Tuesday, September 29, 2009

I'm Shitty

About keeping this thing updated. I really didn't think it would be hard, but I find myself putting off updates all the time. I'm a shitty blogger.... Sorry. Not that many of you choose to read my ramblings, but to the few lonelies out there who have nothing better to do, I appologize.

I had an awesome KC Cup experience. I'm pretty sure I was the only dummy to toe the expert line with one gear. I spun my freaking brains out keeping up with the fast start on the road, but managed to find myself in a decent spot when we hit the singletrack. I think I got some looks passing people on the pavement on my SS. I spin like a monkey on crank.

I did manage to get stuck behind a train of riders who I could have done better without. I managed to superman it trying to pass some 360 rider who didn't give me shit for room to pass. Seemed to be the story of the day. Apparently these Expert Guys don't like to get passed and aren't so gracious about letting you do so. I expect the one getting passed to slide to the right, and let the passer pass on the left, preferably somewhat on the singletrack. This guy expected me to dodge trees and run in the sticks to pass him.

I finally broke free of traffic and was able to roll my own pace halfway into the race. I finished fairly strong, taking 3rd in my age group 19-29. Of course Shad Shiener took first with Cam just a few seconds behind for 2nd. Kinda hard competition. Those guys took 1st and 2nd overall. Had I not got stuck in traffic, I'm pretty sure I would have taken tope 5 overall. I missed it by one minute and took 6th. I was stoked.

Last weekend was my first cross race. FUCKING AWESOME! Got me hooked... I raced SS after fucking with my bike all week. Apparently it didn't like the gear choice I had on it, and I shoulda listned to it. I got it working, but it proved to work me midway through the race. Apparently I thought I could push a 42x18 for 45 minutes. I underestamated cross. I'll be switching to a 19 or 20 this weekend, for sure. Either way that shit was serious pain, and serious fun. Managed 6th outta 16 starters. Not to shabby but I'm shooting for podium this weekend. I found out I need water during a cross race, or at least during one that last 40 minutes in 85 degree weather. That was some crazy shit.

This weekend I'm skipping Warsaw to do the double header at Parkview. I vowed not to race cross till November but you know what, fuck it. I'm hooked, and ready to start kicking ass on the grass. I'll be sporting a water bottle, and I don't care how damn ridiculous or pussified you think I am. Gels too... That's just me...

Oh, we also debuted our new team last weekend, Team Ethos. Look for us around at about any racing event this side of the Mississippi. Yup, we'll be there...

Friday, September 11, 2009

Quick Update

So last weekend was awesome. I had a great time with Mike ripping Binder to shreads on my newly built Stumpy SS. That thing ripped ass, and tore up the trail with blazing speed. I was super happy with the day, minus my start fuck up. Jumped on my bike after the lemans start and my seat took a nose dive. I had to stop to fix it and got put behind literally the entire field. Sorry to those few riders who I had choice words with during the first lap. No one wanted to move out of the way and I was in a hurry... My bad.

We took 4th out of 28 teams. We lost 3rd by less than one minute with one mile to go at the end. Mike left everything he had out there, and couldn't quit hold off the badass on the other team who was riding like it was his first lap. Mike, you did awesome man! I held down super consitant lap times, minus my first lap. I turned a 34, then another 34, then a 35, and my last lap was my second fastest with another 34. It was an awesome race, and definently the best race for me this year. As far as racers times goes, I was the third fastest of the day according to times. Chris Ploch was the fastest, followed by Cameron Chambers, then Me. Super stoked about that, not to say that bad ass Jeff Winkler who turned 11 solo lapes couldn't have smoked my chili, but he was racing solo. That guy is insperation.

Had an good ride at Warsaw last night. In case you didn't know that's the local of the last XC mountain bike race this year. It goes down October 4th. If you have any balls, you'll come race. Trust me, you'll need them. This is a true mountain bike course, none of that pussy ass half cross half mountain bike shit we sometimes have to race. It's a unforgiving course, super fun, and it'll kick your ass on a SS, which I'll be racing. Good times my friends, good times will be indeed.

