RE: Fat Tire Frenzy
Enduro which would be 5 hours to complete as many 8-mile laps as possible (have fun, achieve a goal of riding a longer distance race since I sold out on the 6 Hours of Warrior Creek)
vs
Sport Women - 2 laps, 8 miles each vs likely competition that would beat me Kristin C., Beth., Kirsten (13y/o phenom)
vs
Expert Women - 3 laps, 8 miles each vs Paula and Laura - will finish 3rd at best as I can't keep up with them now
I have until midnight tomorrow (4/1) to decide.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
A new Sunday tradition???
Today was the first significant bike ride I've taken on a Sunday in several months. I decided that when they started calling for a rainy weekend that I was going to go outside and enjoy it regardless. I've had enough of snow, rain and mud to last a lifetime. I also really wanted to go to the Cove since I hadn't been out there since January 1st. I figured with the heavy rain we got Friday night things were going to be a bit messy, so I decided to take Ritchey for a spin today.
For a route, I decided to do an abbreviated version of something I've wanted to try for a while now. That is to ride to the Cove from home, ride a route through the Cove and return home. Today, since I've not ridden that much and in order to cut out some road miles, I asked my dad to drive me to the end of Timberview Road and drop me off. He happily obliged. Thanks Dad! I knew the only choice in getting to the fireroad on Brushy Mountain was going to be to climb up The Trough. I started towards the trailhead at a moderate pace and began the ascent feeling pretty decent. I was able to successfully negotiate the switchbacks at the bottom and climb for a good bit before my lack of conditioning caught up with me. I stopped for a breather and a photo op. I continued on and had to stop again where the trail splits. Managed to slowly continue to the climb before stopping a couple more times. I spun out on some loose stuff near the top and ended up walking the last 50 feet or so because I couldn't get started again.
The Trough is in excellent shape right now. It appears as though it sheds water rather easily. The same would hold true for the Brushy Mtn fireroad. There were a few places where the bike bogged down in some wetter terrain but for the most part, I was able to ride without too much trouble. There are a few trees down on the fireroad which can be easily ridden around and there are several piles of snow still on the sides. I debated options as I rode. There are so many ways to add to this ride. I can't wait to repeat it again in the upcoming weeks. I passed a guy running with his dog and soon passed a lady who was hiking. I was just as happy as a clam with little worry in the world today.
It seemed like forever between H-d-H/The Gauntlet intersection and Hemlock Tunnel. I almost wondered if someone had taken the sign. I do remember seeing it eventually as I began the downhill. I zoomed by it thinking it was Jacob's Drop, but quickly realized I was approaching Jacob. After this I quickly descended the 1000ft climb. I had to be very careful where I went as the road got a little slicker the farther you went down and there is a significant number of branches and debris littering the road. The descent was also very cold!!!! I needed another layer! Once at the bottom, I stopped to check the time. It had been just over an hour since I started my ride. I didn't think I had done so bad since I hadn't been out in forever!
Now the flatter part of the trip towards home began. Again, there are many options for this ride; but today I had decided to stay away from Songbird, Comet & Enchanted Forest as they were likely to be muddy and messy. I don't want to contribute to trail damage. As I rode, I did decide to cross over Little Bell and Schoolhouse in order to omit some of the dreadfull fireroad which was a lot messier down here. There were stretches where it was dry, but more so there were a lot of puddles and standing water. Little Bell was not bad at all. There are enough pine needles on the trail bed here to protect it and speaking of pine. The trail is beautiful right now with bright green, little pine trees showing off their spring color. I probably should have stopped for a picture.
I arrived at Schoolhouse and decided to stay on the trails. As for water on this trail. It was both where you would expect it. There is a significant amount of water in the big crossing. I stopped to take a quick video as I debated how I was going to manage to get across the now over ankle deep crossing.
I backtracked a bit then attempted to ride across. I got most of the way across before my front tire rolled off a bigger rock and stopped me in my tracks. I had to put my feet down resulting in wet socks. Blech! Fortunately the shoes did pretty well in preventing too much water from getting inside, and the choice to wear wool socks was a good one. My feet didn't get too cold. After the foot soaking, there wasn't any more significant water to cross. However, the area just before the picnic table where the bridge is is flooded. I've never seen this much water under the little bridge. It was surprising enough to me that I decided to walk it.
