tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54163686917124493152024-02-18T22:34:05.504-08:00S.O.B. Single-SpeederThe Adventures of a Short, Old, Bald, Single-Speeder...Now With 3 More Inches...and Rigid, Oh My!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416368691712449315.post-55613399215792176232015-10-18T18:16:00.001-07:002015-10-18T18:21:58.097-07:00Nissan Leaf: I Can't Believe It's Not Leather Seat CoversSo, I upgraded to CalTrend's vinyl seat covers. After a month I deem this move a success!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416368691712449315.post-19048051328602539812015-07-29T23:47:00.001-07:002015-07-29T23:50:04.040-07:002013 Nissan Leaf SV<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416368691712449315.post-2131399613989854272015-01-10T10:09:00.002-08:002015-01-10T14:09:16.215-08:002014 Riding Stats<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Good Riddance 2014! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I began riding in 2008, and 2014 was my worst riding year evah! 2014 saw me ride just over 1,500 miles, almost half coming from commuting on my cross bike. Only two weeks did I rode over 80 miles, one 70+ week and two with 60+ miles. I also had 14 (yes, fourteen) weeks where I rode a big fat ZERO miles. Pathetic! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">To put my futility in perspective, in 2013 there were only 6 weeks where I did not ride, and they are all bunched together due to a knee injury (suffered during a ride)...which actually started my trend of less riding. Still, I had six weeks of over 80 miles (4 over 90 with a long week of 180+ miles). </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Twice in 2014 I found myself in big ruts where life got in the way...I am currently in one of those ruts (gained a bunch of weight) but am vowing to not just ride more in 2015, but double what I rode in 2014. My plan is to commute much more (with more extended commutes home), as the hills around here are no joke. Also, training for the Mendicino 100 and even some multi-day 'bike camping' rides ought to get me back to where I once was. 2015 will be the year I HTFU and get'er done!</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416368691712449315.post-28815970765532389112014-09-28T16:01:00.003-07:002014-09-28T16:40:33.499-07:00Converting Road (Cross) Bike to Flat BarNow that I am living only 5 miles from work, there is NO excuse not to ride..but I have a couple anyway. 1. The final approach to my house is a .3 mile 15-17% grade that is a monster. It use to be that when I could finally ride up the hill, my legs were destroyed for two to three days after. 2. I hate riding that damn road bike. I have never felt comfortable on the road bike (hence why I mtb so much), and part of it is I hate those darn curved bars. My hands always hurt on them, my back (which never hurts on endurance mtb rides) bothers me and even my knee...Stupid young bike shop guy tells me I need a new *carbon* bike and need it sized for me. Yeah and he would love to show me some that start at $2500 to $3500 all with worse components than I already have. Instead I decided to make my road bike feel as much as possible like my mountain bikes. Then end result was easy, and very inexpensive considering the price I sold my Ultegra brake/shifters nearly covered the entire cost. Now, I freakin' love this bike. It feels amazing, I have more control, no more pain of any type while riding or climbing.<br />
This was so successful, I have already purchased the parts to convert my old bike that sits on the trainer. No more curved bars for me!<br />
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Clearly, converting this cross bike to a flat bar was the right decision. Went on a flat 40+ mile ride (that involved a coffee stop, and was able to pull the pace line for a long stretch at ~23mph. I never used those stupid drops anyway, so this switch is all positive.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416368691712449315.post-49245142349451397992014-07-30T20:20:00.004-07:002014-07-30T20:27:49.078-07:00Excuses For Not Riding<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have not ridden my mountain bike (other than a few 8-13 mile rides with my kids) in nearly 6 weeks. How does this happen. I use to be hard-core. Now I am soft-core (literally and figuratively).<br />
Summer arrives, I knock out a big ride at Hole in the Ground (near Tahoe, for those not in the know) and then...nothing. So here are my excuses:<br />
1. It is Summer and I am on daddy day care duty every day.<br />
2. I had several house projects, including replacing my entire plumbing system from street to every source in the house (and adding plumbing for a new outdoor shower, utility sink in the garage and a future 1/2 bath in the basement).<br />
3. Injury. When using the trencher, I overworked my arms and literally had trouble sleeping and using my arms for nearly two weeks.<br />
4. It was/is bloody hot, even in the evening (going soft, I know).<br />
5. Lack of motivation. I need a goal. I have always had races or events to prepare for. Last year I was training for PMBAR and the Coolest 24. I did what needed to be done to be prepared, including riding the trainer when I could not be out on the bike. With no race/event planned, motivation has waned. I NEED to sign up for an event!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me shortly if I don't start riding soon (not that far off now).</td></tr>
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There you have it. This all changes this week as I get back on the bike and see how much I have actually lost. Also, Teaching starts soon and I plan on riding my bike 2-3 days a week. I should loose weight and get in shape just in time for the holidays...where I will predictably over eat and gain weight. <br />
And the cycle continues. ;)<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416368691712449315.post-2685299836391866062014-06-21T21:13:00.003-07:002015-01-10T14:08:44.458-08:00Gnarvester: Two Month Ride ReportO.k., now I have ridden this beast on the following trails: Hidden Falls, Auburn (everything including Ruck-a-Chucky), Granite Bay, Fleming Meadows/Sly Park, El Dorado Hills trails, Nevada City (Scott's Flat, Pioneer, Round Mountain and more); also short (<15 miles) in Chico and Mendocino. This bike rocks! I think it is the Ultimate Single Speed (for me) as it rolls fast, is uber comfortable, and climbs much better than one would think (given the heavy tires). Going to Hole in the Ground soon and will report on that ride after the fact.<br />
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Also, a big shout-out to Carver bikes. I was having major squeaking issues with my Thomson Masterpiece post. He acknowledged that the seat tube on some of the bikes was enlarged and sent me a matching Ti post...for free! Nice! I was such a happy customer I have since purchased two more Ti bars (for my wife's bike, aka the back up bike, and one for my road bike conversion...more on that later) as well as purchasing some other small items. Service like that will keep me coming back to check Bikeman.com before anyone else.<br />
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As mentioned earlier, the next big ride will be Hole in the Ground out near Donner/Truckee. While I have ridden some technical trails, this will be the biggest test yet. My number one fear (other than major injury) is that I will somehow crash and destroy the carbon fork or rims...barring that kind of disaster, this ride should be fantastic! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAvqn572d_7ik_AwEtwzcBxkk50SkWlSCt-7LNJcmQCzMDKey1R4fI7YPYUDO95FblviDZ4cQTm9yD_N3xHuB3Zqid0G1wj2wxtjSBT6k4EEpwWdLI5-bzhmo_o_drlfUVCBMcWAMw74/s1600/003+(640x417).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAvqn572d_7ik_AwEtwzcBxkk50SkWlSCt-7LNJcmQCzMDKey1R4fI7YPYUDO95FblviDZ4cQTm9yD_N3xHuB3Zqid0G1wj2wxtjSBT6k4EEpwWdLI5-bzhmo_o_drlfUVCBMcWAMw74/s1600/003+(640x417).jpg" height="208" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cruising along Round Mountain</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chillin' along the trail (waiting for others) ;)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEc-nvoJ9Ts99b6z2dCbrpqrsHHA5dTLpxe8nsP_JVNn8yGKwzlsq8no5eu2T_HfY77Ld5P8ChjYIDDF3pnQ6PoLeMsnb54AbuNZK9idBvo_Fb_w_7FURKmtChYbIZwi7P-56AVT_SdqU/s1600/062+(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEc-nvoJ9Ts99b6z2dCbrpqrsHHA5dTLpxe8nsP_JVNn8yGKwzlsq8no5eu2T_HfY77Ld5P8ChjYIDDF3pnQ6PoLeMsnb54AbuNZK9idBvo_Fb_w_7FURKmtChYbIZwi7P-56AVT_SdqU/s1600/062+(640x480).jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hallelujah!...in Nevada City = Fun!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6C0_NlMf9ECS3O5pdeayi2VsSchFE77bPI7_usO9DK2l4eOb0XEur5C-ITtmYne6eCTgyQnGdz_ojjUCdvIP2FgowfgQ4uJE8Ij5ahNes9LQMkdd1Z6GZLNaAnqpCJYew_AShx3dzmQ/s1600/066+(640x523).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6C0_NlMf9ECS3O5pdeayi2VsSchFE77bPI7_usO9DK2l4eOb0XEur5C-ITtmYne6eCTgyQnGdz_ojjUCdvIP2FgowfgQ4uJE8Ij5ahNes9LQMkdd1Z6GZLNaAnqpCJYew_AShx3dzmQ/s1600/066+(640x523).jpg" height="261" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This park ranger cutie was so impressed with the Gnarvester AND it's rider that she insisted on a pic.<br />
Darn Ping had to photo-bomb us! That's my story and I'm sticking to it!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416368691712449315.post-19895573193049985312014-05-13T19:21:00.001-07:002014-05-13T19:36:16.066-07:00Carver Gnarvester: One Month Ride ReportLove it! I have now ridden this beast all over Auburn, Nevada City, Folsom Lake, Jenkinson Lake/Fleming Meadows and even some trails in Mendocino. Rides ranging from as short as 12 miles to big rides as long as 42 miles. Love, love, love it.<br />
