before the finish line. Thus allowing me to skip the last lap.<br />
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It was a hard fought 9th place. Not exactly the placing I would like for that kind of effort, but that's racing. When I got back to my car I thought I had the wrong one because a bunch of my friends got together and filled the back of it with diapers. Thankfully, they weren't used because that would be a much different surprise! So even though it wasn't a great race for me, it was still a great time to hang out with friends and that is why I do this in the first place.<br />
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Next Saturday is my last race this year. Time to leave everything I have on the course.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215063900997518187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648791413023759459.post-19920698283442351542012-10-29T07:49:00.003-07:002012-10-29T11:04:36.483-07:00Washington Park CxYay! After a two week hiatus I was back racing cx again this weekend. Two weeks ago the race in the Milwaukee area was cancelled due to storms coming and a concerned parks department. Last week was a secret mountain bike race of which I had to pull out of after a lap and a half because my still healing broken pinky didn't like climbing on a single speed or being slammed into a tree. But this week I was back suffering on the cx bike.<br />
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The Washington Park costume race course doesn't change much from year to year and I don't think it should. It is one of the best courses for going all out and hitting your limits and then mixing in technical stuff to catch your breath. Match that up with all the rain we have gotten recently, a sunny day, and a bunch of nuts riding in costumes, and you have a recipe for a great time.<br />
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I wavered heavily on what to dress up as this year but landed on something simple yet creepy. With a week old mustache, some Just for Men--Black, a pair of cheap aviators, I was "Undercover Marc." I couldn't wear the aviators all day because they were giving me a headache but the the picture below gives you the idea.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">photo courtesy of Kate</span></div>
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It was so creepy that when grabbing dinner with friends after the race people had a hard time looking me in the face!</div>
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I had a weak start again, but it wasn't horrible. I made up a lot of spots in the first quarter mile. For the first half of the race I was moving up and going back and forth with a few guys. One guy passed me and after a lap I couldn't hold his wheel. That was frustrating, and it looks like he placed pretty well in the end. </div>
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Eventually Jake caught up to me and for a couple of laps we road together. </div>
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At one point, we were working through some lapped traffic and he got a little gap on me but I started to close it down again. That is when my leg cramped a little and decided to stay straight when I needed to bend it to go over the first uphill barrier. My foot caught the barrier and I hit the ground hard. Real hard. I got up and starting going again but with a lap and a half left, my aspirations of catching Jake were over.</div>
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At the same time, I think I gave some hope to the guys behind me, so I still did my best to lay down some power for the rest of the race. In the end I was 9th. Not a great placing again, but top ten in a pretty deep field. I have two, maybe three, more races to see if I can get back up to top five. I think I can.</div>
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Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215063900997518187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648791413023759459.post-65649686655189318572012-10-09T13:04:00.001-07:002012-10-09T13:04:16.737-07:00Cross the Domes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Wait, how am I taking a picture of myself while racing? Well, I am not. That is my friend Ryan. He and his wife came to town this weekend to visit and so he took part in his first cx race. Luckily, we are pretty much the same height so he could use one of my bikes and borrow a thermal skinsuit. I have to say it was a little weird seeing a guy out on the course who looked a lot like me.<br />
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During his race it was in the low 40's and by the time my race came around it seemed like the temps had dropped even further. Oddly enough I got a call up to the front row for the start, but so did a bunch of other guys. I was in the dead middle and because so many guys were trying to be in the front row, the bars of the guys on both sides of me were jammed up next to mine. I had no idea how I was going to start with people that close.<br />
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When the whistle blew I let the guys on both sides of me shoot forward and then I started. It was a bad start. I went from top 8 to 20 something by the time we hit the grass. In the first 1/4 mile I worked hard to get back up near the front. I got close. I must of gotten back up to 11th but I couldn't close the gap to the next group. For a full lap I just hung in limbo, trying to get up to them. Then a guy passed me quick and I didn't react fast enough and he bridged the gap (he also kept moving up).<br />
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I had an okay race. I never gave up and tried to track down Angry Andy who was just in front of me but every time I was about to close the gap he would give a little surge too. It isn't the placement I wanted, but the competition is great in the 35+ 1,2,3's this year. What did go great was riding my new bike that Ryan and I finished building Thursday. Check it out<a href="http://www.benscycle.blogspot.com/2012/10/recently-assembled-mbco-cross-bike.html"> here</a>. It rides wonderfully. (the pics don't show that silver Thomson stem is now on the bike) Also, enjoy these videos of the race that Ryan shot.<br />
