Racing this year in MN and WI has kind of been a bust with the weather =( The weather has left us all monitoring the radar and twitter feeds daily for trail conditions (racing or just riding).
Anyway, here is my early season update, well almost mid season now I guess:
1. The Camba Epic was a great race. I had a great battle w/ some fast guys on sweet trails up there. Gone are the days of double XC weekends so I missed MNMBS Mankato that weekend. It just is not in the cards for me to pull doubles, as family time is too important to me.
2. I had planned to do Cheq 100 this past weekend, but they postponed the race at the 11th hour. We had a family get away planned at a cabin for the weekend and everything. I was VERY disappointed but respect their decision. Lets just say that I was prepared for this race. I will definitely be there in Sept to give it a go. Then Sunday, the day of the Red Wing MNMBS, was my wife Jen's birthday. I am not going to try that one after all her patience w/ racin! Plus, I have done enough muddy Red Wing races for a lifetime.
3. I really want to do about 25 races this year (including 5-7 snow bike races). I have done 35 mountain bike races per year for the past 5 years. My family has been patient and enjoyed time doing this, but they no longer want to spend 2 out of 3 summer Sundays baking out in the hot sun. I don't blame them. That said, the kids still LOVE the shorter closer buck hill races=)
4. Races like Cheq 100 and Maah Daah Hey 100, which I am also doing, are interesting and exciting to me because they are true mtbk races (not just mtbks on gravel). After 10 year of only XC racing (yes, it is has been that long) it is time to try something different. These longer mountain bike races also pair well with fewer races, as long races mean longer rides during the summer and more rest after the races. I do still have interest in some grass roots gravel road racing, but NOT the corporate stuff.
5. I just love riding my bike every day=) Too much racing can get in the way of that if you want to be ready and rested on race day. I don't ride to race, I race to ride.
So near term, I will be back at Buck this week and plan to do Buck this weekend. Then it will be off to Hayward for family vaca. Ben, Brad and I plan to rock the trails there for a week.
Looking further out I plan to be at the Lester Park race in a couple weeks. Looking beyond that, I have a mish-mash of MNMBS, the MDH 100, maybe Wausau 12 hour, and for SURE Laddies Loppet. I am guessing I will have no trouble filling out that 25 race schedule!!
Now, if it would just not rain for more than 24 hours...
Cheers
Monday, June 24, 2013
Tuesday, June 04, 2013
Quick Update...
Yes, I am still here and have been racing.
Over the previous couple weeks I did a couple Buck Hill races, the Wooly MNMBS race, and the EPIC up in Cable/Hayward.
The Buck races have been a blast for my family. Tegan even did an entire lap at the first race! It was pretty hard on his early season 6-year-old legs, but he toughed it out and made Daddy very proud=)
Wolly was great as well, but I could have gone faster on my dual suspension given some of the open rough sections. The course up there is a nice mix of everything (singletrack, double track gravel, and a tiny bit of paved path) that reminded me of the Mammoth trail in Chaska.
The EPIC race was properly named. Of the 33 miles, 30 of it were singletrack. Point to point races (this one going from Cable to Hayward) are always a treat. Jason Sager, Jesse Lalonde and I had a good battle. At the finish they out kicked me, but the race was just the warm up I needed for the Cheq 100!
On the equipment, I am loving the 29ers. I think the superfly 100 might be the fastest bike I have ever ridden off road considering a variety of conditions. For smooth or punchy courses, the Superfly HT will be tough to beat though. The XR0 and 1 tires are even better in the 29er form than 26er form, which I didn't expect but am pleasantly surprised by. XTR stuff is completely flawless and is the best drivetrain on earth, IMO, when paired w/ a WTC ring. The ENVE and Bonti wheels are both great, but I reach for the ENVEs on race day. They are just so dang still, light and snappy.
The Kuat rack continues to exceed my expectations as well. The integrated bike stand feature is SO useful. Plus the rack looks amazing on my FJ.... and 1/2 of going fast is looking good right?
Really, I can't think of one complaint about my equipment, which is one of the benefits of being a "privateer" and not being forced into using equipment because a sponsor said so=)
Sorry for the lack or pictures, but if you are reading this, you probably know what I look like;)
Cheers.
Over the previous couple weeks I did a couple Buck Hill races, the Wooly MNMBS race, and the EPIC up in Cable/Hayward.
The Buck races have been a blast for my family. Tegan even did an entire lap at the first race! It was pretty hard on his early season 6-year-old legs, but he toughed it out and made Daddy very proud=)
Wolly was great as well, but I could have gone faster on my dual suspension given some of the open rough sections. The course up there is a nice mix of everything (singletrack, double track gravel, and a tiny bit of paved path) that reminded me of the Mammoth trail in Chaska.
