So we sorta suck at the blog thing.... I'll keep it short mainly because I've wussed out/passed on a few races due to not wanting to throw money at some events that just didn't seem perfect to me (doing 5 laps seems too much like cyclocross racing for a mountain bike race, stupid reason with 'cross coming up fast - and I HATE Afton for some reason even though I love to climb most of the time).
I've decided that when I get angry that I didn't race in a race I need to just register for the next race that I kinda want to do. Next race: Border Battle. And I'm registered. Stupid bridge is already giving me worries... that's a dicey thing for a sport race.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Chaindrive '08 or Rocky Horror Picture Show
Roughly half of the SPH crew made it up to da UP eh for the annual Chaindrive Festival. The weather was perfect, the trails were awesome and the driving was tedious (but the Garmin's sweet voice kept things interesting).
Big Lar and Mad Man Marcus competed in the 16 mile race and clocked in just under 2 hours. Considering the amount of rocks and climbing on the course that's pretty sweet. Props to Larry for stopping and helping a few guys out on the course. Representin' the colors baby.
Eric the Red and Blackbeard decided that riding 32 miles on rigid singlespeeds would be a good idea. All in all, I guess it was.
Race day started with the cell phone alarm going off at 5:30 EASTERN so I could make sure to take care of a little business before starting the 2 hour drive to Houghton. Unfortunately one of the items I forgot to take care of was eating. One banana and a granola bar was my breakfast of choice. 5 bikes on and 5 people in the Civic and we were ready to roll. Passing through L' Anse, ummmm... Baraga... maybe some other small towns was a treat as we got to drive up Lake Superior on highway 41. Very scenic. Plus we threw on some sweet tunes (Who stole the Kishka again?). Pretty soon Houghton was in our sights. Side note: I don't think one vehicle (buses included) carried more people or bikes to the race. Thanks Larry, Marcus and Elliott for not being big!
Signing in revealed that I drew #6. Crap, I'll look like a pro. Luckily Elliott drew #3, so while he does look like a pro, I didn't feel quite so stupid. Of course we were there a bit early so we went to the bathroom a few times.... stood around.... basked in our orange and green glory... etc. etc.
Upon starting (again in the back) we promptly started to pass lots of folks who were doing the 16 miler. Rolling through town and across the bridge is pretty sweet/neat. Here the 34-20 gearing was questioned... a few of the hills heading out of Hancock left more gearies in the dust. I was actually feeling pretty good as I pounded up Cemetary Hill. Somehow this small paved hill is the bane of a large portion of the less serious 16 milers' existances. It's not that bad.
Clogged initial singletrack (that would be sweet to go at your own pace on) led to the rockiest bits of ATV trail that you could imagine. Climb, bomb down an insanely rocky hill and repeat. I was still feeling alright, but was starting to get bits of trepidation creeping in. We were 6-7 miles in super fast.... and my back, legs and arms were feeling the rockiness.
Most of the singletrack (which is predominantly in the final 24 miles, which is largely singletrack) was a bit of a blur. I was still passing a few people that were having more cramping issues than I. But I also was being past (usually on or right after insane rocky descents). Eric was doing sweet and passed me in "Drunken Sailor" (which is beautiful trail). I wanted to stick with him, but soon after there was a big climb and both legs seized up. Some goo, half a powerbar, and a gulp or two of energy drink solved that problem.
Lots of singletrack, lots of rocks, lots of climbing preceded the creek crossing, which after "Drunken Sailor" was probably the next coolest part of the race. I didn't really know what was going on at that point, so I didn't exactly bomb through the creek. But the cold water felt awesome and I made it 75% of the way through. Next year I'll be fine and bomb it.
Long story a bit shorter, Elliott finished in 3 hours 5 minutes (approx.) and stakes a claim to being on the team. Eric dominated and finished in roughly 3 hours and 10 minutes. Isaac didn't do too bad either (hey, I finished), crossing the line at 3 hours and 15 minutes. Over 32 miles, those aren't huge time gaps. I was hoping to at least beat Elliott and Eric, but that will have to wait for Chequamagon... Nice race guys. Seriously. Awesome job. It was fun, and I'd be up for it again. Rigid. SS. Next time I'll be under 3 hours.
