Weapon but not of choice...

I've been spending more time pounding the pavement than spinning cranks. I did manage a 6:40 mile today; not too shabby for a guy that hates running.

Back on the bike and back to Forrest Park tomorrow, and there are rumors of singlespeed riding this weekend. There are also rumors of XC skiing. I win either way.

Next week it is back to Michigan. Riding? Running? Not sure, but there will be eating.

Quick Update

Running shoes were the weapon of choice this week. I might get a ride in this PM, but it is not locked in stone. I need to spin the pedals this week to make up for all the eating I did this weekend and all the eating/drinking/sitting I plan to do next week.

Schedule for next season is taking shape, but slowly. I'm looking for some interesting west coast races; I will try hard to get in Creampuff for sure. Any advice on other 100+ or 12/24 races that are must-do's out here would be welcome.

Oh, I almost forgot; Bike racers + Ugly Sweaters + keg of IPA = a pretty good time.

Weapons of choice?

During my last ride on the Quiring, I noticed some creaking from the bottom bracket area. Off to the shop for the external bearing removal tool (this make the 3rd bb removal tool I've had to purchase to keep up with Shimano's changing standards...) for a pull-and-lube. My hope is the grease is just in need of a refresh and I don't need new bearings. (I can hear all the wrenches out there laughing. Knock it off, Paddy!)

Anyway, I pulled the crank and bearings and everything looks good! I was surprised at how clear the bb shell is; my concerns about rust were unfounded. That Scotty Q; he builds him a mean bike! Since these mystery creaks can sometimes come from any number of places, I also pulled the seatpost and lubed the the seatube and the bolts on the Thomson.

So what else is going on? I've been lifting and running; both are going well. I've been doing massive body-weight only squat sets; 100 reps per set. Why? Cuz that's how I roll.

Getting ready for another trip back to Michigan for Christmas. My guess is that this will be my last trip back for quite a while. Maybe June for Lumberjack, but maybe not even then. Who knows? Since I will be there for over a week, any offers of a bike to use during the visit will be appreciated. (Hear that Janson and Dan?) You know whoever lends me a bike won't go thirsty at Founder's...

Misery Sticks

Skied up around Mt. Hood today. I don't ski much; I'm sore. Bernie is like a snow gazelle while I am like a snow hippo. It was a good time, even if Bernie spent most of the day waiting for me to catch up. We stopped at a great brewery on the way back and feasted on bar food and Pale Horse IPA. Mmmmmm, gotta love the 'horse.

Not in Michigan anymore.

Weapon of Choice:

You know I'm Sexy; just look at my glasses!

Jacket? Check! Glasses? Check! Skis? Check! Close mouth while breathing? Doh!

The man who made it all possible: Bernie!

Thursday? Forest Park!

Ah, winter. The smell of nasty sweat at the gym. The slosh of wet mud destroying bike parts. That 'not so fresh' funk seeping from the gear bag full of damp cycling shorts. You gotta love it!

I know I shouldn't complain. At least I'm not back in Michigan sweating my hoo-hoos off in Scott Chambers' basement while riding on a trainer and watching bad kung-fu movies. The weather for the ride tonight was 45F and no rain. Lots of water in the park, and I finished the ride pretty much covered with mud. I'm pretty sure that I have killed a set of bearings in my crankset, and I dread pulling my seatpost and bottom bracket because I'm sure it is a rust-fest in there. Steel is real, but ti don't rust. Can I get an Amen?!?

On tap for the weekend: XC skiing with Bernie! Should be a hoot, as I can't ski worth a darn. Bernie claims not to me much of a skier either. Why do I feel like I'm being suckered...? Hopefully I'll follow that up with some singletrack on Sunday. If not, it's back to the Park.

Same ol', same ol'...

Not much to report. I took most of the week off from training. I felt a little under the weather, and the weather helped out by being pretty awful. I got out for three hours on Saturday and felt pretty good.

The Industry 9 rear wheel started to drag quite a bit near the end of the ride, so it went in to the shop today. Fortunately the Hope Pro 2 SS wheel is still ready for action. I've been meaning to set aside the I-9's and save them for race season, so this is a blessing in disguise.

I got my gym membership all squared away last week, so it's time for the lifting to begin. I have big plans; we'll see how they hold up to real life.

No USGP for me; the SS race was pretty early in the AM. I used the time for a training ride and some much needed bike and home maintenance.

With any luck, there will be some singletrack soon. I'll keep you posted!

Kruger Pics

Sorry, none of me w/o the seat...

Kruger's Crossing

Ah, cross racing in Portland! I must say, it rocks the house.

I rode in the singlespeed class this week; I am convinced that I no longer want to race on a geared bike. I was doing ok, sitting in 13th place and catching folks when my coverless SLR saddle broke. Well, 'broke' perhaps isn't the best word. 'Shattered' is better. Anyway, I did the last lap-and-a-half standing up. I think I still managed to finish in the top 20. I'll check results later.

