Cyclepaths/Wildcherries Racing

SKINNED, CLEANED & HUNG OUT TO DRY

noreply@blogger.com (ramsey) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 18:54:00 +0000

Wild Cherry

Raced the Ronde van Brisbane criterium this past weekend in SoSan. Rain, fog and a slime storm kept the E3 starting field low. Maybe 40 peeps. The crux of this fun and technical biscuit was a hair pin turn followed by a pinched left turn. Rain. I held a position in the top eight for most of the race. Even tagged along on the back end of a break. Rain. Eight laps left to race. Seven. Six. Rain. Five. Ooops. It was here that I managed to posterize myself. Just me and the bike skating away on the thin ice of life. Up. Down. That quick. That simple. So simple that I tried to continue racing but soon realized that my rear derailleur was grazing the spokes.

" Citizen!!!! Please move away from the race course. " That was yelled at me from the race helicopter. The propeller draft almost lifted my skirt. So the day was done. Back at the truck wet with blood, sweat and tears I had one thought " I wish I could see where I would have placed."

Not a bad thought. When's the next race?

Go Go Go

And a one...

And a two...

DON'T EAT YOURSELF OR ANYONE ELSE

noreply@blogger.com (ramsey) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:45:00 +0000

It's been snowing for 10 days with two more to come. We will have accumulated close to seven feet of snow by the time this storm cycle is finished. Wow. Though we are living around the turn of the century that century happens to be the 21st. Modern times allow for modern preparations. Like housing, snow plows as big as a house and sorrels.

It's not 1840 up in here. We are not eating ourselves. The highways are open. A five minute walk from my house, in full blizzard, finds you at the local health food store where you can take a wheat grass bath if you fancy. We relish this kind of weather. Snowboarding nirvana. Dropping!!!! But how do I ride my bike and train in this kind of craziness? Driving to the warmer lowlands every week is a bit extreme on the environment and quite frankly my pocket.

Back when the Donner Party reenacted the last supper the modern day bicycle had not even been invented. Fred Flintstone could have handled a bike from the 1840's. There were no pedals and cranks. Just a seat, frame and wheels that Fred could push with his feet. That would have made indoor training for us cyclist useless. Really you would have been training for a marathon or that quick getaway when you realized that the third course on the last suppers menu was YOU.

But I have pedals, cranks and an indoor stationary trainer. So a few times a week I lift the back wheel, lock my bike in place and go mental spinning like a gerbil. I am my own pet. That's not a photo of icicles. It's a microscopic detail of my brain fibers after a session on the old indoor. Frozen and mangled. Rendered wet yet not as dull as a sack of wet mice. And brittle.

On paper a workout looks like this:

• Warm Up: 15 mins

•

• Max Heart Rate? N/A

•

• Reason: Increase anaerobic power, lactate threshold performance and your repeatability during short intense efforts. High Cadence / maximal intensity 9.00mmol/L and up

•

• Method: Indoor trainer for better comparison between sesions or on a relatively flat section of road.

•

• Intensity Level: High (your heart rate will remain extremely high and you will train your muscles for power and repeatability). Each interval will be shorter and recovery time between efforts is limited. You will NOT fully recover between intervals. Heart rate is not applicable because each interval is at maximum effort.

•

• Practical Application: Your gearing should be moderate, but pedal cadence should be very high (105 - 115) during each interval. Attack each interval as hard as possible Jump out of the saddle and continue to build speed as the interval continues. If you need to, shift into an easier / lighter gear to maintain cadence, but do not let the intensity decrease.

•

• Workout: Perform 4 sets of 3 consecutive intervals according to this schedule.

•

• 2mins at maximum effort possible; 2mins rec

• 1min 45secs at maximum effort possible; 2mins rec

• 1min 30secs at maximum effort possible; 1min 30secs rec

• 1min maximum effort possible; 1min rec

• 30secs at maximum effort possible; 30secs recovery

•

• Recovery is 5mins between sets.

•

• Cool Down: 15 mins

So there it is. Winter training not in a nut shell but from a brain the size of one.

TEN FEET ON THE WAY. OH REALLY?

noreply@blogger.com (ramsey) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 07:09:00 +0000

"Those" people are at it again. They are predicting the kind of snow fall

that leads to cannibalism. No kidding. So before the fib and tib sandwiches

are served up next week I decided to make one last pilgramige from Truckee

to Colfax by way of Donner Summit in honor of the Donner Party.

A forty five minute drive and three thousand foot drop in elevation

gets you 55 degrees, no snow and a sunny training ride in mid January.

California baby. Of course everyone is on acid out here and writing their

name in blood all over the walls.

Winter Training Twenty Ten

noreply@blogger.com (ramsey) — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 06:38:00 +0000

Some bike ridding and pan handling on a rainy day in Colfax. Peace.

BASP Series Cyclocross #2 Coyote Point 2009 Race Report

macpaulster@gmail.com (macpaulster) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:37:00 +0000

Another great cyclocross race in Tom Simonson's Bay Area Super Prestige series (BASP). This race was at Coyote Point, in San Mateo, CA, just south of SFO. Great turnout, great fun, lots of beer and heckling. I improved my finish from the first race (7th) and gained a lower rung on the podium (4th) in Master's 55+, while Rich Blanco finished 8th in Single Speed A. Glenn Rawlinson was absent but we hope to see him at the next event. Course was hard with lots of soft dirt and slow speeds including a sand pit. I put together this video which sums up the event better than any words I might attempt to write down...

Truckee River Day October 19!

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Scott) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:12:00 +0000

Hey . . . get on out this Sunday October 19 for Truckee River Day, a great opportunity to contribute to the health and wellness of the local trail network and broader environment and community. More info and advance registration at the link below (or do day of show up/etc. instead!). Register yourself and identify that you're part of CWC Racing (even if you're not), so we get to work together!

http://www.truckeeriverday.org/

We hit a similar event, Truckee Trails Day, a few weeks ago and it was awesome . . . full report here:

http://www.sierrasun.com/article/20090925/SPORTS/909259997/1013/NONE&parentprofile=1052

Levi Leipheimer's Gran Fondo

macpaulster@gmail.com (macpaulster) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 06:17:00 +0000

This week's Spoke 'n Words from the Sierra Sun!

...and a few more photos here:

Bay Area Prestige Cyclocross Series 2009 #1 McLaren Park

macpaulster@gmail.com (macpaulster) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 02:57:00 +0000

Here's a video from the first BAPS cyclocross series in the Bay Area. CWC racers Paul McKenzie, 55+, Rich Blanco, Single Speed, and Glenn Rawlinson, 35+ A, competed. Rich was 3rd, Paul 7th, and Glenn about 15th after a few bobbles. Guitarist is Paul Sadoff of Rock Lobster, drummer is Alex ???. Great CX groove they have going! I hope to see them at future events.

