On 7/22/07 I ventured out to the starting line of the Off Road Assault on Mt. Mitchell for the Second time. This year there were about 70 more riders and I had 8 more gears. I hadn't been able to obtain and build a Vassago SS so I rode my Bandersnatch set up w/a 1X9 (this should have made it easier)...
I figured that gears would allow me to go out with the front riders and avoid getting caught up in the bottleneck at Kitzuma that I had to deal with last year. I was right. The race started and I was able to go out with the front 50 to 60 riders without pushing my heart rate too high and saving energy for the end of a long day of riding. As we approached Mill Creek to start the 4-5 mile climb to Kitzuma I was feeling good. Approx. 2 miles into the climb we spot a detour. I guess our race organizer decided that climbing Mills Creek was too easy so he added a single track detour with some rather steep climbing. This immediately taxed the system and increased the heart rate. However, this was a great addition allowing us to spend a little more time on some single track and off the gravel road. After a mile or two of fun new single track we were spit back out onto Mill Creek and began to finish our route up to Kitzuma for the first of two rides on this trail.
I climbed well and was lucky enough to get with a group that ascended well. Unlike last year, I was able to stay on my bike and ride most of switchbacks (somewhere during this section of trail I lost and old friend and fellow rider from Charlotte, Charles). Things changed however when the trail pointed down. The group that climbed so well was unable to keep the pace on the technical downhill and timidly descended until some local Bio-Wheels riders came up behind us and began to haggle them until they either crashed or gracefully pulled off the trail. We released the brakes and made up some time on the last 2 miles of single track.
From here we proceeded to head up the road and past the first rest stop on the lower side of heartbreak. This is a another technical, steep climb full of switchbacks. Again, unlike last year, I was able to ride most of this trail due to the fast start and avoidance of the bottleneck. We quickly came to Jarret Creek and began our 4 to 5 mile ride though open grassy fields and rolling terrain. I met up with Matt, a fellow Bandersnatch rider on this section of trail and would repeatadly pass and be passed by him until we reached the third rest stop at the top of Curtis Creek. Coming out of Jarret Creek we passed the 2nd rest stop. I quickly stopped to check my water and decided that I had enough to make it to the 3rd rest stop which was posted at 34 miles on the que sheet. I continued to ride, realizing that up to this point I had gained several positions since starting the climb at Kitzuma and I continued to feel great. Things will change soon....
We begin our climb up Curtis Creek feeling fairly fresh and looking forward to the 3rd rest stop where I would refill my camel back and eat a little solid food. The first 2 to 3 miles of this long 9 mile climb went well. However, around mile 33.7 I ran out of water. At mile 34 I realized there would be another 5- 6 miles before arriving at rest stop 3. This crushed me mentally and an hour or so later I was also physically crushed. I wasn't the only one who timed this wrong and I wish I was. With the exception of one fellow Bandersnatch rider (thanks Matt), there were several friends and fellow riders that passed by and who were unable to lend me any water due to running low themselves. About 40 to 50 riders passed me during the last 3 to 4 miles of this climb of which I walked about a mile of even with gears and while I was trying to recover at the rest stop. After about 30 minutes of drinking and eating everything in sight at the long awaited rest stop 3 I trudged on.
The 6 or so miles of climbing up the Parkway to the start of Heartbreak was painful. I climbed well when I could climb but everytime I got into a groove and began to catch up with a small goup of riders my legs would cramp and lock up. These were the worst cramp I have ever had in my life. Both legs would lock at the knee and I would immediately begin to flip over the bars of my bike. I continued to drink lots of water and take an unhealthy amount of endurolytes. The cramping would eventually stop, but not until I had lost about 10-15 more positions and wrecked twice due to locking legs. Once I finished the Parkway climb I began my descent down Heartbreak.
This part of the race went well. Descending technical singletrack on a steel 29er made me forget all about the last 2 hours of suffering. Without effort I was able to catch up with and pass several riders on the downhill. After reaching the bottom and the final reststop I stopped to drink and refill my camelback which I had emptied during the last 1-2 hours of riding (Thanks to Bolt Brothers for being there with some snacks and liquid to go). It was at this rest stop that I got the motivation to finish strong. I was told that Charles, an old friend and fellow rider from Charlotte who had passed me while I was suffering on Curtis Creek was just a few minutes ahead. Determined to catch him and not looking forward to climbing the new steep singletrack off Mills Creek I began to climb.
