Velo in the City

SSCXWC madness/ fun

2011-12-05T16:13:00.000-08:00

Wow what a hard race, completely nutz and a whole lot of fun too. The qualifier on Sat the day before had my legs feeling a bit broken.. I finished 59th of 140 so not to shabby however I ended up pulling a quad muscle in the process that made things tough going for the last 2 weeks.. Seems better now tho.

Pain face at the end...

This next weekend is the BASP final which should be fun @ Coyote Pt. quad should be fine and I like the venue...

Gotta start somewhere..

2011-10-10T09:59:00.000-07:00

Well got it together Sunday for my first CX race and drove down to Manzanita Park. I have always raced well there. It has however dished out the most pain as well. 2+ years ago I piled it and blew my knee wide open requiring 27+ stitches to close it up again. It was tough lesson and the worst I had ever been hurt doing any cycling or motor cycle racing for that matter..

Fast forward few years later and that same dam turn dished out a painful reminder about racing CX.

I managed to pull myself off the ground.. twice. Yes twice, in the same turn.. and finish in 18th. All things considered not a terrible finish. I felt strong toward the end and wasn't thirsty which is a good indicator of fitness. About 3 other guys came to the aid tent right after me because of the same turn. It was a tough one.

I'll do some running this week with some intervals thrown in and things will improve. I'll only will get better from here.

My best friend for a few days...

Time to get back on the Horse..

2011-09-16T13:23:00.000-07:00

So it's been 2 years of no Cyclocross racing for many reasons, some good- some bad. I didn't really realize how much it meant to me until I caught a few races at the tail end of last year.

I've gotten a slow start to the road season which for me- is now done. I'm hoping this will have a good effect for CX. I'm motivated and am riding for a new (to me) local team, Dolore Grotta run out of Big Swingin Cycles in SF.

Finally got my new rig going as well..

I will do a mix of Elite A's and Master 35+ A's and I'm sure it's going to hurt bad..

This season... I'm up for it.

See you out there! Cross eyed and smiling....

Burlingame Race Report

2011-06-27T12:26:00.000-07:00

Burlingame Crit- June 26th, 2011
Masters 1/2/3
Teammates: Dana, Todd, Channing, Scott W, Marc, Josh and Greg
42nd out of 103

Despite having some issues messing up my training the last 2 weeks, I was ready as I ever could be for this race and motivated. I drove down with Channing and got there early. I got my 30 min on the rollers and felt good to go on the line.

I had to line up almost at the back of an over-full field and when we took off, I got a poor start but didn’t panic. That was until I realized the pace was fast and could see Foose up on the front drilling it.

The pace was fast enough that it took me 4 laps or so to finally get up to Dana and signal I was on him. My only plan was to shadow him and provide a strong lead out or 1-½ lap to go pacing. There were a few moments that while up near the front a few dangerous moves went off the front and I just sucked wheels to get up there and make sure to be there if it stuck, they didn’t..

So I started to move back towards the front and checked the laps they were showing us.. 6 to go, that was quick? Normally I can move around quite well at this course but Sunday was another story. Normally the M 1/2/3 pace is pretty high and that close to the finish it’s pretty strung out but it wasn’t.

It seemed lots of guys were just treating it like a faster Cat 3- race lot’s of swarming and sloppy riding, granted I was back further then I wanted and it always get sloppier the more you get down in positions but it was noticeable.

Anyway, I had legs left, with 2 to go but was blocked left right and center and could not move up. All I wanted to do was get clear and do a long, hard pull at the front. I admit I was frusterated and didn’t sprint for the finish and came in 42^nd. I was happy that at least Dana got on the podium however…!

After the race I watched the P ½ race and had wished I signed up for it as my allergies weren’t bothering me much, the reason I hadn’t signed up.. So I drove down to San Carlos and parked at work and rode home, in the brutal headwind for another 1:40…

Recovered well overnight and then rode to work this morning not feeling too bad. I’m hoping to keep this rolling and start firing on all cylinders..

Thanks to all that came out on Sunday. And healing vibes to all that hit the deck..

Nick-

Great Day for a Commute to Work!

2011-06-15T10:20:00.001-07:00

Coyote Pt. / view towads SF..

Benicia Race Report

2011-06-13T16:36:00.000-07:00

Benicia Crit
Masters 35+ 1/2/3
Teammates: none
Placing : 13^th of 45?
https://www.usacycling.org/results/index.php?year=2011&id=1795&info_id=38542

I first did this race about 3 years ago and the course was a basic square layout. I guess they changed it and it’s now a large hourglass or 2 boxes w/ the corners touching kind of layout. Really fun course with an uphill sprint.

I had brought a set of the new Ritchey Carbon 88 tubies’s to use but the high winds were enough to change my mind and I just used my alloy Zeta wheels instead.

The field wasn’t the biggest but it was chocked full of all the local heavy hitters. I stayed attentive and near the front for the majority of the race despite being shuffled towards the back a few times. If you wanted to put your nose in the wind it was possible to move up pretty fast.

Most of the laps were around the 22-23mph mark and I felt fine but near the end of the race I was having a hard time breathing (more than normal for that stage of the race) and while in the right place on the final lap I lacked the boost need to move up before the last few turns and got slowed a bit with the bottleneck into the last turn and finished 13^th not a bad race, however a telling thing happened after the race while sitting on some grass taking a rest, my forearms started to break out in hives from touching the grass. I think I finally have the proof that indeed I am having some allergy issues with grass pollen…

P 1/2/3
Teammates: Dana and Scott P
Placing: DNP

Well I don’t have much to say here.. The pace from the gun was very fast. All the laps I recorded were 25 mph or faster. After the break I made the error of going to deep too soon- I think. After 20 min I was huffing and out of breath and going backwards thu the field. I was not going to make it and dropped out. A disappointment for sure but in the end about half of the almost full (100) field did not finish either. Scott did a great job to stay in the race until around the 30 min mark and Dana crushed it to finish in the top 10. Way to go Dana! We had a short discussion about tactics before the race and sure enough as I feared a break did managed to stay away for the win. I really wanted to be there to help him but in the end it was so strung out, it was every man for themselves for the most part. That’s how it goes sometimes. The win went to a Garmin Pro kid with Joel Roberts riding his wheel.

For the most part I felt fine and the bike was great I just need to get a handle on this allergies thing. Of course by late July it will be a moot point but I need it fixed now!

Shout out to Nate S and Scott P for representing in the E 3 race! Next week Pescadero M 1/2/3!

Nick

Gettin called out.

2011-06-13T15:53:00.000-07:00

Tarmac Ripper called me out for having a boring blog and (whom ever they are?) are right. I have been very lazy and need to get back on the Blog horse. Maybe thats just what i needed!

Thanks Tarmac Ripper!

Getting in the miles

2011-01-26T16:36:00.000-08:00

I've been doing the work commute thing and logging longer rides on the weekends and it's been good. I had a full blow fit session at 3 D Bikefit and we changed alot of stuff. Wacky knee float- gone. Out of square hips.. -gone.

It's tough doing rides that would normally be a breeze even if out of shape, like I am but I am finally starting to feel the benefits of the new fit and can see the gains coming. If you are looking into getting fitted I highly recommend Kevin. Peep him out at 3D Bikefit.

More miles and good times to log before the season starts for me, hopefully in Feb.

See you on the road and dirt!

Mud and guts...

2010-11-09T12:06:00.000-08:00

Well.. it seems that the real CX weather has come. I have been busy with lots of things and while I bought a nice new SS CX bike to jump back in the mix this year, things haven't worked out thus far for me.

Getting sick 2 days right before my wedding was inconvenient to say the least but also squashed any hopes of being in shape for races in the later half of Oct and here now in Nov.

I'm starting to feel better and got some decent mileage on the bike last week. it feels like the fitness is slowly coming back. Will it be back in time for some Dec racing? probley.. but at this point I'm already looking towards the road season. A proper, full CX season, will have to wait until 2011.

I'm excited to have accomplished my goal of a Cat 2 upgrade this year and look forward to focusing on the M 1/2/3 and some P 1/2 races too. So the silver lining of this Cx season's cloudy day is... ample rest and a stronger desire to compete for the 2011 season. It worked well skipping Cx in 2009- so rest and re-load..

See you out there!

Whoo hoo! Got married!

2010-10-28T15:53:00.000-07:00

Fabulous times @ the Travis Marina/ Presidio Yacht Club.. The fog even made a cameo.

My batchlor party

2010-08-27T18:21:00.001-07:00

Ya... Its like that.

Finish Line Sprint @ San Rafael

2010-07-15T11:22:00.001-07:00

From the Masters 30+ 3/4 race....

Nice win at SR Twilight crit.

2010-07-12T15:35:00.001-07:00

It was a good day with a win in the M 3/4 and then 19th in the E3 race.

Cash en' beer

2010-06-26T17:36:00.001-07:00

Back 2 back wins today at the crits in Santa Rosa... Good day!

Bikes ahoy!

2010-06-18T13:53:00.001-07:00

Our new bike rack at work is loaded up!

Dash 4 the Cash

2010-06-06T12:55:00.000-07:00

Elite 3.. 3rd place after a very hard race. Things are finally coming together..

2010 Memorial Day Criterium E3

2010-06-01T14:43:00.000-07:00

Modesto crit

2010-05-17T16:17:00.001-07:00

L to R: Kevin 5th, Tyron 6th, Nick 1st / 10th...

Ride to work day....

2010-05-13T10:01:00.001-07:00

Another fab day in north bay!

2010-05-01T09:56:00.001-07:00

Rain rain... Stay away;)

Game on...

2010-04-26T13:30:00.001-07:00

New drivetrain installed. Second pair of Q Rotor rings/ 11-26 cass and KMC chain. Cables up next!

Wente Weekend

2010-04-23T10:39:00.000-07:00

It's been a few years sense my last foray to Wente.. Even tho this race has been hard on me, I like this course. The weather looks like it should be nice, no rain! Spring Hill was incredibly hard. It gave me a new apprecation for the Pro's who have to deal with that shit more often than not. Ouch..

If things go well I'll do the crit too but first the road race.. Peace out~

Topsport stage race

2010-03-24T15:29:00.001-07:00

Setting up the new Ritchey clip on areo bars for the tt. Haven't used one of those in awhile!

Cool day... Hot chick.

2010-02-20T13:15:00.001-08:00

This cold shitty weather can go away.... Ella is in Seattle and its sunny and warm there, oh the ironey...

FLASHBACK Le Tour 1965

2010-01-15T12:01:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted much in the last 6-8 months, it's been quiet for me on the racing. I felt I needed a break and decided to forgo the CX season to better prepare for the 2010 road season. Sometimes it's good to look back- to motivate for the future!...

Elite Men GGP CX

2009-11-30T09:46:00.001-08:00

in HD!!

SF sunrise

2009-10-30T09:29:00.001-07:00

The ride in this morning was a great way to start the day!

It's that time of year again...

2009-09-21T09:24:00.001-07:00

Interbike 2009 whoo Hoo!

First ride...

2009-09-20T13:53:00.001-07:00

I've never ridden a nice steel bike, much less a break Away. This thing is really nice and smooth. I can't tell that it comes apart to fit in a case. Too cool! Size 58cm - 17.5 lbs:)

New ride...

2009-09-17T13:16:00.001-07:00

New Ritchey Break Away with custom paint ready to build up w/ proto type carbon Tubies.

Sea Otter

2009-04-17T13:00:00.001-07:00

The start of a long weekend. I'm working the Ritchey tent so stop by if your coming down!

New Ritchey WCS Post/ saddle.

2009-03-25T12:09:00.001-07:00

New for 2009 soon to be released carbon seat and zero off set 1 bolt post. Going on the new ride.

Menlo Park GP

2009-03-09T16:13:00.000-07:00

Menlo Park GP Race report.

