Capitol View - Blue Grass State Games

Sunday was the Blue grass state game at Capitol View State Park. I have never been to Capitol View and figured it would be worth checking out. I thought about doing the night race at Southwestway on Saturday night, but when I read the laps were only 3 miles and the race was going to be short, I figured it was not really worth the drive. If it was closer, I would have done it.

The race on Sunday had later start times then what I am used to, so I could sleep in a little bit before we had to hit the road and still got there in plenty of time. I am not sure if I was speeding that much or the traffic was that good, but we made some good time getting there and it let us take our time getting ready. I signed up and started to get ready. I then changed my back tire since I didn't take the time to do it on Saturday. I have not been on the SS since the Cherokee race where I messed up the back wheel and since I stole the fork off of it for the Niner.

I tried to true the wheel with very little luck. It still might true out, but my stand does not work real well with a 29" wheel and a fat tire. Now that the tire is off of the wheel, it actually will fit in the stand and I will try to true it again. At first I didn't want to take off the other tire since it was set up tubeless and I am out of Slime. I put another tire on the wheel set that used to be on the Misfit and made sure it was rolling. I took several laps in the back yard to see how it was rolling and put it up. It still had mud on it from the Cherokee race, but it was going to have to work.

When I heard the 6 hour race was postponed, I began to wonder how muddy the trail would be. I also wondered just how well the new back tire I had on there would work. I normally had run it for really try trails or gravel stuff. I should have swapped it out on Saturday, but the night got late quicker than I wanted. I did take the Maxxis Ikon off of the bad wheel and cleaned it up. I figured if I had time before the race, I would change it. I did just that, but after riding a warm up lap I don't think I needed to change it. Oh well, it is good to have a Maxxis on there anyway.

The trail was not too tough and after letting a little air out of the front tire, the rigid fork was not too bad either. The pre-ride was a great idea. I would have not done as well as I did without knowing a little more as to what was coming up. I am sure the locals had a big advantage since some corners were really tight and if you didn't know, you just didn't know.

We sat around waiting for it to get to race time. When the start finally happened, it was down a long grass section before dropping in to the woods. I am not one that does real well on a fast start or one that spins out well. Some how I found myself going in to the woods in second or third. I tried to hold my pace with out blowing up. I think there was a little bottle neck behind me, so I could put a little gap of a few guys. I did get passed by a couple of racers. I think the one had a bigger gear that me, so it helped him go faster in some places that I just could not.

I just hammered on the pedals as much as I could. I figured out that the most taxing section was just after the start and the back half was more flowy and I could recover more and still keep the speed up. It also helped when I had another rider somewhere behind me telling me to hammer down. So I did. It was a section that I would not have gone as hard not knowing what was around the next corner, but since he said that, I hammered down not wanting to hold anyone up. I did get passed by some of the Cat 2 guys, but I was happy with how long it took some of them to catch and pass me. We didn't start that much in front of them.

Overall I am happy with how well I rode. After all of my whining last week, I actually rode better. I did feel like I should have been able to go even faster, but no need to complain. There were a couple of sections that I was geared out on the SS that I would have been able to shift up a few gears. I just tried to keep my speed up on those sections with out spinning my brains out.

I ended up in 5th place for SS and had two guys right in front of me at the line. I was really pushing it the last half of the last lap trying to catch them. I did catch them, but ran out of time to try and make a pass. So, I really can't complain about that at all. Also, if I look at the results, it looks like I would have placed in 4th for 40-49 Cat 2. I am really happy with that. I just need to keep riding as much as I can and maybe I can find my self closer to the top 10 in age group for a DINO race. I know everyone wants to win, but I would be very happy getting in the top 15 overall and top 10 for age group. I think it is very possible, but I have to put a little more effort in than I have.

I want to congratulate Dean for winning the 40-49 Cat 2 race even after getting off course because of some tape that was missing. He was way up there on the first lap and should have dominated all of Cat 2. Way to fight back and still find the top of the podium, well so to speak since the races don't actually have podiums most of the time.

Hope to do as well at Ben Hawes next weekend. For as fast as it sounds like the trail is, I really should try to make a trip down there this week. I might even want to gear up some. See you there!

