New England Regional Championships 2011

And so ends my 2011 Cyclocross season and my time as a Cat 4 racer.

November Bicycles give-away

November Bicycles HOT BUNS Cyclocross Frame Frame / Bike launch sweepstakes

Earlier this fall, when November Bicycles introduced its new HOT BUNS cyclocross frame, instead of wasting tons of money on glossy ads, trade shows, and sponsoring a pro squad (though maybe they’d consider a non-pro squad with complimentary black and white kits...) - they turned to something better: social networking. To encourage the spreading of the message for ‘free’ (saves them money / keeps prices low) - they came up with a nifty sweepstakes. It’s like a raffle - except instead of paying money for an entry - one simply Tweets, posts to Facebook, or otherwise spreads the word to gain entry.

Ice Weasel 2011 (photos)

Yes, I KNOW the vast majority of these pics are of Andy Nook... what can I say, he's my team mate! There's also some pics of the Comprehensive Racing paceline, and yes, a smattering of other racers. Hey, I've only got so many megapixels, and you want more pics, you can either hire me as your own personal papparazzi or join the team.



https://picasaweb.google.com/davidaldenstpierre/IceWeaselsCometh2011?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Ice Weasels 2011

It takes a retarded amount of time to transfer, convert and upload these files!

Baystate Cyclocross: Day Two

What a day. My head was clogged with snot, I had a horrible night's sleep, but, because I love 'cross, and I love racing, I made the drive out to Sterling for day 2 of the Baystate Cyclocross race weekend (I worked on Saturday).

You can re-live the race along with me with the following video, but before you watch, I need to say a few things. First, the aforementioned snot was working against me, and, well, you'll hear an excessive amount of throat clearing. I sound like a pig grunting. I suggest you turn the volume down. Next, as I'll discuss in a little more depth below, I was racing in a pair of slip-on sneakers and borrowed platform pedals. My mental checklist gave me an epic fail, and I drove all the way to the race without my cycling shoes. And finally, as you will see, it was a bit damp during the race, and by the end of it, the camera lens was wet and fogged up. Not the best pictures, but, you, the viewer, get what you pay for.

(re)Finding my soul..

A combination of burnout and injury derailed my 'cross season, to be sure - but this fall I've had some really fun mtbike rides. This past weekend I went out in search of the Bay Circuit Trail to see how far I could get - and how far it went. I switched plans at the last second, as the Southern Branch of the Northern half - that passes through Appleton Farms - has a no-bikes policy. Boo.

I caught a ride to a trail point in Hamilton and headed out. This first stretch of trail was mainly mellow two-track with little technical challenge - but loaded with scenic areas. I gradually worked my way up behind Pingree School and into Bradley Palmer State Park. With so many trails in the park, way-finding the BCT was a little tricky here and there - especially a large open field section - but with a little back-tracking I always regained the route. As I crossed the Ipswich River, I 'knew' where I was going now - as I've ridden Willowdale a ton.

Northeast Velo Cross

Not the shadow you want to see in your
helmet cam footage...

Wow. What a race... I'm not sure what came over me, but knowing that there was a BMX track incorporated into the cyclocross course, made me pretty happy.

I took the holeshot, and was actually leading the race for a bit (well, it was a short bit). To be honest, I didn't know what to do when I was up front... do I try to keep my lead, knowing that I was dangerously close to blowing up? Do I slow up a bit to pace myself? Do I alert the media?

Where is Glen (who cares)?

2011 My still-born race season:

Building off a great 2010 'cross season and a decent summer of riding this year, I planned to conquer the Masters field(s) this season, all over New England. Hell, once dialed I figured on trying to take my A Game to a MABRA race or two and show THEM how I roll. Oh yeah - look the f_ck out! No sooner did I set that ship to sea - ready to conquer and take no prisoners - she started taking on water. Fast.

