Now it's Winter!

Got out yesterday for a quick spin up on the bluff before what, at least potentially, is quite the winter storm. 18" of snow?!? I will believe that when I see it. Though the low limit seems to still be 6-8" for Red Wing... so that's not to be sneezed at. Hopefully the snow blower still starts!

I wonder how long until the trail is packed down by the LC crew....? The conditions yesterday were awesome.

Still doesn't feel like Winter

The weather has been unseasonably warm this year. So much so that for the past 3 weeks or so the freeze/thaw cycle has meant that the trails up on Memorial have been closed for WAY too long. Well... not too long, as evidenced by the ruts and damage in "In Through the Out Door" and "Isaa-godda-davida". Anyway...

The weather on Saturday was finally below freezing (at least just below!).

The trails were in great shape. Rolling fast with the frozen ground. I headed out on the snowshoe trails down the Sandstone Drop and once again my imagination went wild thinking of some fun singletrack all the way out to the point and back.

On the way back I started to run into some little sections of sun-exposed trail that were getting soft, so I made sure to get off the trails ASAP to not end up being part of the problem.

All in all, almost 10 miles of biking the week before Christmas with no snow on the ground. It was definitely what the doctor ordered.

Out by the Sandstone Drop

That's the trail... Ashamed but not ashamed that I walked the last sketchy drop

Sunday brought much warmer temps so we got Graham out for some spins on his bike. He's getting so big! It's been a while since he's gotten out on his bike, so it was good to see that he still had a blast and still could be a huge daredevil. Proudest moment? He slammed into a cone and went down... just brushed off and got back on with no complaints or whining... Good job buddy!

Still got it!

Happy Trails to Scraggs!

While it isn't really saying "Good Bye", Ole Scraggs will be sailing his schooner westward to Colorado.

We got in one last ride (at least a couple of us) over the weekend. Nothing too epic, but we did explore some fun parts of the bluff that we don't get to see too often.

Don't be a stranger Ole Scraggly Beard!

Which way do we go?

The trail is there somewhere.

Things I Like : The Power Loon

Every year while we were growing up we would take a couple of vacations a year. Both would be going to somewhere in northern Minnesota, sometimes in a cabin, sometimes camping. Always fishing.

My earliest memories of music on these trips are of sitting in the old conversion van and listening to my mom and dad play tapes (and eventually CDs as soon as CD players came out, my pops was always into early adoption of tech) listening to CSNY, Neil Young, Pink Floyd, and the Dead. 

If I hear "Truckin'" I instantly think of heading up north in the green van.

Once we got a bit older, and probably radio technology improved, etc. We started to listen to a station out of Bemidji - Z99 or something... maybe with a LASER too... turns out it is the exact same stuff (just delayed a couple of minutes usually) to the Power Loon out of Brainerd/Baxter. 

The Loon replaced CDs as the soundtrack to our vacations... not necessarily because of the quality of the music. But because of the dependability of the ridiculousness of at least 2-3 songs an hour. SOMEONE PLAYS "CHILDREN OF THE SUN"?!!? And it would also start to come in just after St. Cloud. When you heard the first Rush, Led Zeppelin, or Billy Squier song... you were officially on vacation.

Of all the ways the internet has affected my life, I am happiest (at least right now) with the face that you can stream the Power Loon anywhere you have the internet... and rock out to 25% good songs, 50% generic "classic rock" and 25% mind-blowingly bad 70s and 80s "hits".

http://tunein.com/radio/The-Power-Loon-1075-s33764/

What is playing right now? Well... Supertramp just ended... the radio host is talking about having too much saliva in her mouth... and life is good.

Happy Hump Day!

Almost there!!!

I can almost taste the stew!

Actually I'm mainly looking forward to riding for a couple of hours and then hanging out. But stew and other tasty tidbits aren't to be sneezed at either (or sneezed on most definitely).

I did a recon ride Sunday, and while I didn't do all of the trail (it was wet and I didn't have the time), and I didn't do all of the gravel climbs (took an alternate route), the combo of gravel and singletrack is so awesome.