From the picnic table to the fireroad, Schoolhouse is a mess. There is alot of standing water, mud puddles and slippery trail. I tried to carefully ride so as not to cause trail damage. There are also a couple of trees across the trail that you have to dismount for. Once I got back to the fireroad, I head towards the boatdock. This part of the fireroad can work you over pretty hard. It's got a couple of significant hills. I did ride the entire way back without stopping. I passed more people as I neared the boatdock. I went from having clean shoes (the creek crossing rinsed them) to having mud splattered shoes. My legs became encrusted with splattered mud as I went along. I wondered if the people I passed on the way out thought I was crazy.
I arrived at the end of the fireroad and quickly took a left up the road. I had forgotten to put my Cove pass in my Camelback and didn't feel like listening to the WVWA guards if I ventured into the parking lot. Climbing Reservoir Road is a bit of a challenge, but I think I did pretty good. Once I crested the hill, I was able to roll on. At one point, I looked down and I was going 28mph. No wonder I felt cold. It didn't take as long as I thought to get home from Reservoir Road. I took some neighborhood streets so I could avoid Rt 11 traffic.
I got home without any troubles and flopped down on the back porch for a breather. I had ridden 19.26 miles in 2:21. I didn't think that was all that bad! I'll take it. I had an absolute blast today. I can't wait to repeat this ride. I might do it the exact same way or I might start adding some trails to it when it starts to dry up some more. Just think I will be able to take Punkin out to the Cove eventually. I just don't want to gunk it all up right now, plus I'm not ready to climb The Trough with 29" wheels yet. =)
For a route, I decided to do an abbreviated version of something I've wanted to try for a while now. That is to ride to the Cove from home, ride a route through the Cove and return home. Today, since I've not ridden that much and in order to cut out some road miles, I asked my dad to drive me to the end of Timberview Road and drop me off. He happily obliged. Thanks Dad! I knew the only choice in getting to the fireroad on Brushy Mountain was going to be to climb up The Trough. I started towards the trailhead at a moderate pace and began the ascent feeling pretty decent. I was able to successfully negotiate the switchbacks at the bottom and climb for a good bit before my lack of conditioning caught up with me. I stopped for a breather and a photo op. I continued on and had to stop again where the trail splits. Managed to slowly continue to the climb before stopping a couple more times. I spun out on some loose stuff near the top and ended up walking the last 50 feet or so because I couldn't get started again.The Trough is in excellent shape right now. It appears as though it sheds water rather easily. The same would hold true for the Brushy Mtn fireroad. There were a few places where the bike bogged down in some wetter terrain but for the most part, I was able to ride without too much trouble. There are a few trees down on the fireroad which can be easily ridden around and there are several piles of snow still on the sides. I debated options as I rode. There are so many ways to add to this ride. I can't wait to repeat it again in the upcoming weeks. I passed a guy running with his dog and soon passed a lady who was hiking. I was just as happy as a clam with little worry in the world today.
It seemed like forever between H-d-H/The Gauntlet intersection and Hemlock Tunnel. I almost wondered if someone had taken the sign. I do remember seeing it eventually as I began the downhill. I zoomed by it thinking it was Jacob's Drop, but quickly realized I was approaching Jacob. After this I quickly descended the 1000ft climb. I had to be very careful where I went as the road got a little slicker the farther you went down and there is a significant number of branches and debris littering the road. The descent was also very cold!!!! I needed another layer! Once at the bottom, I stopped to check the time. It had been just over an hour since I started my ride. I didn't think I had done so bad since I hadn't been out in forever!
Now the flatter part of the trip towards home began. Again, there are many options for this ride; but today I had decided to stay away from Songbird, Comet & Enchanted Forest as they were likely to be muddy and messy. I don't want to contribute to trail damage. As I rode, I did decide to cross over Little Bell and Schoolhouse in order to omit some of the dreadfull fireroad which was a lot messier down here. There were stretches where it was dry, but more so there were a lot of puddles and standing water. Little Bell was not bad at all. There are enough pine needles on the trail bed here to protect it and speaking of pine. The trail is beautiful right now with bright green, little pine trees showing off their spring color. I probably should have stopped for a picture.
I arrived at Schoolhouse and decided to stay on the trails. As for water on this trail. It was both where you would expect it. There is a significant amount of water in the big crossing. I stopped to take a quick video as I debated how I was going to manage to get across the now over ankle deep crossing.
