12.20.2009
New Team for 2010
Collin and I are on the Rib Mountain Cycles Team for 2010 along with 13 other people. Some of which are tri-athletes and road racers. The team is sponsored by Rib Mountain Cycles, Teardrop Trailers and Specialized bikes so far. The team members each get a free Rib Mountain Cycles jersey, free tune up for our race bike, store discounts and there will be a custom built team trailer at each race with bike work stands and a full set of tools for our use. I am also currently trying to get some sponsorship from a local oil company for some free gas for the tow vehicle pulling the trailer and also from a vinyl lettering company for sponsor names on the trailer. There are also more potential sponsors being sought out also. It should make it an exciting year.
12.06.2009
2010 Schedule Is Set
Well, here is the 2010 Schedule. I'm not totally sure yet, but I think this year I am going to skip 4 races. 2009 was the first time I did all the races and it was a long season. I'm also going to try to get into the Chequamegon 40 and The Iceman Cometh again, along with entering the 24-9 at 9 Mile.
11.22.2009
Nothing Wrong with My Knee
After having my knee looked at I came away with some physical therapy to strengthen the inner thigh muscles so they pull the knee cap toward the inner leg. Right now my knee has a shallow groove for the knee cap to ride in and it is easily pulled to the outside and that is what gives me pain. Nothing to do really but live with the pain when it happens.
11.15.2009
Dr. Appt. For My Knee
I am going to see the doc about my knee this Friday. Hopefully it is something that is a quick fix. Better to find out now and have the whole winter to rest it.
The Iceman Cometh Results
Well, it took place a week ago already but i made it through the 27 mile point to point race that is called The Iceman Cometh.
Dan and I left Friday morning Nov. 6th at 5:15 a.m. for the 9 hour drive to Traverse City, MI. which is located almost straight east of Wausau in lower Michigan. Since Lake Michigan is in the way you have to drive either around the top or bottom of the lake. The route around the top is shorter but still a long drive (approx. 445 miles). The highways we took almost all follow along the lakeshore so it is a scenic drive and I had never been this way before. When you head along MI 35 you can actually see Washington Island and most of Door County which was neat. Once you hit Gladstone, MI you merge onto US 2 which has some very boring stretches of woods, woods, woods, house, woods, tiny town and back to lakeshore. There is a section that is like driving in a desert. There are sand dunes on both sides of the highway. Very different from anything else we saw. Then in the distance you can see the Mackinac Bridge when you are almost to St. Ignace. I've never seen the bridge before but it was very cool to see. BTW....it was the only picture I took on the trip.
After you cross the bridge you are in lower Michigan and we took MI 31 instead of Interstate 75 since it saved some distance and followed the lakeshore. We had to go through some towns which wasn't that bad and we got to see some towns similar to Minocqua or towns in Door County here. It was a very touristy, summer home type area. Especially, Petoskey, where there were a lot of old architecture homes that had all the windows and porches covered because people only use them in the summer and we saw the occasion sign "Condos starting at $499,000." From there it was into orchard country. Apples, cherries and we saw some grapes also. It is a pretty area.
Once we got to the Acme, Traverse City area we started to see more bikes and then the hotel where we could pick up our race packets. Then we drove up the road and checked into our hotel, unpacked and headed out to see the finish line area, and eat some dinner. We opted for the typical AYCE spaghetti feed that a lot of the bike races hold. This one used the money to benefit needy familes so they can get out and enjoy winter sports. Then it was off to bed to get ready for the race.
On Saturday morning we got up and got ready to drive to Kalkaska which is about 17 miles from Traverse City. The race starts there and ends in Traverse City. We got there just before the first wave of riders took off and got to see the Coast Guard helicopter fly over the start. The start order was Expert, Sport, Beginner and then Pro later in the afternoon. There were multiple age groups in each class. There were starts for over two hours spaced 5 minutes apart to get the almost 4000 racers onto the course. My start was at 10:20 a.m.
I was a little nervous having to start in a group of 150 riders. I have seen big groups crash. There are a lot of spinning pedals, riders switching spots trying to improve position, all of which is foolish because you can't win the race in the first two miles.
