After the rain filled weekend last week, Becky and I were all geared up for a weekend of riding. We spent Saturday riding the road, handling responsibilities and tearing up a crawfish boil. Sunday we had Tanasi on our minds. Great place to get miles of ST without repeat laps. I am upping the mileage for Cohutta and Becky is trying to maintain BadLass status. I should have known there would have been problems when I found out on Friday that SirGold aka Goldie would not be ready, more on that later. Today went like so:
Coffee, then run to the store to get dog food.
Quick maintenance, pump up Becky's shocks, air up the tires, add a bottlecage to the frankenbike KHS (currently the "go to" steed).
Load up bikes and dogs, lunch on the way.
Forgot chain lube, floor pump, gloves for Becky. Should have called it a day.
3 mile pave climb , Becky's bike is ghost shifting. Trail adjustment
Becky gets a flat and we work on repairing it, knock out brake pads installing wheel, fix it and we're rolling. Tire appears to still be leaking, hit it with the last bit of CO2 we have. Seems to hold.
Becky wrecks hard on rooty trail next to river. Walks it off. Finish Brush Creek.
Cross bridge, head back to truck to check on dogs.
Sidebar: last time we road Tanasi, we took the dogs. They loved the river and the trails. We would walk them, ride, then come back. They would nap in the truck until we returned. They had a blast.
We return to the truck and are chatting up some folks from Ohio. I borrow their pump while Becky goes to let the dogs out. Day is over.
One of the dogs got sick and left breakfast all over the front seats. The back seat (dog seat) was fine.
The smell was awful. I used the newspaper to clean up most of it.
We drove home with the windows down and 14 hard earned miles under our belts.
A pitcher of margaritas at the local mexican joint eased the pain and smell a little.
At my current rate of training, I will not be ready for 100 dirt miles. So, i am going to take the riding time as it comes. If the schedule opens up, I ride. The only goal being getting miles on the bike.
Now speaking of the bike, or SirGold aka Goldie and technicalities. I de-parted the Jabber and went down to Addictive to have the headset and BB traded out. Bear in mind, Addictive is 30 minutes from my house and 30 minutes from work (for the next 2 weeks at least). They were getting bikes ready for the 6 hour race on that Saturday, so I left it. I knew i was going to rain all weekend, so I planned on picking it up the following week. Matt calls me the same day I dropped it off. BB bracket won't work the new EBB requires a 73mm shell (would have been nice of Niner to mention that). I have to order one in, should be here early the next week. Next week comes. "Cody, how's Goldie?" "Dude, we installed the new BB, but the spindle is to short to clear new beefier chainstays. We have to order a 73mm x 121mm." They ordered the correct size and it should be here next week. I guess Niner assumed everyone would use an outboard BB and spacer sould be used. They didn't mention the need for a different BB if using square taper. Would have been nice to know in the week I waited to go pick up the frame. Could have ordered it then. Something that irks me about Niner. All new technical information is given in threads on the Niner forum on mtbr. They don't have it on print or on there new website.
Next technicality, from the annals of mtbr. My current Reba fork will not work on the new improved Niner geometry. It apparently has a 38mm rake. Before this dilemma, I had no idea what rake was. The new Niner forks have a length of 470mm and 45mm rake. Steel runs you $179 (not offered in Gold) and the new carbon is $350 (not available until May). I have a Karate Monkey fork on the KHS and it goes 468mm with 43mm rake, pretty close. I guess I will run the KM fork and see how it goes. I could go with a ODIS fork, 468 and 45 rake and it would look cleaner. Buuuut, the the KM works out, there is a local paint shop that may be able to make a color match for about $40. We'll wait and see.
That last issue is the most technical research I have ever done on a bike. I went SS to limit all the technical mumbo jumbo.
Anyway, hopefully I will have the bike by the end of the week. No pics, forgot the camera too.
