i haven't been to VT in years. this makes me want to go with the same urgency of when you have to pee really bad.
IGVENTURE
- Thread starter pooriggy
- Start date
IGGY Roadie
Did I tell you I did Hillier than Thou a few weeks ago. I was reminded of this century over the weekend when I did an endurance mountain bike race, I'll tell you about that too. The similarity is that I rode the whole ride with two other guys, which takes some of the suffer out of it. Also riding with others helps me to push the pace more and stay motivated. For HTT I kept the pace relaxed or as relaxed as you can be on a ride with 13,000ft of climbing. Mike Merritt and Greg Campi from 3D racing where great company for the 7hrs it took me to do that ride. Its actually more like 106 miles to the finish with climbing to the very end. This century is more like a challenge then a race. Yeah there are guys who ride it to see who can finish first but for the rest of us its more a test of endurance. This is definitely a ride you want to have company on, otherwise its sucks to suffer alone.
[/url]10665048_694068094018249_1190660800077083688_n by Pooriggy, on Flickr[/IMG]
Really I'm not picking my nose here^
IGGY MTBer
So fastforward about a month and I am on my way to Blue Marsh in Pa. I'm not really sure of the name of this race, other then Blue Marsh. Its cool damp an foggy, Mitch, Schilling and Tim roll up and take my pic. I was awake 2hrs ago but the ride kinda put me back to sleep. I have never ridden these trails and I'm not sure what to expect after all day rain on Saturday. Also I'm not really sure who else signed up for the 4hr endurance race either. I saw Martin's name but didn't recognize a lot of the other guys. As me Mitch and Martin are about to roll out to check out the trails I see Gordon and Mancuso driving into the parking lot.
[/url]IMG_20141012_074512_605 by Pooriggy, on Flickr[/IMG]
We were supposed to start the race at 9 but the scorer is still setting up, finally at 9:15 we line up an go. Everyone seems to have a lot of legs for a 4hr race but as we come into the single track its Gordon, Mancuso and myself with Martin, Schilling, Tim and Mitch behind me. The beginning of the course is flat, without a lot of sharp turns which make it fast. There is a small road section which puts us back onto single track with some elevation but the real climbs don't come until another 10 minutes. At this point the whole field is pretty much together, I'd guess about 10 guys? The first climb is a gravel grinder which gets progressively steeper at the top and about 100 yards long. Not terrible but it does cut the lead group down to about 5. The real climb comes shortely after the downhill, the best way to describe it is imagine doing devils elbow climb at Hartshorne 4x. There are 4 switchbacks to the climb which require use of granny gear...if you plan to ride this climb for multiple laps. Its impossible to keep the HR down while on this, the best you can do is spin an easy gear and save your legs. Now the SS guys who were behind us have no chance at riding this thing. It is the most unfriendly SS course I have ever seen. The course is 7 miles long that is relativley flat except for 2 climbs which make choosing gearing ridiculous. My guess is the guy who designed this course does not ride a SS.
Well anyway after that 6 minute climb I think me, Mancuso and Gordon put a 10 minute gap on the field by the time we finished our first lap. After the climb it was bombing downhill and flat to the start/finish area. I guess I should mention that with every shitty climb there is an awesome downhill. There were no rocks at this place, although Mitch managed to land on one when he launched his bike dowhhill(of course he flatted). Going downhill you could just let it fly, traction was good and a lot of areas were not too tight allowing for recovery if a tire slid somewhat.
So the three of us settled into a comfortable pace and backed off a bit following the first lap. Our lap times were averaging 36 minutes, which would allow us to get in 7 laps. Talking to Martin before the race, 7 laps was the goal...because basically thats what the fast guys do. For the first 2hrs it felt like we were on a group ride, Mitched joined us at the start finish area after he fixed his flat. When we got to the climbs we lost him again. On one of our laps we passed a guy racing the age category on a cx bike. It was unbelievable that he was riding that thing downhill, he had some serious skills.
After the 3hr mark I began to feel the climbs and by the last lap I started to fade on the gravel grinder. By the time we got to the switchbacks I could see Mancuso and Gordon 35 yrds in front of me but at that point its miles away. My HR would not go up anymore and my lungs were cooked. My goal at this point was to make the climb and cruise on back into 3rd place. Once I reached the top of the climb I felt like it was more of a victory ride back to the finish. So I dialed it back and enjoyed the view of the lake on my right as I pedalled back.