The EPIC race was properly named. Of the 33 miles, 30 of it were singletrack. Point to point races (this one going from Cable to Hayward) are always a treat. Jason Sager, Jesse Lalonde and I had a good battle. At the finish they out kicked me, but the race was just the warm up I needed for the Cheq 100!
On the equipment, I am loving the 29ers. I think the superfly 100 might be the fastest bike I have ever ridden off road considering a variety of conditions. For smooth or punchy courses, the Superfly HT will be tough to beat though. The XR0 and 1 tires are even better in the 29er form than 26er form, which I didn't expect but am pleasantly surprised by. XTR stuff is completely flawless and is the best drivetrain on earth, IMO, when paired w/ a WTC ring. The ENVE and Bonti wheels are both great, but I reach for the ENVEs on race day. They are just so dang still, light and snappy.
The Kuat rack continues to exceed my expectations as well. The integrated bike stand feature is SO useful. Plus the rack looks amazing on my FJ.... and 1/2 of going fast is looking good right?
Really, I can't think of one complaint about my equipment, which is one of the benefits of being a "privateer" and not being forced into using equipment because a sponsor said so=)
Sorry for the lack or pictures, but if you are reading this, you probably know what I look like;)
Cheers.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
New Bikes and Factory Demo!
Superfly Pro SL Hardtail and 100 (Dually)
- I stripped the XX drivetrains off and am running my much preferred Shimano XTR groups as 1x10 with a WTC chainrings.
- I also put on XTR brakes. Anyone that has ridden XTR brakes probably agrees that they are the best performing disc brakes ever (I have ridden LOTS different kinds).
- I will be running a mix of ENVE 29 XC wheels and the stock Bontrager RXL wheels. Both are set up w/ DT Swiss 240 hubs and Areolite spokes, and going solely to DT Swiss stuff was a conscious effort after hub issues in past years.
- I switched the carbon stems out for the stiff but lite Bontrager Rhythm Pro Stems
- Tires this year will be the full XR range (0,1,2,mud) from Bontrager.
- The rest of the bike including cockpit and suspension are stock.
- The weights came in VERY impressive at 18.5lbs for the HT and 20.75lbs for the dually (with XR0 tires and ENVE wheels)
I did do a race last weekend. It was cold, my legs felt tight the whole time, but it was a good kick in the pants to start the season with 50 miles of tight, twisty singletrack at or near XC race pace. I did feel strong pretty much the entire 4 hours other than my legs being cold. My trophy for winning was a signed copy of a picture of me (signed by me ...not sure if it was authentic) . Thanks to the race directors for that ;)
Cheers!
Monday, April 29, 2013
=)
I spent about 4 non-sleeping hours inside from Friday mid-afternoon until Sunday night. It felt SOOOO good to be out and be warm.
First, the Shimano Fairy, Trek Fairy, and Enve fairy made their deliveries over the past month. The bikes this year are outrageous (in an awesome way)!
Next, I had to get the bikes finished up...reports coming. Tyson at Freewheel once again did some of the critical stuff like internal brake routing. Every time my bike comes back from FW, it is perfect!
Then I set up shop outside. I was too nice to hole up in the mancave for the final build on the dually. That new Kuat NV rack I mentioned has a bike stand option, which works awesome! It will come in super handy at the trail or at races.
Finally, Snow Tuesday to DIRT on Sunday. Yes, the trails with sandy soil are mostly dry already. I have been doing this long enough to know=) The iron curtain won't be lifted on the mainstream trails for a couple weeks (I would guess). Just remember this spring, or any time really, if you are making more than a tread print in the dirt on the majority of the trail, save the token muddy/wet spots, then you are doing damage. This is the CAMBA rule (Chequamegon Area) and it is the best and easiest to follow that I have found. Below is how my bike looked Sunday after following these rules.
Next up is a Bacon Sandwich...
Cheers!
First, the Shimano Fairy, Trek Fairy, and Enve fairy made their deliveries over the past month. The bikes this year are outrageous (in an awesome way)!
Next, I had to get the bikes finished up...reports coming. Tyson at Freewheel once again did some of the critical stuff like internal brake routing. Every time my bike comes back from FW, it is perfect!
Then I set up shop outside. I was too nice to hole up in the mancave for the final build on the dually. That new Kuat NV rack I mentioned has a bike stand option, which works awesome! It will come in super handy at the trail or at races.
