Well, I might not be as worse off as Suitcase but that doesn't make me feel any better.
My racing wheels are being hung up for the season. You're welcome. I kid, I kid.
I'm pretty bummed about it. I did some damage to my groin muscle, or hip, or leg joint in general and putting the gas pedal down isn't really an option. After a year of battling my car and battling colds it's a bit of a bummer to end this way.
However, that said, I'm pretty sure EVERY mtb race I entered netted me a podium spot. So that's pretty awesome. Keep your eyes on the start list of the marathon and endurance mountain bike events for next year. VT 50, Hampshire 100, 24 of Pats Peak, 24 of Great Glen, etc etc.
On a lighter note, I'm still pedaling around, thought lightly, and I was able to get out last night for a night ride. I traded my Specialized Sirrus, some may know it as Rivah Bike, for a Nite Rider SlickRock 900. The SlickRock is a border line obscenely brightly light. It's NiteRider's last remaining HID and holy hell is it bright. Like I said, possibly obscene. But it was really fun to ride with. I had my older 10W Halogen on my helmet and it was a laughable comparison. So while I wasn't riding particularly fast, I was still riding and it was great.
Night riding, for those of you who may not have taken part is pretty special. It's easy to spook yourself if you're alone, so I reccomend riding with a buddy. In truth, it's probably better to ride with a friend in general, less you end up mooshed up by the side of the trail somewhere. We don't want that. But it's a blast. The most tame trails can seems gruelly at night and things that you might not normally ride, go by without even a blink. It's really a great way to add a new perspective to some trails you may know blind folded.
That's it for now, short and sweet.
Please everyone ride safely. Seems like all sorts of people are getting injured just riding.
11.02.2009
10.13.2009
When Mountain Biking became Trail Riding
First, the Providence Cross weekend was awesome. After battling the depths of a cold all week, I wasn't feeling particularly snappy, but the heckles, and occasional cheer, made it all worth while. Thanks!
The mini recap on those two days of racing goes like this:
Saturday, drive south, have marginally good start given starting position (last) and then begin to go backwards from there. Tim Johnson politely laps me on his way to a dominating victory. Party at the Fez with Mrs. A Team Gabe Lizzie and Ricky. Get beat in Cribbage by dad's lady friend and Mrs. A Team. Sleep.
Day Two.
Awake! Feel tired. Eat great breakfast at little place with mediocre coffee. Head to venue. Miss warm-up time. Change in the middle of field. Ride bike around. Stash bag with These guys (Thanks Bart) Say hi to two lazy greyhounds and Team Sam. Hope that I will make it half way before I get lapped. Tim Johson with Jamie Driscol in tow politely scoop by in the "Fish Bowl" section of the course. Done.
I left most of my cold (I hope) all over the course in Providence and I am looking forward to the next one. Maine? Paradise Cross Frenzy? Creepy Cross? Not sure.
Feeling better each day though, and that's a good thing.
In other news.
Does anyone remember when mountain biking was just that? Mountain biking. Before I whine about this, I am grateful for the advances in the mountain biking world, and the more the merrier, it's a big party, but part of me misses the good ol' days of mountain biking.
When a downed log stayed a downed log until 10+ years later it was rotten and mooshy and 4 guys pushed it aside. When a mud bog was a mud bog and you fought your way to the other side. When there were trails that just went bizarrely straight up or straight down and each year they were more challenging.
Nemba Fest was awesome by the way.
Though, at NEMBA Fest the "short loop" wasn't a mountain bike ride. It was a dirt road/carriage road ride. Just because someone only wants to ride 5 miles doesn't mean they don't want single track. Doesn't mean they can't go uphill.
It's funny how mountain biking has changed. Everything becomes more and more buffed out, and armored and longer lasting and "better". And while we're talking about it, three cheers for all that hard work.
That said, the beauty of mountain biking was that it changed, it ebbed and flowed, and your ride was dictated by how the weather had been that week. Now, you can ride the same trail rain or shine, and it will be nearly the same. Maybe that root is slippery, or you take the left line down the rock face instead of the right, but it doesn't change. Trail crews and volunteers nip and tuck and preen and polish and clear and haul and rake and the trails are amazing to ride, but they don't change.
Just once I want a tree to fall across a trail and for it to be left there. Undisturbed, and then it's up to the rider to figure out how to get over it.