Perfect Gravel Conditions... lots of Brown though... missed the colors by a week or so

'Twas a Gloomy Day

1.5 weeks to the big one

Goodhue County Single Speed Championship... the GCSSC... 'da County... the big one... the Race of the Frosty Noses.... whatever you want to call it... it is almost here.

For those not obtaining and opening official email correspondence.

When: Nov. 8, starting at 10:00 from Larry's backyard

What: The single best race that starts and finishes in Larry's backyard. Up the impossibly steep run up to get to the road and then the lovely gravel and singletrack that everyone knows and loves.

What What (Gravel traditional):

• right onto Lehrbach (gravel)
• Left onto Flower Valley (pavement)
• Right onto Orchard (gravel)
• Right at top of Orchard
• Right onto Flueger
• Right onto Flower Valley (pavement)
• Left onto Lehrbach
• at Bush St/Golf Links Drive take a right

Note that we could decide to run it backwards just cause...

What What What (the Bluff):

• Off of the road take a left onto the cart path just after the driving range
• Take a left onto the ski trail (HARD left and there is now a gate to watch for!)
• Stay left when the ski trail splits (right is the steep short cut)
• Climb all the way to the 5-way and continue up the hill (take the singletrack switchbacks to your left right at the 5 way proper).
• At top of hill and into "Meadow 3" follow the South (left) side of the meadow to loop around to where Stairway joins and keep going. Follow around to where it enters the woods
• Take "Lay Down Sally" (stay straight on the trail) the whole way until the trail spits you out at the edge of "Meadow 1"
• Take all of the "BLACK" trail on the North side of the bluff (from old start finish, through whoopdies, QRT all the way down, etc. etc. Only real optional is the log drop.
• After you get spit out at the 5 way continue down the bluff, this time taking the steep short cut trail that is to your left as you start going down the ski trail

WHAT WHAT WHAT WHAAAAAT???? (the food):

• Tradition dictates that we eat stew afterward. There may be enough kids around that we'll also need a pile of chicken fingers. Who will make what? (the earlier time will make stew making a bit more interesting). 

Riding Post-Leafers

Mid to Late Fall is the best time to ride!

The bluff is buff and the weather isn't overly crazy hot (though I still end up stripping off everything but my bibs and jersey). The Cowpath has hidden rocks and roots. Everything is beautiful!

Fall is also 'cross season. Now, we've been less into cyclocross this year than previous for a few reasons...

1) Marcus is at school, so one less rider (and when we have 4-5 riders that is a big hit!)
2) Jake and Job have crazier schedules it seems.
3) Carly is working 1/3 of the weekends and having 2 kids makes it harder to 'cross when you are solo (not bad, just a fact).

Also... racing "official" races is way more expensive. $15 one day licenses. $35 entry.... $50!!! Even as a 1-2 racing 60 minutes for $50... yikes... and yuck.

But Graham is loving 'cross...

SPH Cross #1 -- Race "Report"

The first 'cross race at Twin Bluff Middle School for 2015 is in the books.

Jake (with some help from Job and Larry) set up the course this time, and it was a fairly pure power course. Lots of long sections around football fields, and one haul up the hill (that was rideable). The main "feature" was a bunny hoppable barrier that was really only bunny hoppable consistently by Jake.

One other note: We tried out a "penalty loop" of sorts. To try and get things more "competitive" those in front have to do extra loops of a section. Yesterday just happened to require a trip around the little league field bases.

The course started out fast with a leg out along the football field, and then looped onto the parking lot to head to the little sand pile. The specter of the asphalt/concrete on the other side of the sand pile kept everyone on the safe (and faster anyway) line away from the loose sand.

From the sand pile we went on the track to turn around a garbage can. This lead to the first barrier, which was a 2x8 or 2 x 10 leaning against some tires. After this barrier, there was some zigzagging around some tires and the goalpost. Then it was a straight shot 95% up the hill, then back down and around the infield.

The course finished up with some stretches along the football field (and around the other backstop) leading to the set of 2 barriers and then a tight loop around the drainage.

We were set-up for approximately 35 minutes of racing. Job got the hole shot (as always) but by the time we got to the sand pile Jake was in front, with Job, Isaac and Larry following close behind. Jake effortlessly hopped the barrier and Job set up to do the same... but something went a bit haywire. Job clipped is front wheel and did a 180 degree flip in the air to land on his head/neck/shoulder. The race was neutralized for a few minutes as we determined if Job was alive or not. And then if his bike was broken. And then if anything else was broken. Casualties of the wreck - a semi-shiner for Job, and a busted helmet.