Its hard to believe how fast 4hrs goes, the first lap it feels like the race is going to take forever. Having Gordon and Mancuso to ride with made this race enjoybable and at the same time it forced me to push myself. I'd rather get 3rd behind these guys then get 1st and not have them to push the pace and provide company. Riding with these guys made this place fun.
[/url]1972465_10152850119583641_7150320097456994268_n by Pooriggy, on Flickr[/IMG]
Mancuso wanted to show off his new mtb so we posed with bikes.
Did I tell you I did Hillier than Thou a few weeks ago. I was reminded of this century over the weekend when I did an endurance mountain bike race, I'll tell you about that too. The similarity is that I rode the whole ride with two other guys, which takes some of the suffer out of it. Also riding with others helps me to push the pace more and stay motivated. For HTT I kept the pace relaxed or as relaxed as you can be on a ride with 13,000ft of climbing. Mike Merritt and Greg Campi from 3D racing where great company for the 7hrs it took me to do that ride. Its actually more like 106 miles to the finish with climbing to the very end. This century is more like a challenge then a race. Yeah there are guys who ride it to see who can finish first but for the rest of us its more a test of endurance. This is definitely a ride you want to have company on, otherwise its sucks to suffer alone.
Really I'm not picking my nose here^
IGGY MTBer
So fastforward about a month and I am on my way to Blue Marsh in Pa. I'm not really sure of the name of this race, other then Blue Marsh. Its cool damp an foggy, Mitch, Schilling and Tim roll up and take my pic. I was awake 2hrs ago but the ride kinda put me back to sleep. I have never ridden these trails and I'm not sure what to expect after all day rain on Saturday. Also I'm not really sure who else signed up for the 4hr endurance race either. I saw Martin's name but didn't recognize a lot of the other guys. As me Mitch and Martin are about to roll out to check out the trails I see Gordon and Mancuso driving into the parking lot.
We were supposed to start the race at 9 but the scorer is still setting up, finally at 9:15 we line up an go. Everyone seems to have a lot of legs for a 4hr race but as we come into the single track its Gordon, Mancuso and myself with Martin, Schilling, Tim and Mitch behind me. The beginning of the course is flat, without a lot of sharp turns which make it fast. There is a small road section which puts us back onto single track with some elevation but the real climbs don't come until another 10 minutes. At this point the whole field is pretty much together, I'd guess about 10 guys? The first climb is a gravel grinder which gets progressively steeper at the top and about 100 yards long. Not terrible but it does cut the lead group down to about 5. The real climb comes shortely after the downhill, the best way to describe it is imagine doing devils elbow climb at Hartshorne 4x. There are 4 switchbacks to the climb which require use of granny gear...if you plan to ride this climb for multiple laps. Its impossible to keep the HR down while on this, the best you can do is spin an easy gear and save your legs. Now the SS guys who were behind us have no chance at riding this thing. It is the most unfriendly SS course I have ever seen. The course is 7 miles long that is relativley flat except for 2 climbs which make choosing gearing ridiculous. My guess is the guy who designed this course does not ride a SS.
Well anyway after that 6 minute climb I think me, Mancuso and Gordon put a 10 minute gap on the field by the time we finished our first lap. After the climb it was bombing downhill and flat to the start/finish area. I guess I should mention that with every shitty climb there is an awesome downhill. There were no rocks at this place, although Mitch managed to land on one when he launched his bike dowhhill(of course he flatted). Going downhill you could just let it fly, traction was good and a lot of areas were not too tight allowing for recovery if a tire slid somewhat.
So the three of us settled into a comfortable pace and backed off a bit following the first lap. Our lap times were averaging 36 minutes, which would allow us to get in 7 laps. Talking to Martin before the race, 7 laps was the goal...because basically thats what the fast guys do. For the first 2hrs it felt like we were on a group ride, Mitched joined us at the start finish area after he fixed his flat. When we got to the climbs we lost him again. On one of our laps we passed a guy racing the age category on a cx bike. It was unbelievable that he was riding that thing downhill, he had some serious skills.
After the 3hr mark I began to feel the climbs and by the last lap I started to fade on the gravel grinder. By the time we got to the switchbacks I could see Mancuso and Gordon 35 yrds in front of me but at that point its miles away. My HR would not go up anymore and my lungs were cooked. My goal at this point was to make the climb and cruise on back into 3rd place. Once I reached the top of the climb I felt like it was more of a victory ride back to the finish. So I dialed it back and enjoyed the view of the lake on my right as I pedalled back.