Later, Player
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
Snake Creek Gap: #3
Saturday was the Snake finale for this year. This was to be my 5th attempt of the 34 mile in 7 tries. I really had no idea of how I was going to do. Training has been limited due to weather and work. The plan was to ride hard, eat plenty and have fun.
Becky, Zoey and I camped again Friday night and had a great time catching up with the Nashville crew, Hodge and Millhouse. The night was gorgeous, which made for great camping. We awoke to moisture in the air, but comfy temps for riding. I sweat a good bit, so I like the weather a little cooler than most. We took off to the start line before the racer meeting, which proved a great idea. We arrived in the Dry Creek parking lot, got suited up and everyone stashed their SAG in the back of the truck so they could retrieve it at the halfway and the finish lines. I had to wait on my bike on one of the trailers. Not sure what I was thinking when I put it on there, but it arrived soon enough to make it into the 3rd or 4th group to start.
Me, Cheweiz, Monster (Scott), All business Jeff, Keith and Meanjoe lined up for the gun. We all took off and I settled into the back of the group. I wore my HR monitor for this race, I normally don't, but I wanted to see what average HR was and estimate my burned calories. So, I turned it on. I took it easy on the flat before the creek and just waited for the legs to warm up. I felt awful on the fireroad climb, and was thinking I was in for another long day. I saw Monster up the climb and I was gaining on him, I knew he was not feeling well and when I caught him before the singletrack he confirmed he was in for a long day. I almost suggested he go back to the car and catcha ride with Becky, but I didn't, he's a grown boy.
Once I hit the ST climb, my legs woke up and I started to power all the little grunt climbs. The trail was dry, I really couldn't believe it myself, this trail has never been dry. I got passed by some folks I recognized and some I didn't. I passed some folks and continued to ride pretty good. I saw Jeffy and his tang bike, he became my carrot and I kept him in sight the rest of the first half. We got out of the ST and it just felt faster than usual. Up the needle climb and now were moving fast. Jeffy got outta site for a bit, but I saw him on the ST after the road climb. The creek crossing felt good. I thought this day may get hot, I should lose my overshorts at the half. We make the next climb and ride the ridge, I am riding most of the trail. I think I had to walk a couple spots, but not as many as usual. I follow Jeffy down the fast downhill watching his wheel and almost going OTB on one of the berms.
My plan at the SAG was too get fresh bottles, eat a PB&J, get a snickers, lose the shorts and the ipod, and put some air in my back tire (it felt low). Best laid plans didn't work out. I had turned the HR monitor over, so I wasn't constantly watching it and doing time calculations in my head. I flipped it over in the parking lot. 1:45. What? I am never this fast. I gotta get outta here. Becky tells me J5 is 15 minutes and Keith and Chewiez are 10 minutes. I have the crazy notion, I can catch them if I hurry. I down the PB&J, Becky unwraps the snickers, I take it, grab my bottles and go. As I make the climb out of the halfway point, I remembered about the shorts, ipod and tire. To late now. I make the climb yoyoing with an Addictive rider and a Voodoo rider. I pass the Addictive rider who is working on his bike. He says his rim is bottoming on the rocks. I feel mine bottoming out, but decide to try and ride it out to the next SAG. I go down the hill and check my time. 2:30. I'll be at the left turn in less than 15 minutes. If I can push, I can make 4:15, maybe 4? Cross the creeks, damn the ST is fast today. The rear rim bottoms out on rock and hssssss. I stop and work on getting it changed. People start to pass by, but I'm still looking good. Get it replaced and Jeffy shows up, throws his bike down and yells. "That sucks, you were makeing great time" all I could say was, I know. I blow my first c02 and the second on didn't work well. Jeff ask Stanley if I could borrow his hand pump and he obliges. Jeff goes on as I try to air the tire, but it won't hold. More people keep going by. I start to put the wheel on to walk up to the SAG and catch a ride to the finish. Day is done.
