MTB Nationals Idaho - Ain't Buck

Nope I didn't go to Nat's in Idaho. Jack Hinkins got second in U23! Nice timing. Jake was there and had a respectable finish. Can't wait to hear about it.

Guess I'm boring but I only get away with so many trips a year. Too many trips & I get the betty crocker rolling pin accross the knoggun effect. Hurts. I hope Amy don't read this or I'll get it anyway.

So it's 10 for Buck series this year, 11 if you count the MMS series race. Call me crazy but I enjoy every Buck night. Duncan made it to each race with me. That's fun in itself. The grab the gear and go after work ritual, set. We also have other rituals like stop at gas station so D-Man can get his cookies. The rush down south not so bad now. The atmosphere on-site always great. The course always awesome training. This week the course was tacky fast, yet bumpier from the prior series race. There was a band. There was vendors. Swag, you bet! Fireworks show!!! There was good talk and the weather was NOT hot. Just a bit humid. All good.

I better replace the cleats, my foot popped out twice after the starting gun (that gun was loud!). Guse was behind me thinking I'd be a good follow but quickly learned of my challenging start. He yelled, "come on Heath!" I finally got it going better and started up the grassy hill in the teens again. Guess that's my game nowadays. Up the grassy climb I passed a few. I noticed a mystery man hammering 3rd chasing Brendan and Jesse. He was my goal.

Start of lap 2 I got by Luke, Dan, and a few others. Fast forward the spinning. Start of lap4 I was finally closing in on mystery dude. But Brendan Bellow gave me a scare. Brendan was closing the gap to me fast at start of lap4. Nice. I thought his good day effort may catch me....he was close...we we're both closing in on mystery dude. I put the gas on pretty hard up the grassy climb. Then up tar climb gave it up and made sure to keep it on until over the crest. That momentum actually bridged me to mystery dude. Wow! I asked him what happened, he said nothing. I stayed with him but once in the open switchbacks I saw him big ring it away. The whole race I was amazed at his slow cadence speed. Made me miss the big ring. Anyway I ended 4th. I tried.

Mystery man Mark I spoke to him briefly, he's from MA, nice guy. Check out his accomplishments here or at USA cycling. It's always interesting when a roadie can actually tear it up enough in dirt. I find it intersting when a stranger comes and tears it up. Like Bryson Perry who showed up to Penn Buck race #3. I remember his name from leadville. Anyway glad Fisher showed up to make sure he ended 4th at our local. I was that mystery man once. On business in Austin, TX I ended 2nd in Pro and overall. It was a muddy course not many showed but got $106 cash payout, good times. DuLac, you bet.

The Steady Arrow Hits The Target

Leo's birthday present. Steady.... Steady...

All us squirrel's have been steady of late. Steady and straight like an arrow Duncan has been enjoying Buck. 4 laps no big thing for him anymore. He did well last Thursday and on Sunday.

My Dad raced on Sunday too. Check out the pic from skinny ski (there's a few pics I will e-mail and buy from the ski). Skinny ski is so cool. http://www.skinnyski.com/

I've been racing pretty good latey. Per the plan steady results as of late. Can't complain. Last Thursday got 3rd at Buck. Sunday after a call up and front line start couldn't clip in. Starts aren't everything, ha! Sometimes it takes a second try but this time it was mid-sole pedaling for 20feet. Finally relief, it will work...clipped!! I took the middle of the gravel road at that point because my personal clip in mayham left no options.

Up the grassy climb I was near 20th!!!! I passed a few. On pavement climb I passed many more. And so the day went. Regardless of heat, I had it. I was able to get real close to Jake a few times lap 5 and 6 but in the end with traffic settled (HOT) finishing 6th overall, 3rd in pro. I'm not always in the money....and rare I get top three in pro too. Thanks Jeff, Sam & Jake for not renewing or not getting that license.

It was a super hot day. Course was tacky and SS rigid is best choice for me bar none. It was a super fun seeing my pops racing, supporting for D-man, and having him support me. Just makes me smile. Thanks!