Its hard to believe how fast 4hrs goes, the first lap it feels like the race is going to take forever. Having Gordon and Mancuso to ride with made this race enjoybable and at the same time it forced me to push myself. I'd rather get 3rd behind these guys then get 1st and not have them to push the pace and provide company. Riding with these guys made this place fun.
Mancuso wanted to show off his new mtb so we posed with bikes.
Oh, hey.
Going coastal today, this is a bit different. Last week we had 3 snow storms and temps in the single digits. Felt good to be out today in the spring weather. Did you get out today?
Stupid garmin didn't turn on right away, I did over 50 miles after work.
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/717374423
Going coastal today, this is a bit different. Last week we had 3 snow storms and temps in the single digits. Felt good to be out today in the spring weather. Did you get out today?
Stupid garmin didn't turn on right away, I did over 50 miles after work.
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/717374423
I just rode around in circles around Garrett Mountain. BIYF has had a weird affect on me.
^Luke photo'd me in my boy shorts.
So yeah, back to bike racing.
The winter was fun with all the snow but once the snow is gone the party is over. I love XC skiing but I also love cycling, so while I'm bummed to put the skis away I enjoy getting on the bike.
I did the last two short track races in March after the snow was gone. Thats a fun way to get back into the racing season for the regulars and a good intro to racing for nubies. No one takes those races too seriously and its fun to see bike people again. The races are short but really intense. They are also hassle free, in and out quick and cheap.
Then you have SSAP, which is the kick off race for most of us. I think DH can charge $100 for that race and people will pay it. I hope they dont' read this.
Even though SSAP is a big race with a mass start it still has a party vibe...until the horn goes off, then its down to biznuts. The hammers are out front, and I'm usually right behind them. My start was good but felt it a bit going down the ST and had to reel it in before I exploded. They added miles to the course this year, which spread the field out before we got to Major Mike, which is typically a Major Clusterfuck. At this point we were spread out and one guy taking a dab in a turn didn't bunch up 30 racers like it usually does. I rode that race clean and was able to finish 18th out of 100andsomething, which is good for me.
Fast forward to this past weekend, I was really psyched to race Mooch. Let me just say that the race course was fuckin awesome. Its such a good feeling being a cog in the wheel that hosts a race. This is what I felt like as I was hanging at Mooch Madness.
It was great to have the opportunity to kick off the H2H series with a solid course and fun day. Nice to meet some new peeps coming up onto the race scene, it brings fresh energy into mtbing.
I raced SS for this one as well, because thats all I gots for right now. Lining up with teammates @Mitch, @Schilling and @Pampa helped me relax at the starting line. Norm announced that the SS class was going to go with the 50+class since both classes were kinda small. This was interesting because at 49 it would give me a sample of who I'll be racing next year in my age class.
I'll just give the highlights of my race: I almost took out Clapper when I fell off my bike at the top of the climb when I couldn't get my foot out of the pedal. One SS guy passed me on a fatbike, Mitch told me his name like 5 times after the race but I can't remember it, I ended up passing him back on the start of 2nd lap. At the end of the 2nd lap @RobW offered me a cookie in the ST near the lake, he looked like a hobbit...it made me laugh. I patted @Norm s ass on the start of the 3rd lap for good luck. Rode the last lap clean for 1st place in SS and 2nd for 50+class...if I was racing 50 +🙂 Although I did fall on the rock over near the Reg area on the last lap. I'm not sure how I did that but the 100 people watching me got a good laugh, as did I.
Not only don't you remember his name but you don't even remember who told it to you. I have no clue of his name nor did we ever talk about it.. Welcome to the 50 plus club, you will fit right in.
Nice racin so far this year for you, I think sking really helped you while we were all getting fat you were working out. I new right from the gun you were gonna kill it. You took off like a jet and were spinning like a gerbil off the start. Congrats on first place and thanks for the ass on the ride home.
Yes @Schilling probably did because they rode together the day before. His name is Cima and he's been racing that FB well before the revolution.
I like when you touch my ass.
I like when you touch my ass.
The Kalmyk
Well-Known Member
Nice . Enjoy the new kit. Looks great..
