SRAM has signed on as a sponsor of the Topeak-Ergon team for 2010. I’m stoked to try out the XX group. From all that I have seen, heard and touched (the latter only at trade shows) it’s lighter, smoother, more simple to operate and just makes sense.
SRAM
In a nut shell it has been slow going. I started working in the gym back in Oct after a week or so of recover at the end of the 2009 campaign. Working with Kyle from Continuum Sports Solution has been fantastic. He’s put together a strength program that focuses on the what I need to build power and fight off fatigue in the long races (ie, upper back, shoulders and neck). Next week we’ll be moving into the explosive power phase of the program. This portion of my 2010 prep has been going very well…..because it’s done inside.
The weather this winter has been rough. Yesterday was the first day over 40 in a month and really the first non-freezing day in weeks. I’m not one of the hard as nails northerners that can ride outside even when it’s -8*. That’s why I live in the south. I heard it even snowed in Naples, FL last week! So I have put in some time on the trainer, some time on the rollers and have done way more running than usual. There have been some rides, but they have been bitter cold.
Today’s high is going to be in the high 50s, so no more whining it’s time to go ride!
So here is the official version and I’ll add in a few notes in italics…..
Snake Creek Gap Time Trial #1
01.03.10
To bring in the new year, Eddie and Namrita O’Dea from Georgia rode in the first of three Snake Creek off-road Time Trial races. Over 300 riders registered and most of them braved the day’s below freezing temperatures. The O’Deas competed in the 34 mile race. Around the first mile marker, there is a knee-deep creek crossing that all the 34-mile racers needed to negotiate.
Namrita chose to ride it and Eddie chose to walk it with bare feet and legs. Both were successful. After that, the next several miles are rolling singletrack and doubletrack with some steep ups and downs and many rocks littering the trail. Because the ground was frozen, the trail was pretty fast riding.
Namrita and I started separately, so I missed her successful crossing. I did witness 2 or 3 others not make it across and get soaked. I decided to keep the shoes dry due to the 19* temps. Not the boldest decision I’ve very made but neither my feet nor my drivetrain froze later.
However, because it was so cold outside, riders were dealing with frozen drinks, drivetrains, brakes, and limbs. The last five miles of the trail are very technically demanding with steep pitches and many technical rock gardens. Eddie got a flat tire and had some trouble changing it. Thanks to the help of a fellow (Ergon-sponsored) Faster Mustache Team rider he was off rolling again. Eddie caught up to Namrita after the singletrack and both rode into the Finish Line together.
I forgot to go by the shop and pick up tubes. Dumb, dumb, dumb move. So over course I flat. Someone gives me a tube (and they flat just before the finish), but I can’t the tire off the rim because it’s so cold it’s much tighter than usual. Someone gives me a lever. Then I’m messing with the Co2 to refill it and the valve keeps freezing. I try 3 Co2s, but only manage about 15lbs of pressure. I carry on riding up the climbs but walking anything rocking on the descents which is everything on this trail. After a 1/2 mile of this slow crawl someone loans me a pump and I’m on my way. Can you say unprepared?
Race times, in general, were longer than expected for most racers. Namrita finished in 1st place in her class and Eddie, even with his flat tire troubles, finished in 8th place.
I was doing the post-race math and I would have been only an hour back on winner, Thomas Turner. I’m never fast in the winter, but wow, this is a new low. I have much work to do.
The race and volunteer support was excellent, as was the competition in all classes. There are two more Time Trial races left on February 6 and March 6, 2010.
This is all true. A very well run event and I have a chance to redeem myself.
Join Ergon and 55nine Performance for an Endurance Race Clinic (that’s Klinik in German!). Now that the race season prep is upon us, join Team Topeak-Ergon riders Eddie and Namrita O’Dea as they share their valuable tips, insights, and secrets for success in the sport of endurance mountain bike racing. Topics will include off-season base training techniques, nutrition strategy for on and off the bike, tips for efficient pit stops and transitions, and equipment choices. There will also be time for a Q&A session so you can get specific answers to all your racing questions.
Tuesday, December 22, 6 pm
Rochester Bike Shop
426 South Main St., Rochester, MI
(248) 652-6376
http://www.rbs-cyclingteam.com
Saturday, December 26, 3 pm
Velo City Cycles
77 E 8th St., Holland, MI
(616) 355-2000
http://www.velo-citycycles.com
This past weekend held a number of firsts. Besides the already mentioned piggy-back Lemans style start here are a few others in particular order:
- Never changed clothes. I never had time. Many thanks to Chamois Butt’r for a nether region saving product.
- No BURN Energy drinks. They were missed.
- Roadie tactics in a solo race. I’m going to have learn some new tactics.
- Having a rolling support crew. Sure hope this goes away in mtb 24 racing.
I had won last year’s edition and thought I knew what I was in for this year. I was wrong.
Saturday morning I sent all my gear over to the start/finish at Elliot Street Pub with Rich from AVX. Then I took the dogs out for long walk since Namrita was off to ride some trails with friends. Then I kitted up and rode the 4 miles over to the pub. I had another hour to kill and went about setting my cooler, food, clothes and lights in an orderly pile where I could easily get to it. I was planning to be self supported. I missed the racers meeting while taking care of “other business,” but soon found out there would be a short Leman’s style start. A running start in bike shoes? I tested the shoes on the pavement and nearly went down with little effort. Running was going to be scary, running with 100 others was going to be silly. I then thought to leave my shoes clipped in, run over in my socks and try to roll out triathlon style. This was a step up. Then brilliance hit me and recruited my friend Colin to carry me piggy-back style with my shoes on! This was a first, I believe, at the FM.24 and maybe in all of 24 hour racing. Read the rest of this entry »
We rode it yesterday and it was all that I remembered and more. With local knowledge we not only rode the 26 mile (mostly) descent, but railed the singletrack, took the more advanced options, stood behind a waterfall and dove into the Blue Pool. Amazing day.
It was so cold....50* maybe.
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A view from the trail along the shore of Clear Lake
Heading to the MacKenzie River Trail today with the bachlor party. My cousin, Michael, is over from NZ to get married next weekend. In the meantime a group of friends are hitting some sweet single track around central OR. Look to facebook for some pics since it’s too much work to do from my phone.
The Ergon Blog has as great recap, so I’ll just fill in a few parts not noted over there:
- I tried a brown ale that had been dry hopped and it was darn good. Nutty and malty up front with a nice hoppy finish. Not sure what the availability will be, but I’ll check with my man on the scene this week.
- I could not lose…..even though I really wanted to more than once. I tried going one legged a few times to throw it, but still managed to win the round. At one point I thought I lost, went and ate a brat and was immediately called back up. I managed to keep the brat down….barely.
- My legs hurt for days. The drive up to MI was brutal. My legs ached all the way. My right leg was particularly sore. Let this act as the official excuse for feeling a little flat at Lumberjack.
- The event was awesome and I hope we do more of this for Ergon.
- Georgia beer laws are lame. I’m a big boy and those serving us were big boys and girls, we don’t need a church infulenced state making up silly laws for “our own good.” Especially when these laws are unbalance compared to those concerning wine. Lighten up GA and we’ll have some more breweries, ie tax revenue.