We got the start and the pace right off the line was a little more than I wanted it to be but I dealt with it the best I could. When we made the first turn and hit the headwind, I got in behind some guys and drafted toward the woods at the edge of town. There were riders of varying ability in all classes since it was up to you to pick what class you raced in. I picked Sport because that is the class I typically race in. It wasn't long and we were cathing Expert riders who had apparently entered well above their ability. When we hit the first section of singletrack it was easy to see that there were plenty in my class who were in above their ability or were "roadies". I could have walked faster. Once we got to the next gravel road section the pace picked up again. I have no idea where I was for most of the race but there were always at least a few spectators it seemed like. When we crossed roads there were usually big groups. There were mile markers every so often so even though I could tell my mileage on my computer it was easy to see upcoming signs. My problems started when there was about 8 miles to go. My legs started to cramp up and my knee really started to hurt. Also to make it worse it was 30 degrees in the morning but the day warmed up into the middle 50's so I was sweating out a lot of fluid. My Under Armor, jersey combo was a little on the warm side by the time I got to 5 miles to go and I had run out of water. Nothing to do but keep pushing. No time for quitting. All the steep heels are within the last 10 miles of the race so I had to walk up several of them along with many others. I got tied up with slow riders in a couple sections of singletrack near the end. When the 1km to go banner showed up it felt really good and it was cool to see my name on the big digital scoreboard when I finished. 123rd out of 150.
123 Steve Strobel Mosinee WI 2:56:55
When I got off my bike my knee hurt so bad it was all I could do to walk. I headed off to find the first aid tent to get an ice pack. The funny thing was I couldn't find it and all the volunteers I asked didn't know either. Something they should work on for next year. I finally found it after walking around in severe pain for quite a while. I tucked the ice into my shorts against my knee and waited for Dan to finish. Then I got on the bus and rode it back to Kalkaska to get my vehicle. The race didn't end up the way I wanted it to so the plan is to head back next year and finish in the time I think I should finish.
We were up early Sunday for the 9 hour trip back. The trip home is always longer than the trip there. I was glad to get home and relax before heading back to work.
NOW WHAT?? The season is over.
Dan and I left Friday morning Nov. 6th at 5:15 a.m. for the 9 hour drive to Traverse City, MI. which is located almost straight east of Wausau in lower Michigan. Since Lake Michigan is in the way you have to drive either around the top or bottom of the lake. The route around the top is shorter but still a long drive (approx. 445 miles). The highways we took almost all follow along the lakeshore so it is a scenic drive and I had never been this way before. When you head along MI 35 you can actually see Washington Island and most of Door County which was neat. Once you hit Gladstone, MI you merge onto US 2 which has some very boring stretches of woods, woods, woods, house, woods, tiny town and back to lakeshore. There is a section that is like driving in a desert. There are sand dunes on both sides of the highway. Very different from anything else we saw. Then in the distance you can see the Mackinac Bridge when you are almost to St. Ignace. I've never seen the bridge before but it was very cool to see. BTW....it was the only picture I took on the trip.
After you cross the bridge you are in lower Michigan and we took MI 31 instead of Interstate 75 since it saved some distance and followed the lakeshore. We had to go through some towns which wasn't that bad and we got to see some towns similar to Minocqua or towns in Door County here. It was a very touristy, summer home type area. Especially, Petoskey, where there were a lot of old architecture homes that had all the windows and porches covered because people only use them in the summer and we saw the occasion sign "Condos starting at $499,000." From there it was into orchard country. Apples, cherries and we saw some grapes also. It is a pretty area.
Once we got to the Acme, Traverse City area we started to see more bikes and then the hotel where we could pick up our race packets. Then we drove up the road and checked into our hotel, unpacked and headed out to see the finish line area, and eat some dinner. We opted for the typical AYCE spaghetti feed that a lot of the bike races hold. This one used the money to benefit needy familes so they can get out and enjoy winter sports. Then it was off to bed to get ready for the race.