Race 1: Sucker Brook 'Cross - Auburn, NH; Last year, I was already on good form for this fun race - hell, I was on such good form I raced both the M35+ race and the CAT3 race as well. My plan was to roll up to the 2011 edition and save it all for one race - the M35+ event, and get to know my peers I'd be facing this season. Arrive at the venue with Jamie, time it perfect so as to be able to pre-ride between earlier races and all. We hit a warm up lap and BAM. While crossing a small, non-technical wooden bridge structure with a trace of moisture on it - I washed out and SLAMMED my knee, thigh and shoulder.

Ouch.

Cycle Smart International: 11/5/11

It was freaking cold. That's all I can say. The video will tell the rest... note all of the riders ahead of me. Damn them. I suggest turning the volume down... my panting and wheezing may disturb people with weak stomachs. Cat 4, 38th out of 130.

Downeast Mudcross

Here is a quick race update for your crappy snow/rain day reading pleasure:
Rob and I ventured up the coast of Maine for two days of Downeast Cyclocross this past weekend. With the race being close to great shopping, eating, and drinking in Freeport and Portland, we decided to make a long weekend of it. Unfortunately we forgot our camera, so I don't have any photos to highlight the great fun we had racing around in cow poop, I mean mud. For now I'll have to give you this photo to set the scene:

A Short Break from the CX Racing...

Providence CX Day 1 and 2

I can easily see why Providence was the sight of Nationals back in 2005/2006. It is a gorgeous venue with a great course layout! The set up for this weekend was super fast and fun...very little technical and a lot of long power sections which favored the roadies. The weather was a little too hot for my taste (high of 80's). I was glad to be in the earlier races and catch a break from the heat of the day.

As for results, not too shabby, but nothing stellar on my part. Both days I saw a bit of bad luck getting caught up behind a crash in day 1 and a flubbed start on day 2. Luckily on these courses I had long road sections to make up some spots and I was able to crawl back up to 10th and 15th respectively.

One interesting thing to note, my body decided to get rid of the double tap re-mount thingy. Perhaps it was just too inefficient. Now if I can just correct the drunk driving, feet flailing part after I'm on, I just might have a normal cyclocross re-mount.

Rob also enjoyed the courses. Unfortunately on day 1, his front tire blew out just as he was finishing his last lap in top 20. Second day he landed 24th with all tires in tact.

All in all, it was a great weekend of racing!

A Short Note About the Weasels

 Okay, so I'm back from another episode of Night Weasels. It was sloppy, muddy, and super fun.

Night Weasels X-Cam

Crossresults.com

Gee, I can't imagine why Crossresults.com has such a hard time capturing all of my mediocre results... I've got more aliases than Whitey Bulger probably had.

Pics from Day 2

Video--Day 2

CrossResults.com Race Predictor

Crossresults.com predicts that our 10x10 team tent area will come in 23rd... that's crap. Our tent has been training and is going to kick ass. Top 10 AT LEAST. WTF?

Some GP Gloucester Pics

GP Gloucester--Day 1, Lap 1 helmet cam...

2011 GPGloucester Day 1 Pix

See if this works:

http://gallery.me.com/glenzx#100179

I am pneumatically challenged.

Quad 'Cross? Flat.
Road riding down on the Cape? Flat.
Suckerbrook? Flat.
A day of relaxation on the freestyle bike? Flat.

That's all within two weeks...

Suckerbrook had a fun course with a fast field. I flatted on the first lap, was in absolute last place when I hit the pits for a bike change, and tried to work my way back up through the field as best as I could. My back wheel on the pit bike felt a bit squishy too, so I was waiting for the 2nd flat. It never happened. I've got all new rubber on both 'cross bikes, let's see if I can keep the air on the inside for Gloucester.

Sucker Brook Race Report via Carnac the Magnificent!

"The Greek credit rating , Jamie at Sucker Brook 'Cross, any pretense your sister will have a white wedding."

Suckerbrook Slide Show

Hey, nice rack.

A few years ago, Mike Lawless welded together a pretty cool bike rack that we used at many races. Someone borrowed it (?) and it was never seen again. I was on the verge of purchasing one, but, I decided to see what materials I had around the house, to see if I could make one. Well, lo and behold, I had everything but the hinges, and for those, I used a store credit I had for the hardware store. Total cost, $0.

