Wow a map (finally)

Click on map for bigger version of the map. =)

Cross training week ?

Well I certainly haven't worn out any bike tires this season. The Fawintring (fall+winter+spring) weather has gotten on my last nerves. It is driving me absolutely bananas that it is freezing one morning and 19 degrees and the next afternoon is +50 and nice. WTF? We're all lucky we're not dead of some sort of fungo-viral disease. I thought it was bad enough the other day when I found a tick crawling up my leg, but I can only imagine what fun the weeds and other bugs will be this spring and summer. Plus, we needed snow desparately, but I'd just as soon forget about it now. We're going to pay for this - water restrictions will come up again, I'm sure. The Cove probably looks like a desert by now.

So what have I done with myself since I'm not riding? The gym. I'm so grateful for this outlet for my energy. I started off my week Sunday by going to the gym and riding one of the spin bikes while listening to a cardio coach workout. It was fun enough - I forgot my road shoes so I had to do this in tennis shoes which isn't exactly easy when you're used to being attached to the pedals. After I was done, I decided to do some assisted pullups and dips. Then forced myself to do some ab work. Lots of toys to play with and plenty of room on Sundays.

Monday, I decided to try Body Flow which ended up reminding me of the Wii Fit Yoga on crack. I did pretty good at somethings. I found myself going the wrong direction or goofing up a bit, but oh well. It was very relaxing in the end, plus I was psyched because I could do all of the plank stuff without much troubles. Core strength has improved!!!

Tuesday was my scheduled training session - it was arm day and as usual it was a struggle. I felt great when it was over. I can tell that I'm getting stronger. =)

Tonight I went to a 2-hour spin class. This was my second class of this type. The instructor uses various music to direct us on a ride of mixed terrain. All the while, we "visualize" that we're riding somewhere locally with the end goal of 40 miles. The first time I rode, I did 52 miles. I htink tonight I was at 54.5 or so. I can't remember, and after 50 does it really matter all that much?

Tomorrow, I'll be riding a bike home from work. My jeep needs to visit the oil change place, so my dad agreed to drop me off at work, so that I can just ride the bike home. Haven't decided which of them will get to go. HMMMM.

Friday - I'm resting.

Saturday - Probably vegetate a while then head up to Blacksburg for the Hokies vs Puke basketball game.

I'm very tired. Looking forward to the last MTX race on Sunday. Just a reminder, I plan to ride the SS bike. YIKES - no course description or distance yet.

Cleaning, tinkering and thinking...

Well today I slept late (10a) and no I don't regret it. The 2nd half of my work week drained me mentally and physically. My much neglected home needed to be cleaned so I had already planned to blow the day away doing that. So after the needed tasks were done, my rooms look 100% improved. I debated riding, even went so far as to get the clothes out. Tried out different bikes in the yard, none really stirred up interest. Wonder why it is some days, you just don't want to ride?

Anyway, I spied another thing that has needed my attention for a while. That being the trailer than I keep my bikes in. I have just thrown stuff in there mindlessly for too long. I set off to clean it and threw away a lot of junk. I also went through some old bike parts - amazing that I even have old bike stuff. It doesn't seem like I've been riding long enough. Anyway, found the original cranket set off of Ritchey - decided to disassemble the rings. Why? I don't know. I guess I was wondering if the middle one could be put on the single speed if needed? It is a 32t. I don't know if that works that way or not. I also ran across an old chain that didn't appear to be in too horrible of a shape, so I stashed it away in case I go really nuts and decided to alter the single speed some more. A chain tool and a couple of links and voila, a chain. I also have run across some items that I guess I could put on eBay - two saddles and a brand new set of egg beater pedals. Then there was the original stem off Ritchey. I looked at it once, set it aside and moved on. I would come back to in later.

In fact, my brain was thinking if the Easton stem on the SS is too long, I'm stretched out and that puts my weight forward when I stand. If this one was shorter then I could be back more over the center of the bike and with more weight over the pedals, perhaps I could pedal more efficiently when standing and/or sitting. Also, the weight would transfer back towards the rear of the bike therefore keeping back wheel from spinning?!? I don't know if I'm right or not, but my physics knowledge was saying - try it.

