Thursday, May 22, 2008
In love
I have to add to Zach's post about the Flagstaff race. The riding up there is incredible. I can't believe we've been out here for almost 10 months and Saturday was our first time riding it. I can't wait to get back up there and explore.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Ammunition
I was not excited about Zach's request for me to help him fill up water balloons for field day tomorrow. I started before he did and was not having any luck. I couldn't remember...what's the best way to fill a balloon? No matter where I tried, I had water shooting all over.
He finally joined me and quickly found the right way. Don't use the cheesy attachment they provide in the balloon package. Put it instead right on the bathroom sink faucet.
For every 8 balloons we filled, 2 broke in some fashion. For every 20 we filled, we lost concentration while we were tying it off. Lost grip and it went spraying water uncontrollably all over the bathroom. I've decided that has to be one of the funniest things. We're trying to cruise through filling 200 balloons, we drop one, water goes all over the place, and the balloon is flopping like like a fish out of water. And it's hard to get your hand on it cause it keeps jumping all over. All you can do is laugh.
He finally joined me and quickly found the right way. Don't use the cheesy attachment they provide in the balloon package. Put it instead right on the bathroom sink faucet.
For every 8 balloons we filled, 2 broke in some fashion. For every 20 we filled, we lost concentration while we were tying it off. Lost grip and it went spraying water uncontrollably all over the bathroom. I've decided that has to be one of the funniest things. We're trying to cruise through filling 200 balloons, we drop one, water goes all over the place, and the balloon is flopping like like a fish out of water. And it's hard to get your hand on it cause it keeps jumping all over. All you can do is laugh.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Flagstaff MBAA Final
Well, we have an entire series of mountain bike racing under our belt and it is only Mid-May. It seems so weird.
Tim and Elizabeth got to our house Friday afternoon. We headed out to eat some pasta and to see how many drinks a waiter could spill on a customer. Fortunately it was at another table. We all felt bad for that waiter. We felt like it was our confusing check splitting that got him frazzled.
We drove up Saturday morning and quickly found all the Prescott peeps (Jeff, Jaime, Brady, Jeanette, Tim, Keith, and Toby.)
The finals were in Flagstaff.
The course was so much fun and was pretty suited to climbers. There were some issues with insufficient course markings but fun nonetheless. Everybody started around 11:00 am and the Expert men and women had to do the same 27 mile course.
Sara took the win but it was a bitter sweet victory. Sara won but was not the first women across the line. Spring who has been one of Sara’s main competitions all season came across the line first. She figured out that she missed a major turn and cut over an hour off of her race. The even sadder part of Sara’s victory was that Christina was dominating the race by several minutes when she missed a turn. Christina got pretty far off course and figured out that the time loss was significant. It was a big bummer.
I had a blast in my race. There was a group of about 6 of us that rode away from the field in the initial hour + of climbing. It was fun cause I had a chance to ride with a couple of my new teammates who usually fly by me at the speed of light in most races. I think the Prescott altitude helped a bunch for this race. Unfortunately Darrin started pulling away from the rest of the group right before a major turn that could have been marked a little better. We were all yelling our heads off but he was too far up to hear us. His main competitor was in the lead group with us. I know I would have been lost myself several times if I hadn't been riding with Tom (Freak on a SS) the whole race. I don't know how he climbs like he does on a SS. I ended up getting 2nd in the Expert 19-39.
All in all it was a fun series. Fun people and good riding. No surprise Sara took 1st for the series in her class. The surprise was that with the final being double points and another top Expert not being there it bumped me up to 2nd for the series in my class.
Got some cool awards but the real award was going to stay at Christina's mom's house in Sedona. After a great meal at the Beaver Street Brewery in Flag. Christina, Tom, Sara, and I headed to Sedona for some good hang time.
I think Tom is part rooster cause he got us up shortly after sunrise. It was good cause we were able to have a curb-side breakfast at the IGA and hit the trails before it got too hot. We had an awsome ride followed by a mexican food coma. Good times!