The good: It is fast. Much faster than you would think given the big, heavy tires. Maybe those tires are what makes it descend better than any other rigid mtb I have ridden. The bike can rail most corners and is solid on loose, rocky climbs. Speaking of climbs, this bike is the Big Billy Goat Gruff. Sure, the wheels are bigger than most, but that does not stop this machine from easily navigating steep fire roads to fun switchbacks on short climbs to those ranging in the 2-4+ mile range with not once making the rider consider such topic as 'rotational mass' or 'drag'.<br />
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The bad: The rear drive side cable-stay rubs on my right calf when I descend. When standing on my pedals, I like to have my left foot forward and my right foot back. This has caused some blood loss on my right leg so that I now have that stay wrapped up to prevent further damage. When I have some time off, I will take it to a Ti specialist and have it removed. I am going to notify Carver and discuss this and my warranty. I am sure it will be cool.<br />
Other negatives: The 3 inch Knards grip great on most surfaces, but sand is a wipeout waiting to happen. rather than cut through the sand like a narrower tire, or float over like a fat tire, these tires grip to the top layer of sand, then slide out as that sand moves. Very treacherous and a few near wipeouts. The same issue with mud. The tires want to slide with the top layer of loose mud and prove very unstable. I am hoping to have better luck with either the newly arriving Surly Dirt Wizard or the Maxxis Chronicle. The Gnarvester with tire options is exciting indeed!<br />
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Regardless, I have finally built, what is for me, the ultimate single speed bike and plan to enjoy many, many more miles on this beast. <br />
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<i>Snuck into the video on a recent 'Epic' ride in Nevada City. Good times!</i></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416368691712449315.post-62976781932979966972014-04-13T21:37:00.000-07:002015-01-10T14:08:29.219-08:00Carver Gnarvester: First Ride ImpressionsI have been riding and racing single-speeds for a number of years now. I have made podiums on both 26" and 29" single-speeds. Lately work, family and life in general has gotten complicated so I decided to take a break from racing and focus more on just enjoying riding. So, out goes the 18.8lb Niner One9 an in comes the Carver Gnarvester. For those of you unfamiliar, it is basically a Krampus, but the frame is constructed of space age, helium infused, fairy dust sprinkled titanium...rather than the lead that is used for a Krampus frame. This gave me the ability to build a 21.8 pound 29+ bike, quite a difference from the 28-30lb Krampus' running around.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'The' Carver Gnarvester</td></tr>
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My first ride was fantastic. I carpooled with the retired, super-riding couple, Randy and Karen out Sly Park where we rode Fleming Meadows, then Jenkinson Lake, then Fleming Meadows again (the opposite way). Overall 25+ miles with 3700'+. Not a bad day on a new bike.<br />
The overall performance was just what I was hoping for. But to read about the good and bad, just visit <a href="http://forums.mtbr.com/singlespeed/my-29-mid-life-crisis-build-908206.html#post11132936" target="_blank">this thread on MTBR where I noted the good and bad.</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gnarvester stands out in a crowd.</td></tr>
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I have owned many bikes since I fell in love with mountainbiking (here they are in order):<br />
Motobecane Fantom Team (FS), Soul Cycles Hooligan (26" SS) in green, then white, Misfit Dissent (SS), Trek Superfly (SS),Niner One9 (SS), Niner SIR9 (1x9, SS now 1x9 again). Finally, the Carver Gnarvester. I think that the final two bikes will be mainstays in my stable. The SIR9 is just so smooth and versatile and the Gnarvester is just a blast to ride and is a real head turner.<br />
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For road bikes, I am set with my Fuji Cross and Motobecane Ti Cross. Yes, my main road bike and mountain bike are both Titanium.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not too fat, not too skinny...talking about the Gnarvester</td></tr>
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The only way I will change my stable now is if Niner comes out with a new TIT9 (Titanium Is Tremendous)...only that will cause me to give up the Green Machine that I have grown fond of.<br />
So, the SIR9 will be my long distance bike that will get me up major climbs thanks to proper gearing, and the Gnarvester will be my go-to bike for most rides and most trails as it is just plain fun.<br />
I am already looking forward to the next ride.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416368691712449315.post-7552732150181200622014-04-12T21:45:00.001-07:002015-01-10T14:08:07.894-08:00Carver Gnarvester: One Bike To Rule Them All!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzd3KNdmCHJvps3AWWwa4ugbxhBl1Y94ya7GX9soBXRG3hgzbGp5kHnsYOiyzPetjnO6DG9JlPBkjb1cmaWKJbx5Q-wxajtx3_skhQfy0CR8DkfITTbVEBwksLoPNxBvRuVB8687jvH18/s1600/001+(451x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzd3KNdmCHJvps3AWWwa4ugbxhBl1Y94ya7GX9soBXRG3hgzbGp5kHnsYOiyzPetjnO6DG9JlPBkjb1cmaWKJbx5Q-wxajtx3_skhQfy0CR8DkfITTbVEBwksLoPNxBvRuVB8687jvH18/s1600/001+(451x640).jpg" height="200" width="140" /></a>My new Carver Gnarvester just may be <u>that</u> bike. I first got the idea for this bike from cool guy in NC, Jason from Back Alley Bikes. He had <a href="http://backalleybikes.wordpress.com/2013/01/25/krampus-komplete/" target="_blank">this blog post</a> about making the brand new (at the time) Krampus Knard tires tubeless. I thought to myself, "Self, that Krampus seems like a cool ride. And if it is as cool as people make it out to be, soon more frames will come, lighter frames, and when they do, build one up tubeless for a light weight gnar shredding machine!". Yeah, pretty sure the thoughts in my head were just like that.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisN47F2Nm9ALz4HqWHfQrM-QkOm8jFf79rjF6nGF4VjCdDfDzD8xEVHaAFqHRvN3VY_3TadElZY0Kv_9aBfkJZLPighodvWRw2VUFNYTISQheSLVwQteZorG2Q0b18Z5tiFA5A1q08x60/s1600/013+(640x511).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisN47F2Nm9ALz4HqWHfQrM-QkOm8jFf79rjF6nGF4VjCdDfDzD8xEVHaAFqHRvN3VY_3TadElZY0Kv_9aBfkJZLPighodvWRw2VUFNYTISQheSLVwQteZorG2Q0b18Z5tiFA5A1q08x60/s1600/013+(640x511).jpg" height="159" width="200" /></a>Let's admit it. Surly builds frames out of lead. Their standard Surly Krampus is between 28 and 30 pounds (SS or geared depending). I knew that with a lighter frame, tubeless wheels and select parts, I could have a 29+ closer to 23 pounds, which was about the weight of my first few single-speeds (both 26 and 29").<br />
Enter the Carver Gnarvester frame. When I first read about it on mtbr, I knew this was the one I had been waiting for. I though I would buy a piece at a time. One here, one there, until it was ready to be built...maybe in the Fall. Then I remembered that my name is James Haskins and I have no patience for such things. I quickly stripped down my One9, sold off the frame, wheelset and select parts, and then began purchasing parts.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hvBN0Ma2Vz0M7RvXI-ATgS3M9pv_sGK-NhzBwcc-rpWQfC5OmFB38-RPrKZlFbn3wi2ftjpDx_iHSpjXlQcMWYVYF1CLjb3TcSGJttIZ-A3rBfOy9D8gXbR3IgfQfaJCfEYwFHeiT9s/s1600/018+(588x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hvBN0Ma2Vz0M7RvXI-ATgS3M9pv_sGK-NhzBwcc-rpWQfC5OmFB38-RPrKZlFbn3wi2ftjpDx_iHSpjXlQcMWYVYF1CLjb3TcSGJttIZ-A3rBfOy9D8gXbR3IgfQfaJCfEYwFHeiT9s/s1600/018+(588x800).jpg" height="200" width="146" /></a>The key was finding these DT Swiss hubs used. Next came the frame, rims and cranks. Most of the other parts I already had for one of my other two bikes (the aforementioned One9 or my SIR9 wich is now a 1x9).<br />
So here is the parts list for my amazing 21.8 lb Carver Gnarvester:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLeXJCJ94rnROypZu2qAXQmuirqyNHoi2_876ypUwIHu1o-jnJHrZCegDkoqjbtF5AnM3lhG5UP64A4nT5TiqlF1MgIv6WxsIASiIMecp46po_DO4DyzWecL9lzzLByf-nACJACeYDHNk/s1600/002+(800x600).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLeXJCJ94rnROypZu2qAXQmuirqyNHoi2_876ypUwIHu1o-jnJHrZCegDkoqjbtF5AnM3lhG5UP64A4nT5TiqlF1MgIv6WxsIASiIMecp46po_DO4DyzWecL9lzzLByf-nACJACeYDHNk/s1600/002+(800x600).jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaxtXtlLyNV5I2nL0I2PgaKvAHa8-uBqykTioJf_OEHB5IcJ_SWtZp1Qc7LEWb6dxKHU1wH4Vnxgbvjm1zF7r0UpSReUrmq8vwxg_dCC5IRrJXhbk4MYfEmF-GpOlxyuat-lLYGWogd9U/s1600/021+(800x599).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaxtXtlLyNV5I2nL0I2PgaKvAHa8-uBqykTioJf_OEHB5IcJ_SWtZp1Qc7LEWb6dxKHU1wH4Vnxgbvjm1zF7r0UpSReUrmq8vwxg_dCC5IRrJXhbk4MYfEmF-GpOlxyuat-lLYGWogd9U/s1600/021+(800x599).jpg" height="149" width="200" /></a>Frame: Ti Carver Gnarvester (17")<br />
Fork: Carver XC470<br />
Cranks: Race Race Next SL 1x<br />
Chainring: RF NW 30t<br />
Cog: Endless Kick-ass cog 20t<br />
Cockpit: Thomson Masterpiece/X4<br />
Brakes: XT <br />
Rotors: Alligator serrated<br />
Bar: Carver Ti 730mm<br />
Ends: Ritchey WCS<br />
Hubs: DTS 240's (R 142x12, Fr QR)<br />
Rims: Light-Bicycle Hookless carbon 35mm DH<br />
Spokes: DTS Aerolites (alloy nips)<br />