So I debated - knowing that I would have to be very careful removing the stem because of the headset. I really didn't want to screw this up. So I checked and held the two stems up and compared. Sure enough the Ritchey stem is shorter. They appear to have the same angle, so I decided to try it. I successfully removed the Easton stem and replaced it with the Ritchey, but at first there was something really wrong. OOPS, I had accidently removed one of the spacers, so the headset was jiggly. Oh, no..... Well since, I was knee deep into the project I went ahead and took the stem off again this time replacing the spacer and holding everything carefully in alignment tightened everything back up. The headset seemed ok. I put the handlebars back on the bike and took a test ride in the yard and street. Of course, there's no way to tell if this is going to make a difference right now, but at least I'm trying. I suppose all is still well with the work because the bike turns, the handlebars and such are all lined up ok. We'll see.

After tinkering with the SS for a while, debating if I wanted to try to find the click that's in the bottom bracket; I decided to leave well enough alone. As I was putting stuff away, I decided to build a snowman. What? I know you're thinking I've lost my mind. Of course, I have; after all who decides to set aside a perfectly good, geared bike to ride a single speed? HA (just kidding, a jab at my buddies who are uni-geared people). Anyway, yea I'm nucking futs. I love snow and we've had 1/2 inch officially here this winter. That folks is going to suck royally in the summer. But, yea I did build a snow man, but out of the rings from the disassembled crankset. A skewer later and he had arms. =) Maybe I need more sleep?

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth....

Um, what? I've lost it. Definitely. I couldn't think of a title for the post, but while preparing to type this quick blog update that little ditty popped in my mind. So today, I got some help changing the freewheel on my single speed and it is now a 33t/18t. I hope to try to get out and ride both bikes this weekend. Yup I'll just take both with me to Mill Mtn Sunday. I wonder if I will be able to tell a difference with the 18t... Would two teeth really make a big difference? Who knows. Well since it has been changed, that solved my delimma about the 3rd and final MTX race. I will go ahead and finish the series on the SS. I'll just hope that the course isn't too demanding hill-wise for me. I hope by longer KP tries to include more flat, flowing sections of trail (the first week's single track for example). I'm excited though. It has been such a fun series that I will definitely do it again. Long range forecast is for rain leading up to the race, so muddy conditions will again dominate if that's the case. Then again the weathermen struggle to get the forecasts correct and the next race is a long ways off.

Peace!

More MTX #2 Pictures

It's as if I knew what I was doing...

Go here, scroll down to race #2 for more pictures. They are pretty good. Whoever took them deserves some kudos as they are pretty good!

Bedford County MTX Race #2

Fun course, fun race, great comraderie. Wrong bike for the day. I lived through 4 laps of the 1.5 mile course. I had a blast, and I loved being there. I think I could really like singlespeeding one day, but today was not the day to have a 33t/16t. It funny that everyone has now begun to point out how hard a gear this is. I honestly have no clue really what to compare it too. All I know how to do on this bike is sit, stand and push. I do ok as long as the course is fairly flat or a descent. Even slight climbs I can do. The harder stuff forget about it. I'm walking. Speaking of walking, I did a fair share of that today; but I'm happy to say that I rode a lot more of the uphills than I thought I would or could. It took about all I had at times, but I managed. I happily let faster people by me today then I made a game out of trying to catch back up to them. I'm realistic and know that I'm out there to do what I can do. I did let a couple of people by then caught back up to them. I couldn't pass them, but oh well.

This bike is weird compared to Ritchey because it is a hardtail. There is a distinct handling difference between the bikes. Where Ritchey would roll over stuff, this one gets bounced off of it. It's definitely a rougher ride. At one point in my third lap, I was thinking of how I really didn't want to have to climb stuff for a fourth lap; but much to my dispair, I made it back before the time cut off and was sent out for the fourth lap. The winners today rode 5 laps. Paula won the day! I'm proud of my Chicky friend. It's been fun to harass her about being a sandbagger, but she deserves a lot of praise for her performance. She's awesome.