This climb went well, the cramps stopped and was back to feeling well. As I climbed and debated on whether or not I should try to walk or ride the first part of the single track I realized that the detour wasn't there for the second climb up and I could relax again until reaching Kitzuma.
As I started climbing Kitzuma, feeling exhilirated, knowing that after this next 1.7 miles of torcher I would be home free. I stayed seated and climbed looking ahead on the trails above me for any sign of Charles. About a mile into the climb, there he was. He was almost in the exact same part of the trail where we split ways at the beginning of the race. I rode by whinning about my day and went on to the descent where I caught up with the same two guys I descended Kitzuma with about 5 hours earlier. Again we descened quickly and recovered a few more spots that were lost on Curtis Creek. We hit the road and headed towards the finish.
On the road on the way back to the finish, I passed a single speeder giving up spots to those with gears as I did last year, # 174. A few minutes later I finished the race and began to settle down. Realizing the finish line announcer was calling everyone's name and # as they came in after hearing # 174 being called and realizing I had not heard my name, I approached him to see if he had seen me finish the race. He had not. The only thing I could think to do was tell him I finished several minutes in front of # 174. After looking at the list of finishers, he proceeded to tell me that his finish had not been recorded either. After several minutes of arguing and having # 174 tell the finish line announcer that it was true, I had passed him a couple of miles back on the road before the finish. We were both put in the line up where "he thought" we should be. I was placed in the line up. SEVERAL MINUTES BEHIND # 174?
Who knows where I really finished and who really cares? I was able to make improvement over last year, I had no mechanicals, I tested my physical and mental stamina and I had a lot of fun. Thanks for putting on another great race. I'll be back next year (WITH MORE WATER).......
Friday, August 10, 2007
Monday, July 9, 2007
Thanks for the tow.....
For the last two weekends I have been doing training rides in Black Mountain to prepare for the Off Road Assault on Mt. Mitchell. Unfortunately, last week my riding mates ended up with more training than I did. My plan was to park at the end of old 70 and ride Kitzuma with an old riding partner Jeff and then do the Heartbreak loop with an old friend from Charlotte. This would add up to about 37 miles of riding with approx. 21 to 22 miles of climbing. For those of you who have done either part of this ride you know that it's backwoods and bailing out to walk back to the car is not an option. Here's how it went...
Jeff and I started climbing the Kitzuma switchbacks around 8am. This part of the ride is usually the hardest of the 37 miles, simply b/c I've always done it on a SS and there's no warm up from the lot. You immediately go straight up. However, this week I decided to ride my Bandersnatch which is set up as a 1X9. An extra 10 teeth in the rear almost make the climb pleasurable. We climbed to the top and then completed the downhill with out a hitch. As we headed out of the park at Old Fort I realized my seat had dropped about a quarter of an inch. Just enough to be annoying. So I stopped to raise my seat. My seat clamp bolt broke during this process leaving me with a 5 mile climb up old 70 without a seat. Jeff and I proceeded to climb up to meet Charles with me rotating b/w riding on the top tube of my bike, standing and getting frequent pulls from Jeff. We managed to get back to the car about 15 minutes later than scheduled, put in a new bolt from an old clamp and then started the Heartbreak loop with Charles, Kyle and Mike. Jeff went home exhausted and sore. Pulling an extra 180 lbs up a 5 mile climb seemed to take a little out of him. THANKS JEFF!!!!
The four of us made it through Montreat and up Toll Rd at a great pace. This loop with a group always adds up to ride and wait ride and wait, but today everyone stayed on and 14 miles later we were at the top. This is usually where we would eat a quick bite and start the 7 miles of singletrack that points down. However, Mike took a hard fall approx 20 yards from the top which postponed the downward spiral for a few minutes. Ten minutes later we were on our way. About 10 seconds later a stick jumped into my chain and snapped my rear deraileur (I immediately forgot about the benefits of the gears that I had enjoyed earlier on Kitzuma). After approx 45 minutes of "repairs" we realized that I was going home without a chain.
