Rooms available!
With three days to go, it seems that plans and prep are all coming together for a solid race effort. The weather continues to look like it might be a factor. The good news with weather is that everyone will have to deal with the same offerings. We have done our fair share of foul weather training of late and I think this actually will work in our favor!
Ride number 50 for FT3 is in the books. A solid group, Cap'n, Bambi, NoHandle, In-Law, Ghostrider, B (and dog), Rock God, and I, all hit the trail on a very cool yet clear night. We hit the lake trail via the picnic table graveyard and then rounded off the back side of the lake with the horse trial, before finishing off with a small sampling of Fleming. The trails are still in fantastic condition. After a flat a couple early mechanicals, it was a smooth ride with lots of long stretches of continuous riding. For the first time this spring, lights, although some were turned on, were not necessary, the lake was spilling, and the camp grounds had clearly started to be used in earnest. Ended up riding a bit over an hour at a pretty good clip and then called it a night, taper week and all, had to keep the legs fresh.
There was some considerable planning over tacos and beers. Councilman made a surprise Taco showing and presided over the planning issues. Ghostrider appears to be taking his roll as team wrench very seriously, spot on mate! The night wrapped up pretty early, for lots of sleep and general rest prior to race day.
"By a blessed dispensation, human beings forget physical pain much more quickly than they do their joyous emotions and experiences. A merciful Providence passes the sponge of oblivion across much that is suffered, and enables us to cherish the great moments of life and honor which come to us in the march" (Churchill)
Who is ready to start marching? The cave is calling!
Until we ride again
LOtB
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
"He's Going the Distance, He's Going for Speed!"
Call out for ride #50
We are now 4.5 days out from the 24 hour race, and you best believe I am digging out the game face! Body's getting some good well deserved rest, and we all are ready to roll! I don't even see why I am going to work this week, clearly the priority is the bike...
Race info:
We need lights. Clearly we have all been running all winter long with good set-ups, but just to be safe, if we could borrow a few additional lights that would be great.
The racing starts at noon on Saturday running to noon Sunday. All visitors are welcome and encouraged. The FT3/Velo LoCo camp should be easy to find and we will have last years banner up again. Curtis/Green/'fro had threatened a late night visit but it looks like the wife unit has to be out of town. The late night visits are awesome, if anyone is willing to pull this off it would be most appreciated. We have elected to run single lap rotations this year. I am putting out there: We are going for the most laps of any group or individual. The time has come to Man Up Hard As Hell and Throw Down!
Late breaking news: Rumor has it that In-Law is running on a two man 24 hr team? Is there truth in this? Way to man up!
Ghost Rider will be leading our pit crew: Many many many thanks for this contribution of time! A clean bike is a fast bike - That's the pit mantra, learn it and love it!
Ride Reports:
There was some good riding taking place over the weekend. After I got over the Peter Pissy Pants episode of Friday (stress is a terrible beast) and after successfully getting another Prom on the books, Sunday's roll out was totally necessary. Cap'n, NoHandel, Ghost Rider and I all took off a bit late for a cool spring outing. The four of us clicked off a standard Apple Hill loop. I am getting pretty comfy with the aerobars and was able to hammer a bit on the flats and downhill. Cap'n joined Ghost Rider and me up to Lions Park, and then Ghost and I took off for some more riding. Cruising down Lotus road I hit something on the road, neither Ghost Rider nor I saw what it was, but it must have been sharp. The object cut my tire in half and put a nick in the rim, bummer! Calls had to go out to the home fronts to get a ride back. There is most certain feeling of defeat getting a lift back from mid ride. I think all is well and the wheel just has a slight blemish, kind of like a supermodel with a zit!
Race Report:
That's right we have a race report from last weekend. Although it was with a Bicycle Planet kit on Curtis/Green/'fro fired off for the Wente Vineyards Road Race in Livermore over the weekend. I believe it was his first official road race. He tucked himself in to the Cat 5 group and went out to see what it was all about. After navigating his way through the first crash he stayed near the front all day and finished 10th about a minute back from the first group. Reports were of a windy course that required you to stay up front or ride alone. For a first outing all thumbs were up, and he is threatening to race again! We just got to get him in the right kit.
Kits:
Speaking of which, sounds like Ghost Rider is almost ready to get something posted for voting. If we are not careful we will have a full on team running here pretty soon.
Tuesday Ride:
The ride will be on the mellow side as it's race week.
5:45 at Mosquito, exit 54?
Video:
This has made quick rounds and is totally awesome! After watching it way too many times I am stuck with two things:
One: I have to post it here.
