SWW Dino

Sunday was the season finale of the DINO series. The race was held at the Southwestway Park. This was my second trip there. There was some changes to the course so I was not sure how much of it would be the same. The map looked similar to what I have done before, but they said we were going down the hill we went up before. So, I knew some would be different. I didn't get there early enough to ride a full lap and had to go with what I saw and hoped the rest would work itself out. My plan was to try and stick toward the front at the start and see how long I could hold on.

I was a little worried about the long road start. I figured the pace would be quick and if I get the heart rate up too quick, I could be in for a long day. I was going hard, but still felt good. I made a few passes to try and move up even more before we hit the tight section. I felt like I was not too far from the front when we hit the singletrack, but not exactly sure how many were in front of me. I was holding the wheel in front of me pretty good and even put a little gap on the guy behind me. I worked my way around another rider or two and tried to not let too many catch me.

I could not hold off everyone, but I felt like I was doing a better job than what I have done in most of the other races. The long levee sections were nice and fast. I tried to hold the wheel in front of me as close as I could and get some drafting benefit. I was also turning pretty good with only a few close calls. The trail was hard and dusty. The corners were slick in spots. I felt like the back tire was way too low and figured I was going to end up with a flat several different times. I also did a couple front wheel slides, but managed to keep it upright. I was really happy with how I was managing my efforts and still not going slow. I could climb the big hill in a fairly large gear and was moving faster than the riders in front of me.

I held on to my pace pretty good for the first two laps. I passed a few and was passed by a few. I didn't feel like I dropped too far back in the field. In fact, I was pretty happy with a few of the racers that I did pass and figured I had to be up there a little bit. I was racing well and pushing the limits as hard as I could. I was worried the third lap would not be the same as the first two. I too a gel right before we hit the woods. I was breathing hard from making some moves on the open section. I also knew the trail was going to be tight real quick and didn't have a lot of time. I took as much of the packet I could and it just didn't hit me right. It stuck in my mouth and I was having trouble swallowing it. I was still breathing hard and I was in to the woods now and could not get a drink very easy. I had to slow way down so I could get a drink and try to wash it down.

It started to get better, but now I was not feeling as good as I was before. So, it seems that trying to keep myself from bonking actually played a part in me almost bonking. I got back up to speed as quickly as I could. I could hear someone behind me and at one time thought they were going to want to pass. I am not sure they were actually that close since a couple times I could turn around, there was no one there. I kept pushing it, but could tell I was going slower. I could not climb the hill in as big of gear that I did the previous laps, but it was not what I would call a small gear. I was passed by Jimmy Phipps and David Gardner. I was hurting, but when Jimmy hollered at me to "come on", I dug a little harder to try and hold their wheel. I was not right on them but close.

When we hit the field section, everyone put the hammer down. With them right there, I was doing what I could to try and catch back up. When I turned the last corner, I could see them up there, but it was a good amount away. The racer in my stood up and just mashed it with all I had left. I was gaining ground, but running out of room. David saw me coming up next to him and I think I shocked him. He pushed it harder, but I was able to snag it right at the line. I was completely wiped out, just like I should have been. I was feeling really good about my race and my effort. I was stoked to make the pass at the finish line, but a little later (probably after some oxygen got back in to my brain) I realized that I did all that work to make the pass and I still didn't beat him. He races in a different age group and was actually 2 minutes ahead of me. Bummer! Still felt good to make the effort.

I ended up 34th overall and 13th in age group. I am happy with that, but actually thought I might have been a little farther up than the 13th. It was hard to tell how many people were in front of the pact at the start. I never expected to race with the front guys, so I was paying more attention to the guys around me and trying to figure out if I needed to try and make a pass or hold where I was. You can always second guess yourself about a lot of different things in a race. But, doing things differently can make other things change that you do not want to happen. Going farther up front might have had be blowing up early and dropping way back. It is hard to tell and nothing I can do about it now. I just have to try and use my best judgement on what my body can do at that moment.

After all the points were entered, it worked out that I ended up the 2013 season in 13th place in age group. I am pretty happy with that. The 40-49 age group is one of the biggest groups and full of a lot of talent. I ended up in 30th place overall. I am even more happy about that finish. I improved a lot this season and ended up racing pretty good for the last two races. Of course I wish I could have finished closer to those places the rest of the season, but I can't complain about doing better as the year goes. Also, looking at the points, if I would have been able to make some trail work days in the spring, the possible 30 bonus points would have moved me up 6 places in the overall. It would have also moved me 4 places in age group. That would have made my placings even more to be happy with, but nothing I can do about that now. It is what it is. I can understand why the bonus points are there. I just need to do better about getting some work days in no matter when they are.