We ate a bite and started to ride some of the best single track in Western NC. single track in Western NC. It's just as fun wihtout a chain as it with one. In fact I made more of the switchback at the bottom than I had ever made before (Maybe I'll take my chain off before the descent during the ORAMM)? Once at the bottom My smile quickly vanished with the thought of pushing back up that 5 miles of dirt road. After a little thought I CAME UP WITH A BRILLIANT PLAN!!!! We could ride the road over to the bottom of Kitzuma and everyone could take turns pulling me back to the car on Old 70. HELL, JEFF DID IT BY HIMSELF. That's all I really needed to say to persuade the group. Charles, Kyle and Mike took turns pulling me for the next 7 miles or so and approx 2 hours later we were at the top. It's good to have friends who are in shape...
This week I ventured back to the top of Old 70 to redeem myself. Once again I met up with Jeff at 8am to do Kitzuma and then with Shaun Boyd to do the Heartbreak loop. My Bandersnatch is still out of commission until I can get some parts from George at Bike29 so I had to ride my old Rig. This ride went without a hitch. SS are great. My only complaint is that I wasn't riding a steel SS. I felt like I was taking a beating on the downhill and on the rocky Toll Rd. climb. ALUMINUM BIKES SUCK!!! Can't wait to get my Jabberwocky from Vassago. SEE YOU AT THE ORAMM....
Jeff and I started climbing the Kitzuma switchbacks around 8am. This part of the ride is usually the hardest of the 37 miles, simply b/c I've always done it on a SS and there's no warm up from the lot. You immediately go straight up. However, this week I decided to ride my Bandersnatch which is set up as a 1X9. An extra 10 teeth in the rear almost make the climb pleasurable. We climbed to the top and then completed the downhill with out a hitch. As we headed out of the park at Old Fort I realized my seat had dropped about a quarter of an inch. Just enough to be annoying. So I stopped to raise my seat. My seat clamp bolt broke during this process leaving me with a 5 mile climb up old 70 without a seat. Jeff and I proceeded to climb up to meet Charles with me rotating b/w riding on the top tube of my bike, standing and getting frequent pulls from Jeff. We managed to get back to the car about 15 minutes later than scheduled, put in a new bolt from an old clamp and then started the Heartbreak loop with Charles, Kyle and Mike. Jeff went home exhausted and sore. Pulling an extra 180 lbs up a 5 mile climb seemed to take a little out of him. THANKS JEFF!!!!
The four of us made it through Montreat and up Toll Rd at a great pace. This loop with a group always adds up to ride and wait ride and wait, but today everyone stayed on and 14 miles later we were at the top. This is usually where we would eat a quick bite and start the 7 miles of singletrack that points down. However, Mike took a hard fall approx 20 yards from the top which postponed the downward spiral for a few minutes. Ten minutes later we were on our way. About 10 seconds later a stick jumped into my chain and snapped my rear deraileur (I immediately forgot about the benefits of the gears that I had enjoyed earlier on Kitzuma). After approx 45 minutes of "repairs" we realized that I was going home without a chain.
We ate a bite and started to ride some of the best single track in Western NC. single track in Western NC. It's just as fun wihtout a chain as it with one. In fact I made more of the switchback at the bottom than I had ever made before (Maybe I'll take my chain off before the descent during the ORAMM)? Once at the bottom My smile quickly vanished with the thought of pushing back up that 5 miles of dirt road. After a little thought I CAME UP WITH A BRILLIANT PLAN!!!! We could ride the road over to the bottom of Kitzuma and everyone could take turns pulling me back to the car on Old 70. HELL, JEFF DID IT BY HIMSELF. That's all I really needed to say to persuade the group. Charles, Kyle and Mike took turns pulling me for the next 7 miles or so and approx 2 hours later we were at the top. It's good to have friends who are in shape...
This week I ventured back to the top of Old 70 to redeem myself. Once again I met up with Jeff at 8am to do Kitzuma and then with Shaun Boyd to do the Heartbreak loop. My Bandersnatch is still out of commission until I can get some parts from George at Bike29 so I had to ride my old Rig. This ride went without a hitch. SS are great. My only complaint is that I wasn't riding a steel SS. I felt like I was taking a beating on the downhill and on the rocky Toll Rd. climb. ALUMINUM BIKES SUCK!!! Can't wait to get my Jabberwocky from Vassago. SEE YOU AT THE ORAMM....
