Monday, November 12, 2007

Is it winter where you live...?

Winter is here in Arcata, and the training has begun. The miles are starting to add up and and so are the layers of clothing. The first few rides this week weren't too bad, actually really nice for Arcata. Today was the first test!
The morning was fairly calm, a few sprinkles and a breeze. But we all know I’m not a morning person anymore, or was I ever for that matter. So right after the noon siren sounded in downtown Arcata the rain started to fall, and I was on my bike within ten minutes soaked through before I hit the end of my street.

The stats for the day:
3.5 hours
5500’ of climbing
1.5” to 2” of rain
30 - 50mph winds
a warm 55 degrees
And a big ass puddles of water on the floor where I left my bike, changed my clothes and left my shoes.

Not a good day for pictures, but I’ll get some soon. The winter is great around here!!!

Monday, November 05, 2007

The 2007 season is over.

The end of the season has finally come, now I have time to do some big rides again!!! I am really looking forward to the winter epic rides in Humboldt county.

2007 had it highs and lows for sure, everything from winning some big races to the crash that left me with a broken collar bone. The start of the year was amazing with one fairly easy win at SSAZ, this was one of the best mountain bike courses that I have ever ridden. Everything from long hard climbs to the steepest and most technical riding I have ever done. After SSAZ was the 24 in the Old Pueblo, doing some hot laps with a few friends. And then there was the Vision Quest for win # 2, If you haven’t done this one yet be ready to sign up for 2009 as 2008 is already full!

Then the problems started some lower back pain, and a few weeks off before Sea Otter. I had an OK Sea Otter race in the fact that I could hardly walk the day before.

After the Otter is when the real adventure began, Mr singlespeed(he just hasn’t figured out how to shift yet), Dejay Birtch and I headed to TN do couple races that were more my style….LONG. Cohutta 100 and the Dirt, Sweat and Gears 12 hour. Before we left I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to ride with my back, and I ended up winning both races. Go figure.

Now to make a long story a little shorter, Broken collar bone….2 months off the bike...Had a baby(Kristina actually)...one more month off...12 hours of Humboldt and bigfoot classic XC both 1st place singlespeed…one month of burned out riding…. CA state finals 2nd place Pro Singlespeed… now Trail Work…. Riding starts Tomorrow!!!

So thanks to all that helped me out this year, I couldn’t have done it with out you! Team ShoAir (Scott Tedro), Revolution Bicycle and Repair (Justin Brown and the gang), DT Swiss (Paul), Ergon, Cytomax, Oakley. You all Rock!!!


!#$%^^%$#%^&^ Official Release %&^%$#$%^&^%$#@

There will be two races that I will be putting on next year, Both semi pirate, I may ask for a small donation and will provide beer.

The first one will be toward the end of March, the second will be September or October.

I have the course designed but it will be a secret for a while!!! Stay tuned for more info.