I would like to thank Team Adventure's for helping me put in a good season. I would like to thank all of the team sponsors for helping my bike run good and me look like I am faster than I really am. There were several things that really helped me improve this year. I just hope to continue to improve as I have some more races to do this year and hope to start off next season even better. My goal is to work my way up even farther in the standings. There are several fast guys making the jump to Cat 1, but there are also several fast Cat 3 guys that will be in the mix. Until then, I hope to see you on the trail or at another race soon. Thanks for taking the time to read about a mid pack Cat 2 racer.

The Burning Quad

Yes, I actually did something I said I would never do on a road bike. I raced a crit race. I have always pictured them with me ending up covered in road rash. I am glad to say that my worries did not happen at this race. Not everyone can say the same, but I am very happy that it was not me. But, not to say that it will never happen if I would decide to do it again some day. I did have some fun and learned some that would help me if I would decide to toe the line again. Even though I didn't know what I was doing, I was part of a great team that sure looked like we did. Well, some of us knew more than others, but it was still good to ride with several teammates. It sure made the day a little less stressful.

The plan was to enter the Cat 5 race and see how it went. What happened was that I was talked in to also entering the Cat 4/5 race. It was not that much more money and I figured what the heck. it would make the amount per race and I figured more riding would be better. I had just hoped that I didn't hit the deck in the first race and waste the money for the second. It turns out that it was not exactly wasting money on both races, but I didn't as much out of my dollars.

I was a little nervous as I was getting my stuff ready. I had to figure out where all the stickers were to be placed and how to mount up the number plate to my jersey. Actually I kind of knew how it went more than a few others since I have done a road race before. After my stuff was ready, I headed out to check out the course. After a few laps, I was feeling pretty good about being able to handle the corners and all of the road sections. I thought I knew where the bad sections were and what to avoid. I later found out it really didn't matter if I knew where they were if I was going to hit them anyway. I hit some pot holes and dips that I thought was going to put me down a few times, but some how held on.

I lined up near the back, but knew that was not where I really wanted to be. I have heard about the accordion effect and can completely understand how that will play out. As much as I wanted to stay back there, when an opening was there, I took the opportunity to move up a little. As the start went, I got on quicker as the guys in front of me, so I had to try and not hit anyone. I moved up in the pack as I could with out trying too hard. The hill was not as much of a problem as it seemed to be for the other guys. I was also surprised at how slow everyone went around some of the corners. This made it easy for me to continue to move up in the pack. I was feeling good and ended up not too far off the front. I was cornering with ease and the effort to climb the hill was not what I had expected. I tried to hold my own and just be happy with where I was. Up ahead Joseph was in the front and sat up and motioned us to move forward and help him. I was feeling good, so I thought what the hell. This was the first bad choice I made for the day. I felt good up there and pulled for a little over a lap.

The next thing I knew, I was starting to feel the effort of being up there and was looking to move back. Just as I knew I needed to move back, they announced it was a preem lap. So, I figured I would pull him a little longer and drop back. Well, I didn't have to worry about dropping back. As we flew down to the river side I tried to take it easy since I knew I was going to move back. Then we hit the climb up the boat ramp. Out of no where my heart rate was way elevated and my legs just didn't have it. I kept slowing down on the climb and as we crested the hill, everyone just pulled away. My race was over.

Well, my race should have been over. I kept pushing the pedals as I could thinking I could catch someone. Eventually I did catch a few guys, but it took a lot of effort to do so. Near the end of the race I started to think that I should not use that much energy and save some for the 4/5 race. I did slow down some, but my computer still had me averaging 21 mph. Slowing down got me to be lapped by the pack on the last lap. I really hoped to stay out, but it didn't work out.

Not to name names (the same person who talked me into going to the front), but someone talked me in to joining for a warm up ride. It sounded like a good idea and I probably needed too. I didn't realize just how far we were going or how hard we were going to go. Normally the effort would not have been that bad, but after what I did for the Cat 5 race, I really didn't need to ride at 24-26 mph for as long as we did. To compound the problem, as I rolled back to the team tent, I saw a group of guys lining up at the start. They looked like the group I was supposed to be in. Yep, that is us. Dammit! I thought I would have a minute to gather my thoughts before the start and make sure I was ready. I was wanting to suck down another gel or two.