Drop VS Flat

Before

Quad Cross

Well, it's been nearly a week, and I'm sure you're anxious to hear about my first 'cross race of the year. To be honest, I was waiting for someone else to write about my race, as it seems, if you're truly an important person, other people write about you.

But alas, no one from Cyclocross magazine has called to get any quotes, so I guess it's up to me.

My goal was to have fun, and I nailed it. A full summer of training to have fun has paid off, and I'm hoping to carry this fun fitness all through this year's cross season. Because, really, isn't all about the fun?

Oh no you DIDN'T...

Not sure what happened today... most of these last few years racing 'cross, never did occur to me to even THINK about racing on a single speed 'cross bike. That is just nuts. Even recently, When Jay-Mo and D-Nice noted the new, Zaconato sponsored New England SS CX Series did it even cross my mind, so to speak - to consider any of that sort of foolishness.

But then with QuadCross all but out of the question due to family schedule issues, I see that at 3:30pm that crazy. mixed bag of nut-jobs takes off. I'm no speed demon, and the old Subaru is slow - but I know I can make it to Maynard, MA by 3:30pm - even if I jump out of the car, pin on my number, and hit the start line. WTF, right? We only live once...

...in a fluke, if I do get there prior to the Elite field start - guess what? I'll race that mother too. Honey Badger don't care - he's crazy! I don't know how these things happen - but who am I to try and alter the cosmic trajectory in life...? I'm sure all you early morning hammers will be long gone before I even start driving to Maynard - but I'll keep the gang updated here.

Wildcat Epic 100 (By Pete G)

Forget what you’ve heard about the Wildcat Epic 100(the bad stuff anyway). Bath salts and time keeping issues aside, this is a great mountain bike race. I grew up just south of the Shawangunk Ridge and in about 1990 started my storied mountain biking career there.

The Wildcat Epic is a prize in itself for me, and for anyone who has the legs to grind out 100 fast miles over two days. It’s a full throttle sprint to sweet climbs that lead to incredible 50-mile views. Duck Pond Carriage Way, Cardiac Hill, and Castle Point Carriage Way take you up, up, and up to vistas that let you see a long way. It’s amazing how far one can see.

Hampshire 100

I'm not sure why I thought this 100K MTB race would be a good idea. I don't remember that last time I have put that kind of miles in on the mountain bike (I don't think I've even gone that far on the road bike this year). I guess last year at the Wild Cat Epic 100, and the Vermont 30, but that was a year ago...

And I *think,* if I recall, last year I had done that thing where you ride your bike lots and lots in order to prepare for an event... I think it's called "training." Yeah, training. I didn't really do much of that this year. Oh well, what's the worst that can happen, right?

ECV TTT: Three To Tango - four to start...

Throwing together a last minute Team Time Trial squad was easy. Finishing intact - not so easy. Jamie and I teamed up with two seasoned time trial friends on the Velo de Mer team - Shawn Gavin and Scott Carrier. These guys make going fast look, well - easy. Jamie and Scott are the very epitome of tall, skinny, ass-kicking cyclists. Shawn is too - just not as tall, but holy christ his engine is the strongest of anyone's I get to ride with. If, that is - you call sucking wheel "riding with"...

With no time to warm up, strategize, or otherwise sort things out - we were off, heading north on Route 1A out of the Hamilton / Wenham high school, in lovely Essex County, MA. Shawn on the front, Scott next, myself, and Jamie anchoring the rear. I felt as though I looked like the odd man out - somehow similar to that of a rat in a boa constrictors body - you know, the big fat lump in the middle of a sleek reptilian body, partially digested but still large. And lumpy..

That Old Spark

So you may all know that I broke up with bike racing in the spring. Instead I've had a summer affair with drinking and other forms of debauchery...and damn has it been fun! The past couple summers have been spent training for what felt like a million races leading up to the 100 milers. I knew I needed a serious break from all forms of bike racing and I think it has been good for me.

But...I got my first issue of Cyclocross Magazine today (thank you David). While perusing the articles and bike porn, I noticed that I was getting a little excited. (I've heard porn can do that to you.) Maybe I even noticed that old familiar racing spark. Can it grow and turn into the fire needed for competing again? We'll see...