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This is from the 2nd or 3rd lap. Only watch the first 12 seconds. The rest is Ryan trying to get more footage.</div>
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This comes from around lap 3 or 4 of 7. I thought the course was awesome, super rough in spots, but the layout was cool. This video has content the full time.</div>
Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215063900997518187noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648791413023759459.post-26453297048698995802012-09-24T07:17:00.000-07:002012-09-24T07:17:42.660-07:00Sunday USGPI really had to work around my work schedule to get out to the USGP this year. So in order to make it happen I needed to race the 2,3's on Sunday morning at 9:30am. That meant getting up early to drive the 1.5 hours but the course was so much fun last year that I was willing to do so.<br />
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The conditions were cool--in the low 40's--and sunny. I didn't get a chance to see most of the course before the race so my first lap was rather exploratory. Unlike last year where I started in the 80's this year I was 27th and in the 3rd row. A pretty good spot to be.<br />
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I had a good start. Nice and fast but under control and moved up about 5-10 stops in the first 2 turns. Then things slowed down quite a bit in a tech section and there was lots of bumping and pushing going on. Everything was going pretty well. Some guys shot in front of me and then I pulled them back. By the time we got to the run-up the positions were switching much less.<br />
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After the the run-up there was a steep downhill turn that I attempted to go through with no brakes. Which was fine until my front tire broke loose from the ground and I slid out. I landed hard and the guy behind me rammed into my back. He asked if I was okay. My reply was, "Yeah, but I broke my pinky."<br />
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I've broken it before, which is probably why it stayed straight as I went to the ground, so I knew it was broken. But I could still grip the bike so I kept going. Upon remounting my bike I discovered that my right shifter was turned in about 35 degrees. Amazingly though, everything shifted fine still.<br />
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I was clearly going slower now because I couldn't really steer the bike at top performance on either side. But I was staying in it. I raced two more laps until as I was running up the run-up and a guy yells at me "What, are you warming up?" I looked at him inquisitively. He yells back "Where is your number?"<br />
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I felt my back. Sure enough, my number was gone. It must have torn free when I went down. No number means they weren't counting my laps. So I stopped riding. Oh well.<br />
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This picture isn't a good angle. The shifter was turned much more than this looks.</div>
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After the trip to the med tent. It took two tries to pull the joint and bone back into place. I really should have taken a picture of it beforehand, but my phone was in the opposite direction of the med tent and after seeing my pinky, Paul advised that I go get it checked right away.</div>
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It is never a good sign when you have a tire track on your back!</div>
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I'm sure this post is full of typos, but give me a break, I have a broken pinky and two fingers taped together. I have a week off of racing coming anyway, so I should be good to go by my next race. I don't see it slowing me down all that much.</div>
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Thanks for reading!<br />
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<br />Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215063900997518187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648791413023759459.post-51830545663844034182012-09-17T16:08:00.000-07:002012-09-17T16:08:26.247-07:00Lake Geneva CxI knew Sunday would be long a day. Getting up at 5:55am to be in Brookfield in order to give the message at 3 services usually crushes me by itself on a Sunday, but I wanted to try and get out to the cx race that afternoon even if I would be beat to start. I got to the venue in time to ride the course once between races. It was a great course with transitions all over; sand, grass, gravel. mud, dirt, pavement, a run up, a flyover, and a nice long uphill section.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/landskywater/7995808787/" title="Untitled by landskywater, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8459/7995808787_14fc37f7d3.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo courtesy of<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/landskywater/with/7995808787/#photo_7995808787"> Kate</a></span></div>
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Figuring out the pressure was a guessing game, especially only getting one look at the course. I ended up a little too low and was squiblly in the transitions.</div>
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At the start Maciej did exactly what I thought he would do and what he said he wasn't going to do, he shot off like a bullet. Angry Andy got in front of him. I hopped on 3rd wheel and stayed there until Jeff made a strong move and shot to the front. From there the chase began. It wasn't long and we passed Angry.</div>
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I gave chase for a while, but I couldn't close the gap to Maciej. Eventually, Andy H.went around me and I had a hard time following him in the uphill sections. He is riding really well. And that is kind of where it stayed for me the rest of the race. I worked my way through the p,1,2's and created a gap to the guy behind me. </div>
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From now on I am going to act as though every person I see on the course is in my race. I got a little complacent this time and finished with more in the tank. This is cx, that shouldn't happen!