Big Lar and Mad Man Marcus competed in the 16 mile race and clocked in just under 2 hours. Considering the amount of rocks and climbing on the course that's pretty sweet. Props to Larry for stopping and helping a few guys out on the course. Representin' the colors baby.
Eric the Red and Blackbeard decided that riding 32 miles on rigid singlespeeds would be a good idea. All in all, I guess it was.
Race day started with the cell phone alarm going off at 5:30 EASTERN so I could make sure to take care of a little business before starting the 2 hour drive to Houghton. Unfortunately one of the items I forgot to take care of was eating. One banana and a granola bar was my breakfast of choice. 5 bikes on and 5 people in the Civic and we were ready to roll. Passing through L' Anse, ummmm... Baraga... maybe some other small towns was a treat as we got to drive up Lake Superior on highway 41. Very scenic. Plus we threw on some sweet tunes (Who stole the Kishka again?). Pretty soon Houghton was in our sights. Side note: I don't think one vehicle (buses included) carried more people or bikes to the race. Thanks Larry, Marcus and Elliott for not being big!
Signing in revealed that I drew #6. Crap, I'll look like a pro. Luckily Elliott drew #3, so while he does look like a pro, I didn't feel quite so stupid. Of course we were there a bit early so we went to the bathroom a few times.... stood around.... basked in our orange and green glory... etc. etc.
Upon starting (again in the back) we promptly started to pass lots of folks who were doing the 16 miler. Rolling through town and across the bridge is pretty sweet/neat. Here the 34-20 gearing was questioned... a few of the hills heading out of Hancock left more gearies in the dust. I was actually feeling pretty good as I pounded up Cemetary Hill. Somehow this small paved hill is the bane of a large portion of the less serious 16 milers' existances. It's not that bad.
Clogged initial singletrack (that would be sweet to go at your own pace on) led to the rockiest bits of ATV trail that you could imagine. Climb, bomb down an insanely rocky hill and repeat. I was still feeling alright, but was starting to get bits of trepidation creeping in. We were 6-7 miles in super fast.... and my back, legs and arms were feeling the rockiness.
Most of the singletrack (which is predominantly in the final 24 miles, which is largely singletrack) was a bit of a blur. I was still passing a few people that were having more cramping issues than I. But I also was being past (usually on or right after insane rocky descents). Eric was doing sweet and passed me in "Drunken Sailor" (which is beautiful trail). I wanted to stick with him, but soon after there was a big climb and both legs seized up. Some goo, half a powerbar, and a gulp or two of energy drink solved that problem.
Lots of singletrack, lots of rocks, lots of climbing preceded the creek crossing, which after "Drunken Sailor" was probably the next coolest part of the race. I didn't really know what was going on at that point, so I didn't exactly bomb through the creek. But the cold water felt awesome and I made it 75% of the way through. Next year I'll be fine and bomb it.
Long story a bit shorter, Elliott finished in 3 hours 5 minutes (approx.) and stakes a claim to being on the team. Eric dominated and finished in roughly 3 hours and 10 minutes. Isaac didn't do too bad either (hey, I finished), crossing the line at 3 hours and 15 minutes. Over 32 miles, those aren't huge time gaps. I was hoping to at least beat Elliott and Eric, but that will have to wait for Chequamagon... Nice race guys. Seriously. Awesome job. It was fun, and I'd be up for it again. Rigid. SS. Next time I'll be under 3 hours.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
HEY! SCRAGGS IS BACK!
Ole Scraggs is back in a big way, taking his Mad One all the way from Colville to Colville. Completing the complete Ragnarök 105 course on those cushioney 25c Gatorskins (they were down all the way to 100 psi). I thought I was a tough guy for riding it all on a singlespeed.
Some pics... actually just one. I think Larry might have lost a contact or something in the woods and he and Jake are looking for it.
Some pics... actually just one. I think Larry might have lost a contact or something in the woods and he and Jake are looking for it.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Snow in March is for scurvy dogs
Here is the state of the opening climb of any gravel road ride as of yesterday. I'm pretty sick of winter right about now. Lehrbach (I can't spell it correctly!) was actually rideable up the easy side. Sloppy all the way up, but not too bad.