Category: P 1/2/3

Teammates: Nate

Field 100+

Placing: 47th overall (14^th E3)

I did the 3’s race a few years ago and had the bad luck to break a spoke in my rear wheel in the final sprint and coasted to 16th from the top 5. The course used to be a 4 corner industrial park crit, business as usual but this year they added a chicane and about another km to make for a lap of 2.2 km and a 800+m runway for a final sprint! Also new was a P1/2/3 race. After Snelling I decided to register and was glad I did because as soon as they decided to pick 3’s separate- the race filled up quick.

Nate was on the wait list (#3) but got bumped down by the arrival of Jackson Stewart(BMC), Dan Holloway (Slipstream), Ben JM (Bissell) and a few other (for real) pros who decided to grace us with there presence. It was all good as he still got in.

Nate and I rode a pre-lap and got a start position in row 2, not great but not bad either. We start and a few guys in front of me were fumbling with their pedals and I end up mid-pack. For this race, I planned to do whatever necessary to stay in/ on the bubble even at the expense of using a lot of energy. I expected the pace to be as fast as a M1/2/3 race or faster and it was…. 46kph or 28.5mph in American $$. Probley the fastest race I‘ve ever done. I looked down many times and saw 50+kph and thought wow! I don’t feel so bad, I wonder how long I can keep this up?

About mid-way thu the race we finally caught the break we had been chasing for the last 4 laps and I managed to finally move up to the top 15 and enjoy the speed for a few laps. In this race there was a big difference in speed thu the turns. Outside the top 20 had a lot breaking for the chicane and felt like a dam cat 5 race.

Nate and I stayed together well and kept each other in sight for the second half of the race. We had planned to try to stay together and see where we ended up on the final lap.

Well… Nate masterfully got himself in the bubble on the last lap onto the final straight and I was just outside the bubble and could see him. At this point my arms and legs were feeling really tried but felt I had a decent sprint left in me still.

Expecting the field to string out for a fast run in to the finish I started winding up the speed when the field did the unthinkable.. slowed and spread across the road! Ugh

On my left (about where Nate was) there was a very big crash and I had to brake and maneuver almost hitting a guy on the ground. I sprinted right away back up to speed with still 400+ meters to go.. I had the sick feeling Nate was in the crash and started to sit up. Then I remembered that they were picking the 3’s separate and I sprinted again but lost a few spots to some 3’s right in front of me. Opps.

I circled around and indeed Nate was on the grass bleeding so I stopped and looked him over. Torn jersey, broken new helmet, and bloodied leg. I could see the disappointment on his face more than the pain. He was in good position for the final. He knew it; I knew it and we could only sit on the grass and think of what could have been… Luckily he wasn’t hurt to bad.

Next time Nate Dogg.

I then rode home from work after the race, for another 2 hour crush fest in the afternoon head-wind to punish myself in anticipation of things to come (windy Zamora).

Nick~

The season starts..... CCCX #1 Race Report

2009-02-18T11:23:00.000-08:00

CCCX #1 @ Ft Ord day camp, Monterey Ca.

Pro/ Expert SS-- 2nd plc. 5 laps for 25 miles of single track and narrow fire road. 2hrs// 13mph avg

The conditions for this race were epic. It was barley raining for the warm-up but once we got underway @ about 2pm, it was coming down light but steady. I got 2.5 laps of warm-up, doing the new backside 3x including a slimy, muddy climb I could barley walk up (that was tough!). With the muddy conditions in the races before hand, everything was running behind--we were supposed to be off by 1pm!

I opted to stay out of the rain and hide under a tree next to the start line and stay warm instead of riding around in the water. This was a good choice as I had a fast start and warmed up quick. I had the lead for a bit (SS) and eased up on the first climb, letting the pro/semi-pro geared guys go and waiting to see who the next SS rider would be. Turned out to be some guy I didn't know but looked strong so we rode together for the next lap.

The course was deteriorating fast with the rain getting heavier as the laps ticked down. I knew running the Kenda Small block 8 tires in these conditions was not ideal but it was all I had and indeed it turned into a skills clinic quick, fast and in a hurry! On lap 2, while following in second place, we entered 1 of 2 really technical sections and I lost my.. rear brake? I had put new pads in, the day prior, so it was likely a bubble in the hydraulic line. CRAP!

I had to pump the brake 4-5 times to get any pressure going and doing so while in the super greasy muddy switch backs was frustrating and difficult to say the least. About 3 turns later, I had no brake into a turn, sliding sideways I ended up pointing off the trail and pumped the brake to no avail, so I had to grab the front to keep from slamming into a tree and en-doed into a bush..... OTB!

Not hurt-- I jumped up and checked my bike. Seemed OK but 3rd and 4th place went by and I wasn't sure how I was going to manage to navigate the course with hardly any rear brake. I stayed calm and realized that I could only push my advantage on the climbs and flats where braking wasn't an issue, which I did. Also staying slow but steady thu the sloppy turns helped keep control in the switchbacks, although I knew I was losing time--it was all I could do.

I managed to catch back up in about a lap, to 2nd and 3rd. About 1/2 lap later I caught 1st! I really couldn't believe I still had a chance at victory. I took the lead for about a lap with now 2 to go. Eric from SCCC was the only guy to stay with me. So we rode the last 1 1/2 laps together until the final time down the greasy switchbacks and he was outta sight. I kept the pace high where I could but was resigned to the fact I was going to get second.

I road what I felt like was a fantastic race despite the conditions and mechanicals. I heard after the finish.. lots of riders dropped out or had mechanicals. I was totally covered in mud head to toe.

It was an epic MTB race.. . no doubt!! Not a bad way to open up the 2009 season and a fantastic opener for Snelling RR next week. I hope we don't have rain for that race however.

Thanks for reading.

I love my city!

2009-02-04T18:57:00.001-08:00

Stopped for a burrito on the way home, what a view!

Cal train is fun.

2009-01-29T08:26:00.001-08:00

This week i rode the train 3 times while also making the 2 hr bike commute to work. Not a bad way to go. Driving the car might be faster and handy but way more stressful. I'm happy to have dialed the route to work via bike. Solid ride @ 50km / 1:45 when the weather warms up, it will be easy to make the trip a lot and some fantastic training!

I love trains...

2009-01-15T17:30:00.001-08:00

I haven't taken cal train in decades. So much nicer than i remember! I might have to figure a way to take it more often. Doing my part to spare the air!

Soggy Sunday mtb fun.

2008-12-21T13:00:00.001-08:00

Channing, Hendrik, Geoff and I, met up for a quick ride through the Marin Headlands. At 9am it was more or less dry but by the time we hit the dirt, it was starting to rain... So glad I packed the rain jkt.

The Rig has some new parts and is riding great. It kicked my ass today after riding 4hrs yesterday on the road-- in bitter cold....

It was fun riding with the boys and their new toys.. props to Channing for riding his CX bike!

Good ride: 2 hrs/ 41km but oh so cold/ wett..

I had a nice lunch of C.B. hash/ scrambled eggs and coffee after a hott shower and then got to see the Niner's pull off a fantastic come-from-behind win!! Way to Go!

Headlands looking toward Mt Tam.

Friday mtb fun...

2008-12-19T18:22:00.001-08:00

Rode the headlands after a short work day- man was it cold! So beautiful tho! Good times:)

BASP and beyond

2008-12-16T17:49:00.000-08:00

Well it's been a while for some posting so I'm trying to catch up ...

I've been taking the 2nd half of the season on day-to-day basis. Things started off OK for me early in the season but took a downturn when I ate it @ Laguna and sprained my thumb pretty bad. I will never make fun of hoop stars again after hearing about some sprained thumb injury... My training took a dive after that as I couldn't do my planned workouts.. No mt. biking or standing hill repeats...

The last 3 weeks has been tough but I had some good racing especially at Golden Gate Park... Saturday I rode over to the park and did about an hour riding on the course inc 5 "hot laps" I could have just kept riding it was so much fun... After a crappy start, I ended up jocking for position with Pat, Rick and Grant which made for some fun racing... The course was about as good as it could have gotten, given the lack of rain leading up to the weekend.

I ended up narrowly beating Grant in a finish sprint for 22nd place. About 5 min down but in no danger of getting lapped by a super strong field.. So, not great-- but an improvement non-the-less... Next on the List was.. BASP final @ Coyote PT.

Lovely day for a race in Golden Gate Park

BASP GGP

Suffering through the barriers...

BASP#5- Coyote Pt.// Nate and I met up with Keith on Saturday to do some recon on the course. It seemed to work well last week and besides... it was fun! The weather was cool but sunny and the course was again--fun to just ride. The layout was the same given a few small changes and I thought it was an improvement in any case.

Nate Dogg...

After another bad start ( have to work on this a bit) I managed to move up a bit on the uphill "shoot" to the parking lot. Things were OK but I felt a little more worked than I wanted and as soon as we hit the sand I felt like I was in a bit of trouble.

After a few laps and loosing a few spots I regained some composure and started to pick the pace up. Things were OK for about 3 laps then I started feeling bad, specifically my lower back and neck. I could barley hang onto Kurt and Cesar (SS leaders) on the pavement! UGH!

On the bumpy downhill I was having a hard time and felt like a grandma on that decent. No confidence at all.... also the drop into the sand had me feeling like I would go OTB any second and my run speed in the sand felt slow. After some great recon laps the day before and the race @ GGP I was going backwards! Why, why, why.....?

BASP @ Coyote Pt. Final

I ended up placing 17th for the day holding off a few chasers and finished 17th overall in the series. Given the ups and downs of the last few weeks it was a uneventful end to the BASP series. My goal had been to at least place in the top 15 overall and in the $$. Maybe next year... Jesse and Gabe did a good job in the overall and Cody also did well in the B's so the team had some good results

So... this last Sunday was the 6th round of the series for CCCX. My efforts have been focused at doing the best I can in this series. I enjoy the courses and Rod, Keith and the rest of the crew do a great job. The Ft. Ord day camp is my favorite venue down there. With rain on the way the sand gets packed down and tacky, so it was sure to be a fast and wiley ride! And it was!

I was able to ride for a good hour on the course with just light sprinkles and had a great time. I would have been happy to just ride the course for another hour just for the hell of it. I was in 7th overall and thought they would do the top 10 call ups but they didn't and got a lame start position. Disappointed as I was, I managed to move up quite a bit, possibly into top 10, on the long start "hill" so all was not lost.

I had an OK first lap and tried to settle into a rhythm. after a lap or so I washed out my front wheel in a tricky turn and fell. Not bad just lost the gap I was building and I got passed by a few guys before I could get going again but kept on the wheels. A few turns later my front wheel was making a rubbing sound and I was concerned that the wheel shifted in the fork so I stopped to open/ close the skewer and straighten the wheel.... Quickly on my way, I started to make up some lost spots and I noticed I hadn't closed my skewer all the way! I started to look for a slow place on the course to quickly stop again to fix the skewer. I managed to do so and continued on...

CCCX #6

Things were going well and I was slowly reeling in a few riders. I had made quite a few changes to my bike setup over the weekend and can say with confidence--it was the right thing to do. With about 3-4 laps to go I dropped my chain in the large dip before the double barriers near the parking area... :(

Aww man... I was doing well and had regained all the positions I lost earlier... I took a deep breath as Howie is yelling at me to gather myself together and I put the chain back on pretty fast. I think there was 2-3 laps left at this point and tried to stomp on it but I was starting to feel tired from all the hard efforts earlier. The lead SS chase group containing Keith and Jesse tacked on the back, came by me and I tried to hang on but in the end could not. I finished just behind them in 12th place just over 6 min down. That's not terrible for having to stop 4 times during the race, last one at a crucial moment (dropped chain.) I think I probley lost about 1+ minutes combined if not more.

Most important is the bike feels sooo much better. I moved my cleats, swapped the stem and raised the saddle. lots of small changes right before a race is not the best idea but I was desperate to address the problems nagging at me the last few weeks. My neck and shoulders didn't hurt at all and my back while feeling tired was not sore and I feel good today not sore and dis-jointed like previous 3 weekends..