On Saturday morning we got up and got ready to drive to Kalkaska which is about 17 miles from Traverse City. The race starts there and ends in Traverse City. We got there just before the first wave of riders took off and got to see the Coast Guard helicopter fly over the start. The start order was Expert, Sport, Beginner and then Pro later in the afternoon. There were multiple age groups in each class. There were starts for over two hours spaced 5 minutes apart to get the almost 4000 racers onto the course. My start was at 10:20 a.m.
I was a little nervous having to start in a group of 150 riders. I have seen big groups crash. There are a lot of spinning pedals, riders switching spots trying to improve position, all of which is foolish because you can't win the race in the first two miles.
We got the start and the pace right off the line was a little more than I wanted it to be but I dealt with it the best I could. When we made the first turn and hit the headwind, I got in behind some guys and drafted toward the woods at the edge of town. There were riders of varying ability in all classes since it was up to you to pick what class you raced in. I picked Sport because that is the class I typically race in. It wasn't long and we were cathing Expert riders who had apparently entered well above their ability. When we hit the first section of singletrack it was easy to see that there were plenty in my class who were in above their ability or were "roadies". I could have walked faster. Once we got to the next gravel road section the pace picked up again. I have no idea where I was for most of the race but there were always at least a few spectators it seemed like. When we crossed roads there were usually big groups. There were mile markers every so often so even though I could tell my mileage on my computer it was easy to see upcoming signs. My problems started when there was about 8 miles to go. My legs started to cramp up and my knee really started to hurt. Also to make it worse it was 30 degrees in the morning but the day warmed up into the middle 50's so I was sweating out a lot of fluid. My Under Armor, jersey combo was a little on the warm side by the time I got to 5 miles to go and I had run out of water. Nothing to do but keep pushing. No time for quitting. All the steep heels are within the last 10 miles of the race so I had to walk up several of them along with many others. I got tied up with slow riders in a couple sections of singletrack near the end. When the 1km to go banner showed up it felt really good and it was cool to see my name on the big digital scoreboard when I finished. 123rd out of 150.
123 Steve Strobel Mosinee WI 2:56:55
When I got off my bike my knee hurt so bad it was all I could do to walk. I headed off to find the first aid tent to get an ice pack. The funny thing was I couldn't find it and all the volunteers I asked didn't know either. Something they should work on for next year. I finally found it after walking around in severe pain for quite a while. I tucked the ice into my shorts against my knee and waited for Dan to finish. Then I got on the bus and rode it back to Kalkaska to get my vehicle. The race didn't end up the way I wanted it to so the plan is to head back next year and finish in the time I think I should finish.
We were up early Sunday for the 9 hour trip back. The trip home is always longer than the trip there. I was glad to get home and relax before heading back to work.
NOW WHAT?? The season is over.
11.01.2009
Interesting Take on My Knee
I spent some time at Rib Mountain Cycles today just talking with some people and my knee problems came up. One take on the problem may be my bike fit. It came about when we started talking about my new bottom bracket. The new bottom bracket is 108mm and the old one was 113mm. My knee problems started right about the time I changed the bottom bracket. Randy suggested I bring my bike to fit it for me. He said that the fact that the pedals now moved in closer to the bike changed the angle my knees sit at and might be causing the pain since I only have problems after I ride my bike. I would describe "problems" as almost not being able to walk up stairs. Spring sounds like a good time to get a fitting and see if going back to a 113mm bottom bracket may be in order. Stay tuned for more on that and my trip this weekend to The Iceman Cometh in Traverse City, MI.
10.18.2009
WORS Race #12 (Wigwam MTB Challenge)
The final race of the season brought with it the coldest weather of the year. We headed for Sheboygan on Saturday, the sun out and wind blowing and a brisk temp in the upper 30's. I packed all the biking clothes I had since you never know what to expect. We checked into the hotel and unloaded all our stuff. We changed to head out for a pre-ride lap. I put on more clothes than I have ever biked in before. I am not a fan of biking in the cold. We headed out to Evergreen Park to get a lap in. I even put a winter hat under my helmet. I wanted to get moving to get warm. The familiar lap warmed me up and was fun as always. Collin disagreed any time I got a little bit out of site and swore off racing for good a couple times. I was also going to be told on for not waiting. When we got to the two spots where he crashed on his little bike last year, he was quick to get off even though he had ridden much tougher obstacles already this year. When we came to the water crossing was where he was determined he couldn't do it and was done. After me doing it twice and Collin riding up to it about 6 times he finally did it. My feet were froze from the water. We made it to the end of the lap and headed back to the hotel to get cleaned up for supper.