Versailles DINO

Sorry for the lack of updates. I have had a few rides that I really wanted to write about, but just never found the time. I have been pretty busy with things and riding as much as I can. But, it seems that it can never be enough. I have attended the night ride a few times over the last couple of weeks and it is a blast and a great workout. I need to continue riding these as often as I can if I am not getting out doing something else. It is later in the evening, so it is after most things, but being late also means it is later when I can settle down and get to bed. This does not help with my sleeping, but it is sure good for the legs.

Sunday was the DINO race at Versailles. I have had two weeks off since the BCSP race and put in a lot of effort to ride as much as I could. I am getting tired of being so damn slow. I have put in way more effort this year than the last few years and I think I can tell a difference in my riding, but my racing is just now showing the same result.

We had planned on heading up Saturday to camp and maybe get a pre-ride in, but I was volunteered to help out with a bicycle safety thing for the scouts. I thought the even was earlier in the day than it was, but was still planning on heading over that night. The evening temps have not cooled down very much, so it was decided to just head over in the morning if we were going to get there too late to ride. I figured I would sleep better in my own bed than in a hot tent.

It turns out that a storm rolled through during the scout function and then everyone seemed to have too much fun playing dodge ball that the bike safety thing never happened. I guess I could have left earlier. To make matters even worse, the group that I was looking forward to camping with had decided earlier in the week to get a hotel. If I would have known either of those things, my plans might have been a little different.

I finished packing and headed to bed fairly early to get a good nights sleep. I had to get up early for the drive over. I got up easy enough and we were soon on the road. But, there was a ton of fog that kept us from making good time. It would clear up and then next thing you know we were back in it. It was really hard to see, but I was managing. Soon enough we were there and it was time to get ready.

I got signed in and headed out for a little warm up ride. The start was a little different this year, so we headed down the trail with Joseph and Dean to check it out. Not sure how far we rode, but after a while I was worried we were going to do a complete lap. I was not sure where a short cut was or a section to get out of the woods, so I turned around and headed back. I was not feeling fairly warmed up and it was time to get to the starting line.
My plan was to not over cook myself on the open field and blow up on the trail. I did that, but also went in to the trail a lot farther back than I had hoped.

I was feeling fine and holding the wheel in front of me. After the first climb I noticed that the guys behind me were gone. I thought I was still moving along good, but I was passed a little later by a little group of guys. One was a guy that I have had some good races with, so I was already torn. I felt like I was riding strong, but still watched him ride away. The rest of the race was fairly uneventful. I passed some people and got passed by a few more.

I felt like I was riding as strong as I have all year and really pushed it on some climbs. I was very happy with how well I was riding. Turns out that I actually finished 5 min. closer to the winner than I have for the last several races. Taking 5 min. off of a race time sounds great.......well it does sound great. So, then why am I not happy with that? Well, that would be because I still finished in about the same place I have all year. Farther back than I did at the same race last year and even slower than the race from last year. I don't know how I can feel like I ride that good and end up being slower than I was before. If I remember correctly, I even rode the SS last year and had a wobbly wheel for the whole race.

It is very discouraging to train well for two weeks and feel good to only go slower. I am not sure what I can do to go faster. I know a few things, but I don't think any of them will help me out for this year. I can only hope they can help out for next year otherwise I am a lost hope and will just be slow for ever. At least I can wheelie.

I have to say that this race was the worse attitude of the other riders that I have had all year. I am normally a person that is very easy to pass. I figure if you are that much faster than me, why hold you up. The leaders of the 50+ group was the rudest I have ever seen. The front few normally catch and pass me, but they were very impatient for this race. I don't mind getting out of your way, but this is a race and I should not have to pull over and stop, just so you can pass. If you are that damn good, then get your ass in open were you won't have anyone in your way. I even had a wreck getting out of someones way. I do my best to get out of the way as quickly and safely as possible. Don't freak out if that takes more than a second or two, otherwise I will change my ways and not get out of your way.

There was another section where there was a ride down on the trail near the river section. He way lying in the middle of the trail. There was a couple of people that stopped to help. I didn't plan on stopping since there was help, but the guy behind me was running in to my back wheel trying to get by. Show the guy some respect and pass with a little more care. As soon as I got by the downed rider, I pulled over and let me go since he was in such a hurry. I just hope that some day when you are laying on the trail that the other racers don't treat you with the same attitude.