We are getting down to the end of the season and I will do a few races to get stronger for the CCCX final which, will be the official end of my season. It's been a tough cross season and I am getting sick of driving... not racing however!

The road season is just around the corner and I will focus on doing well and achieving an upgrade to 2 this season. This year my main focus was off-road on the mtb and I achieved my goals. Which were--

(Top 3) in in the CCCX series-3rd overall Pro/expert single speed. I had some great battles with Howie and Cesar..

(Win) 1st plc Nor-Cal SS Expert Championship/ Team Bigfoot throws together a bunch of races for a series and I did well @ Napa Valley and CCCX rounds 4-5? I dropped out of Howell mtn with crazy cramps but feel good about the overall.

(Mountain Upgrade to Semi-Pro) -- Successful!

Holidaze are here.. Get out and ride!

CCCX #6

2008-12-14T10:08:00.001-08:00

Racing the rain, report to follow...

Turkey day rides are fun

2008-11-27T14:48:00.001-08:00

Grey day but fantastic ride out over tam and more... 4.5 hrs / 55 miles and lots of climbing. I'm ready to eat!

Another double-header weekend..

2008-11-17T12:59:00.000-08:00

Under the lights!

First off it was BASP #3 (at the Sierra Pt. Crit course, also Wed night tack fights area) on Saturday night. The first night race here in Nor-cal. The Pilarcitos guys did a great job and it was a fun course. The lights were fine and I didn't have any trouble seeing the course.

I had some high hopes as I finished 13th here last year with a strong field. However after a dodgy start and moving up in the first coupe of laps I slightly rolled my rear tubie on the only re-mount! As I popped it back on, all the spots I just gained passed me by and I planned to get the "B" bike ASAP. Well in the confusion it took 2 laps for me to get it and I had to ride gingerley threw the turns--for fear of the tire coming back off.

Right before rolling the tire...

Well.. I finally got on the "B" bike and it was feeling weird but I picked it up and tried to make up what time I could. After a few laps, on a re-mount, the saddle slipped--up. Oh man. at this point my lower back was hurting pretty good and I rode as hard as I could to just finish in 26th... Ugh... Really cool event--not a very good result. Afterwards, knowing I was going to the CCCX race the next day, I was hoping to get everything fixed and feel OK for the DOD course.

So I managed to repair my tubie and after a whole lot of Advil, headed down to the CCCX race with Gabe who also did not have the best race on Saturday (broken chain in the final lap). I was just happy Jesse got back into the top 10, so the team did OK.

I have raced quite a few times at the DOD CCCX course for both CX and MTB and I like it. I was just focusing on riding well and retaining my top 10 overall and with a call up, being in 8th I didn't rush the start line for position. Well big mistake. I ended up in the 3rd row (no call up past 5th!) to my disappointment and got another crap start. Honestly my fitness was in question but I was off the back from the start and had to fight solo into the wind chasing on the long pavement straights every lap. I was doing OK for the most part to stay away from Dean and Jesse who were chasing but on the final lap My neck and arms were in so much pain I could barley hold onto the bars.

Dean attacked me on the small hill that starts the long pavement section and I could not answer. I was not a happy camper. After holding him off for laps I crumbled at the worst possible time. I finished 13th.

I have been trying to stay upbeat after the rough crash at Laguna Seca but it's been hard. I trained all year just for CX and in one quick moment it has really ruined my season (I know I'm not the only one). Who knew a sprained thumb could be such a setback? I'm 4.5 weeks into it and it's heaps better but has been slow to heal and the bumpy courses we have here in Bay Area (McLaren-ouch) have not shown me any mercy.

Last year when I hurt my knee I came back faster than with the thumb. My legs and Cardio feel great. It has been more of a challenge with the lower back and arms/shoulders aching. I know it will pass in a few more races but that's about all we have left in the the core of the season.

So I'm going to suck it up and do the best I can for the rest of the season and get as much fitness as possible out of it and hopefully take that into the early road season, produce some results and get points. I feel so much stronger than last year, but feel like I don't have much to show for it.

That's what's so frustrating right now... and that my friends, is what makes bike racing so damm hard!

-IMHO-

Thank goodness it's over!

Blissful friday...

2008-10-24T19:55:00.001-07:00

Only thing better would've been if i got got home earlier!

McLaren Madness...

2008-10-20T11:09:00.000-07:00

BASP # At McLaren Park in SF

This is the first CX race of the season for the Pilarcitos boys and in my backyard. This course is always hard and I thought they did a fine job of making it a bit better adding much more grass and an awesome quad barrier. Yes I like to run!

Going into this weekend I was concerned about my thumb as it was still a bit sore from the fall last weekend at Laguna. I taped it up and knew it would be really hard as this venue is probley the most bumpy of all and it was going to really hurt.

Honestly, I wasn't to fired up for this race. I was going to have a hard time with my hand not working well but I didn't want to not race--and miss out on the fitness aspect or the points I may get and need later, for the series overall, as little as it may be. (yes I do think about these things)

Tuesday last week I still had quite a bit of swelling with the thumb but it was getting better.

Super fun quad barriers......

I ended up not getting a very good spot on the line ...... 4th row or so, which sucked but the reality was I was already off the back so to speak with no warm up and a bum hand. I figured I would just ride my race and try to pick the pace up when I could and stay off the ground. In that aspect it was a success. I went backwards till about 1/2 distance then started to move up a bit and passed a few guys here and there. I felt very good "on the run" with the hill and the barriers. Another nice thing, is after doing the big hill 8-9 times, my legs aren't sore at all.

So in the end I wasn't last and limited the damage on the thumb by riding one handed over some of the rougher sections in the grass and where ever else I could. At one point I almost just stopped but I talked myself into finishing. This week I'll hope to recover and get out again this next weekend. We'll see.....

The new 2009 Team Scott CX bikes.

BAD ASS !!!

Locked and loaded...

2008-10-18T16:58:00.001-07:00

McLaren park tomorrow-

Shit happens....

2008-10-14T15:12:00.000-07:00

This last weekend, was LARPD #3 and CCCX #3 . This had to be one of the most disappointing weekends racing CX ever, besides last year--when I fell and blew my knee wide open and needed 23 stitches (scroll down to CCCX#4 post).

I felt really good on Saturday and figured I would have a good race on my hands with the smallish field that showed mostly containing my A-40 buddys. I was in the lead and not soon there after I flatted little bit past 1/2 distance on the back side of the course, on the 1st lap. I didn't bring spare wheels so I packed it up and watched James B get the better of Grant. OK time to brave traffic back to the city... Fleet Week really can suck sometimes....

I was using some clincher tires because my tubular's are worn out and haven't found replacements yet. Knowing I wanted to use the same tires from Sat (Michelin Jet), I decided to go "getto" tubeless--sliced an inner-tube as a liner+Stan's and viola! tubeless tires....

I did this before on my mtb and it worked great and I was confidant that it would hold up for the CCCX race (which it did).

My first ever front row start in the elite field....

Well... my legs felt great on Sat and in the Sunday warm up laps (4 total) again felt OK. I liked the course with the monster hill. Toro park mtb was way harder IMHO. So I get a decent start, and at the top of the hill I can hardly believe I'm still in 5th place with the leaders! Once into the technical section at the top I didn't feel blown up and started recovering quickly.

Onto the backside there was a very fast section with a couple of tricky turns if your going fast. In practice I had a good line going outside/ inside up the incline, which had a few small stepped ruts and some sand. Well...we were flying into this turn at mach speed and I was off my line to the inside where it was deeper sand and I washed out my front wheel at mach speed.....

What a blunder. I have no excuse--I blew it. I should have slowed more or re-adjusted my line and paid the price. I was happy that we had a small gap and nobody else went down. I jumped up and got off the trail and assessed the damage. Almost flat rear tire, locked front brake, handlebars knocked crooked and left shifter lever pushed all the way in....

No choice but to run...........

The entire A field and most of the SS guys passed me before I even had the bike on my shoulder and could get running. Once at the pit I swapped wheels and straightened out what I could, mumbled a few curse words under my breath and hopped back on.

Down but not knocked out...

I tried to not think about it but I was really disappointed. I wanted more than anything to just get a honest shot of seeing where I stand fitness wise to the local Nor-Cal CX field. This was a great chance as it also was the first round of the NCNCA Cup race with 41 entrants, about 10 more than the last CCCX and a real deal field.

In the end I finished the race DFL . I was lucky to not get hurt much (jammed my thumb? crazy...) and the bike is more or less fine. I got out and rode Wed night and my legs felt quite good actually. My thumb is tender but will be OK for Sunday's BASP opener at McLaren Park.

--Another hard course.

So happy for it to be over!

I think I just need to let it happen.....

That kind of night.

2008-10-04T22:25:00.001-07:00

Oh ya.

Viva Las Vegas to CCCX #2

2008-09-29T15:07:00.000-07:00

To tired to write much so here's a few pics from the week....

Monday setup madness...

Home for the week... TI not too shabby.

The kick-ass view from the crows nest at out booth.. PHAT!

Jesse, Nate and I were @ the CX venue early before our race (no results posted yet for cup race), to help with setup for the huge Scott/ Ritchey team area including Thomas and Florin. Both those guys were very nice.

Night racing is cool.. except when it's still 90 + degree's out and 0- humidity. Is that possible? Felt like it....

The strip early AM. Still hotter than hell....

Quick shot from last Sunday CCCX #2 /Ft Ord. Jumping logs on the mtb. CX bike was still in Vegas, back this week tho... Managed 13th in a packed field of 30? not bad on the monster truck ;)

Interbike 2008

2008-09-25T13:41:00.001-07:00

Me and the Wooster

Cross vegas...

2008-09-24T17:13:00.001-07:00

I've been on my feet for way too long. Let the suffering begin.

Men in dresses...

2008-09-16T21:58:00.001-07:00

Must be cross season!

Benicia Crit weekend

2008-09-10T10:40:00.000-07:00

E3 was first up and after the CX race on Sat. I wasn't sure if my legs would be any good. They were pretty sore from the first CX race of the season, mostly from the running.

Well, the 3's race was not to fun, I felt so-so and while the course was cool. There was a nasty exchange of words from a rider who IMHO was out of line. He was trying to sneek up the gutter on the roller-back side and there was no room. He got shut out and then proceed to yell expletives at a friend of mine. Not one lap later he veered into him and it was getting out of control... What is it with the E3 field this year? it's been douche-bag central. Big egos and not a lot to show for it combined with poor racing.... My legs were spent at the end and I was planning to also race the Masters 1/2/3 so I coasted across the line some where mid-pack?

An hour later was the M 1/2/3 and this was, as expected-- a much better race. We rode @ least 2+ kph faster over the hill every lap. Pace was high and the riding while not perfect, so much cleaner. It's really making me not want to ride the E3 races anymore. In the end I was pretty tired and I lost touch with the front runners on the hill and managed to sprint into something like 24th? place, not sure.

Better way to end what started out as a negative day of racing. My teammate Gabe did great and might have broke the top 10... Impressive after also doing the CX race in Livermore as well... It was fun to race with Keith D. and Mtb legend Mark Weir...

Definitely a hard weekend of racing, I'm hoping to get a good race fitness boost out of it. We'll see... This Saturday is the SF Twilight Crit just a few blocks from my house. It will probably be the last road event for me as we head into the CX season....

Stay tuned!

LARPD #1 CX race

2008-09-06T20:41:00.001-07:00

Photo by David P.

I hadn't planned on doing this race but got my shit together and headed out to what I knew would be a hot day of racing in Livermore. 100 Degree temps were forecast and at 10 am I was sweating just talking to people. It turns out we raced on a new course (no stairs). I really liked it. Lots of passing room and more wide open with lots of grass. Looks like the LARPD guys have stepped up their game. Good stuff!