I used to be able to clear logs that were over axle height. Somewhere in the realm of 20"+. But I don't know if I can anymore because there aren't any left on the trail.
Mountain biking used to be hard.
And part of me wishes it still was, but the other part of me loves the idea that more people can come out and get on the trails. That if you can pedal a bicycle you can ride some of the best trails around. Saxon Hill has some of the best twisty turny fun Pine Stand single track I have been on, and I think ANYONE would have a blast pedaling around out there. But it's just different.
And with all these changes comes better technology and better bikes and lighter and faster and shinier. And that's all great. And I love it. And it's a by-product of more people wanting to play. And I'm all for it, because better bikes are more fun to ride.
So I'll ride the trails and I'll occasionally pine for the old school and I'll go to trail days and I'll get more people stoked on riding and it will be awesome.
But when I have a small chunk of land and build some trails, they're going to be hard. It won't be trail riding, it will be mountain biking. And you might need at 6 inches of that travel after all.
Let the young sport flourish.
Side note:
Thanks to whoever was in (Williston, VT) recently and flagged the trail. It would be impossible to ride right now without the visual aid. Kind of like connecting the dots.
Oh and looky here, another one bites the dust
Cycling is one wild wild roller coaster.
St. Germain System Cometh
The mini recap on those two days of racing goes like this:
Saturday, drive south, have marginally good start given starting position (last) and then begin to go backwards from there. Tim Johnson politely laps me on his way to a dominating victory. Party at the Fez with Mrs. A Team Gabe Lizzie and Ricky. Get beat in Cribbage by dad's lady friend and Mrs. A Team. Sleep.
Day Two.
Awake! Feel tired. Eat great breakfast at little place with mediocre coffee. Head to venue. Miss warm-up time. Change in the middle of field. Ride bike around. Stash bag with These guys (Thanks Bart) Say hi to two lazy greyhounds and Team Sam. Hope that I will make it half way before I get lapped. Tim Johson with Jamie Driscol in tow politely scoop by in the "Fish Bowl" section of the course. Done.
I left most of my cold (I hope) all over the course in Providence and I am looking forward to the next one. Maine? Paradise Cross Frenzy? Creepy Cross? Not sure.
Feeling better each day though, and that's a good thing.
In other news.
Does anyone remember when mountain biking was just that? Mountain biking. Before I whine about this, I am grateful for the advances in the mountain biking world, and the more the merrier, it's a big party, but part of me misses the good ol' days of mountain biking.
When a downed log stayed a downed log until 10+ years later it was rotten and mooshy and 4 guys pushed it aside. When a mud bog was a mud bog and you fought your way to the other side. When there were trails that just went bizarrely straight up or straight down and each year they were more challenging.
Nemba Fest was awesome by the way.
Though, at NEMBA Fest the "short loop" wasn't a mountain bike ride. It was a dirt road/carriage road ride. Just because someone only wants to ride 5 miles doesn't mean they don't want single track. Doesn't mean they can't go uphill.
It's funny how mountain biking has changed. Everything becomes more and more buffed out, and armored and longer lasting and "better". And while we're talking about it, three cheers for all that hard work.
That said, the beauty of mountain biking was that it changed, it ebbed and flowed, and your ride was dictated by how the weather had been that week. Now, you can ride the same trail rain or shine, and it will be nearly the same. Maybe that root is slippery, or you take the left line down the rock face instead of the right, but it doesn't change. Trail crews and volunteers nip and tuck and preen and polish and clear and haul and rake and the trails are amazing to ride, but they don't change.
Just once I want a tree to fall across a trail and for it to be left there. Undisturbed, and then it's up to the rider to figure out how to get over it.
I used to be able to clear logs that were over axle height. Somewhere in the realm of 20"+. But I don't know if I can anymore because there aren't any left on the trail.
Mountain biking used to be hard.
And part of me wishes it still was, but the other part of me loves the idea that more people can come out and get on the trails. That if you can pedal a bicycle you can ride some of the best trails around. Saxon Hill has some of the best twisty turny fun Pine Stand single track I have been on, and I think ANYONE would have a blast pedaling around out there. But it's just different.
And with all these changes comes better technology and better bikes and lighter and faster and shinier. And that's all great. And I love it. And it's a by-product of more people wanting to play. And I'm all for it, because better bikes are more fun to ride.
So I'll ride the trails and I'll occasionally pine for the old school and I'll go to trail days and I'll get more people stoked on riding and it will be awesome.