Sunday morning brought a lot of frost and temps in the mid 20's. We tried to wait close to Collin's start to get out into the cold. I put on as many clothes as I could and headed out to take some pictures. I could hear Don tell the 11 and over kids to go so in a couple minutes Collin's group would get started. I waited by the bridge crossing for the kids to start coming. I didn't know what place he was in when he got to me but I think it was 3rd.
It was just behind me where the water crossing was so I set up there and got pictures of a lot of the kids some of whom didn't cross it cleanly. Collin made it just fine without even thinking about it.
Next it was on to "The Bowl" where Collin had issues the day before. Today he rode down in and passed 2nd place who decided to walk down it.
He was on the move and the last spot I rode to when he showed up he was in first place with 2nd place hot on his heels. Somewhere after they got out of site, Collin had a chain issue and wound up in 2nd place just behind 1st place. Awesome job.
It was still cold at the start of my race and I was not warm even after riding around taking pictures. I waited till the very last minute to take my jacket off. Ass you can see I had long sleeves on and I was still cold.
The first two times I went through the water crossing I'm not sure what I was doing but I kept hitting the left side of the rut and had to get off my bike both times. I've never had a problem before. Maybe it was Richard cheering for everyone. Maybe it was just me. The 3rd time was a charm and I nailed the right line. The log jump was perfect every lap.
The other parts of the laps felt great and even though the gearing on my bike doesn't allow me to really climb "The Equalizer" hill I ran up it the first two times but the 3rd time when I got off my bike and started walking up it I got cramps in my legs.
While I didn't hit a lot of my goals I got faster all season long and ended the last race with a time faster Dan. It took all year but I did it and it shows that I got faster. Even though after the last couple races I could hardly walk because my left knee hurt so bad. I'm not sure what that is all about. That wraps up another season. While I get to stay in the same age group for next year, Collin gets to move up an age group to more competition with some older kids.
Actually I have one more race to go. Dan, Gary and I are heading to the Iceman Cometh race in Traverse City, MI. on Nov. 7. 3900 people are entered. Stay tuned for a report.
Sunday morning brought a lot of frost and temps in the mid 20's. We tried to wait close to Collin's start to get out into the cold. I put on as many clothes as I could and headed out to take some pictures. I could hear Don tell the 11 and over kids to go so in a couple minutes Collin's group would get started. I waited by the bridge crossing for the kids to start coming. I didn't know what place he was in when he got to me but I think it was 3rd.
It was just behind me where the water crossing was so I set up there and got pictures of a lot of the kids some of whom didn't cross it cleanly. Collin made it just fine without even thinking about it.
Next it was on to "The Bowl" where Collin had issues the day before. Today he rode down in and passed 2nd place who decided to walk down it.
He was on the move and the last spot I rode to when he showed up he was in first place with 2nd place hot on his heels. Somewhere after they got out of site, Collin had a chain issue and wound up in 2nd place just behind 1st place. Awesome job.
It was still cold at the start of my race and I was not warm even after riding around taking pictures. I waited till the very last minute to take my jacket off. Ass you can see I had long sleeves on and I was still cold.
The first two times I went through the water crossing I'm not sure what I was doing but I kept hitting the left side of the rut and had to get off my bike both times. I've never had a problem before. Maybe it was Richard cheering for everyone. Maybe it was just me. The 3rd time was a charm and I nailed the right line. The log jump was perfect every lap.
The other parts of the laps felt great and even though the gearing on my bike doesn't allow me to really climb "The Equalizer" hill I ran up it the first two times but the 3rd time when I got off my bike and started walking up it I got cramps in my legs.
While I didn't hit a lot of my goals I got faster all season long and ended the last race with a time faster Dan. It took all year but I did it and it shows that I got faster. Even though after the last couple races I could hardly walk because my left knee hurt so bad. I'm not sure what that is all about. That wraps up another season. While I get to stay in the same age group for next year, Collin gets to move up an age group to more competition with some older kids.
