Back on the bike, and in the gym, and on the mat...

Yesterday was a good day. It started with a yoga class at River City Bikes. Nothing like 75 minutes of stretching and strengthening to get the day started right! I can really feel the difference that yoga has made in my cycling; my core is stronger than ever, even if my legs and lungs have some catching up to do. Yoga will be my secret weapon this season. Thanks to Ellee for getting me started and keeping me going!

I set out for what I thought would be a nice 3-hour ride in the afternoon. It turned into a 5-hour ride. The one big climb on the course was gravel. Well, it should have been gravel, but recent rains made it more like mud. Thick, sticky mud. It was a long slog up that hill, and it turned into kind of a long slog along the ridge line as well. Good training, but it did mean I coasted in slightly after dark.

A few quick bites of food, and it was off to the climbing gym! I started climb outside this summer and really enjoyed it. Climbing indoors isn't quite as much fun; I don't like following the established routes. But it is good cross-training, and I look forward to doing some more challenging climbs outside in 2010. So it was 2 hours in the gym, climbing and hanging out with friends.

Training starts in earnest next week. My post card didn't get to Iowa in time, so I don't know if I will get to race TransIowa this year. If not, I might look for some other long distance event to fill that hole.

And so it begins...

I sent in a postcard to register for Trans Iowa. Assuming I get in, that means a winter of training. At least I won't be training alone; Ellee wants to ride along and plans to contest the Dirty Kanza, another race to which I hope to pay a return visit.

The white singlespeed cross bike was sold, and a nice Surly Long Haul Trucker took its place. I am using it for commuting, but also hope to do some touring with it as well. I have less than 100 miles on it so far, but it seems like a solid bike. Heavy, but solid.

I plan to use this space as I have in the past; stories about training and racing. Now that some races are on the schedule, there should be more bits and pieces to share. If that sort of thing interests you, stay tuned!

Mexico Riding Pictures

Just a few shots of riding in Mexico. Note the jank bikes. Note the maintainance being done on jank bikes. Notice Joe and Ellee still out riding (and enjoying) bikes!

Greetings from Mexico!

I am taking some time off the bike.

For the next little while, I will be traveling around Mexico with my girlfriend Ellee. While we might get to ride bikes one in a while, I won't be training on the bike in any way while I am here. This will be the longest I have spent not training in years. Part of me is sad, because there are lots of places down here that would be great on the MTB. On the other hand, lots of old injuries are healing and I expect to get back to the states in a very well-rested condition.

I have sketched out a race schedule and a training plan for 2010. I'd like to revisit some old spots (TI, DK) and enjoy some new challenges as well (Tahoe, Big Bear) but nothing is really set in stone yet.

So, expect to see very little in the way of updates here over the next couple of months. When I ride, I'll post something up. Otherwise, my focus will be on other things. If you want to know how my non-riding life is fairing, check out Facebook. I'm at least updating status every couple of days.

Take care,

Joe

Cross Bike Pics and Specs, 54cm, $1500/obo

Frame: Raleigh Rainier, aluminum, horizontal dropouts, 54cm TT
Fork: Easton EC90x, carbon
Wheels: Used 2004 Mavic Ksyrium, round and true
Tires: Used Specialized Armadillo
Crank: Used Shimano XT, 44t single chainring
Cog: Chris King steel 15t
Post: FSA Alloy, white
Bars: FSA Alloy, white, ergowing
Stem: Kore, White
Seat: Shimano Pro, white/black

Bikes for Sale!!

I have two bikes for sale:

1. 2008 Kona Hei-Hei 29er full suspension MTB. $1500/obo

It has mostly XT parts, upgraded saddle (Selle Italia Flite) and rear wheel (Mike Curiak-build Hope Pro II on Bontrager Mustang rim). The fork has been bumped up to 100mm, and fork and shock were recently serviced. The bike has been ridden on some tough trails and has taken a tumble or two and bares some scratches as evidence of that fact. Shifts great, pivots are solid, and has many more years of service left.

2. Raleigh Ranier single speed cross bike $1500/obo

Brand new frame, fork, handlebar, stem, seat, seatpost, brakes, levers and tape. The only used parts are the wheels (2001 Ksyriums) and crank (2007 XT). It is set up with 44/15 and road tires now, but I could put almost any gear combo you might like and I have a few newish 'cross tires that could go on there as well. I've had the frame for a while but only just built it up. It has less than 50 miles on it, and they have all been on the road.