Tires: Surly Knards 120tpi<br />
Chain: SRAM 850<br />
Ritchey pro saddle<br />
pedals: Wellgo something or others<br />
Grips: black/grey ESI Chunky<br />
Cage: King<br />
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Took this baby for a short test ride and 'Holy Smokes'! It is something else. The real test ride comes tomorrow. So stay tuned as the next post will be the 1st ride impression. Can't wait!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416368691712449315.post-72408540607258768612014-02-28T20:36:00.001-08:002014-03-21T12:01:47.956-07:00It's Like Gnarvester Christmas!Thanks to the magic of 'tracking', I knew my frame was going to arrive on Tuesday. Still, when I got home I was like Ralphie rushing to check the mail for my decoder ring. I drug my box out to the deck and (carefully) tore it open, and this is what I found:<br />
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Now if only those rims would arrive (due late next week), I will get this beast built and start shredding the gnar with my Gnarvester!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Here are some tags in case someone is looking for this type of bike on-line:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Carver Gnarvester Titanium 29er+ fat bike almost-a-fatbike </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416368691712449315.post-23612234230705790702014-02-19T23:06:00.002-08:002014-02-19T23:07:48.280-08:00From 26 to 29 to 29+O.k. so having two single-speeds might make sense to other single-speed specific riders out there, but to most it's just crazy talk. I find living here in NorCal, some trails really are better off ridden with gears (especially in the sandy crushed granite of Tahoe).<br />
Questions:<br />
I can't afford a new bike outright so...<br />
<ul>
<li>Do I get rid of the SIR9 or the One9?</li>
<li>IF I get rid of the SIR9, because the One9 is a SS only frame, the new bike will have gears.</li>
<li>IF I get rid of the One9, the SIR 9 could be geared and the new bike a SS.</li>
</ul>
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Why keep the One9? It is much lighter than the SIR at ~18.8lbs. The bike has seen the podium in a number of races, most recent being a 3rd place finish at the Coolest 24hr.<br />
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Why keep the SIR9? It can be run either SS or geared. The steel frame and fork provide a noticeably more comfortable ride over the One9. I can get more money for the One 9 (especially the I-9 wheel set).<br />
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Decision? Good-bye One9. You have served me well, and I will never forget you, but don't fret, most of your parts will get good use on my new frame.<br />
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The <a href="http://www.carverbikes.com/frames/gnarvester" target="_blank">29+ Titanium Carver Gnarvester</a>. Gonna build up a light-weight, big tired, rollin' machine!Yeah Baby!!!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.carverbikes.com/components/com_fpss/images/home_gnarvester_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.carverbikes.com/components/com_fpss/images/home_gnarvester_1.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo from carverbikes.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416368691712449315.post-24978601447352354172014-02-17T18:30:00.000-08:002014-02-19T22:49:56.433-08:00Getting Back Into ItNews Flash:<br />
<ul>
<li>When you are in your 40's it is easier to gain weight and harder to loose it. </li>
<li>When you are in your 40's, taking several weeks off of riding causes you to loose strength, endurance and speed. It takes maybe twice as long to get it back. Add a 15lb weight gain and it makes it that much harder.</li>
<li>Duh!</li>
</ul>
Finally, starting to drop some weight and finally starting to feel stronger on the bike. About time as I am way behind last years pace with some big events coming up quick.<br />
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Been riding Hidden Falls and Auburn, and though missing some time while sick, I have finally started getting on the trainer once a week and that in itself makes a huge difference (physically and mentally).<br />
Starting to feel really motivated again...maybe all I need to push myself over the top is a new bike???<br />
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One of my favorite places to ride, Hidden Falls. Over 20 miles of looping single-track with rolling elevation only ~10 kilometers from home. The longest sustained climb is the steady one mile switchback climb up to the parking lot. Other than that, there are several decent climbs but none more than a kilometer and only a couple that make your heart and lungs hate you (Deer Trail and Turtle Pond). Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416368691712449315.post-68625647135567627072013-12-22T20:26:00.002-08:002013-12-22T20:26:43.706-08:00The Good, The Bad and The Ugly...Just Not In That OrderEveryone wants 'The Bad' first: Getting injured AND getting employed has put a cramp in my conditioning. I was in the mid 160's for the Coolest 24hr Race. Just four months later I have gained back all the weight I had lost and find myself back to being in the mid-180's.<br />
<br />
'The Ugly' reared it's head on a training ride as I try to get back into shape after being off the bike for several weeks nursing my knee injury. On a short, slow, easy ride at Hidden Falls, with a bunch of weekend warriors I hit bottom. I did not feel great in the morning (GI issues) but was excited about getting back on the bike so off I went. The ride was going o.k. but I started feeling hot and fatigued though it was not really hot and I had only ridden maybe 9 miles. We came to the toughest climb in the park (Deer Trail), a steep gravel/dirt road that goes up maybe .6 miles or so. I have two of the fastest times on this section including a surprising strava KOM. There would be no trophies today however. I began plotting up the hill, slowly. I was suffering. less than 3/4 the way up I had to dismount and start to walk. I just did not have anything. After a minute or so I sat down and tried to drink but instead ended up projectile vomiting whatever was in my stomach (mostly gatorade). So, I was not processing any liquids. Great.<br />
Ultimately I ended up cutting the ride short, but on the last climb up to the parking lot (another former KOM, now 2nd out of 226) I ended up having to walk and ended up with more, violent, projectile vomiting in front of a family with two kids. I apologized as they walked by, rode past them, dismounted and hurled some more...and apologized again.<br />
I feel fortunate to have made it home dehydrated and feeling half-dead. Cest la vie<br />
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The Good is that I have ridden several times since then, with the last two or three rides feeling stronger and the legs recovering better and better. I do still have all that weight to lose, but work is hosting a biggest loser amongst the employees this January. So I will just focus on riding and eating and hold off loosing weight until I can win something! Now if that is not being the biggest loser, I don't know what is.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416368691712449315.post-91846389132090525482013-12-08T12:01:00.000-08:002013-12-23T12:03:23.943-08:00Let It Snow, Let it Snow, Let Us Ride!Yes, Snow in Auburn. Seems like as good a time as any to test out the cold weather gear. Mikey and I set out with thoughts of riding the whole enchilada (or at least to FHDL) but with the thick snow and mud that we eventually ran into (not to mention the freezing temps) we only made it through less than half of the connector trail before turning back. I will say that having a SS did make for a challenging ride in the snow, though the 2.35 Nobby Nic tires with ~18psi rolled and gripped surprisingly well.<br />
The best part of the ride? My knee felt fine, my toes and fingers did not freeze, the scenery was amazing and I was able to ride the two miles up a slick stagecoach trail with no problems at the end of the ride. Note that due to conditions, it took almost as long to get down stagecoach as it took to get up. Yes, starting to get my legs back...now if only I can get my waist back. :p<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416368691712449315.post-79928907651718414302013-09-16T11:56:00.000-07:002013-11-09T12:00:21.241-08:00First Time at Annadel & Rockville...Ouch, My Knee!Took the drive with my buddy mike to <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/annadel-state-park.html" target="_blank">Annadel State Park</a> near Santa Rosa to meet up with a local mtb group for a ride on some new-to-me trails. Riding the rigid SIR 9, I ended up with over 15 miles of some good riding with ~2000 feet of climbing, but unfortunately on the final decent toward the parking lot, I had to hit the brakes to avoid someone in front of me who had done the same, and I started to go over. I instantly grabbed the tree next to me to keep from completing the low speed endo, but instead when I dropped to the ground, my foot came down between two good sized rocks causing me to twist and slide a bit down the side of the hill. Then end result was a bit of swearing and a sore knee. I thought I must have struck it on something do to the sharp pain, but no blood. Uh-oh. We would all rather deal with a flesh wound that will heal quickly as compared to an internal wound that could mean surgery. <br />
