Superweek Days, Superweek fails.
4 hours ago
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Babler
Too much rain this afternoon and tree limbs down on course made for an uneventful day! Race cancelled.
MTB State Championship
Awesome course! Big thanks to Matt and James for putting this one together.
Legs felt good but could not get the bike to go fast enough, technically I was slow. The climbs on Blue Ribbon trail were steep and challenging, granny gear a must with some portions so steep and full of roots and rocks had to walk.
The best part of the race for me were the climbs. First two laps I made it up 2/3 of the way up the second climb. Goal for lap three was to clear the climb, goal achieved.
Ended the day with a smile and 5 out of 9, good day on the bike.
Last race of the week, Babler X Treme today, might be in the rain.
Legs felt good but could not get the bike to go fast enough, technically I was slow. The climbs on Blue Ribbon trail were steep and challenging, granny gear a must with some portions so steep and full of roots and rocks had to walk.
The best part of the race for me were the climbs. First two laps I made it up 2/3 of the way up the second climb. Goal for lap three was to clear the climb, goal achieved.
Ended the day with a smile and 5 out of 9, good day on the bike.
Last race of the week, Babler X Treme today, might be in the rain.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Dirt Crit #2
Another awesome night for dirt crits! Ralph and his crew do a bang of job of providing entertainment and food for all!
A Race (MTB)
22? lined up for this one. Stuck with the game plan of starting in the back then working my way up as far as I could. I like this plan as it allows for maximum fun trying to catch guys out in front. And the workout is exceptional; keeps me on my toes, helps me concentrate on clean lines in pursuit of short lap times and finally motivation to push hard.
With 6 laps to go I could see Ron from the team as I entered the start finish area. Over the next lap I was able to catch and we rode a lap or two together while at the same time Drew from Mesa was coming into view. With three to go I put in a hard lap to gauge how Drew was holding up. Figured if the effort got me close I would push on, if not I would stay steady. In doing so I lost Ron and made up significant ground on Drew so I pressed on catching him just as we the final lap. I stuck to his wheel with a plan to attack after the creek crossing. Once out of the creek and up the bank to the straight-way I put the hammer down and was able to get clear. Ended up 9th on the night.
B Race (Cross Bike)
Thanks to Matt for hooking me up with a new front beefy tire and to Bob for letting me use his wheel and tire again this week.
Huge field of racers in the B race, I think 45-50. For me, this race is about getting to know the cross bike better, working on handling skills at speed, and pushing the watts on the straights.
Highlight of the night was on the last lap where several of us crossed the creek together. Once clear I pushed it hard with a plan to keep it pegged to the end. Came around one of grassy corners, which by this time of the night had begun to see some moisture, and slipped going about 20pmh. Knocked the wind out of me as I hit the deck hard. About 7 guys came flying by as I got my wits about me and soft peddled in. Next day feel fine, no injuries thank goodness.
Today rest, Saturday MTB Champs then top the week off with Babler X-Treme on Sunday.
A Race (MTB)
22? lined up for this one. Stuck with the game plan of starting in the back then working my way up as far as I could. I like this plan as it allows for maximum fun trying to catch guys out in front. And the workout is exceptional; keeps me on my toes, helps me concentrate on clean lines in pursuit of short lap times and finally motivation to push hard.
With 6 laps to go I could see Ron from the team as I entered the start finish area. Over the next lap I was able to catch and we rode a lap or two together while at the same time Drew from Mesa was coming into view. With three to go I put in a hard lap to gauge how Drew was holding up. Figured if the effort got me close I would push on, if not I would stay steady. In doing so I lost Ron and made up significant ground on Drew so I pressed on catching him just as we the final lap. I stuck to his wheel with a plan to attack after the creek crossing. Once out of the creek and up the bank to the straight-way I put the hammer down and was able to get clear. Ended up 9th on the night.
B Race (Cross Bike)
Thanks to Matt for hooking me up with a new front beefy tire and to Bob for letting me use his wheel and tire again this week.
Huge field of racers in the B race, I think 45-50. For me, this race is about getting to know the cross bike better, working on handling skills at speed, and pushing the watts on the straights.
Highlight of the night was on the last lap where several of us crossed the creek together. Once clear I pushed it hard with a plan to keep it pegged to the end. Came around one of grassy corners, which by this time of the night had begun to see some moisture, and slipped going about 20pmh. Knocked the wind out of me as I hit the deck hard. About 7 guys came flying by as I got my wits about me and soft peddled in. Next day feel fine, no injuries thank goodness.