I'll post pictues of both a bit later, or you can send me a note at partridge dot joe at gmail dot com. I'd like to sell them to a Portland local, but will ship at the buyers expense.

Thanks! Help a brother fund a trip to Mexico!!

Cream Puff Pictures

Cream Puff Update

Results are up: http://www.mudslingerevents.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/creampuffresults09.pdf

Could have been better; 13th of 22 finishers in the singlespeed 35+ catagory, 70th of 167 overall.

Pictures to follow later in the week.

Cascade Cream Puff Race Report

Cascade Cream Puff Race Report

Conditions: Cold and rainy. Very cold on the ridge, no warmer than 60F at the bridge.

Gear:
Quiring Ti 29er, 34x20 gearing
Rockshox Reba Fork
Industry 9 wheels with Kenda Small Block 8 tires

Summary
The Cascade Cream Puff is a very challenging 100+ mile mountain bike race with 18,000 feet of climbing near Oakridge, OR. I chose to run a gear that was too big for the course; 32x21 or maybe even 32x22 would have been better. I also chose the wrong tires for the conditions that existed on the course; the rain made several of the singletrack descents quite treacherous.

What Worked

Eating Real Food - Instead of Hammer Nutrition products, I decided to eat whatever was stocked at the aid stations. This included sandwiches, homemade cookies, a cinnamon roll, trail mix, Gu packets and bottles of Gu2O. I had plenty of energy for the race. As a bonus, my stomach in not in a state of revolt which would be the normal outcome of using race food.

New Seat – I have worn out all my Selle Italia SLR saddles, so I put a WTB seat that came with my geared bike. Today, my ass feels GREAT! No chafing, no soreness, no patches of skin waiting to die and peel off.

What Needs Improvement

Gear Choice – When Corndog says 34x20 is too hard for the course, listen to Corndog.

Suspension Fork – I might have been better off with a rigid fork, a fat front tire, and the Jones bars. The Reba didn’t seem to offer much help on the fast singletrack downhills, and I would have appreciated losing two pounds and gaining stiffness while climbing.

Conclusion

It was good to complete an endurance race! My last long race was Spokane 24 Hour in 2008. Considering my preparations and planning for this race, I am pleased with the result.

This is by far the most challenging 100-mile course on which I have raced. 18,000 feet of climbing is no joke, even when most of it is on dirt roads. The weather was a big challenge; it was extremely cold, at least for July. Even so, I felt good all race. I also successfully tested some new nutrition and equipment options.

One final note; a post-race massage given by someone who really knows what they are doing is INCREADABLE! Although my knees are sore, I have almost none of the normal soft tissue problems that I have come to associate with endurance racing.

Pictures and final results to follow.

American Classic Wheels for Sale

For Sale, $800

American Classic Carbon 58 Wheels

Tubular, 700c

Tufo S3 Lite, 21mm front, good to very good condition

Tufo S3 Pro, 21mm rear, two rides, glued at River City last year.

Includes wheelbags, AC Skewers, 11-25 10-speed cassette, and two sets of carbon-specific brake pads.

These are wicked-light deep-dish carbon tubular wheels. I used them twice; once for a training ride and once in a race. I bought them used last year. They are in excellent shape.

I'll deliver them to within an hour of Portland, or you can pay for professional packing and shipping.

I'd keep them, but I have been out of work for 5 months and need the cash... :(

McKenzie River Pictures

Doing what we Do

Nick, Tommy and I rode in Oakridge yesterday. 5000 feet of climbing between mile 3 and mile 11.

What is worse: dragging a 30-pound full-sus bike up that climb? Or pushing a 34x20 on a 29er? I can't answer that question, but I do know this: the descent was amazing!

Oregon, I (heart) you so much it hurts!

Monday Funday

I went out for a nice road ride with a couple of the boys from the Yakima team yesterday. There had been talk of 100 miles, but the reality of the route combined with some shaky legs and the threat of pissing-down rain shortened the ride to a mere 100 kilometers instead.