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/landskywater/7995863051/" title="Untitled by landskywater, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8455/7995863051_fa81707ea5.jpg" width="352" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo courtesy of</span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/landskywater/with/7995808787/#photo_7995808787" style="font-size: small;"> Kate</a>
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I was sure I finished 4th. The first results had me in 4th, then they posted new results right before the awards and suddenly I was 5th. I asked the guy when he passed me and he didn't seem to remember. I asked the official what happened and she showed me the lap sheet and the guy passing me halfway through the race. I wasn't going to argue about it and let it go. Then I check the official results online today and I am back in 4th. Not sure what happened there.</div>
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Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215063900997518187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648791413023759459.post-20662437892116119562012-09-10T07:14:00.001-07:002012-09-10T07:14:16.927-07:00Sheboygan CX: Bumpity Bump BumpThe WI cyclocross season kicked of on Saturday in Sheboygan. It was fantastic to see everyone together again. The course left a little to be desired as most of it was back to back straightaways and 180 degree turns. It has been a dry summer and the grassy field reflected that in the bumpiest, most jarring, cx course I have ever ridden. The highlight of the course was the 50 meter sand downhill followed by the 50 meter sand uphill.<br />
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According the numbers we had about 30 guys start the 35+ 1,2,3, although the results only show a little over 20. Still, it was a good sized field for this earlier in the season. I snuck in at the end of the first row for the start.<br />
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I had a good start and was third wheel. Mike H. was on the front pushing what could be called a very leisurely cx pace. About 3 minutes in Joe said he was on my wheel. I reply with cool and start looking for a place to pick up the pace. Before I can do it though, Joe jumps, so I jump, not quite bridging the gap to him yet. And another guy hops on my wheel.<br />
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We get to the sand and this is where it all falls apart for me. I had ridden the sand fine in practice, but I don't know if I was pushing it too hard or what but I drove my front wheel into the sand and ended up laying the bike down and dropping my chain. I had my head down fumbling with my chain, got it back on and then started the chase. I thought I was in third at this point. Joe and the eventual winner of the race had a good gap and I could see them working together. I knew catching them wasn't going to happen by myself in the wind, so I started defending third.<br />
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Defense wasn't going so well though. I couldn't unclip into the barriers one time and did a sweet barrel roll over the first one (very entertaining for the crowd). I slipped out in a corner trying to make up time and dropped the chain again (I think I solved that problem now) and then, the next time through the sand I drove my front tire deep again had a sweet endo. The worst part is that my shifters got buried in the sand and after coming out my rear was no longer shifting into harder gears anymore.<br />
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I spent almost a full lap trying to work the sand out, but ended up just switching to my big ring and leaving it there. After two and a half laps I started to ride like a person who has done this before, and I finally started to think in the sand and lean back on the bike, then getting through became no problem. I was riding better but my body had taken a beating already and my legs were letting me know about it. Yet, I was still in third, or so I thought.<br />
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After the race I found out that I was in fourth. I never saw third pass me, but I did see him for most of the race. He was just up the course from me, but I thought he was in the p,1,2 field as I was making my way into it. I never thought I needed to catch him.<br />
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I ended up fourth after having a pretty cruddy first 20 minutes and not knowing that I should have been chasing down a guy in front of me. I'd say that is pretty good start to the season. I definetly got the bug to race all I can again.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215063900997518187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648791413023759459.post-31031462740187113342012-08-29T07:01:00.000-07:002012-08-29T11:18:33.544-07:00A little drag, maybe?This year I have ridden differently then I have before. I put in a lot of base miles and did very little intensity besides a few endurance mountain bike races and on a Tuesday night ride that no longer exists and has no name. If that ride did exist, I would have made it to about half of them this year.<br />
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I also started using power because I got a crazy deal on a Powertap and I already had a Garmin. Training with power has been very helpful, thus far, I think. All of this to hopefully have a great cx season where I can improve every race until our little girl comes along.<br />
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By not doing much intensity I feel as though I am unsure of where I am shape-wise. I can ride forever comfortably, but I don't feel like I have any pop yet. Last night, I rode with a bunch of oddly dressed fellows for 40 miles. As we rolled out, I noticed that my rear wheel was a bit squishy, I am guessing it was in the 80psi range. It made for a cushy feel on my 28mm tires. Well, when the bell rang, the intensity picked up and I stopped thinking about my tires and starting thinking about the pain.<br />