Finally, Snow Tuesday to DIRT on Sunday. Yes, the trails with sandy soil are mostly dry already. I have been doing this long enough to know=) The iron curtain won't be lifted on the mainstream trails for a couple weeks (I would guess). Just remember this spring, or any time really, if you are making more than a tread print in the dirt on the majority of the trail, save the token muddy/wet spots, then you are doing damage. This is the CAMBA rule (Chequamegon Area) and it is the best and easiest to follow that I have found. Below is how my bike looked Sunday after following these rules.
Cheers!
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Last chance...
I have tried to be patient with the weather, but I am starting to lose it. My pedaling has not diminished, but it is full of anger, which is good for fitness but bad for morale. My kids are going nuts bouncing off the same wall they have been for 5 months.
People often say "oh well, there is nothing you can do about the cold horrible weather." That is false, as we can move. If next spring is even close to this horrible, Jen and I will be looking to leave this state. We are both marketable enough to move pretty much anywhere. So Cal, NC, SC, and So CO will be on our short list. I hope it doesn't come to this, but I don't like cold and can't take 5 months of suck.
Then you hear "the grass isn't always greener". That too is false. Based on the physics of light, our area cannot be less green with 5" of white snow on it.
Record lows this morning, more snow tonite, and more snow tomorrow night into Monday...it has to end sometime right? And how about 2 dry days in a row, or normal temperatures, or heck, even temperatures within 5 degrees of normal.
Throw us a bone mother nature.
The equipment this year is more exciting than ever, but even that isn't cheering me up because I can't use it. I will share more when I can actually ride the stuff.
Rant over. Back to the pain cave.
People often say "oh well, there is nothing you can do about the cold horrible weather." That is false, as we can move. If next spring is even close to this horrible, Jen and I will be looking to leave this state. We are both marketable enough to move pretty much anywhere. So Cal, NC, SC, and So CO will be on our short list. I hope it doesn't come to this, but I don't like cold and can't take 5 months of suck.
Then you hear "the grass isn't always greener". That too is false. Based on the physics of light, our area cannot be less green with 5" of white snow on it.
Record lows this morning, more snow tonite, and more snow tomorrow night into Monday...it has to end sometime right? And how about 2 dry days in a row, or normal temperatures, or heck, even temperatures within 5 degrees of normal.
Throw us a bone mother nature.
The equipment this year is more exciting than ever, but even that isn't cheering me up because I can't use it. I will share more when I can actually ride the stuff.
Rant over. Back to the pain cave.
Monday, April 01, 2013
The SW
Our Moab and Fruita adventure is over. It ended at the right time, as I missed my family and my legs were on "E" after 5 days of riding
Things I learned on the trip:
1. Amasa Back is now my favorite trail out there. Hands down. The brand new (opened weeks ago) upper and lower Captain Ahab in addition to Pothole, Rockstacker, and Jackson make it the best out there IMO.
2. The Rumblefish was like an "easier button" downhill, but you pay for it on the uphills a bit with the heavier bigger wheels. The suspension on the bike is spot on for having fun and staying fresh in the rough stuff. The new bontrager XR3 TLR (tubeless ready) tires held up great in the super abrasive conditions. The TLR tires now have additional sidewall protection...don't leave for the SW without it.
3. There is still stuff that scares me too much to do out there. I try a little more each time I go.
4. Fruita is fun. The Kokopelli trials are much more fun than the 18 road trails.
5. The Hot Tomato in Fruita is the place to eat if you have one night. If you have more than one night, eat there more than once.
6. The Moab trails are still more fun than Fruita trails IMO. Some argue the opposite, but to each his own.
7. Watching off road vehicles, mostly Jeeps, do wicked thing on the edge of cliffs is super fun. This was the second time of the 1/2 dozen that I have been there where my trip has coincided with "Jeep Week". I am glad it was not my $50k super modified Jeep making those crunching sounds while rock crawling.
8. The trails marked "Easiest" in Fruita's Kokopelli group were on par with the toughest at Mammoth. Everything is relative out there, but there are some easy trails that I would take my son on (Bar M in Moab and 18 road in Fruita)
9. I remember this every time I take a bike trip, but it is relatively easy to get really fit when all you have to attend to is your own needs...
The new Shimano hydration packs are really nice. I highly suggest them if you are due for an upgrade/update like I was.
Yes we had "Moore" fun. This climb put the hurt on me like no other out there.
