RickySilk

Another hit-n-run except this time had to be on the road at 4:30 and ready to race at 9:30. Didn’t have to do it solo this time though cause there was 3 other willing participants in Longshanks, Red Dragon and Mingo. Made the trip a lot easier.

The crew that went up the day before gave me a perfect description of the course and what I should warm-up on. No problems being ready to race at 9:30. It would be 5 laps of the 6 mile loop.

I got a crappy jump at the gun but dadgum if the outside didn’t open like the red seas allowing me to jump up to 4th before the BMX track.

4th into the woods with Shawn leading followed by Some Guy and Andy J. Shawn lit up the first lap pretty good with Andy and I following. The second lap settled. The first lap seemed like it took forever. I thought, “shazbot this is gonna be a long race”. I also shared my opinion that Lance Armstrong is the reason mtb racing in the early 2000’s was weak and why the 19-29 class is generally weak. The youngsters of that time went to the road due to cyclism Lancism outdoor networkism. Andy J agreed and added that Lance was the worst thing that could happen to an up and coming mtb pro around the late 90’s early 2000’s, as all the money left mtb and went to the road.

Third lap settled more. Shawn asked me to take the lead so I did. He said there as only two rules: (1) don’t blow him up (2) stay on the trail. A minute later I slid out the rear tire and broke rule number 2. doh! In hindsite I think it was a good thing cause it put Shawn back in the lead. At this point I think we all knew the race would really start on the last lap. At least I did. The pace really backed off. Felt like we should be going faster but didn’t want to go up and push the pace. I guess I was content to wait til the last lap. Shawn and I both knew that at some point Andy J would attack. Shawn has been razzing Andy about his pro-ish status and the fact that he should be at the front since the beginning of the race.

On 4th lap Shawn insists Andy needs to set the pace so he does. He keeps it status quo up until the last climb on the lap then pushes it hard. Shawn says, “I KNEW IT!!!!…. WELL…. NICE RIDING WITH YOU!!!”. It was kinda funny but I needed to get around Shawn and try to bridge up to Andy. I come by and say, “I’m gonna give it a go”. Two minutes later I get close to blowing and say, “I gotta ease up”.

Coming out of the woods at the end of the 4th I was feeling better and push hard through all the chicanes and manage a small gap on Shawn. From that point it’s all out. I have a carrot 15 seconds up and chaser 15 seconds back. That’s pretty much optimal for getting that ass in gear. Last lap ends up being the fastest, true sign of a tactical race. I can’t catch Andy and Shaw can’t catch me. 2nd it is. 4th overall. I’m happy with that. Rode the PT and numbers show growth. A month til next race so hope to get some good quality in before then.

Yo I was flipping my energy with the 180 on the podium.

The bikechain.com KHS xc-team fueled by 180 was runnin’ good Sunday. Yeeehaaaaa! Kept the floodgate on the shock in the on position the entire race and it felt good. Left the floodgate off on the fork cause I like the front end plush and there wasn’t a whole lot of out-the-saddle action on this course anyway. Fun course with a lot of fast swoopy turns.

Performance of the day gotta be Longshanks flatting on his second lap and still riding back into third a lap later. Big Jim needs more self confidence, he is no beginner. Mark finishes in the top half in his first real expert race and rides consistent laps in the process, those long rides in January paying off. Steve is back in the groove, feels like old times. Kent suffered through it even though he hardly ever rides.

The bikeposse is taking it back to the old school with a race at the Red Bug trails on March 1st.

Mar 8 SERC #1 – Gainesville, FL
Mar 22 GSC #1 – Pig Trails Macon, GA
Apr 19 GSC #2 – Columbus, GA
May 3 SERC #5 – Tanasi Trails Ducktown, TN (Kenda Cup East)
May 31 Bump & Grind (Kenda Cup East & US Elite Series)
Jun 21 GSC #5 – Dauset – Jackson, GA
Jul 5 GSC #6 – Rock Hawk Trails Eatonton, GA
Aug 15 Fools Gold Dahlonega, GA (NUE Series)
Oct ?? FSC #? Tallahassee, FL

Gainesville doesn’t rank highly on my list of fun courses so I’m not sure on that. I’d like to find something to do mid-may since I should be going pretty good then but there’s no mtb events between the 3rd and 31st. Or if things are going good maybe I’ll make a trip to the NE and do the Mt Snow and Windham.