During one of my laps through the start/finish line, I went to get off to jump the barriers and my shorts got hung up on the front of the saddle. I nearly busted my butt. I did manage to clear them quite well - at least I thought so. I'm sure I looked totally stupid, but who cares. I have learned to jump back on the bike and get clipped in pretty quickly. I guess it's all the practice I get from getting off and on because I suck at riding obstacles some days. HA!

I was completely out matched today and finished 26th out of 32 (at least I wasn't DFL). Soooo, this brings me to the third and final race of this series which will be held on March 1st. Here's my delimma. I have my geared bike back, and I would like to use it in the last race because it supposedly will be a longer and more difficult course. Then again, I've used the single speed in both races so far and could finish the series on it. I really don't think it's a good idea to try to race the single speed again without some modification. It was really hard today to keep going, and it was discouraging to drop farther and farther back when I know that I can handle that course. It was not all that technical of a course. I have an 18t freewheel in transit, but I will have to change the chain as well and I don't know if I can change out the freewheel. I also don't know that there is much difference in the 16t and 18t. Hmmmm... As it stands, my conclusion is that I am going to plan to run the geared bike at the third race unless it is a mud hole. In that case I will hopefully be able to find and change out or get some help changing out the rear cog on the SS. So I guess I'll be modifying the SS while hoping that it stays dry.

Advice, suggestions, comments are welcome...

{pictures shamelessly stolen from Cliff's facebook page.}

MTX#2 Coming up tomorrow!!!

Looks like Kenny has a new course planned... A counter clockwise, yo-yo fest perhaps? If I remember the trails right, we're going to have a bit more single track, and I'm thinking there will be an uphill, grassy climb. The damn Deer Trail that I had to walk so much a few weeks ago looks to be included again?!?! UGH! I will have to go early and preview this course. I debated on taking Ritchey since it is again rideable and repaired, but I think I'll just stick with the single speed for simplicity's sake. After all, I lived through this once, I can do it again! I'm looking forward to the challenge. Probably won't take my camera as my cameraman from the last race isn't going to be there. Ah well, hopefully the same photographer who posted pictures on line will again grace us with his lens. Full report to follow as soon as I have time!

One thing is for sure, it shouldn't be nearly as muddy this time around. The anticipated rain today never materialized and the winds have been blowing alot this week, so hopefully things are dried out. Again, I have no idea how to dress for this race. Looks like race time temperaturs are going to be mid to upper 40's. Maybe even 50. Who knows.

Ah weekends...

I'm proposing that since the economy is in the crapper that we immediately institute the two-day, paid-for-40 hour workweek. I had way too much fun playing this weekend. I can confirm though without a doubt that it either needs to be winter with hardpack trails or it needs to warm up and dry up the thawed out mess. This yo-yo weather is messing up all sorts of stuff!

I went geocaching Saturday for the first time in forever. A friend of mine and I drove down to Bristol, VA to hang out with some more buddies. Along the way, Tim and I found some new mountain bike trails. I was excited. He, of course grunted - remember he likes skinny tires. Anyway, they look promising as somewhere to go and try. Currently, they are a muddy mess like everywhere else. The trails are in Radford off of I-81, Exit 105. I'll have to add them to my list of places to ride when it dries up. Montvale is at the top of the list though. You can find a Radford trail map here: Radford Mountain Bike Trails.

Speaking of mud, I hope the trails at the Cove aren't getting too much traffic. I talked to a guy today who say the lower trails were in terrible shape last weekend. I also read on MTBR that the new part of Gauntlet and middle of Trough were a mess. I didn't even entertain the thought of going out there today. Instead, I elected to just go for a road ride. I ended up riding just 19 miles, but it was hard enough with the wind to do that. I also challenged myself to ride up Camilla to get to Sylvan Rd. I made it to the light pole just past the Mayor's house. Guess I'll continue to try this periodically to see what progress I make. I ended up having a nice conversation with a fellow trying to find the trailheads. Afterwards, I just walked to the stopsign before remounting the bike. I was able to climb the rest of Sylvan though. A lot of it in the middle chain ring. Progress!