I backtracked a bit then attempted to ride across. I got most of the way across before my front tire rolled off a bigger rock and stopped me in my tracks. I had to put my feet down resulting in wet socks. Blech! Fortunately the shoes did pretty well in preventing too much water from getting inside, and the choice to wear wool socks was a good one. My feet didn't get too cold. After the foot soaking, there wasn't any more significant water to cross. However, the area just before the picnic table where the bridge is is flooded. I've never seen this much water under the little bridge. It was surprising enough to me that I decided to walk it.
From the picnic table to the fireroad, Schoolhouse is a mess. There is alot of standing water, mud puddles and slippery trail. I tried to carefully ride so as not to cause trail damage. There are also a couple of trees across the trail that you have to dismount for. Once I got back to the fireroad, I head towards the boatdock. This part of the fireroad can work you over pretty hard. It's got a couple of significant hills. I did ride the entire way back without stopping. I passed more people as I neared the boatdock. I went from having clean shoes (the creek crossing rinsed them) to having mud splattered shoes. My legs became encrusted with splattered mud as I went along. I wondered if the people I passed on the way out thought I was crazy.I arrived at the end of the fireroad and quickly took a left up the road. I had forgotten to put my Cove pass in my Camelback and didn't feel like listening to the WVWA guards if I ventured into the parking lot. Climbing Reservoir Road is a bit of a challenge, but I think I did pretty good. Once I crested the hill, I was able to roll on. At one point, I looked down and I was going 28mph. No wonder I felt cold. It didn't take as long as I thought to get home from Reservoir Road. I took some neighborhood streets so I could avoid Rt 11 traffic.
I got home without any troubles and flopped down on the back porch for a breather. I had ridden 19.26 miles in 2:21. I didn't think that was all that bad! I'll take it. I had an absolute blast today. I can't wait to repeat this ride. I might do it the exact same way or I might start adding some trails to it when it starts to dry up some more. Just think I will be able to take Punkin out to the Cove eventually. I just don't want to gunk it all up right now, plus I'm not ready to climb The Trough with 29" wheels yet. =) Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Chicky night out...
WOO HOO!!! Punkin's second trip to the trails was Tuesday on Mill Mountain. I met PSchimi at the Discovery Center to put some MMTrail mileage under my wheels. We headed down Ridgeline Trail first to the intersection, decided to continue down to the end of it. Once there we debated route selection some more, decided on Woodthrush, Virginia Pine. So we headed over to Woodthrush for a quick jaunt to VP. Of course, the equestrians have done quite a number on VP. There are hoof prints which amount to pot holes on a mountain bike all the way up and down the trail. The trail is rough and barely rideable in places. SAD SAD thing that this damage has occured to a new trail. It acutally ticked me off!!!
We bounced to the end then climbed back up. Continued down Woodthrush to a "path" to the road. Once on the road, we added light to our ensembles then did a screaming down hill to Sylvan where we rode up to Crystal Springs Trail. We casually rode along here chatting quite a bit. Stopped while P fixed her chain then headed into the neighborhood to ride some alleys back to Fern Park.
The hill up Fern Park's trail is a gradual trail that's not too bad. I like it and it's a good way to add mileage to a MM Ride. The weird thing about this trail is that it meanders a bit and I'm never sure where I am in reference to anything else. We actually rode through some snow on this trail! Hard to believe that there was any left since the daytime high was 70°F. Climbed back up to Yellow Mtn Road where we decided to attempt to climb up Ridgeline. This trail is steep, rutted and has always been a hard climb for me. I rode quite a bit of it, but was forced into hike-a-bike a couple of times. Oh well. Once to the top, the ride to the intersection was interesting due to leaf cover. I rode off the trail one time by about 2 feet. Crazy! The ride from the intersection to the parking lot didn't seem like it took all that long.
Of course, I enjoyed being out and about on the bike. It is wonderful to be able to ride without freezing, and I'm looking forward to many more miles on the trails on Mill Mountain. They seem to have held up reasonably well considering our weather. I figure with school, the proximity of these trails to work is going to help me keep riding! It was a great night to be out, and I hope it was a sign of things to come! I also am gaining a bit more confidence with the night riding after the MTX and now this ride. YAY!!!
The hill up Fern Park's trail is a gradual trail that's not too bad. I like it and it's a good way to add mileage to a MM Ride. The weird thing about this trail is that it meanders a bit and I'm never sure where I am in reference to anything else. We actually rode through some snow on this trail! Hard to believe that there was any left since the daytime high was 70°F. Climbed back up to Yellow Mtn Road where we decided to attempt to climb up Ridgeline. This trail is steep, rutted and has always been a hard climb for me. I rode quite a bit of it, but was forced into hike-a-bike a couple of times. Oh well. Once to the top, the ride to the intersection was interesting due to leaf cover. I rode off the trail one time by about 2 feet. Crazy! The ride from the intersection to the parking lot didn't seem like it took all that long.