I got a good start, about 5th--then after a few laps, moved up into 2nd? I felt OK but started to get a little dizzy out of the saddle and felt super parched. Geoff was doing hand-ups for Gabe and I after his great Masters race, thanks!! but I could feel my energy draining every lap.

With about 2 to go I thought about pulling out but I really wanted to finish so I did the best I could to keep it steady and bring it home. I slipped back a bunch to finish 8th. Not terrible but I know I could have done better.

I just hope I can bounce back enough to be ok for Benica crit Sunday. We'll see..

Cycocross season had officially started! Enough with the 100 degree temps huh!

Great for beer drinking not for racing....

Giro Di San Francisco

2008-08-28T12:01:00.000-07:00

Well the Giro has come and gone once again. This is an event I try to be ready for and this year was no exception. Things started out well enough in the Masters 1/2/3 until about lap 3 when in a tight pace line, I hit the pothole exiting turn 3. Like many others with carbon wheels I cringed at the loud crack it made and knew I done something bad. I continued on for a few laps but herd a tick-tick-tick and thought I would make it to the finish.

A few laps later the rear tubular went flat and I ended up running/ riding back to get a neutral wheel and then back into the race with 6-7 laps to go. The pace was furiously high and I couldn't move up to much. It was over before I knew it and managed 27th place some how.

I had brought spare wheels with me so I swapped the wheels and then ate a small sangu and coke also taking a few sec's to gather myself before the start of the E3 race. The E3 race ended up starting much later than planned and I sat in the sun more than I should have. Midway thu the race I polished off my bottle of water and could have used more.

The 3's was a complete mess. I decided early to work the front and try to keep things strung out and got some help from Marc and Raymond and a few other guys on different teams but it didn't last to long, I made the mistake of slipping back farther in the group than I should have while drinking the rest of my water and catching my breath before trying to return to the front. I never could get back up, with out kicking guys out of the way. (Which I really wanted to do!) the field was bunching up ever time I tried to get around on either the front or back straight, left or right side. Coasting 7-8 wide? ya it was ugly.

In the end I was frustrated and just wanted to get to the front and pull, then w/ 2 laps to go we got a crash just as I was making some progress towards the bubble. Josh and Hendrik both got taken down and there was some field separation which Nate and I chasing to get back on. Manged to do so before the finish line but again guys were fanned out across the road looking at each other and letting the solo break get away and no one chasing....

At this point I just wanted the race to be over and rolled across the line for 38th place with a lot left in the tank.

Not the best of weekends for sure but nobody got hurt badly and at least I finished both races. I figured I would go to the Wed Track Fights with some steam to blow. I won last week and this week I had teammates Channing and Gabe come out and we swept the top 3 with some solid teamwork and it was really fun. I won the both double points sprints including the final and was feeling pretty good.

Cross is here, cross is here!

Next up this weekend is my first CX race of the season (just got the new kits!) in Livermore Sat and then Sun out to Benicia for some more crit action.

Giddy-up!!

The drought has ended.. I hope

2008-08-28T11:38:00.001-07:00

Track Fights...

Big fun in a small package. This series is a blast. It's run on the Serrira Pt Crit course but run counter-clock wise.... so all lefty's ala track style and run as a points race. In the A's race we do 36 laps with points given out every 3 laps. Double points for 1/2 distance and the final sprint.

Last week I did the Port ride and this back to back and felt pretty good. However I went to hard on the first sprint and recovered to slowly from no warm up and ended up going a lap down. Although I won 3 sprints in the end and placed 2nd in points, I finished a lap down so was 6th overall.

This week I did port ride again but managed to get the warm up before hand and felt much better. I was in the mix from the flag (bullhorn) and fared well. I won 3? sprints and placed in a few others and ended up winning the overall. Yah! Finally a win after more than a year of sub-par results. My training plain has me getting up to max speed here in the next few weeks, to be ready for Cyclocross and I think it's working. It might not seem like much but it's a monkey gladly off my back.

Next up The Giro di SF!

Today was a good day....

2008-08-13T20:28:00.001-07:00

Went for a good mtb ride after work in the headlands. The Fog was creeping in but the ridge was still sunny. Just what i needed-

Springing into action..

2008-07-15T22:20:00.000-07:00

Date: 7/15/08
Course: 22 mile loop/ 3 laps * 66 miles
Category: Elite 3
Field: maybe 50
Teammates: Hendrik, Steve

Place: 6th/ 22.5 mph avg speed

I did my home work for this event. I pre-rode the course earlier in the week and made sure to have my bike, food/ hydration needs and equipment dialed. Hendrik, Steve and I drove out together. The sky was a bit over cast but it was warming up quick. after getting our stuff together we assembled at the start line and we're off...

The first few climbs were not a big deal as everyone was finding there legs so to speak. The final downhill to Chino Valley had the worst pavement on the entire circuit and I rode on the front till we turned onto Chino valley. Things just rolled along for a while with a few guys taking fliers off the front but nothing serious.

I tried to launch a breakaway w/ Phil (Strawberry) as he was eager to pick the pace up and I know him pretty well. It was a good attempt but the pack wouldn't let us go. Not soon after another break went and Steve got in it.

When they got caught the pace slowed again and Hendrik and I guess a Metromint guy took off. It looked good for a while but the group started chasing and brought them back.

On lap 2, up the second climb I guess Phil and Hendrik attacked to split the field and I was on the wrong side of the split! My legs were not with me and I had to ease up and hope I could get back on over the next few rollers before turning onto Chino V. again.

Well that didn't quite work, as the field kept the pace high and I was in full chase mode. I quickly picked up Steve and we organized to get back on. I was pretty sure the pack would sit up in the headwind and look at each other, which would give us a chance and it worked! I was pretty surprised. At that point I just sat in for a while and tried to let my legs recover.

3rd time over the climbs were better, I was feeling OK and the pace wasn't to high. Once over and back onto the rollers I knew I was in with a chance for a good finish. I still was in disbelief that I was even in the race at this point--after being dropped earlier. Somewhere along the way we lost Steve and it was down to Hendrik and I. We stayed close and in constant communication and worked well with the other guys.

There was still a break of 4? guys still up the road and we had about 1/2 lap to go (10 miles) and the group seemed content to let it go. I asked Hendrik if he felt OK and he responded--Yah. I was not sure if my legs were going to be good for the finale, so I decided to do some work at the front and see what happened. I lifted the pace and after a while guys started to pull through.

We got a good 12 or so man, rotating pace-line that lasted for a while. Good enough to reel the break within sight, with about 3-4 miles left to go. Funny thing it was then that my legs started to feel really good. I was in a good gear and rode away from the group up a false flat and bridged up to the break w/ hopes of re-organizing and taking off.

The guys were pretty tired and all sat up. So we were all back together onto Tomales Rd. It was strung out all the way and I was in 3rd wheel. We turned onto Spring Hill and guys started to look around. The pace was steady and you could feel the tension building for the finish. Once onto the final approach

Final approach....

We were spread out across the road. Hendrik and I were next to each other, on the front and talking about when to go. I wanted to go early with some speed and he wanted to wait till the base to pick it up. I waited and once we passed the feed-zone I attacked out of the saddle. The hill had a dip in it and my legs cramped a bit right there, so I tried to get into the 42 but the chain would not drop! At this point someone countered me, and the real race was on. I managed to spin for 10 sec, get my legs under control, pick the pace back up and as I was going over the top, put it back into the big ring and sprint for a 6th place finish very close to Hendrik, Phil and the Davis kids (18 yr old jr's).

Well 6th place might not seem like a big deal, but for me it's a turning point. The training plan I laid out is working and if all goes to plan it should have me in top form for the end of the road season and the ultimate goal--CX.

Warp-speed recon and burgers....

2008-07-10T19:27:00.000-07:00

Final run on S-H-R to the dairy and the finish hill.

here are some pic's from my recon of the Spring Hill RR course. I am pretty wiped, the ride was good and I was stronger then I could have imagined. getting a little food poising earlier this week had me sit out the Port ride and rest up until yesterday. It was a good day.

The weapon of the day-- BMC. Loving this bike right now!

Nice hair.....

Ya.. really wishing I had brought more H2O and some food....

1940 Kcal later... Just rewards!!!

Coke (not diet) Swiss/bacon burger, curly fries and of course RANCH.. YA!

______________________________________________________________

Mr. Powerfiles segment:

This is the second "hot" lap. I forgot my HR strap but kept it to steady/ hard breathing not maxed out. Almost completely in the big ring with varying wind and undulations/ rollers. For the whole ride including warm-up/cool down, it was T2:25 and 31kph avg...

37 km @ T 1:06

33.5 kph avg/ 243 wts avg @ 3.27 wts per Kg

Really a huge improvement and I can do better! Hope it's on Sunday.

All the jucy details....

2008-06-30T23:35:00.000-07:00

Mass start of the; Pro/ Semi-pro/ P-Xpert SS/ Expert 19-34..

Location: Ft. Ord

Class: Pro/Expert SS

Place: 3rd for the day

Place: 3rd overall for the series

Sunday was the conclusion of the CCCX mtb series. I did the whole series and did reasonably well for my first time contesting it. Hard choices were to be made this last weekend. The Skyline race was on the same day as the final. To make matters worse, I heard that there was a chance to get an entry's to SSWC (top 3 in SS?)which will be at the same location in a few months.

I missed the reg deadline for SSWC so had written off getting in. With so much invested in the CCCX series I couldn't blow it off for a "chance" to get a ticket to the big show. I knew it would be a fierce battle and it was. There were 28 riders! Cameron won with a wicked time, good going champ!!

Anyway, I knew the best I could do was 3rd overall even if I won. Mark and Cesar were tied and whoever beat the other, would take the title. So really my job was simple. Follow the wheels and do little work. If I could hang until the last lap I would have a chance to win.

Things started out well enough with the huge mass start. Cesar. Mark and I settled into a 3 man freight train. The course was fast and rolley with some climbs, a few of them sharp, short kickers. We stayed together and I had the speed to hang with them.

Mark just out of the picture. Cesar and I.

After about 2 laps we started to pass and drop geared guys from the pro/ semi-pro/ expert field that we started with. I was surprised. We were really flying. Our avg speed for the race was 15+ mph/ for 2 hrs!

The race at this point, was fast and we kept catching and dropping guys. The laps were counting down. 4-3-2.... I'm still there and not having any issues. My confidence was building that I would be there for the finish. At least keep it close...... really close. On the close of the 5th lap I put my left foot out to dab for balance in a loose turn and I got a monster locking cramp in my hamstring!!! Ouch!--totally out of nowhere. I could not get my foot locked back in, much less pedal, so I had to stop for a sec, shake it off and walk for 20-30 meters. In the mean-time, the boys were not slowing down and a few geared guys we had just passed went past me :(

I re-mounted and soft pedaled for a bit--then my legs felt ok? I thought drink! Oops out of water... I blew thru 1.5 ltrs in under 5 laps. Guess I was thirsty... Crap- I hit hyper-drive and gave it everything to close the gap. I re-passed a few guys that had gotten in front of me when I was stopped, so I knew I was going well--again. At this point, I didn't think catching up was possible and was racing for time and some pride on the last lap. I had the best race to date for the series. You can see the effort I'm putting out in the pic below.

Going for it on lap 5...

Well I'm glad to finish the series. It was a lot of work, with driving etc.... A big thanks to the CCCX crew Rod and Keith, Rick for the awesome photo's! Mark and Cesar for showing me what it's all about (these guys are no joke!) and forcing me to raise my game. I enjoyed it all, especially the beer at the finish!

Although the series is over, my mtb season is far from done. I'll be out there, mostly on the SS but with a few outings on the Superfly as well.

CCCX MTB 2008 Pro/Expert single speed overall podium...

L-R: Greg G.(4th) / Nick H.(3rd) / Mark H.(1st) / Cesar C.(2nd) /Erik T.(5th)

Rod working away.... Thanks!

In the end all were happy!

Beer!

