Bubba #9 - staying focused

Today's bubba race, the last in the series before State next weekend, had land mines all over it. The awesome course designers were at it again working to create havoc on racers.

Land mine #1 was the slippery root on the back side of the course, countless went down there.
Land mine #2 was the camouflaged root that stuck out of the ground on the back section just before the paved down hill.
Land mine #3 was the 180 at the bottom of the down hill just after land mine #2

It would take laser like focus to make it around this one 8 plus times on two wheels.

21 showed up to race with all top ten bubba cup racers there except Josh who was in Iowa City playing in the mud. With a strong field like this it was any ones game. Buddy said go and we were off.

I had a bad start trying to clip in, did not mater as things settled in quick.

After the first lap it was Jay, Dave B, Jon, Nate, Dan, Martin, Alex and Dr Mark forming the lead group. I was chasing and soon joined them.

I think it was lap two or three that took out several from this group. Dan hit land mine #1, slippery root, had to un clip loosing some time, I think Jay had the same issue. Land mine #2 , camouflage root, takes Alex out completely, Dave B goes down but gets back up but not after loosing lots of time.

So now it's Nate, Jon, Martin, Dr Mark and I leading. Nate and Jon get a gap leaving Martin, Dr Mark and I to chase. Martin and I manage to drop Dr Mark and work to hold position.

Martin and I were going along well but Dr Mark got some legs and caught back on. I was in a bad spot for the race at this time and lost his wheel as he took off taking Martin with him.

As we enter the back side again with 4 laps to go, Martin gets blown away by land mine #3, the 180 at the bottom of the hill. He went down hard taking him out of the race.

This puts me in 4th with no hope of catching Nate, Jon or Dr Mark. I look back and see Jay and Dave B not far back. Jay catches and passes with two to go and Dave getting closer and closer inch by inch.

With one to go I give it all I have to hold Dave away. I did so until the barriers, he passes , I have no answer, legs were toast with nothing left to give. Great efforts by both guys who were grazed by exploding land mines but stayed focused in there own way to make up ground and advance their position.

I ended the day with a very satisfying 6th place and held on to 5th place in the final bubba cup standing.

The fans on the back side of the course were again off the hook, thanks again for all the cheers!

Thanks to all the stake ponders and bubba operations staff this year too, take next weekend off and just enjoy racing.

Next up, MO State

Mt. Pleasant Bubba

This photo says it all today. Thanks Mike.


Mt Pleasant winery was the setting for today's offering. It was up or it was down, not much in between. Started off well about third or forth wheel working a good pace and holding on OK. Couple laps in I started going backwards, the hills were just too much I guess.

Lots of great fans and lot's of money to be had out there. Team Red wheel and Team Seagal owned the run up hill with cheers, cash and wine hand-ups, awesome!

Then there was the stair section, lots of cowbell and money to be had there too. Look close you can see the money offering here.

Photo by Gopate

Despite the poor finish (16th) I'm not at all disappointed, it was a fun day with great fans, ton's of encouragement all over the place, thanks to all that gave me a shout out today. And I held on to 5th in the bubba cup.

Then there was the enormous effort from Dan Miller who ripped it out there today, impressive.

Here gives you a good idea of the course today and an awesome crash. All were OK and were racing again once they got off the ground.

Next up is a rest week, followed by the last Bubba Cup race on Sunday then State in two weeks.

Kansas State Cross Championships

Extremely disappointing day spent in Kansas Sunday. The rain that fell all the way there was no big deal, the mud that covered most of the course was no big deal, the slipping and sliding was no big deal either. But the bad luck that occurred just after my first lap was.

Coming off the grass into a right hand turn into a muddy sloppy mess the bike slid out from under me taking me down sliding on my right side a bit. Came to a rest, got up to continue to find my entire right shifter was filled with mud along with my right hand glove. I go to grab on and it was like a wet slimy bar of soap, I had no grip and could not hold on let alone try and break or shift. I took off my glove, tried to get more mud off but no luck, still slippery. I got back on the bike anyway to try to continue, no luck there, could not hold on to the bike. So I had to say goodbye to this race, walked the bike back to the car and proceeded to clean. I spent more time cleaning than I did racing.

Next up, the much anticipated Mt Pleasant Winery Bubba CX Race this Sunday.

Sunday Preview KS State Cross

Heading to Kansas again for their State Cross Race. St Mary's was a great time a month ago, result stunk but awesome course. Hope to find better legs this time...

Bubba #6

Photo by Mike

Good hard steady race, Josh took the win with Ron Bridal and I close behind working hard to chase and hold off chasers. In the end Ron grabbed 2nd and I crossed the line in 3rd.

Not a very complicated race, big effort from start to finish with very few place changes.

Felt great today, super pumped about getting on the podium. Virtual podium anyway.

Finally fixed it

I've had my share of issues this season with rear derailleur cable friction. I think I've changed out cable and housing a dozen times. Then a few weeks ago Drew B. directed me to Gore Ride on sealed low friction cable system. After a crazy muddy race last weekend, lots of bike washing and several dirty training days, the cable and shifting are friction free. Super easy to install and well worth it.

Suffering Bubba #5

photo by Mike

Race was more a blur than anything else as I pushed the limits and was gifted a 9th place finish for the day. More later....

Bubba Cup Standings

Muddy Bubba #4

Many have been hoping and praying that we would get a mud race soon. With what seems like a million inches of rain in October it's hard to believe all of them have not been a muddy mess.

For those with a desire to race in the mud, all was answered last night at CC Park near the lake for what was a flat muddy mess by the time the A race started. The turf which started as a field of grass and weeds quickly turned into a coat of mud slime.

I started 2nd line behind those in costume who earned front row status for their get up. Start was clean and off we went. To dark to really know who took the lead and how the first lap took shape but by lap two I was near the front with Josh, Nate, Alex, Jay, Dave B and Martin I think.

Fast forward a few laps and now it was Josh, Nate and Alex in the lead, with Dave B chasing and I alone in 5th with Jay and Martin close behind. Alex would have his issues with some corners, fall, I would pass him, he would catch and pass me, fall again, I would pass him again and again he would catch and pass. He got it back together and made the best of what might have been a DNF.

With 4 to go Jay catches me, we ride a few laps but he got the best of me pulling away taking over 5th. With one to go any remaining chasers were far behind so I took it easy crossing the line in 6th. That effort moved me up into 4th for the Bubba Cup

The mud was unreal. My rear derailleur was packed full of grass, mud and who knows what else. Honestly I can't believe it made it. Took a pair of scissors and about 30 min with the portable power washer get the drive train moving freely again. The power washer by the way is a must have.

Drove home getting in at 1:30am, threw my stuff in the washer, cleaned up and headed to bed. Now I'm going to see if I can't get the bike working again for toady's mud fest part two. Same place, same mud.