Smoked at Race Around Lake Tahoe (RALT)

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Scott) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:02:00 +0000

Ahhh . . . RALT. I love that it's in my back-yard, the course is amazing (obviously), the police escort and not worrying about traffic is really cool, and the "open" format means I get to race with a ton of teammates regardless of age or category. There is also a kind of kooky "anything goes" element like burning man meets paris/roubaix or some other one-day cycling classic. Tandems. Time trial/aero set-ups. Pro looking kits next to dudes in ripped up t-shirts. I'm considering a full costume next year. Well, some might argue our kits already fit the bill, but I digress.

Last year we (Nate) won the race and set the race record, breaking 3 hours. Glory. This year, we got smoked. We still wanted to win and put guys on the podium, but decided that we wouldn't try to break the record lest we tow some other guy to the W and a new record. Well, it wasn't up to us. A tandem with aero helmets and another guy on a TT set-up drilled the pace through the South Lake flats, reconnected after getting dropped at Emerald Bay -- and drilled it again before finally getting dropped coming out of Kings Beach. By then the die was cast, the record would fall and a large group of riders was left to contest who would actually win the race.

Unfortunately it wasn't us. Jesse and Nate were the only ones to make the final 6-rider selection on the Sand Harbor climb. They were not, however, able to get on the podium (Nate 4th, Jesse 6th). Conrad and I finished in the next group a couple minutes back and got 7th (me) and 8th (Conrad). Matt was a few minutes adrift of that, and Ben unfortunately flatted halfway through the race ending his chances for a contribution.

Personally, I should have buried myself to make the final selection, and I didn't . . . letting myself believe it would come together again on the descent and I'd use those saved matches. Convincing myself it was ok to not use that extra effort . . . terrible decision, lame racing and I paid for it with a meaningless result and inability to help the team do better than 4th (what if we had 3 of the final seven and could attack that group of isolated but superior sprinters?!)

There are a lot of positives I suppose. Four of the top ten. A bunch of us went under the old record (sub 3 hour not special anymore). But the nagging disappointment I have is that I feel like we could have done better. I've felt way better about way worse results -- because I felt like it was all left on the course. But, as Jesse pointed out -- what can make it (bike racing) frustrating is also what makes it fun. A puzzle. The strongest guy or team does not always win. The best racer does.

Thank god the post race 10am beer was cold, the scene was beautiful, I like bike racing, and I like my teammates and their families. Ok, it was a pretty cool morning -- once you get past the part about the results.

Fremont Peak Hill Climb 2009 Race Report

macpaulster@gmail.com (macpaulster) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 22:57:00 +0000

Mission in San Juan Bautista, CA

Sept. 19-20, 2009 is a big weekend for the sleepy town of San Juan Bautista, population 1600. Just off of Hwy 101 between Gilroy and Salinas, CA, the town is not only hosting the Chicken Festival, but it's also the date of the 2009 Fremont Peak Hill Climb, put on by Greg Bloom, a man who clearly understands the connection between beer drinking and bike riding.

What is the Chicken Festival? The two-day event, running from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 19 and 20, features arts and crafts booths, a parade, live music, and various chicken-themed events, such as crowing contests, chicken bingo, a chicken dance contest and the crowning of a chicken queen.

The Fremont Peak Hill Climb is a 10 mile, 2500' climb up to nearby Fremont Peak. I was able to pull off a 3rd place in a very tough Master's field to bring home a beer glass and 10 bucks. The beer glass is etched with the words, "If it was easy...everyone would do it." Damn right.

If it was easy, everyone would do it.

It's a beautiful climb, characterized by constantly changing pitches, terrain, and plant communities, the kind of climbing I love.

We roll out on relatively shallow grades and a good clip, mostly above 20 mph. When the pitch kicks up, Mac Carey takes a stab at an attack. I'm able to answer, as are about half the field. He eases up for a bit, then goes again. This time the field is shattered. The 55+ 1,2,3 field is racing with the 35+ 4 and 45+ 4 fields. Carey is first, World Champion Scott Hennessey is second wheel, and I'm third.

Organizer Bloom offers a free beer to anyone who beats his personal record, 46:15. We pass a sign part way up that says "Beer Pace 19:20." I look at the clock. We're at 19:00 flat. All good.

After a while I slip back a bit and ride in about 8th place. The pace is too high for me and my legs are not quite recovered from last week's Everest Challenge. Carey and Hennessey are still off the front showing the younger dudes how it's done. As the grade steepens in the upper part of the course I dig in a bit and begin picking off riders. Near the top I'm riding in 3rd overall with Hennessey in sight.

At the top there is a short downhill, then a false flat to the finish. I see the 1K to go sign and I'm at around 45 min. Looks like I'll miss the beer. Lord knows I try but my finish effort isn't quite enough. I finish in 46:40 for 3rd overall and 3rd in my Master's group. The 55+ dudes take the first 3 places in our mixed field, which is pretty cool. The good news is that I do score the coveted beer glass, and some cash, reserved only for the top 3 finishers.

After the event we go "downtown" to the Chicken Festival for the awards at Jardines Mexican Restaurant. It's great being in the town during their big annual event and parade. Bands are rocking, bars are hopping, and people are dancing in the sun. Not the typical Sunday in SJB.

Chillin' in Downtown SJB with the beer glass.

Kudos to Greg Bloom for putting on such a great event. I'll be back next year to fight again for another beer.

Spoke 'n Words: Test your body and mind with an epic bike ride

noreply@blogger.com (Nate) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 20:40:00 +0000

Check out this week's column here.

Sept 20 -- Come out for Truckee Trails Day . . .

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Scott) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 21:37:00 +0000

The Truckee Trails Foundation is organizing Truckee Trails Day on Sept 20 . . . details are below and at http://www.truckeetrails.org/

I'll be out there . . . I don't have any illusion that a few hours volunteering on one day can give back to a whole season of riding local roads/trails -- but you gotta start somewhere . . . hope to see you out there.

TRUCKEE TRAILS DAY--September 20 -
Join us for a fun day of trail maintenance--meet at 8:45 at Regional Park. Work locations will be at the summit on the Pacific Crest Trail, or in various spots around Truckee sweeping our growing paved trail system. Kids welcome! Bring hat, workgloves, water and a broom. Call or email us for more info. Free barbecue afterward!