CCCX Final

2008-06-30T14:45:00.000-07:00

Waiting for the podium call up... More pics and report soon! Good times...

Release of expectations....

2008-06-28T20:24:00.000-07:00

Today, I rode in the Headlands and it was super foggy. It's one of those days when you can't see even a 100 meters up the trail. Beside just enjoying the lack of scenery due to the fog it did provide a great filter for all the smoke from the wild fires that have been raging for the last week here in Cali....

I chose to not ride the last few days and stay out of the smokey haze. So.. needless to say, the ride, while what I really needed--was not to much fun. Of course, the espresso break was good and gave me a minute to reflect on the CCCX race on Sunday.

For the series, It's a dead heat for 1st place between Cesar and Mark. The best I can do is finish 3rd--even if I win. I'm going into this race with no expectations. The last 2 weeks training has been solid and anything can happen. I will give 100% and do what I can to win the day. But when it's all said and done, I can't be disappointed by my results thus far. Both of these guys are strong competitors and I have been close racing with them, in my first season in the Pro/Expert SS class.

While I have more mtb races to do this season, I'll be happy to finish the CCCX series. its been challenging and a lot of hard work.

Here's to great day of racing!!!

My new favorite place for a coffee stop in sausalito....

More like--monkey roast..

2008-06-22T14:48:00.000-07:00

HELL??

No... Lake Sonoma.

This picture best describes the last few days including the mtb race @ Lake Sonoma. We have been in the grips of a heat wave that was pretty impressive until today when nature's AC (fog) came back and cooled things back down.

ON Friday night I could not sleep at all, maybe 3.5 hrs. Getting up to go to the race on Sat morning I was in a pretty crappy mood. Geoff picked me up and we got there pretty fast. Once we reg'ed it was apparent the temps were already climbing over 80 and it was only a little after 8am! Oh going to be a hot one.

I did one sighting lap and tried not to cook myself, anywhere. 1 lap about 32 min. Not to bad...

I got a terrible start from the back of the group but by the time I was at the top before the dirt turnoff I was in around 5th and lead SS. I was a bit surprised I got such a good start and despite the heat thought I might have an ok race.

While on Geoff's wheel, barreling down the trail I hit a big root and burped almost all the air from my rear tire! I stepped aside and watched as guys flew past. Game over.

Just as well I guess anyway. Riders were dropping out left and right. Geoff did 2? laps and pulled out. I talked to this kid Cody who said "he pulled over in the shade" and "just threw up his raisin bran" felt bad for him, not an easy day for anyone.

When I got home I called Dan and we planned to meet @ 2pm and do Paradise. It was still hot but I need to get in some intensity and we ended up doing sprint workouts. It was good and I felt stronger sprinting than anytime so far this year.

I put in another 3 hours toady with the team which included many hard efforts (flats/ climbs) and my legs are sufficiently shattered. This weekend I set broke 2 PR times one a climb and other flat out speed test (not a sprint). I'm stronger, no doubt. Now its time to rest up and pre-pair for the CCCX Final.

1 Km T: 00:58 sec/ 56 kph--new PR

1 sec less, = about 2k faster avg speed and @ 489 avg PW.. Sweet.

Mr. Powerfiles out....

Monkey Business

2008-06-19T10:12:00.000-07:00

Lake Sonoma/ Bike Monkey course.

I am feeling somewhat recovered from the epic double this last weekend. I went on a spirited small ring only, Paradise loop with Dan and I felt much better around the 2hr mark.

This weekend I'm going to do the Bike Monkey race on Sat. I did a few races back when it was Billy Cross quite a while ago. The course is up and down the whole way and the heat can be tough if the temps climb over 80, which it had done in the past.

The picture below is from the last time I raced there, maybe 2001?? I was on my Bianchi SS w/ #777-- It turned out to not be so lucky on that day as after being in the lead for a couple of laps, I flatted and was out. It was one of those great weekends tho, as Brandon and I had camped out overnight and before leaving to go back to the city, plunged in the lake to escape the 95+ degree temps that beat down on us all day. Miss ya B.... Good times.

Man do I look goofy, weekend warror kit and silly 26" wheels--lol.....

Double-header madness....

2008-06-16T19:25:00.001-07:00

Pescadero Race Report.

Date: 6/14/08
Course: 2.7 Laps for a total of 75 miles. 3 times up the big finish hill climb.
Category: Elite 3
Field: 75
Teammates: Marc, Geoff, Josh, Scott, Hendrik

Place: 16th/ *T 3:26

This race was a total flop for me last year. I was having a bad time and got dropped on the 2nd ascent up Haskins and in so much pain I DNF'd. I vowed at that moment to get my shit together and return next year for a second crack at this classic Nor-cal road race.

Lap1: Things are fine, stayed near the front on Stage and the first time up Haskins Hill I was working pretty hard and hoping the legs would loosen up for the next round. It seemed like the climb took forever! 2K, 1K, ..... 200 meter. Phew!

Lap2: We lost Scott who couldn't get back on after his solo break and then later Marc and Geoff, who both put some time at/on the front. Josh was keeping thing lively at the front on the climbs and I tried to keep an eye on Hendrik. Going up Haskins (finish climb) I was right on Hendriks wheel and in the top 10. A small victory already since I dropped out at this point last year after getting dropped before the top of the climb.....

Lap3: So with the start of lap3 we were down to 3. We had planned to work for Hendrik and as we passed through the feed zone I was looking around for him while on Josh's wheel. By the time we got close to the base of the Haskins we were together for the most part and the group started to surge a bit. my legs were feeling heavy and I just tried to find a good gear and start TT'ing not to concerned with anyone until the 1K sign. I was riding through guys and thought I might be able to close down some riders. sure enough I rode past a few guys threw it in the big ring and had a hard sprint with some guy for what turned out to be 15th which he got me by a tire width, I even threw my bike but was just to tired to care.

I thought the team did a good job (Hendrik placed 6th). We tried to up the pace on the Stage climb a few times and it strung things out. Good.. Bad... not sure. I do know only 53 of 75 finished so it wasn't easy by any means!

I managed a small victory by just finishing and with a decent 16th place only 30 some seconds off the leaders. Not bad for a guy who has had a crappy track record in road races. All the mtb is paying dividends! Which bring us to the next ball buster....

CCCX #8 Ft. Ord
Date: 6/15/08
Course: 5 Laps for a total of 26 miles.

Category: Pro/ Expert SS
Teammate: Geoff in Expert (geared)

Place: 3rd/ *T 1:46

A little pre-race recon

I was really tired from the road race but determined to follow though with the plan. I knew if I could get though both races it would be a fantastic building block going into the Series final in 2 weeks. I did about 3 laps easy and almost missed the start. It was right on time no delay! that was a little close. Anyway I got to the line and we took off in short order.

We got started with the Pro/semi- pro again and yah! the sweet draft on the long pavement until dropping onto the dirt. I managed a good position and once on the first climb, drilled it to move up. That worked and I felt pretty good for the first lap. Going through the finish area I could see Mark up ahead and just tried to keep on the gas. Cesar was right behind and chasing also. On the downhill run into the final climb section, I overshot the course and had to turn around and lost out on some lead I had on Cesar--he was now on my ass. We hit the climb and he slowly scooted away. Oh man.... Well I put my head down but the legs were feeling non-existent. Not too painful--just not there.

Chasing..... Chasing... Chasing.....

Starting lap 3, all of a sudden the legs started working and I picked up speed and started to feel better. I figured I better down all the food I had and start clearing out the hydration pak.

On lap 4, I started to get passed by some of the expert age group guys but slowly, one at a time. 1....2.. hung on his wheel for a while. Coates caught me but he didn't get away to fast to my surprise--either he was tired or I was going pretty well. I figured he must have been tired cuz I felt like crap! I kept expecting to see Keith come around at any moment but not to be. I kept my head down and drilled it home for 3rd.

Geoff manned up for the double as well, good on ya!

Got to give a big up to Geoff for doing the double! I know it hurt but it will make you stronger! I promise :) this was round 8 of 9 for the series. 2 weeks to go for the final and I hope the investment will pay off later for the final. I have been close with two 2nds and feel I can win but Cesar and Mark are great competitors and no slouches, so to beat them will take some strength, mental toughness and luck!

Mr. CCCX (Rod) enjoying my 29er :)

After the race drops (2/9) for the series it looks like I will be in 3rd for the overall unless I have a real bad day/ DNF. Its my first year of doing a full mtb season and I can't be disappointed with the results thus far. But... man do I want to win the Final. Even if I did win I don't think it would effect the overall but I really would feel better about the 3rd overall..... We'll have to wait and see.

Cesar! Your beer looks pretty dam good right now....

Mr. powerfiles..... out...

CCCX #7 Ft Ord

2008-06-02T10:12:00.001-07:00

Central Coast Round #7
Pro/ Expert SS
3rd place

I was looking forward to returning to Ft Ord for Rd #7. I still had a grip on 2nd for the series and planned to just go for it from the gun. Both Mark and Cesar were present, it has been a good battle between the 3 of us for the most of the series. Up to this point they have been getting the better me although I did managed two 2nd places.

We lined up and got our own start this time. So I just drilled it up the pavement and onto the single track. I managed to stay in the lead for about 2 laps with only the duo on my wheel. I sat up and took a breather and it wasn't to long before I started to loose ground. My legs were all loaded up and not coming back quick enough. They put a small gap into me that I maintained for about another lap but with 2 to go (of 6 laps) they were out of sight.

Crap... Well I was taking a chance going from the gun but I need to try something. it didn't work but I ended up on the podium in any case so not so bad. There are 2 races left in the series and I will do everything I can to up the anty, especially for the final as it holds extra points.

Working hard!

On the solo chase..

Mid week fun!

2008-05-29T21:43:00.000-07:00

On Thursday I had planned to go to the port ride but then I heard about a new short track mtb series put on by Summit Bicycles up in San Rafael. I grabbed the Superfly and went to check it out. After the start up the hill in the picture here, It was a big hour glass shaped course around two peaks on the hilltops with a bumpy loose downhill, a long pavement climb and a shorter but very steep dirt climb. Technical and fast.

It was a cool vibe. Lots of kids and they seemed pretty stoked to be there. For the (A) group there was a decent turnout of 8-9 guys for a first time, grassroots series. The race is in a park that amoung other things--has a skatepark. Very cool! I might have to bring the board sometime and hit the bowls. I don't remember a time when there were so many choices for rides/ races in this area. I managed a 5th place and it was fun. Good times.....

Tamarancho MTB race:

2008-05-26T13:26:00.000-07:00

I ended up not going to CCCX on Sat. I don't know what was going on but I was not feeling myself. I'm not very forgetful, yet I had to go back to my house twice to get stuff I forgot. I was just not feeling good and sort of edgy. As I write this my stomach is not a happy camper. Maybe I ate some bad food or something? I dunno... There are 2 throw out races (of 9) for the CCCX series so it won't make a huge difference in the overall. However, I did want to race at Toro park again. Last round was hard but fun.

Expert/ 3 laps of a 5 mile loop with over a third of a lap being very technical narrow single track... Tree dodging fun big time. Sunday I was feeling better and decided to go up to Fairfax in Marin to do the Tamarancho race. This was my second ride/ first race on the Superfly.

There was no pre-riding the course so while I new it would be technical, I was going in sight unseen. Pro /Expert started together and was a undulating/ downhill fire road start--hectic for sure. Some guy piled it right in front of me. I had to stop to avoid running him over. The top 15 or so guys were in full sprint. Crap.....

The trail started to get faster and I started passing guys to move up as far as possible before the single track. Which I managed to accomplish. The switchbacks and roots provided plenty of excitement and the narrow (2 feet or less) paths necessitated using the "Force" to stay on the trail. Failure to do so, had you off the trail and down the slope of the hill.