But when I have a small chunk of land and build some trails, they're going to be hard. It won't be trail riding, it will be mountain biking. And you might need at 6 inches of that travel after all.
Let the young sport flourish.
Side note:
Thanks to whoever was in (Williston, VT) recently and flagged the trail. It would be impossible to ride right now without the visual aid. Kind of like connecting the dots.
Oh and looky here, another one bites the dust
Cycling is one wild wild roller coaster.
St. Germain System Cometh
9.29.2009
NEMBA FEST!
So,
After a couple of weeks of resting, and candy eating, I headed down to the Waterville CX race tempted by the idea of a Snow Pit. As it turned out, by the time my race started, the snow pit was more of just a little puddle. But the idea remained. I think Curtis and the gang did a pretty bang up jump putting the race together. The race was SHORT and fast and fun. What more could you ask for?
I didn't end up getting to the Bradbury 12 hour race as I missed the registration. Lameville. But hey, that's the way it goes. This past weekend was Ali's birthday and we went to this pretty awesome zip line/ropes course place in New Hampshire. It's just down the road from the Polar Caves for those of you that know where that is. It was a little rainy, but perfect since we then had the whole place to ourselves. So that was fun! It was Ali's birthday too! We're still leisurely looking for a new apartment... no news there.
In racing news, this is what's coming up.
10/4 NEMBA Fest at Bradbury Mtn Stage park in NH! I love the trails there, so I hope the weather holds out. It's been a long time since I've ridden those trails. Dee and Frate are supposed to be making an appearance as well, so it will be good to catch up with those guys. Someone tell Frate to bring my front wheel! (please)
10/10-11 RI Cross weekend. Maybe, have to look into the expense factor here. The courses at Roger Williams Park are fantastic, but I just dropped some coin into fixing the Jetta, so we'll see. New front struts and mountain, new front rotors and pads. Getting there.
10/18 MTB race out in NY
10/25 Maine Cross
10/31 With any luck this will be a double whammy day. There is Creepy Cross here in VT which sounds great, but then there is a 9:00pm 7 mile MTB time trial over in NY. I think I can just managed to get from one to the other. We shall see. Haven't really looked at the details.
11/1?
11/7-8 North Hampton, might show-up for Sunday
11/29 Sterling
12/4-5 NBX Cross, I think by far my favorite of the year.
I got lost in Hineburg Town Forest the other day. Which was great. Ask Peter Gengler how fun the trails there are. He knows. It's that perfect Mt Biking time of year where the humidity disappears, the bugs disappear and the dirt turns into that super tacky, fantasticly fast magic dirt. That's right... magic.
I tried running the tires on the GT Marathon up at 30 PSI and they felt like I was riding on wooden wagon wheels. Seriously awful. So I dropped them back down to 25 or even a little less and it was game time. I also dropped the pressure in the rear shock a touch and the bike was actually climbing BETTER. Can't beat it.
Alright, so I'll try and grab some photos and a good report about the NEMBA Fest and that will be that.
Oh, Zebra bike is for sale. Well, the frame is anyway. Frame fork headset DA brakes. E-mail. 51cm
After a couple of weeks of resting, and candy eating, I headed down to the Waterville CX race tempted by the idea of a Snow Pit. As it turned out, by the time my race started, the snow pit was more of just a little puddle. But the idea remained. I think Curtis and the gang did a pretty bang up jump putting the race together. The race was SHORT and fast and fun. What more could you ask for?
I didn't end up getting to the Bradbury 12 hour race as I missed the registration. Lameville. But hey, that's the way it goes. This past weekend was Ali's birthday and we went to this pretty awesome zip line/ropes course place in New Hampshire. It's just down the road from the Polar Caves for those of you that know where that is. It was a little rainy, but perfect since we then had the whole place to ourselves. So that was fun! It was Ali's birthday too! We're still leisurely looking for a new apartment... no news there.
In racing news, this is what's coming up.
10/4 NEMBA Fest at Bradbury Mtn Stage park in NH! I love the trails there, so I hope the weather holds out. It's been a long time since I've ridden those trails. Dee and Frate are supposed to be making an appearance as well, so it will be good to catch up with those guys. Someone tell Frate to bring my front wheel! (please)
10/10-11 RI Cross weekend. Maybe, have to look into the expense factor here. The courses at Roger Williams Park are fantastic, but I just dropped some coin into fixing the Jetta, so we'll see. New front struts and mountain, new front rotors and pads. Getting there.