Asbury Grove Duathlon

There are many things I look for in a race; fun-factor, entry-fee, proximity to home, and of course, my availability (damn work). So, when a fun race, with a $5 entry fee, happens about 3 miles from my house, AND it's before work, I'm there.

I don't consider the fact that about 5 miles of running is involved, and I haven't run in months... that level of detail is irrelevant.

3 tips from last night's Gran Prix of Beverly

In preparation for the crazy-fast race last night, I worked hard to be as not-ready as is possible. I hadn't ridden much these last 5-6 days, I was up late the night before working on the car (new exhaust manifold & hardware) and had all the requisite kinks and aches from the home-mechanic under/over car gymnastics - and so on. Not making excuses, but interesting to point out that some weeks rock, and some roll....

New Skinsuits for Racer X!? Oh My God, Wicked Cool! You Don't Have One? That's Why Everyone Calls You A Dork Behind Your Back. That and Your Hair.

Whew, got out there for the first TT since. . . . last year when I did one with Glen and Dave. I forgot how much fun they are to do solo. Plus an out of the bag wicked cool skinsuit put icing the cake. Missed Dave but he had texted me early on in the day he wasn't going to make it. He had sold his inner fortitude on Craigslist and was waiting for someone to pick it up. Hold firm on your asking price of "My Dignity" and don't let him talk you down!

ECV TT: do they make aero fenders?

One-N Glen, AKA G-Roll, and I were the sole Racer-X representatives for this week's ECV TT. Jamie, who must be made of sugar, he is so sweet, opted for safe and dry, while I threw caution to the wind. Plus, the weather allowed me to skip my shower.

Yes, it rained. And not just rain, but full on monsoon, deluge, torrential downpours, at least for 15 minutes.

Race Report: Racer-X TTackled the ECV TT & IOU's

News flash! Rumblings of an internal upset among the 4 Racer-X Time Trial nuts. er - team: Dave not only knocked ONE SECOND off his time from the previous effort, out on the lovely training TT race loop through Hamilton - but finished way out ahead of a lot of the field, and our very own J-Rock / Jamie-Skinny-Fast. WTF you say? How can that be? Well, it was a wee bit rainy out there, and while I saw it as an opportunity to race AND get a free bike wash - J-Rock and Roll was afraid to get a little road grime on his TT rocket machine. No matter what he says, I'm kidnapping his disk rear / 80mm deep front wheelset next week, as he keeps SAYING he'll show up, but has a quiver of excuses to shoot at the target: a measly 12.5 mile ride... though maybe he's short some entry fee loot as I keep dodging my IOU I have out with him.

Whatever.

Details vs Facts

Glenn, at the finish and looking strong.

I think it's difficult for any consumer of media, be it online, print or television, to get balanced, unbiased information. Especially in our seemingly increasing polarized political climate, all news and information is going to have a slant.

As a trained journalist, who in fact, does not maintain a journal, let me share some facts about the most recent ECV time trial. Details may or may not also be included.

Hey Lynn Woods! You've Been Cartographicalified. Yeah It's Kind Of A Word, Look It Up.

I needed a map of the trails at Lynn Woods. How to get that map was the question? Download it from interwebs? Yeah, you would say that you couch jockey. No, the answer is a five hour epic Sunday spent riding, or trying to ride, as many trails as possible.

Randonee!

So, I had a couple of choices for riding today. One, was to drive almost three hours to race 8 miles in the Moody Park race, another was to ride in Pinnacle Bike Shop's dirt randonee, a 40+ mile fun-fest mixing it up on dirt roads and pavement. Hmmm.... not much of a choice. Especially with all this rain we've had. Every once in a while I DO try to do the right thing when it comes to preserving the trails we ride, and giving them a day or two to dry out, I think, was the right thing to do.

Mid-Season Slumber; Time to SNAP out of it!

I don't know what happened these last few weeks, er - now months, since Battenkill - but good grief I've gotten out of shape! Missed rides, low motivation, and general New England crappy weather blahs have conspired to make me feel like a semi-catatonic fool.