I really didn't have a set route today - I debated on where I wanted to go from the time I left my house. I need to sit down and scribble out some routes then put them on mapmyride. I started a new blog to share rides/routes starting in North Roanoke, and hopefully can get some of this on line by spring. I also had a thought while riding near Mill Mountain about how to share "loops" up there with other riders who aren't as familiar with the territory. Annnd I spied something else I want to check out sometime soon. Next Saturday sounds like an idea. HMMMMMMM.

Meanwhile, here's a new addition to the Lick Run Greenway at 10th St. Crossing lights...

Another picture from MTX...

1000

picture from www.utladyvols.com

Bedford MTX#1 Race report..

What does one do when faced with new challenges? Yup that's right, step up! There's nothing to gain if you don't try, right? I love setting goals, but even more I love achieving them! I strive to better myself whether it be at work or home. I've worked hard at the gym to tone up and gain some strength. This has come with some amount of pain and agony, but hey it's not killed me yet! I really do need a report card on this...I think I'll ask tomorrow. I can tell I've gained strength, but some things are more obvious to me in numbers. I've always been an analytical person - I think, I analyze and try to figure out solutions. Numbers are great for me because they mean something. I waited to do my race report because yes I wanted to see a number. Pathetic huh? Sorry I'm TYPE A to the core!

I had no illusions, delusions, dreams, prophecies or whatever that I would win or even be the best Chicky in this race. These races have a cool format - everyone races everyone regardless of age, sex, experience, skills or talents. That meant I'd be racing boyz as well as some chickys. Really the only thing I knew about this format is that it would be like a cyclocross race with a mountainbike twist and a handicapping system. I have seen videos (Youtube rocks!) of cyclocross races. I've read of Wes, Brian (BG), Warren, Dave T. and a few other folks' adventures in cyclocross. That looks and sounds dreadfully difficult, so what in the world entered my mind when I decided to enter this series, I'm not sure. Maybe it's the numerous head injuries I've suffered over the years, maybe it's an outlet for all of the frustrations of work lately, maybe I've gotten caught up in all the psych you up signs at the gym, or maybe I just love riding a bike and it would be a great excuse to see my many friends and enjoy riding! YES, I think the last two pretty much sum it up.

So as you know if you follow my blog, my geared bike has been broken for a while, so that left me with my other mountain bike. It's a 26-inch 2007 Jamis Exile Single Speed. I'm not positive, but I think it acutally outweighs my geared bike by two pounds or so; but that really makes no difference to me. It is geared with a 33t crankset and 16t cog in the back. I know nothing about how that compares in the SS world. I really never had any intention of ever racing this bike, but it seemed like a good idea when I initially thought about racing MTX. I wouldn't have to worry about changing gears and it would be a bit easier to pick up and carry given it's frame design, etc. My biggest concern is lack of seat time on this bike. I've ridden it some and most recently have done some urban mountain biking. I have a terrible time climbing on this bike especially if I have no momentum at the base of the climb. Otherwise I don't mind the bike one bit. Ok, ok so hurry up get to the story right? Sorry, I'm chatty tonight.

Alrighty - here goes. I got to Falling Creek Park, wandered over to register. Then back to the car where I switched clothing, unloaded the bike and headed to preride the course. I soon ran into Cliff, Colton and Allen. They were laughing and warned of the slippery slopes ahead. All three had mud on their clothing, and the bikes were caked up nicely. I don't know what I was thinking - I hadn't entertained the thought that it would be muddy. Let me rephrase that. Not just your average, "oh I got my shoes muddy", I'm talking 2-3 inch deep mud, slick, swampy, sloppy, icky, fun mud! YAY! There were several areas where the course was just about impossible. The run up was ok, as there was enough weeds and rocks to get a grip. There was one section where normally you could ride on up, but this was like riding up your kid's sliding board. The barriers weren't a big deal, I've got the mile long legs so ha! The little bridge was frightening to me with my caked up tires. I just don't like wet bridges much less with zero traction.