10/18 MTB race out in NY
10/25 Maine Cross
10/31 With any luck this will be a double whammy day. There is Creepy Cross here in VT which sounds great, but then there is a 9:00pm 7 mile MTB time trial over in NY. I think I can just managed to get from one to the other. We shall see. Haven't really looked at the details.
11/1?
11/7-8 North Hampton, might show-up for Sunday
11/29 Sterling
12/4-5 NBX Cross, I think by far my favorite of the year.
I got lost in Hineburg Town Forest the other day. Which was great. Ask Peter Gengler how fun the trails there are. He knows. It's that perfect Mt Biking time of year where the humidity disappears, the bugs disappear and the dirt turns into that super tacky, fantasticly fast magic dirt. That's right... magic.
I tried running the tires on the GT Marathon up at 30 PSI and they felt like I was riding on wooden wagon wheels. Seriously awful. So I dropped them back down to 25 or even a little less and it was game time. I also dropped the pressure in the rear shock a touch and the bike was actually climbing BETTER. Can't beat it.
Alright, so I'll try and grab some photos and a good report about the NEMBA Fest and that will be that.
Oh, Zebra bike is for sale. Well, the frame is anyway. Frame fork headset DA brakes. E-mail. 51cm
9.01.2009
Useable trophy
The hardware.
Waiting for the water to heat up so I can press those grinds! Press 'em!
8.31.2009
Hop on the elevator, stop at the top
Race To the Top of Vermont is a race held on Mt. Mansfield Toll road.
First, I didn't even know Mt. Manfield HAD a toll road. Second, I didn't know it was 150 years old. That's old.
The event was a blast! It was perfect weather, healthy competition, amazing BBQ and some top notch raffle prizes. Not to mention a sweet tech tee and guide book with signing up.
That is a trend I'd like to see continue in the racing world. It seems to be the norm in VT. A tech tee. I don't really need any more T-shirts, cotton and not tremendously useful. But another tech tee, sign me up please. These get used and abused and recycled much more often than my t-shirts. Just saying.
So the toll road is 4.3 miles long and averages we'll say 10%. I can't actually find a listing anywhere with the stats. Point it, it's not easy. There are some silly sections that approach 20%. Honest. And there are switch backs, and some bizarre nearly flat sections along the way.
The Jetta left Burlington, piloted by myself, and carrying Ben Coleman and Alex Cox. 75% of the Great Glen awesome team.
We left early, stopped at Dunkin donuts, because nothing else was open before 7:00am. It is Vermont afterall. It's funny to me that I ALWAYS drink my coffee black, UNLESS it's from Dunkin, in which case I get it with cream and sugar. Which thinking about sounds gross, but it tastes so good.
Anyway, we depart, headed south to Stowe. Topping out at 62 MPH on the highway. 3 full grown guys, three bikes and an EZ-UP tent on the roof can cause some serious drag. Not to mention that my brakes are less than fantastic at the moment. So I wanted to give myself PLENTY of room to stop.
Anyway, we get there sign-in, get a free guide book and some goodies, then head to the parking lot. We had plenty of time to hang out in the sun, and eye some the stranger and older mt. bikes that were in the lot.
Oh yeah, let me not forget. This is a hill climb race, limited to MOUNTAIN Bikes only. And on top of that 2.0 tires or bigger. While the GT Carbon Marathon is a stellar climber, it's no road bike.
Dressed, embrocated, bags packed for the top and ready to go. The good thing about unsanctioned type events, is that there are few rules. So iPods are completely legit. Love it.
This is only the second year they have done this event.
It benefits the Catamount Trail Association. The Catamount Trail is a cross country skiing trail that runs the length of VT. Awesome.
Anyway, the first 1/10th of a mile are paved, after that, it's all gravel, dirt and rocks. Ready to get rad.
I had no idea what to expect as I have never been up this road. I have never been to the top of Mt. Mansfield. Come to find out, I still haven't been to the top because this road stops at the top of the ridge, there is still a bit of elevation before you get to the peak.
The race took off pretty hot and I followed the leaders. After the first 400 meters or so we had sorted out a pretty fast looking little group of 10-15. I was deep into the sounds of Ursula 1000 and just focused on pedaling.
Away we went, up, up, up into the clocks.