The playground that is Fruita (Kokopelli Area)...yes those are trails all over the hillsides
Racing starts in a while. I have some different plans for the year and as I mentioned in another post, some different equipment. For now, I am concentrating on suffering in the cold=(
Things I learned on the trip:
1. Amasa Back is now my favorite trail out there. Hands down. The brand new (opened weeks ago) upper and lower Captain Ahab in addition to Pothole, Rockstacker, and Jackson make it the best out there IMO.
2. The Rumblefish was like an "easier button" downhill, but you pay for it on the uphills a bit with the heavier bigger wheels. The suspension on the bike is spot on for having fun and staying fresh in the rough stuff. The new bontrager XR3 TLR (tubeless ready) tires held up great in the super abrasive conditions. The TLR tires now have additional sidewall protection...don't leave for the SW without it.
3. There is still stuff that scares me too much to do out there. I try a little more each time I go.
4. Fruita is fun. The Kokopelli trials are much more fun than the 18 road trails.
5. The Hot Tomato in Fruita is the place to eat if you have one night. If you have more than one night, eat there more than once.
6. The Moab trails are still more fun than Fruita trails IMO. Some argue the opposite, but to each his own.
7. Watching off road vehicles, mostly Jeeps, do wicked thing on the edge of cliffs is super fun. This was the second time of the 1/2 dozen that I have been there where my trip has coincided with "Jeep Week". I am glad it was not my $50k super modified Jeep making those crunching sounds while rock crawling.
8. The trails marked "Easiest" in Fruita's Kokopelli group were on par with the toughest at Mammoth. Everything is relative out there, but there are some easy trails that I would take my son on (Bar M in Moab and 18 road in Fruita)
9. I remember this every time I take a bike trip, but it is relatively easy to get really fit when all you have to attend to is your own needs...
Really hard stuff. This one took me 5 tries to clear.
The new Shimano hydration packs are really nice. I highly suggest them if you are due for an upgrade/update like I was.
The Porcupine descent is still a gem!
The playground that is Fruita (Kokopelli Area)...yes those are trails all over the hillsides
Racing starts in a while. I have some different plans for the year and as I mentioned in another post, some different equipment. For now, I am concentrating on suffering in the cold=(
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
SOOOO Over it
This weather has really started to wear on me (just ask Jen) and I am so over ice, snow, and cold. Luckily, I am headed somewhere much nicer soon.
In tow will be my new Rumblefish Elite with another proto drive train=) I am testing one of the first 30 tooth Wolf Tooth Drop Stop 104 BCD rings (for those that don't know with a 104 BCD the smallest ring is 32 teeth using traditional designs). The 30 tooth will be perfect for 1x snow biking and it allowed me to run the same gearing range I had on my Remedy out in Moab on my last trip.
There is lots of other equipment and gear that I will be posting on once I actually get to use the stuff (see my first comments on the weather). One non-bike thing I am most excited to try is my new car rack. I went with a Kuat NV rack for my new ride. As an engineer, I really appreciate the thought put into to the design, and my favorite part is the bike stand extension!
My next update will probably be from the other side of the Rockies....
In tow will be my new Rumblefish Elite with another proto drive train=) I am testing one of the first 30 tooth Wolf Tooth Drop Stop 104 BCD rings (for those that don't know with a 104 BCD the smallest ring is 32 teeth using traditional designs). The 30 tooth will be perfect for 1x snow biking and it allowed me to run the same gearing range I had on my Remedy out in Moab on my last trip.
My next update will probably be from the other side of the Rockies....
Tuesday, March 05, 2013
Whiteout
I attended yet another snow bike race and this time w/ the Family in tow. The kids and Jen were looking for a getaway weekend so we headed up to the Cayuna Whiteout. The weekend was fun and the only mistake I made was not bringing my ice racing studs...next year!
The fatbike race was not a technical challenge for the most part, but I still got some good intensity in. Yes, I got caught on camera trying to cheat the wind by getting in the fat bike TT position.
Next year I hear they will have more than one short stretch of singletrack. If so, I will be back.
In Tech news, I have been running a super secret drive train. It is a standard 10 speed rear, but with my beloved XTR Shadow Plus rear derailleur (clutch type...I will never run a non-clutch rear der again) and a chain ring from a new company called Wolf Tooth Components. The super secret part is that w/ this combo, no chain guide is needed because of the wide and narrow teeth on the chain ring which keep the chain more aligned on the chain ring (a la XX1 but can be run much cheaper with XT, XO or X9 clutch type rear der). There are a handful of us testing these chain rings including some guys aggressively riding dirt in CA and Mike Curiak who currently crossing the AK wilderness with a middleburn direct mount version. The summary of the testing is that the performance has been flawless with no chain dropping, so go order yourself one! Check out the sram direct spline mount option that is in development (product page), and recall that SRAM just announce X9 and X5 fat bike cranks.