NEXT STOP P-VILLE, IL!
Waiting for awards with the peaks in the background.
Mt Elden
The expert women started behind the sport men.
Sara running her bike right after the first technical downhill. Big jam up.
Tim and Elizabeth got to our house Friday afternoon. We headed out to eat some pasta and to see how many drinks a waiter could spill on a customer. Fortunately it was at another table. We all felt bad for that waiter. We felt like it was our confusing check splitting that got him frazzled.
We drove up Saturday morning and quickly found all the Prescott peeps (Jeff, Jaime, Brady, Jeanette, Tim, Keith, and Toby.)
The finals were in Flagstaff.
The course was so much fun and was pretty suited to climbers. There were some issues with insufficient course markings but fun nonetheless. Everybody started around 11:00 am and the Expert men and women had to do the same 27 mile course.Sara took the win but it was a bitter sweet victory. Sara won but was not the first women across the line. Spring who has been one of Sara’s main competitions all season came across the line first. She figured out that she missed a major turn and cut over an hour off of her race. The even sadder part of Sara’s victory was that Christina was dominating the race by several minutes when she missed a turn. Christina got pretty far off course and figured out that the time loss was significant. It was a big bummer.
I had a blast in my race. There was a group of about 6 of us that rode away from the field in the initial hour + of climbing. It was fun cause I had a chance to ride with a couple of my new teammates who usually fly by me at the speed of light in most races. I think the Prescott altitude helped a bunch for this race. Unfortunately Darrin started pulling away from the rest of the group right before a major turn that could have been marked a little better. We were all yelling our heads off but he was too far up to hear us. His main competitor was in the lead group with us. I know I would have been lost myself several times if I hadn't been riding with Tom (Freak on a SS) the whole race. I don't know how he climbs like he does on a SS. I ended up getting 2nd in the Expert 19-39.
All in all it was a fun series. Fun people and good riding. No surprise Sara took 1st for the series in her class. The surprise was that with the final being double points and another top Expert not being there it bumped me up to 2nd for the series in my class.
Got some cool awards but the real award was going to stay at Christina's mom's house in Sedona. After a great meal at the Beaver Street Brewery in Flag. Christina, Tom, Sara, and I headed to Sedona for some good hang time.
I think Tom is part rooster cause he got us up shortly after sunrise. It was good cause we were able to have a curb-side breakfast at the IGA and hit the trails before it got too hot. We had an awsome ride followed by a mexican food coma. Good times!
NEXT STOP P-VILLE, IL!
Waiting for awards with the peaks in the background.
Mt Elden
The expert women started behind the sport men.
Sara running her bike right after the first technical downhill. Big jam up.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Post Race Festivities
After all the troops were accounted after the race, Adam and I headed to the bike shop to return the rental that he had gotten very close to over the previous two days. We dropped the bike off and were quickly back down town. We met up with Sara, Mike, Christina, and Adrenaline Crew who were already at the brew pub.
After a wonderful post race meal (THANKS DARRIN) and some liquid refreshments we met up with Jeff and spent a few minutes relaxing on the lawn of the court house.
After our quick rest it was off to Coyote Joe's for some more refreshments and the awards ceremony. It was a beautiful night and great place to have the awards. Although I wish T-Bone would have left earlier. 
Oh yeah, Adam ditched us for a while to go hang out with his new friend.
After the awards we did stay at Coyote Joe's for a while before checking out a few other places on the Whiskey Row. We tried to hang for a while but quickly realized after racing 50 off-road miles with 7600 ft of climbing (click here for Garmin data) and the fact that we are old quickly sent us home to bed. It was a great day of racing and hanging out but it was time for bed.
After a good nights rest it was time to set our sights on breakfast. We all woke up hungry and ready to eat. It was off to Lynx Lake Cafe. A place where you can be surrounded the beauty of Prescott while stuffing your guts.