A second surge came from the front and two guys split off, I stayed steady, thinking that I should ride smart because I didn't know what was around the corner, if I could recover, if I was already screwed. So I rode my own race.
After a mile or so, I could still see the two leaders, then some other guys, then me. I was roughly 8th at this point.
Then some guy on a wild looking single speed and baggy knickers come flying by. I mean, flying, like he was sprinting for the win in downtown Burlington.
Side Note: Did I win? That just showed up in my mail box. WTF? From This guy He also has a Scott Addict for sale. Cheap.
Moving on. The baggy knickers guy killed it. I don't know where he finished exactly, but it was in front of me.
Then after 2 miles, there were gaps established and some other single speed guy came out of no where. WTF? I wasn't having it, and after a little while reeled him and 2 other guys back in and scurried away towards the clouds.
Little did I know, I was being followed. By the military. The Army in fact. Army of One indeed good sir!
Nothing really happen between mile 2 and 3. It mellowed out, there was some gnarly ledges off to the left and the clouds were starting to tickle my nose.
I huffed, I puffed, then I hit something... No, it wasn't a wall, though it did look like it. Around mile 3, things got outrageous. The gradient when through the roof all of a sudden, and the switch backs were graduated radiuses that ended in death.
And that Army guy was still behind me. He surged up to me at one point and I refused to look the enemy in the eye. I waited until his front wheel was even with my front skewer, upshifted 2 cogs and bang! I scurried away. Turns out the Army guy is tougher than I thought.
Over the next 1.2 miles, he would repeat the surging process a couple more times, and I would pounce each time, trying to get to the clouds first.
Then...
He caught me out. He came even with me, I slammed it, and then he REslammed it. WHAT!? Beat at my own game. There were 100 meters or so left and got around me. And stayed around me. It was awesome.
The great irony being that I spent the entire 39:25.00 climbing one mountain on one bike while thinking about an entirely different mountain on a different bike. App Gap, I got one for you.
Overall, I was 7th. In my age group, I was 3rd. The exciting part was the awesome coffee mug that I got for 3rd. I will show you, soon. But not this post.
The event was great, and more than doubled in it's two years running. Come do it next year. Borrow a cheap mountain bike and put your road pedals on it, that was the trend this year any way. I'm talking about Specialized Hardrocks, Gary Fisher Tarpins, Trek 800s. 32lb bikes!
The guys that won of course, where riding much lighter fancier mountain bikes. Everyone in front of me had AT LEAST 5 pounds on my bike. Hmph.
Point is, the event raised a bunch of money for a great organization and lots of people had a lot of fun. The raffle prizes were fantastic (I won 3 pounds of Green Mountain Coffee, well, coffee.)
GMSR, ripping and ready. Keep and eye on the ol' Twitter
First, I didn't even know Mt. Manfield HAD a toll road. Second, I didn't know it was 150 years old. That's old.
The event was a blast! It was perfect weather, healthy competition, amazing BBQ and some top notch raffle prizes. Not to mention a sweet tech tee and guide book with signing up.
That is a trend I'd like to see continue in the racing world. It seems to be the norm in VT. A tech tee. I don't really need any more T-shirts, cotton and not tremendously useful. But another tech tee, sign me up please. These get used and abused and recycled much more often than my t-shirts. Just saying.
So the toll road is 4.3 miles long and averages we'll say 10%. I can't actually find a listing anywhere with the stats. Point it, it's not easy. There are some silly sections that approach 20%. Honest. And there are switch backs, and some bizarre nearly flat sections along the way.
The Jetta left Burlington, piloted by myself, and carrying Ben Coleman and Alex Cox. 75% of the Great Glen awesome team.
We left early, stopped at Dunkin donuts, because nothing else was open before 7:00am. It is Vermont afterall. It's funny to me that I ALWAYS drink my coffee black, UNLESS it's from Dunkin, in which case I get it with cream and sugar. Which thinking about sounds gross, but it tastes so good.
Anyway, we depart, headed south to Stowe. Topping out at 62 MPH on the highway. 3 full grown guys, three bikes and an EZ-UP tent on the roof can cause some serious drag. Not to mention that my brakes are less than fantastic at the moment. So I wanted to give myself PLENTY of room to stop.
Anyway, we get there sign-in, get a free guide book and some goodies, then head to the parking lot. We had plenty of time to hang out in the sun, and eye some the stranger and older mt. bikes that were in the lot.