I did my first 'training' ride yesterday. Three hours of long steady distance riding. I don't know how long my long rides will be this year, but it was good to get back out on the road. Gym workouts and running start this week as well. Also, I bought a scale. Power-to-weight ration is gonna get worked from both sides this year, baby!

My race schedule for next season is still in flux, but I have decided to focus on west coast races and skip some races I have done before. So, no TI and I am doubtful about Kanza as well. Cascade Creampuff, Breckenridge, Tahoe, singlespeed worlds in Napa and a trip to Wisconsin are on the list, Lumberjack is about 80%, and there is a local 24 in Oregon that I would like to do. I need to get on the details, but it's early.

Plans are under way for an Arkansas spring training trip, a la 2006. I predict broken bikes, bruised bodies and empty beer bottles.

USGP this coming weekend. I might race one day, I might race two days: I'll be happy either way.

Porltand: if ya ain't racing cross, why are you dressed so funny?!?

Midwest Style

So, I'm back in Michigan for a week. Got on the phone to a friend Sunday AM, wanting to get a few beers in the afternoon. He says, "Aren't you doing the 'cross race?" Hmmm, didn't know there was a cross race today. It starts in two hours? You have a bike I can borrow? Heck, why not!

So I borrow a bike and off we go! Not much of a race for me, since I was not in any way prepared for competition. Still, it was a fun time and it was nice to have people cheering for me again. I still don't know enough people in Portland to have much of a cheering section.

After the race it was off to the new smoke-free Founder's Pub. Awesome! Over a few pints, the suggestion was made for some night-time singletrack riding. Well, what the heck! Another borrowed bike, and away we go. It was just like old times; me, Nate, Jansen and Shawn. I rode one of Dan's SS Niner bikes. Of course, that meant I had to run a Dan Jansen gear. Ouch! My knees still hurt.

Sounds like there will be some riding tomorrow as well; and here I thought this would be a rest week! Another ride, and another borrowed bike. This time a geared steel bike from Niner. If you have to borrow a bike, having someone with a Niner sponsorship is not a bad way to go... :)

Looking forward to getting back to Portland. It's cold here. And it looks like I'll be back in time for more cross action!

SSCXWC

Oh, what a painful way to spend the afternoon.

The race was an hour long. I treated it like a real race, and went as hard as I could. Others were more casual about the affair. Hence, me placement: 49th out of 74 finishers. I was able to pass most of the costume-wearing, fireworks-launching, beer-in-the-water bottle folks, but I had to be near the end of the people who were actually racing.

I'm not gonna lie to ya; I worked hard out there. Full-on for an hour; I really thought I was going to puke. The bike worked like a charm, although as expected the crank is starting to creak. I switched from the Small Blocks to the old-school Michelin muds with great success.

Sorry, no pictures! Give me a break--I'm out here alone and I was racing. I will say this; no pictures means you don't have to see Barry Wicks in a gold speedo. Consider yourself lucky...

Results

SSCXWC Update

SSCXWC qualifier was today. The Top 30 from the 1-lap time trial got in; I was somewhere around 80th at 2 minutes back. I thought I was done, but then I learned there was a 2-lap last-chance qualifier. Oh, well. I'm here, I might as well race.

There were 30 or 40 of us still sober enough to find our helmets and shoes for the race. The top 15 would get spots in the Big Show tomorrow. Off we went!

Man, I suck at cross. But I really wanted to get in that race, so I put my head down and went to work.

Final Result: 14th Place! Yeah, baby! This will be my second 'worlds' event. I'm guessing I won't see 3rd Place this time around. It will be cool to toe the start line with some fast folks. I guess some dude named Ryan had the fastest lap...

More tomorrow...

Still Here...

...but not much to report. The DD-X has been test flown. It is like butter, or like a feather, or a bee, or whatever is super-smooth. I have concerns about the fancy cranks in the SS application over the long haul, but they are fine for now and I have some shiny WI Eno's that can step in if necessary.

Oh, someone at the shop weighed it. Just a hair over 18 lbs dirty, with cages and those not-so-light wheels. I loves me some Slingshot!

Big cross nonsense this weekend that NOTHING will keep me from attending. I have missed way to many races already. This one should be a treat! Expect some pictures and a full report next week.

Looks like I will be back in Michigan for Turkey Day; unexpected but not unwelcome. It'll be nice to see the crew again.

Slingshot DD-X Singlespeed

I'll swap the seat for something with a little more padding to ease the 'cross remounts, and the bartape will have to be rewrapped when I get the brake levers replaced, and the yellow stickers on the wheels won't last long. Otherwise, she is ready for sscxwc.

The Local Trail

16ish miles; 2.5 hours. 4200 feet of climbing. 99.5% singletrack.

This trail is 45 minutes from my new apartment. This trail has a reputation similar to the reputation of Yankee Springs for riders in GR; pretty good if you don't have time to to get to something better...