I was moving up and passing guys . On the 2nd lap I was playing yo-yo with a friend Keith that I usually race against on the SS. I figured we could tag team and on lap 3 and have some fun. On one of the steep switchbacks I shifted to the 34T and the chain went into the wheel and jammed!!! Oh SHIT. There was hardly enough room to stand on the side of the trail to fix my bike. I ended up having to pull out the wheel and un-jam the chain.... Knowing I was in the top 10 while fixing my chain issue and losing 5 places sucked. 3 of those I made up before the end but was having a tough time afterwards as the shifting was not working to well. Later I found out I smacked the derailleur on a rock or something cuz it was scratched and the hanger was/ is bent! Probley why it over shifted into the wheel.......

I finished somewhere around the top 10. The results were all messed up and I didn't want to wait around to see if I was 10th or whatever?? I did a time of about 1:24 which was decent especially having not ridden any real technical single track at speed recently. Dispite everything, the Superfly was awesome and with a little more dialing I see some super-fun races in my future.

HR avg171/ max 186/ 3 laps-25km

Lake Lagunitas

2008-05-19T22:54:00.001-07:00

Rubbish....

BHRR and other news.....

2008-05-14T22:49:00.000-07:00

Whats left of the M1/2/3 field on I believe lap 3.... I'm tucked away in the middle (white helmet)

The registered field was 56 I think it ended up being more like something just over 40 guys. It has been 2 years since the last time I did this race and it was as a Elite 4 (3 laps). My track record with road races, no matter what category hasn't been that stellar. On the climbs is where I was suffering and getting popped in past races. Well, this year I decided to revert to "old school" Nick. When I rode my SS mtb in the late 90's I was a good climber especially for my size. This is the basis of my training this year. It seems to be working. I finished Wente RR and placed 23rd @ Berkley Hills. I stayed with the main group and think I would have finished with them if we hadn't gotten split with the E3 field. On the last lap a was in a group of guys (8-9) guys and we worked together well all the way down San Pablo Dam Rd. but once on the rollers the impetus had left the group. 23rd place is a small victory for me and confirms to me, that I am on the right track training wise. Cyclocross in only 5? months away ya know....

HR Data for Berkley Hills 158 avg--

On Wednesday I did a 4hr mtb ride out to Mt Tam. super hot temps and nobody out. I had the trails all to myself. after the beat down on Sunday I was surprised I felt as good as I did for this ride. My recovery time is improving! Maybe its all the extra veggies I ate this week? Who knows :)

http://29ercrew.com/author/nhanni/

Cat's Hill Classic

2008-05-05T13:46:00.001-07:00

E3/ Place: 28th/ 60+
20 Laps

Well this was the second time for me doing this race. I did it once before 2 years ago but as a E4 and we only did 12 laps. This time as a E3, we got to do 20 laps. I went into this race feeling prepared and confidant that the hill wouldn't cause me any worries. Josh and Tyron were in the race, as well as, Andy/ James/ Cullen/ Henrick were in the E4 race. Pretty good team presence.

I felt good for this race especially on the hill. I made a huge effort to stay near the front and was doing fine until around 3 to go when things got messy. I ended up getting out of position and with 1 lap to go I was in the group but couldn't really get out to GO. Legs good no real estate however. At this point I would have just drilled it to string things out and take whatever placing I ended up with. Sometimes I just want to kick guys out of the way. I've been a little to conservative in the last few crit races when it counts. This will change I just need a few more races under my belt. The biggest disappointment was I felt I had a good sprint in my legs and I wanted to see what I had. Oh well next time.....

Josh and I hanging in...

It was good to see some familiar faces from CX (Aron and Jordi among others) mixing it up. So this Sunday is Berkley Hill RR. Once again I did this race 2 years ago as a E4 and this time around... GULP I'll be in the M 1/2/3. 77 miles. I do what I can to finish with the lead group or at least just finish!

See you on the start line!

Oh ya... the hill. No problem--

Mid-week assignment.

2008-05-02T13:00:00.000-07:00

Hill Repeats were the order of the day for my mid week tuneup, in preperation for Cat's Hill this coming Saturday. Well, living in SF gives me a lot of choices to find a good hill to simulate the climb. I ended up with the last bit of Argulleo before hitting the Presideo. The 3's race is 20 laps. So I did 24 laps of a one block loop. Felt pretty good for the most part. I got over 1000 wts twice in the last few and hit a max wts per/kg of 14+. We'll see how it goes on Sat!

Wente Vineyards Classic weekend.....

2008-04-30T09:54:00.000-07:00

Saturday 4/26

Wente Classic Road Race

Elite 3/ 66 miles=5 laps/ *T 02:52

Field 100/ 34th place

Teammates: Josh, Marc, Raymond

After 5 weeks of mostly mtb races I was feeling strong but really needed a R&R week. I have done the RR @ Wente before but in the 4's, 2 yrs ago! This time it would be an extra lap and a very large and competitive 3's field to contend with. Coming off a rest week, I knew this would be a tough challenge but was willing to do the best I could. My cardio/endurance is good but I was worried about losing my legs before the end. I planned to do what I could to help out my teammates if in a position to do so.

Well.. first lap, no problems. Second lap still OK. On the third lap a large break of around 12-15 guys were getting away on the backside of the course and nobody was chasing. I spoke to Marc and he felt as I did, that something needed to be done. So he took off to close it down. Only one guy went with him. I was near the front and felt good so I decided bridge to Marc and help out. I caught on to the break right as we headed down onto the long windy start straight. Pheww!

From there things get a little fuzzy. The pace picked up somewhat and I focused on staying with the front group. 3rd time up the climb and I was a bit more tired but still felt ok. Scotty was doing a fine job of water boy and I reloaded.

On the 4th lap things started to thin out and I stayed with the surges and had to close a lot of small gaps as riders popped, also while passing other race traffic. It was then after looking around and not seeing any teammates that I realized I was alone in the group. As we hit the climb for the 4th time I was starting to feel my legs a bit and I couldn't shift into my 25t cog, crap... Stuck in the 23! I could have used that last cog.....

I get over the climb, I'm in with the lead group and actually feel good. Legs were feeling a bit suspect but I thought I would make it to the finish. As we wrap up the last lap and head onto the final climb I was hit with the realization I might finish with the lead group! This would be a huge improvement for me. If my legs would let me I had a good chance at a high placing. As I looked around guys were tired, I still felt good although my legs started to seize up :( with about 1.5 km to go they locked up and I had to stop and walk a bit. I was soooo pissed! I got back on my bike, rode until half-way up the steepest climb---had to stop again, walk, re-mount and speed to the finish.

Not a pretty finish, but I finished. what I took away from this race was some confidence that my climbing prowess is coming back and that IMHO I read/ rode the race well. I was placed right where I needed to be for the finale. The crit was the next day and figured I would feel better after this beat down. Damm rest week....

Sunday 4/27 Wente Classic Criterium

Elite 3/ 50 min Field 100~/ 74th place Teammates: Scott, Tyron, Josh

This course is a super wide open Nascar type deal. I have raced here once before. I like the course for the most part. Although Botts Dotts seem to be in all the wrong places. This would be the first time racing a crit with Josh and Tryon since they both upgraded and I was looking forward to it.

I was active in the race and felt good. Legs were not 100% recovered from the road race but OK. Scott and Josh were in the mix as well and things were going well. Once the 5 to go card was shown there was a slowdown, then a fast lap. then 3 to go. This is where my lack of crit racing surfaced.

I really mis-cued the last 2 laps and got boxed in. It didn't help that guys were all over the place trying to find holes to go through as the pack slowed and spread across the entire road! I was OK and willing to just drill it fr whatever place but could not get through like many others. After 2 guys almost swept my front wheel I threw in the towel and coasted across the line in the rears.

ah crits, I like the speed but I need a few more to get my timing back. On a positive note I felt good after the beat down on Sat. Best of all, after a mid-race flat, my teammate Andy won his race in the 4's right after our race with Hendrick in the top 10 and James not far behind. Those boys did a fine job.

It was great to be flying the Fusion colors again and I'm fired up for Cats Hill this weekend. Off to do hill repeats and then massage!

Ride the big ring, it's your friend.

Mtb ride pictures from the week...

2008-04-21T14:54:00.000-07:00

29er parking

The top of...

East Peak...

Mt Tam 360 view...

Good ole' Miwok trail.

Not the most technical of rides but good climbs and descents. Fun stuff-- not to mention the views from the headlands on a nice day.

Lot has happened this week....

2008-04-18T18:30:00.000-07:00

Napa Valley Dirt Classic.

One lap/ 22 miles. *T 01:40:44

Expert SS-- 2nd Place

It has "classic" in the name for a reason. The climb out of Pope Valley, towards the end of the race, is very steep(up to 20%) and unrelenting. I did this race last year, got 3rd and I did a 1:45 time. I struggled on the big climb and was so worked I got cramps--walking. This year was a different story.

There were 12 of us in Expert and 25 in Sport/ Open Single Speed which started as one wave. This was a huge group and the bottleneck to the trail was going to be a challenge. I got the hole shot, was first onto the trail and drilled it till past the airport. Fantastic! I ended up drawing two guys out of the group. Then, on the rolling open section before the single track a few of the geared women who I had passed earlier on the climb came rolling by (with what ended up as the 1st plc SS) tagging along. I was recovering from the start effort and it took me a second to realize the SS guy was in tow. Right before the technical single track he got in front of the now 4 person group of pro/ expert women and I never saw him again. It was so tight, I got by where I could w/o taking any of the other riders out.

I had a good race, never cramped and was able to run the steepest parts of the climb. I had so much traffic in the single track, I'm pretty sure it lost me about a minute. There was a guy on my wheel for a while and I managed to distance myself from him right after I almost took a detour in the wrong direction. So from there I rode my own race and picked guys off til the end. After the finish I noticed that my rear tire was almost flat! (turned out the sealant was all dried up). LUCKY! I shaved 5 minutes from last year and had no cramps even with the 80+ degree temps. If I had been in pro SS-- my time would have been 3rd. Shit Barry Wicks showed up and schooled the field with a time of 1:23!! Hey... only gave up 21 minutes w/ 1 gear LOL...

The Headlands have been treating me well. More Miwok intervals in the near future.

Then Tuesday... and shit hits the fan.....

Long story short. I'm unemployed, not by choice and so its job hunting time. This week has been a blur. I did an EPIC ride on Wednesday. My prescription for stress relief was a Mt. Tam round-trip with the headlands on the way home. About 48 miles--on the single speed. The Tam climb alone is long, I set a new PR for the climb up railroad 45:53--about 3 min faster then 2 months ago. Then I got to enjoy the great weather. I hung out for about 25 minutes or so. It was a special day. See for yourself.....

What a view!!

I call it... PERSPECTIVE.

So here it is Friday. I got out and did a solo Paradise loop on the road bike. Shoot I managed to PR the Camino Alto climb and the TT loop. Kinda surprised myself. In the last 2 weeks I'm feeling stronger and my knee isn't bothering me as much.... It's really let me do some better training. the pic is from today. This picture doesn't seem real. the fountain in the background looks photo-shopped in, but its not.

Sausalito coffee break.

Game on...

2008-04-11T23:04:00.001-07:00

Napa valley dirt classic this weekend. I'm fired up especially after getting my 29er care package. Bring it...

Yes it was a wall....

2008-04-07T16:59:00.001-07:00

Talking about the pain to come.....

CCCX #5 Toro Park was a smakdown of a race. I had never ridden here before and I was really glad I brought my 20T cog. I switched out the gear and proceeded to do a warmup lap. The pavement "wall" I had heard so much of was indeed a wall. There was a telling sign at the bottom of the hill that stated "steep grade use low gear" ya that's for sure.

The above sawtooth graph was from an earlier race. We did the climb 5 times, something like 840+ feet per lap. I have to say I was not really to pre-paired for this race. A 21T cog would have made life a bit easier--Just a little. The course as indicated was an up and down affair. The downhill was fast and technical, very cool. For this reason I did a second lap to get a better look at the decent because there were a lot of places to get into trouble.