I made my way over to the start and tried to be as ready as I could. Soon enough we were on our way. Trying to use what I learned the first race, I was just going to get in the pack and try to conserve as much energy as I could. Some of the pace was a little faster then the Cat 5 race, but at the same time it seemed like we were slowing down a lot more for some corners. I actually felt like the group was more sketchy than the Cat 5 race. I just about rear ended a few guys because of how quickly the were braking. I tried to find a good place in the group to hang out. I thought I was doing a good job, but the rubber band was getting stretched out a lot on some sections and before I knew it, I saw the band break and the pack rolled away. My legs were toast. I was happy that I held on to the pack for 20 min., but figure if I did a few things different in the morning I could have gone longer.

I am not sure if I could have held on for the full race, but I am sure it would have been close. I just didn't have it in the legs to match the accelerations out of the corners after we slowed down that much. I was surprised at how some people could not corner any better than they did. I have heard that most crits are not that tight and don't have the hill. I really liked the course so maybe I won't like a different one if I would give it another try. I did do one thing that I really wish I didn't do. After I was lapped in the 4/5 race right at the end, I rode a little longer and then dropped out. I was hurting and it was easy to convince myself that is what everyone does. I saw a few other guys who dropped out and just thought that is what you do. I know at several other races you actually get pulled off the course when you get dropped. Maybe it is not really that big of a deal. Not sure if it made a difference in getting a finish place or a dnf, but where I was it really didn't matter. It is not like I am going to series points or anything.

Overall it was a great experience that I will probably do again. It all depends on scheduling. It was a great day hanging out with everyone and crit racing is a great spectator sport. You get so see the racers going by all the time. It is not like some other races were you don't see anyone for thirty minutes or more. I will have to keep an open mind about crit racing and make sure to put the races on the calendar next year so I can keep tabs. This weekend is the final Dino race at Southwestway. It is hard to believe we are hear already. I didn't do as well for the season as I wanted to, but I did better than last year and can continue to improve. See you on the bike somewhere.

France Park DINO

No more room

I made the trip back to Logansport to race at France Park after a long time off. It was probably 1997 the last time I raced up there. I had thought about it a few times since, but it didn't work out. Back then I really didn't like racing there. It was too flat and wide. I can't say that it has changed that much, but there were a few more sections that I actually did like this time and I was stronger on the flat open stuff than before. If it were not for the camping the night before, I am not sure if I would think the trip was a good choice or not.

chilling by the fire

It is a pretty long drive for a trail that does not leave just loving it. There were some really cool sections, but not enough for me to just go there to ride unless it was located 3 hours closer. The fact that I have started road riding on an actual road bike since 1997, it made me a lot stronger on the flat open sections. But, all that aside, I think the camping out the night before would have been worth the trip in itself. So it was a great weekend! It would have only been better if I had went up Friday and watched the XTERRA (camped another night).

late night fun

As far as the racing goes, I could be really happy or over think things and only be content with the race. If I go with the first, I am very happy to have had my best finish of the DINO series season in the very competitive 40-49 age group. I guess either way I think, I am pretty happy with that accomplishment. I ended up 10th in age group and beat my last top finish by 8 places. The negative side of my brain has me thinking that I am still 10 min. behind the leaders and I only finished that high because some of the top finishers have changed classes or did not show up. But, I don't think me thinking that way is completely accurate, but it is the way my brain thinks.

Williamlsnyder.com

I started closer to the front than normal, but still not at the front. I tried to control my effort at the start with out getting dropped. I think I did a fairly good job of that, but wished I was farther up. I probably held on to a wheel longer than I should have, but I know the legs get a dead spot a little after the start and I was trying to control myself. I didn't let too many go by and felt like I was rolling pretty well. There was a section of trail that I knew I should have taken the left side, but I ended up following the guy in front of me and took the right. He slipped up on a tough section and I just about ran in to him. I had to stop in a bad place and slipped trying to get going again. Putting in an effort like that with some panicking going on is not good for the heart rate or the legs. I got going fairly quick, but the legs were feeling it.

I tried to ride my own pace and get back in to a groove. I was a little sketchy on the fast sections, but managed to not wreck. Eventually the bike control came back and I was going a lot better. There were a few sections that I was not happy with my legs. I figured they would be stronger than they were. The section that I was really shocked by was the long flat sections. I knew my legs would like that section, but I didn't think I was going that fast on them and I reeled in several racers in that section and still made my legs feel better. I guess that road riding is paying off for something.

Williamlsnyder.com

I will say the the new section of trail was fun. I am sure there were several people that had some trouble with the log and/or the rock section after that. I think it was a good addition to try and offset all the wider sections. I also think the ATV race did tear up some sections, but I could tell that there was a lot of work put in trying to get it back in good shape. Probably not what you would want to happen to the trail, but I can understand why it was done and will not judge them for it.