This trail shattered my kneecaps. I dropped the gear to 38x20 on Friday. At the top of the first climb, I was wishing for 32x20 and/or a bucket of ice to soak my flaming kneecaps. There was lots of payoff, however; tons of swoopy downhill singletrack. I encountered just about every type of trail surface; greasy mud, frost, gravel, shale, pine needles, and super-buff tacky dirt.

I need to change my stem. The angle is right, but it is too long. That creates added...challenges during long, technical descents.

Pics to follow this evening, along with pics of my new ss xc wheelset... :)

Just another ride in the park...

About 25 miles, half on singletrack.

About 6500 feet of climbing.

Yeah, that's how I roll.

Swapped the 1.9" Karmas for a Nevegal up front and a 2.2" Karma out back. Lots more weight, lots more traction and comfort. I might gear up one tooth in the back; that was a bunch of climbing at 2x1. On the other hand, there were only a few small pieces that I didn't clean so maybe I should just man up and take it.

Looks like I'll be heading to the coast range for some riding on Saturday. The cross race on Sunday is pretty far away; if my new ss cross wheels are here tomorrow, I might try to mount them up and make a run for it. If not, I'll wait and hit the cross race next week.

Forest Park Yet Again

Saturday it was back to Forest Park. Just to mix things up, the weather decided to take a turn for the nasty. Pouring rain and 45F at the start. I almost didn't show up for the start, but I didn't have anything else to do that morning and I wanted to see if Brian and Frank would show up.

Sure enough, my new Saturday friends were on time and ready to ride. Our only concession to the weather was to limit the ride to 2 hours. We did about the same course as last week. I'm starting to get the hang of this trail.

On the way back I was starting to get cold. My feet were clad in Lake boots, but they were soaked through. My hands were wrapped in EMS neoprene gloves. Neither were up to the task. Feet and hands were both numb when we got back to the cars. I plan to re-waterproof the boots and wear some warmer socks next time. I think I might need to buy a new pair of gloves. Lightweight, waterproof, with just a bit of liner for warmth. Or maybe a pair of wind and waterproof shells to wear over the EMS gloves. Also, I have one gore-tex jacket that I have been using on and off the bike. With all the riding I'm doing, and the perpetually muddy state of Forest Park, I'm gonna need at least one new jacket for off the bike. I might look for an additional jacket for on the bike as well, to give the other jacket a chance to dry out between uses.

I had to miss the cross race today. I had to work in the AM for the second week in a row. Bummer. The good news is that my ss wheels from Mike Curiak should be here for the next cross race; gotta get ready for the ss cross worlds, baby!

More Forest Park

At last, I made it out for a Thursday Night Ride at Forest Park. It was wet but in the mid-60's when Andrew, Dan and I started out from Fat Tire. Andrew was on a Monocog 29er full-rigid and Dan was on 26er FS. We rode up the big hill, down some sweet singletrack, back up a hill, and down a crazy-fast descent. I think it was about the same route I rode on Saturday.

Good times! I'm starting to get back in shape a little; at least that long hill seems easier than last week. Good company and I wore the right clothes.

Notes to self: The Niterider MiNewt is great for the dirt road, not quite good enough for the 20+ MPH downhill singletrack. The slipping bar mount didn't help. Bring the HID next time...

Also, bring your fenders, you nitwit! It's rainy her in PDX; those fancy fenders don't do you any good sitting in your hotel room.

Dan says he rides every Thursday all winter. Sounds like a plan to me!

I'll be riding again on Saturday, and might get to sneak out to the cross race this Sunday. I do have to work again, but if the training I am participating in wraps up in time, the bike and my gear will be ready to go so I won't have any excuse.

Hey, what's up?

Not too much to report. Missed the Thursday ride; had some housing logistics to handle. I did manage to get out yesterday. Rode with Brian and Ken in Forrest Park. We were out for a couple of hours; it was a good ride. They have plans to ride regularly, and have generously agreed to have be tag along.

Visited with Bernie last night. Man, that guy can pick a pizza joint! It was good to catch up.

Skipped the Cross race today. Kind of a bummer, but I had a work thing this morning and by the time I finished up I didn't have enough time to get to the venue. We'll get 'em next week.

Pics for your enjoyment follow:

Forrest Park is spoooookie!

Well, maybe not *that* spookie...

My name is Bernie; I likes me some pizza!

My name is Joe; I likes me some Bernie!

For Snob (and friends...)

More 'Cross...

OK, so I was not quite in the top half of the Master's B field. I was 42 out of 70+. Not great, but not as bad as I thought it might be. Plenty of room for improvement over the season.

There were over 1000 racers at this event. Yep, you read that right. Crazy stuff.

Here are a some links to pics from the event:

http://oregonvelo.exposuremanager.com/p/cc070103/cc0701mjb109158

http://oregonvelo.exposuremanager.com/p/cc070103/cc0701smy082135

http://oregonvelo.exposuremanager.com/p/cc070103/cc0701mjb116159

When I said I leap like a gazelle, I don't make that stuff up...