Of course, I enjoyed being out and about on the bike. It is wonderful to be able to ride without freezing, and I'm looking forward to many more miles on the trails on Mill Mountain. They seem to have held up reasonably well considering our weather. I figure with school, the proximity of these trails to work is going to help me keep riding! It was a great night to be out, and I hope it was a sign of things to come! I also am gaining a bit more confidence with the night riding after the MTX and now this ride. YAY!!!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
The Maiden Voyage
Bedford County Mountaincross Series Race #3
What started out cold, snowy and very muddy ended on an absolutely gorgeous, unseasonably warm afternoon! I must say I'm sad to see the MTX Series end for 2010. I thoroughly enjoy this format and I enjoy the laid back atmosphere. Too often I think people take racing too seriously, I mean really what fun is it when another racer plows you over and wrecks you in a race? Besides that how often can I say that I beat anyone? Rarely!
So that brings me to race #3. I've had a brand, spanking new Gunnar Rockhound 29er sitting at the foot of my bed for weeks. I was impatiently waiting for the trails to dry and had only ridden the bike like 3 miles on neighborhood streets. The wait was over, I couldn't resist the temptation any longer, so Falling Creek Park trails would be the first trails Punkin' would ever see. I think there's a bond forming here. =) I decided to take both bikes to Bedford to see which one I wanted to race on. If I was comfortable with Punkin' I'd try it. If not, Ritchey was ready, willing and able. I got to FCP, decided what clothes would be appropriate, quickly changed then headed out towards last week's course. I wove my way through then crossed over to Turkey Hill and found markings of this week's course, so I continued that path. Punkin' was carving through turns nicely. Rolling right along was awesome! Then came the bottom of the hill where a wet, muddy, tire sucking trail awaited. UGH, now not only was my new bike, yucked up with mud; but I realized one thing that was going to hold me back. This flat section was agony by the end of the day. As I finished up the lap, I decided that since I felt good, I'd ride another.
Since I skipped the first bit of the race course the first time around, I stuck to it this time and found a section of switchbacks. I thought "wow, I'm screwed." I don't particularly care for switchbacks and I'm not so good at them especially right handed ones. Well I rode through them all cleanly the first time. I was shocked. The next thing that tripped me up was this short little uphll with a tree root in the middle of it. I couldn't ride it - not nearly enough momentum. (I walked this bit every time after). Oh well.
So after completing the 2nd lap, I got back to the parking lot to find a few other riders arriving. I was swapping out clothing accessories and having a snack while chatting with them. Eventually my teammates showed up and after chatting a bit decided to head out for a lap. Some how I ended up leading this lap and hence completed a third lap. Well of course, a feature of any Kenny Palmer race is a grassy section. You climb hills, you go down hills, across fields - some how he always works in a grassy area. This time we would have to climb from the creekside up to the picnic shelter where we got on the paved sidewalk then on to the top of the hill.
The race went pretty well. I felt like I did pretty good on the first three laps. I was having a blast on the turns and downhills. The flat, muddy trail and the grassy area were nearly torture. Climbing the hill got harder and harder. My quads and calves were on fire. My other issue was being caused by a combination of improper seat position and my now not so favorite team shorts. By lap 4, I could barely sit down on the bumpy sections of grass. The back of both of my legs took a beating. OWWWWWWW.
I really wanted to keep my position in the standings so as disappointed as I was to have to face a 5th lap, I knew that it would help my chances of staying 9th overall. So I kept going as best as I could albeit very slowly. My legs were dying; I was getting tired. By the time I got to muddy, creekside trail I was passed by both chicky teammates. This would put Paula on her 6th lap! I went to the easiest gear I could find and slowly ascended the hill (this being my 8th time up the damn thing).
I successfully finished the MTX in 9th overall on my own lap! It is fun to look at the standings and see some of the people I beat. If it were not for the handicapping scoring, I'd never stand a chance of beating these people; but it does a good bit for my confidence though. I love this series, and as long as Kenny's hosting them, I plan on being there. That goes for all of his biking events. He's just a good guy who I want to support. I do appreciate the volunteers who came and helped him with scoring as well. And I'd like to adopt Kenny's wife as my personal cheerleader. I think she was encouraging me on every lap. That really meant alot to me! THANK YOU!!! =)
Race Results: Me 17/30. Teammates: Paula 1st, Warren 9th, Adam 10th, Laura 11th, Todd 16th.