Today rest, Saturday MTB Champs then top the week off with Babler X-Treme on Sunday.
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Monday, July 06, 2009
Sunday Ride
Hermann now has an officially welcome area for all to enjoy. Looks great as you enter the town. This however is a view as you would be leaving town.
The rest of the ride was on the Katy trail. All the rain from the weekend caused tons of washout spots. 3 hours of peaceful riding with 2, 20 min endurance intervals mixed in.
Sunday ended a good week of training, shredded the legs for sure. This week is more of the same!
The rest of the ride was on the Katy trail. All the rain from the weekend caused tons of washout spots. 3 hours of peaceful riding with 2, 20 min endurance intervals mixed in.
Sunday ended a good week of training, shredded the legs for sure. This week is more of the same!
Friday, July 03, 2009
Thrusday Night Dirt Crit #1
Thursday Night dirt crits have to be some of the best racing there is next to cross. Ralph and his crew set the place up right offering tons of fun for all.
Shaun and I loaded up the truck with three bikes for the short 1.5 hour drive to STL. My plan was to race the A race on the MTB.
Then enter the B race right after on the cross bike.
This worked out well, I'll stick with this plan from here on out. Bob from the team let me use one of his 1.8 cross tires for the night. I used it on the front wheel, that worked great for this course. I rode the B race with this bike having tons of fun. This race was more about cross skills than anything. Did several laps for about 20 min, felt good on the bike but then a small cramp came on in my calf so I coasted in and called it a night.
My fist race however was the A race, I lined up at 6pm with 24 others.
I spent the first couple laps keeping a steady pace then began to ramp things up a bit. I'd see riders ahead, work to catch and pass. About 38 min I could see Drew and John ahead. Took about two laps to finally catch. The three of rode for a lap or so with Drew falling off leaving John and I to see who would capture that 10 place spot. John had the better legs and eventually rode away taking home 10th with me close behind in 11th.
Alpine Shop Short Track Dirt Crit by Velo Force Results A Race Thursday 7-02-2009
Place Name Team Bib
1 Chris Ploch DRJ 171
2 Josh "Butthead" Johnson Bigshark 175
3 Bob Arnold DRJ 169
4 John Mathews DRJ 170
5 Greg Sandknop Seagal 177
6 Wes Bierman DRJ 173
7 Doug Davis Gateway 179
8 Zak Hafner Mesa 180
9 Paul Quindry Gateway 188
10 John Peiffer Ghisallo 181
11 Jeff Yielding Dogfish 166
12 Drew Black Mesa 183
13 Eric Shuck Velo Force 172
14 Ralph Pfremmer Velo Force 168
15 Ryan Hermsmeyer Bigshark 186
16 Robert Metz DRJ 178
17 Kent Jones ICCC 167
18 Matt Stuckman Bigshark 189
19 Logan Von Bokel Mesa 174
20 Jim Krewit DRJ 176
21 Rich Pierce ICCC 184
22 James Nelson Bigshark 187
DNF David Nies Bike Surgeon 182
DNF Craig Thrasher Velo Force 185
DNS Dan McCarthy Unattached 190
Shaun and I loaded up the truck with three bikes for the short 1.5 hour drive to STL. My plan was to race the A race on the MTB.
Then enter the B race right after on the cross bike.
This worked out well, I'll stick with this plan from here on out. Bob from the team let me use one of his 1.8 cross tires for the night. I used it on the front wheel, that worked great for this course. I rode the B race with this bike having tons of fun. This race was more about cross skills than anything. Did several laps for about 20 min, felt good on the bike but then a small cramp came on in my calf so I coasted in and called it a night.
My fist race however was the A race, I lined up at 6pm with 24 others.
I spent the first couple laps keeping a steady pace then began to ramp things up a bit. I'd see riders ahead, work to catch and pass. About 38 min I could see Drew and John ahead. Took about two laps to finally catch. The three of rode for a lap or so with Drew falling off leaving John and I to see who would capture that 10 place spot. John had the better legs and eventually rode away taking home 10th with me close behind in 11th.
