Holiday Hero

It is the time of year where the fight between daylight and night wage a  constant battle. 

Luck for the Bringer of the LIGHT we are only 30days away from it's return.

As of now I am trying to keep what little fitness I have left so I can line up next week for 

Hwoods Cross For Tots.

Today was going to be a good day to get out and do some laps but as of now the temp is in the teens and the wind is whipping making for some nasty early winter windchill. 

What ever happens next weekend will be good it,

The whole THC team will be out going around in circles,

and we will Party,, as always. 

Pip will be home and we are going to 

take James up to the Third Layer so he 

can Trash indoors for a bit.

The Post Thanksgiving food babies will be 

fresh in everyone's guts making all

look more than normal goofy in their skinsuits. 

 

 We saw our first smattering of

snow thursday night, into friday

morning which made travel in cars interesting,,

for me the 1/2" of snow and 1/4" of ice 

gave me flash backs of riding the mud

at Green Archers,,

No sudden movements keep the bike straight and keep pedaling,,

I made it unscathed and   as the AC/DMC

cx bike has been it riding it kicked ass..

Still not sure how I am going to transport my self over the heart of winter if it does become snowy,, do not want to trash the new rig with all the different treatments they put on the road..

I do know that i need to get it in the Feedback stand and clean it up from the past few days of riding... I think that I am ready for spring..

Who wants to go to Fruita?

Sand in the Vaseline

So This Kid here is racing in for lack of better terms her first season of Cyclocross.

She did line up for two last year coming back from illness and rocking a borrowed SSCX machine,,

But this season is the first real deal. 

Two weeks in and taking her lumps and learning that even though it has two wheels,

It is Pure Sweet Hell!

The pain and agony that comes with going around in circles for 40+Minuets...

Making you eyes go cross and tasting blood in the back of your throat.

Two races in one at her school and one Saturday in the windy city.

But with these two races she has got her self qualified

for Nationals in Boulder this coming January.

    I am cheering this kid on, and she tackles this new 

discipline of cycling and works on finding that pain cave 

and while there setting up residence for the sole purpose of going faster. 

As I told her on this Steel Horse she rides and it can take 

her anywhere.

Make it Hurt Go FAST Then do it all Over Again..

Lacking

Short days and long nights on top of extended work hour,, been finding it hard

to motivate to get out and ride. One of the nice things when racing

cross on the weekend,, kind of forces you out to move. 

No racing this weekend, even though I would like to be

down in Iowa race the Jingle Cross,,, someday.

No now I am all dressed

and ready

to 

Go and play,, skies are grey and a foggy mist hags over the valley, making me not want 

to take out the shifter bike.

Would like to be able to watch the kids race in Chicago will have to rely on

twitter updates, and what ever comes across the interwebs. 

Spoke to Pip not to long ago and she said that it looks 

wide open golf course style and the big

swingers are there so it should be an interesting day for sure.

More Coffee and interweb surfing will help me decide what to do, I may just have to take the purple reign out and rip up some the tiny sections of single track that don't require much effort....but even that takes motivation,, which I am lacking. 

Luckily I got to beat the sunset and climbed a big old hill.. 

Go PiP GO!

 

Eye's Crossed

We were Blessed this weekend by the one and only Pip on loan from Ripon College. 

She came home so we could get her cx bike dialed and so we could head up to the 612 for the end of the season awards at QbP.

Along the way we got to have some quality time with the Bauer Clan all but Jake from State Farm,

had a quick stop at THC headquarters so we could knock in a King Headset for the kid 

then off to Bandit Cross. 

Jeff over at All/City puts on a good show and I have been wanting to be able to do one of his races,, just never fell on a good day for me... With the freaks all mounted up  we took Pip down to the Dog Park and christened her in some underground Cyclo Cross Racing 

A very fun course and with a lot of stairs,, Both me and the kid did not have a clue on what or how all things were going to happen.. We did a lap for practice as  group and found that rout finding could prove to be a challenge. Pip ask if it was ok before the start to just roll a few laps and get used to the bike then hang out with the on lookers and party people.

For me it was a flash of light and stair climbing I think we agreed  to  5 laps and for the most part I  was

there with Hollywood at the start but kept over shooting turns or finding ways to lay the bike down. 