Anyway, I had 46 minutes to race and I started with three men. I figured they would all get up the hill to the single track faster than me, so imagine my surprise when I hit the singletrack first. Well, it only last a short time. I think I leaned left thinking I needed to stay up hill and away from the right hand edge of the trail, and when I did wheels slid out from under me. As I landed, handlebar first, I laughed hysterically then dragged my bike up out of the way so the three guys who by now had caught me could get by. Soon we would arrive at the Eel Snot Slick Hill. I watched as the three guys tried in vain to get up the hill. Finally another guy and me took an alternate path up the hill (the last two laps we just skipped it all together and made an alternate trail). Let's see. On the rolling terrain and most of the single track I did good on. I was able to stand up and pedal through challenging areas. I rode through most of the worst mud without troubles. I used the edge of the trail where there was still dead grass and weeds occassionally. I was happy that I was able to cross the log hops without any hesitation. The first lap through I was zooming down the hill, mud was flying off of the tires. I could feel it hitting my face and teeth. I heard it pinging off of my helmet. After the downhill there was another set of barriers. No biggie. Then came the wheelsucking, wet, swampy grass. I could get absolutely zero momentum down here. Of course this preceded the last climb. Forget it, I couldn't get started; so I just got off and walked/jogged up it.

Lap two was more of the same. Skipped the Eel Snot Hill, crossed the barriers, walked the bridge hopped back on and pedalled hard. I know I passed a few people back and forth some. I was having a ball. It was crazy to ride on that slick surface. You could be going along in a straight, flat section and suddenly you would start sliding. I found myself rounding off turns. Occassionally I would pedal through mud so hard that the back tire would just spin. I arrived at the finish line in time to get to ride a third lap. YAY! I had a goal of riding three laps, so off I went. After the run up, my shoes and pedals were so gunked up that I had to stop and find a stick to pry the mud out of both. I remember on occassion trying to rid the tires of mud. One guy got his frame and rear tire so caked up that it wouldn't turn! By the time I got back around to the last hill, I decided I wanted to try to ride part of it. Who finishes a bike race walking right? Well I tried and rode a bit. Got off, walked up some more. Got back on. UH OH... Too much mud. I could only get the front part of my cleat engaged. I couldn't stomp the back of it in, so all I could do is push down, there was no pulling up on the pedals. I got all messed up in this mud moat, so I got off again to get through that then pedalled to the finish line. This time, my left shoe wouldn't even go into the pedal. So I finished with my left foot completely unclipped and my right foot 1/2 clipped in. HA HA HA HA.

I really had a great time at this race. Probably more fun than I've had racing in a long time. The comraderie among the racers was great. The course was fun despite the conditions. Of course the race was put on by Kenny Palmer. I can't say enough good things about him. He did a great job! The course was laid out and marked great. I'm guessing that the next course is going to be more difficult, so I'll have to get out and ride between now and then.

So where did I finish? 18th out of 30. Not too shabby for me! And to think I did it on a single speed. Don't worry I am not making a habit of racing that bike. I will ride the other two MTX races on February 15th and March 1st with the single speed.

Let's see quickly, how did my pals fair? Warren 1st, Paula 2nd to her hubby by 14 seconds, Allen 6th, Colton (15yrs old!) 8th <-- they all completed 4 laps. Cliff 9th, Davy 10th, Adam 12th, Ricky 14th, Todd 16th, Laura (Michigan) 19th and Jack 24th. What fun. I hope everyone continues to support this series! I can't wait to try again!

Bedford County MTX Race #1

All you get for now is a picture. Full race report coming soon...

More pictures are here: Bedford MTX #1

Hmmmm

It just occured to me that it's Super Bowl Sunday, and I could honestly care less about it. Meanwhile, I'm trying to figure out how to dress for my race that starts at 2pm. It's about 55 and sunny, but the wind is really gusting at times. I've "tested" some clothing while loading the bikes and so far decided to forget the tights. I'll go with knee warmers if I cover my legs at all. Perhaps the glare from their whiteness will give me a competitive advantage. Nike baselayer shirt may end up being overkill, but I want to wear black sleeves and besides it's too tight to take off now. At this point, I'm thinking my PI shoes will be too much, but I think I'm sticking with them. Ok, gotta go and get the last few things, I want to get there early and check out the course. Think good thoughts for I am an idiot.