Everest Challenge 2009 Race Report

macpaulster@gmail.com (macpaulster) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 04:21:00 +0000

Paul Finishes off the first day cresting the climb to South Lake
Photo Courtesy Everest Challenge

The aptly named Everest Challenge Stage Race includes 29,035’ of climbing, matching the summit elevation of Mt. Everest. This lofty number is achieved in two days of racing. Each day consists of 3 climbs in the spectacular Eastern Sierra Nevada, near Bishop, CA, undoubtedly one of the most scenic areas in the world and a personal favorite place for me; perhaps that's why I keep coming back for the punishment.

I won the first day's race in an epic battle, then finished second on day two, unfortunately losing enough time to relegate myself to second in the G.C. and losing my chance of taking home a State Championship jersey. Here's how it went down:

(ed. note: Andy Scott's E3 race report follows)

After a week of bike touring in the Sierra, I arrive in Bishop on Friday afternoon... well acclimated but with tired legs after the 5-day 450 mile tour with 50,000' of climbing. Would have been great prep if I had a week to taper and rest, but so be it.

We roll out of the start with about 25 riders in my group and about 20 women. They seed us Masters with the entire women's field. I have no objection. After the 8 mile neutral roll out, the racing begins. It's not hard at all, but the group splits in half. A bit later, one of the Pro 1,2 women, Katie, rolls off the front and the pace picks up a bit. Soon it’s 4 of us Masters guys, and Ruth Clemence, riding together with Katie off the front. Everyone else is dropped.

We crest the first 6,000' climb with Katie about 2 minutes ahead. I hatch a plan to use my descending skills to reel her in and work with her on the next climb. I flip it at the top of the climb and punch it on the descent, leaving the other riders behind, attacking the first narrow section with a lot of speed and taking a few risks, bunny hopping the bad pavement and railing the turns. I catch Katie, the leader, after just a mile or so, she's descending carefully. So much for my plan of working with her. I blow by her and I'm on my own.

At the bottom of the Rock Creek descent, one rider, Dennis Phillips, catches me as I slow for the stop sign and he rolls it at 30 mph. I catch up and we work together on the next section, which includes a 4 minute climb. At the top I look back and no-one is coming. We've descended to a 4 minute lead!

On the second climb to Pine Creek, Dennis lays down a brutal pace. I have to let him go, realizing I cannot keep up the pace and survive the third climb. At the top I am dismayed to see the chase group coming, including the two Pro women, Katie and Ruth Clemence, and last year's Masters State Champion, Bill Tibbits. They catch me at the top but I repeat my daredevil descent and gap them by couple of minutes on the long descent. I solo the long flat section back past the start area and their group of 3 works together to catch me. I stop at my parked car to grab fresh bottles as they forge ahead.

On the third and last climb, a 6,000' monster up to South Lake at 10,000', I slowly bring back Tibbits after 10 miles of steady climbing. I start to think I won't need to settle for third place if I can hold him off. I pass him convincingly and create a gap. But I underestimate his toughness. He fights back and closes the gap with 10K to go to the finish. Damn. We exchange leads a few times, and on one steeper grade I decide to push it and he falls back. I continue to suffer and push and create a gap that will be hard to close. As I near the finish with 2K to go, I see Dennis Phillips, the leader.

He does a double take, a quick glance back to see if anyone is coming, then a second, longer look when he realizes it's me. He's suffering badly, and I seize the opportunity. With just 1K to go after nearly 7 hours of racing, I slip by and bury myself up the 15% finishing grades to take the win on Stage 1. I'm elated, but also realize that my two adversaries can easily beat me on another day.

Stage 2

I eat, recover, sleep, and prep the bike as best I can on Sat. evening, enjoying a nice dinner with Kevin, Leslie, Steve, Rick, and teammate Andy Scott.

In the morning we roll out of the start as I ponder my strategy. I'm the leader on the road with just 50 seconds over Phillips and about double that over Tibbits. Everyone else is a half hour or more behind. The State Champion will come from these three riders for sure.

First climb is a sensible pace with about 20 riders making it to the top together. It occurs to me to attack but there is a headwind on the climb, so I dismiss the thought. At the turnaround at the top, I attack again. I'm off solo, in the lead, descending at 56 mph with a good gap. At the bottom rollout, I'm caught by two riders, Dennis Phillips, and a 6'2" female Touchstone Climbing rider, Cara Gillis, with amazing descending skills. The three of us work together to create a gap with Gillis doing the strongest pulls. Dennis and I share a look of disbelief and gratitude for her ability.

On the second climb Phillips and I drop Gillis, (she earlier quipped, "I can't climb, I outweigh those other girls by 40 lbs!), while Tibbits chases and slowly closes the gap. Phillips wicks it up to keep Tibbits from catching, and in the process drops me too. I have no answer to his brutal pace. I hold Tibbits off and at the top begin my solo descent with Tibbits close behind. At the bottom I stop at my car for bottles and food and Tibbits passes me. I chase him up the lower slopes of the final climb, a 6,200' monster up to the Bristlecone Forest.

A few miles later, I close the gap on Tibbits, and pass him. I keep the heat on and slowly increase my lead to the point where I feel I can finish second. But my legs are not cooperating. I want to catch Phillips, who is 4 minutes or so up the road, but realize that unless he cracks, I won't reel him in.

I suffer on the long, steep approach up to the Bristlecones, and bottom line is that I'm not gaining on Phillips, nor am I in danger of being caught by Tibbits.

In the end I'm several minutes down on Dennis Phillips, who put in a Championship performance on this day, riding stronger than me, and is well deserving of the Title.

I heard several riders comment, "I'll never do this again." Me? I’ll be back next year to fight another day. It hurts to miss a State Championship by a few minutes after 12+ hours of racing, but I gave it my best and was beaten by a worthy adversary. So I can proudly accept being the "first loser" in this case.

Here's a report from Andy, offering some great insight as a rookie at the event, racing in E3:

The stars aligned for me to do this race and even though I'm not really a climber I figured I might have some 'long endurance fuel' built ski mountaineering in these same mountains, and I live on a hill in truckee so who knows . . . and besides worst case I could just stare at the mountains -- I love the high sierra and racing my bike in them would be a unique opportunity. Four of the climbs actually end at trailheads I've used in winter/spring to launch climbing/skiing missions, cool.

Friday reg/pre race dinner and meeting was cool ... lot of skinny/fit/hard-ass looking folks rolling around and typical light/nice bikes. Good organization. I get the sense of 'community' built around this race -- hell the mayor of Bishop gave us a speech and the city council/chamber of commerce cooked and served our dinner.

Friday night Ben showed up about 10pm and we squeezed into my slightly over-skimped motel . . . it was clean, but just barely.