Sunday, July 8, 2007
WTB (spreading the Word)
A few weeks ago I received a package from WTB containing 2 NanoRaptors, 2 ExiWolfs, a new 2007 Silverado Saddle, a pair of WTB QR Skewers and new Jersey from Vassago with WTB written all over it. Being familiar with WTB products (avid user of their Rocket Saddle and ExiWolf 2.3 tire for the last few years) I couldn't wait to get this stuff on my bike and get out on the trail. Unfortunately, I had to wait a few days. It was the day before the 24 Hours of Panthers Creek and I learned the hard way never to make major changes the day before a race. Anyway, the week after the race all products were added to my Bandersnatch and after approx. 250 miles of trail I'm ready to spread the word....
The tires: I've used the ExiWolf on my SS in the past but due to money and the need to try new stuff I had stopped using it. My latest set up was a Navegal on the Front and an Ignitor on the rear. I placed the 2.3 Exi on the front and the 2.1 Nano on the rear. This is the best set up I've ridden by far. Both tires have bite on sandy, rocky, rooty and hard packed trails (I've ridden Harbison State Forest in SC, Bent Creek in Asheville, Pisgah in Brevard, and HeartBreak/Kitzuma in Black Mountain on these tires and they never let me down, know matter what the condition. For you weight weenies, the ExiWolf weighs withing 10 grams of the Navegal and the Nano is about the same as the Ignitor but the rolling resistance, or lack there of is the catch. These tires roll so much faster than my previous set up (i wouldn't care if they were 200 grams heavier).
The saddle: I've ridden a WTB Rocket Saddle for several years on 3 different bikes and I had no intentions of trying anything new. I was a little skeptical. Anyway, I placed the new 2007 Silverado on my Bandersnatch and rode it for 3 four to five hour rides within a two week period. I will trade my Rockets for a couple more of these saddles. This saddle fit like a glove. I never got any sore or numb spots and still haven't. This saddle is strong and light and comes in black and white w/urban como trim. I've crashed several times and there's not a scratch on it. The white is also shedding mud/stains well. I've ridden in the mud and rain and to my disbelief it's still white. I've noticed many shops in our area have WTB saddles you can take out on trial/trail rides. Give it a try, you can thank me later.
The Skewers: Bontrager skewers came on both my old 29'ers which are now on sale. I'm not one for spending money on stuff until it breaks so I've been using them for 2 years. I have one thing to say about them. They slip. These skewers have always slowly loosened up after approx 20 miles of riding. So when WTB sent me some new WTB QR Skewers, I was happy to try them. I've ridden approx 250 miles on them and I've never had to stop and tighten. They're black, sleek and dependable. Of course you can spend twice the amount on some more popular skewers, but why would you want to?
Bottom Line: WTB continues to make great, affordable and dependable products. I haven't had the opportunity to ride their 29er wheels yet but this is what I will put on my new Jabberwocky soon. Reviews to come....
The tires: I've used the ExiWolf on my SS in the past but due to money and the need to try new stuff I had stopped using it. My latest set up was a Navegal on the Front and an Ignitor on the rear. I placed the 2.3 Exi on the front and the 2.1 Nano on the rear. This is the best set up I've ridden by far. Both tires have bite on sandy, rocky, rooty and hard packed trails (I've ridden Harbison State Forest in SC, Bent Creek in Asheville, Pisgah in Brevard, and HeartBreak/Kitzuma in Black Mountain on these tires and they never let me down, know matter what the condition. For you weight weenies, the ExiWolf weighs withing 10 grams of the Navegal and the Nano is about the same as the Ignitor but the rolling resistance, or lack there of is the catch. These tires roll so much faster than my previous set up (i wouldn't care if they were 200 grams heavier).
The saddle: I've ridden a WTB Rocket Saddle for several years on 3 different bikes and I had no intentions of trying anything new. I was a little skeptical. Anyway, I placed the new 2007 Silverado on my Bandersnatch and rode it for 3 four to five hour rides within a two week period. I will trade my Rockets for a couple more of these saddles. This saddle fit like a glove. I never got any sore or numb spots and still haven't. This saddle is strong and light and comes in black and white w/urban como trim. I've crashed several times and there's not a scratch on it. The white is also shedding mud/stains well. I've ridden in the mud and rain and to my disbelief it's still white. I've noticed many shops in our area have WTB saddles you can take out on trial/trail rides. Give it a try, you can thank me later.