What to do? Plan to do some races - and try and get back in shape for 'cross season. I'm going to go bananas here and plan on a trail run too, in October - as my wife threw the gauntlet down, and I accepted the challenge.

Tell me where to go, and what we can do as a team; I've targeted the Hampshire 100 EFTA race, on August 21st, and the Ravenswood Trail Race on Saturday Oct. 16th - but would like to hit some shorter and closer races to tune up the engine at. Or perhaps organize a few Racer-X epic rides... or even another road race, though the Wells Avenue training races are always "fun", if racing in circles, in Newton, sometimes with traffic - is "fun".

That's all - back to our regularly scheduled programs!

Ride Report: Tuesday Pinnacle Shop Ride

Route as recorded by RunKeeper

Some days you're the buggy, some days you're the whip. Or a horse. Or hopelessly out of date and out of witty analogies. Wait - does one whip the buggy? Or the horse. WTF?

Whatever the case may be, I was not going to be able to ride the ECV TT on Wednesday this week, so I got a hall pass for a ride on Tuesday. Threw the hardtail 29'er on the car and zipped over to Pinnacle Bikes / Cyclocrossworld.com HQ to meet the gang for the shop ride. It was a small group - 4 of us total; Silas and Josh Anthony (yes, of the crazy fast / genetically gifted 'Anthony Clan') from the shop, and long time North Shore, MA stud Andrew Mahoney (owner of the stellar Atomic Cafe's in Beverly and Marblehead). Good thing these guys were "out of shape" and "injured" and generally all claiming all manner of excuses - as even with their "out of shape" form they still killed a sick ride - both technical and fast. And fun.

Rumpus or Ruckus? And what of Darius Rucker from Hootie and the Blowfish? Still Alive or What?

Heads up Vet 2 40-49 Novice Mountain Bikers You just got served at the Big Ring Rumpus!

(You may now resume handing me my ass on a weekly basis.)

Wow, what a crazy day! Where to begin? OK we'll start at the start.

Dave rolls over about 7:00am, we load up, and Team Hyphenated Last Name heads off to the Big Ring Rumpus up in New Hampshire.

Ride: The Boxy Car

Weather: Primo

Bikes: Ready

Spirits: High

Highway Speed: Evidently excessive as we are no sooner pulling onto the highway as we are pulled over with sirens and lights full-on. Dave and I look at each other as if to say "Wha?" I had a bad feeling on this one.

They Might Be Giants

I'm going to share a little secret with you; I'm tall. No, I'm not freakishly tall, like an albino Manute Bol, but I think I fall into the "above average" height category. Every bike I've owned has been XL, and my legs go all the way down to the ground. It's not very often when I have to look UP at someone. At 6'2", even if someone is a bit taller, up to 6'4" say, it's only my eyes that have to gaze up a bit (such as when I gaze in Jamie's beautiful eyes). So when I have to actually look up, with my head, it's a weird, weird feeling.

The Willows Weren't the Only Ones Weeping

Ah, Weeping Willow. It's hard to resist a race that's nearly in your back yard and on killer trails. That was my mindset when I signed up for the Open Singlespeed class. I had no delusions of fitness, no false ideas of grandeur. But I did apparently misconstrue the word "friend," as someone I thought was a friend left me to die.

Get Your Style On!

It's time to round up some orders on new, updated Racer-X team clothing. We're currently working on short-sleeve cycling tops, shorts (bibs & regular) and short-sleeve skin suits.  We're also getting a sample kit with other items (arm warmers, shoe covers, gloves, jackets, etc), so in the future, we'll know what other items will look and feel like.

2011 Willowdale Race report: Where's Dave?

Or more importantly - where's my fork seal? Oh - it's gone! That's why the fork is bottomed out and the race is about to start. Uh-oh. Here's my story:

Setting: Massively jammed start area staging / promoter doing final countdown to our Single Speed race group...
Glen: "DAVE!!! Can I use your other bike to race on?" (nice that Dave rolls in style with multiple steeds)

Dave: "Sure - it's locked to the roof rack, and the keys are hidden. And the seat will have to come down."