This weekend is the next Kentucky race at Capitol View. I have never been there, so it should be interesting. It will be even more interesting since I have stolen the front fork off of the SS and put it on the Niner. It has since been replaced with a rigid fork. It has been a good year since I have rode a rigid fork, so I am sure this will hurt. Well, that is if I can make the wobbly wheel from the last race roll a little more true. If not, maybe I will just skip the SS class this weekend and race Cat 2. I think there are enough races that I can get full points in both classes. Not sure how that would work. Either way it does not really matter. I am too damn slow to worry about overall placings. Yea I know, I am currently in first for the SS class, but that is only because there has been enough different riders at the different races and they don't have the 4 races in yet. It would not take much to dethrone me. Only one podium out of the series so far. Maybe I need to look at this road racing thing. I seem to be able to ride a road bike fairly well.

Night moves

After my performance on Sunday at BCSP, I came home and then cleaned the bike and mowed the yard. The mowing was not too bad with the rider, but it decided to break half way through. It broke good enough that I am not sure I can fix it or want to pay to have it fixed. So, I had to finish with the push mower. I might be using that the rest of the year. That is a good thing and a bad thing.

Tuesday I decided to join the night ride to get some miles in. I was busy and could not make the Basket Case ride on Monday to help loosen my legs, so they were still hurting when we went out. It was a great group with 10 riders showing up. It started out fairly friendly and all was well. That was until part of the way threw the loop it seemed to start to accelerate. It continued to do this until we were running over 26 mph for a long stretch of road.

That ride was a blast, but hurt too. I really like joining group rides like this since there was several riders. It just makes it more fun. My fun started to end as I headed home. My light was not working all night. Last week it was not charged and didn't last long. I had plugged it in to charge it over the weekend, but didn't test it before I left. When I finally went to turn it on, there was nothing there. I was not sure what was wrong with it, but I was ok not having a light. That was until the group split up and everyone was heading home. The highway toward my house sucks bad enough in the day time, but at night it is even worse. Then when I don't have a head light on, it makes it down right scary. I did have a tail light blinking, but at that time of the night, you never know if you are going to be seen or not.

I was having trouble seeing the road and just trying to keep myself upright and safe. After turning off in to the neighborhood I felt a lot better. That was until I heard something. I could not really see, but all of a sudden I could see a deer running full speed across the road right in front of me. I hit the brakes and he made it past, but not with out freaking me out some.

My big disappointment for the ride was when I got close to home and realized that the Garmin was not recording. I didn't notice this since I was just looking at the speed, but I didn't get any of the loop. I was looking forward to seeing how we went compared to other nights I have been out. It seemed faster, but I am not sure.

Tuesday night was so much fun, I decided to join the ride again on Wednesday night. I headed out a little early and tried to loosen the legs up from the previous ride. They were hurting and not very strong. I just hoped that I could keep up. Turns out that the group was very small. There was 2 of us that showed up. We did have a third rider join us for part of the ride, but not for that long. I was told the other riders legs hurt and we were going to put in an easy ride. That sounded great to me with how my legs felt.

But, not too far in to the ride I began to wonder just how fast would we be going if his legs didn't hurt. We were not really going much slower than normal and we were actually moving pretty good for awhile. I looked down and we were rolling over 22 mph. Not what I would normally call an easy ride. I was hanging on, but it was not easy. I was ok with him motor pacing me around the loop. It was good for the legs. I think I need to make all of those rides every week if I am not riding on those days. It would be nothing but good for me. Almost down to one more week before Versailles. I hope to show up better than I have the last couple of races, but we will see.

BCSP Dino

This weekend was the was the rain out date for the Brown County race. After the trail conditions last weekend at North Vernon and the weather forecast for the week, it did not look like a great weekend. I had the bike rolling good again after the mud, but was not looking forward to another race like that. Not sure why since I can actually ride fairly well in mud, but it just leaves everything in a mess.

Thankfully the weather did not meet up to expectations and seemed to miss the area. It sounded like it could still be pretty wet, but it was not getting cancelled. So, I made sure to getting stuff ready and headed to bed early. Morning rolled around early as normal and I almost didn't wake up. I got ready and loaded up as quickly as I could and headed down the road. It was going to be a long drive all by myself. I went from a car full to no one in a matter of two days. I had all of the tents, so getting there early to snag a spot and get everything set up would be a good thing.