Two laps to go I hear something go pop in my back and I had to soft pedal into the finish,, 

Josh B got the win Hwood in 3 me 5th.. Fun yep ,,,do it again ,..,.For Sure.,.,

Up next was the party

the Team Scored First Place Pro/Elite Division 

Pip was 1st overall Pro/Elite

Me Turd Overall with Josh Bavers in 4th

Jay 3rd 40+

And Many Many more,,, It was a Killer Night and a Kick Ass Team..

Soon their after I went to be as I had to be up early to get to 

Ripon for the Cookie Cross Race.

I had not intention of racing seeing as I could not stand up straight but 

with enough Advil and some heat on my back I was felling pretty spry when I saw the 

course stretched across the campus. 

Up first was Pip and I could tell at the get go that she was fighting the bike.. 

She is set up 1x9 a 39x11-25 which for this course with the amount of up hill may have been too much... But she rallied and worked it,, still only her 3 cross race ever.

I was next up lining up next to the College A's with the 1,2's.

I warmed up and felt ok,, and knew that it would all happen fast as we headed straight to the double stairs.

Made it through and was able to hold on to the charging young collegiate racers.

Coming trough the second set of double barriers and decided to get it a go never trying before and bunny hopped them... At this point my fun factor went off the charts as I now did not have to dismount in such a fast section.. Rallying the course getting cheered up pip's team and parents I was having fun,, and we kept it together till 4 to go,, 

At this point I start to ease up a bit and with two to go on the stairs as I shook hands with the onlookers,,, the leaders came around.. Knowing that the day was done I punched it and got on their wheels.

I finished one lap down but still managed to find the 5 spot and 1 for the 1/2's,,

but more amazing than that my back did not give out.

For me I am going to be keeping it local this weekend and the kid is off to Chicago then to 

Purdue for some racing as she works her way to Boulder and Nationals. 

She has some work to do but is totally stoked on the new bike so I believe she can do it..

Now if my old man back did not hurt so damn much.. 

Cider House

Yesterday was the first Cyclocross event here in the Lacrosse area.

A tough weekend to get a big turn out with all the other races going on in the Upper Midwest, but you have to start some where. 

Fields were small but excitement was high and owners of the Apple Orchard were happy

to have the extra lot of people through their shop. 

The course consisted of a couple access roads through the lower orchard with some nasty sand sections. Then it wrapped past the bee hives and up a good sized hill similar to the one at Green Archers CX just a touch longer and less rode in. From there it twisted through the upper section of the Apple trees then back down a loose double track to another sand pit and then into some ill put barriers  and then all over again. 

I got there early enough to scope out the course and test my gear. 

I got to watch one off camber corner that was pinching and rolling tires off,, then watched someone 

pitch their front wheel in the same hole and high side it to his collarbone. Not sure if he broke it but i needed to help him down the hill. 

I put an extra tooth on the rig and was set to go. 

5 of us at the line and we headed up the road into the wind up the false flat. 

I went to the front to get through the sand and get to the climb first,, when local 

legend and native Hill Pig ,, Chris Ames on his shifting bike came around,,, he was able to 

stretch out a gap on me that I could not shut down,, he was getting a big pull

on the double track and then back up the false flat section.

Gaps started to form and at this point I just wanted to point the rig and make this cx racing look good for the hand full of folks watching. 

The Nature Boy rode like a dream, solid on the tight twisty sections and mashed the climbing, I do wish for some tubeless tires soon but if wishes we assholes???

Up next we are going to get the Pip home and then Her and I will head up to the 612 for the end-of -season party.. and Maybe Bandit Cross or just a team group ride.

Then back off to Ripon for their Cross race the Cookie Cross.

I was going to go to the cities and race today,, but gas and entry plus nasty winds did not sound good. 

I'll get out on the Mountain Bike and enjoy a nice slow sunday.. 

Get up get out and RIDE YOUR BIKE!!  

Fading Light

Trying to get it all together and make it all work..

The plan as of now is to go to the local CX race this saturday as it is a new thing and it is great to see that people are trying to get racing going in this area. I'll

line up for the 1/2 race and give it a go,, not sure who will show.