Glen: "OK - thanks!"

This is the conversation I had, just seconds prior to the 2011 Weeping Willow race start. With my pathetic, oil-soaked and bottomed out front end, I sprinted the 1/4 mile or so up to the parking area - then over to the car - while the rest of the SS start wave took off, on course. I found the keys to the car / rack, and quickly tried to unlock the Thule upright rack to free my 'plan B race machine'. Insert Thule key into Thule lock and - nothing. Try again. And again. Step down and look through the keys again. Yup - one of them clearly says Thule on it - so I try it again. And again.

Doh!

Still nothing.

Willowdale pre-rides; mud, roots, rocks

Jamie and I had a fun ride last week - where instead waiting for "everyone" sipping on sports drinks, nibbling on treats, and sucking on CamelBack hoses while chit-chatting every 10 feet, checking our various GPS receivers and such - we drilled it for a lap. The wrong way. From the wrong side.

But I digress...

2011 Racer-X Kits

David finally bugged me enough to get this going, and I've taken a very crude crack at making shorts / bibs to match the jersey design.

Glocester A Grind? Not at All! But the Ford Focus is Horrible.

OMG!!!! My white shoes! Someone will pay for this!

Being in a rental car sucks. If you're familiar with my earlier writings as a roadie you'll know I have great disdain for most rentals. I even have a scale I would use to rate rentals based on the worst rental I ever did rent, the Jeep Liberty. This weekends rental, the Ford Focus would get a solid five Jeep Libertys on the scale. It was horrible. My head had to stick out of the sunroof cavity just so I could drive (un)comfortably. Worse still, I have become certifiably addicted to satellite radio and my rental Focus does not have it. How do people listen to regular radio? It's terrible. Terrible. So I downloaded some Josh and Chuck from SYSK and set out this morning for Rhode Island under rain-soaked skies with no radio in a rental made for someone no taller than 5 foot 6. Where was my bike? In the trunk of course all disassembled. Oh, how the mighty have fallen!

Friends: Racer-X Style

Stuff happens on rides. That's just a fact of life.

A "friend" will stop and wait while you fix your bike.

A "good friend" will help, especially if your crank arm falls off into muddy puddle.

A "true friend"... a friend for more than 20 years, will stand by, belly laughing at your misfortune, and taking photos.

Race Report: Tour of Battenkill

J-Rock and G-Roll get it done!

Jamie Ryan-White Photo
If this is what real road racing is like - then mountain bikers take note; it was bad-ass. I have never, ever, never been so worked over after a race - any kind of race, except perhaps my one and only 24 hour solo effort in 2006 - an effort that netted 215 miles and about 16,000 feet of climbing. That was also Mr. - Thirty - Six - Year - Old - No - Kid 650+ hours a year training Glen. The current, 41 year old 200+/- hours a year training full-time Dad version seems to have a harder time making repeated hard efforts without blowing up.

I loved it.

A Tale of Two Days, or, Meh, It's New England

Having decided, or rather, having my lack of form decide for me, that Battenkill was going to be a character builder rather than a stepping stone to great things on the road this season I have turned to the mountain bike for solace. My fickle old-person mind having forgotten the trials and travails of last season's inaugural mountain bike race season I have somehow convinced myself that a fuller mtb racing schedule is the answer.

Marblehead Road Race

2011 Michael Schott Memorial Circuit Race - colder than any 'cross race last year...

At the front... for now. photo by Jamie Ryan-White

Oh hell it was cold out. Jumping out of the car to run the 20 meters to the registration table made me cold. I hadn't warmed up from loading the bike and gear into the car anyhow - but still. 9:00am and 26 degrees. Are you kidding? Throw in a side-ways wind, right off the ocean - and bam! It was cold. That's all I'll mention of it, and relay my billy-bad-azz "Harden the f#@& up" approach, right-quick.
The short version / back story about me and road racing is this: I got really into mountain biking. and racing out west - like from beginner to expert in two seasons, and to train for expert, I needed some road miles. A lot of them. Hard, fast, long. Then what happened? I grew to really like road riding too! Nothing sharpens the top end like fierce training rides on the road - and racing is even more decidedly evil / brutal / awesome. So there you have it. I do enough road races to know how to be careful and handle myself - but as a 40+ year old guy, I'll not ever try and contest a bunch sprint finish. Hanging with the main group is an achievement for me, and was the goal for this weekend. A guy can dream, right?