Cross Training Tips

My cross training tip: do it with the kids. See pics. Canoe'n multiple days, once with whole family pulling a raft behind canoe. Many hours paddling!! I did find time to bike to Leb to do a quick lap and back 50+ miles on 1by8spd MTB. Letting training secrets out below.

I get asked lots of questions about training. I always tell the story about my 2005 base miles, details that worked for me. Ask me, I chatter. By the way, if you saw the mnmtbseries video you know I'm nerd like. Analyst by day.... Check out my training blog(it's quite popular). Look on right side of this blog for link. Once at the training blog look on right side of it for my favorite articles. I take the approach, "figure yourself out self coach." Warning- a bit dorky if you read my posts but no surprise right? As always advice is cheap.

Buck n Roll

With 102 degree heat index it was bound to be a good Buck. No excuses. I'll make this quick. I got the hole shot with Dave tracking my wheel. Dave blasted by at start of lap2. I chased/finished second with Matt keeping my chase honest. D-Man did the showman finish line wheelie with a special trick to end the show. He's ok. Duncan gained 10 minutes vs. prior week in 4 lap race. He's rocking the 29 SS. Him and I will have fun at Afton 24..... Nerd Out.

Guilty by Associations (at the wing)

Red Wing MN MTB series race, a great time! Funny how we are all guilty by association. I'm not just talking about my 70yr old pops (on-right) or Duncan either.

We do this thing called MTB racing. All kinds of us goofy types. One thing we all talk and seek is a good start. The best part about the start is, although it matters, it's not the end all deal if your not stuck in too slow a group. The local racer gaps aren't that great.....but I'll never learn. I want the fast start just like every other kid in every race level. Right?!

I got the last call up spot and tried to fit beside Brendan. He engineeeeered himself an outside spot and left enough room for me to get beside(sort of). Not quite enough room. The family chit chat conversation didn't looosen the situation either. I could tell he didn't want me on the line. I decided not too push it, after all my starts are faster - for first 50-150ft anyway :). 

I knew darn well my SS wasn't going to cut it for more than 500ft at Red Wing start. And bang, we we're off and I totally reved the uno gear into space. Ha, I bet it was funny to watch. I made sure to keep it safe, none of this happened, all good. Pretty sure I do a good job at the starts safety wise. With my size I want no wipe outs until it's just me in the woods. I entered woods in 20th or more. It was a waiting game between passing groups. But I worked my way up and with big meaty tires finished pretty good. How about that stairway. Harder than Afton w/o manhandler.

Kevin Kvalsten had a good race. He came up on me after I foo foo'ed the water bottle fueling. I sketched the front wheel into loamy drift land and laid it down. Hmmmm Barrry saw me do similiar at Buck recently. I better start taking my multi-day and getting enough sleep. Kevin on his SS beat me by 1 minute(nice job). But I got the stairway clean! Nope not worth it. Speaking of Barry, 3rd overall!! I command you to go fishing now....

D-Man got 3rd in his age. He says he'd been 1st overall in 35 or less SS class. People are starting to realize D-man has an engine. Me too. I got time though right? Right? He was 19th overall in sport. For no training, the racing is doing it for him. Buck Hill video (stay motivated) See you at the races!!

Wet Dogs

Saturday Leo and I working the Cub Foods dog stand. Boy scout work for Leo, saving for Scout camps.

Buck#7

Buck#7 Thursday Night!!!! Guess not that exciting.......not many showed up. Subaru Cup on the mind or maybe the rain threat.

Jack showed so guess who got first. He showed Hollywood the Eurowood move cutting in just before first short woods. Nice J.H!

Barry and i got by HLWD and crept away from chasers. Basically we traded lead often. A good battle. I had some sketchy braking and surfing. Fun! This week finish line switched up the sprint effort, Barry got me by a hair. I ended 3rd.

I have the Captian mounted on the rear, front pending. Red Wing with corners n sticks, rocks into stairway and quarry demands more than Freds. Hope not rainy or i'll be packing.

The picture. Fathers day from momma. She bought it for the text. It looks good. May have to drink it before going out on town on bikes with Mom.