More Leadville 07

In previous post I shared my 2007 finish time and mechanical issues! Anyway, here's more 2007 stuff I wanted to remember...

fyi- my big 2006 story, my first leadville

THANK YOU DUNCAN & DAD!! I COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOUR CREW SUPPORT. SEND THOSE PHOTOS. Thanks Alta, Leo and Mom at home too....all season. I'm in blue on left behind Floyd & Dave (in front box). Thanks UltraRob for pics.

Weins wins, new record 6hrs 58 min. Floyd finished about 7hrs flat. Lot's more articles. My Dad & Son saw Floyd, with scrapes, and Weins fly by at mile 25, 40 & 60.

It was fun to be on course with them(course map). With my top 100 start, I actually rode in lead pack for about 5 miles. I had to hammer to stay with lead pack of 20 some after control car left, but was able to stay on train easy once on. You can actually see me in blue/white helmet and LCR blue/yellow jersey on left by guy with rain looking gear on. Click to enlarge. LOOK at the masses!! Once we hit St. Kevin's settled in at pace, up up up. The first 25miles hurt a bit, but recovered fine. The worst part was my freewheel sticking issue mentioned in previous post. I stopped on Haggerman pavement downhill to inspect! Sucked. Raced all day with cassette chain suck issues. ANYWAY, at thier 51 mile point, I was treeline going up, Floyd & Weins flew down past torward Leadville. That was my mile 49? I gave up on catching them then, ha ha ha (I was 45 min back then). Race Results LT100 Report

Leadville 2007 Complete

8 hrs 58min xxSec!!! Gold Buckle is mine!!!! Had to really dig deep. Raced the clock big time. My freewheel kept sticking on downhills, wrapping the chain around chainstay, cassette and tugging derailuer level with ground. Horrible wrrrr noice whenever I didn't pedal fast enough. It even stuck and wrapped on fast flats, for example drafting, whenever I stopped pedaling. Pauls or bad spring? I braked and pedaled a lot more than I wanted to keep from rear cassette chain suck and wrrrrr noises. Who cares. DONE. Gold buckle is mine!

Here's my big story from last year my first leadville

Buck 8/2 Flying Headless Horsemen

MORNING. Last night I was superman without a head. It wasn't a shoulda, coulda, it was all DUH!!! My power was on! Lap 1 at water tower I charged past Chris and Paul. Then Paul beelined into woods just in front, showing me a pro move. I let Chris(right on his wheel) and Eric follow him in. Barry and I held for most of the lap. Lap 2 the three of'em got away a bit. However, as Barry calls it, I was the engine. By start of lap 3 near top of road climb Miller said, get'em, get'em now and I powered by Paul and Eric for 2nd. Chris was heading down torward single track looking over wonder where we were. I knew it wasn't Paul's night(I hear food poisening, ya ya). Of course Chris just did 24x9 but still fast. Eric never came back after the start of 3rd lap pass. Anyway, Barry, Paul & I went back and forth plenty in last lap. Dave worked hard to catch us and was finally on for lap 4. Here's the kicker. I was in 3rd right on Barry for downhill before finish line climb. I thought there was one more lap so I paced up the hill. DUH!! Barry charged up, people we're screaming, Paul & Dave went by.... I noticed them all exiting to finish chute..DUH...I rolled in for 5th. Very close finish for top guys. I was there and gave up two spots. Honestly I was so pumped to be charging that hard all night, my head wasn't in it (dream state), all body. Duncan did two laps no wipe outs. Amy decided last minute to race, got 3rd! Yeah Momma! Good times. Duncan & I head to leadville soon with my pops. Last night results attached. Un-official, official link on right side of page. Looks like results are posted! Oh by the way Barry got over-all series, I got 2nd, Chris 3rd.

