Sunday, May 31, 2009

AFTON ALPS

I went down to do the Afton Alps Race.  Got there a little early, so I pre-road the Sport course,
which was a good thing because there are three or four minor rock gardens you need to roll over with speed.  Again the start of my race (the over 40 crowd and I do mean a crowd) was bad. At the start of the single track everybody came to a complete stop, foot down, Stop!  Wait yer turn.  The single speeders are a problem because some of them are not geared low enough and
at the first hill they are off their bikes already making everybody dismount.  I believe Kyia calls this a "clusterfuck," her term not mine.  The SSers had problems with a lot of the sharp uphill turns.  Use a 32X20 guys!  Anyways, after avoiding a few crashes, I started on the second loop,
and lo and behold!  Bob Mueller off his bike!  I go past hoping he doesn't see me.  But no!  He is
after me, fierce competitor that he is.  I barely hold him off by going crazy and dangerous fast on the final bumpy descent, with the result that I flatted my rear tire, but I didn't know until after
I finished.  More bike damage.  I was riding the old hardtail Moots, since the Scapel has a blown
out fork, and I think maybe I wrecked the rear wheel.  Certainly the tire is toast.  The good news is that I won a cool Parks Pump for being first in my class!  
PS.  When I left Sara K=J was leading the elite women, and Brendan had a good lead in the expert men.  

Friday, May 29, 2009

LEFTY FORK FAILS!

Yes, WTF, the lefty fork on the Cannondale Scaple has a massive oil leak after about 30 hours of riding.  The Fork is Forked, if you see what I mean. It leaked
all over the front brake, which will have to be replaced or something.  Of course I am a aggressive
rider, you know, big hits, big air, etc. etc., so I expect to break things including my body.  In fact,
I'm proud of my record of broken bikes and parts and injuries.  Broken bikes:  two Kleins, one Kesteal, one Gary Fischer (twice), one GT, one Schwinn (welded together now), and a couple of others.  Busted forks:  two manitou, three rockshocs.   Four seatposts broken.  Five saddles.
Several bent wheels.  The list goes on and on.  Smash it, crash it, break it, wreak it, it's the
American Way!!

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Time Trial

Anderson counted down, and then jumped out hard going up Pump House Hill.  Kyia stalled out
for a moment, and I waited.  By the time we got going, Anderson had gapped us, and that was
it.  I managed to keep them both in sight after the fire station, but after the turn around they were gone.  I saw Kyia in the Plumb Creek single track a couple of times, and we yelled at each other, but I never saw Anderson again.  Hmmm.  Where did he go?  My time was one hour on minute.  I think they were several minutes faster.  

Monday, May 18, 2009

Spring Cup

Shelia and I drove down to do the Spring Cup at Harmon Park.  We were in the Sport Class.
Shelia cruised on her single speed, which she claimed was the first time this year, and had
a great race, finishing, I believe, second in her class.  I started with a huge group of men
over 40.  We more or less came to a stop at the second turn, and then at the beginning of the single track I had to wait in line for a minute or so to take my turn.  I guess I have to start at the front and sprint, but even then, I doubt I could get away.  I was in a train of riders pretty much
the whole time.  On the second lap I began cheating by taking turns on the grass instead of the
dirt single track, and by doing this I managed to pass some riders.  Some of the guys were
not good at turns, overbraking, skidding, wobbling, etc.  The single speeders were good riders.
In fact, I think the fastest time was posted by a SSer.  I went over the rock on the first lap, but
after that I went around, having proved to myself that I could do it.  Bob Meuller was behind
me for awhile, complaining as usual, and after he hit my back tire, I surged.  Later he said
he lost his chain, took a fall, etc.   The weather was great--warm and not too windy.