|   McKeldin race | Jeff Rage
Oct 7, 2002 10:54 AM | | I had a lot of trouble falling asleep Saturday night. I probally got an hour's sleep before the alarm went off. When I got up, I had a gut-wrenching pain in my ... gut. So, I had to choose to not race. :D(
I felt a little better, so I did go to watch the race and give support to my club/people I knew. I was impressed that the Cycle Works Team had 9 Enduro racers!
I did take a bunch of pics, you can see them at http://thejeffpage.8k.com/mtnbiking.html
Anybody else race? How'd you do?
**Crashburn - where were you? I was there by 10:00, was looking for you everywhere. I thought I saw you at one point, when I was in the woods, taking pictures. How did you do?
Jeff |
| re: McKeldin race | cbasss
Oct 7, 2002 11:35 AM | | beautiful day & a fun race.
the trails were in excellent shape & the creek crossings were a lot more rideable than last year.
one thing i learned was that the start (sprint up a paved road, followed by a gravel fire road w/water bars descent, then a left turn on the singletrack) is the key to the whole race.
the field gets strung out once you hit the singletrack & if you are not toward the front after the start it's awfully tough to pass many riders and make up ground.
i thought the course was a great mix of singletrack, fire road, creek crossing, with just enough climbing to get the HR screaming. The switchback trail descent was a lot of fun (the waterbars keep it pretty interesting when you're bombing down in a pack!).
does anyone remember if the course was any different last Fall? it seemed like the laps went by faster this year...or maybe all the road training is starting to pay off.
it seemed like a solid turnout for the race...including plenty of enduro psychos.
it's time for a race at Avalon...plenty of options for a very fun XC course. |
| I was around..... | crashnburn
Oct 7, 2002 5:33 PM | | I thought I saw your car, but didn't see you. I was at the top of the hill for the start of the beginner race.
My results...21/28. I'm not exactly happy with that result. Never have placed that low in a race before. I did have a wreak a couple miles into the race and had to stop and fix my bike for a few minutes, but still I can't imagine placeing that low. I have to admitt though, it was a fun and fast race. Kept it in high ring for about 70% of the course.
Anyhow, going home this weekend. Hope it doesn't rain 'cause I REALLY need a ride out in the Forest. Weather channel says 40% chance or rain back home this weekend. Hope not *crossing fingers.* |
| I was around..... | Jeff Rage
Oct 7, 2002 6:25 PM | | So you raced Sport, right? But you were at the top of the hill at 10:00? I was looking for you and other people I knew in the group that gathered for the preride meeting. I then went to the registration area. (Stacy was working at the table.) I hung out at the registration area for a while, then went to the picnic area close to the start/finish line. Starting at 12:00, me & Mike were taking pics. I think I did see you. Close to the end of the course, there was a sharp left turn and we were there taking pics. Did you see us there?
Maybe you would have done better if you rode your Sugar, rather than the Huffy! :D)
I can ride any day at 5:30 this week, except Tues. Let me know if you want to ride!
Jeff |
| I was riding the sugar...... | crashnburn
Oct 8, 2002 5:32 AM | | I guess I must be out of shape or something. Like I said, don't know how that happened. All well.....life goes on and I still ride. Was think of doing the Bridge Day race back home, but I decided against it. Mostly because of cash. Get's expensive after awhile. I think the season is over for me 'till the Pipestem race (traditional the first WVMBA race of the season) next yr.
I don't think I'll be able to ride this week. Have my EIT exam comming up in a couple weeks (ugh!) and really need to study for it. A friend and I are preparing for it together. I also need to get ready to go home (long weekend this weekend) and all. Maybe when I get back.
If you still want to goto Coopers, let me know and we'll start planning. Mabe we could goto Big Bear instead. Never rode there and it's right down the road from Coopers. Let me know what u think. |
| I was riding the salt...... | Jeff Rage
Oct 8, 2002 2:03 PM | | I was thinking ... I was also at the start area for the Men's Sport (down the hill on the paved road). YOu didn't see me there, either?
When do you think you might be going to Cooper's?
Jeff |
| What got ya? | Bikebreath
Oct 7, 2002 11:58 AM | | Was it nerves? Sometimes that excitement thing will work against you. Even if the pain went away that was not enough sleep to race on.
I can't race anymore. I get too excited and ride too hard and I scare myself.
Bb, [ weather couldn't have been better. ] |
| What got ya? | cbasss
Oct 7, 2002 12:11 PM | | "I get too excited and ride too hard and I scare myself."
but those are 3 of the best reasons to race! 8-)
and there are plenty of other people doing the same thing to keep you company. |
| McKeldon scares me! | Jeff Rage
Oct 7, 2002 6:29 PM | | I went to see Common Place Sat. night. (They rock, by the way!) I got home and was exhausted. I was home in time to get enough sleep for the race, but I couldn't fall asleep. Not sure why, I didn't have any caffeine or anything.
A few days this week, I have woken up with a tummyache or other bathroom related problems. Same thing happened Sunday. I think I may be comming down with something, wasn't feeling that great today, either.
Jeff |
| re: McKeldin race | MD_x-c_guy
Oct 8, 2002 3:47 AM | | Jeff -
I'm 35 so I was in Beg Vet. First race and I had a great time! I was trailing the lead pack of 5 on the prologue lap with nobody behind me. Although I was used to riding up that switchback trail on the prologue loop, I wasn't used to riding it at that speed. I didn't make a 90 degree turn to the right and ran head on into a 6" tree. Superman'ed over the bars and got thrown about 15 feet into the woods. Don't remember releasing my feet and I think most of my body passed to the left of the tree. My chain was twisted up in the front der and I fixed that and got back on, loosing a couple of positions. I was doing fine until I realized I had no rear brake on another downhill section. Apparently, when I hit the tree, I hit the right side of the handlebar because my hydraulic brake fluid was everywhere but in the reservoir. I had 2 more crashes due to the lack of rear brake and a few drivetrain problems but I hung in there. Finished 11th out of 25 or so.
It still beats a good day at the office and I can't wait to do it again! I have 2 new best friends too -- Tylenol and Ben Gay!
My Sugar is going to the shop today for an upgrade to XT cranks. I have a new brake lever assembly coming in later this week so I'm out of commision for rides this week. Hope to catch up with you all next week.
Jeff #3 |
| geez | Jeff Rage
Oct 8, 2002 2:04 PM | | Sorry you so many probs. Racing w/o a rear break!?!
What kind of cranks did you have?
Jeff #1? |
| geez | MD_x-c_guy
Oct 9, 2002 6:48 AM | | Jeff -
Rear brake - I had some use out of it for a bit while the fluid drained out. I really didn't want to DNF my first race so I just made sure I wasn't too close to anybody on the descents.
As of Sunday, I had stock Bontrager cranks on my Sugar. The bike is currently at the shop for XT cranks, XT BB, and an XT front der. I am sick of the lousy shifting and chainsuck. Chainsuck left me standing in water half way up my calves on the last crossing on Sunday!
Jeff #3 |
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