Saturday morning Ben left a little before me to make sure he was checked in/etc. I got in my car at 6:40 to drive 15 minutes to race and roll out at 7:20. Fed, clothed, etc. 8 mile neutral start. No warm up needed. I was focused on driving, parking, getting on my bike, starting. The motel parking lot is a "u" shape. One end of the "u" was blocked by a couple cars backing out/monkeying around leaving. Rather than wait I figured no problem I'll exit off the other side of the "u". Oops the other side of the "u" had the classic 'motel covered check in parking spot' and I sheered my bike right off my car. I watched it bounce on the ground in my rear-view mirror. Almost vomited/started shaking. Tried to pull it together. Got my bike expecting it to be in 29 pieces. Quick inspection didn't reveal any obvious fractures so I just put back on roof and drove to race figured I'd see what was up there. At race, 20 minutes to start. Put bike together. Guys who witnessed what happened were parked right there. The offered inspection help -- particularly on top tube which has potential 'crack' . . . but tests seem to indicate structural integrity is there and crack not in carbon but in 'clear coat finish' or something. Hoods/cables all messed up. Trying to fix. Trying to test ride. Called to start line. Go start. Realize on neutral roll out my d hanger is bent inwards -- and I can't ride my easiest gear (28t courtesy of conrad 11-28 loaner) because the d is hitting the spokes. Oh well, it's not like I have to go climb 15.5k feet or something w/out my easiest gear. Besides I figure the bike will probably break before that is an issue anyway so what the hell see how far I go and sort it out later . . . can't believe I'm even on the bike in the race figured my all time idiot move was going to ruin my entire weekend and had already imagined the most miserable drive in the world back to Truckee.

The race: All the intel was "save something for the last climb" (thank you paul and nate). This made sense, and I thought might even suit me relative to other guys if I could resist burning all my matches early on . . . Had already mentally prepared myself to drop off the pack on the first climb even if I wasn't going full gas. E3 had field of 36 roll out . . . mandatory neutral for 8 miles -- then we self-neutral for 3 more miles everyone crazy chatty, social pee stops, etc. Hit first climb right about as a less social 35+ field starts to pass us . . . and it is game on. Climb first 3k feet at 10 bpm higher than I was planning, of course, to stay w/ front group (mixed E3/35+) . . . the whole time I'm like I can't climb 6k feet at this HR and expect to execute my strategy (strong on last climb vs. bonked/quitting/whatever) . . . finally I let the front 10-15 guys go and back off 5 bpm (critical 5 bpm taking me from above LT threshold to below, I think) settle in w/ 1-3 other dudes from my group and we hit the top, descend pretty well (mostly on wheel of Dustin from Reno who bombs the thing) and we ride to base of second climb . . . I have to get bottles but am unlucky on hand-ups and have to stop . . . dustin and other guy just dangle in front of me as I decide I am riding by number and fix my HR/my pace and start climbing . . . dustin opens the gap on me and the other guy explodes . . . I pull over and pee . . . I top out and descend then ride the ~10 miles over flats to the base of the final climb. Figure I'm between 10th and 15th, but don't actually care. I'm at ~5 hours at this point. The last climb is 6k feet. I settle in for what I hope will be no more than 2 hours. I am in uncharted territory on the bike. The first 2k feet are hot/dessert . . . trying to eat/drink but know the pain is coming. Have the HR fixed on what I expect I can hold for the climb. Ride alone. T-storms are building. I know these mountains and roads for better or worse. Look, there's Tom, Basin, Humphrey's, Locke, 13,112, Emerson . . . holy shit the N cooolie on Humphrey's still goes! Wait is someone on my wheel? No, still alone. Keep thinking someone is on my wheel. Then keep thinking I have a flat tire, or am going backwards. Hope i don't have to ride alone much longer. Stare at the mountains for company. After what seems like forever, but I guess was just like 45 minutes, I come up on a guy from my group. We ride together for 30 minutes. He thinks only 6 or 7 guys are ahead of us. His wife is supporting him. Then he drops off w/ 7 miles to go. Well, I just moved up one place. If I don't totally blow maybe I get top 10. I come up on another guy from my group, guy in black. I ride past him. I figure he'll grab my wheel for sure and blow me away, but he has cracked and has nothing. I come up on another guy from my group 'the spokesman' and pass him. I look back and he's had to stop in the road w/ cramps. I come up on another guy from my group. I know him kind of (Dustin's teammate Shawn, race at challenge and some other races this year w/ him) . . . we are mile or so from finish and I am pretty much done . . . it's getting steep . . . I laugh at thought of trying to gap him no way . .. I start to pay for not having that 28t available on the back . . . I keep looking down at it I can see it but I can't use it to do so risks blowing all to hell rear d catches spokes or something . . . fighting cramps I guess everyone is . . . literally barely am able to ride the bike up the steep ramps at the finish -- shawn puts a minute into me in the last k on the steep ramps! Guy at finish tries to take my bike but I can't get off it/stop spinning for fear of massive leg seizures . . . fighting urge to vomit . . . takes twenty minutes but able to put some food down and start to feel better -- especially after Shawn learns he is 3rd so I am fourth . . . and after a while ride down w/ shawn and dustin -- great ride down despite some wet roads/t-storm activity. Get in car and realize I have to get my bike fixed . . . call Paul . . . go to his motel and he expertly grasps my rear d assemble and bends my hanger to something resembling straight. We also notice my rear wheel isn't really seated 'straight' in the drop outs . . . we try to fix this . . . wheel is kind of out of true already and things are kind of funky -- but I am over the moon at having a 28t available!! I want to drink 10 beers to celebrate, but hold off. Damn stage race. Have dinner w/ Paul and some of his friends and get encyclopedic education on euro bike touring. Awesome cuz I can't talk anyway. Focus on hydration and recovery that evening, watch usc/ohio state second half in AC motel room, am thankful for my result and figure no matter what I'm kind of already ahead on weekend vs. driving home Saturday with a shattered bike, which is kinda what I deserved for my carelessness. Talk to wife, pass out.