.jpg)
I hear a carbon fat bike is still coming my way... soon. Look for the all the details in the next couple weeks.
The fatbike race was not a technical challenge for the most part, but I still got some good intensity in. Yes, I got caught on camera trying to cheat the wind by getting in the fat bike TT position.
Next year I hear they will have more than one short stretch of singletrack. If so, I will be back.
In Tech news, I have been running a super secret drive train. It is a standard 10 speed rear, but with my beloved XTR Shadow Plus rear derailleur (clutch type...I will never run a non-clutch rear der again) and a chain ring from a new company called Wolf Tooth Components. The super secret part is that w/ this combo, no chain guide is needed because of the wide and narrow teeth on the chain ring which keep the chain more aligned on the chain ring (a la XX1 but can be run much cheaper with XT, XO or X9 clutch type rear der). There are a handful of us testing these chain rings including some guys aggressively riding dirt in CA and Mike Curiak who currently crossing the AK wilderness with a middleburn direct mount version. The summary of the testing is that the performance has been flawless with no chain dropping, so go order yourself one! Check out the sram direct spline mount option that is in development (product page), and recall that SRAM just announce X9 and X5 fat bike cranks.
.jpg)
I hear a carbon fat bike is still coming my way... soon. Look for the all the details in the next couple weeks.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Hidden Beauty
The beauty of the forest in Elk River at Hillside Park on Sunday was stunning. With 4 inches of fresh snow fallen(ing), it was proverbial winter wonderland
Most of us racing Fatbike Fest (the original Fat Bike XC Intergalactic Championship) don't remember any of that beauty. The first lap was an exercise in the art of frustration - pushing, falling, frozen pedals.
I got away early on the trail that had a few tracks.
When those tracks ended, the suck began. I couldn't see the 8-12" wide trail and not being on the trail meant a dab followed by walking followed by trying to remount w/ iced up pedals. After a bit, I decided to sit up and share the load w/ the ~5 guys chasing. It was quite nice being 3-4 wheel kind of like sitting in an armchair=)
We still hiked for more than 1/2 that first lap. At that point, the course flattened out so I hopped on, spent a minute pounding my cleats free (on my pedals) and rode away. Once I got riding I just put my head down. There was still plenty of hike a bike on the last lap, but much less than the first lap.
I rode home alone in just over 3 hours...this course on a normal rideable day takes 1.5 hours.
The finishers, only 1/2 of the starters in the "advanced 2-lap" class all looked like ghosts, as no one had enough food or drink on board for 3 hours of XC level intensity.
I really wanted to quit, but the only thing I hate worse than running in the snow with my bike is quitting! I quit a race once ever, and I still think about that sour memory often.
Finally, equipment you ask? My "too skinny" 65mm rims worked great. I was running the same pressure as everyone else at 3-4 PSI. Oh, and Nates are king in the snow. No question.
All the pics are from Chris Gibbs. He did a wonderful job capturing the event.
Most of us racing Fatbike Fest (the original Fat Bike XC Intergalactic Championship) don't remember any of that beauty. The first lap was an exercise in the art of frustration - pushing, falling, frozen pedals.
When those tracks ended, the suck began. I couldn't see the 8-12" wide trail and not being on the trail meant a dab followed by walking followed by trying to remount w/ iced up pedals. After a bit, I decided to sit up and share the load w/ the ~5 guys chasing. It was quite nice being 3-4 wheel kind of like sitting in an armchair=)
I rode home alone in just over 3 hours...this course on a normal rideable day takes 1.5 hours.
The finishers, only 1/2 of the starters in the "advanced 2-lap" class all looked like ghosts, as no one had enough food or drink on board for 3 hours of XC level intensity.
I really wanted to quit, but the only thing I hate worse than running in the snow with my bike is quitting! I quit a race once ever, and I still think about that sour memory often.
Finally, equipment you ask? My "too skinny" 65mm rims worked great. I was running the same pressure as everyone else at 3-4 PSI. Oh, and Nates are king in the snow. No question.
All the pics are from Chris Gibbs. He did a wonderful job capturing the event.
Tuesday, February 05, 2013
Another
In an effort to race my studded tires for as much time as I spent making them, I did this last Saturday:
On Sunday I rode the Freewheel top secret snow only (lots of adjectives I know) singletrack around Bloomington and Eden Prairie. It was quite possibly the best snow ride of the season with no grooming and on trails where only fat would do.
Next is Fatbike Fest this weekend. Could we be in for mashed potatoes?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)