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I had a hard time pulling through consistently and spent more time than normal sucking the draft. I had to keep reminding myself that these guys are almost done with their race season and mine is just beginning. By the end, I was happy to stay with the group and not get dropped on the hills.<br />
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This morning I plugged in the Garmin and checked out the data. From the bell ring to the end (an hour and twenty four minutes) my average power was 308 and the normalized power was 354. I'm a big guy, so my wattage is always skewed a bit higher, but seriously, talk about resistance training! That sort of wattage shouldn't have had me just holding on, I should have been pulling through constantly and pushing the pace.<br />
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Maybe my legs are better right now than I thought. The season starts in a week so I'll find out soon!Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215063900997518187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648791413023759459.post-29345414246175770912012-07-31T09:56:00.003-07:002012-08-01T07:45:57.544-07:00Wausau 24 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This year of racing I have been more laid back than ever before. I have put very little effort into preparing for races and have seen them as chances to have fun and build fitness for cx. The funny part is that this has been my best season of racing yet. Along with Scott I won two duo long WEMS mtb races, I won a solo 6 hour mtb race, and took third in a 60 mile mtb race. Whatever it is that I have been doing, or not doing, seems to be working, so I stayed on the same track for the Wausau 24 race.<br />
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One of the things that I have been doing right is riding with strong teammates and Wausau 24 was no exception. Matt G., Anna and Sanjay G. and I lined up for the 24 hour coed race. I think we all knew we had a chance of doing well, but once Anna came through on her first lap with a time that was faster than a lot of the guys out there we knew we had a chance to win.<br />
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Matt and Sanjay were crushing laps like the elite riders they are and Anna kept turning in really fast times. I maxed out my ss and turned in decent times. By 12 hours in we had a 15 minute lead on second place in our category and we found ourselves in first place overall! Then the night laps hit and endurance really became a factor. We faltered slightly on a few laps and opened the door to second place in our field and were bumped to third overall (that was inevitable though).<br />
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Thankfully, even though my gear was maxed out in the daylight, at night that same gear gave me some fast laps. My night laps were only 2-3 minutes slower than my day laps. Plus, even though Sanjay thought he couldn't give any more for the laps he went out on, he kept crushing his night laps.<br />
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We found ourselves in first place by about 15-20 minutes with 3 laps left. Anna was willing to do a 7th lap but we worked out a deal where she would clean up the camp if I doubled up at the end and did 8 laps instead. I was feeling pretty good the whole race and never cramped or got tight legs so I knew I could double up.<br />
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We had discussed my stopping after our 27th lap if the lead was large enough, but that morning it rained a little and the previously loose and dusty trails were now riding great. I could finally kind of corner. I was going out for an 8th lap either way.<br />
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I came through on my 7th lap and Mike and Matt said we were in first by 17 minutes. I thought they said 7 minutes, so instead of taking a somewhat leisurely 8th lap I did what I could to keep the pace up, always assuming that second place was catching me. I came through on our 28th lap in 24:28:42. We won our category by about 13 minutes and we took 3rd overall! You can get to all the results <a href="http://www.peaktiming.com/results/2012wausau24/categorydetails.php?catid=999">here.</a><br />
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It was a great way to end my mtb race season (besides the Bl@ster). It was a ton of fun to hang out with everyone for the weekend and to get to know people better. Our team was in agreement that we would leave the 24 hour game on top. Next year I think I want to go back for the weekend, but do a 12 or 6 hour instead. I am still dealing with the sleep deprivation. I think it would have been easier to ride 8 laps straight instead of spreading them out over 24 hours and getting about an hour and a half of sleep in that same amount of time.<br />
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Next up, cx starts in September!Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215063900997518187noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648791413023759459.post-7108759338337680132012-07-23T15:24:00.004-07:002012-07-23T15:25:08.390-07:00John Muir WEMS<span style="background-color: white;">John Muir is always a lot of fun because so many people I love hanging out with seem to show up. </span>It was another hot one Saturday. I was happy to be transitioning out of the long solo races to do some team races. Hot laps on a day like Saturday sounded much better then a heated death slog. Scott and I teamed up for the 75 mile duo, which was in reality well over 80 miles.<br />