Pro/ Semi Pro Men and SS start...

I managed to barley cling onto the Pro leaders over the top of the wall. Howie was there also and a bit further ahead so I gathered myself after a flogging and set in for a very tough race. The rest of the climb was somewhat rolling but up. there was only one more steep pitch maybe 40-50 meters at the top before you headed down the roller coaster descent.

Lap 2, I am more focused on riding smart and not to sure where anyone is. The field had blown apart pretty fast. after the second time up the wall I could see Howie up the road. OK I had him in my sights. I figured at worst I would hold the time gap or at best I would make up time on the down hill. This bike goes downhill very fast and handles like a scalpel. 29er's rule!

OK lap3 I am not sure at this point if I am going to finish the race at all. I was starting to get cramp twinges on the last lap and although I was feeling good the legs were in question. I did everything I could to manage the on-set of cramps. Move up, back, drop the heels, toes down, anything I could to spread the work around and give different muscles a break when they started to complain.

Across the finish line on lap 4, I felt better. After getting over the wall I had a GU, drank alot and my second wind came from nowhere. I was able to pick up the tempo and started to catch and pass geared guys on my way to the top. Phew! downhill and one more to go.

Last lap and I'm feeling remarkably better and in 2nd place. Rod shouts at me "Howie is only a minute ahead, your closing!" Wow. I thought if I can get over the wall w/o cramping I might have a chance to pull him back. I think I was a bit faster than most on the downhill, the motocross skills were paying dividends in this race for sure.

Photo by Rick

It was a downhill Disneyland... Hi Rick!

Last lap and I manage the wall....barely. OK I just need to finish. I kept the pace high all the way to the final pitch and once over the top. It was W.F.O. to the bottom with a sprint for time to the finish. Overall it was 37.6 km/ **T 01:48:03/ avg HR 172, max 189 and 5 very hard climbs. It was a well earned 2nd place and this will no doubt help me to get stronger for the upcoming race in Napa next week, the Napa Valley Dirt Classic.

CCCX Toro Park Google Earth map.

Few pics from last weekend

2008-04-04T08:35:00.000-07:00

Chasing Mark, who won our battle.... this time.

Crossing the start/ finish with 1 lap to go...

This is the future....

2008-04-02T19:54:00.001-07:00

My sister had her second kid about a week ago, a boy. His name is Dylan Jay (sweet.. DJ) the pic is of my nice Tara. She is finally big enough to fit a bike so I didn't hesitate to promptly swoop over to visit the new nephew and bring what every kid wants... a shiny new bike all their own.

The look on her face was indeed PRICELESS. I hope it will bring Tara as much joy as the look on her face brought to me. Of course a new bike wouldn't be complete without a new helmet to boot! Pretty in pink, complete with bunnies.

**insert warm fuzzy feeling here**

Peace out......

Wild, Wild... West.

2008-03-31T14:48:00.000-07:00

A big weekend of racing for sure...

Saturday...I hit the Ronde Crit riding in the Masters 1/2/3 and it was a suffer-fest. Super windy and a very high pace had me gasping for air. I hadn't done my normal "day before opener" opting for extra rest leading into the weekend and even with a solid 45 min warm up day of, I was blown out the back 1/2 way into the race. This was not how I wanted to have it go down for my first crit of the season. On the other hand it seemed a perfect tune-up for the mtb race the next day and besides, more than half of the field got blown out as well-- not a slow race at all.

Sunday--I drove down to Monterey with plenty of time to dilly-dally around and be social before hand. While I was hanging talking to Rod, I noticed that a Sport and Spine rider had blown off his front tire not far from where the start finish is. I had time, so I ran over to see if I could help lend a hand and get him back into the race. I helped him pop a tube in his tire etc... and he was back in it. Ahh warm fuzzy feeling, it seemed like a good way to start the day....

I did a full lap at an easy pace and put the new course together in my head. The layout was similar but different in a few important ways. The looong 1/4 mile drag strip was cut in half (yes!) and a long flat/ downhill section was added that was fun. The climbs were reconfigured and while most were easier where placed, the CCCX boys threw in a doosy with the two biggest climbs linked together ouch. That smarts... there were also a couple new deep sandy parts that were fun. Sand not a problem surfing with the 29er!

Anyway, we lined up with the Pro/ Semi-Pro men. I got a good start and managed to latch onto a fast moving group once on the dirt and was happy to be hanging on. I had the lead for the SS's at this point but closing down on the 1st lap was Mark, who had been chasing, bridged to my group. Five of us ended up riding a very fast dirt crit for the next 2 laps. I felt great and honestly was stoked to be where I was and going as quick as we were. Immediately I knew I was poised to have a fantastic race. Nothing hurt and my breathing was steady. It looked like it was going to come down to the last lap for the race between Mark, who won round #3, and myself.

Sure enough, while starting the final lap our group of 5 broke apart, some behind and some up front. Mark extended his advantage on the climbs to where he was no longer in sight. With a half a lap to go I focused on getting over the double climb (almost cramped) and then TT it to the finish and at this point, racing for time.

I had a great race. The course was the longest yet, we did 5 laps of 10 km/ 50km total. My avg speed was high at 24.7 kph. I finished 2nd and limited my time loss (1:22) to Mark who put just over 4 minutes into me last round. Cesar who won the first 2 and came in second last round, had a rough day and I am expecting him to come back strong and motivated for round #5 next week. It looks as it will be a battle down to end for the series overall between the 3-4 of us. Miles who rode well for rnds 1/2 didn't show for the last 2 rounds. While not out of the hunt, he has slipped in the overall and might need some wins to climb back into the top 3. It's going to be a good show.

No pics yet, I'll post some if they crop up.....

Please visit the Fisher site via the Twenty-9 and other logo's from my blog.

Thanks~

And he goes back for the wind up....

2008-03-25T09:03:00.000-07:00

This last weekend was a fantastic one for riding. I managed to get out Sat before work for an hour and a half but Sunday was the biggie. 132 km 4:45 and lots of climbing with a low gear of 42X25... ouch. I had planned on a big ride but not as big as it turned out to be and got my $$ worth. I rode with Brad and Marc and we rode strong pretty much the whole way.

The ride started at the bridge and took the usual route up to Fairfax over White's and past Nacsiao out to Pt. Reys. We then rode up the coast (hwy 1) till the Bo-Fax intersection and proceed up. This is 3 hr's into the ride. The climb took me 25:12 @ 300wts. I barley hung on to Brad on the way up, which for me is an improvement. The mtb has really been helping with my speed uphill. After all was said and done I was out for the count after a cheeseburger and beer for 3.5 hrs. HA! Here is the Powertap data....

Coming up this weekend is a smakdown of racing for me. First is the Ronde Crit on Sat, which directly after I have to bolt to work. Then I drive down to Ft Ord for the CCCX #4 MTB race. The course should be the same for the most part. Someone posted a cool course map on Motion Based. We did 5 laps last round. Should be a very hard race once again. I managed to move up into 2nd overall for the series and although we get 2 drops out of 9 races I would rather drop my 2 lowest placings than miss any races....

Zamora RR

2008-03-16T12:22:00.000-07:00

Course: 10 mile lap/ 5 laps
Category: Elite 3
Field: 100
Teammate: Brad

Place: 23rd

Much like the burrito... the race today completely blew apart. The wind was the deciding factor for this race. 30+ mph gusts shattered the 100 strong field in the first lap. I managed to stay in the lead group until the end of the 3rd lap. I made a bad tactical error by dropping back to help pull Brad back to the group after he wandered off the road. I felt OK and he wasn't to far back so what the heck? Big mistake. I worked too hard leading to the base of the KOM and popped off and had to chase back after the climb. I did get back and things were OK until after the long, super windy front straight. What was left of the lead group started to break apart and I was to far back and had to jump gaps in the wind. I was left to chase for the remaining 2 laps TT style, pulling a few guys around. I was just wanting to finish as it was my first road event of 08 and all the while I could see the lead pack just up ahead. I held out if I could maintain a good avg speed I might close on the group fighting to stay out of the wind and catch riders popping off the back. That is what ended up happening and I rode myself into 23rd place. Given the circumstances and the 50% attrition rate I'll take it.

Start of the 3rd lap, cold and windy!!

CCCX Round 3

2008-03-04T18:29:00.001-08:00

Even the car had fun...

Well I finished 3rd... again. Not bad but I was hoping for a higher result. I changed my gearing and felt pretty good going into the weekend. The course was the same as the last round and while I ended up in the same placing, I cut 2+ min off the course time. Mark Howland showed up and took the win with Ceasar in 2nd. The opening laps were great as we started with the Pro/ Semi-Pro men, which worked great and the 3 of us rode with the lead pack until the long.... pavement section where the geared bikes took off and it was a 3 way battle until 2 to go. I started to fade a bit on the short climbs and rode it in for 3rd solo. The time gaps to 1st/2nd were smaller than ever so there is improvement there. It did move me into 2nd overall for the 9 race series. I'll spice it up for round #4 in a few weeks..

Check out this course!!! 7 miles long/ 5 laps T* 1:57

Oh the Monday ride...

2008-02-27T20:19:00.000-08:00

Comedic ramblings in the presence of Tam.

Chillin Out

2008-02-24T09:55:00.000-08:00

The Pacific Ocean.....

The last 2 weeks took it's toll on me (school and racing) and I really needed a to take this last week easy and recharge. Lucky me the weather has been shitty, so it makes it easier to put my feet up and relax. I am having to work alot more on getting my "core" strength/ flexibility back after hurting my knee. My fitness seems to come back fast and that's really whats been keeping me in the game, so to speak....

I made some gearing changes to the SS and am planning to do CCCX #3 next Sat. I might even be nutty enough to do the Merco RR the following day if I'm not to torn up. We'll see...

Get out and ride you bike!

CCCX part 2

2008-02-18T23:31:00.000-08:00

Pics by: Rick

Round 2-- 3rd place

I went down to Ft. Ord again this last weekend for the CCCX #2 mtb race. I'll keep it short. It was a hard course, much longer than #1 and with a 1/4 mile + pavement drag which on the SS was a bitch. I got in front of Ceasar and Miles on the first lap but once on the pavement they both passed me rolling away.... I did some gear ratio research later and found out I was a bit short compaired to what they were running but I think with the knee rehab, It's all I can push at the moment on the hills. In the next few weeks I think I'll be able to put a bigger gear on, we'll see.....

This was the hardest race I can remember doing in a long while and I was really glad it was over. we went 4 laps and my time was 1:59? OUCH--Ya that like 2 back to back CX races!! Have to say that the bike is working great and getting better. I'm sure with some more time on it, the bike will get better.

Big thanks to CCCX (Keith and Rod) for a challanging course and the rest of the riders for showing up on what started out like a nice day and then turned into a dark and cold/ blustery afternoon....

Trying not to loose my lunch....

Got your 411 right here....

2008-02-15T20:14:00.000-08:00

CCCX #1 Pro/ Expert Single Speed

--3rd Place--

Last weekend I traveled down to Ft. Ord for the first round of the CCCX mountian bike series. After riding most of the cyclocross races there I knew it would be a blast with some bigger tires and suspention.

New for this year I am getting some support for the single speed racing from Fisher. I recived a nice new Fisher rig 29er on the Wed. before the race and managed to get it set up in time with some help from my buddy Sal. Kit should be along shortly......

23.5 lbs. -- very nice setup....

I have a few things left to do but out of the box this is a fantastic bike. It handles better than the last two 29er SS's I have had (a 2006 Rig and a Bianchi Rita). I guess the geomerty has been changed for 2008, it works.... well! The addation of a switch from a Rock Shox Reba to a Fox F29 fork also was a huge improvement. Not that any of the other bikes were "bad" it's just that this one is really so much improved. I am very impressed.