Sunday morning, avoid whacking bike off car, good start. Body kind of spazzing on me as I load my car like literally focusing on not tweaking a muscle as I pick up heavy/bottle laden bike bag and stuff. Not good sign, but whatever. Sign in and see times . . . 1st and 2nd (jeff and alfonso) are ten minutes ahead of shawn and I am a minute from shawn and guy in black minute back of me and spokesman a few minutes behind him. Thirty of the 36 in our cat start . . . I don't really have a plan, except for again as advised, have something at the end. First climb is 4k feet up to glacier lodge . . . I love this area (this is how you access the famous palisades) . . . again I know these mountains there is alice and birch and the thumb and kid . . . and we are too close to see the palisades group but I know they are back there . . . group rides a steady tempo I feel ok -- not great but not as bad as I imagined -- struggle w/ some attacks over the last 1k but am able to bridge gaps w/out going into red (which I had decided to avoid at all costs) . . . we descend holy crap wow what a descent -- actually scared on a road bike at sheer speed on a straight road . . . descent not technical -- except for the part about keeping it together at 60mph in turbulence . . . I actually think I can't keep hitting brakes or I'll overheat my rims blow a tire and sail into the yawning chasm of glacier creek . . . so the lesser of two evils is let 'em run. The second climb is my favorite, so flat! That is my kind of climbing. 5% average grade. All day. Still group whittles to maybe 10. We hit the base of the third climb ~3 hours in . . . we pass a 4k foot elevation sign it is 90 degrees and someone says "only 6k to go". I can't actually believe I'm about to climb 6k feet. Settle in. group whittles to 7. Shawn, in 3rd, pops off. Six left Brief vision of podium in my head. But, I know guy in black and spokesman -- who blew the prior day -- are probably stronger than me they just rode too hard/too early to try and hang w/ the guys who were 1st/2nd -- who were clearly the class of the field. So it is me and wife supported guy and four stronger guys -- at least when it comes to climbing the remaining 3k -- and today has been more civil/steady than day one so . . . The road starts to ramp and undulate and get steep ramps . . . this is not good for me I need steady . . . I start to feel pretty bad I still have a hard hour to go . . . four ride away . . . I keep them in sight for quite a while but am not focusing on bridging just surviving the last 4 miles . . . longest 4 miles I've ever ridden . . . I don't know if there was an actual 'cracking' . . . its just like nothing was left and I had to survive -- I'm not sure I'd have finished w/out the 28t (so special thanks to conrad and paul). Finally like all things, it ended. I was at the finish, 5th on the stage. 75% sure 5th on gc. Guy in black solo'd in for the stage W and definitely jumped over me. I think spokesman did too. But I jumped shawn I think. So some chance 4th on GC, some chance 6th on GC. Had to leave before cat iii results were in. saw paul get his podium, cool. Amazing spot up there. Good food. Rode down w/ paul, and was glad for the company. This descent actually took work, and was close to 50 minutes (including a few short climbs and a ripping headwind on the lower half). Drove back to truckee in a bit of a fog. Happy fog, I'm pretty sure the 1st and 2nd hardest days on the bike for me ever, although I haven't decided yet in which order.

Everyone should do this race at least once. I don't know about 7 times, you'll have to ask Paul about that!

ed note: This is my 6th, not 7th, Everest as Andy suggests, but I'm not sure that makes me any more sane!

Spoke 'n Words: Fall into fun and take it to the dirt

noreply@blogger.com (Chappawitz) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 18:50:00 +0000

As the nights get a little cooler, precious moisture fills the air and settles into the moon dust — and more importantly, our trails become ideal for knobby adventures on our fabled single-track, much of which is largely unknown and coveted.

If you've been starving yourself of riding mountain bikes this summer, spending the majority of your time on pavement huddled in tight packs of type-A's watching your training numbers and the like, mix it up by dusting off your mountain bike and hang on for single-track bliss in your own back yard.

Read on at the Sierra Sun.

San Ardo 2009 Race Report

macpaulster@gmail.com (macpaulster) — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 01:32:00 +0000

Rolling into the parking lot of King City's Keefer's Inn, on the way to San Ardo Road Race, my carpool mate, Zack Beekler, and I run into some of Zack's Penn Velo teammates. They're off to pre-ride the San Ardo course. Probably a good idea, but I say to Zack, "let’s just chill in the room and watch a good Western."

We get in the room and I switch on the tube, and there it is! I don't even change a single channel, and "Lonesome Dove", starring Robert Duvall, without a doubt one of the finest Westerns ever made, is rolling. It's going to be a good weekend.

Robert Duvall in Lonesome Dove. Inspiring.

Just two CWC boys raced San Ardo, Ramsey, and myself, both recent Cat 3 upgrades. Ramsey stayed with the pack and was in good position coming into the finish, but burned his matches a little early and finished 25^thin the E3's. I somehow managed a 4^th place in a bunch sprint in the M55+1,2,3 race.

That’s the short, here’s the long:

I debate about doing San Ardo, long drive, flat race, low probability of doing well. But my friend Zack is going, and he's driving so I think, well, it would be fun to roll down there together, talk s*&# on the way and have a little fun. And besides, I recently pulled off a 6^th at Dunnigan Hills, also a sprinter's race, so I figure, who knows, maybe I can do something.

After watching a good part of Lonesome Dove, we walk across the parking lot at Keefer's to Laurence's Restaurant, joined by Zack's teammates, Mark and Eric. I'm skeptical about the place but they have a salad bar, and some good specials. We all order specials. Mark, Eric, and I go with the Salmon Special, while Zack steps up to Prime Rib. Zack's Prime Rib is a good 2 lbs. He shares with all and still has enough to pack his belly and make walking difficult after the meal.

We bed down early and Zack and I begin our second major farting contest. The first showdown was at Tioga Pass Resort a few years ago during a Winter ski tour. I'm a Cat 1 farter, trust me. But Zack is, like... Pro Tour. OK, Let’s move on.

The lovely Keefer's Inn. This is before coffee.

We hit Starbuck's just as they open at 5:30 A.M. (I accidentally set my alarm 30 minutes too early), and we walk into Denny’s with Starbuck's Coffee in hand, a classic move I've done more than once. The servers at Denny's seem to understand. It's unspoken, but they are not insulted when we don't order Denny's coffee.

We "build our own" Grand Slam then head off to the race. As we leave the restaurant, I hear the server tell Ramsey and Alanna for the second time, "I'll be with you in just a moment." I tell Ramsey and Alanna that I paid the server $10 to tell them 10 times that she'd be with them in 'just a moment'. We arrive early at the venue, so I doze in the car while Zack gets in his chamois.

We roll out of the start with two guys taking an immediate flyer. We work and reel 'em back in. This is to be the menu for the day. Attack after attack, followed by easy stretches, with everything being brought back. Brian Fessenden, a feared sprinter and one of the best and most experienced Master's riders on the circuit, tells me that breaks rarely stay away at San Ardo. I listen and dose my chasing accordingly. Brian eventually wins our race, not surprisingly.