I tried to walk it off, and even<a href="http://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/rockville-park.html" target="_blank"> stopped by Rockville</a> and road several miles there. The knee pain shot up with any twisting motion (like unclipping) so I avoided that and finished the ride.<br />
<br />
As I am writing this long after the fact, I can now tell you that I limped around for a couple weeks until my insurance kicked in. Eventually an MRI showed I have a slightly torn meniscus (who doesn't) and a severly sprained MCL. There was evidence of fibrous tearing but no 'rip' so rest, PT and all should eventually be well....though this knee hurt all the time before this (always the right knee for some reason) so cest la vie, life goes on!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416368691712449315.post-72901769315352603222013-08-12T19:16:00.002-07:002013-08-12T19:16:29.662-07:00Climbing Mt. RoseMuch like the Flume Trail is a 'must ride' for mtb'ers visiting Tahoe's North Shore, If you are a roadie (which I am not) then Mt. Rose is also a must ride. This ride involves a steady climb ranging from 5-9% grade for ~9 miles. The views, if you take time to enjoy them, are stellar (duh, it's Tahoe) and the fact that your elevation gain from ~6000' up to 8900' makes this even more of a HTFU challenge.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vista Point a few miles from the start of the ascent.</td></tr>
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I happened to be staying in Dollar Point, just outside Tahoe City, so my 2nd day there I woke up early, grabbed my 22lb road bike, and headed out toward Highway 431 (aka Mt. Rose hwy). It was my recollection that the ride from Tahoe City to the start of the climb was a relatively flat spin around the lake. I was wrong. There were plenty of short little ups here and there to get the blood flowing. I was really uncertain how much effort to put out as I was worried about bonking. A couple years before I did 30+ mile lollipop loop mtb ride from Mt. Rose around Marlette Lake and back. I felt the elevation and bonked hard late into the ride. I was able to finish on the saddle, but felt like crud. Still, I wanted to HTFU so when I hit the base of the climb, I shifted to a comfortable gear (34:24) and decided to SS the rest of the way, as this is more my comfort level. One thing I should point out is that when I started the climb, I initially thought it was 6 miles, not 9. Also, I like to play head games with myself, so rather than hoping the climb comes to an end around a bend, I tell myself that I need to get ready for a longer, steeper section. Well, this was fine until I realized I passed 6 miles with no end in sight. The whole time I felt like 'I got this' as I was never in any danger of bonking and felt pretty darn good. When I passed 6 miles and realized that I may have between 1 and 3 miles left, I was glad I kept the pace easy, though ultimately I could have pushed harder.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made it to the top baby!</td></tr>
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In the end, I made it to the top with no issues, took the obligatory photo under the 'Summit' sign and then headed back.<br />
Ouch my hands hurt! I like long steady climbs...especially on the mtb. What I do not like is fast bombing downhills on a road bike (don't mind on the mtb). I am just not use to this bike and don't really trust it, or myself like I do on the mtb. I rode those brakes all the way down the mtn. eying spots where I could crash or streets to roll up when one or both brakes fail. I refused to get over 30 mph and kept changing hand positions as they were killing me! I eventually made it down and cruised back to the cabin for a 40 mile ride. Two weeks later, I hop on the road bike and my hands are still killing me. They hurt more after this ride than after my 24hr mtb ride. <br />
Next year I will have to up the goal to a 100 miler or a ride around the lake. I have until then to get my hands in 'brake shape' and maybe improve my courage on descents so I don't brake as much (but I doubt that will happen).<br />
Next purchase for this bike? Disc brakes baby!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just beyond the summit, a shot of Nevada. </td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416368691712449315.post-72661353646254262452013-07-17T19:50:00.000-07:002013-07-17T19:54:07.952-07:00The El Dorado Trail: Folsom to Camino--And Back!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Due to being unemployed this last year I decided to skip
both the Mendocino 100 and the Tahoe 100 this year. So I thought I should go out
and do something just as hard, but instead I Rode the El Dorado Trail for a 2<sup>nd</sup>
time. I’ve Been wanting to ride the entire trail since I saw this thread, and I
had some free time to git’er done, so I grabbed my wife’s bike (a.k.a. my
backup bike), a beautiful, green, rigid SIR9 single-speed and headed out.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Parked at In-N-out in Folsom and after a quick trip through
the bushes to Starbucks for a rest-stop, off I went at ~7:40 a.m. (forgot to
check, but that’s close);<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Placerville Rd
to Payen to the trail. I recall that the first few miles were going to be kinda
bumpy, but today it seemed like the first 10 miles were rough.</div>
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Naturally, there were occasions where I missed the trail and
had to hike through some brush to get to it, or was forced to ride along the
tracks for a spell until I could cut over to the trail, but all was well on the
way up to Camino. I did not have a lot of time for the ride as I needed to be
back in Auburn by ~5 so my plan was to stop as little as possible. I carried
two bottles with 2hrs each of Infinite mix and 72 ounces of water in my pack.
Thought that would be enough. Wrong! Anyway, no problems heading up to Camino.
Navigated my way o.k. through Placerville and enjoyed the long steady climb up
to the end of the trail (my first time past Missouri Flat Rd.). I made it to
the end in just less than 4 hrs and enjoyed some of the fresh black berries and
did a water check. I was down to 16 ounces of water and full bottle of
Infinite. Not enough. Suddenly a bee started buggin’ me (no pun intended) and I
realized I had forgotten my Epi pen, so I grabbed the bike and got the heck out
of there. </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-37Rd_h76euAxvyppj_O6vjsdi26jgQ_-ZaS0XDi98EKeKAe-xUPRqvTq3CmsyNErcsfWdSODkh1V5a4N_d05attS5uHQCk3gHDkHuB2ZjDZR284MIScMHG0ACfLBEl-zkONZwjqU-YE/s1600/025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-37Rd_h76euAxvyppj_O6vjsdi26jgQ_-ZaS0XDi98EKeKAe-xUPRqvTq3CmsyNErcsfWdSODkh1V5a4N_d05attS5uHQCk3gHDkHuB2ZjDZR284MIScMHG0ACfLBEl-zkONZwjqU-YE/s320/025.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This fence is the 'dead end' of the trail.</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fun (and restful) just coasting down to Placerville. Stopped
at a gas station and emptied a liter of water in my pack and shared a liter of coke
between my empty bottle and belly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Definitely a faster ride heading back to Folsom. Stopped to
return a call to my 72 year old mother who is driving her car across the US
with her 80 year old friend (it should be a movie) and another stop to pick
some needled out of my legs (I was getting tore up!). Still, all was going well…until
that long bumpy stretch of trail. I did not remember it being so bad the first
time I rode the trail. On the SS I am use to standing and pedaling for long
stretches, but my legs were tired and it was hot. I decided I had to sit on the
saddle regardless of the trail condition, so I gritted my teeth and took my pounding
like a man. I noticed some birds circling overhead. I don’t know what there ‘caws’
meant, but I interpreted them as, “This guys not going to make it” and “I call
dibs on his eyes…” so I stood again and picked up the pace. But now my rear end
started to feel a bit squishy (my tire, not my butt you freak), but I pressed on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was almost to Payen and was not about to
stop. When I finally crossed the RR bridge to and arrived at<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Payen I saw that my rear tire was kinda flat.
Screw it, I am going to press<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>on. Then after
a couple minutes I noticed it was flatter, and I did not want to change it on a
busier Placerville rd. So it was flat repair time, under the hot sun, on the
blacktop, only a couple miles from my car. Thank God <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it just needed some air. I pulled out some star
thistle spikes, gave the tire a spin to seal the holes and it was good to go.
Made it back to the car at ~3:20, in a total time of ~7:40.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZe7SY5_eg_q5F0rrFRGsMBog0D3VYnNbuLCKygNWENK7Gi7Vqu0eBS6EYtjibFkc8_jjRKWcDIGUpR07N5uM_Qz14493UuwPsohUtKTHtVOYULzxoRPDJyEb685pL6-CgWPI3qHzPvs/s1600/026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZe7SY5_eg_q5F0rrFRGsMBog0D3VYnNbuLCKygNWENK7Gi7Vqu0eBS6EYtjibFkc8_jjRKWcDIGUpR07N5uM_Qz14493UuwPsohUtKTHtVOYULzxoRPDJyEb685pL6-CgWPI3qHzPvs/s320/026.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoyed a short break and a blackberry snack.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now like many other riders, I Strava every ride. This was no
exception. I saved the ride as usual and in several minutes the familiar trophy
icon was present showing results ready. I pressed to see the results…and nothing.