The Skewers: Bontrager skewers came on both my old 29'ers which are now on sale. I'm not one for spending money on stuff until it breaks so I've been using them for 2 years. I have one thing to say about them. They slip. These skewers have always slowly loosened up after approx 20 miles of riding. So when WTB sent me some new WTB QR Skewers, I was happy to try them. I've ridden approx 250 miles on them and I've never had to stop and tighten. They're black, sleek and dependable. Of course you can spend twice the amount on some more popular skewers, but why would you want to?
Bottom Line: WTB continues to make great, affordable and dependable products. I haven't had the opportunity to ride their 29er wheels yet but this is what I will put on my new Jabberwocky soon. Reviews to come....
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Self-fulfilling Prophecy
On Saturday June 9th I ventured out with Teammate Jeremy Arnold to Morristown, TN to race my first 12 hour race, solo. The 12 Hours of Panthers Creek turned out to be much harder than I expected. However, I'm not sure if the problem was in my mind or in my legs. I had spent several weeks training and the whole week before the race figuring out every last detail that could possibly make a difference. I set up my bike, I figured out exactly what I should eat, what I should wear, what I should carry and even what music I should listen to during the ride. Approximately 3 hours into the race, none of this mattered. The one thing I couldn't control was the weather and in the end that's what controlled me. Since my move from Charlotte to the Mountains I have found myself saying more times than I can count "I don't perform well in the heat". Turns out, this was a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Here's how it went; Lap 1-I decided to take it easy to keep from burning out (no pun intended) before the end of the race (Set my sights on my first 100 mile off road ride and a top 5 finish). Lap 2-I picked up the pace and realized once again, how much I love my new Vassago (100 miles still felt possible). Lap 3-Legs continued to feel good but I started to feel like the heat was getting to me (I could still get top 5 with 83 miles, right)? Laps 4-6 legs began to lose their edge (got so hot I began to think the slogan on my new Vassago Jersey should just say ride in hell instead of ridelikethedevil.com). Lap 7-Things started to cool off a little and legs were feeling a little stronger (75 miles would be more than I've ever ridden off road in a day). Lap 8-The heat was gone and so was my negative attitude (fastest lap time). Lap 9/final lap-Realized my back, hands and feet still felt great (Gotta love a steel frame and 29 inch wheels). In the end-I completed 9 laps, rode 74 miles in 8 hours and 46 minutes and finished in 7th place (not bad for my first 12 hour solo race). My bike performed flawlessly! Thanks to Vassago Cycles, Bike 29, WTB, Cane Creek and White Brothers. Pics to come...
Here's how it went; Lap 1-I decided to take it easy to keep from burning out (no pun intended) before the end of the race (Set my sights on my first 100 mile off road ride and a top 5 finish). Lap 2-I picked up the pace and realized once again, how much I love my new Vassago (100 miles still felt possible). Lap 3-Legs continued to feel good but I started to feel like the heat was getting to me (I could still get top 5 with 83 miles, right)? Laps 4-6 legs began to lose their edge (got so hot I began to think the slogan on my new Vassago Jersey should just say ride in hell instead of ridelikethedevil.com). Lap 7-Things started to cool off a little and legs were feeling a little stronger (75 miles would be more than I've ever ridden off road in a day). Lap 8-The heat was gone and so was my negative attitude (fastest lap time). Lap 9/final lap-Realized my back, hands and feet still felt great (Gotta love a steel frame and 29 inch wheels). In the end-I completed 9 laps, rode 74 miles in 8 hours and 46 minutes and finished in 7th place (not bad for my first 12 hour solo race). My bike performed flawlessly! Thanks to Vassago Cycles, Bike 29, WTB, Cane Creek and White Brothers. Pics to come...
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
The Bikes We Ride...
I was once told that "five years from now you will be the same person with the exception of 2 things, the people you meet and the books you read". Vassago Cycles has inspired me to add a 3rd thing to this list. The bikes we ride! Actually, I'm not shallow enough to believe that the bike's we ride can make us a different person, but it sure as hell can make us ride like one. Who do you want to ride like? Choose Wisely......
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