Great roads and minimal traffic on the route mean I will revisit and extend this course. Right around 5000 feet of climbing, and that with the bailout option for the last 10 miles. I suspect this could be a 100 mile route with 10,000 feet of climbing. Oregon, I (heart) you!

So, what was the weather like? Two hours of cool and overcast followed by two hours of steadily dropping temps and steadily increasing rain. The last 10 miles were flat, but the price for that was lots of cold rain and riding along a major truck route. That is to say, lots of road spray and swerving semi rigs. Love it!

Rumor has it that there will be a trip to Eugene/Oakridge later this week, and perhaps some XC racing over the weekend. Thinking long range, another trip in/over/through Moab/Fruita/SLC/Boise is in the works. I just can't get enough of that desert riding...

Bear Springs Trap XC Race Report

Bear Springs Trap XC
April 25, 2009

Conditions:
Cool and Sunny; significant snow cover in spots
24ish mile course on Mt. Hood

Bike Setup:
Steel Quiring 29er, Steel Salsa Fork
Specialized 2.3 tire front
WTB Nanoraptor rear
I9 Wheels
32x19 gearing

This blog started as a way for me to record information about my races. Since I am doing a few more XC races this season, I’m going to restart that practice.

I did not have a great start to this race. It wasn’t clear when the singlespeed race was going to start. A group of us were clumped together as the Pro and Cat 1 racers were starting. Although we had agreed amongst ourselves to wait until after those racers were away before beginning our race, we saw other singlespeeders take off and were forced to follow suit.

The race started out going up a long, steep ATV trail. There was quite a bit of snow on this hill, and most racers were forced to walk. I never start well, and this race was no exception. I saw a group of singlespeeders find a line to the far left, but I was committed to a line on the right and watched them move off into the distance. I spent most of the first mile running and dealing with traffic. By the time I got to some snow-free singletrack, I was a bit annoyed and had to focus on having fun and enjoying the ride. This mindset made for a better day on the bike but isn’t the proper mindset to win a XC race.

I spent the first four miles or so stuck with a group of about six riders. They were just fast enough that I couldn’t easily pass them, but they were slower than me in all the technical and uphill sections of the course. At the end of the start loop I was able to power up a long, technical climb and pass these riders. The rest of my day was spent chasing down the riders that had put time on me at the start.

I noticed that many of my main competitors suffered flat tires on this course. I saw at least three riders that I recognized from other races sitting on the side of the trail fixing flats or dealing with other mechanicals. The course was quite technical, with wet roots, sharp rocks, and a shale field that all provided the opportunity for problems. I was fortunate to have no mechanical problems on the day.

I was very pleased with my bike setup. Although the course was rough in spots, my decision to run a rigid fork was the right one. The combination of a fat 29er tire and my technical riding skills got me through almost all the tricky spots on the course. In fact, there were several spots on the course where I was forced to dismount because riders ahead of my on full-suspension bikes were unable to continue, although it was clear to me that I could have maneuvered over those obstacles with little difficulty. I think I could have run a gear that was one tooth harder; there were very few climbs on the course and I was able to sit down and spin up most of them. One tooth harder would have allowed me more speed on the road sections. I think I could have carried more speed in the bermed singletrack sections as well.

As always, the steel Quiring 29er performed flawlessly. Every time I ride that bike I think kind thoughts about Scott Quiring. The bike is solid; I never worry about the chain dropping and I feel like every ounce of energy I put into the pedals contributes to pushing me forward. Although the steel Salsa fork is heavier than my carbon fork, it was the right choice for this course. The steel fork inspires confidence in rocky and technical terrain; I just don’t worry about it getting damaged in a crash or from flying debris on the trail. I also felt good about the performance of the I9 wheels. While they can sometimes feel too stiff in a 24 hour race, they were perfect for the three-hour effort required for this event. The tires were also a good choice. I was very impressed with the Nanoraptor in the rear; it hooked up in the snow and mud far better than I expected and the low rolling resistance on the road and singletrack was greatly appreciated.

In the end, I was pleased with my performance. Although I was never able to get fully into ‘race mode’ I was able to do well enough to achieve 5th place, about 15 minutes off the leader and within 5 minutes of a podium spot. I’ll take it!

Boise. Fruita. Syllamo. You never know where I will show up next. I roam the countryside like a wraith but I'm no longer full of wrath. Angry Joe has been retired. A new age has dawned. But be mindful: you may see me at the start line of your next race, where ever that may be.