Unbelievable! My entire ride was gone. I mean, if a ride is not on Strava, did
it actually happen? This has happened to me once before, but on a ride with my
kids. I thought maybe I did something wrong. Strava also did not get all the
data from the 24hr race a few weeks ago. I was (still am) pissed, sadden, disappointed
and frustrated. I tried all the recommended tricks and ultimately put in a
Customer Support Request, but I may need to accept that it is gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh well. I will wait to see what Strava
support says, and in the end, I can manually input the miles, but I won’t get
to see how I did on the segments, and I won’t get to make the cool new out and
back segment that I was hoping for. I may just need to purchase a Garmin 510
(with my first pay check) and ride it again (next year?), but I am NOT looking forward to
that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWL-PWGprkAkYRz-HGikrZvpCxa4KsN4LPij8UureMYGxpiqZHvq1kulWmM99y4ZCtoKBEW5_UwQdGaAvORCjL5Q8yc3wuY5uUp2ZMSctjiRRfqzc4iErX9BI-KN9mj-KLvlnoLxuqkss/s1600/027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWL-PWGprkAkYRz-HGikrZvpCxa4KsN4LPij8UureMYGxpiqZHvq1kulWmM99y4ZCtoKBEW5_UwQdGaAvORCjL5Q8yc3wuY5uUp2ZMSctjiRRfqzc4iErX9BI-KN9mj-KLvlnoLxuqkss/s320/027.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken in Folsom at the end of the ride.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1cLC0h7bGN8/UedVCdiBecI/AAAAAAAAAv8/qTfrsqWmqH8/s1600/037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1cLC0h7bGN8/UedVCdiBecI/AAAAAAAAAv8/qTfrsqWmqH8/s320/037.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Star Thistle tore me up. Next time, long socks!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1hkwVkqwoE7t2VHynqQVIm0sjZzzWmBau2xTCfEGzCrK3B13EvXYTzTl0G0c3FqnrkZe6kfEr0fdiilqnKRL7ikyX88Hn1orrfHZjHWEUDYXD4WBLq6oMpq0EpjvcTZ5DWhCYMNz_sO4/s1600/040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1hkwVkqwoE7t2VHynqQVIm0sjZzzWmBau2xTCfEGzCrK3B13EvXYTzTl0G0c3FqnrkZe6kfEr0fdiilqnKRL7ikyX88Hn1orrfHZjHWEUDYXD4WBLq6oMpq0EpjvcTZ5DWhCYMNz_sO4/s320/040.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proof of the ride. Taken after I realized that my ride may be lost in the the Strava-Zone</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfYJQCDeU8WcVWRiMmVA6usBYZcRI5wIIGssFBZkLsDNdH2GkYzVl6qM9GLM5OSECsOXMYRijTSZG_vP-AqCdUrdPeMHAJ1hHBrAv3PXXnD0OTw3Zdl9KKS4eu3ishRscz-cS_rRsM_3k/s1600/041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2wtMdLtRRBPt2jXj0-H15vJAERTJCWtAT5tsrk5cNWeVKH2yHIOE0CGg-VG44Gzm7baoobNPzspL7eceb1KGH0b21LQjq7Gy0A7r8fH_MtkTgLE1JiFMjEtC9cFZ7WOxG8lXSksLAWg/s1600/038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2wtMdLtRRBPt2jXj0-H15vJAERTJCWtAT5tsrk5cNWeVKH2yHIOE0CGg-VG44Gzm7baoobNPzspL7eceb1KGH0b21LQjq7Gy0A7r8fH_MtkTgLE1JiFMjEtC9cFZ7WOxG8lXSksLAWg/s320/038.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding time shown. Total time was ~7:40.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_FFyURT-WA0HBkYixO_JkOpUoXrTFAwuic4ALvk47Q9AB-tGu24bhaU3X3Yu6cYV7tgaZrJCxqGley8iNarnbQSRyY91-iEfEiK4fsjWuLMAlxldrfyI4qe1IXYkZH-pPWi__yY1M1GU/s1600/041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_FFyURT-WA0HBkYixO_JkOpUoXrTFAwuic4ALvk47Q9AB-tGu24bhaU3X3Yu6cYV7tgaZrJCxqGley8iNarnbQSRyY91-iEfEiK4fsjWuLMAlxldrfyI4qe1IXYkZH-pPWi__yY1M1GU/s320/041.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Averaged ~10.3 going up, and 12+ coming down for a total of ~11.3</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416368691712449315.post-53945774097506688102013-06-24T11:17:00.003-07:002013-07-08T21:46:36.332-07:00The 2013 Coolest 24 Hour Race Against Cancer --3rd Place.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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I had one goal coming into the <a href="http://www.globalbiorhythmevents.com/" target="_blank">Coolest 24 hour,</a> to
ride more miles than my first (and only) 2<a href="http://sobrider.blogspot.com/2011/05/2011-burn-24-un-fn-believeable.html" target="_blank">4hr solo event 2 years ago.</a> I knew I
was in the best mountain biking shape of my life, but I was worried that my
longest mountain bike ride leading up to this event was ~62 miles. In order to
meet my goal I was going to need to ride more than twice that. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://app.strava.com/activities/56790292" target="_blank">Click here to see the course on Strava</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I felt well prepared; I had my beautiful 18.8lb One9, and my
wife’s former 1x9 SIR9 that I stripped down to a beautiful 22.5 lb
single-speed. The SIR9 would serve as a back up bike should a major mechanical
occur.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For food I brought half a pizza, two pbj’s, two roast-beef
sandwiches (loaded with mustard), jar of pickles, Nutty Bars, Red Vines,
Licorice, chocolate covered espresso beans, and of course 8 bottles of Infinite
drink mix (1.5 hours of calories in each bottle) and plenty of water.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJGVL70FMjAZIaS0KzuHvKAXg7FVrGxpTbHvIuByaYaeDu90TJqQcWNjzexZ8L1yfZx6KcNEhxUUkoM5rSDUQ1W-bwf0LFaX7VeZEnDVAGrFiKo47oqCFq2qXvhuncheBfOz2NZ0T4yY/s1600/017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJGVL70FMjAZIaS0KzuHvKAXg7FVrGxpTbHvIuByaYaeDu90TJqQcWNjzexZ8L1yfZx6KcNEhxUUkoM5rSDUQ1W-bwf0LFaX7VeZEnDVAGrFiKo47oqCFq2qXvhuncheBfOz2NZ0T4yY/s320/017.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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I showed up to the Olmstead loop on Friday evening and set
up my easy-up next to another single-speeder who happened to be Sean Sullivan,
who had just won the Hammerstein 24hr a few weeks ago and was a former podium
finisher years ago in the 24hr Single-Speed World Championships. One thing I
purposely did NOT bring was a tent, a mattress or any comfortable place to
sleep. I had a small, uncomfortable camping chair and my cooler for a seat. If
I was to pack it in and sleep, I would need to be so tired that I was willing
to curl up and catch some Z’s in the foxtails and star thistle.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Next, I did something the importance of which cannot be
underestimated: I went home and got a good night’s sleep in my own bed. I am
sure that was better than hanging out, camping, drinking beer and crashing
around midnight under a full moon that was like trying to sleep with a 100 watt bulb above you (I
mean, did you see that moon, wow!). I woke up refreshed, loaded up the bikes
and food, and headed out.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let’s get to the race. I knew it would be a dusty start but
I settled near the back because, well, I am gonna ride slow. As to be expected
it was a log jam for the first few miles, and by mile 5 I settled in on the
wheel of another biker and followed them until the big final climb. Time for
the SS to shine. Up the climb I went, feeling good. I was surprised when I came
across the line at 1:06 and realized that I needed to kick it down a notch. So
much to my surprise I came across the next lap in 1:05 (doh!). I realized that
on the final climb I was working a bit too hard and decided to pick my spots to
push a few areas to save the legs. My new strategy was to push hard the first ¾
of the course as it was fast and flowy and and then literally push a few spots
on the final climb and repeat. Of course as the laps came and went, the two
spots I chose to push became three, then four and at one lap (maybe two) I
hopped off the bike seven times. Still, to me it was irrelevant how many times
I pushed as long as I kept moving. Even as night settled in, surprisingly, I never
really felt tired (like I did two years ago), I just kept moving; but my hands,
feet, knees and butt were getting really sore. My knees worried me the most as
I have not experienced knee pain like this before. It was the same pain in both
knees so I figure I am just overworking the knees leading to sore joints. I had
the typical tightness in the right inner thigh that caused a few issues, and
naturally some cramping in the quads and some stomach issues (threw up once, while walking, no
big deal), but I was able to fight through that (o.k., walk through that) and
keep moving.</div>
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One really cool thing happened just before midnight. It was
~11:45 and I looked at the speedometer and saw that I was at 99.8 miles. I
could not believe I hit 100 miles before midnight. That was pretty cool. Still,
by the time I was in the 11<sup>th</sup> lap, I was hurting pretty good. I knew
I would reach my goal, so at this point, I started thinking, could I do 15? As
I headed out for Lap 13, I realized I probably could not. I was suffering. It
hurt to sit and pedal. It hurt to stand and pedal and just as bad, it hurt to
walk. I was having a tough time braking because of my sore hands and I won’t
even mention my sore butt. I knew all this went with the territory, but I had
been suffering pretty good and had been managing the pain for a while. I just
got to the point where I wanted it to end. Because It was so early I went out
for one more lap, thinking I HTFU’d for 14 laps and over 157 miles…I could
be proud of my effort. I crossed the line after 14 laps and stopped at the scoring tent,
done. Some people were telling me good job etc. But one guy, a pit crew for
another team, was not so convinced. He told me I had time for at least one more.