After breakfast Christina headed to Sedona to see her mom and Pete. The rest of us had some down time in front of the TV. Mike and Adam headed to the airport around noon after a little resting-up.
It was a great weekend! I am glad that everybody was here.
After a wonderful post race meal (THANKS DARRIN) and some liquid refreshments we met up with Jeff and spent a few minutes relaxing on the lawn of the court house.
After our quick rest it was off to Coyote Joe's for some more refreshments and the awards ceremony. It was a beautiful night and great place to have the awards. Although I wish T-Bone would have left earlier. 
Oh yeah, Adam ditched us for a while to go hang out with his new friend.
After the awards we did stay at Coyote Joe's for a while before checking out a few other places on the Whiskey Row. We tried to hang for a while but quickly realized after racing 50 off-road miles with 7600 ft of climbing (click here for Garmin data) and the fact that we are old quickly sent us home to bed. It was a great day of racing and hanging out but it was time for bed.
After a good nights rest it was time to set our sights on breakfast. We all woke up hungry and ready to eat. It was off to Lynx Lake Cafe. A place where you can be surrounded the beauty of Prescott while stuffing your guts.
After breakfast Christina headed to Sedona to see her mom and Pete. The rest of us had some down time in front of the TV. Mike and Adam headed to the airport around noon after a little resting-up.
It was a great weekend! I am glad that everybody was here.
Friday, May 2, 2008
The Whiskey 50
I am a big time slacker. I do have somewhat of an excuse. I'll get to that later. Hopefully sooner than later.
So we made it to bed by 10:30 or 11 on Friday night. We had a full house. Christina, Mike, Adam, Zach and I. My mind was racing, I could tell before we shut the lights out that I wasn't going to sleep well. Christina fell asleep almost as soon as she hit the pillow, but then woke up to a coughing fit at some point during the night. I was awake without an alarm by like 4 or 4:30. Christina was up early too.
Breakfast at home, a little coffee, a few last minute bike checks and we were ready to go. We were downtown before 8. Found some good parking and started getting packs and bottles and food ready. It was a beautiful day.
I saw Jennifer Sica at some point in the morning. She wasn't signed up for the race. She was riding as a friend of hers who couldn't make it at the last minute.
Christina and I headed out for a little warm up. We just cruised around the downtown area. It was great. It was 8:45am (the race was starting at 9) and no one was lined up yet. I think it was about 5 till when people finally started moving into the shoot. Very laid back atmosphere.
9 o'clock rolled around and it was time. Cruise up Goodwin, to Park, to Country Club. Left onto Highland, last downhill we'd see for quite a while. Right on Copper Basin. From there it was, up, up, up for 20 minutes. I was happy with that, estimated time to climb on the website was 30 minutes. Status of everyone else...Zach was up front somewhere, Mike was ahead, in my sights, Adam and Christina, just a little behind. Right into Camp Pearlstein. After the camp I think we hit some singletrack. I was not feeling it. All over the trail. Any little root or rock seemed to knock me out of my rhythm. Strange. Back down to Copper Basin and quickly back into the singletrack. Lots more climbing to go. And water bars to come. I did much better down the water bars this time. Made it down all of them. And made it up more of them than when we prerode.
It was somewhere in this section that the first unofficial aid station was located. A shot of Early Times was the only liquid beverage being offered. I wasn't quite up for it, so I pedaled on.