Overall Results: Paula won the series. I finished 9th, like 2 laps behind her! HA!!!
Overall fun factor: off the charts!!!!
What started out cold, snowy and very muddy ended on an absolutely gorgeous, unseasonably warm afternoon! I must say I'm sad to see the MTX Series end for 2010. I thoroughly enjoy this format and I enjoy the laid back atmosphere. Too often I think people take racing too seriously, I mean really what fun is it when another racer plows you over and wrecks you in a race? Besides that how often can I say that I beat anyone? Rarely!
So that brings me to race #3. I've had a brand, spanking new Gunnar Rockhound 29er sitting at the foot of my bed for weeks. I was impatiently waiting for the trails to dry and had only ridden the bike like 3 miles on neighborhood streets. The wait was over, I couldn't resist the temptation any longer, so Falling Creek Park trails would be the first trails Punkin' would ever see. I think there's a bond forming here. =) I decided to take both bikes to Bedford to see which one I wanted to race on. If I was comfortable with Punkin' I'd try it. If not, Ritchey was ready, willing and able. I got to FCP, decided what clothes would be appropriate, quickly changed then headed out towards last week's course. I wove my way through then crossed over to Turkey Hill and found markings of this week's course, so I continued that path. Punkin' was carving through turns nicely. Rolling right along was awesome! Then came the bottom of the hill where a wet, muddy, tire sucking trail awaited. UGH, now not only was my new bike, yucked up with mud; but I realized one thing that was going to hold me back. This flat section was agony by the end of the day. As I finished up the lap, I decided that since I felt good, I'd ride another.
Since I skipped the first bit of the race course the first time around, I stuck to it this time and found a section of switchbacks. I thought "wow, I'm screwed." I don't particularly care for switchbacks and I'm not so good at them especially right handed ones. Well I rode through them all cleanly the first time. I was shocked. The next thing that tripped me up was this short little uphll with a tree root in the middle of it. I couldn't ride it - not nearly enough momentum. (I walked this bit every time after). Oh well.
So after completing the 2nd lap, I got back to the parking lot to find a few other riders arriving. I was swapping out clothing accessories and having a snack while chatting with them. Eventually my teammates showed up and after chatting a bit decided to head out for a lap. Some how I ended up leading this lap and hence completed a third lap. Well of course, a feature of any Kenny Palmer race is a grassy section. You climb hills, you go down hills, across fields - some how he always works in a grassy area. This time we would have to climb from the creekside up to the picnic shelter where we got on the paved sidewalk then on to the top of the hill.
The race went pretty well. I felt like I did pretty good on the first three laps. I was having a blast on the turns and downhills. The flat, muddy trail and the grassy area were nearly torture. Climbing the hill got harder and harder. My quads and calves were on fire. My other issue was being caused by a combination of improper seat position and my now not so favorite team shorts. By lap 4, I could barely sit down on the bumpy sections of grass. The back of both of my legs took a beating. OWWWWWWW.
I really wanted to keep my position in the standings so as disappointed as I was to have to face a 5th lap, I knew that it would help my chances of staying 9th overall. So I kept going as best as I could albeit very slowly. My legs were dying; I was getting tired. By the time I got to muddy, creekside trail I was passed by both chicky teammates. This would put Paula on her 6th lap! I went to the easiest gear I could find and slowly ascended the hill (this being my 8th time up the damn thing).
I successfully finished the MTX in 9th overall on my own lap! It is fun to look at the standings and see some of the people I beat. If it were not for the handicapping scoring, I'd never stand a chance of beating these people; but it does a good bit for my confidence though. I love this series, and as long as Kenny's hosting them, I plan on being there. That goes for all of his biking events. He's just a good guy who I want to support. I do appreciate the volunteers who came and helped him with scoring as well. And I'd like to adopt Kenny's wife as my personal cheerleader. I think she was encouraging me on every lap. That really meant alot to me! THANK YOU!!! =)
Race Results: Me 17/30. Teammates: Paula 1st, Warren 9th, Adam 10th, Laura 11th, Todd 16th.
Overall Results: Paula won the series. I finished 9th, like 2 laps behind her! HA!!!
Overall fun factor: off the charts!!!!
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