I gave him my excuses, but then he did something odd; he grabbed my bike and
started walking away with it and said “Your doing one more!”. I stood there
looking at him and then I looked at the other riders who seemed as befuddled as
I was. What seemed like only a minute later, the guy returns with my bike. He had cleaned
and lubed my chain AND he brought me some pancakes with syrup folded up like a
burrito. I ate the pancakes flexed my legs, arms and back and said, you know
what, I am going out for another. He gave me a smile, patted me on the back and
off I went. It was not a fast lap. I had no strength. The lap took me ~1:45 and
I actually finished with enough time for a 16<sup>th</sup> IF I could do it in
1:45. I was not convinced I could so my race was over. I returned to my pit and
it was not long before I saw Sean Sullivan cross the line and head out for #16.
Because I did 15, he had to average ~1:13 a lap for his last three in order to
take 2<sup>nd</sup> away from me. He averaged 1:10. He is a seasoned,
experienced veteran, and a nice guy so I was actually happy for him. I more
than exceeded my goal and know that podium spots are trivial to this event.
There were three of us. I could have done one lap and take 3<sup>rd</sup>.
Instead I far exceeded any goal I had with riding ~170 miles in 24 hrs and
actually (inadvertently) making a tight race out of the SS category. I finished
with 15 laps, 2<sup>nd</sup> place with 16 laps (with only 10 minutes to spare)
and 1<sup>st</sup> place with 17 laps. What a day! <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDjgSRPNWtvUQGVC2wkLIUkNeRce6o4sELuElhSqGO3TqbjHRlrk3sHR086fEb-WNWSpH5CrtgSTtGrVwqW3UN9JXVJc8xufukJtsR-xXtVdIlQ0i4AbOY2nuXFqsK2hyya0v_8ztnyE/s1600/2013+coolest+24+hr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDjgSRPNWtvUQGVC2wkLIUkNeRce6o4sELuElhSqGO3TqbjHRlrk3sHR086fEb-WNWSpH5CrtgSTtGrVwqW3UN9JXVJc8xufukJtsR-xXtVdIlQ0i4AbOY2nuXFqsK2hyya0v_8ztnyE/s320/2013+coolest+24+hr.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting awards, I'm the chubby guy in the middle. ;)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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Big thanks again to Sean Sullivan <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and his friend Kenny who kept me company in the
pits and gave me a lot of support and encouragement. Big thanks to Pilar M. who
kept coming over to my pit and moving my food and drink out of the sun as the
day went on…and someone from her crew cleaned and lubed my chain after the 5<sup>th</sup>
lap…and her corporate group and those around her kept cheering me on every lap,
it was very encouraging. Thanks to my wife for helping me set up, showing up at
night with our girls to show support and for allowing me to take the time to
enjoy my hobby that means so much to me. Also, thanks to my buddy Kane for showing up at the end (on his new carbon road bike) and helping me break down camp.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Thanks to Global Biorhythm Events for putting on this
meaningful Cancer fundraiser. The course was well marked and the event seemed
well run. The only real issue I had was that as a solo rider you are pretty
much not going to get a meal. Dinner was provided at the Pizza place outside
the event (no solo rider is going to do that) then breakfast was served at 8
a.m. so again, you would need to stop racing for breakfast. At least I got some
pancakes, thanks to a kind stranger. It would be nice to be able to finish the race
and have some hot food available, but no biggie. At least there was still some
beer in one of the kegs that I used to wash down a burger my wife went out and
purchased.</div>
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Still, the event wasn’t about the food. It is about
challenging oneself and raising money for cancer victims. I am proud to be a
part of this event and will look forward to it again next year...with a goal of
16 laps.<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good Times!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pics to come (hopefully). </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416368691712449315.post-2258723853616249652013-06-10T15:10:00.001-07:002013-06-10T15:14:23.812-07:00On The Road Again...Well, sorta. For the last several weeks my road bike has been hanging in the garage, pouting, while I always chose to take out the Single Speed. But, with all the dust finding its way into my respiratory system during group rides I decided something had to change. The way I see it, I am left with only a few viable options.<br />
1. Always be in the lead.<br />
2. Only ride solo <br />
3. Ride more road.<br />
Because the idea of <a href="http://forums.mtbr.com/singlespeed/ss-racers-question-you-703893.html" target="_blank">road riding to help with endurance training had been in my head,</a> I decided to go with door #3. So, I signed up for a 36 mile, 14-16mph Sunday (Hammerin' Wheels meetup.com) road ride on the American River Bike Trail only to find out after I arrived, that it had been cancelled, Doh!. But did I care? No. I was there to ride, so ride I did. I hit the trail solo with a 100k goal (seems like a good #) and <a href="http://app.strava.com/activities/59291328" target="_blank">ended up with ~63 miles at ~17.6mph</a>. As always, there was plenty of inspiration running and riding along the trail, gotta love California. :) Sure this ride had no major climbs to speak of, but I did what I really needed to do; a long road ride with only two short stops (once to lower my seat and once to take a quick whiz) and the legs spinning the entire time.<br />
After it was over I felt great (thanks to great weather and a flat course), I only went through 1.5 bottles (should have drank more, duh!) and best of all I was not completey covered in dirt. Sure, my road bike is ~3lbs heavier than my mtb, but it was a nice to mix it up...and now I am actually looking forward to my next road ride. Go skinny wheels! :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416368691712449315.post-58342205169294849212013-06-01T22:28:00.000-07:002013-06-01T22:28:39.759-07:00Exploring Cool's Olmstead TrailSo the upcoming Coolest 24 is actually going to be held in Cool, CA this year. "Uh, duh" you might say. But for those not in the know, the last few years has seen the race moved to the Soda Springs area. Apparently, it was held in May, and often rain made the event a muddy mess. So it moved to the higher elevation of Soda Springs but in late June so the snow has melted and the rain has stopped. Now they have moved it back to Cool, but left it in June. That means that it will likely be a scorcher. So today's hot weather ride was good practice.<br />
Now having a 24hr event just several miles from my house is pretty cool (no pun intended), but not knowing that trail system at all is not cool, so off I went to explore.<br />
The plan was to ride 4-6 loops of the trail. The race course map just came out (see below). In the past a lap was 9.8 miles. Now a lap is 11.2 miles; however, more single track was added and a double-track hike-a-bike hill was removed. Sound's like a good switch to me. I rode ~4 laps with some out-n-backs and some mini-loops but in the end I am sure that I piecemealed most of the course together. It was a hot one today, so when I crashed pretty hard during the 2nd lap (foot caught a rock and brought me straight down), I almost bailed, but then remembered this was a HTFU ride, so I went out for another two loops. When I saw it was 91 degrees, I decided to bag it at 4 laps. Good thing too as I started to feel the onset of cramps on that last lap (though I did push it hard knowing it was the last one). Still, good times. Now I just hope my mind and body cooperate for the 24. They are sooo much harder than one might think.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG5lhF_pshpS143cO2x3XHayxTZMLMsRBNLd1Xs5PL9BRqJoXs36yRket3NcukZR6zskoBAgrx3qeusCf5mMYziqUOsIl3UUPqpqmCTxEJecx8h7Hua_mNqGI-f-fJdvXwiKVuDASwyCQ/s1600/Coolest+24+route.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG5lhF_pshpS143cO2x3XHayxTZMLMsRBNLd1Xs5PL9BRqJoXs36yRket3NcukZR6zskoBAgrx3qeusCf5mMYziqUOsIl3UUPqpqmCTxEJecx8h7Hua_mNqGI-f-fJdvXwiKVuDASwyCQ/s640/Coolest+24+route.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So here is the actual race loop, 11.2 miles and ~1175' vert. gain....</td></tr>