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We found out when we got there that they shortened the lap from 13ish miles to 7.5ish (more like over 8) miles. Instead of switching off every lap Scott and I decided to double them up. It worked well and we were both pretty consistent with our times. We switched roles from Levis where Scott was crushing laps and I was just getting them done, this time I was crushing the laps. 2:1 was a great gear until the last lap and getting up the hills fast was a bit of a task. Luckily, Mike C. chased me around on my last lap (even though he was taking the day off) and kept my pace up.<br />
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We almost did the 80+ miles in under 6 hours. When I crossed the line it said 4:05 which gave us a time of 6 hours and five minutes. We were moving pretty good and got another win! It has been a great year so far!<br />
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Next up, Wausau24 with a 4 person coed team.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215063900997518187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648791413023759459.post-31925722835451841382012-07-09T15:41:00.001-07:002012-07-10T06:48:47.912-07:00Stump FarmLast Saturday was race number 2 of 4 races in 5 weeks for me. I did the 60 mile solo.<br />
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The course at Stump Farm is the polar opposite of Underdown. Underdown is almost constantly rough with 2,000 feet of climbing per 14 mile'ish lap, while Stumpfarm is smooth (except for 1.3 miles of new trail) and flowly with less than 2,000 feet of climbing for the whole 60 mile race. It was a beautiful sunny day in the mid 80's.<br />
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I knew going into the race that ss wasn't going to win. At least not<i> me</i> on a ss. There was far too much double track on which to lose time. After getting some recon from Scott, 2:1 was the call on gearing. So my goal was to average 13.5 mph for the race. Once again, my plan was to go out at my pace and not burn a match at the start.<br />
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Mike and Chad took off at the start and I quickly dropped back about 30 seconds off of them. However, once we got into the single track I made up some time and caught them. From there we worked together for the 1st lap. At that point I think there were 4 or 5 guys in front of us. Mike was geared so he did a lot of work on the flats for Chad and I since we were both on 2:1 ss.<br />
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Chad stopped after lap one to grab water and Mike and I kept going, however I told Chad I would see him in a bit and sure enough I did, about 1 mile into lap two. When he caught up Mike dropped off, he wasn't feeling it that day. Chad and I proceeded to work together for the next 4 laps.<br />
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And work together we did! We were slaying the single track and not doing too bad on the fire roads. We passed many a person as if they were stopped. Lap 4 was our slowest lap and it was my fault. I had a gas bubble I couldn't shake. Shortly after the start of lap 5 I finally found some relief and we picked up the pace again. We were a minute faster on lap 5 than on 4.<br />
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The last lap Chad fell off a little, I yelled back for him to get back on but he sort of dangled. I thought if I pushed the pace we would both go faster and just maybe we could catch somebody else. In the end I finished about 40 seconds ahead of Chad and in 3rd place. My final time was a 4:37:14 for about 64 miles. I averaged 14.1 mph! I also stopped for less than a minute during the whole ride compared to 20 minutes at Underdown. The two guys in front crushed it and finished about 15 minutes ahead of me. I have to say, it was great to be able to race with Chad for almost the whole race. It really made the race fly by.<br />
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Next up John Muir!Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215063900997518187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648791413023759459.post-30520525156170433712012-07-02T06:54:00.002-07:002012-07-02T06:54:39.934-07:00Thunderdown in the UnderdownSaturday I drove up to Underdown hoping to hit my goal of 4 laps in 6 hours. The organizers posted an elevation map of one lap and it was 13 miles with 2,000ish feet of climbing. I thought if I could average 9 miles an hour I would have time to stop and refuel every lap and still get 4 laps. It was a lofty goal, but a goal non the less.<br />
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The goal of 4 laps was shot out the window at the pre-race meeting when we were told that laps were actually 13-14 miles long. I would have been pushing it at 13 miles so a 14 mile lap met a 3 lap race. I, however, stuck to my plan and went out slow, thinking if I felt good I woul try to place well in lap 3.<br />
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Maciej was going to ride with me from the start, but he was geared and I was on a single speed, so during the roll out he took off while I was passed by most of the group going into the single track. The first mile was a little frustrating because the course was so hilly and the folks in front of me were having a hard time clearing some of the punchy rises. I ended up walking 3-4 times. Once I got clear though, I settled into my pace. Not going too hard and just getting up the long climbs, not trying to crush anything. I stopped at the aid station and loaded up on water every lap and stopped at the start/finish to reload.<br />
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My second lap was uneventful until I caught Maciej at the aid station. He wasn't feeling too well, the heat and the rough terrain were getting to him. We road together for a while. He said I was in first place, which I didn't understand since there were a couple of guys I hadn't seen yet. Turns out they accidentally cut the course (which they made up by doing the skipped section twice their third lap). After a mile or two Maciej peeled off my wheel and I was on my own again.<br />
