Keepin' busy

Chaindrive went fairly well- 2nd in the 32 mile singlespeed cat. It hurt, alot. Since then, I've been playing with just a few dump-truck loads of dirt :).

Friday I'm off to Marquette for the 12 hours of potluck. We'll see how epic it gets compared to last year.

Ready to throw down.

32 mile Chaindrive on saturday. 'Nuff said.

Since last time...

I'm still pretty broke, and it doesn't help that hours were cut at the shop. Soo I skipped racing the rasta rally and opted for a day of rest via flyfishing- at sweedetown creek. Blue skies, mid 60s, stream-side lunch, and dry flies were the order for the day. It was pretty cool to catch a few brookies and 'bows, especially to look at the bank and notice that the chaindrive course was only a few feet away. I also fished the pilgrim later on that week- again more brookies on dry flies.

Pay-day brought some funding to head to Rhinelander for another WORS race. I was feeling pretty good that day. My age group was the last wave to head out, with the start being wicked-fast again; only having ~15 minutes to warm up didn't help. The legs were feeling kinda dead through most of the first lap. It seemed like the only place I was able to pass people was on the singletrack, where there was plenty of traffic since it seemed like the roadies struggled with how technical it was for a WORS race. All in all, I finished mid-field. One weird thing- it seemed like I had too much energy and no leg soreness after racing for 22ish miles.

Last week I went to pre-ride the Chaindrive course. There's some changes and I'd figured I'd join in on the RedJackets ride. After we rode the new sections, it definitely seemed like it was a no-holds-barred ride. I definitly got dropped and didn't ride the course beyond drunken sailor. Not my idea of a group ride, nor was I happy. Today I pre-rode the course in entirety on the Hooligan- 650b, singlespeed, and rigid. The course this year has more new singletrack added in towards the beginning of the race. With more singletrack comes more climbing (and pain). The legs are definitley sore after riding.

I know my climbing skills could use some improvement, but it feels like I climb faster on a SS. I still wonder if I'm faster on a SS compared to a geared bike. Results from the last two years at chaindrive suggest that SS is the way to go. And it definitely seems that SS is the way to go for me while racing CX. OR maybe it just depends on the course??

Now that summer is here...

I could fill in the things that happened when the snow was around, but its summer and don't want to think of snow for a long while.

The semester is over, and went well. Typically I struggle during the spring semester- caused by thinking about bikes too much and wanting to ride. I'm sure working on a project for SRAM as part of the new bike enterprise "velovations" helped cure the "itch". And now its hard to think its already race season. I had been riding for ~2 weeks and kicked things of on a two-hitter last weekend. Cable Off Road Classic on saturday and WORS (Iola) for sunday.

Cable was cold (try ~36 degrees and snow flurries for the start) and surprisingly didn't hurt too much. Placed 55th overall of 200ish, wich was good enough to win the age group. Iola was a different story- mid 60s (too hot) and racing on tired legs made for a mediocre race. I did manage to take off almost 5 minutes off my time from last year, which was a nice surprise despite placing near dfl in the age class and 70th overall (of 110ish). Who knows when I'll race next; depends on a few things and hopefully doesn't involve the race entry fees totaling more than the last paycheck.

Garage Sale!

I don't have much use for the stuff below, so its for sale. Any reasonable offers are welcomed and pictures are available by request. If we happen to be friends, you may be eligible for a special "friend discount".

Kenda Nevegal Tire- sold
-26” 2.35 stick-e, like new with minimal wear

Bontrager Race Lite seatpost- $25
-31.6 x 350, 5mm offset, finish is scuffed up but still fully functional

FSA K-Force flat bar- sold
-600mm, 5 degree sweep, 25.4 clamp, decals scuffed from brake levers

Bontrager Earl Stem- sold
-50mm, 10 degree, 31.8 clamp

Easton EA70 stem- sold
-120mm, 6 degree, 25.4 clamp, brand new

Syntace F99 stem- $40
-135mm, 5 degree, 25.4 clamp, light!

Shimano XT centerlock hub- sold
-M765 rear, silver, 32h, includes skewer, like new

Shimano XTR centerlock rotors- $60
-pair, 160 diameter, brand new

Shimano RT-62 (LX) centerlock rotors- sold
-pair, 160 diameter, used

Shimano Ultegra cassette- sold
-12-27 9sp, used, but still life left in it

Shimano XT Shadow rear der.- sold
-long cage, few minor scrapes but in good shape

Salsa Delgado Disc rim- $35
-26” polished 32h

RaceFace bash ring- $20
-104 bcd, fits up to 34t

Wellgo B54 flat pedals- sold
-sealed bearing, removable/replaceable pins

one more fix

Thanksgiving break went something like this:

Drove to the Brew City.

Raced in the WI CX championship on the fixie for cat 4. Probably wasn't the best course for such a decision. Came way to close to puking. Managed to place 18th, and on the crappiest bike there.

Got out for four trail rides on the kula, including a couple night rides.

Ate some turkey.

Slapped the snow tires on the G-ride.

Acquired a new whip.

Headed back to the north.

Why I want to move to CA

Within the last week:

Snow... then 70 degrees... then rain... and more snow... racing collegiate cx in snow...then rain, 40's...