Swope Park XC is next weekend, mount up soldiers, the actions is going to be packed. I'm stoked to actually race an Expert age group class that doesn't put me in with the 30 somethings. Those asses have way more experience than me. Of course this also means I'll be facing Cam for sure, and likely guys like Shad S. Those fuckers are faster than me any day. Maybe top five????

So I'm off to the Sedalia stage of the Tour of Missouri. OH YA, got me a hospitality tent pass, AND a Media Pass. I'll post up ridiculous pictures of stupid fast racers, and their stupid fast, way to damn expensive bikes. I'm like a kid in a candy shop. I'll try to keep the creaming to a minimal...

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Binder ATTACK!

Get ready, mount your horses, and be prepared for one of the fastest 6 hour courses this state has to offer. This Saturday marks the second annual Binder 6 Hour Race. Be there or be a square... But then again maybe square isn't so bad, it worked for this guy. His enthusiasm will be matched by mine on Saturday.

I'm going a different route this time. This was my best race last year, I took 2nd out of 40 racers, and beat my long time nemesis Kyle Shour. Kyle proved to make me his bitch at Rim this year, I think that New Mexico Pro training has helped. Last year I was gun ho into the endurance scene, but that's not the case this year. I'm good as gold up to the three hour mark, but after that I start petering out fairly quickly. I'm still waiting for the Viagra of endurance racing. Something to keep me hard all day long!

I'm pairing up with an older gentleman who posses much badassness, Mike Classen. This guy usually gives me a run for the money in the endurance field, and I forsee much good times on Saturday racing side by side with him. I'm totally stoked to race the 6 hour duo format, as I'm told it's the coolest shit since sliced bread, and pornography. It's gotta be good if it's as cool as porn.

So you'll see me on my newly revised Stumpy. I got pissed off from having gearing issues, and after having so much fucking fun on the Monkey last weekend, I striped it and it now weighs two pounds less and has one gear, instead of 27. It's going to be supa fast at Binder.

This is going to be perfect training for my next upcoming gauntlet of races, four XC races in a row. Get ready, get set, riding your fucking bike till the wheels fall off!

Find all the dirt here...

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

A New PR!

Stans 0 - Tubes 6

Last weekend Dishman and I made the long trek to Tipton, MO to do what was long hailed as one of the most bad ass weekends of Racing and drunken good times around. It proved just to be that. And it proved to kick my back tires ass with thorns that pierced and made tubes it's bitch all weekend long.

I won't bore you, but the trail was primo. A mixture of sweet river trails, and praire lands. I rocked the Karate Monkey SS since my gears were giving me troubles on the Stumpjumper. It proved to be a bad ass bike for this course. The glory lap was 13 miles long. I did three laps on the Karate monkey, and half of one on the Stumpy. I dug the SS sooo much more...

I flated 5 times during the race, and the sixth came as I pulled into camp. I had to cut the fourth lap short because the back tire was loosing air and I was out of tubes and forgot my damn patch kit back at camp when I asked Cam to patch a tube for me. Rookie mistake. I had to use my spare rear wheel which wasn't set up tubless, which also proved to be another mistake. I counted over 20 thorns in my front tire after the race. Stans proved to be king at this race.

We had an awesome time though, and I have to give a hugh shout out to the Palen Family who were kind enough to host us crazy hoodlums all weekend. The race was pricey, but worth every penny. The bicycle musical chairs proved to be a hoot, and Cam made that baby seat look good. The band was good, and our pony of Boulevard was even better.

No doubt had I not had my flat problems, I would have took top five in the Glory Solo. I was feeling good, and rolling strong. Cam put in the fastest lap at 52, Travis, his partner was throwing down consistant 56's. I put down a 1:02 in the first lap, on a SS, with a flat, and with a superman endo because some kid ran me off the trail. I was happy. Three laps into, with pit stops, and three total flats, I had averaged 1:08 per lap. Every race is a learning experience ass hopper, and next year, I WILL BE STANSED UP!

This weekend is the Binder 6 hour race, and I'm thinking of pairing up with a certain older fellow who rocks bikes like Ike kills jobs. Ya I saw this billboard up and had a laugh... BURN!