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I took Maciej at his word, after all he would know if he was in first or not from the start, so I went into my third lap thinking I should just keep it together and ride within my comfort zone. One thing you have to understand is that this course was rough and constantly up and down, for the first 2 laps I was standing 90% of the time. By lap 3, I just couldn't stand as much any more and I stood maybe 80% of the lap. Therefore I slowed down a bit. I caught 2 people in the last 14 miles of the race, so I was by myself a long time, which also slowed me down. Until the last 20 minutes of the race, when I my co2 started to clang around funny in my seat bag and I got paranoid that someone was catching me. I hit it hard and finished pretty strong.<br />
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The laps ended up being closer to 14.5 miles, there was no way I was getting 4 done! I won the 6 hour solo with 3 laps in 5:21:02.This means I stopped and refueled for almost 20 minutes because my ride time was 5:02. That worked well with such a difficult course. I don't see the same thing working next Saturday at Stumpfarm.<br />
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Also, I have to give congratulations to Scott Marx who won the WI Single Speed Championship with a rigid fork! Ouch!Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215063900997518187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648791413023759459.post-79117755892690137352012-06-12T10:06:00.000-07:002012-06-12T10:06:08.171-07:00Levis DuoIt was a hot one Saturday at Levis. My Garmin said the max temp was 95. For my first race of the year I signed up for the 100 mile duo with Scott. I haven't done much in the way of hard efforts yet this year so I figured is was going to hurt a bit. I had the first lap and decided to start out easy. I passed about 10 people the first lap and came through the start finish around the 4th rider and first in the duo. (Some of the 100 mile solo guys were laying it down!)<br />
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Scott wasn't sure how his knee or his cracked frame were going to hold up. It turns out, that he would be just fine. He was flying through the laps. His third lap, I was waiting for him to come through so I could do my last lap. Now, my plan was to take it easy my last lap since we had a pretty comfy lead but Scott had different plans. He wasn't coming through and it was already 20 minutes past his average times. I was fearing the worse, then I saw him coming through--running. He broke a chain.<br />
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So my last lap I did what I could. I felt fresh for the first 6 miles, likely because of the gallon of water I drank since my previous lap. I had no idea if Scott was going to be able to do another lap and I was dreading doing another, but I thought I had better get a good lead if I had to.<br />
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Much to my delight, Scott was waiting there when I came through. He fixed his chain and was ready to go. He crushed his 4th lap. We won the race by about 7 minutes!<br />
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I wasn't the fastest on Saturday, but it's June and I think I am in a pretty good spot to have a strong Fall.<br />
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P.S. Also, I have two more exciting things to share that might seem odd to share as a postscript. First, my book is out! you can buy it <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Island-Confluence-Marc-Engelhardt/dp/1449753655/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1339520566&sr=8-2">here</a>. Second, I can now share this on the web because Lauren told her work, we are having our first kid!Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215063900997518187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648791413023759459.post-84094704334568437212012-05-25T07:23:00.000-07:002012-05-25T07:23:12.004-07:00264k<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/7318587@N06/7265170330/" title="Bone Ride 2012 by Ronsta36, on Flickr"><img alt="Bone Ride 2012" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7214/7265170330_a3a44c035e.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/7318587@N06/7265170330/in/photostream/">Ronsta</a></span></div>
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This past Wednesday I took part in a Wisconsin tradition for the first time, I rode the Bone Ride. It's an annual ride from Milwaukee to Madison and back. It works out to be 158 miles. Ron has done the ride before so he showed me the ropes and made sure I made it back in one piece. I was thankful to have a friend and teammate watching out for me. He, of course, did the whole thing on a single speed. Well, almost the whole thing, he hopped on the ride 17 miles in. I tacked on a few more miles by riding home from the starting point and ended up with 164 miles in 8 hours and 20 minutes. (Sorry, Ryan, no data this time because my computer somehow lost it.)</div>
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It was a beautiful day with a strong crosswind. Everyone was fighting for a draft which made a lot of the ride kind of sketchy. I am happy I did it though. It wrapped up my real long base rides for the year. In the past 14 weeks I had twelve 5 hour+ rides, a 4 hour ride, and a 3 1/2 hour ride. They have mostly been easy miles. I've never gotten a base in like that before so I am curious to see how this season goes. I start racing in 2 weeks!</div>Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215063900997518187noreply@blogger.com4