During the second and final lap, the attacks increase in frequency and intensity. I know to position myself well going into the causeway before the finish climb/sprint. I grab Greg Bollela's wheel as we approach the finish climb. Same strategy that got me a 6^th at Dunnigan Hills, another sprint race where I should not have done well on paper. I'm second wheel going into the finish climb when all hell breaks loose. Guys going everywhere, I just focus on trying to have a wheel and staying at the front. Top of the short hill is a left turn followed by a 150M sprint. I take the inside line and stand up to sprint. Brian Fessenden, Greg Bollela, and Mac Carey, three of the top BAR (Best All Around Riders) take off and I follow. They actually gap me a bit and I am pushing the wind. As I sprint toward the line it seems like slow motion. Surely a bunch of guys will come around me. But I persevere, keep the pressure on the pedals, turning the cranks over to Zack's cheers, and cross the line holding 4^th place. Zack was laughing at the finish, wondering how the guy with skinny calves is mixing it up with the big sprinters. I have no answer except to say that if you ride smart and dig deep during the last few minutes of a road race, good things will happen.

The not so coveted San Ardo top 6 T-shirt

Here are my 3 tips learned from the weekend:

1- Rent the movie/mini series “Lonesome Dove”, settle in and watch amazing and inspirational performances from Robert Duvall and his supporting cast.

2- Do not get into a farting contest with Zack Beekler. You'll go down hard.

3- What happens in the first two hours of a road race means nothing. Remind yourself to dig deep during the last 10 minutes of the race. You'll be rewarded.

Vimeo: It's Your Ride

noreply@blogger.com (Conrad) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 06:06:00 +0000

Another fantastic cycling video worth watching:

It's Your Ride from Cinecycle on Vimeo.

Performance Cycling Video

noreply@blogger.com (Conrad) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 05:58:00 +0000

In case you've been living in a cave and haven't seen this, check it out, it's brilliant:

Chickadee #2 Report, Results and Photos are posted

noreply@blogger.com (Conrad) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 22:49:00 +0000

http://chickadeeunderground.blogspot.com/

Words of wisdom...

noreply@blogger.com (b.ragains) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:40:00 +0000

A wise, yet oddly strict man once shared a bit of wisdom with me,

"Choose your kills wisely, young one."

These words ring true in life, but are especially great in this crazy world of cycling. Of course, we can't go out killing people to win bike races. So, I like to think of my racing season as a matchbook. There are only so many matches in a book, so it behooves one to wisely choose when and where those matches are burnt. Light a match in the wind, and it blows out like 'that'. Try to hold on to a single match for too long, and you burn your ass.

Another way to look at those words, one anology much more favorable in the eyes of my Master: the samurai sword. Special editors note: to have your life ended at the hands of a samurai sword is just as much an honor (and part of the cycle) as it is to end another warriors life. We all eventually die, right? The best way to cheat this truth is to keep your game and sword sharp as fuck. However, each kill at the hands of the samurai sword is an honor, and the blade must be cleaned (either by hand, or by a flick of the wrist in battle). Immediately following each battle, a sword must be sharpened and tended to , in the name of tradition and practicality.

Take what you will from this rant...

DOG ATTACK!

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Scott) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 19:30:00 +0000

No, not that kind. But this post is about a dog attack. By that dog right there, my dog.

Every Monday we ride local trails together. This ride is not about training -- at least not for me -- he may have other ideas. Its about being outside w/ my dog and spinning my legs out a bit. I've sourced a route from my house with plenty of water and shade and views. There is a big swimming hole at the turnaround point that requires a little bushwhack off the trail. He always swims. Sometimes I do too.

Throughout the year he's learned the route. Conserving energy at times, letting it run at others. I watch him, he watches me. We talk. I try to see the route through the eyes of a dog (soft/shady single track good, exposed gravel bad). I ignore his feeding schedule and make sure he is hydrated and fed, especially around recovery. He tends to ditch his dog bed Monday nights and sleeps next to me on the floor.

So what about this dog attack. Well, typically he likes to trot a little behind pacing himself to me and probably avoiding some dust. He is an 80 pound dog -- in good shape but not one of these spindly run forever dogs. He is a great trail companion on foot or bike. He is sweet and non-aggresive -- in dog terms 'submissive'. Yesterday it all changed. Climbing home from the swimming hole he came around me . . . i picked up my pace a bit expecting him to go back . . . he looked back at me like Lance on the Alp and said what you got and away he went! My dog attacked! I gave a half-hearted chase but he wasn't having it. I could see the confidence and strength in his gait.

He'd put in his time and earned the right and was the lead dog going home. My dog's first, and best, attack.

Diamond Valley Minden District Master's Championship Report 2009

macpaulster@gmail.com (macpaulster) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 05:32:00 +0000

Paul McKenzie (l) and Rick Reynolds (r) race side by side through the chicane in the crit
Photo Courtesy Tommy Compton

The Northern California District Master's Championships takes place each year with a Saturday road race on the beautiful Diamond Valley loop near Woodford's, CA, followed by a criterium on Sunday in Minden, CA. The CWC team had a few takers that made it out to both events, and although no medals were brought home, we had numerous top tens for a strong showing. There was also a Cat 3,4,5 race added for Elite racers and Matt and Ben raced, but at this writing we have no results or reports from them. Here's the tally:

Road Race:
Rick Reynolds (50+) 4th
Andy Scott (35+) 7th
Paul McKenzie (55+) 10th

Criterium:
Ramsey Etchison (40+) 4th
Paul McKenzie (55+) 8th
Rick Reynolds (50+) 21st

Paul McKenzie Road Race Report:
I'm looking forward to racing with Rick in the road race, but the fields for 50+ and 55+ are so large, that a request by Larry Wolff to the officials to split the groups is granted just before the race. I have mixed feelings. The course is 11 miles, and features a gradual downhill, followed by two stiff climbs in succession that are a few minutes long each, then a gradual uphill to the finish. Not a climber's course by any means, but the big guys will be dropped if they can't climb. We'll do 4 laps.

We go over the climbs the first time and a third of the field is dropped. A dog runs out in front of the group on the downhill on lap two, but disaster is averted through good communication in the pack -- we see it coming and everyone is shouting out warnings.

Peter Taylor (Reno Wheelmen) gives me the eye hoping I'm hurting as much as he on the climb. I am.
Photo Courtesy Tommy Compton

Next time over the climbs a few more are dropped, but I'm still good. Third lap is really hard as the attacks begin. It gets really twitchy before the climbs on the last lap and I'm attentive and stay at the front. We're down to a dozen guys. Last time over the climbs inflicts serious pain but it becomes clear that this dozen will go to the line together.

Attacks happen in the final few kilometers before the finish but nothing sticks except for one guy who manages to slip off the front when nobody wants to chase. The rest of us sprint for the line in a messy fashion. Centerline rule applies and it's a narrow road. I get bumped twice by Mac Carey, the second time he knocks my bars with his hips and I struggle to keep it upright. My only opening is in the right gutter so I go for it. Unfortunately, a dropped P 1,2 woman with another lap to go is right on the finish line (right gutter) rolling at a snail's pace. I shut down my sprint as others fly by and have to settle for 10th. Oh well.