The Tallahassee Cyclocross Spectacular is this weekend. It’s gonna hurt. I went out last night with the fellas to practice the mounting and dismounting. A little late but better than none at all.

I’m kind of sore today. Not from the crossing but from the skateboarding. I decided to try some old tricks and I pulled a groin or something.

I need to test some thumbnailing on DSMTB so here’s a random picture of a guerrilla trail builder I saw on the powerlines.

SHAZBOT!

Woooo weeeee! What a race I had Sunday. It was probably the most fun I’ve ever had racing and probably my best performance ever as well. The Bikechain.com crew was in full effect with a huge support team. Good memories were made.

Lap 1
I wanted a good start so I could exploit the speed of the Cadillac trail but I didn’t expect to get the holeshot. There was a weird lull in the pedaling just before the first corner but I kept cranking and there I was. Shawn found my wheel pretty quick and I kept the pace high enough on the way out that nobody passed but not so high I blew my wad. At the turnaround Shawn and I had maybe a 5 second gap. I pushed my tires hard and we stretched that out to maybe 15 or 20 at the bridge. I led to the first grassy hill where Shawn took over. He toned down the pace a bit which was probably a good thing. Even this early in the race he implies that it is going to be a race between the two of us and that nobody will bridge up. He led it to the end of the lap.

Lap 2
We’re already catching riders from Pro/EX 19-29. Shawn leads all of Cadillac and I come by after the bridge. I dab on the tricky rooty uphill and then get knocked to the ground by the almost last place EX19-29 guy. That was unnecessary. When we get to the hills I try to keep the pace high, hoping I can wear Shawn down. He is a big strong guy and I don’t want it to be decided at the line. We chit chat a little about his competition in the series and why I don’t do the whole series. I throw down some surges on the hills but I get no separation. After the second time through the start finish Shawn comments on the loud and rowdy BC crew and I replied, “You’re playin’ the home team baby!”.

Photo by John Kalin.

Lap 3
Now we’re starting to get down to business. The first hard attack comes after I dab again (dagnabbit) on the little rooty uphill. Shaw throws down pretty hard and gets a good gap. I come around the corner at the bottom of the first big hill and see him standing on the pedals digging. I know he means business because he hasn’t stood on the pedals all race. I chase down through the gun range and up the oak tree climb finally catching him at the top. I go right around him and throw down a surge hoping he has over committed on his attack. I push hard up the weems singletrack hoping for a gap that never comes.

Lap 4
This is my last chance for a gap. I ride hard through the start finish and turn down a feed. I must get a gap. When we get to the hills I push very hard… but he holds. A lapped rider incident allows him to get the lead before we enter the final bit of singletrack. We’re even as we enter the BMX track but he exits first. I am on his wheel around the last corner but he is to strong and I cannot come around… even with my tongue out. Shawn wins by a bike length.

Second again. We bump knuckles and agree it was an epic race. How can I be unhappy? My form was blowing my mind, my time was 3rd fastest of the day and the course was as fast and fun as it’s ever been. That’s 100% fun.

It was awesome having all the support around the course especially through the start finish. The BC crew was one raucous bunch. It was incredible to get that pump every lap. Thanks to everyone who hollered at me. Especially Kent and Mark for making the party happen. Racing is always fun but it’s more fun with a party.

Wiens was one of my favorite mtb racers back in the mid 90’s and this interview pretty much explains why. Just a cool down to earth guy.

I especially like the bit where he writes about the “looming event” style of motivating yourself to train.

If your exercise or training has a purpose and is aimed toward an event or goal, it’s more likely to happen and it will be a more rewarding experience. Kudos to everyone that accepts a challenge requiring hard work and commitment, whatever it may be, and follows through to the best of their abilities and life constraints, to be able to give their best effort at “go time.”

Furtado, Overend, Tomac, etc. Back when Tomac rode drops.