
Family race notes & tidbits, primarily mountain bike stuff.

Done!! Did the 200km with 6 detour miles (due to road constuction). It was Horribly Hilly. No big issues. My third greater than 100mi ride ever. This was 126 miles. Good leadville training. Took 7:45 bike, 8:10 total w/fuel stops(according to clock at end). Here's 2006 official times and dnf's. Did I mention it was horribly hilly? My max downhill spd 47 mph, seriously!! Many climbs like Taylors Falls or Afton road like. Used my 2001 chromo Bianchi, did well, green machine. On ride I kept thinking about Bernie and Greg doing the RAAM! The team of four was in 3rd last I checked. They wanted me to do it. Ha, we're they joking? I'm still learning how to road ride! Check out the fellow Minnesotians blog or go to RAAM site to see how "team strong heart" is doing right now. Nailbitter!!
85+ degrees, Manhandler, Shady & Grand Canyon all in, Afton was awesome. Duncan, Alta & Leo (DLA) in too! Nice trail improv's. One slight cramp twinge late race, took time & worked through it.
Perhaps my best race. 15th of 33 in EXPERT, 2hrs22min. It was fun to pedal near top 10 for a bit, nice to chat with Tom & Barry. Training is on-track ...expecting faster, stronger as Leadville nears. Horribly Hilly 200km next.
Duncan did an excellent job as my fuel manager. He's also is getting faster. Most importantly he's having a blast. Way to go podium boy! In picture.
P.S. above pic from skinny ski. Picture links added on right side of page "links". Check John Pederson on-line archive, I ordered, his quality is top notch.
FYI-I won't have time to attach race picture or video "links" like ussual. I'm in Phoenix on business for a few days. 107 degrees here...
THE RACE:
A real flip flopper. I came into this race with big mud tires, legs without rest and no spark off the line. But real happy to finish. Duncan did great, I'm real proud of his effort in that AM humidity. He even stood up on the hills lap 2! He got 2nd in age at his race!!
Duncan on Steeple Course, credit-obviously http://johnpedersenphotography.com/
Race Highlights/Low Lights:
* very heavy, slow off start
* near wipe outs lap 1, don't change tires!
* Zenna past me lap 2, I got her back & ahead before lap 3 start, she beat me to end of lap 3, I went on to do one more lap per class
* I was past by 3 comp leaders lap 3
* I pass tail end of comp class my lap 4
* Duncan my fuel hand off manager, thanks son!
* we both finished with improvement
I'm as capable as late 2006. That's great because like last yr comp class, this 41 yr old expert virg will keep progressing.
The Leadville prep of long rides with intervals mixed in has started. It makes for a hard next 30 days.
It was nice to see success for some whom had it coming and a bummer for others off the finish line track. The 2007 saga continues........