Smokin Spoke

Another best finish. Obviously I am improving in my technical abilities. Had but one small spill when I lost my line among some other riders and was taken down by a rock. Continuous bumps and climbs challenged everyone's endurance. Whatever was pushing my legs told them to bypass the thinking part of my brain and go directly to the fingers. Click click click on the derailleurs for more speed while my brain said "I'm just here to enjoy the scenery."

Took a new name and let one go. I suspected I could outlast a few racers and as I neared the end got one in my sights. Just passed him when my chain dropped and fought hard to retake him to find one more target before me. Around the last turn a series of speed bumps kept me from accelerating. Hit the last smooth stretch and flew. Maybe if I was more aggressive on the shifters? Missed by 2 seconds.

Everyone commented on how tired I looked. The race was hard and hadn't slept much the last two nights. Had a horrid smokers room at the motel. How appropriate for the Smokin Spoke while Greece burned as we raced. When I close my eyes I see images of those steep climbs and my legs twitch. The one with the big root two-thirds of the way up I cleared both times without a second thought.

Had my tires at 48 psi for my 240 lbs. Actually losing weight again. At least that is what the scale at the gym says. Can't beat the cool weather. First time I had trouble with being able to see the trail. The contrast between mottled sunlight and shadow made me realize why some wear tinted racing glasses.

It's Raining Again, Oh No!

'You know the nearer your destination, the more you slip sliding away'. We saw vehicles with bicycles headed the other way on our way to the Subaru Cup and my wife almost had me convinced the race would be canceled as it rained all day. Of course it wasn't and not being dominated by the elements is just one reason WORS is the best.

Took a name and I ain't sharing. Briefly past a fellow who has always finished ahead of me twice. Near the end I passed again and left him behind. How? Despite the continuous hydration falling from the sky I kept gulping my sports drink and had the energy in the grueling conditions where others didn't. Energy drink, energy bars and sport drink before after a breakfast of cold cereal with milk and donuts. Seemed to work. This mud was sand and not the clay from the last race but I wasn't going to have the same collapse after this race. We had a great promotional bag and I used the Cliff recovery drink and their nectar bar after the race. Hit Culver's on the way home.

Best finish this year and it wasn't for lack of competition. Someone asked me if I fell and I said "I don't remember". I see the mark on my chest where I landed on my handle bar end. The day before I had two great tumbles on my pre-ride. The bruises should start to show in a couple days. I think my wife likes my scratches and bruises. Thanks to her for all her support.

It was planned to be a very technical course as it should be for their signature event. I hope the second day was even better for them.

It Feels Like Christmas

Received a care package from an elite Korean industrialist friend today. A near complete rebuild or two for my bike. I find his claim that these are all parts he couldn't sell highly suspicious. Many thanks. A big project that I may not get to before the end of the WORS season but sorely needed after five years two of which focused on off road.
Haven't gotten out much. Still a bit of recovery going on. None needed for the legs. Got out Monday and the monsters couldn't be restrained. Had to intentionally stay out of the big ring for the safety of those around me. Now if I could only build up the rest of my body. I guess years or decades of depriving your internal organs of oxygen and no sleep takes its toll.
Cucumbers are more than we can handle and now the cherry tomatoes have started. Don't know if I'll plant any more greens as the weather cools. Disappointed in the spinach this year.
The truck wont start and I wanted to drive up for a race pre-ride tomorrow.

Melt Down

Nice place for a morning cup of coffee or to beat the heat in the evening or just relax, pray or take a nap. Built per my direction this is a fantastic space. My wife says I need more pictures. Sorry for the quality, we only have my wife's camera phone.
The weight loss has stalled in the heat of the summer. Only been working on the large muscle groups at the gym. Almost impossible to work inside without AC and a good ride has been better to keep the bodies thermal control system working.
Still had a total shut down this week. That race in the mud wiped me out and tried to get back into the swing Wednesday pushing most of the day and my body revolted.
Time for some ice cream!

That's What I'm Talking About

Just one of many hazards. Thanks to Wolfgang and the WORS Message board for this pic from the Sport race. And it was standing water when the earlier Citizen race came through.

Mudaliscious

Hot or cold there is nothing like a cup at the Alterra Coffee Bean Classic. After a solid night of hard rain we raced. And my wife Misao cheered me on.

Missed Wednesday night's club race but came out Thursday, Friday evenings and Saturday to try the Alpha Trail since I had never ridden it. It was under water and taken out of the loop, but then again much of what we rode was under water. Advantage to those with mud tires and disk brakes. Some gave up. Others like me found our tires frequently frozen tight with mud. And we carried it as it dragged on our tires up the long climbs the course is known for. Lost over 4 lbs.

Again about 20 minutes behind the leader in our class. Ten minutes between the top two finishers and the rest of our class. Must have been the only ones with the right tires. It would be interesting to see how last years citizen Clydesdale series winner was doing in sport class but he only raced once this year.

If I always had the right tires, disk brakes, dropped 45 lbs coming in barely at weight and had one of the better bikes could I take 20 minutes off my time? I think difficult if only training four hours a week but maybe some medals. 2009 is likely sport class for me by the guidelines.

See Dave.

See Dave Ride. See Dave ride sport.
See Dave ride fast. See Dave ride sport fast.
Ride Dave! Ride!