After that my plan is to go up to the Cities to the Velo Cross race Sunday.

In Years past I would head up for the Midwestregionalsinglespeedworldchampionship.

But this year it is at weird time and the 1/2 race is going to be a big deal both days.

The catch is trying to make it all work out $$wise.. So if I can make my entry fee on saturday I will for sure head on up. I want to line up with the fast guys and make my eyes bleed for 60 minutes. 

Have put in some good work,, over the weekend I was able to break out the MTB and ride

single track... and the past few days after work hammering some tempo style intervals to the point of spinning out,, and doing cross style work outs in the local park.

I will be interested to if on saturday,, if people will/would be into some cross racing in the area. 

We have a lot of good parks and other venues that could make for good racing,, just need the bodies.

The Kid just got back late monday night after being in North Carolina for Collegiate Mountain Bike Nationals.

The team got out almost a week early for some R&R some acclamation and prep for the racing at hand.

The days leading up to the big event was nothing but great weather and good fun of single track riding and eating and no school.  They did have a mishap of one of the star riders crashing while pre-riding so the cards were stacked for the Team being one rider down. 

They woke up on friday the day of the short track to find an inch of snow and temps in the 30's with cold wind...  Pip dropped a chain and struggled to get it back on only to get pulled,,, she was place but beyond pissed and ready for more.  

Saturday was the XC race and the weather was not that much better,, but the kid was,,

She uncorked a great ride and found her self cross the line in 6th place,, just a few minutes off the podium.... This made her hungry for more and realizing that she could race this bike,,,,,even in foul weather.

The podium finally showed up for the Red Hawks on Sunday as the Team lined up for the First ever Team Relay.  The kids had a good ride and found the last step,,,fifth place..

They had ups and down and got to experience so hard racing and some stiff competition.

Up next will be Cyclocross racing and another chance to race for the Stars and Bars.    

Smell the Glove

I find my self Tired and rundown. Not sure if it from the lack of sunlight and the long days of work,,

Or is it just the leftovers from my weekend Trip to Colorado and last weekends

Cross Racing Fun. 

What ever it is I am looking forward to this coming weekend.

A weekend of staying home and getting shit done around the house and sleeping.

Yes yes Yes I would love to be up in the 612 this weekend for the 

Fall Fest or even Red Barn which is one of my favorite CX races,,

But this old man needs to Chill.

After this cool down weekend their are two back to back weekends coming 

with a good bit of travel wrapped up in them. 

Would I like to go to Iowa for the Jingle Cross,, yea sure but I am not that invested in spending that much money and time in the car. 

As of right now I am all about riding the New Bike and racing it when I can.

Speaking of new Bike..

 

This thing is super Rad and this weekend put it to the true Test. 

The Frame is what I always wanted in a Cross Bike,,  A Soft yet Forgiving ride, that Feels like a stick of butter over rough terrain but Stiff and Snappy out of the Corners.

The wheels even though they have tubes in them for now with their wide profile 

allowing me to run low pressure and carve through the apex of a curve. 

I found having the brake cable route through the frame not only made for easy grabbing over barriers but also made for a quick clean up when it was covered in mud. 

The Rig is rounded out with Precision moving parts From Chris King and Stem and Seat Post, were Provided by Thomson. As I always say not having to worry about those parts failing,, just doing their job... makes mine easier.

Hollywood put it all together and did it up right,, sized me, fit me,, and made it all Tight..

If you live in the area and have not been a Trip to Hollywood Cycles is a must,, it will only make  you a faster Rider. 

Jeff @ All-City set me up straight, and MD and Velocity has made sure that  my wheels are True.

Kyle with King and David @Thomson, Have stood behind the Old Man Dreams that keep me moving.

So far so good been enjoying the time in the woods and more Cross is to come.

It was a long Mountain Bike season and the true off season is coming in about 5-6 weeks.. And 8 weeks from today the calender will turn again and the light will begin to return and then Spring will be on it's way.

Until then I will continue to ride and beat the snot out of my self. I do enjoy watching the wheels go round and round,.,., now to make them go faster. 

Party ON!