Overall I was glad I made the trip. I had a good time, a good finish and still put in another race for the series. It is hard to believe that the last race of the series is just around the corner. It seems like we should be just starting summer, not school. I guess I am happy that I am finally starting to ride a little better I just wish it happened earlier in the year. I still have several events on my calendar and they run me well in to the fall/winter and start next year off. I need to find some more motivation to improve over the winter and start next year off at least where I am now or in even better shape. I would really like to be running more like top 10 overall next season. I think the body can do it, I am just not sure I want to sacrifice enough time to actually get there. This year is going by quick enough.

Ben Hawes Pump Track race - KPS

Thanks to Tiffany Hutchens for the image

Sunday was the latest race in the Kentucky Point Series. It was held at the Rudy Mine trails near Ben Hawes State park. I am ashamed to say that I have never been there. It is not that far away and what a fun trail system. I have always heard how fast and easy it is, so it didn't make the top of my list to make an effort to go ride. That and all the stories about head on collisions that I didn't need to be any part of. I did plan on making a trip down there sometime last week, but it just didn't happen. Maybe a good thing, maybe not.

Thanks to Tiffany Hutchens for the image

With all the talk about how fast the trail is and how little climbing there was, I figured I better gear up some or I would be spinning out all the time. Normally I have been running a 34x20 most places and fairly content with that. I did have a couple of places last weekend at Capitol View where I was spinning out, but normally I don't complain. Looking at the cogs and chain rings I had available, for some reason I decided to put on the 34x18. It sounded like a good idea until I asked Todd Nix what he ran there and it was the same gear. Humm, maybe I don't want to run that big of gear. I know I don't have the same legs that he does, but by this time it was too late and never had the time to swap it to something else.

Saturday was a long day out of town and I didn't get home til real late. I then packed up my gear and tried to get some sleep. I was very wore out Sunday morning and then had to do some wheel repair on Dean's bike before we could leave town. I was fairly sure that I would not race very well at all. I was just glad that we didn't have to drive very far to get to the race. If it would have been a few hours, I would have probably rolled back over and went to sleep.

Thanks to Tiffany Hutchens for the image

I was happy to see all of the SS bikes in the parking lot. It was good to have a few people out there racing. There was a couple of other guys that ended up racing Cat 3 or it would have been even bigger. Cat 2 and SS all lined up together. It was a big pack and I didn't want to be too far ahead. It seemed that several SS'rs were hanging back to let the geared guys go. I was ok with that, but after we hit the single track, I am not sure that was the best idea, but it is hard to tell how everything would have played out if I started farther up.

Before we hit the single track, I jumped on Biven's back wheel. I knew I didn't need to be in front of him, but figured his back wheel was not a bad place to be. I stayed there for most of the first lap. I was pretty happy with this even if the reason was the 5 guys in front of him holding up the train. There were sections I could have gone faster and other sections that were just about right. There was a section where he went around. It took me a minute longer to do the same and as I got by I could see him speeding away on the open trail. The pass I made hurt some and I knew if I tried to put out the same kind of effort as he did, I would be cooked. I just tried to hold my own speed and keep moving at a good pace.

I could feel that the gearing choice was a little steep for my legs in some places. I was hoping they could last for the second lap with out blowing up. The fast sections helped, but it is still tiring going fast and pumping all the rollers. The gearing was great for some sections because when I got in to the zone, I was moving pretty good. So it is hard telling if an easier gear would have been better or worse. I am sure the climbs would have been better, but my overall pace would probably been slower. The rigid fork has been working pretty good for me so far. It has let me corner really well in some races that had a lot of cornering. There was only one rock section I wished I had a shock, but it didn't last very long at all. I just grabbed on and closed my eyes.

I was feeling good about how well I rode and even better about it for being as tired as I was. I did pretty good about pushing my pace as hard as my legs would let me. I still need to improve a lot. I was not exactly sure where I was in the pack, but I knew no other SS passed me and early in the race someone said there were a few behind me, so I felt optimistic. Unfortunately my placing was not as high as I would have wished. I ended up in 5th, but I was happy to see that I was only 6 min. from the top 3 guys and not too far behind 4th place. Maybe the training and loosing some weight is starting to pay off. I guess I need to quit complaining and just do more about it. The season is ending, so why not start to get faster. LOL

This weekend is the Dino race at Logansport. In the past I have always dreaded this race since it was so flat and too much like road riding and several hours from home. Maybe with all the road riding I have done the last couple of years, I might do a little better up there then I did in the 90's. I know the trail has changed a lot and after the ATV race they had there recently, I am sure the trail is even more different than before. Hopefully the weather cooperates and my legs find some time to actually show up for a race.

The bad asses - SS podium