House to Leb & Back

Today after the early storm cell passed, I was pave trails bound for Leb. I left at 6:00am instead of the 5:00am plan...but all worked out. The paved path from St. Louis Park around the lakes was nice, even though a bit wet from morning storm. Once on Minnehaha it was dry as was Mendota to 494 and South on Pilot Knob. Leb was dry for lap 1 then it rained hard for 3 minutes making lap two a bit slippy sliddy. All good. It took 4 hours total ride time compared to 4.5 hrs earlier this year(says the sreadsheet log). Nice progress toward Leadville.... Too bad I couldn't leave at 5:00am as planned cause that extra hour was so in me. I did the Mendota route there and back. Mammoth tommorow.

BUCK#9

Last night was a fun race. I missed the last two and was excited to get on the new traverse across the hill stuff. The trail was packed better as recent rains kept sand and loose in check. With hopes high post Du Lac, my goal was top 30% again. Not tonight. My start was fast enough as I tailed Paul & Jesse, in line with Dave O. Brendan was off in the grass on the right as we all rallied. I moved onto middle of road as soon as I could to allow Brendan on. Once on gravel road he flew. I managed to hit woods near 12th? My goal was top 15 & to finish top 15. Once in the woods I felt the legs say, hold on bucko. The business travel this week & not being on bike since Du Lac called foul. I let up a bit & traffic was not pushing me so I carried on. Once out of the woods & onto the first real "S" climb I felt ok, but was lacking full on power. The push up to the water tower was ok, yet still wasn't motor'n. I settled in & so went the race. I was holding off Jeff for lap 2 & 3 but eventually he got me. Just didn't have the fight. 19th of 47 I think. Not bad, next time.

MNSCS #4 Du Lac

Leading the charge off the start... rolling home 3rd overall in comp class... Ah dude, I had the doo first maan We pulled the pop-up camper to Du Lac and proceeded to find trouble. Another mixed weekend. Mom-prerode Sat eve after rain slickened up the course, bonked her shoulder, has the "right of passage" knot on her shoulder. She didn't ride the race, bummer. She should be ok. Alta-stayed at cuz'n over the weekend and didn't participate this year. Darn broken leg, she's NOT happy. Duncan-4th in citizen, another successful day. He had fun. Leo-scored big with the trials guys, did some riding, and scored shwag/prize. Did kids race, scored a metal for 2nd. Dad's Comp Race Report -1st out of gate and up to ridge, eased off accross ridge and was passed by three(then 4th). At top of ridge snuk past two and kept leader in good view(in 2nd). 4th place guy was yellling at us to catch 1st guy, "get moving!" I wasn't breathing too hard, 3rd place was big time huff'n. The early lap pace was good to me, and the 1st place guy wasn't going anywhere as he was looking sketchy. So I kept it cool. After a bit of settling I hammered on past 1st place guy. Not sure what happened behind me but twice a guy came close then lost control or momentum (strange skids and noises) eventually I lost everyone passing a few tail end experts for distance. I was sitting 1st overall after one lap. Felt good, perhaps eased up too much on lap 2/3, let one go by on both laps, hmmm could have pushed it more. Lap 4 with plenty of gas brought her home fast for 3rd overall, and 1st in age (1 minute behind Bart). All in all besides Mom's boo boo we all had a great time camping, cheering, chatting & cranking!! Oh, by the way....more pictures of Du Lac/Afton racers can be found here. http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/heath4143/my_photos And here are start video's of Comp and Expert races, Duncan took the shaky vids, strap in. http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=1360471704356652028 "EXPERT" http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2620937740453995056 "COMP" Til next post, cheers.

