Supercross and Lost Valley

I was a throttle twister before I was a pedal pusher. I’ve been riding motorized two wheelers since the age of four. Even though I don’t ride the KTM as often as I would like, and prefer my Epic to my two stroke, I never miss the AMA Supercross when it comes to the Lou. Sat night was the ’09 edition, and it didn’t disappoint. Reed and Stewart put on quite a show with Stewart taking more soil samples than the USGS. In the end, consistency prevailed with Reedy on the top step of the podium, much to my delight I might add.

Sunday was the opening round of the MO State MTB Series. The previous day was not the preferred pre race menu with lots of time on my feet, greasy food, and Guinness, but I soldered on non the less. The weather was perfect and the large crowds of riders and stiff competition worked it magic, and helped my get the mojo going.

The start was fast, but not stupid fast and I was feeling good tucked in near the front on a long double track section. I knew going into the first set up single track I wanted to be no farther back than 5th. I jumped in around forth and went to work. One of the Mesa armada was holding me back a bit so after asking nicely and getting no response, made an aggressive move and slid into 3rd. On the first big downhill to the long gravel section on the back side I caught up with a Dogfisher. He scared the crap out of me when he went to clear a little rock section and his shoe came unclipped. We went on to work well together trying to chase down one Cameron Chambers on the flats. Cameron was going full gas and we could only make a slight dent in his lead.

On lap two, I was feeling good and following the Dogfish rider into the single track again. He was starting to fade a bit, and I caught a glimpse of Ploch coming on a switchback. Time to motor. At the top of the big downhill again I passed into 2nd and let her rip. I guess the Dogfish rider was fowling my line and wadded it up behind me because when I got to the double track he was no where to be found. So I began the chase of Chambers solo.

Cameron was in sight the entire 3rd lap, but I couldn’t pull it back and finished about 45 seconds back. A good start to the season for sure. Looks like the miles of tempo have paid off. Its time to start tweaking the motor and working on the anaerobic engine.

It just doesnt get any better...

Quit driving out of state to get in some "Epic" mountain bike riding. The big MO's got its own honny pot just ready for you to take a dip. Dr J, Green Beans, DoubleD, Daisy, and a few stragglers, hooked up for some fat tire goodness on the Ozark Trail. Day one consisted of 50 miles on the North Trace Section. Day two was the best, with some wicked fast swoopyness on the Middle Fork.

Get out and see these before the Equine destroy them like Berryman. Some of the best stuff I've ever ridden. NO KIDDING!

Things I learned this weekend:

Dwayne G is nuts (guy does a Berryman loop as a warmup for a 50+ mile day)
Dr J can put away Bud Lite Lime (yuk)
Green Beans can put the screws to you if he's so inclined
You need suspension for the OT
Disk brakes are good, V-Brakes are not (with mutiple stream crossings that is)
Good trails, good weather and good friends...it doesnt get any better!

What would you do for a Klondike Bar?

Dr. J, DoubleD, Daisy and myself took advantage of the early spring weather, and dry trails, and spent the day ripping it in South County. Lost Valley, and Klondike Park were the main course with a heinous gravel climb and scenic subdivision bypass thrown in for good measure. Fun was had by all.

PS...the new bike is still hanging in the shop. Maybe some day...

TOC Shame

I was living in an information bubble for a couple days last week in regards to the end of the Tour of California. I was pretty sure the Tour de Levi would go off as it has the past two years, but this is bike racing, and I didn’t want anyone to spoil my viewing pleasure by leaking the outcome. I finished up the race just the other night and although the racing was extraordinary there was a phenomenon happing in the background that had me a bit perplexed. I fully understand the commotion and hysteria associated with being a fan at a world class cycling event. I’ve been to the Tour of Missouri, and Tour of Georgia multiple times and have been apart of the mayhem myself. It certainly acceptable to get a “little excited” when witnessing your two wheeled hero pass by after a few drinks, but what the Cali residents were drinking I don’t know.

You see, any time the race went towards the heavens, the TOC crowds started to get…well…stupid. Possibly in an effort to replicate the famous Devil from European cycling lore, the TOC spectators to seem to go to great lengths to stand out. Guys dressed in red, white and blue with huge afro wigs. Dudes in Speedos, nothing else. Clown suits, and sumo fat man outfits. Heck even the Pope running alongside the Peloton. It really appeared to me that those in question weren’t fans per say, but a community of losers looking for their 15 minutes of fame. Seems typical of a state where the rise and fall of Hollywood fame happens daily, that its residents would try to use Versus as a means to stardom.

It’s a part of bike pro bike racing I know, but come on guys, I want to see skinny guys in spandex flying up a mountain pass, not your fat ass running along side in a purple banana hammock, man boobs bouncing, all while carrying Old Glory wrapped around a stick you found on the roadside. Oh the humanity!

This One's for You Green Beans!

I put in some solid miles this weekend with the BOCOMO crowd. On Saturday the elder statesmen of the group begins to complain a bit about the pace being set by the two "young" guns in front, myself and Mr. Shottler. I proclaimed that in fact my young a$$ was riding RAGBRAI before Shottler was in diapers. At the urging of Mr. Beans, here is the proof. Now these are pictures of pictures so the quality is mighty poor but you'll get the idea. My cycling alfliction started a few moons and obviously fashion trends ago. What I wouldnt give to find that banna seat wonder and restore it to its previous mud bath glory.

So how many miles do you ride in 22 years of pounding on the pedals? There were no Garmin's or Powertaps in the 80's so we'll never know! Let the ridicule begin.

Sometimes 65 and sunny is not good for cycling...

Dr J, Green Beans, OZ and I met for a spin through some local parks, trails, gravel, and a bit of KT Sat, thinking the conditions wouldn't be too bad in the afternoon. We could not have been more wrong. The KT was sloppy in spots but manageable. Grindstone had 20 feet of trail that was nice and dry. Someone was asleep at the wheel and left the door open at Rock Bridge. It was beyond muddy and we quickly left the scene of the trail raping we did. Gravel road turned into south Louisiana quagmire. So that left us riding our Mt Bikes on the road. No fault of our fearless leader Beans though. It was wayyyy to windy for my weak butt to be on the road bikes, so all was good. Better luck next time fellas.

Thanks Sis!!!

On a solo gravel ride this week rocking my new Morgan Stanley jersey. Thanks Sis!