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<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5L5r6aZ4et-B4i3xXF5AabWNwCnzGbVVfQflXZuGSOJbTxL1QM5uwQ2vngB18zMJevtDZhzfpB5ZTyeqEF-TXw937DwXqLR-_ZprHDmE9P09oLqfDR4oA8FYpPnfKoFKVdP7SZkVrun4/s1600/Olmstead+ride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5L5r6aZ4et-B4i3xXF5AabWNwCnzGbVVfQflXZuGSOJbTxL1QM5uwQ2vngB18zMJevtDZhzfpB5ZTyeqEF-TXw937DwXqLR-_ZprHDmE9P09oLqfDR4oA8FYpPnfKoFKVdP7SZkVrun4/s640/Olmstead+ride.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and here is my attempt at finding the race route over 4 loops; 45 miles and ~4200' vert. gain. I think the last lap got close.</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416368691712449315.post-87240591080561934442013-05-26T22:18:00.001-07:002013-05-27T10:47:24.042-07:00Hidden Falls Metric Century<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JXYN0EEauAM/UaLjbuG44rI/AAAAAAAAAtg/adVQ7xbQVjk/s1600/hf4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JXYN0EEauAM/UaLjbuG44rI/AAAAAAAAAtg/adVQ7xbQVjk/s320/hf4.jpg" width="320" /></a>So just this week something amazing happend, ~23 miles of multi-use trails opened at Hidden Falls Regional Park in addition to the few miles aready in existance (it's a good time to be a mtb'er in Auburn). The official opening was Wednesday, so Thursday night a I went with a small group to preview the trails...hit ~15 miles of fun mostly swoopy single-track. But I did not wantto stop there....<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FD84Tij-0Rk/UaLjYGLi0HI/AAAAAAAAAtM/NXcJ_MiKUhs/s1600/hf1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FD84Tij-0Rk/UaLjYGLi0HI/AAAAAAAAAtM/NXcJ_MiKUhs/s320/hf1.jpg" width="320" /></a>In prep for an upcoming 24, I needed a big ride, so I signed up for a Hammerin' Wheels Meetup ride but posted that I was not leaving the park until I hit 60 miles. One <strike>sucker</strike> guy, Dave, was foolish enough to meet me at the park at 5:30 a.m., and off we went. We started with all lefts and eventually, after ~14 miles, ran into none other than Kane. For some quick background, I was known as Mr. HTFU back in NC (for reasons I'll go into at another time), well Kane is Mr. HTFU here. He enjoys long rides that punish your legs and body. Funny then that he called me at ~4:40 to tell me he turned off his alarm...I told him to meet us out there when he could, and he did.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ALfzF184xP8/UaLjY5WE-YI/AAAAAAAAAtY/VrsMvw3NOZ0/s1600/hf3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ALfzF184xP8/UaLjY5WE-YI/AAAAAAAAAtY/VrsMvw3NOZ0/s320/hf3.jpg" width="320" /></a>So the three of us set off for more exploration and more miles. We eventually met up with Mike, and the four of us continued the journey. Mike knew the trails well (as he had worked on them...thanks Mike!) and led us on every square inch of single-track and service roads to ultimately get what ended up being ~61 miles (for Dave also). I think Kane ended up with ~45 and Mike with ~36...all respectable considering the elevation out there really sneaks up on you.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5AGeAZsdwE/UaLjdIlgFCI/AAAAAAAAAt4/qFyS7RRy-fs/s1600/hf8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5AGeAZsdwE/UaLjdIlgFCI/AAAAAAAAAt4/qFyS7RRy-fs/s320/hf8.jpg" width="240" /></a>Hidden Falls offers fast swoopy flowing trails with fun downhill runs and short uphill accents. There are no long, sustained 2-3 mile climbs like in the Auburn State Recreation Area, but there are many .5 to 1 mile accents that, while not technical (not fighting rocks and roots) still pose a nice challenge to the legs and when done dozens of times, you find yourself with over 1200' vertical gain per ten miles. Not too shabby. Strava had me at ~61.3 miles w/just over 8,000' so, all in all, not a bad day on the bike.<br />
Hidden Falls Highlights:<br />
-Trails are fast, flowy and fun. They are a bit wide (and bumpy in spots), but in time they will groove & grow into nice single track.<br />
-There are very nice views on certain stretches of trail. Some trails do seem quite alike, but after riding them for a bit, you begin to recognize that there are many sections with distict characteristics, and the many bridges are cool.<br />
-Great place to log some serious training miles. Sure there is a lot of nice new single-track, but you really need to loop back and repeat sections to hit it all. If you are not apposed to some service road riding, the North and South Legacy loops will provide an extra 10-12 miles to your ride...We did that twice. :)<br />
-You park at the top and drop down to the trails. This means that you
will always need to HTFU and finish your ride with a mile+ climb. Always a
good way to finish a ride. Note: most pics taken from mtbr courtesy of bycyclist. <a href="http://app.strava.com/activities/56251171" target="_blank">Strava info here. </a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDUMlUti6C5_iLdComNpwYgrcOvOy87TTGfoipBjYYjAJWKcxK9yhN4K4mf8MS0YNks0R659QXRkbKRaDzxkihRvoHyG79ip9m_R8Ot0S7UT5ENg7P-TwKq9RmCK7DArWpTw5TK_eUjY/s1600/HF9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDUMlUti6C5_iLdComNpwYgrcOvOy87TTGfoipBjYYjAJWKcxK9yhN4K4mf8MS0YNks0R659QXRkbKRaDzxkihRvoHyG79ip9m_R8Ot0S7UT5ENg7P-TwKq9RmCK7DArWpTw5TK_eUjY/s320/HF9.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416368691712449315.post-57385902866238267812013-05-20T13:13:00.002-07:002013-05-20T13:14:43.789-07:0024 Hour Training, Back On Track Ah, That's More Like It.<br />
<br />
So last week my long ride had me visiting Bonkcity and Cramptown. My confidence was shaken, and I did not feel all that well during a short mid-week ride (at easy Granite Bay). So before this ride, I did everything I could to be better prepared. I ate a larger breakfast consisting of a greek yogurt, a hardboiled egg and two leftover pizza slices (and packed one slice for later). I also brough an extra 23 ounce bottle of Infinite and an extra ~15 ounces in the camel-back.<br />
<br />
Ended up riding farther, faster and with more vertical gain than last weeks wall-slammer, and I felt great afterwards. I think the temps being ~15 degrees cooler also helped. ;)<br />
Glad to get that behind me as there are now only 4 weeks remaining until the Coolest 24, and two weekends of big rides before I start tapering off a bit.<br />
<br />
Also been better at adding either Pilates' or Tae Bo (don't laugh, it works) to any day I am not on the bike or trainer. Hoping to get my core solid (solid, beneath the ever present layer of fat, that is) and be as ready as possible for my first solo 24 in a couple years, and its only several miles from my door. Nice!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416368691712449315.post-70818047465095850392013-05-11T18:41:00.004-07:002013-05-17T19:58:04.471-07:00Post PMBAR Ride...Worst I've Felt on a Bike in Years.So, after PMBAR (see previous post), I felt pretty good physically. Definitely could have ridden harder/faster. So after flying in I do a Trainer ride on Thurs. and plan an HTFU ride for Saturday. <br />
So, inspired by this thread on MTBR, (and Mr. Tryone Shoelaces a.k.a. Ron S.), I set out today for an HTFU ride.<br />
<br />
My Niner One9 is still in pieces having flown back late Wed. and stripping
down all the parts for cleaning, so I grabbed my wife's bike (Niner
SIR9 1x9) and off I went. My plan was to keep the bike in three speed
mode the entire ride (34:17,20 & 23). Yeah, that didn't last long. On a normal Auburn out
to Forest Hill Divide Loop (FHDL) and back, I would use two bottles (~46 ounces). Knew it would
be warmer so I grabbed three. A check of the weather the night before
said high of 80. Wrong ended up in the mid 90's (doh)! And why did I grab only three when I already
planned more than the usual Auburn loop? Idiot! I realized my mistake
before I turned down Drivers Flat. My realization was more than
Validated as I was heading up M.Ponderosa. Unlike local studs like Ron, who surely jet
up these long, steep climbs, I took my time to enjoy the views as well as some quality time with
the bugs trying to eat off my skin or suck my blood. Naturally I ended
up in granny gear quickly and still ended up off the bike at least three
times. Two were from bad shifting and one was from an evil bug who led
my into the side of the mountain. As I recall there was one more because
my legs just were not there.<br />
<br />
It was so weird. Was it jet-lag? Maybe my
small breakfast (some Kefir and handful of walnuts)? The heat? The rationing of water? That I was wearing a
new 'low on the back' pack? The heavy, geared bike that never seemed to
be in the right gear? Whatever it was, I was struggling. The last part
of M.Ponderosa was a welcome sight; mostly flat and SHADED! Made it back to
FHDL (mostly downhill, yeah!) and on to the connector trail. I had little energy and even less
strength. As my rationing left me with half a bottle, I decided to cut
the ride short to avoid the two mile Stagecoach climb and just go out on top of Culvert down to
the Forest Hill bridge and home. Fortunately (or unfortunately) at the top of Culvert I ran into a godsend
who offered to fill my bottle from her bladder (an angel actually ...and
by bladder I mean from her pack, she did NOT pee in my bottle
(sicko's)) so I decided to HTFU and head to the bottom and up
Stagecoach. MISTAKE! Made it up over the hump and thought I might spin
my way home but then the cramps began. Tried to ride/fight through them
but then the left leg locked up. Barely made it off the bike and started
hoofin' it, in the blaring sun, for a few minutes. Repeated this scenario again before I was finally able to ride out, fighting off cramps the entire way, and finally up Lincoln Rd. and
then home. <br />
<br />
So, my original though was "Anything Ron can do I can do.....slower". Oh, and for comparison for my NC friends, Ron (or Tyrone Shoelaces) is a local riding stud (think Kelly K. or Stranix, Dickey etc.(. Anyway, I might have to reassess that thought. But in the meantime I will simply
chalk this up to a bad day on the bike. It happens. Now off to put that
SS back together and maybe try this ride again...in the Fall.