Thanks to Wes Kemp for the picture

It was an uneventful trip and I was there soon enough. I set up shop with a little help from a friend since I didn't see any other teammates around at that time. the race turn out was way down from the last few years, but probably still well attended for the series. As the parking lot was filling up and time was running out, I got my stuff ready. I headed out to get a warm up in, but I think I went out too early or stopped too soon. I think I took too long before it was time to start and I cooled down some.

My plan was to stay smooth on the climb and just see what happened from there. Apparently my legs didn't get the memo. They decided to check out half way up the hill. I really don't know what happened to them. All of a sudden they were just completely exhausted. I limped along the rest of the way up the hill and in to the woods. I was just about the last of the group in to the woods. I did what I could and tried to recover as I could. I didn't ride bad on the flowy stuff, but anytime it went up more than a few feet, the legs didn't have anything.

I am very disappointed in my legs. I know they are not where they need to be, but this was way worse than it has been. I will say I am happy with what I did for the rest of the race after hitting the trail. I think I went as fast as I could have with the way my legs were. I was really pushing them to go as fast as I could make them go. So, all was not a total loss, but it was nothing near what I would want. I would really like to know how I could have done in some of the other races if I could have pushed as hard as I did the rest of the race. I did have one small issue and went over the bars on one section near the end. I jumped up and got on the bike as quickly as possible. I had just passed a rider not long ago and didn't want him to catch and pass me. The next little bit I was riding a little shaky and not up to speed. I was almost caught, but the trail finally went down again and I could put some space between us.

I now have two weeks to get my legs in some kind of shape and see what I can do yet. The season is running by quickly and I still have a long way to go. I have some big ideas for the fall and really hope to get somewhere by then. I will be passing on the 6 hour race this weekend. I just can't see driving that far to race when I am not in any better shape that I am. I need to see if I can just get some better training rides in.

Mudsatatuck

July usually means a nice break in life with a relaxing visit with family and hanging out at the lake. This year that did not happen. So, for the second time I was able to make the trip over to North Vernon to enjoy their trails for the Dino race. This year it did not look good for being dry and it was far from dry. I expected it to be a mud fest and in some places, it did not disappoint. But, there were sections that it was not too bad and actually fun.

For only being there one time before, I actually remembered some of the trail sections. But, not like it really helped me any. I figured I could ride pretty good in mud, so I tried to get in to the woods mid-pack or a little farther forward. I seemed to hang with the group pretty good for awhile. That was up until a couple of steep, slick sections that made people get off with the traffic jams. I tried to hurry while I was pushing, but tried not to go too hard as running/pushing in a hurry is not something I am very strong at and figured it would hurt more than it would help. Maybe it did hurt a little too much as I got passed by a few guys after those sections. I guess I slowed down too much, but I didn't think I did. I know I backed off a little to catch my breath, but maybe it was more than I thought.

I went as hard as I could for the whole race. Some sections were a lot faster than others, but overall I felt like I was riding pretty good for me. I did slide out in one corner on the first last and get a little muddy, but nothing hurt or broken. I did have a little trouble with some corners and also the new section of trail where it was a lot softer than some sections. I climbed some hills pretty well too.

If I would have finished riding and just loaded up and went home, I would have felt pretty good about my effort for the day. But, I did not do that. I actually went and looked at the results and saw that I was just as slow as the last Dino race. I finished in just about the exact same place as French Lick. I am sure I will crunch a lot of numbers when the results are posted. I knew I was not at the front, but I felt like I was actually riding stronger than the last few races and expected to be a little closer to the top than I have been. My legs sure feel like I did better.

I am not sure what to do, but I really need to improve a lot and quickly. I thought I was riding a lot stronger this year than I have in the past few years, but really I don't think I am doing any better. I might have been ahead of the schedule at the beginning of the year, but all those weeks of being too busy didn't let me continue to improve as I was and actually end up somewhere other then here. But, here I am again. Fat and way too slow. I have to use one of my typical lines and say "I better start running, because it is much to late to jog". I just hope to find the motivation to move forward and not let the depression hold me back. It will not be easy.

This weekend is the Brown County reschedule date. I hope it will be a little drier and hope the legs show up. I have a lot of cleaning to do on the bike to make sure it still works. It is cleaned off, but now I need to tear in to everything to make sure it works. All of that and find time to get some riding in and figure out how to go 20 min. faster in a week. Yea, like that will happen. Anyone know how to brew some EPO beer?