But once on top of the bluff/hill things got a bit more dicey. It was definately only a one lane thoroughfare as I don't think an official plow had done anything up there. Just some kind soul with a 4x4 and a plow on the front of it. This sketched me out as I didn't trust that I wouldn't die going down the harder side of the hill, so I packed it in and bombed down the hill back to the golf course.
Which left my bike half encased in frozen Goodhue county gravel muck. This stuff is gross, and probably destroyed my BB. We'll see....
Here's hoping for 2 things. 1) A couple of warm weeks to get the Ragnarok course in shape and B) that our Chequamagonagongagon checks are cashed.
Happy Easter all.
But once on top of the bluff/hill things got a bit more dicey. It was definately only a one lane thoroughfare as I don't think an official plow had done anything up there. Just some kind soul with a 4x4 and a plow on the front of it. This sketched me out as I didn't trust that I wouldn't die going down the harder side of the hill, so I packed it in and bombed down the hill back to the golf course.
Which left my bike half encased in frozen Goodhue county gravel muck. This stuff is gross, and probably destroyed my BB. We'll see....
Here's hoping for 2 things. 1) A couple of warm weeks to get the Ragnarok course in shape and B) that our Chequamagonagongagon checks are cashed.
Happy Easter all.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Man Down!!!!
Get better soon Scraggs! Don't worry... we'll hold down the fort racing wise until you're back up and sucking in the MNSCS series and stuff. Now you have an excuse for me kicking your arse.
Lose that extra gut that you're growing and build up for Chequamagon! It's only 8 or 9 months away!
Lose that extra gut that you're growing and build up for Chequamagon! It's only 8 or 9 months away!
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Decision time - Finally some real outside riding
I'll let the pictures do the talking. Only enough time for 30 miles... Lehrbach-Orchard-Flueger-Old Church-Hill Valley-Kolshorn-Old Church-Langhans-Flueger-Orchard-Lehrbach.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Chilly Chili Maaaaadness (said in over dramatic commentator voice)
The rickety ole ship sailed on over to Bush Lake in the fine municipality of Bloomington, MN for some always interesting ice racing action. Previous years of ice racing have brought us (in no particular order):
Onto the downhill. Which was shazzy... no... make that SHAZZY. The lead in was 8-12 inches of crusty snow that made getting to the hill a bit crazy... then you get to the top of the hill... and ... lap one left Blackbeard wondering what to do. Someone was on the ground sliding down the hill so he stopped. And then let 4-5 people through so they wouldn't have to try and avoid hitting him. What a doof.
Lap 2 produced this:
Yes... that is the "I'm about to go down and maybe hit some trees but I'm not going to wuss out again" look. With luck the hill wasn't that bad.
Lap 3:
Whoops. Guess making it once doesn't mean it's any easier.
Not sure of the finishing place, but top ten for SPH is pretty decent. Not too many SSers finished ahead of the black ship (though not too many were around anyways).
Super Dave represented big time in the A race. He was no match for the SS serenity that is Ezra, but a solid #4 showing and some major style points in making it down the hill every time made the day a complete success.
Thanks to the Asian Express for making the voyage even though his bike was in pieces. Watching a kid almost get taken out by a flying death bike made the trip worth while for sure.
- below zero temperatures
- multiple shazzy lake to land transitions
- mud
- inches of slush
- tight and twisty iciness
Onto the downhill. Which was shazzy... no... make that SHAZZY. The lead in was 8-12 inches of crusty snow that made getting to the hill a bit crazy... then you get to the top of the hill... and ... lap one left Blackbeard wondering what to do. Someone was on the ground sliding down the hill so he stopped. And then let 4-5 people through so they wouldn't have to try and avoid hitting him. What a doof.
Lap 2 produced this:
Yes... that is the "I'm about to go down and maybe hit some trees but I'm not going to wuss out again" look. With luck the hill wasn't that bad.Lap 3:
Whoops. Guess making it once doesn't mean it's any easier.Not sure of the finishing place, but top ten for SPH is pretty decent. Not too many SSers finished ahead of the black ship (though not too many were around anyways).
Super Dave represented big time in the A race. He was no match for the SS serenity that is Ezra, but a solid #4 showing and some major style points in making it down the hill every time made the day a complete success.
Thanks to the Asian Express for making the voyage even though his bike was in pieces. Watching a kid almost get taken out by a flying death bike made the trip worth while for sure.
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