Hodge rolls up like a superhero. Whatcha need bro? Tube. Got it , give me the wheel. 30 seconds later the tube is replaced and we have to use the hand pump to air it up. We get the wheel on and I wait on Hodge to get on his bike, I thought we could tackle the climb together. I knew my PB day was over. Hodge thought differently. He yelled, get outta here and I took off. I sprinted as much of the climb as I could, got to the top, used a floor pump to fill up the tire and filled the bottles. Hodge is coming up the hill as I finish and yells again "what are you doing here? get outta here. I cram a cliff bar down and start riding again. I hate this part of the trail, it start to get rocky and it gradually climbs. Murder on the SS. I normally go into survival mode at this point, but I felt ok. I kept eating and drinking when I could. I would hammer climbs and expect to cramp or fatigue eventually, but the legs kept responding. My technical skill started to decrease, so I pushed the easy climbs and walked the technical stuff. I passed a couple folks and powerwalked the tough sections. I saw the tower and checked the watch. 4:29. I finished the ST and started the descent down. I played it safe. I was happy with the time, so no need to get hurt over a minute or 2. Into the finish. I was tired, but felt like I had more to give. Probably from the 20 minute tire change break I got. I looked through the photos form the guy at the creek and counted 35 people who passed me. Hodge was the 23rd rider to come up.
In retrospect, I learned alot this race. Be more methodical in the SAG. Wear a watch. Keep eating and drinking. A calculated risk is still a risk.
I reaffirmed some things too. Hodge is awesome. Jeffy is awesome.
Training for Cohutta starts this week. First dirt Hundy.
Becky, Zoey and I camped again Friday night and had a great time catching up with the Nashville crew, Hodge and Millhouse. The night was gorgeous, which made for great camping. We awoke to moisture in the air, but comfy temps for riding. I sweat a good bit, so I like the weather a little cooler than most. We took off to the start line before the racer meeting, which proved a great idea. We arrived in the Dry Creek parking lot, got suited up and everyone stashed their SAG in the back of the truck so they could retrieve it at the halfway and the finish lines. I had to wait on my bike on one of the trailers. Not sure what I was thinking when I put it on there, but it arrived soon enough to make it into the 3rd or 4th group to start.
Me, Cheweiz, Monster (Scott), All business Jeff, Keith and Meanjoe lined up for the gun. We all took off and I settled into the back of the group. I wore my HR monitor for this race, I normally don't, but I wanted to see what average HR was and estimate my burned calories. So, I turned it on. I took it easy on the flat before the creek and just waited for the legs to warm up. I felt awful on the fireroad climb, and was thinking I was in for another long day. I saw Monster up the climb and I was gaining on him, I knew he was not feeling well and when I caught him before the singletrack he confirmed he was in for a long day. I almost suggested he go back to the car and catcha ride with Becky, but I didn't, he's a grown boy.
Once I hit the ST climb, my legs woke up and I started to power all the little grunt climbs. The trail was dry, I really couldn't believe it myself, this trail has never been dry. I got passed by some folks I recognized and some I didn't. I passed some folks and continued to ride pretty good. I saw Jeffy and his tang bike, he became my carrot and I kept him in sight the rest of the first half. We got out of the ST and it just felt faster than usual. Up the needle climb and now were moving fast. Jeffy got outta site for a bit, but I saw him on the ST after the road climb. The creek crossing felt good. I thought this day may get hot, I should lose my overshorts at the half. We make the next climb and ride the ridge, I am riding most of the trail. I think I had to walk a couple spots, but not as many as usual. I follow Jeffy down the fast downhill watching his wheel and almost going OTB on one of the berms.