As for the race it I feel it went well. We started at the back with the Expert 19-34 age group instead of dead last which was good. It was a pavement start and once onto the dirt I was in a good position somewhere in the top 20 in our combined field. Before crossing the finsih line where the 5 lap countdown would start we had to ascend what I would say was the main climb. Once on the climb I drilled it and passed quite a few guys including all the SS. So first time across the finish line I was 1st SS. I stayed ahead for a while but as soon as I need a short break to recover Ceasar and Miles caught me right at worst time. They got a gap on me and I kept them in sight for 2+ laps but could not close. with 1st/ 2nd out of sight and 2 lpas to go I focused on keeping the speed up and peadling everwhere. On the last half of the 4th lap I started to catch Miles but Ceasar was nowhere in to be seen. I finally made it up to Miles and passed him going across the finish line, now on the penutamte lap. I stepped it up and drilled it through the tight singletrack hoping to get a gap I could hold till the fast downhill. It worked for a while but just when it really mattered, on the 2nd to last tough climb, Miles caught me and attacked. I tried to respond but the legs were starting to cramp and there was still one more big climb to go. I dug deep and gambled I might catch him on the final climb and outrun him to the finish.

NOPE....

Miles rode strong and the gap was close... 8 sec close but with only one gear you end up waiting for someone to make a mistake and he did well not to. I was happy with 3rd and my cardo fitness was really good (avg 182) and a max of 196 (haven't seen that in a while). With some time on the bike and more hill repeats I am confindent a win is within my grasp sometime this season.

Sunset driving home after the race up Hwy 1

This Sunday is CCCX #2 again @ Ft. Ord. I have had some good training this week, dispite school kicking my ass, so we'll see how it goes. A strong motivator for me is the fact that if you compare times to the Pro/ Semi-Pro times, I would have been in 6th.

O.F.G.

Awsome rain ride with the Fox

2008-01-27T20:22:00.000-08:00

I rode out to Mill Valley and met up with Andy at Peets. We then rode up Railroad Grade to the top and barreled down Eldredge Grade to Phoenix Lake. We got a little rained on but not to bad. The temps stayed decent and I didn't freeze my nads off--

My total ride time ended up being 3:40/ 75 km avg HR 144. Good stuff. I am looking forward to the 2008 season. I'm planning on doing a bit more off road racing than last year. Big fun...

A happy Fox with Tam in the background....

Almost at the top. What a view!

OK time for the raincoat--and the fun part---the descent!

These boys do like playing in the dirt :)

Good time was had by all!

Kiss - Love Gun

2008-01-26T19:17:00.001-08:00

Just Because-

YUP KISS rules

New year- new toys!

2008-01-19T19:00:00.001-08:00

The new TT Rig is almost complete. Should be rolling in a few more weeks. New for 2008- I am planning to do as many TT Events as possible. It's shaping up pretty good so far.

Top of the morning.

2008-01-19T07:32:00.001-08:00

Warm coffee,long early bike ride before work, no cars on the city streets, PRICELESS

Storm Warning

2008-01-06T21:02:00.000-08:00

The Scott/ Ritchey team in full effect....

CCCX #7 Final

Location: Ft. Ord

Place: 12th /// 10th in the Series Overall.

Week long storm warnings had it looking like it might be a wet' in wild' ride down south. The weather decided to give us a break last Sunday and the conditions were really pretty epic. Although at the same day camp area, the CCCX guys setup a really cool course for the final.

Tim and I got there with time to spare. We hooked up with Jesse and did some pre-riding of the course.

Fast and furious log dismount..

I had a decent day and placed 12th which moved me up into 10th overall for the series. I do feel that my fitness is coming back, to bad the CX season is winding down. I had an OK season given the injury and feel lucky to not have messed myself up any worse than turned out to be. Huge thanks to the entire "A" field and the CCCX / Pilarcitos crew for a great season of racing.

See you out on the road!

Proper way to end a series final!

Umm... Ya. What a day

2008-01-01T20:31:00.000-08:00

Pic by Lorri

Start of the first wave----- San Bruno Hill Climb

I hadn't planned on going to this race, unless I got home reasonably early from the nights festivities. I did sort-of (@1am) and somehow managed to get out of bed by 8am. I pulled out the road bike and renewed my licence quick and dirty style on the Internet and ran out the door barley getting an espresso down.

I rode out to Brisbane through Downtown and did a nice TT down 3rd Street, all the way to Bayshore. I got there faster than I had thought, with time to spare! I had never ridden this race much less up the dam hill. I was't expecting anything great, I just wanted to finish and go ride for a few hours after.

I got off to a slow start and it took me awhile for the legs to open up. The pace was quick right from the go. I ended up in the wind alot and picked up the pace when I started feeling better just getting into the upper part before the park. It was there I started to reel-in and pass guys that had started to hard and were popping left and right. I kept up a good tempo alternating between out of the saddle and seated climbing. Not knowing the climb made it hard to manage when to tempo and when to turn it up.

There was a big turnout and the sun was shining. It was however, very windy and got worse as you neared the top. I don't know how I finished, just that I did....(uh just checked results, T19:02 good for 12th). The desent was a blast and the return trip on 3rd St. was on hit--hardly any traffic!

I went home quick and headed off to ride for a bit more, out to Corta Madera for some coffee. When it was all said and done, I ended up riding for 4 hours/ 100km.

Phew... Nap time....

Definitely the biggest New Years Day I've had in quite a while.

Good way to start 2008....

Peace on Earth...

2007-12-25T13:28:00.001-08:00

And all that jazz....

What a fantastic day for a bike ride.....

2008 right around the corner and I wish the best to all....

"Weekend Update"

2007-12-23T14:34:00.001-08:00

OK... I'm a little behind on the posting....

Last weekend was CCCX #6 AKA " Barrier Palooza". I got a slow start but moved up here and there on the opening lap. First time over the double log jump and I ran into trouble. I was a bit sideways going over the first log and my right foot un-clipped and I had no time to do anything other than bite it, on the second log while lying in 10th? or so. I tagged my right knee and it was tender but OK. I got passed by a few riders then ratcheted it back up and passed a few guys back. Once into a decent rhythm, a lap or so later, I stacked on the tricky single uphill barrier (which I was making every time up until then). Up again and I am motivated now to just stay on the lead lap. Then... I stopped to help out a rider who was face down in the dirt. I have to admit after that, I had a hard time focusing on the race and just wanted it to be over. I haven't hopped any barriers all year, so really, I was doing pretty well and feeling good for the most part. I finished 15th.

This Saturday I went to race in Livermore. I was looking forward to a good day and the conditions were fantastic. Tacky, sunny and cool. I met up with Cody and Jesse and rode some laps for warm up. Cody did a fantastic job finishing 3rd in the B race right before our event.

Some nice conversation before the start with Jesse...

Then it all goes horribly wrong..

Yup.. that's me #104 picking myself up from hitting the deck.... hard. At least I managed to fall on my left and have a whole new set of bruises. Ugh......

I not sure why I fell. My foot wasn't stuck and it was if the bike washed the front out from under me as I unweighted while dismounting. when I got up, abit slowly, I noticed that my front wheel was jammed on the brake pad, sudo-tacoed and a broken spoke on the rear...

GAME OVER

I would have stayed to watch Jesse race but I had to be at work right after the race, so I packed up and jetted off to work. Jesse ended up winning the race. Congrats bro! So... bad day for me but a great day for the Scott/ Richey team. This year has not been kind to me at all but I'll keep plugging away at the remanding races in the next few weeks.

Well I had already planned out a big mtb ride for today and I was looking forward to a fun SS ride after my poop race day. I got up this morning and had some pretty sore muscles. Nobody else managed to make it, so I rode a shortened version of the original plan. I went out to Mill Valley, had coffee and then rode up to East Peak Tam coming home the same way.

View from the top looking out at the City....

With the weather so nice, I had to stop and take a few pic's. The ride ended up being 3.5 hrs/ 70km. I wasn't really tired, just banged up from yesterday. I'm glad I rode the shorter ride! Ahh nap time...

Heading home a little tired but feeling good....

Nice to end the last week on this....
A happy holidaze to all!

BASP Finals

2007-12-10T19:50:00.000-08:00

and we're off......

Pilarcitos Bay Area Super Prestige Series Final @ CCCP Coyote Pt.

Place: 36th

Well I had a better race than Sat. but I still don't quite have enough fitness to recover quick enough after the start and I fell back until I could recover and settle into a TT pace with sprints thrown in here and there..

I ended up have a good race in the end battling it out with a nice chap (Erik), getting ahead in the sprint to the line....

A somewhat lackluster weekend of racing but I made it through both races not totally destroyed and needing days to recover. I managed to get out Monday afternoon for a 2hr SS ride in the Headlands and thought it might have been to much but I feel pretty good today, so it seems it's coming back, abit slowly....

This coming Sunday is CCCX #6, again @ Fort Ord. I'll keep trying to improve in time for some redemption by the CCCX Final on Jan 6th. If anything it will have me flying into the early road season, which will be good as I am going to be riding on the Lombardi squad for 2008 and would like to start off the season with some results and possibly points and well :)

whatever... one week at a time..

Coming off the sand section with Erik and Lander in tow...

District Championships 2007

2007-12-08T19:03:00.000-08:00

Ya... Good like that!

NCNCA District Championships @ Robertson Park, Livermore

Elite Men

Place: 12th

Great course, roadie friendly for sure. Flat, fast and a gi-normas stair run. Conditions were fantastic. Tacky sand/ mud, grass, sunny but cool.

I was flat even after a decent start. I'm not surprised. I have only ridden 3 hrs going into this weekend. Hopefully I'll have a better time of it for the BASP Final. Good to be out racing tho...

We'll see....

Google Earth- scary and cool at the same time ........

The course 1.8 miles.

2007 CCCX #5 Fort Ord

2007-12-06T21:16:00.001-08:00

CCCX #5 Ft. Ord

2007-12-02T19:24:00.001-08:00

Downhill deep-sand pit .. evey bodys surfing now ...

Place: 18
Time: 1.12'42''

While driving down to Seaside for round #5 in the CCCX Series, I had a lot of emotions bubbling up about my return to racing after my knee injury... Mostly excited, but also a few concerns --is it to soon? --can I even finish on the lead lap?

The course was the same venue as race #3 in Ft Ord. It was fast and fun but this time around the course was run in the opposite direction and seemed even faster. The rain had been absent for the most part, so I knew sand would be the order of the day and decided to run Michelin Jet clinchers at around 3 bar. I also used my double ring bike and the 48T chainring worked out really well on the long pavement sections.

I enjoyed the pre-ride and watched Cam and Jesse hopping the final barrier set. They were pretty do-able but I wasn't wanting to take any chances, so opted to run'em in the race. The deep sand pit was fun without alot of garbage in the sand. It was a surfing safari..Ya

I got a crappy jump but knew with the super long pavement start, It was possible to move up before the first dirt section. I managed to get on Cams wheel and rode all the way up the line and when we hit the dirt, I was in 5th wheel. I did a better job getting into position than I realized. At the time I was pretty waxed and got passed through the first set of barriers and continued to slowly slip down the leader board for the next couple of laps. With 5 to go, I managed to pick up the pace quite a bit and ended up having a good race with Isaias and A SS rider.

Towards the end I lost touch with Isaias and was feeling the loss of race fitness. So I focused on racing for time and finishing on the lead lap, which I managed to do. It was a good race, I liked the course and the team did great. Jesse managed 3rd and Keith 3rd as well, in the Masters A. Nate broke the top 10 and Cody right behind him.

So this weekend it's the District Championships in Livermore on Saturday (fast with a very tough stair run) and the Pilarcitos final is on Sunday at Coyote Pt. (with a usually long sandy beach run), one of my favorites.

Four weeks after my injury can I pull off the double? I feel strong-- just lacking cardio fitness. We are in the heart of the CX season and with guys at or around there peak form, to just finish both races, on the lead lap-- is my goal. We'll see...

Tune in next week !