Actually I have one more race to go. Dan, Gary and I are heading to the Iceman Cometh race in Traverse City, MI. on Nov. 7. 3900 people are entered. Stay tuned for a report.
10.06.2009
WORS Race #11 (Wolf River Rendezvous)
It's been three weeks since the last race and I have to admit there hasn't been nearly enough riding in between races or blogging for that matter.
This race moved from just north of Shawano last year to The Bear Paw Outdoor Adventure Resort just south of Langlade, WI this year. I never knew there were trails to ride here but they were technical and flowing and can only be described as top notch singletrack. The staff was friendly and did an awesome job preparing the course and were very friendly.
The pre-ride weather was overcast and cool after a day of rain. The course shed the water pretty good in some spots and in others there was standing water to ride around. Collin and I went out and rode the juniors lap and Dan and Gary gave me the report of what was on a small section of the Sport course that I missed. I found out when the race started that I needed to ride that lap at a much faster pace. The technical areas weren't as difficult at a slow pace as they were when the race started. Collin rode a lot of technical areas very well and improved a lot. Uphill is still something he hates and it caused a meltdown on one hill which he got over and continued.
Race day was much cooler and I has plenty of clothes on to head out to take some pictures of the Juniors on their lap. I walked up the first climb to conserve some energy. The view from the top was nice.
It wasn't long after I got set up that the first kids started coming through. There were a few that were a little scared of the switchback downhill.
The older kids were the first through and then Collin and his age group showed up.
Collin isn't a fan of the caution signs on the course.
He did just great. He rode the hardest parts and cruised home to a second place finish just 7 seconds behind the leader. I actually caught up to Collin and tried to get him to pick up the pace in the last 100 yards and try to catch first place but he couldn't get in the right gear.
I lined up for my race and waited for our start and I was not ready for the pace we were going to set going up the first climb. LONG and STEEP is all I can say to describe the first climb on the course and my lungs and legs hurt when we got to the top. This pic gives a little perspective on part of the first climb.
Part way up the first climb my shoe came out of the pedal and I smashed my knee into the handlebars. I thought the footbed broke but later I found out one of the screws that hold the cleat on came out. It made the rest of the race extremely tough because it was hard to get my shoe out of or into the pedal. The wet and slippery conditions combined with the technical parts of this course made it slower than a lot of courses but it was fun none the less. I can't wait for next year and I hope it is dry.
By the third lap I was tired frustrated and just wanted to be done. Can you see it on my face?? Actually that is mud.
The special people even showed up at the race.
Aryana and Gavin showed up to race again too. I didn't get to see them this time because the times were slower than normal but they had fun.
Next is the last race of the season. See you at Sheboygan.
This race moved from just north of Shawano last year to The Bear Paw Outdoor Adventure Resort just south of Langlade, WI this year. I never knew there were trails to ride here but they were technical and flowing and can only be described as top notch singletrack. The staff was friendly and did an awesome job preparing the course and were very friendly.
The pre-ride weather was overcast and cool after a day of rain. The course shed the water pretty good in some spots and in others there was standing water to ride around. Collin and I went out and rode the juniors lap and Dan and Gary gave me the report of what was on a small section of the Sport course that I missed. I found out when the race started that I needed to ride that lap at a much faster pace. The technical areas weren't as difficult at a slow pace as they were when the race started. Collin rode a lot of technical areas very well and improved a lot. Uphill is still something he hates and it caused a meltdown on one hill which he got over and continued.
Race day was much cooler and I has plenty of clothes on to head out to take some pictures of the Juniors on their lap. I walked up the first climb to conserve some energy. The view from the top was nice.
It wasn't long after I got set up that the first kids started coming through. There were a few that were a little scared of the switchback downhill.
The older kids were the first through and then Collin and his age group showed up.
Collin isn't a fan of the caution signs on the course.
He did just great. He rode the hardest parts and cruised home to a second place finish just 7 seconds behind the leader. I actually caught up to Collin and tried to get him to pick up the pace in the last 100 yards and try to catch first place but he couldn't get in the right gear.