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416368691712449315.post-71779899160499584082013-05-08T20:38:00.002-07:002013-05-13T20:00:26.708-07:00PMBAR 2013Ah, the Pisgah Mountain Bike Adventure Race. The event where teams of two spend the entire day (and for some, part of the night) navigating to a certain number of checkpoints scattered across Pisgah National Forest, then back to the start as quick as possible. Though it was cold, wet, muddy and slow, it still endedu up another successful PMBAR for Jay and I (since our only goal is to finish).<br />
This year's PMBAR was trickier than most. Now living in CA, I flew into Raleigh late Wed., did a preride with a great group of guys (and gals) Thurs. and then off to the Blue Ridge Mtns. on Friday. The forecast for this PMBAR was rain and pain. both came, but luckily more rain, than pain.<br />
<br />
Eric, the brains and director of this event usually has some twist to each PMBAR and this year was no different. For the first time in several years, this year had 7 checkpoints to choose from. Five must be reached (including 3 mandatory) and back to the finish within 14 hours. Last year Jay and I had issues choosing a route then making wrong turns costing us at least an hour or more. This year we were determined to get a good route from the get go and stick with it. WRONG! Rather than bore with details, I will just let it be known that our route changed on the fly at least 3 times during the event. Our route ended up being 1. Avery (out and back) 2. Up Pilot and down to Laurel. ** Grilled Cheese and Coke--thanks<a href="http://tripsforkidswnc.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=452688" target="_blank"> Stephen Janes and Trips For Kids WNC</a>** 3. All the river crossings to Bradley Creek/Turkey Pen. (Thanks Chris for directions, whoduthunkit?) 4. Cantrell Creek up to Squirrel Gap. 5. Up and over Black then off to the finish.<br />
<br />
Things started out slow. The hike-a-bike came early and often. Still, the pace was decent and we were on our way to our best finish...then it started to rain, hard, and things got even slower. We still could have had a best finish but Jay was hurtin' a bit and I have never seen him look so miserable. The walking increased and the slow riding increased. The last checkpoint up and over black was entirely walked. I rode most of the decent, but we had to finish together and I had forgotten from previous years that Jay is not a great descender of Black Mtn. when he is tired. Add cold, wet and muddy conditions...fuhgetaboutit! We eventually rolled in about 8:30 p.m.. Jay made a line straight back to the campground feeling a bit hypothermia'ish (shaking uncontrollably). I felt fine other than I could not feel my left foot and wished I could not feel my right (toes were numb and stinging at the same time), hands were cold...but hey, it was cold and wet so whatchaexpect. A hot shower and some pizza helped. Unfortunately the feeling started coming back in my left foot and the toes, and ball of both feet started to really hurt. I was seriously missing the numbness now. Sleeping in a leaky tent that night with wet feet (even more wet as I stood in ankle deep water to take a wiz at 2 a.m.) Did not matter as the tent was leaking on my feet all night. Then breaking down camp in the pooring rain...the feet did not get dry until Sunday night. Good Times!<br />
<br />
SO, Jay insisted this was his last PMBAR, but maybe he will come around. He thought maybe I should do it with someone else to see how fast I can get in. We will see. So this could be our 4th and final PMBAR together, but hopefully not the last PMBAR for each of us. One thing I can say is that Jay has been a grrreat partner over the years. Both in training rides together and during PMBAR. He did not complain when I DNF'd us out for falling on my bike while walking across a river so I cannot complain for his playing it safe with all the hike-a-bike. Still, it is clear that riding out here in the Sierra Foothills has made me more prepared for this event than ever and I honestly felt as if I did not even have a decent ride when it was over...more like a really long hike in really bad shoes. Of course if the pace was pushed I would feel destroyed, but then that is what you expect after a PMBAR, so maybe next time.<br />
<a href="http://app.strava.com/activities/52466190" target="_blank">Click Here for the Strava Link(~52 miles ~10,000 ft.)</a> <br />
<br />
Great to see old friends at PMBAR, though in the rain there was not the usual big gathering at the finish like in years past. Sorry to my friends Steve and Chris who's teams both achieved the 5 checkpoints but the cold was getting to them and the time was running out so they likely did the smart thing taking a DNF. Nothin' to be down about considering the conditions. Hoping for better conditions next year.<br />
<br />
Here are a few pics from this year.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GzySjhGSYIk/UYsTm_mcdPI/AAAAAAAAAok/-fiWWamRZ0k/s1600/006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GzySjhGSYIk/UYsTm_mcdPI/AAAAAAAAAok/-fiWWamRZ0k/s320/006.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bike survived the flight, yeah!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jay and I made the Podium! Well, before the race anyway.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Careful, it's slippery.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No privacy on the top of Pilot.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was friggin' cold up there on Pilot Rock.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of many, many river crossings.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost there!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The final river crossing (on Bradley Creek)...it was a deep one.</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416368691712449315.post-6928712298622620722013-04-15T23:31:00.001-07:002013-04-18T22:09:46.666-07:00PMBAR READY! <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGSQ93GAe9G6shRBiQMPsHWENJz6m06gcH_nMNf2P2wIeL7bRhCKXETCgs_HIRZnpfjfNLsJ_cDJv0oIbIaBurxBi4iOQKrFMDUYoRYDFxohUziNWoBuBfwFIlycBjoi3IgqKcpJPW2c/s1600/002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGSQ93GAe9G6shRBiQMPsHWENJz6m06gcH_nMNf2P2wIeL7bRhCKXETCgs_HIRZnpfjfNLsJ_cDJv0oIbIaBurxBi4iOQKrFMDUYoRYDFxohUziNWoBuBfwFIlycBjoi3IgqKcpJPW2c/s200/002.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kane diggin' the Subaru out of the snow.</td></tr>
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From Harmony Ridge Market: Round Mountain-South Yuba-Pioneer...A BEAST OF A RIDE!<br />
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The toughest HTFU ride since moving back to NorCal. Four of us (Kane, Terry, Simon and I) set off on this beast of a ride to <a href="http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2148088" target="_blank">Round Mountain to South Yuba to Pioneer Trail.</a> This ride involved ~52 miles of poison oak covered single-track mixed together with some poison oak infested paved road and gravel roads that earned us 8000+ feet of climbing. There were tough switchbacks, fast rolling single-track, and super tight single track that is not meant for a beginner.<br />
Highlights:<br />
Simon drew first blood. ~14 miles in, on a tight piece of single track, he had one foot clipped in, one out and oops, he leaned the wrong way. Fortunately, he only fell several feet down the ravine toward the river, his bike, however, tumbled end over end much farther. Amazing that Simon only ended up with some lacerations on his lower legs; and his bike came out relatively unscathed. He Hardened The F. Up and rode on.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWLEo6sYEW_1ZJ4DxSr0i9KLzx3lpXHISStMbpJjqXbz1lL-EBOzMd_Kg1oLR_NnVPjR-XmJVRZeHxpU0vFEfovFy9LeGP1Eh7y629CXHZ8vxNelwLCysWuiQ8Q7ShnovcrmO1u1_M6TA/s1600/013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWLEo6sYEW_1ZJ4DxSr0i9KLzx3lpXHISStMbpJjqXbz1lL-EBOzMd_Kg1oLR_NnVPjR-XmJVRZeHxpU0vFEfovFy9LeGP1Eh7y629CXHZ8vxNelwLCysWuiQ8Q7ShnovcrmO1u1_M6TA/s200/013.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arm warmers keeping the poison oak away.</td></tr>
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The next trip down the ravine was Kane's. On a fast narrow downhill he caught a bit too much of the edge and the dirt gave out. Luckily for him it was all loose dirt and he was able to slide with his bike about 15 feet down and only suffered a nice leg bruise and some trail rash.<br />
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While Kane is always a monster, Terry was just eating up the technical single track climbs while Simon was simply pushing himself to finish his longest ever mtb ride. We all took turns at times hanging with Simon to keep him going (but he was determined). His longest ever mtb ride was 35 miles, so he was hurtin, but hanging like a champion!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready to hit South Yuba trail</td></tr>
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After reaching the town of Washington at 35+ miles in (we thought it might be 25-29 miles in), with three of us nearly out, or completely out of water, we refueled at the local store (I applied Technu for the 3rd time) and set off on the last climb of the day, a 5+ mile paved climb with tough switchbacks and steep inclines. This climb was my highlight of the day. I attacked the climb like any other, just trying to keep my momentum up, sitting as much as possible but standing an awful lot. The next thing I new, I could not see anyone behind me. I keep pushing it, my legs were screaming but I was not listening. I knew this was the last major climb of the day so I was selling out! Started to get the cramp vibes with ~ a mile left but was able to ride through them and whatdoyouknow a <a href="http://app.strava.com/activities/48676272" target="_blank">Strava KOM </a>on that climb! Helps that only 5 people have registered a climb, but I'll take it!!! <br />
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Kane and Terry waited up for Simon and eventually we hit the Pioneer trail for the last several miles of mostly fast, downhill, flowy fun. Unfortunately, due to my long wait at the top of the climb, Strava cut-off (should have paused it apparently) so the last 10 miles are lost, but whatever. An Epic ride with good guys, and great prep for PMBAR and other upcoming events.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pausing for a photo opp</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The snack that powered me to a KOM on the final climb</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simon's bloody legs after his spill</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Terry crushing a switchback up the final climb<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chillin' with a killer view of the canyon</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lower right of pic, Simon is climbing back up after his spill</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0