Retro action

Circa 2003 in a WVMBA race. Those were the days; v-brakes, 26 inch wheels and gears. I was about 10 lbs heavier too!

This, my friends, is a picture of uber-fast pro Adam Craig of the Rabobank/Giant mountain bike team rocking his singlepeed in the WORLD CUP XCO RACE at Windham last weekend.

He finished 37th in a field of 71 of the top pros in the universe.

Thirty Seventh.

WITH ONE %$%$#@! GEAR!

Now, I've always liked Adam Craig. Ever since Off Road To Athens a few years ago he's been one of my favorite characters in the world of professional cycling. But after seeing this, I freakin' love this guy.

Admitting weakness (or is this fear?)

I am weak when exposed to massive heat. 98 degree massive heat scares me. 98 degree heat is what is forecast for this Saturday's Fat 5 Enduro in lovely, scenic Bedford, VA.

Know your weakness.

I have a plan. I have a new Camelback. I have a large cooler and a wife who is willing to hand me bottles of winter as I pass. I shall not be afraid.

Know your weakness, Part 2.

Long races scare me...sort of. I've always been a come-from-behind type of racer in XC events. The 2 to 2 1/2 hour mark seems to be what I am best at pacing myself for. A 5 hour enduro is just 2 XC races, right? I've done numerous 4-hour training jaunts this year. Not only have I survived them, I've enjoyed them more than ever.

So I will ride like I'm training, not racing.

Get your mind right.

Slow and steady may very well win this race. The heat will take it's toll on everyone. The trick will be to stay below the limits that can usually be smashed during a regular race.

Giddy with anticipation

TDF 2012 is almost here!

Proof of cool

Bar ends are out of style? Ha! I spit on your style. Just look at this picture that I Google-thefted. It just wreaks of cool(ish)ness and spews style like a volcano.

Now take a look at my bike. 710mm Niner carbon bars + bar ends = all friggin' kinds of leverage and power for climbing. And cool and stylish. You betcha.

I tried removing them recently so I could be like all of the cool kids, but it just plain sucked.

Nevermind the drawbacks like catching them on trailside flora and fauna on high-speed decents. They are too cool not to have. True dat.

Shift season

Since I moved onto the mountain a little over a year an a half ago, and I have a trailhead 300ft from my front door, I haven't been on the road bike more than a dozen times (I'm guessing). It's just way too easy to ride the mountain bike.

But I've discovered that taking the path (er, trail) of least resistance (i.e., most fun) has left big holes in my fitness. Time to break out the road bike at least twice a week for some lung-searing 20 mph+ workouts. Oh joy.

Seriously though, summer is here and the tan lines need some work after being in the woods since fall. My legs and lungs will have to just shut up and endure the punishment.

But, if I start blogging about road racing, will someone please remind me how much I hate being a roadie? Thanks, yo.

Love and stuff

Hot like wasabe when I bust rhymes. She is my new love. Her name is Carla. She is lite like a small squirrel. Nimble like a scalded cat. Strong like Sasquatch. And beautiful like fresh snow on the hood of a Jeep.