Race was back on and Jake soon started to exert his dominance. The extra loop worked for 3 laps or so as I was able to stay right around (if not even in front) of Jake for a lap or two.. but then I decided to take a couple of penalty loops to bring Larry back in, and Jake was now way out front. Larry was just a little behind with a few laps to go when I hit my last self-imposed penalty lap. Larry was now in front to reel in.

Unfortunately the heat took its toll, and I had a bad lap or so... my legs lost all power, gasping for breath... dying the slow 'cross death. With one lap to go, I emptied by water bottle over my head and instantly felt invigorated. Larry was still out there... was he too far in front? I determined then and there to try and pull him back. Up the hill one more time... pedaling down the hill... standing up and "sprinting" across the ball field... taking the last corner... there he was... and I instantly felt like breakfast was going to come up. Not wanting to vomit right in front of women and children I pulled over and barely avoided making a mess.

Solid first week of cross!

The GCSSC 2015 Post

It's getting to be that time of year again. The biggest race of the year. The fabled Goodhue County SingleSpeed Championship (or GCSSC for those who like appreviations).

Details:

When - November 8th , starting at roughly 10:00 or so. Should have a chance to warm up a little but those SPHers from more out of town can be on the road earlier (Marcus and Matt, we're looking at you).

What - Part Gravel, Part Singletrack, all stew powered! We are starting at the standard Langsdorf location as per the last couple of years. After the initial awkward run-up we hit the gravel of Goodhue County. Lehrbach, Orchard, Flueger, and then back to Lehrbach (unless we decide to go backwards). Some real climbs in there to get the legs loosened up. Then we move on to the bluff and it's singletrack. New this year is the extended climb up from the driving range. You MUST stay to the left when the climb Ys (to take the long way around). This will go all the way up to the 5 way. Do the switchback climb up the first part of the 5 way climb, and then stay on "Blue" trails on the south side. Once you hit "Meadow 1" (the start finish for the MNMTB race) you will then do all black on the north side. Nothing too crazy, and you can pick to do the log drop or not. Then at the 5 way, bomb back down. You CAN take the first left (short cut) heading down. Watch for walkers!

Rules: Must be completed/competed on a singlespeed or you have to vouch that you never shifted.

Oh... and we'll have some stew and hanging out afterwards. Not great timing for those with kids that nap, but oh well.

Hot Lap - week 4

It was a muggy one up on the bluff as Jake and I toed the line for week 4 of the famed SPHotlap®. The ever interesting staggered start was employed to try and keep everyone pushing the pace and without knowing the official times, it was determined that Jake would start 5 minutes after me. (looking at the official times, it should have been 5:49, but that is neither here nor there).

 

The course was in fast condition as I tried to push the pace in a metered fashion. I didn’t want to burn up early and struggle just to finish. I was feeling pretty good up the first couple of climbs, and still hadn’t seen nor heard Jake on my tail by the time I hit the 5 way climb. I was pushing things, hoping that, if I didn’t hear him in the woods as I made my way to the DH that I might just have a chance.

 

Unfortunately I heard his rattling two-wheeled clap-trap bombing down the hill not long after leaving the new switchback singletrack above the 5 way. I knew that my goose was cooked, but wanted to stretch it out to see when the catch would happen. Sweat pooled in my eyes as I made my way down the DH trail, mentally preparing to try and bury myself on the climb to hell known as Stairway.

 

The recent rains have once again messed with the bottom of Stairway. Ignoring the lack of lines and keeping the wheels turning was the #1 priority. Making it past the first 20 yards, I tried to get into a rhythm, but Stairway would have none of it. ½ way up and forced me off the bike and into my death trudge. I couldn’t resist the urge to peek back. Still not seeing Jake, my hopes were raised… maybe he crashed into a tree? Maybe his chain broke? Maybe he decided to quit biking altogether, move to Isle Royale, have a sex change and live out the rest of his life as a lonely spinstress… I didn’t know and didn’t care at the moment… so I trundled on.