I lined up for my race and waited for our start and I was not ready for the pace we were going to set going up the first climb. LONG and STEEP is all I can say to describe the first climb on the course and my lungs and legs hurt when we got to the top. This pic gives a little perspective on part of the first climb.
Part way up the first climb my shoe came out of the pedal and I smashed my knee into the handlebars. I thought the footbed broke but later I found out one of the screws that hold the cleat on came out. It made the rest of the race extremely tough because it was hard to get my shoe out of or into the pedal. The wet and slippery conditions combined with the technical parts of this course made it slower than a lot of courses but it was fun none the less. I can't wait for next year and I hope it is dry.
By the third lap I was tired frustrated and just wanted to be done. Can you see it on my face?? Actually that is mud.
The special people even showed up at the race.
Aryana and Gavin showed up to race again too. I didn't get to see them this time because the times were slower than normal but they had fun.
Next is the last race of the season. See you at Sheboygan.
9.15.2009
WORS Race #10 (Treadfest)
Holy hot! I don't know if it was the hottest day of the summer but it felt like it both Saturday and Sunday. Saturday's pre-ride was warm and it wasn't even that fast of a pace. Collin found a few areas that were pretty hard and he didn't like but I think a lot of the kids felt the same way and the race organizers took those obstacles out. After the pre-ride we spent the rest of the day at the waterpark. It was nice indoors and out of the sun.
Sunday morning I was up early and cleaned and lubed the chains and cassettes. Then it was time to pack, check out and head to the ski hill at the resort for some racing. I grabbed the camera and my bike and headed out to take some pictures. I also left without water. Bad move! I was sweating and riding almost at my race pace. I got some pictures of Collin, who got another 2nd place finish, and headed back to try to drink some water before my race.
I pushed my pace a little on the first lap trying to keep up with a group in front of me. Overall the first lap wasn't too bad. Heading into lap 2 I could tell I was getting dehydrated and I really started drinking. It ended up being too much and I puked out the water I drank. I had to stop by Carrie and get more water for lap 3. It didn't really matter by then because the cramps started and I noticed my vision got a little blury a couple times. I threw my chain about 5 times also and those stops cost me some time. Gary caught me toward the end of lap 3 and I told him I was ok but had cramps. Carrie was at the finish line with a couple salt tablets from the first aid station. I wish I would have thought about that before the race. Oh well, I guess it was a lesson learned.
Sunday morning I was up early and cleaned and lubed the chains and cassettes. Then it was time to pack, check out and head to the ski hill at the resort for some racing. I grabbed the camera and my bike and headed out to take some pictures. I also left without water. Bad move! I was sweating and riding almost at my race pace. I got some pictures of Collin, who got another 2nd place finish, and headed back to try to drink some water before my race.
I pushed my pace a little on the first lap trying to keep up with a group in front of me. Overall the first lap wasn't too bad. Heading into lap 2 I could tell I was getting dehydrated and I really started drinking. It ended up being too much and I puked out the water I drank. I had to stop by Carrie and get more water for lap 3. It didn't really matter by then because the cramps started and I noticed my vision got a little blury a couple times. I threw my chain about 5 times also and those stops cost me some time. Gary caught me toward the end of lap 3 and I told him I was ok but had cramps. Carrie was at the finish line with a couple salt tablets from the first aid station. I wish I would have thought about that before the race. Oh well, I guess it was a lesson learned.
9.07.2009
WORS Race #9 (Reforestation Ramble)
Well I started the weekend by pre-riding in the most miserable weather I think I have ever ridden in. I rode the final 9 miles of the 12 mile lap in a downpour on tires made for dry, hardpack conditions. I couldn't wait to get done and be in one piece. It rained all day and night.
Sunday morning turned from clouds to sun and warm temps, but Collin was too sick to race so we didn't need to get there early enough for the Juniors race but if you've ever seen the parking for this race you should actually get there for the trail run.
This race is run in a marathon format which means that Elite, Comp and Sport classes are all on the course at the same time. The Elite and Comp guys and gals started first with Sport starting last.