My plan at the SAG was too get fresh bottles, eat a PB&J, get a snickers, lose the shorts and the ipod, and put some air in my back tire (it felt low). Best laid plans didn't work out. I had turned the HR monitor over, so I wasn't constantly watching it and doing time calculations in my head. I flipped it over in the parking lot. 1:45. What? I am never this fast. I gotta get outta here. Becky tells me J5 is 15 minutes and Keith and Chewiez are 10 minutes. I have the crazy notion, I can catch them if I hurry. I down the PB&J, Becky unwraps the snickers, I take it, grab my bottles and go. As I make the climb out of the halfway point, I remembered about the shorts, ipod and tire. To late now. I make the climb yoyoing with an Addictive rider and a Voodoo rider. I pass the Addictive rider who is working on his bike. He says his rim is bottoming on the rocks. I feel mine bottoming out, but decide to try and ride it out to the next SAG. I go down the hill and check my time. 2:30. I'll be at the left turn in less than 15 minutes. If I can push, I can make 4:15, maybe 4? Cross the creeks, damn the ST is fast today. The rear rim bottoms out on rock and hssssss. I stop and work on getting it changed. People start to pass by, but I'm still looking good. Get it replaced and Jeffy shows up, throws his bike down and yells. "That sucks, you were makeing great time" all I could say was, I know. I blow my first c02 and the second on didn't work well. Jeff ask Stanley if I could borrow his hand pump and he obliges. Jeff goes on as I try to air the tire, but it won't hold. More people keep going by. I start to put the wheel on to walk up to the SAG and catch a ride to the finish. Day is done.
Hodge rolls up like a superhero. Whatcha need bro? Tube. Got it , give me the wheel. 30 seconds later the tube is replaced and we have to use the hand pump to air it up. We get the wheel on and I wait on Hodge to get on his bike, I thought we could tackle the climb together. I knew my PB day was over. Hodge thought differently. He yelled, get outta here and I took off. I sprinted as much of the climb as I could, got to the top, used a floor pump to fill up the tire and filled the bottles. Hodge is coming up the hill as I finish and yells again "what are you doing here? get outta here. I cram a cliff bar down and start riding again. I hate this part of the trail, it start to get rocky and it gradually climbs. Murder on the SS. I normally go into survival mode at this point, but I felt ok. I kept eating and drinking when I could. I would hammer climbs and expect to cramp or fatigue eventually, but the legs kept responding. My technical skill started to decrease, so I pushed the easy climbs and walked the technical stuff. I passed a couple folks and powerwalked the tough sections. I saw the tower and checked the watch. 4:29. I finished the ST and started the descent down. I played it safe. I was happy with the time, so no need to get hurt over a minute or 2. Into the finish. I was tired, but felt like I had more to give. Probably from the 20 minute tire change break I got. I looked through the photos form the guy at the creek and counted 35 people who passed me. Hodge was the 23rd rider to come up.
In retrospect, I learned alot this race. Be more methodical in the SAG. Wear a watch. Keep eating and drinking. A calculated risk is still a risk.
I reaffirmed some things too. Hodge is awesome. Jeffy is awesome.
Training for Cohutta starts this week. First dirt Hundy.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Fallen
He was killed in an IED attack on February 3rd in Iraq. I served with Lt. Col Garnet (Gary) Derby while stationed at Ft. Stewart. He was the Commanding Officer and I was the loader on his tank. He was an outstanding leader and was not afraid to get in the battle. I learned of his death while watching the news Friday night. It hit me hard as I spent the past week searching out Army buddies on Facebook. See the story linked below.http://www.militarycity.com/valor/3950005.html
My favorite memory of Capt Derby:
We were doing a live fire exercise in Egypt. At the end of the exercise we were moving unfired munitions between tanks (we could not take any back to the states). I was on top of the tank awaiting a round to be delivered. Capt. Derby was halfway out of the top hatch talking on his headset. I started to hear a series of distinct pings. I knew right away we were taking friendly fire from the infantry unit on our left. I yelled at the Sgt. delivering the round to hit the dirt. I then jumped right on Derby's head and shoved him back into the tank while sliding in on top of him. He was cussing and screaming until he saw my face and heard what I was saying. He got on the air and cease fire was called. He didn't say anything to me until later in the day we were looking at chips the rounds left in the tank. He just walked up and gave me a high five.
We lost an outstanding soldier and patriot. Please keep his family in your thoughts
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