 

Bushwhacking through Isaa-godda-davida, essentially being funneled through the trail, I didn’t see Jake passing by on the field after Stairway… maybe I wasn’t as slow as I felt? After the Bomb Crater, and 180 deg I pushed the pace… then I suddenly heard that clickety-clack of a poorly tuned full suspension bike. It brought dismay to my ears… he was in the same section as me… the jig was up! An awkward descent into the Quarry hastened the catch, which happened just after the rock garden… 

 

The rest of the lap was a disappointed mess of a blur. 2112 was cleared, but I knew my time was going to be slower, and I knew that I got my butt kicked by a low down dirty geared rider. Fumbling for my phone (acting as my stopwatch) allowed me to stop the time at 39:15. I was counting “mississippis” while I reached for the timer and tried to unlock it, etc… I got to 11 mississippi before actually hitting stop… so I am saying my “official” time was 39:04.

 

Jake finished in a little more than 32 minutes… so both of us were slower, but at the end of the day, fun was had, challenges were met, and it was another great SPHotlap®!

 

SPH Cup standings after 4 weeks:

 

1^st (!) – Andrew “Job” Petersen – 5 points

2^nd (tie) – Larry “Big Red” Warrington, Isaac “Westwind” Giesen – 4 points

4^th – Jaqueb “The French Connection” Huot – 2 points

5^th – Shane “Will I show up again” Lastname – 1 point

6^th – Marcus “I have to work” Warrington – 0 points

 

SPHotlap #1 is in the books

Finally the stars aligned and the first official Hot Lap could be contested. The weather - not too hot, but a little warm and a little humid. Trail conditions - dry and fast. Riders - Larry (SS), Job, Isaac (SS), Shane

The race started quick, but the pace wasn't too crazy as Job got the hole shot and led through the end of Margaritaville and up the QRT double track climb. Isaac was close behind with Larry and Shane just a few seconds back.

As the race moved through Blitzkrieg Bop Isaac was pushing the pace to try and get by Job and get a gap on Larry. On the long double track climb the pass and gap were made. Would it be enough? At the top of the climb Isaac had a small gap to Larry, Job, and Shane who were all pretty close.

Things stayed pretty status quo until the 5 way climb where Larry started to reel back some time. By the time they hit Stairway the gap was maybe 15-20 seconds max. At the top of stairway it was maybe 10. Bombing down the Quarry led to the first hiccup. Isaac turned into the rock garden - Wrong turn! Larry graciously waited, but the catch was made. Some impromptu trail clearing cost both a few seconds but was not an advantage to either rider. Both single speeders struggled up the climb from the Quarry and were together heading towards 2112 and the infamous laundry chute drop. Isaac let Larry by to let him do the chute at his pace and after the chute, roots, and switchbacks it was all back together. Larry led through the whoopties but had to concede the lead for good heading into the last Singletrack. Isaac rolled to the finish first in 39:20. Larry 5-10 seconds back in a hard fight second. Shane got 3rd in 42ish minutes with Job stopping things at 45.

All in all it was a fun race! It was brutal as no one has really tried going at "race pace"... 

For reference - Isaac was riding 34-20 

Some updates are a-comin'

With the new year comes some interesting thoughts, opportunity, and what not. 

Updates :

1) the site may get a tiny facelift. Jake is finalizing potential sponsorship for the year. When it is tied up I will divulge more.

2) it sounds like almost all of the local crew will be heading to the LML... So that is exciting! 

3) discussion was had last night about making the Memorial Day camping trip a yearly thing. Obviously much thinking and planning will be needed but the consensus was a couple days away biking and relaxing sounded like a wonderful goal.

4) the SPH cup will get maybe get started at the LML. Not sure on points distribution, but there has to be something....

5) we're 50/50 on new kit. I'm probably most for it as I may need to retire a handful of shorts and custom ones are cheaper than stuff off the shelf a lot of times. AND I fell in love with sleeveless jerseys so wouldn't mind having some that I don't have to make myself. I will try and have a few concepts out in a week or so. If we decide against an order that is cool too.

Probably more to come too... But this mobile blogger thing is pretty sketch to use....