Triple Crown West #2: Bonelli Park

It’s been about two years since I had a clean XC race at Bonelli. On the last three outings I’ve had a punctured sidewall, a flat and chain issues so I simply wanted a clean race. It was clean, but it definitely wasn’t smooth. Last week I encountered obstacles, but rolled with them and made the best of it with the help of the team.  It was a rough ride to the XC podium this week. There was an absence of flow.  It’s not a complaint just an observation.

Go!

Representing the team

My Super D run on the other hand, was both clean and smooth.  The guys in my group and I started as the sun was setting and that made for some interesting riding given the shadows.  There was only three seconds between first and second place just like last week.  Every second counts! Speaking of seconds, it cost me 7 cents/second to race Super D and 1 cent/second for XC. Given the smiles post race at the awards, it's absolutely worth the extra 6 cents/second!!

 Awards in the dark for the Super D at dusk

 Another pair for the team

The team had a very good showing this week and we’re off to a good start in the US Cup Series. The Fontana City National is up next, but I think I’m going to opt for something from the asphalt underground: the Fargo Street Hill Climb or the Feel My Legs I’m a Racer event.

Thanks to Jason and the sponsors for making everything with the new team possible and to Lynda for continued excellent training workouts.

Triple Crown West #1: Vail Lake

I’m feeling pretty good this year and it’s due to a number of factors:

• Lynda and I did something a little different during the winter and it was of tremendous benefit. Different is good.
• I’ve been able to do a few training rides with my new SoCalEndurance teammates. These young guys can really put the hammer down and the hurt on.  They have a passion for cycling that I had lost and riding with them helps rekindle my passion for cycling. Besides having new teammates, I have new sponsors and I like testing new gear. Different is good.
• Work is less chaotic this year and so I have plenty of energy when I head over to the Torture Clinic after work. I enjoy Robert’s classes because it’s a controlled environment where I can turn myself inside out and get in a good training session on equipment I don’t normally use during the rest of the year. Different is good.

Saturday I went out to Vail Lake to pre-ride the XC course and to try the Super D race. I messed up my front wheel during my XC course pre-ride, but thanks to some quick work by Jason, it turned into a great opportunity to ride something different.  I used his KHS 656 XC bike for the Super D race while my teammate, Heidi, took my wheel to the great folks at The Bike Shop for repair.  

 The 656 XC is a thrill to ride!

 

I absolutely enjoyed racing that bike. It was easy getting used to the feel of it and I’m looking forward to borrowing Jason’s bike on many an occasion!! Different is good.

On the Super D podium with Tim (left), my former Shoair teammate.

The conditions for Sunday’s XC race couldn’t have been better for me because I love riding in the heat and it was a welcome change from the recent cooler temperatures. Different is good.

XC podium

 Two more for the team.

I couldn’t do it without the team: Jason and company for having the race support all worked out so everything went very smoothly, the camaraderie of my teammates and of course our team of sponsors. Thank you.

Harding Time Trial

I don’t normally stray from the training that Lynda, my coach, designs for me, but I couldn’t resist participating in the first Conquer the Mounting Harding TruckTrail Time Trial.  I thought it would be a great opportunity to race a single speed and gain more experience with choosing the right gear ratio.  Last year I raced single speed at two cross country events and I had such a great time despite feeling like I chose a gear ratio that was too big. 

The last time I rode Harding was at least five years ago so I took the 29er out to ride it twice on the Saturday before the event in order to get a feel for it.   

On Monday, I swung by the Path bike shop to drop off an old S-works bike that I used to race back in 2006 and several parts that I wanted to have swapped out.  Out of respect for the climb, I chose a ratio that I thought would be a challenge, but something I could turn over at a decent rate.  I took the bike over to Harding on Wednesday to ride it up the first 15 minutes of the climb and it felt pretty good.  I debated on going with a smaller cog, but I decided to play it a little safe.

Only ten minutes into the race and I realized that I made a big mistake.  I should have been bold and opted for the bigger ratio.  I have some unfinished business on Harding so I’ll be out there this summer working on getting it right.

Ready to conquer the mountain in my new colors.

 Single speed podium shot with Brad, my former Shoair teammate.

Heidi, SoCal Endurance teammate, and I both took the overall trophy for all the age groupers.

The single speeders were lumped in with all the age group categories and we both rode a SS.

 Two for the team.

Thank you Lynda for designing an awesome training plan around my crazy work schedule, to Jason for the tremendous effort getting the SoCal Endurance team off the ground, to all the sponsors for the excellent gear, to the guys at the Path for getting that old bike back in decent racing condition and to the race organizer for putting on a great event.

Solo at the 6 Hours of Temecula 2012

The 6 Hours of Temecula was my first race as part of the new SoCal Endurance team.  I’m excited to be a part of something new and I’m looking forward to doing as much as I can to be a positive influence on the young racers on the team.  My goal is to help each of them stand atop the podium and don a stars and stripes jersey.  I’m personally looking forward to getting back to racing the longer format solo races I used to enjoy so much back in the day. I’m also looking forward to learning from the talent on this team.

This was my first solo lap style race in at least five years so I wasn’t sure hat to expect. At one time, this type of race was natural in that I didn’t have to think about the pacing or nutrition everything felt natural and I just got into a groove. This race was nothing like that. I definitely wasn’t in the zone.  My mind was either wandering or trying to keep track of too many things: my pacing, my nutrition, my lap times and my standing.  My body was no better.  I am not use to riding in the same position for such a long time. I’ve grown accustom to the duo format; ride hard, rest and repeat for 12 or 24 hours.  I knew my first race back to the solo format would be hard, but I expected it to be a bit smoother.   There are plenty of things I need to work on and re-learn.

I want to thank Jason Ranoa for inviting me to be on this fantastic new team. I’d like to thank the sponsors who have already done so much in a short amount of time to help get the team up and running.  Finally, I’d like to thank the parents of my fellow teammates for helping in the pits and the encouraging cheers.