Pain

It pains me to write this post. Writing this post means I am back in Portland and not out in the Utah or Colorado desert.

Pictures can be found here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36665065@N03/sets/72157615812478994/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23166155@N07/sets/72157615676485955/

http://picasaweb.google.com/kristinw/FruitaMoab

Took a quick trip out to Fruita and Moab. Rode most everything at 18 Road, and Mary's, Lion's, Horsethief and Troybuilt from Kokoppelli trailhead. Then over to Moab for Slickrock (the hard way), Amaasa Back, Flat Pass and the capstone; Porcupine Rim.

The damage? Mangled hand on Horsethief, shredded skin on Slickrock, sidewall blowout coming down Flat Pass and a variety of scrapes and bruises from sundry get-offs on Porcupine.

We had a very interesting group; three gents and two ladies. Three 29er's, one long-travel bike and one hard-ass on a 26er full-rigid ss. Only minor mechanical and medical issues. And I got to entertain the crowd at Eddie McStiff's with push-up for the manager/former Army Ranger 1st Sargent. Good times!

Equipment Notes:

You can do these trails on a ss bike; 2x1 on a 26er works but you better be a hard man. One tooth easier might be a better choice for mortals.

Full-sus is better. Firm up the suspension; high-speed impacts and the need to pump-and-jump mean too soft settings will lead to trouble.

Leave the light tires at home; lots of sharp-edged rocks. This is especially true on Porcupine Rim; I'd bring a set of heavy tires and tubes just for this trail. Nevegals at least.

You can do slickrock on Mountain Kings, but something like a SB8 or Nano would be better. Of course, Amassa Back would eat those tires...

Anybody can ride 18 Road and have a good time. On any bike. I'd ride that shit on a unicycle if given the chance.

Wow

Time flies when you're having fun. I'm having too much fun to update this blog it seems.

I have been riding. Alot. Some boring training miles, some really fun recreational miles. Some on the road bike and some on the MTB. Or the other MTB. Or the full-sus MTB. You get the picture.

Heading off for Super Secret Spring Training Camp this weekend. A bunch of folks from Portland, some folks who hail from Michigan, and some people I haven't met yet. I can't say where we're headed, because if I told you you would just about explode with jealousy and I don't want to do that to you. I like you. You're my friend.

Rumors

There is a rumor that Norba 24-Hour Nationals will have a jersey category for singlespeed this year.

I was wondering what was going to motivate me this year.

Now I know.

:)

Flashback

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVoSkIP2huk

Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships from 2007. No bathing suit content, but you can see me @ :50, 2:59, 6:21, 9:24 and a nice stoppie as I almost run over someone at 9:50. I'm sporting a very conservative Founder's kit, riding a Slingshot DD-X with fancy blue Velocity Deep-V rims. Check it!

Also, training for 2009 continues at ridiculous levels. I am more machine than man now. Racing season starts next week with a nice road race, with an XC race the following week. Pictures? Maybe. Pain? Certainly.

Last Week

14 Hours

150 Miles

Nice mix of road and mountain, ending with this:

East Day

Although the elevation profile doesn't look like it, this was a pretty easy day. 4000' of climbing, but we rode those climbs nice and slow. Only one hard effort; a downhill sprint to a stop-ahead sign. I was still a little cooked from yesterday. Well, from the entire week I guess.

Off to syncline for a 4-hour ride tomorrow. I'll try to take pictures.

Yet another wonderful day...

I think Garmin says 5000' of climbing on this one.

In other news, my good friend Jason from Pivot has a sweet Mach 4 for sale. Only ridden on Sunday, and wiped down with a soft rag after. Or something like that. Anyway, the details are here; help a brother out and get yourself a deal in the bargain.

Back to the road bike

The first climb was 'contested'. Well, at least in theory. The second was done at a relaxed pace. Should be mountain bikes for the rest of the week. And it looks like rain might be on the horizon. Good thing, it was starting to feel like San Diego around here...

Full-Sus in January? Oh, Yes!

Garmin says 4000' of climbing. Granted that half of that was on pavement, but I was still hauling 27 pounds of fully-suspended joy up those paved climbs. The only problem with this ride? It was too short...

Two Rides - Good Times