Alpine Shop Short Track Dirt Crit by Velo Force Results A Race Thursday 7-02-2009
Place Name Team Bib
1 Chris Ploch DRJ 171
2 Josh "Butthead" Johnson Bigshark 175
3 Bob Arnold DRJ 169
4 John Mathews DRJ 170
5 Greg Sandknop Seagal 177
6 Wes Bierman DRJ 173
7 Doug Davis Gateway 179
8 Zak Hafner Mesa 180
9 Paul Quindry Gateway 188
10 John Peiffer Ghisallo 181
11 Jeff Yielding Dogfish 166
12 Drew Black Mesa 183
13 Eric Shuck Velo Force 172
14 Ralph Pfremmer Velo Force 168
15 Ryan Hermsmeyer Bigshark 186
16 Robert Metz DRJ 178
17 Kent Jones ICCC 167
18 Matt Stuckman Bigshark 189
19 Logan Von Bokel Mesa 174
20 Jim Krewit DRJ 176
21 Rich Pierce ICCC 184
22 James Nelson Bigshark 187
DNF David Nies Bike Surgeon 182
DNF Craig Thrasher Velo Force 185
DNS Dan McCarthy Unattached 190
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
RAAM 2009
RAAM has passed by Hermann each of the 3 years I have lived here. This year was no different with the exception the route crossed the new Kit Bond bridge into Hermann then down Hwy 100 to Washington. In past years they just kept heading East on 94.
Tuesday I was out for my AM training ride hoping to come across one of the riders. Sure enough I did, rider Mark Botoh. He is currently running 4th in the solo category. Saw the guy/crew stop for gas, ice and other goodies. When he got off the bike he could barley stand up, looked like a drunken sailor as he staggered to regain balance. Obviously not drunk on booze but I guess you could say he was drunk on miles. At this point in the race he had about 1900 miles in his legs.
It's hard to image riding that many miles, especially in the heat of the past few days, day after day pushing the body to what has to feel like complete exhaustion at all times.
RAAM in the past has not been much to watch or even follow on the net. Seems like 3 time champion Jure Robic will always win and win by a big margin. Not this year. 2408 miles into the race Robic and a guy named Dani Wyss are actually racing! Robic had a 80 min lead when I shut things down for the night yesterday, this AM Robic's leads is a mere 17 min.
With 600 miles to go this should play out to be one close race. For some reason I find myself rooting for the Wyss. I guess it's because he may be the underdog or it may be that by him pursuing Robic there is actually a race to watch. Regardless, it's amazing what these guys are doing.
Check it out for your self here.
http://www.raceacrossamerica.org/raam/rcrank.php
Monday, June 22, 2009
Tour of Winghaven RR
I thought the ToW had a great look to it this year. Banners, start truss, staff shirts the whole nine yards, place looked professional, nice job Mike and crew!
Had about 80 in my race, started front row and lead things about for about half a lap or so. Moved off and settled in for what was to be 10 laps.
At the end of the 2nd lap we came into the round- a-bout, several guys go down in front of me resulting in a full brake controlled slide coming to a stop just before colliding into the pile of wreckage in font of me.
Took a bit of time to get through the pile, but I did, and off I was in full sprint mode to catch the group which was now on top of the hill. Tried to work with a few riders to catch back on, but we never made much progress. Finally after 5 laps of horrid hot temperatures riding mostly solo, I called it a day.
Not the way I wanted this race to end, but those are the breaks I guess.
Next week is recovery then July I ramp up the intensity for the first time this year. Most of this year has been threshold with a mix of above threshold, but July will max out my abilities setting me up for cross season.
Dirt crits and MTB races will dominate July!
Had about 80 in my race, started front row and lead things about for about half a lap or so. Moved off and settled in for what was to be 10 laps.
At the end of the 2nd lap we came into the round- a-bout, several guys go down in front of me resulting in a full brake controlled slide coming to a stop just before colliding into the pile of wreckage in font of me.
Took a bit of time to get through the pile, but I did, and off I was in full sprint mode to catch the group which was now on top of the hill. Tried to work with a few riders to catch back on, but we never made much progress. Finally after 5 laps of horrid hot temperatures riding mostly solo, I called it a day.
Not the way I wanted this race to end, but those are the breaks I guess.
Next week is recovery then July I ramp up the intensity for the first time this year. Most of this year has been threshold with a mix of above threshold, but July will max out my abilities setting me up for cross season.
Dirt crits and MTB races will dominate July!
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