Speeding up...

I held the Tymor post off while I waited for the results. The results are in, and i wasn't dead last! I was however a good half hour behind the leader. It's ok, i felt like a rubber chicken legs and did ride the awesome single track very well, way ahead of myself in that department this year.

Pictures:

Being sick for a month really took a lot out of my training and combined with the end of school did it as well. Now that both are things of the past, i feel better already! Sunday i decided to do a BBC club race, boston colden, which features a fair amount of climbing and would be a chance to gain some top end fitness i have been lacking, and some fun!

It went well, for me at a road race. Which means i miss some decisive move and get out sprinted. It was fun, and i felt really good. I played it a bit smarter than in the past besides stashing my bottles in the woods. It takes a lot to play catchup in a road race! Besides that, i felt in complete control of the chase group. That is always a good thing, but i probably should have started to put the hurt on earlier up the hill because i couldn't drop the guys who beat me on the flat before the finish despite weaving like a madman. It was fun! the club races are really starting to get good turnouts!

Rode home afterwards, and attempted to collect all the bottles i had strewn about the boston hills...

Looking back on the power file, it looks more like a hard training ride than a race:

It's Been Awhile, and It's Been Wet.

It's been over a month since i got sick, and i finally am feeling better, but slow. This spring is turning out to be wetter and colder than last year's. i don't mind this, I actually enjoy the rain. And roots. Roots are my favorite variable terrain to ride on, and when they are wet it is even more fun.

Pretty excited for this weekend at Tymor downstate, the forecast calls for rain, and it is rocky, so hopefully i can beat some people that are in better shape, but hate the rain.

Despite being a bit paranoid about my derailleur hanger, which i bent last week and haven't yet got a replacement for, i am very prepared for breakdowns. Two extra tubes, two big air co2 cartridges, and a chain tool with a master link taped to it, and a UST tire in the rear at 40psi. Qualifying for nationals this weekend should be easy.

Hopefully it is, as the price of going to all the races Corey and i planned on going to it high, and we are rethinking them for local ones, and perhaps saving the out of town trips for the two nationals in July.

Race report and pictures to come after Sunday!

Greenbrier, MD, and more.

Last weekend I attempted to race in Maryland, along with Corey and Alex. The drive down went well, and after check-in we went for a preride. The course is a good race loop. Nothing technical, 5+ miles with two 4-5 minute climbs in the woods, and two fun downhills to match them. Rocks were everywhere, like baby heads half buried in the ground. The preride was fun, and i was excited to be racing the next day, even though my illness was still lingering and i was not feeling near 100%. hey, racing is racing, and it's been a long off-season.

Immediately after our preride torrents of rain started to fall. Driving back to the hotel cars were waiting on the side of the road waiting for this rain to subside, and vision was restricted to a good 50ft.

The next morning the course was soaked. The last downhill might well have been under water, and the lake that was adjacent to the race course had overflowed onto sections of the loop. Corey was reduced to racing in the sport class because of just getting a USCF licence, so his race was earlier 10 or so. Alex's and my race was later, around noon.

It was a good race for Corey, who finished third, and got his upgrade to expert!

I wish i could say the same. I lined up in the back of the semi-pro field wishing i was at home. When the race started, it was hard right away, but i settled into 6-7 place going back and forth with a guy on a scalpel. unfortunately the second downhill on the second lap was not good to me, and i flatted. Very angry, i finished my lap and continued to ride the flat for another lap, being lapped by the pros, and stopping to put leaves into the tire (it doesn't work by the way.)

After about an hour of this i had enough. Somewhat satisfied by the damage i had done to my disobedient rim, and all out of rage i told them i would DNF.

This week i was faced with building a new wheel, luckily Eric had some used 717 hoops and some dt revolution spokes that were the right length! I built a wheel that is at least 100g lighter than the defiant rim, and much sexier even if it doesn't match the front.

Mounted is a real life UST tire with super thick sidewalls. That, some tools, and higher pressure will hopefully end my 1 out of 4 DNF ratio.

Next up is Tymor park, and maybe a farmall or two to boost confidence before that.