March (training) madness

The power / truth hurts! (click for full data)

I've got no clue about basketball - but know that with temperatures climbing into the 40's and above, it's damned nice to be back outside on the bikes again. This last week I had 3 solid rides; 50 miles last Saturday, 38.5 miles on Wednesday Evening, and then today just shy of 60 miles - and well into New Hampshire to boot. Mix in a few morning road bike / rollers sessions in the basement, and it feels like 2011 is off to a good start.

Need (2) able bodies (t)TTT test subjects!

This Saturday, March 5th - Jamie and I are signed up for an indoor Trainer Team Time Trial. We need two more suckers, er - teammates to come set there bike up in a Compu-Trainer and pedal like crazed fools until they say STOP. The team that covers the terrain fastest WINS! $500 1st place prize to boot... as well as free beer and all later on. Jamie and I need to set-up, race, then boogie pretty quick, alas.

It's described as an 8 mile course where they will vary resistance to simulate climbing / flats. Should be fast as hell -I'm hoping under 30 minutes of cross-eyed early season leg opening fun. Our proud Racer-X contingent has a 10am start time - so I plan on getting there around 9am to get set-up and warmed up. It's in Millbury, MA - so you metro Boston RX'ers are right nearby.

Who's in? It's paid for already - so just show up and get ready to throw down.

Pro Deals...

Let me know if you're looking to get geared up for the riding/racing season... Spring is less than a month away!

Sunny and dry out? I'm riding!

What's a little breezy weather?

I nearly wimped out of what turned out to be a great ride this morning. Damned weather forecasters make any weather sound menacing, unforgiving, and somehow hazardous. It was fine outside. The only 'real' wind I encountered was off a big pond / small lake over in Boxford. Otherwise? Perfect mid-winter day for a ride!

Power Data:

Racer-X(c) Skiing

Finally braved my complete lack of XC ski experience and headed out on some skinny skis this fine winter day, courtesy Pete G. (thanks!). Living adjacent to a recently cleared and slowly improving rail trail makes for a perfect beginner-friendly attempt at this sort of adventure. With all the fresh snow recently I hoped there'd be some tracks to follow, and thankfully there was along a lot of the route I headed out on. Super skinny "classic" style XC skis are not the best in deep, fresh powder - but held there own just fine. Much smoother / faster than snowshoes with at least as much 'float'. Now I totally understand the desire to ski on "groomed" XC ski trails, as on my return trip (out and back style run) it took a lot less effort to move a good bit quicker and smoother. A few more runs will pack the track in nicely and make for a speedy workout.

Digital Progress

While my actual riding and training is going slowly, I've put some time in to update the Racer-X presence in the Internet(s). First, as you may have noticed, the Web site has had a few updates, notably some navigation along the top which will allow you to:

• quickly access the BikeReg page to officially update your membership

On One Mary

So I headed out for the maiden voyage on my Surly Pugsley this past weekend. For anyone who doesn't know, it is a bike with huge fat tires ridden at very low pressure. The tires are perfectly designed to ride through snow, sand, mud and pretty much anything else you can think of. For various reasons, the bike has been collecting dust in the garage for 2 winters, but I'm no less enthusiastic about it now that I've given it a proper test ride in the snow. SOOO MUCH FUN!!!
My point for this quick post is to comment on the On One Mary Bar.
It is this ridiculous looking sweeping riser handlebar that makes the bike look like a cruiser. On first glance, I planned to remove it out of sheer embarrassment. But since time did not allow me to get to the task, I rode it as is. You know what? I loved the damn bars!! The snow, I'm sure, makes a difference. I could see that the handling in snowless technical terrain might feel different, but I think I'll even set my pride aside and give them a shot when the snow melts too.

So here's to lookin' cheesy on a bike!