Rick Reynolds Road Race Report:

It was my first time racing on the Diamond Valley course and all in all I would say it's a fair course. It does its job separating the athletes who have good form and those who don't.

In the 50+ race World Champion Rob Anderson went on a flyer after 2.5 laps (4 lap race) and took the win uncontested.

Rick rides in the bunch up the climb on an early lap
Photo Courtesy Tommy Compton

On the final lap I attacked with full gas on the last climb and splintered the field. My goal was to try and put the hurt on Rob's teamate (and also World Champion) Larry Nolan. When it came time for the field sprint Nolan went first and won the field sprint and ended up 2nd. I was boxed in but still muscled out a 3rd place...... but was relegated to 4th after being pushed over the center line. Somewhat frustrating when the cyclist who pinched me should have been relegated for blocking. Thus is bike racing.

In the end, I feel realy good about the 4 day stage race I'll doing in Vermont first week in Sept.

Andy Scott Road Race Report:
I ended up 7^th. Andres Gil rode away on lap 3 climb, another gear. Two other guys were up the road who I was told were strong . . . all the guns seem to know who each other are . . . Me and 3-4 other guys did work, but not great organization. We mowed down the guys that weren’t Andres as they blew in the heat/wind. On lap 5 I looked back and noticed that the field of 50 was down to 8. So short of an implosion on my part – which was no given – I would hit my goal of top 10. On the final lap (six) two guys rode away separately, not even attacking just kind of rode away. Nobody said anything . . . silent and tacit acknowledgement that we were all smoked . . . so there went 2^nd and 3^rd. The sprint was funny, a bunch of guys
moaning and groaning in slow motion. Anyway, 7^th. Awesome race. Hard. Talented and strong field and no bullshit. I have only one more year for the 66 miler!
(ed. note: I guess this means Andy is looking forward to getting older.)

Andy Scott lays down the big effort at Diamond Valley Road Race
Photo Courtesy Tommy Compton

Paul McKenzie Crit Report:
OK, this time I get to race with Rick and also my brother Doug as the 50+ and 55+ race together. Nice course in Minden, CA. Smooth pavement, nice turns, reasonably safe (but still a crit). Field takes off fast and attacks start immediately. I don't feel I have any business covering them, I'm here to survive. Straights are in excess of 30 mph, and it's all I can do to hang on. Field splits about 20 minutes into the 50 minute race. I'm too far back and don't make the cut, neither does Rick. About 12 guys off the front and the rest chase. Probably started with 70 racers but it's now down to about 30. Rick is riding aggressively, making several attempts to bridge the gap. I'm riding for survival, just trying to move up at any opportunity. My heart rate is pegged while my brother Doug is trying to tell me something about how I'm still in it because most of the guys in front are 50+. But I'm borderline incoherent from the effort and can't respond.

The wide angle lens makes Paul's thighs and calves look massive
Photo Courtesy Tommy Compton

Last lap I do my best to move up as much as I can, taking the risky inside line on the turns and staying hard on the pedals. I do the best I can on the sprint having no idea where I end up until the results are announced. I finish 8th, which is great news for me. We average 26 mph during the race covering 22 miles in 50 minutes.

Ramsey's Crit Report:
I got 4th in the 40+ field. super fun course. We did 24 miles in our 50 minutes. I achieved a new max heart rate today by 5 beats. Yahoo... I guess? Also today should get me my 2 points to upgrade with!!!!!!

Ramsey rips through the chicane doing the Oakley glasses proud
Photo Courtesy Tommy Compton

Fun watching the incredible hulk. Really fun watching Paul and Rick race. You guys rock.......
(ed. note: Thanks for the cheers Rams!)

Special thanks to Tommy Compton for these great images. See images of other racers on Tommy's site:

Diamond Valley Road Race

Minden Park Criterium

Trail Stewardship Bolsters Local Community

forresthuisman@gmail.com (Forrest Huisman) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 23:35:00 +0000

What makes a mountain town shine among the best? Most of us agree that they require a strong presence of winter and summer activities, along with free public access to wild and open space. After all, wilderness is where we recharge our batteries, build long-lasting friendships and find inspiration to conquer life's challenges. Many years ago, Henry David Thoreau expressed with great vision that, "In Wildness is the preservation of the world." And today, more than ever before, many of us mountain goers understand this and embrace it daily.

Among the many outdoor activities available, the common ground for hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers is a diverse and expansive network of adventurous singletrack. These ribbons of trail stretch from our homes and communities to distant and rugged ridgelines, grassy meadows and remote alpine lakes.

Unfortunately, not all communities are so lucky, but where Trail Stewardship and Support from Public and Local Governing Agencies are strong, mountain communities such as Taos NM, Colorado Springs CO, Crested Butte CO, Moab UT, Jackson WY, Bozeman MT, Nelson BC, Bend OR, Downieville CA, Truckee CA and the Tahoe Basin score very, very high. Additionally, with continuous citizen foresight and planning, these communities realize strong tourism, great fiscal buoyancy, tight community fabric, and higher standards of living for residents and visitors alike.

Where Trail Stewardship and support is high, we also find diverse user-groups working TOGETHER to develop trail networks and community. John Svahn, Truckee resident and Trail Advocate with Truckee Donner Land Trust, expressed recently, "During regular outings and on volunteer trail days, I am constantly inspired by the cooperative spirit I see from trail users with varied recreation backgrounds." This feedback is refreshing and increasingly common, and with continued support and common respect for other users, trail networks will continue uniting our communities and providing access to wilderness and adventures beyond.

Through continued support and coordination, successful plans for open-space protection, trail maintenance and new trail creation are ever more abundant in mountain towns throughout the Sierra’s and the Tahoe Basin. For example, along with endless miles of new singletrack planned near North and South Yuba, Tahoe Rim and Donner Rim, we are also enjoying the recent opening of Phase II of the Truckee River Legacy Trail and the Donner Pass Road Bike Lane at Donner Lake. Every individual that contributed to these major successes knows the deep satisfaction of contributing to their own resilient and sustainable community. So, in addition to our four vibrant seasons, it’s US, you and me, friends and neighbors, which make our mountain towns glow so bright and the place we want to be...