We were starting the decent down to 260, which is the scariest part of the course in my opinion. Loose rocks, boulders, gravel everywhere, drop offs down the mountain the whole way. I hopped off my bike to walk to the really loose, eroded, rocky switchback section and Adam cruised by. (that was a bad choice, there were so many people it was hard to squeeze back in). Finally got back on and I was feeling out of control again. Quick stop to see if I had a flat. Nope, both tires felt good. Back on the bike and still all over the place. Not a good feeling to have as I approached 260. I stopped again. It occurred to me that I never checked my handlebars after my big crash on the preride. Zach straightened em out and tightened em up for me out on the trail. But I never, after that ride, checked them out to make sure they were nice and tight. So I pulled out my tool and messed with it. It sucked to have to stop and watch tons of people pass me, but what was worse was the mental freakshow I became. Riding 260 with lose handlebars would have been very bad. Why had I never spent a few minutes to tighten the stupid things???? Christina stopped to make sure I was okay. I finally had to shoo her on, she stopped for way too long! She needed to catch some of those other women I knew were ahead of us!
So needless to say, 260 was long and slow. I rode it super cautiously. I was soooo happy to take that last tight switchback that lead down to 53. I was past the worst part safe and sound. Up 53 to the #1 & 3 aid station. I took a pass and started the long, gravel road decent down to Skull Valley. I was in the rolling section when I saw the lead guy heading back up the climb. It was fun to cheer people on that I recognized as they rode by. Tom Ament was pretty far up there, Zach and Steve were riding together, Jennifer was doing great, I saw both Darrins, Robert, Mike, and Adam and Christina were together.
I pushed it hard down to the aid station and half filled my camel back. Grabbed a few hammer gels and filled up my bottle too. Turned around and started the ride up. I felt good for a while. Passed Adam at one point. We exchanged "encouraging words". I still felt great when I reached him and continued on. It was a long grind....in the same seated position. I tried to stand every now and then, but that hurt too. Finally...the #1 and 3 aid station. I was going to stop real quick, but Brady and Jeanette were there..."Sara, Christina isn't too far ahead, you can get her....and by the way, SHE DIDN'T STOP!" They were totally teasing me. Ugghh, I guess I won't stop. It's all downhill from here, right? Yeah, right. The climb from the aid station to the lookout GOES ON FOREVER. I was hurting there bigtime.
Finally at the top, I ducked into the singletrack. A little more climbing. It was all kind of a blur. I do remember the last long rocky climb that I had to get off and walk. The cramps kicked in really bad there. I was able to get back on and ride the last part of that section. Alot of people were walking there. I'm sure they all heard my pain induced groans. Finally I reached the steep, downhill, tight switchback section. I remembered Joanie telling me, "you get to the switchbacks and you think it's all downhill, but there's still one more climb!" So I was prepare but I don't remember that last climb being that long. And after that we hit some great singletrack. Bombing fast and some easy technical stuff. It was a blast. I was flying (at least I felt like I was flying).
It felt great to hit Thumb Butte Rd. Big ring, essentially all downhill. Just a few more minutes. And...Huge cheers as all the riders crossed the finish line. It was great. I finished just under 5 hours.
Everyone's results are here.
So we made it to bed by 10:30 or 11 on Friday night. We had a full house. Christina, Mike, Adam, Zach and I. My mind was racing, I could tell before we shut the lights out that I wasn't going to sleep well. Christina fell asleep almost as soon as she hit the pillow, but then woke up to a coughing fit at some point during the night. I was awake without an alarm by like 4 or 4:30. Christina was up early too.
Breakfast at home, a little coffee, a few last minute bike checks and we were ready to go. We were downtown before 8. Found some good parking and started getting packs and bottles and food ready. It was a beautiful day.
I saw Jennifer Sica at some point in the morning. She wasn't signed up for the race. She was riding as a friend of hers who couldn't make it at the last minute.
Christina and I headed out for a little warm up. We just cruised around the downtown area. It was great. It was 8:45am (the race was starting at 9) and no one was lined up yet. I think it was about 5 till when people finally started moving into the shoot. Very laid back atmosphere.