AFTON MNSCS #3

Today was a hot day with plenty of action. A sport rider crashed bad, a single speeder took 1st in sport, and many dnf'ed in the comp race. I hope all turns out well for the crash victim.... I took over 50 pictures of Citizen riders because they never get press. Now I need to figure out how to post. Duncan did great in the Citizen race, he was 4th, then 3rd, then stopped and rested. Ended up 4th. He though he was 2nd and still 3rd across the line after his rest. Silly goon. I gave him a high five and said good job. If he needs a rest he can have it! He did that at Buck a few times too (potty breaks). He's 11, did two C laps at Afton, 8 miles, and I'm proud. He's having fun, that's all that matters. I'll let him decide what works for him and how hard to push. The Comp race was a burner. Before the race my plan was to utilize my stength and hit single track in first. It worked, I led the whole class from the start through bridge loop and halfway up to the club house. I was feeling good. The second place guy said "nice pace, keep it up." I could see sepration as I pounded. Not sure who was second, I think it was a Kenwood cycle guy who races adv each week at Buck, I think he dnf'ed. Regardless Lonnie passed me near the top, then later another. I finished lap one in third. My decision to lay off the gas was good!! I fell back a few more each lap and survived lap 4. Other than the slow fade, I know I put the hurt on many who tried to keep up out of the chute. Sweet, I did what I could to fend off rivals and faired well. The result, 9th of 55 overall and 2nd place in 40+ class (2hrs 6min). See you at Buck Thursday.

BUCK #7

Duncan really enjoys the banked turns at Buck. So did his little brother Leo. This week two bank turns we're in the race. Duncan placed 4th after he fell and said his gears we're skipping. I'll get the hammer out and fix that.

Duncan received his 1st place overall for series 1 at Buck, wahoo! I sat out this week as my legs needed a rest before Afton. It was fun to watch (and easy!) MORC peeps, Mara 3rd and Shad 2nd Rec, did really well. Chow.

Buck #6

Duncan's annual school's out for summer Mo-HAWK

Good race tonight. Smaller adv. field but I'll take it. This time I held back unlike last race, hit congestion area in 20th? instead of 5th.. Last race went out super fast then let Jay, Luke, Dave O and way too many pass as I tried to get in realistic position. VIDEO: I'm the guy in black/grey, by Brendan 3rd or 4th before berm, passing all the nature valley green jersey guys, ha ha (perhaps I'll learn someday) BUCK ADV START VIDEO

Perhaps more road & more musc endo/cruise ints...?? Maybe I can compete w-faster freaks if I lose 10 & gain strength.... hmm..maybe next year, or later this year. I can dream...horizon goals are good. Anyway tonight I held my own & knocked off a few each lap. I ended 17th of 47. Near my 33% best. Happy!

Duncan ended up first tonight in beginner, he edged out his competitor by seconds after a spill. Wahoo! Duncan won & showed off his seasonal MoHawk!! Grandpa even came out for the fun. Mom, Leo & Alta would have come out but Alta's broken leg needs rest.

HOSPITAL WEEKEND

We'll the Steeple weekend didn't go as planned. The plan was to camp with all three kids and leave mom at home to enjoy free time... Friday night at the campground Alta had a mishap and broke her tibula, clean through. AT 2:00AM the boys, Alta and I left the hospital with thigh high cast on Alta. Mom came out Saturday night after work. Sunday Alta and mom drove home and me and the boys hit Steeple. Race day...with no pre-ride due to Friday evening events. Duncan placed 3rd in citizen 10-12 year olds. Actually second but the course wasn't marked so he cheated, 3rd was the right place. Duncan was honest about it, good kid. Leo did 2 laps on kids comp race then dnf'ed. I don't blame the little 6 year old, but he gave it a go and had fun (I rode behind him). He has no idea what dnf means. He had fun and we left it like that (good job Leo!). I had a good start, went a little fast but was doing well in comp. Not sure about my 40+ age group but I was upper half, (edit by lap times I was 3rd in age 11th OA) when my tire blew. The pucture was so stout stans couldn't seal quick enough. I knew it was over right when it happened. Oh, we'll. The boys won shwag. Jagwire brake and shifter sets. Nice, I'll use it and convert my 8 spd to 9. Maybe I'll hit Afton and bag theroad ride to Duluth....