To continue building momentum for quality trail networks and strong local community, take the steps to become involved through Organizations such as;

Truckee Trails Foundation www.truckeetrails.org Alert; Join the Ribbon cutting ceremony for Legacy Trail paving, and Donner Lake bike lanes on July 23 at 2:00pm at the pedestrian bridge over East River Street! Also, check out Rock & Roll for Trails this FRIDAY, July 31, 2009. This is a super event at Northstar's Village featuring dancing and skating to music by Montaña, and the local premiere of Masters of Stone VI, the latest climbing film by award-winning filmmaker Eric Perlman.
Tahoe Rim Trail http://tahoerimtrail.org
Truckee Donner Land Trust, Volunteer Trail Construction Days www.tdlandtrust.org
Yuba Expeditions www.yubaexpeditions.com
Pacific Crest Trail Association Days www.trailprojects.com/projectsdatabase.html
Truckee River Day www.truckeeriverday.org
Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship, Trail Daze www.sierratrails.org
Truckee Day, Clean-up & Town-wide Block Party www.truckeeday.org
U.S. Forest Service Trail Adoption (530-587-3558)

Reno Wheelmen Geiger Grade Hill Climb 2009 Report

macpaulster@gmail.com (macpaulster) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 00:56:00 +0000

Katerina Nash, Sidnee Riley, Paul McKenzie in Virginia City, NV

Today I had the pleasure of competing in one of the Reno Wheelmen Hill Climb Series Race, the Geiger Grade Hill Climb. This wonderful climb ascends from South Reno up to Geiger Summit near Virginia City. It was a "B" race for me, just go out and have fun and get a good work out. But it turned out to be more than that. A revelation about racing and a good time with friends. Read on...

I send a note out to teammates saying I'm heading to the Geiger Grade Hill Climb, any takers? No response. Oh well, I'll just go at it alone. I arrive at the start and register. These events are sooo low key. Just show up day of, no pre registration, no full categories, etc. Give 'em yer 20 bucks, show your racing license, sign on the dotted line, and you're good.

Pulling the bike off the car my friend Katerina Nash (Luna Pro Team) walks over and says hi. Immediately after, friend Nancy Farzan (Velo Bella) also walks over to greet. We hatch a plan to ride on to Virginia City after the finish, check out the sights, then return via a back road recommended by Katerina, the Louiseville loop. Sounds like great fun!

Women's winner Katerina Nash at the summit

The climb is just shy of 8 miles and rises 2100'. It's never steep so the climbing speed is fairly high. Definitely some wind today but nothing devastating.

My start time is 9:16. I roll out of the start and tick off a nice tempo pace.

Out of the saddle big-ringing the climb
Photo Courtesy Tommy Compton

I've learned not to go out too hard on a TT. I slowly ease my HR up to threshold, about 168 bpm. I start passing riders very shortly (riders go off at 30 second intervals). A few minutes in, one rider passes me, which is demoralizing at the time, but he ends up being the only one who passes me. Meanwhile I keep passing riders and quite easily achieve my goal of sub 40 minutes with a time of 38:01. Keep in mind Bobbie Julich's record on the course is just under 30 minutes! Geez. We don't get Katerina's time at the top, but to use a term I learned from teammate Ben Ragains, I'm certain I got "chick'd."
(ed note: Katerina finished in 34:13, for 7th overall and 6 minutes faster than the closest woman!)

When I arrive at the top, Katerina (overall women's winner) and Nancy are waiting. We head on to Virginia City and stop for some liquid at an ice cream parlor. In walks a cowboy with two 'for real' six shooters on his belt. We strike up a conversation with him and have some fun taking photos with Nancy's iPhone.

Sidnee shows off the six shooter

He's interested in our bikes, so we show him. He asks how much they weigh as he lifts my Scott Addict. I ask him how much his two .357 six shooters weigh. "12 pounds," he says. "My bike weighs not much more that that," I reply.

Lifting the Scott Addict is effortless

We then return via the Louiseville loop with some wild horse sightings and a mellow ride through a remote neighborhood I didn't know existed.

Nancy Farzan with the Gunslinger

Just have to say that doing a fun, low key "B" race and doing a nice cool down ride with friends afterward can make for a pretty nice day on the bike. It's a revelation how much fun a low pressure race can be, and a hill climb with just you and the clock creates a no pressure situation vs. racing in a pack. Special thanks to the Reno Wheelmen for putting on these cool, low key events that make bike racing accessible to everyone.

Photos courtesy Nancy Farzan

Action Photo courtesy Tommy Compton

Be sure to check out the entire Geiger photo set on Tommy's site.

Humbled and Stoked on Downieville

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Scott) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:08:00 +0000

I raced Downieville (XC, Expert) on Saturday. First Dville, first Mountain Bike race. No course pre-ride. No goals other than don't destroy body or bike and *have fun*. Mission accomplished -- but easier said than done. Ended up 11th, which I'm still strangely pleased about . . . or don't care about. This day is the epitome of the experience -- the journey -- trumping any goal. Bike racing can cloud that life maxim but it shouldn't. I won't go deep in detail here as others will and it is not my story -- but some teammates got hurt on the course (they are ok now overall). Perspective. I can say that this was one of the best days of bike racing I've ever experienced blowing away many where I exceeded my expectation in results (including winning - the ultimate goal -- right?). Awesome. Random thoughts and observations:

*This is beyond a race. The day reminded me more of a ski mountaineering adventure/epic. Sensory assault. Physical and mental suffering, incredible highs and lows, every moment rich and layered and deep . . . a trip.

*Wow am I slow on the descent . . . to get better here is some combo of growing sack, practice -- at speed -- on more technical terrain than I typically ride, pre-riding course/course knowledge. Bike/gear is no excuse . . . dudes on hardtails (Conrad/Matt) smoked me. Did I mention this was my first Mt bike race . . .

*The post race scene in Dville is beyond awesome. No cars (mine was 13 miles away in Sierra City at the start). Post race endorphins. Teammates/friends and sharing stories. Cold beer, food, bike, bike, bike. Tiny old town. Cold clear river. Bike jump arial show into river. On and on

This event is firmly on the annual calendar, hopefully for the whole family next year. Riding back to my car late in the afternoon (shuttle bailed, I didn't care?) looking forward to the short and beautiful drive back to Truckee and hanging w/ my family I felt incredibly humbled and fortunate and just stoked . . . still buzzing 2 days later.

SAN RAFAEL TWILIGHT, I MEAN, AFTERNOON CRIT

noreply@blogger.com (ramsey) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 06:35:00 +0000

AFTER SOME MORNING PAN HANDLING AND A FALAFEL

BURRITO I PUT ON MY NEW LUMA SKIN SUIT

AND RACED THROUGH THE STREETS OF SAN RAFAEL.

ALL ABOARD!!!!!!

VON RAINBOW AND THE NEW SENSATION.

ATTACKING!

TURN FOUR HAD RHYTHM, OUT OF A DOWN INTO AN UP.

SECOND PLACE GOT ME FIVE POINTS CLOSER AND TWO POINTS AWAY.

THE WINNING LOOK.

THANKS OAKLEY.