MNSCS Red Wing Expert Race

Ugly day folks with DNF's & issues. Down & dirty...expert saw Jay, Jesrin Gaier, & Luke 1,2,3. I was in 7th after a lap feeling right, leaders in sight. Excited for good finish as Fisher, Moore, Oftendahl'st ect absent. I flatted near start/finish, ran 1/4mile+ to fix. A huge nail was all the way through like a needle in a pin cushin. Fixed tire & charged to near front of comp class. I lost near 5min with the flat? I started thinking about 35+ age group guys ahead of me. Stupid. I decided with training planned this week, I'd mosey to a finish. So for 2.5 laps just coasted. I stood, coasted & enjoyed the ride. 2hrs 50min later I was top 10. Coulda soulda. Oh well, just goes to show ya, never stop racing!! 5/23 experts dnf'ed due to flats, mechs & heat. Brighter note, Duncan did 2 fine laps in citizen had fun day, got podium. Later! Buck next.

Buck 7/26 SS 29'er, Good n' Not So Much

The Not So Much: Duncan crashed good. It's been a busy week for him including braces put on today. He hit his head on course tonight. Thanks trail patrol guy who was racing that stopped. When mom showed up (she was racing too), Duncan was still asking what happened. He's come around fine & remembers the situation now. Basically he hit a log & went KityWampUs, yah know, OTB. He seems to be ok now. We'll watch for 24hrs. They both dnf'ed. I'm glad everything turned out ok. I heard them cheering for me & later shared I'd have stopped. Mom decided I should keep going so never said anything... The Good: No dust, bit of rain & my race rocked. I went out normal, fast, knowing I had it going-on today. The start was moderate. Brendan was just moving along (pre-9-Mile24 pace). When I cleared traffic & saw Brendan I also saw Guse. Guse yelled out foul words & hammered past Brendan. It was classic. Barry said he'll pay. And he did. At the top of the first hill I was 3rd. The 1st lap was fine (perhaps a little agressive for me). I kept Brendan in sight for 1/2 lap. Regulars Fisher & Oftendahl we're absent, as we're a few other un-regular fast guys. By the time 2nd lap started I was hurting on SS. Same as week before I let John, Barry, & Dave (& even Ed this week) go by. I wouldn't call my technueqe riding up lap 2 hill. Stayed course & recovered catching this group by end of 3 begin of lap 4....my plan. Dave was too far ahead but John, Ed, & Barry, in sight! The guy who was in 2nd on 1st lap dropped, Dave was 2nd. My high HR & output earlier this week gave me hope. Yep, caught'em all. Ed re-surged & countered last half of lap 4 but I stayed on him & passed on switchbacks. I pushed it, it was my night. 3RD overall. Even though a few fast guys we're out, I'll take it!! Who cares about Red Wing. Click results pics on left (I also have previous Buck results in previous posts). Also note link to official Penn/Buck/Race/Results right boarder of webpage.

Leadville Prep

Leadville is 20 days away! Need to beat Floyd & Lance. Expert & Buck races along w/SS have my VO & F just fine. Need the big E more than anything else. Did 5 hrs, 75 mi on MTB this AM (50 road, 25 dirt). Can't beleive other than Horribly Hilly 200km it was my longest 07' ride. Felt weak post Buck SS, took it easy power wise. No cramps. Nice to bike to Leb for two full laps then Theo for a lap before back home. As always packed all my fuel & H20. Good enough. Now what ? Tough choices ahead...

Buck 7/19 w/RESULTS: 29'er SS

Good times last night. 3rd race of 2nd series. My legs felt heavy & actually hurt on warm up. Was a tad worried on single speed yet went out hard as ussual. Was 3rd after 1st climb w/Barry, then Sam flew by. Barry led for a while then by water tower I took over our group. Start of 2nd lap slowed hinting I wasn't leading laps 2-3 again this wk. Barry, John & Dave went by. I chased 2 laps. Crazy Rec spills & traffic run around this week! I finally caught Barry & John last lap didn't have gas to make move. Ended 7th overall! Sweet. Amy raced with Teel 1 lap then did solo lap. Yup, Amy got in 3 if you count pre-ride. Duncan has a sprained foot from restling with friends, he stayed at bottom with sis & bro. Good times!