Two: I have to learn how to do a back flip off a tree!
Until we ride again;
LOtB
We are now 4.5 days out from the 24 hour race, and you best believe I am digging out the game face! Body's getting some good well deserved rest, and we all are ready to roll! I don't even see why I am going to work this week, clearly the priority is the bike...
Race info:
We need lights. Clearly we have all been running all winter long with good set-ups, but just to be safe, if we could borrow a few additional lights that would be great.
The racing starts at noon on Saturday running to noon Sunday. All visitors are welcome and encouraged. The FT3/Velo LoCo camp should be easy to find and we will have last years banner up again. Curtis/Green/'fro had threatened a late night visit but it looks like the wife unit has to be out of town. The late night visits are awesome, if anyone is willing to pull this off it would be most appreciated. We have elected to run single lap rotations this year. I am putting out there: We are going for the most laps of any group or individual. The time has come to Man Up Hard As Hell and Throw Down!
Late breaking news: Rumor has it that In-Law is running on a two man 24 hr team? Is there truth in this? Way to man up!
Ghost Rider will be leading our pit crew: Many many many thanks for this contribution of time! A clean bike is a fast bike - That's the pit mantra, learn it and love it!
Ride Reports:
There was some good riding taking place over the weekend. After I got over the Peter Pissy Pants episode of Friday (stress is a terrible beast) and after successfully getting another Prom on the books, Sunday's roll out was totally necessary. Cap'n, NoHandel, Ghost Rider and I all took off a bit late for a cool spring outing. The four of us clicked off a standard Apple Hill loop. I am getting pretty comfy with the aerobars and was able to hammer a bit on the flats and downhill. Cap'n joined Ghost Rider and me up to Lions Park, and then Ghost and I took off for some more riding. Cruising down Lotus road I hit something on the road, neither Ghost Rider nor I saw what it was, but it must have been sharp. The object cut my tire in half and put a nick in the rim, bummer! Calls had to go out to the home fronts to get a ride back. There is most certain feeling of defeat getting a lift back from mid ride. I think all is well and the wheel just has a slight blemish, kind of like a supermodel with a zit!
Race Report:
That's right we have a race report from last weekend. Although it was with a Bicycle Planet kit on Curtis/Green/'fro fired off for the Wente Vineyards Road Race in Livermore over the weekend. I believe it was his first official road race. He tucked himself in to the Cat 5 group and went out to see what it was all about. After navigating his way through the first crash he stayed near the front all day and finished 10th about a minute back from the first group. Reports were of a windy course that required you to stay up front or ride alone. For a first outing all thumbs were up, and he is threatening to race again! We just got to get him in the right kit.
Kits:
Speaking of which, sounds like Ghost Rider is almost ready to get something posted for voting. If we are not careful we will have a full on team running here pretty soon.
Tuesday Ride:
The ride will be on the mellow side as it's race week.
5:45 at Mosquito, exit 54?
Video:
This has made quick rounds and is totally awesome! After watching it way too many times I am stuck with two things:
One: I have to post it here.
Two: I have to learn how to do a back flip off a tree!
Until we ride again;
LOtB
Saturday, April 25, 2009
7 Days and Counting
The recon trip of Friday night revealed a fast new course that will lend itself to some pretty wild racing next week. It seems to be much tighter than last year, with tons of single track and only limited sections of Fire Road.
Lap one was pretty calm and served as a good opportunity to find you bearings. Lap two was a bit different. The collective feet went down on the figurative gas pedal and off we went. I was caught off guard a bit and found with tired legs and a week of stress and fatigue, I was way off the back. I chased hard and ended up have a good lap. Cap'n, Bambi, and NoHandle almost took flight...
I was a bit tired this morning, but I think I may have been felt better than others?!?!?!
CHANGES FOR SUNDAY'S RIDE:
SEEMS THE 6:30 DEPARTURE HAD NO TAKERS.
MEETING @ 7:30 @ STARBUCKS.
Lap one was pretty calm and served as a good opportunity to find you bearings. Lap two was a bit different. The collective feet went down on the figurative gas pedal and off we went. I was caught off guard a bit and found with tired legs and a week of stress and fatigue, I was way off the back. I chased hard and ended up have a good lap. Cap'n, Bambi, and NoHandle almost took flight...
I was a bit tired this morning, but I think I may have been felt better than others?!?!?!
CHANGES FOR SUNDAY'S RIDE:
SEEMS THE 6:30 DEPARTURE HAD NO TAKERS.
MEETING @ 7:30 @ STARBUCKS.
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