Oh yeah, let me not forget. This is a hill climb race, limited to MOUNTAIN Bikes only. And on top of that 2.0 tires or bigger. While the GT Carbon Marathon is a stellar climber, it's no road bike.
Dressed, embrocated, bags packed for the top and ready to go. The good thing about unsanctioned type events, is that there are few rules. So iPods are completely legit. Love it.
This is only the second year they have done this event.
It benefits the Catamount Trail Association. The Catamount Trail is a cross country skiing trail that runs the length of VT. Awesome.
Anyway, the first 1/10th of a mile are paved, after that, it's all gravel, dirt and rocks. Ready to get rad.
I had no idea what to expect as I have never been up this road. I have never been to the top of Mt. Mansfield. Come to find out, I still haven't been to the top because this road stops at the top of the ridge, there is still a bit of elevation before you get to the peak.
The race took off pretty hot and I followed the leaders. After the first 400 meters or so we had sorted out a pretty fast looking little group of 10-15. I was deep into the sounds of Ursula 1000 and just focused on pedaling.
Away we went, up, up, up into the clocks.
A second surge came from the front and two guys split off, I stayed steady, thinking that I should ride smart because I didn't know what was around the corner, if I could recover, if I was already screwed. So I rode my own race.
After a mile or so, I could still see the two leaders, then some other guys, then me. I was roughly 8th at this point.
Then some guy on a wild looking single speed and baggy knickers come flying by. I mean, flying, like he was sprinting for the win in downtown Burlington.
Side Note: Did I win? That just showed up in my mail box. WTF? From This guy He also has a Scott Addict for sale. Cheap.
Moving on. The baggy knickers guy killed it. I don't know where he finished exactly, but it was in front of me.
Then after 2 miles, there were gaps established and some other single speed guy came out of no where. WTF? I wasn't having it, and after a little while reeled him and 2 other guys back in and scurried away towards the clouds.
Little did I know, I was being followed. By the military. The Army in fact. Army of One indeed good sir!
Nothing really happen between mile 2 and 3. It mellowed out, there was some gnarly ledges off to the left and the clouds were starting to tickle my nose.
I huffed, I puffed, then I hit something... No, it wasn't a wall, though it did look like it. Around mile 3, things got outrageous. The gradient when through the roof all of a sudden, and the switch backs were graduated radiuses that ended in death.
And that Army guy was still behind me. He surged up to me at one point and I refused to look the enemy in the eye. I waited until his front wheel was even with my front skewer, upshifted 2 cogs and bang! I scurried away. Turns out the Army guy is tougher than I thought.
Over the next 1.2 miles, he would repeat the surging process a couple more times, and I would pounce each time, trying to get to the clouds first.
Then...
He caught me out. He came even with me, I slammed it, and then he REslammed it. WHAT!? Beat at my own game. There were 100 meters or so left and got around me. And stayed around me. It was awesome.
The great irony being that I spent the entire 39:25.00 climbing one mountain on one bike while thinking about an entirely different mountain on a different bike. App Gap, I got one for you.
Overall, I was 7th. In my age group, I was 3rd. The exciting part was the awesome coffee mug that I got for 3rd. I will show you, soon. But not this post.
The event was great, and more than doubled in it's two years running. Come do it next year. Borrow a cheap mountain bike and put your road pedals on it, that was the trend this year any way. I'm talking about Specialized Hardrocks, Gary Fisher Tarpins, Trek 800s. 32lb bikes!
The guys that won of course, where riding much lighter fancier mountain bikes. Everyone in front of me had AT LEAST 5 pounds on my bike. Hmph.
Point is, the event raised a bunch of money for a great organization and lots of people had a lot of fun. The raffle prizes were fantastic (I won 3 pounds of Green Mountain Coffee, well, coffee.)
GMSR, ripping and ready. Keep and eye on the ol' Twitter
8.20.2009
One thing triggers another...
The ever riding Peter Gengler called me yesterday, told me he was in town and asked for some riding advice.
I pointed him towards some great trails, that I really enjoy, when I can make it out to them.
I told him about Fellowship of The Wheeland how they do all the trail maintenance around here, and that they try to map everything. Peter then asked the obvious question "Can you get me a copy of the map?" To which I replied, "You need to be a member..." And I trailed off and realized that I was currently NOT a member, and I felt a little embarrassed.