I rolled up to the line with the rest of my age group and waited for the start. I didn't know what to expect here other than I was going to have trouble keeping up on the road sections since I only run a 1x9 with a 32 tooth chain ring. I found out quick enough that was exactly how it was when we formed a single file train of guys. Drafting really comes into play in a race like this one and it makes the speeds go up and I was pedling my legs off on the roads. I got to rest in the single track which was fast and flowed well but could be run in a gear that let me pedal slower and rest up for the next road section. I rode in a pack of guys for 1/4 of the first lap until my chain jumped off in a rough section. I got it back on and began working to catch another group to pace myself with because this course is tough to ride fast when you are alone. I came up on a person down in the trail with a spectator helping them. The next person to go down was right in front of me and I was right on their wheel with a bunch of guys right on my wheel. Poor guy got himself run over by me. I couldn't really stop or I would have had a pack of guys running me over and there was no where to go. I would have said sorry but I don't know who it was. After lap one I was averaging about 12.7 mph which is a pretty fast paced race and well above my normal speed.
The second lap started with me passing a couple riders on the start hill going into the parking lot. Then I found myself all alone on the first long stretch of road. Luckily I caught someone in the first stretch of single track which made my pace pick up. I was 1/2 way through the second lap when Dan caught me which was good for me. It showed I was going at a good pace. I was also riding at a pace that caused me to start to feel leg cramps coming on and made it hard to really push up the hills.
My goal for this race was to do the 24 miles in less than two hours. The pain seen below is what it took to make this goal happen.
I couldn't lift my legs to get off my bike at first but I did what I set out to do and finished in 1:53:25.4, not bad for me.
Two new racers showed up for this race. Carrie's niece and nephew, Gavin and Aryana showed up for the kids race. Wait! Look who's in the middle. Collin felt better by the afternoon and got into the kids race. They had a great time as you can see.
On to Lake Geneva next.
Sunday morning turned from clouds to sun and warm temps, but Collin was too sick to race so we didn't need to get there early enough for the Juniors race but if you've ever seen the parking for this race you should actually get there for the trail run.
This race is run in a marathon format which means that Elite, Comp and Sport classes are all on the course at the same time. The Elite and Comp guys and gals started first with Sport starting last.
I rolled up to the line with the rest of my age group and waited for the start. I didn't know what to expect here other than I was going to have trouble keeping up on the road sections since I only run a 1x9 with a 32 tooth chain ring. I found out quick enough that was exactly how it was when we formed a single file train of guys. Drafting really comes into play in a race like this one and it makes the speeds go up and I was pedling my legs off on the roads. I got to rest in the single track which was fast and flowed well but could be run in a gear that let me pedal slower and rest up for the next road section. I rode in a pack of guys for 1/4 of the first lap until my chain jumped off in a rough section. I got it back on and began working to catch another group to pace myself with because this course is tough to ride fast when you are alone. I came up on a person down in the trail with a spectator helping them. The next person to go down was right in front of me and I was right on their wheel with a bunch of guys right on my wheel. Poor guy got himself run over by me. I couldn't really stop or I would have had a pack of guys running me over and there was no where to go. I would have said sorry but I don't know who it was. After lap one I was averaging about 12.7 mph which is a pretty fast paced race and well above my normal speed.
The second lap started with me passing a couple riders on the start hill going into the parking lot. Then I found myself all alone on the first long stretch of road. Luckily I caught someone in the first stretch of single track which made my pace pick up. I was 1/2 way through the second lap when Dan caught me which was good for me. It showed I was going at a good pace. I was also riding at a pace that caused me to start to feel leg cramps coming on and made it hard to really push up the hills.
My goal for this race was to do the 24 miles in less than two hours. The pain seen below is what it took to make this goal happen.
I couldn't lift my legs to get off my bike at first but I did what I set out to do and finished in 1:53:25.4, not bad for me.
Two new racers showed up for this race. Carrie's niece and nephew, Gavin and Aryana showed up for the kids race. Wait! Look who's in the middle. Collin felt better by the afternoon and got into the kids race. They had a great time as you can see.
On to Lake Geneva next.
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