9 o'clock rolled around and it was time. Cruise up Goodwin, to Park, to Country Club. Left onto Highland, last downhill we'd see for quite a while. Right on Copper Basin. From there it was, up, up, up for 20 minutes. I was happy with that, estimated time to climb on the website was 30 minutes. Status of everyone else...Zach was up front somewhere, Mike was ahead, in my sights, Adam and Christina, just a little behind. Right into Camp Pearlstein. After the camp I think we hit some singletrack. I was not feeling it. All over the trail. Any little root or rock seemed to knock me out of my rhythm. Strange. Back down to Copper Basin and quickly back into the singletrack. Lots more climbing to go. And water bars to come. I did much better down the water bars this time. Made it down all of them. And made it up more of them than when we prerode.
It was somewhere in this section that the first unofficial aid station was located. A shot of Early Times was the only liquid beverage being offered. I wasn't quite up for it, so I pedaled on.
We were starting the decent down to 260, which is the scariest part of the course in my opinion. Loose rocks, boulders, gravel everywhere, drop offs down the mountain the whole way. I hopped off my bike to walk to the really loose, eroded, rocky switchback section and Adam cruised by. (that was a bad choice, there were so many people it was hard to squeeze back in). Finally got back on and I was feeling out of control again. Quick stop to see if I had a flat. Nope, both tires felt good. Back on the bike and still all over the place. Not a good feeling to have as I approached 260. I stopped again. It occurred to me that I never checked my handlebars after my big crash on the preride. Zach straightened em out and tightened em up for me out on the trail. But I never, after that ride, checked them out to make sure they were nice and tight. So I pulled out my tool and messed with it. It sucked to have to stop and watch tons of people pass me, but what was worse was the mental freakshow I became. Riding 260 with lose handlebars would have been very bad. Why had I never spent a few minutes to tighten the stupid things???? Christina stopped to make sure I was okay. I finally had to shoo her on, she stopped for way too long! She needed to catch some of those other women I knew were ahead of us!
So needless to say, 260 was long and slow. I rode it super cautiously. I was soooo happy to take that last tight switchback that lead down to 53. I was past the worst part safe and sound. Up 53 to the #1 & 3 aid station. I took a pass and started the long, gravel road decent down to Skull Valley. I was in the rolling section when I saw the lead guy heading back up the climb. It was fun to cheer people on that I recognized as they rode by. Tom Ament was pretty far up there, Zach and Steve were riding together, Jennifer was doing great, I saw both Darrins, Robert, Mike, and Adam and Christina were together.
I pushed it hard down to the aid station and half filled my camel back. Grabbed a few hammer gels and filled up my bottle too. Turned around and started the ride up. I felt good for a while. Passed Adam at one point. We exchanged "encouraging words". I still felt great when I reached him and continued on. It was a long grind....in the same seated position. I tried to stand every now and then, but that hurt too. Finally...the #1 and 3 aid station. I was going to stop real quick, but Brady and Jeanette were there..."Sara, Christina isn't too far ahead, you can get her....and by the way, SHE DIDN'T STOP!" They were totally teasing me. Ugghh, I guess I won't stop. It's all downhill from here, right? Yeah, right. The climb from the aid station to the lookout GOES ON FOREVER. I was hurting there bigtime.
Finally at the top, I ducked into the singletrack. A little more climbing. It was all kind of a blur. I do remember the last long rocky climb that I had to get off and walk. The cramps kicked in really bad there. I was able to get back on and ride the last part of that section. Alot of people were walking there. I'm sure they all heard my pain induced groans. Finally I reached the steep, downhill, tight switchback section. I remembered Joanie telling me, "you get to the switchbacks and you think it's all downhill, but there's still one more climb!" So I was prepare but I don't remember that last climb being that long. And after that we hit some great singletrack. Bombing fast and some easy technical stuff. It was a blast. I was flying (at least I felt like I was flying).
It felt great to hit Thumb Butte Rd. Big ring, essentially all downhill. Just a few more minutes. And...Huge cheers as all the riders crossed the finish line. It was great. I finished just under 5 hours.
Everyone's results are here.
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