The funnier part, to me, is that I'm still a NEMBA member, which is great, but I forgot to sign-up for Fellowship. The irony being that I support the fundraisers and attend the events, and certainly ride the trails. So this morning, I bought a membership, and if anyone else every comes to VT and wants to ride, give me a call. i can set you up.
Peter called me to say that he thoroughly enjoyed the trails, and I'm pretty sure he has pretty high standards, so that was great to hear.
Nial, if you read this, we'll be in touch soon.
Irons in the fire and all that...
In bike news, I have gotten the GT Marathon even more dialed than it was before. I am psyched! Tubeless tires are being run at 25-28 PSI and they feel amazing! I am blown away each time I get on the bike.
This morning I rode in Jericho at Mobbs Hill on the Americana Trail. I rode the Americana Trail a few years back while visiting Ali one summer and fell in love. This was the first time I had been back since. It's a very small space but they do a great job packing in the features and amazing trails. Which I think is generally true for most of the riding in the surrounding areas. I am super excited for fall mtbing because that's when the dirt gets STICKY and it's game-on.
I SHOULD be attending the NEMBA fun ride this weekend in Arcadia. That's right... Rhode Island. Scotty and Abby are moving to a far away foreign place that is sun baked and far away. Though the plus side to this, is that next year I will be at the Tour of the Gila, again. And that I am excited about. Because that race is RAD!
What else is coming up?
Well... It looks like this... and in a moment I may even update the racing schedule at the bottom of this blog.
This weekend, party, ride MTB on super tech NE harshness.
Next weekend 8/30 Race to the top of VT. Race up Mt. Mansfield on the Toll Rd.
8/4 GMSR. It's on.
Something...
12 hours of Bradbury, if I can still get registered!
And that's it!
Go Ride!
I pointed him towards some great trails, that I really enjoy, when I can make it out to them.
I told him about Fellowship of The Wheeland how they do all the trail maintenance around here, and that they try to map everything. Peter then asked the obvious question "Can you get me a copy of the map?" To which I replied, "You need to be a member..." And I trailed off and realized that I was currently NOT a member, and I felt a little embarrassed.
The funnier part, to me, is that I'm still a NEMBA member, which is great, but I forgot to sign-up for Fellowship. The irony being that I support the fundraisers and attend the events, and certainly ride the trails. So this morning, I bought a membership, and if anyone else every comes to VT and wants to ride, give me a call. i can set you up.
Peter called me to say that he thoroughly enjoyed the trails, and I'm pretty sure he has pretty high standards, so that was great to hear.
Nial, if you read this, we'll be in touch soon.
Irons in the fire and all that...
In bike news, I have gotten the GT Marathon even more dialed than it was before. I am psyched! Tubeless tires are being run at 25-28 PSI and they feel amazing! I am blown away each time I get on the bike.
This morning I rode in Jericho at Mobbs Hill on the Americana Trail. I rode the Americana Trail a few years back while visiting Ali one summer and fell in love. This was the first time I had been back since. It's a very small space but they do a great job packing in the features and amazing trails. Which I think is generally true for most of the riding in the surrounding areas. I am super excited for fall mtbing because that's when the dirt gets STICKY and it's game-on.
I SHOULD be attending the NEMBA fun ride this weekend in Arcadia. That's right... Rhode Island. Scotty and Abby are moving to a far away foreign place that is sun baked and far away. Though the plus side to this, is that next year I will be at the Tour of the Gila, again. And that I am excited about. Because that race is RAD!
What else is coming up?
Well... It looks like this... and in a moment I may even update the racing schedule at the bottom of this blog.
This weekend, party, ride MTB on super tech NE harshness.
Next weekend 8/30 Race to the top of VT. Race up Mt. Mansfield on the Toll Rd.
8/4 GMSR. It's on.
Something...
12 hours of Bradbury, if I can still get registered!
And that's it!
Go Ride!
8.15.2009
NEMBA Raffle 2009
I just bought my tickets for 2009.
Look at all this great stuff they are giving away!!
You should Go Here and buy tickets of your own. Be sure and thank the NEMBA folks next time you see them for kicking ass and taking names.
Also, next NEMBA Group Ride is scheduled for August 23rd at Arcadia. Be there. I just might be there too...
Look at all this great stuff they are giving away!!
You should Go Here and buy tickets of your own. Be sure and thank the NEMBA folks next time you see them for kicking ass and taking names.
Also, next NEMBA Group Ride is scheduled for August 23rd at Arcadia. Be there. I just might be there too...
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